Abstract: A method for forming a toothed wheel which comprises the steps of providing a circular sheet metal blank of uniform thickness, cold forming an outer peripheral portion thereof into a thickened rim of uniform generally rectangular cross-sectioned configuration having (1) an outer periphery which does not exceed the outer periphery of the toothed wheel to be formed by more than approximately two percent (2) a radial thickness at least 2.0 mm greater than the tooth height of the toothed wheel to be formed, and (3) an axial thickness at least twice the uniform thickness of said blank, the cold forming comprising progressively moving a predetermined marginal peripheral portion of the metal blank having a cross sectional outline radially inwardly and axially outwardly while the integral integrity of the metal within the cross sectional outline is maintained without merging portions of the cross sectional outline together, and cutting a series of teeth in the periphery of the thickened rim by a hobbing operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a one-piece sheet metal toothed wheel including a central sheet metal wall of predetermined thickness and a series of integral teeth on the periphery of the central wall.The method comprises a combination of steps the initial one is cold-forming a circular piece of sheet metal into a preform having an outer annular section of generally uniform cross-sectional configuration and an integral sheet metal central wall.The next step is rotating (1) the rotary holding unit with the preform secured thereto about the preform axis, and (2) the tooth-forming tool unit about the rotational axis thereof in a predetermined rotational relation wherein the axes are parallel and the rotational speeds are synchronized.

Abstract: A method of forming a one-piece sheet metal toothed wheel comprising the steps of rotating (1) a rotary holding unit with the preform secured thereto about the preform axis and an inner portion of an outer annular section of the preform within a back-up space provided by the holding unit, and (2) a tooth-forming tool unit about the rotational axis thereof in a predetermined rotational relation wherein the axes are parallel and the rotational speeds are synchronized, and then while the rotary holding unit with the preform secured thereto and the tooth-forming tool unit are in the predetermined rotational relation affecting relative movement between the units and the axes thereof in a direction toward one another to engage the tooth-forming periphery fo the tooth-forming tool unit in cooperation metal-deforming relation with the outer portion of the outer annular section inwardly of the exterior periphery the preform until the sheet metal of the outer portion of the annular section is cold-formed into the serie

Abstract: A cold-formed gear made from a single circular sheet of sheet metal. The gear is formed to have a central wall and a series of gear teeth surrounding the central wall. The teeth are formed in a outer annular section of the steel sheet by rolling contact with a cold-forming gear member. Extending from the outer annular section is a radial surface that supports the gear on a preform unit and then can be formed into a pulse ring for the gear.

Abstract: A method of forming a toothed wheel comprising the steps of cold-forming a circular piece of sheet metal of predetermined thickness into a preform, rotating (1) a rotary holding unit with the preform secured thereto about the preform axis and with a control surface of the holding unit underlying at least a portion of an annular section of the preform and (2) a tooth-forming tool unit in a predetermined rotational relation wherein the axes of rotation are parallel and the rotational speeds are synchronized, and while in the predetermined rotational relation affecting a relative movement between the units and the axes thereof in a direction toward one another to engage a tooth-forming periphery of the tooth-forming tool unit in cooperating metal-deforming relation with the annular section inwardly of the exterior periphery thereof until the sheet metal of the annular section is cold-formed into the series of teeth, the peripheries of which are cold-formed by rolling contact with the tooth-forming periphery of t