Abstract: Fill and pressurization apparatus having a sectional fluid conductor having a first section fixed relative to the surroundings, and a second section which moves toward the first section to form an enclosure through which a high volume flow rate--low pressure flow may be passed to fill an adjacent open end of a tube with liquid. Said fluid is passed through an inlet conduit, which may be a rigid conduit, to the fixed first section. A seal head insertable into the end of the filled tube has an elastomeric seal member and a rod and a sleeve relatively axially displaceable to compress the seal member and deform it into sealing engagement with a surface of the tube. A stop member on one of the rod and sleeve and a stop surface on the other of the rod and sleeve limit the axial displacement and hence also the compressive force applied to the seal member. The relative displacement is achieved by retracting one of the rod and the sleeve and blocking the retraction of the other.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by compressing an internally-pressurized tubular blank within a die having a cavity conforming to the final box-like cross section desired for the product, and increasing the pressure to exceed the yield limit of the wall of the blank to expand the blank into conformity with the die cavity. The blank is selected so that the final product and the die cavity have a circumference preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening or cracking of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion. The internal pressure forces the blank evenly into the corners of the die on closing and allows the blank to be confined within the die without sections of the die pinching the blank on closing of the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a flanged end on a tubular workpiece comprising a die having a throat therethrough connected at one end to an abutment surface of the die extending transversely on each side of the throat, a main frame connected to the die, a sub-frame mounted reciprocably on the frame longitudinally relative to the die, a pair of cheek pieces connected on the sub-frame and movable apart, and a wedge member mounted reciprocably on the sub-frame between the cheek pieces. The sub-frame is driven longitudinally relative to the main frame and the wedge member is driven longitudinally between the cheek pieces, whereby the cheek pieces can be separated by extending the wedge member longitudinally relative to the cheek pieces. The separated cheek pieces are then driven longitudinally towards the abutment surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming hollow, box-section, frame members which include localized reinforcement. The frame members are produced by fitting a sleeve about a tube, deforming the tube and sleeve to avoid the occurrence of frictional drag in a final die, and then expanding the tube and sleeve in a final die to form the hollow, box-section, frame member. The expansion is achieved by application of an internal pressure within the tube.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by compressing an internally-pressurized tubular blank within a die having a cavity conforming to the final box-like cross section desired for the product, and increasing the pressure to exceed the yield limit of the wall of the blank to expand the blank into conformity with the die cavity. The blank is selected so that the final product and the die cavity have a circumference preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening or cracking of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion. The internal pressure forces the blank evenly into the corners of the die on closing and allows the blank to be confined within the die without sections of the die pinching the blank on closing of the die.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by deforming the sides of a tubular blank inwardly to provide it with concavely recessed portions in areas corresponding to generally opposing flat surfaces of the product. The deformed blank is expanded, under internally applied fluid pressure, within a sectional die which has its die cavity preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening, cracking or yielding of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion.

Abstract: A tube with a thick walled portion at one end is cold-formed by necking one end of a tube workpiece, inserting a mandrel which engages within the tapering neck of the necked portion, drawing the necked workpiece through a drawing die by applying pressure on the mandrel, and withdrawing the mandrel from the workpiece. A thick-walled portion may be formed at the opposite end by interrupting the drawing operation, inserting a second mandrel of smaller diameter with a shoulder engaging in the tapering neck of the workpiece, continuing the drawing to draw the remainder of the workpiece down onto the second mandrel, and withdrawing the second mandrel.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by compressing an internally-pressurized tubular blank within a die having a cavity conforming to the final box-like cross section desired for the product, and increasing the pressure to exceed the yield limit of the wall of the blank to expand the blank into conformity with the die cavity. The blank is selected so that the final product and the die cavity have a circumference preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening or cracking of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion. The internal pressure forces the blank evenly into the corners of the die on closing and allows the blank to be confined within the die without sections of the die pinching the blank on closing of the die.