Patents by Inventor James L. Birke

James L. Birke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5060362
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting two workpieces (20, 22) together by simultaneously upsetting both ends of a slug rivet (12). The present apparatus includes a frame portion (44) which may deflect during the rivet upsetting operation and a frame compensation booster assembly (164) which is provided to ensure that movement of the upper riveting ram relative to the frame portion (44) is increased an amount equal to the frame deflection so that the workpieces will be maintained in a substantially fixed work plane during the upsetting operation. Before the slug rivet is upset and after the slug rivet has been snugly engaged by the riveting rams (50, 60) the pressure behind the riveting rams is equalized by introducing fluid into the cylinder (48) until the pressure within the cylinder (48) equals the pressure within the cylinder (56). This is to prevent movement of the workpiece at the commencement of the upsetting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: James L. Birke, David Michalewski, Steven Gross, Robert J. Kellner, Mark J. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5027490
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carries tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces. A vibrating apparatus is associated with the upper ram and will be operated to hammer the upper ram while it is still being maintained in contact with the fastener after the fastener has been inserted into the workpieces to fully insert the fastener and relieve any stresses which may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James L. Birke
  • Patent number: 4998943
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carrys tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James L. Birke
  • Patent number: 4908928
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting two workpieces (10, 12) together by simultaneously upsetting both ends of a slug rivet (R) while maintaining the outer surface (16) of one of the workpieces (10) in a substantially constant fixed work plane (20) during riveting. The workpieces are held between two clamps (18, 28), one of the clamps (18) establishing the fixed work plane. After drilling, a slug rivet is placed within the drilled hole, and then a first riveting ram (42) is moved to establish a desired die cavity. A second riveting ram (58) is then moved until it just contacts the rivet. The rams (42, 58) are then simultaneously moved towards each other at equal rates to simultaneously form upset heads on both ends of the rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventors: Frank T. Mazurik, Mark J. Andrews, James L. Birke