Patents by Inventor Kirk R. Vetter

Kirk R. Vetter 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).

  • Method of forming a textured pattern on a metal plate which pattern is transformed to a plastic part, and a press plate and plastic part produced thereby
    Patent number: 5526664
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for imparting a textured surface to a work piece, particularly a metal plate or platen used to impress a textured surface on a sheet of plastic laminate or the like. According to one form of the invention, a stream of balls having substantially uniform size, shape, and weight are propelled against a surface of the work piece at a velocity sufficient for the balls to create an impact impression on the surface of the work piece. Particular characteristics of the texture may be varied by changing the velocity, size, shape, weight, size of the stream, distance travelled by the steel balls, and the sweep rate over the work surface. A suction blast gun having a particular size air jet and nozzle projects the balls against the work piece which are fed to the gun through a magazine. The balls are propelled against the surface by a pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Progressive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk R. Vetter