Patents by Inventor Michael L. Fritz

Michael L. Fritz 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).

  • Apparatus for accurately forming plastic sheet
    Patent number: 6257866
    Abstract: A sheet of thermoformable plastic material is positioned by air pressure adjacent a planar surface of a heating plate to heat and at least soften the sheet. The softened sheet is draped over a mold by the force of air pressure to form a molded part upon cooling. Registration pins engaging the sheet maintain the sheet in registration with the mold to insure correct positioning of any indicia on the sheet with corresponding elements of the mold. A plurality of sheets may be fused to one another during heating of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hy-Tech Forming Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alton L. Fritz, Michael L. Fritz, Kenneth A. Fritz, Edward J. Gasiorek, Wayne L. Case
  • Method for blow down hydroforming sheet material
    Patent number: 6210623
    Abstract: A method for blow down hydroforming sheet material includes hydraulically inflating a seal intermediate a pair of wall members and disposed between a platen and a table in circumscribing relationship with a cavity formed in the platen to seal the cavity and injecting gas into the cavity to urge conformance of the sheet material with a mold placed upon the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hy-Tech Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz
  • Method for blow down hydroforming sheet material
    Patent number: 5932167
    Abstract: A method for blow down hydroforming sheet material includes hydraulically inflating a seal intermediate a pair of wall members and disposed between a platen and a table in circumscribing relationship with a cavity formed in the platen to seal the cavity and injecting gas into the cavity to urge conformance of the sheet material with a mold placed upon the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Hy Tech Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz
  • Protected seal for blow down platen
    Patent number: 5679388
    Abstract: A blow down hydroforming apparatus for sheet material incorporates an hydraulically inflatable seal disposed between a platen and a table in circumscribing relationship with a cavity formed in the platen to maintain the pressure of gas in the cavity during forming of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz
  • Hydroforming platen and seal
    Patent number: 5545026
    Abstract: A platen for applying pressure during hydroforming of polycarbonate and similar sheet material includes a flexible diaphragm for applying pressure in response to hydraulic fluid under pressure within a platen cavity and a diaphragm circumscribing sealing member for inhibiting seepage of hydraulic fluid and for preventing outward migration of the material of the diaphragm during a hydroforming operation. The junction between the sealing member and the diaphragm is conforming and void free to prevent hydraulic fluid flow therebetween. To help contain the hydraulic fluid within the platen cavity, a circumscribing inwardly extending foot of the diaphragm provides a mechanical and dynamic seal against an adjacent surface of the platen cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz
  • Hydroforming platen and seal
    Patent number: 5466146
    Abstract: A platen for applying pressure during hydroforming of polycarbonate and similar sheet material includes a flexible diaphragm for applying pressure in response to hydraulic fluid under pressure within a platen cavity and a diaphragm circumscribing sealing member for inhibiting seepage of hydraulic fluid and for preventing outward migration of the material of the diaphragm during a hydroforming operation. The junction between the sealing member and the diaphragm is conforming and void free to prevent hydraulic fluid flow therebetween. To help contain the hydraulic fluid within the platen cavity, a circumscribing inwardly extending foot of the diaphragm provides a mechanical and dynamic seal against an adjacent surface of the platen cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz
  • Seal for blow down platen
    Patent number: 5460773
    Abstract: A blow down hydroforming apparatus for sheet material incorporates an hydraulically inflatable seal disposed between a platen and a table in circumscribing relationship with a cavity formed in the platen to maintain the pressure of gas in the cavity during forming of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventors: Michael L. Fritz, Alton L. Fritz