Patents by Inventor Ralph Hohneke

Ralph Hohneke 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 and apparatus for punching particle board
    Patent number: 6923100
    Abstract: A punch and backer plate combination is disclosed as an example of the present invention. The punch has a concave recess in its extended end. The punch may be round or have a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a backer plate having an aligned opening with a similar shape to the punch plus a clearance dimension. The aligned opening of the backer plate includes an upper portion and a lower portion, where the lower portion is enlarged in comparison to the upper portion to allow relief for a slug of material from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Birch, Ralph Hohneke, Steven J. Kleis, Leonard C. Sloat, Melissa Perez, Brad R. Hansen
  • Method and apparatus for punching particle board
    Publication number: 20030183057
    Abstract: A punch and backer plate combination is disclosed as an example of the present invention. The punch has a concave recess in its extended end. The punch may be round or have a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a backer plate having an aligned opening with a similar shape to the punch plus a clearance dimension. The aligned opening of the backer plate includes an upper portion and a lower portion, where the lower portion is enlarged in comparison to the upper portion to allow relief for a slug of material from the workpiece. The punch recess allows stress to be relieved upwardly instead of causing side stresses which induce breaks and cracks in the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Birch, Ralph Hohneke, Steven J. Kleis, Leonard C. Sloat, Melissa Perez, Brad R. Hansen