Radially Expanding Part In Cavity, Aperture, Or Hollow Body Patents (Class 29/522.1)
  • Patent number: 8327517
    Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control unit includes a base body 1 incorporating therein a brake fluid flow path 1a and an electromagnetic valve 2 which is an assembled part assembled into a mounting hole portion 10A which is formed in the base body 1 in such a manner as to communicate with the flow path 1a. A hole wall of the mounting hole portion 10A has a plastically deformed portion 18 formed by pressing the hole wall in a downward direction of the mounting hole portion 10A. A locking groove 214 for the plastically deformed portion 18 to enter is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the electromagnetic valve 2. An outside diameter of the electromagnetic valve 2 at an upper side of the locking groove 214 is made smaller than an outside diameter of the electromagnetic valve 2 at a lower side of the locking groove 214.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ota, Naoki Yamada
  • Patent number: 8267798
    Abstract: A connection system for a grease cover of a constant velocity joint includes a groove portion formed in a generally annular portion of the constant velocity joint. The generally annular portion is defined, at least in part, by an inner surface. The system also includes an insertion tool a grease cover selectively positioned at least partially within the groove portion. The grease cover includes an outer edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Madden, Brian Michael Valovick, Jake Lawson
  • Publication number: 20120217738
    Abstract: A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe generally includes an insert member configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, and a retention member coupled to the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe. The retention member operates in conjunction with the insert member to engage the end portion of the pipe and impart an increased force against an inner wall of the pipe in response to an increase of internal pipe pressure, thereby frictionally securing the end portion of the pipe on the insert member as internal pipe pressure increases during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: BLAZING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. King, Duane K. Smith, Douglas L. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8240020
    Abstract: A stent retention mold includes two half-molds, each half-mold including a stent supporting surface, and a plurality of protrusions disposed on at least one of the stent supporting surfaces. A stent retention method includes retaining a stent to a balloon using a split mold that includes a stent supporting surface having a plurality of protrusions, so that a portion of the balloon extends through a gap of the stent into a space between two protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin J. Kent, Boyd V. Knott, Jeremy L. Stigall, Kyle M. Krueger, Sean A. McNiven
  • Patent number: 8225479
    Abstract: A first and a second object (1 and 2) are joined with the aid of a joining element (8) including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends (8.1 and 8.2) a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes (5 and 6) facing each other are provided in the two objects (1 and 2) and the joining element (8) is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends (8.1) are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap (9) between the two objects (1 and 2). This assembly is then positioned between a support (3) and a sonotrode (4). The sonotrode (4) and the support (3) are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode (4) is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends (8.1 and 8.2) are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes (5 and 6) and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores of the hole surfaces or unevennesses or openings provided in the hole surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Colin Clinch, Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Elmar Mock
  • Publication number: 20120180608
    Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept provides for an overmold that is applied to substantially all of the exposed portions of a wood handle for a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: AMES TRUE TEMPER, INC.
    Inventors: ROYDEN H. GIBSON, MARCUS E. NORDEN, SAM D. HECTOR, JIM H. BENNETT, CARL R. WALKER
  • Patent number: 8214997
    Abstract: A bore gripping anchor structure for attaching articles to the outer surfaces of masonry materials and other solids which is actuated by a blind rivet type installation tool. A basic embodiment has an anchor component with bidirectionally deflectable fingers (20) and a concentrically situated and slidably housed actuator device which has a stem (30) and a force applying portion, anvil (40). After insertion into a bore in a first direction, the actuator device is pulled in the opposite direction, so that said anvil (40) interacts with said fingers (20) in a manner which causes said fingers (20) to first be deflected outward and into substantial contact with the wall of the bore, and with continued pulling of said anvil (40) in the opposite direction causes the end portions of said fingers (20) to deflect inward and behind said anvil (40), to couple the anchor structure with the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Roy A. Richie
  • Publication number: 20120137500
    Abstract: Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glenn, Jonathan M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8191225
    Abstract: A screen that conforms to the borehole shape after expansion is disclosed. The screen comprises a compliant outer layer that takes the borehole shape on expansion. The outer layer is formed having holes to permit production flow. The material that is selected preferably swells with prolonged contact to well fluids to further close off annular gaps after expansion. In an alternative embodiment, the screen is not expanded and the swelling of the material alone closes off annular gaps. The outer sleeve is placed over the screen and the screen is placed on a base pipe and initially expanded from within the base pipe to secure the components of the screen assembly for running downhole, while minimizing or eliminating any welding among the layers. A variety of expansion tools can be used to expand the screen or screens downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 8171961
    Abstract: A plug structure for sealing an opening end portion of a circular fluid passage formed in a housing comprises a plug being equal in resistance against deformation to, or smaller than, the housing and having an annular flange portion formed on an end portion of a circular column portion; a flange pressure-contacting portion of the opening end portion deformed to be pressure-contacted with a lower surface of the annular flange portion by being caulked with a caulking tool; a contracted diameter portion of a shape gradually narrow in the middle to which the circular column portion is deformed as a result that the fluid passage is deformed by the caulking to be contracted in diameter; and a deformed circumferential portion to which the circumferential edge of the annular flange portion of the plug is deformed by the caulking to be pressure-contacted with the flange pressure-contacting portion of the opening end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 8156630
    Abstract: A method for joining members capable of firmly joining a first member made of a tubular member, such as, e.g., a pipe, to a second member is provided. The following items are prepared: a tubular first member 1 having a polygonal cross-section and a hollow portion 3, a second member 5 having an insertion hole 6 with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the first member 1, and a split die 11 circumferentially split into multiple segments at positions corresponding to flat wall portions 1a of the first member 1. Then, the first member 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 6 of the second member 5, and the split die 11 is disposed in the hollow portion 3 of the first member 1. Next, each segment 11a of the split die 11 is moved radially outward of the first member 1 toward each corner 1b of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyazaki, Yasuji Kawamata
  • Patent number: 8151461
    Abstract: To produce a sealing contact between male and female threaded elements, a contact zone is provided, located between male and female threading portions separated from each other in an axial direction. The male and female elements have respective cylindrical portions that extend over the entire length of the contact zone. After expansion, a sealing contact is established between surfaces in two annular areas by a radial interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Vallourec Mannesmann Oil & Gas France
    Inventors: Eric Verger, Laurent Dubedout, Benoît Duquesne, Andréi G Filippov, Scott A Benzie
  • Publication number: 20120030980
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching an emblem onto the front face of an airbag storage enclosure cover has a plurality of attachment posts that project from the back surface of the emblem and extend through the cover from the front face to terminate in free ends remote from the emblem. An attachment backing sheet is positioned against the rear face of the cover, whereby the attachment posts also extend through the attachment backing sheet with the free end of each positioned on the side of the attachment backing sheet opposite from the cover. A plurality of radially-enlarged attachment nuggets are formed or joined individually in a one-to-one association to the free end of the attachment posts, and each of the attachment nuggets is secured to the backing sheet in proximity to the associated attachment post. The attachment backing sheet thus tethers each of the attachment nuggets to the cover in the event of the mechanical failure of an associated attachment post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Terry Sella, Michael Kutchey, James N. Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 8099849
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a stent assembly comprising radially expanding a polymeric tube to an optimal degree of radial expansion; fabricating a stent from the expanded polymeric tube; and crimping the stent onto a catheter assembly, wherein the temperature of the stent during crimping is an optimal crimping temperature, wherein the optimal degree of radial expansion and the optimal crimping temperature correspond to an optimal fracture toughness exhibited by the crimped stent upon its deployment as a function of degree of radial expansion and crimping temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David Gale, Bin Huang, Vincent Gueriguian, Syed Hossainy
  • Patent number: 8096032
    Abstract: A toggling punch for attaching a waveguide entry spinning to a waveguide entry panel wherein the cylindrical body portion of the waveguide entry spinning is deformed outwardly over the waveguide entry panel by means of a plurality of inclined movable pins which are moved to their crimping positions by means of a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Bender, Alan F. Bender
  • Patent number: 8096045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to device and method for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly that reduces an error rate by reducing stress concentrated on rolling elements in manufacturing processes of the wheel bearing assembly. The device for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly may include: a base, on which a hub is mounted, supporting the hub in a case of orbital-forming; a forming tool mounting portion mounted above the base; a rotating portion rotatably connected to an outer ring and rotating or pivoting the outer ring about a hub axis in a case of the orbital-forming; and a forming tool mounted at the forming tool mounting portion, rotating on a first axis slanted to the hub axis by a predetermined angle, and simultaneously orbiting about a second axis parallel with the hub axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Il Jin Global Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John R. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 8091240
    Abstract: There is provided an assembling method of a bearing unit which has a bearing having an outer ring and a retainer plate having a retainer hole for holding the outer ring. The assembling method has pressing a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of a circumferential edge of an inner circumferential portion of the retainer hole of the retainer plate in an axial direction so as to form engagement pawls and moving the engagement pawls of the retainer plate from one axial end of the outer ring to a engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring so as to engage the engagement pawls of the retainer plate with the engagement groove of outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Katougi, Tomoharu Sugiman
  • Patent number: 8069699
    Abstract: Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glenn, Jonathan M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8056208
    Abstract: A method for joining flanges or other couplings to pipes, wherein a plurality of radially expanding segments (10) with circular ridges (11) on a tool inserted into the pipe (1), press beads (5, 6) in the pipe wall into corresponding grooves (3, 4) in the surrounding coupling element (2), where the pipe end, by means of a projection on the segments, is given an overbending outwards that prevents the pipe end from tapering inwards during the pressing of the beads. The invention comprises the interior configuration of the coupling element as well as a tool for pressing the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Quickflange AS
    Inventor: Hilberg Karoliussen
  • Patent number: 8056231
    Abstract: An insert snaps into position in a manifold of a fluid device to perform a baffling function. The insert includes a cradle having a base portion and opposed spring fingers for retaining the insert in position. The base portion can be completely closed to prevent flow through the insert, or have a spring flapper valve or bimetallic flapper valve to permit partial or full flow through the insert under predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Luvisotto, Yuri Peric
  • Patent number: 8028414
    Abstract: Bearing bores for engine mount components must be periodically repaired. A component is disassembled and a bearing is removed from the bearing bore. An inner surface of the bearing bore is machined to remove any damage. A sizing sleeve is selected to have a press fit with the machined inner surface of the bearing bore and with the outer surface of a new bearing. The bearing is press fit into the sizing sleeve and the sizing sleeve is press fit into the bearing bore. The outer surfaces of the sizing sleeve and the bearing are swaged to assist in retaining and preventing relative movement between the bearing, sizing sleeve and engine mount component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew R. Gratton
  • Patent number: 8001819
    Abstract: The present invention was made with the object of eliminating the short pipe member when attaching a bolting nut to a hydroformed part, preventing an increase in the difficulty of hydroforming for attaching the nut, extending the nut length so as to enable sufficient strength at the time of bolting, and enabling application even to thin wall hydroformed parts and comprises inserting a metal pipe into a split mold having a pierce punch able to be moved perpendicular to an axis of the inserted metal pipe or in a slanted direction, having a front part narrower than a center part, and having around the front part a nut having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the front part and smaller than an outside diameter of the center part; hydroforming it; then making the pierce punch advance to pierce part of the hydroformed part and pushing the nut by a center part arranged behind the nut and embedding the nut in the metal pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Mizumura, Koichi Sato, Yukihisa Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20110131787
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a self-drilling anchor. The self-drilling anchor includes a drill rod with a first end and a second end and a drill bit attached to the first end of the drill rod. The self-drilling anchor also includes an expansion shell located over the drill rod near the first end and adjacent to the drill bit and a rod sleeve located over the drill rod and adjacent to the expansion shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffery John Moroney, Sean Jarratt Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7950129
    Abstract: A first and a second object (1 and 2) are joined with the aid of a joining element (8) including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends (8.1 and 8.2) a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes (5 and 6) facing each other are provided in the two objects (1 and 2) and the joining element (8) is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends (8.1) are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap (9) between the two objects (1 and 2). This assembly is then positioned between a support (3) and a sonotrode (4). The sonotrode (4) and the support (3) are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode (4) is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends (8.1 and 8.2) are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes (5 and 6) and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores of the hole surfaces or unevennesses or openings provided in the hole surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Colin Clinch, Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 7862271
    Abstract: A method of joining workpieces includes rotating a friction stir rivet via a mandrel and driving the rivet into the workpieces causing frictional heating between the rivet and the workpieces and causing the materials of the workpieces to soften, thereby providing a fiction stirred displaceable path for the rivet to traverse, and driving the rivet along the displaceable path until the rivet mandrel pierces through the workpieces and a cap of the rivet is seated against the workpieces. Subsequent to seating the cap, further rotation of the mandrel is stopped and the workpieces are allowed to cool and harden. An axial load is then applied to the mandrel sufficient to provide mechanical loading between the rivet body and the workpieces. A resultant volume of displaced material from the workpieces is fixedly attached to the workpieces, thereby avoiding the creation of a potentially detachable slug of the displaced material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robin Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20100284111
    Abstract: A cylindrical boss portion is press-formed on a baseplate of a disk drive suspension. The boss portion is penetrated by a ball insertion hole relative to the thickness of the baseplate. The baseplate is formed of stainless steel. A chemically-polished surface is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the ball insertion hole by chemically polishing the baseplate after heat-treating it. The boss portion is inserted into a mounting hole of an actuator arm. A ball having a diameter larger than the inside diameter of the ball insertion hole is passed through the ball insertion hole. As the diameter of the boss portion is enlarged by the ball, the boss portion is fixed to the actuator arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicants: NHK Spring Co., Ltd., OGAKI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke YABU, Masakazu Sugino
  • Patent number: 7823262
    Abstract: A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rahmatollah Fakhri Toosky, Soheil Eshraghi
  • Publication number: 20100236048
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7761967
    Abstract: A method of assembling a metal shore post of a concrete forming assembly is disclosed. An outer telescoping tube is provided that has a main section with a first inside diameter and top portion with a section having a second inside diameter reduced relative to the first inside diameter of the outer tube. An inner telescoping tube is inserted for telescopic movement inside the outer tube. After assembly, a pair of pistons are inserted through access holes in the outer tube to provide a crushing force to the inner tube deforming it to create a region of increased diameter that is greater than that of the reduced diameter section but not so large as to prevent telescopic movement of the inner tube inside the outer tube. The increased dimension region thereby prevents accidental separation of the inner tube from the assembly, thereby improving safety and efficiency. Openings are provided in the inner tube in the region being crushed in order to control the region of deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Wilian Holding Company
    Inventor: Robert McCracken
  • Patent number: 7712202
    Abstract: A system for securing a basket containing product securely within an autoclave or retort. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is used with rotational retorts, which generally include a rotational insert for receiving product-loaded baskets, the rotational insert rotated via a drive to rotate the baskets end over end during the autoclave process, for more efficient heat transfer. The present invention contemplates an improvement for securing the baskets within the retort, to facilitate secure rotation of the baskets and their contents, and prevent shifting of the baskets within the retort during rotation. Particularly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates the use of one or more lift bladders sandwiched between clamping platens situated along the length of the rotational insert, the lift bladders configured to expand to lift and position the baskets into a securing position for rotation, then deflate to release the baskets after processing for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Allpax Products LLC
    Inventor: Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 7707704
    Abstract: The invention relates a method for providing reconnection to a ferrule to a service line from within the bore of a lined host pipe adapted to carry a fluid, comprising lining the host pipe with a liner, locating the ferrule from within the lined host pipe, forming a passage for fluid through the liner to the ferrule, and forming a seal of the liner with the system whereby to obviate leakage of fluid between the liner and host pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Enterprise Managed Services Limited
    Inventors: Robert Lye Crocker, Dominic Paul Edmund Barnard, Trevor George Sanders
  • Publication number: 20100101072
    Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member includes a support member with a fluid passage. A mandrel is movably coupled to the support member and includes an expansion cone operable to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member when moved relative to the tubular member. A pressure chamber is positioned between the support member and the mandrel, and the pressure chamber is fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage. A releasable support is coupled to the support member and operable to selectively couple the support member to the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, David Paul Brisco, R. Bruce Stewart, Lev Ring, Richard Carl Haut, Robert Donald Mack, Alan B. Duell
  • Patent number: 7698798
    Abstract: A rivetless nut plate has a nut, a holding bracket, a member and a nut retainer. The nut is provided with an aperture therethrough and is secured within a bracket portion of the holding bracket by the retainer but also is permitted limited movement within the bracket portion. The holding bracket further includes a tubular portion having inner and outer walls. The inner wall is tapered such that the member is positioned against the inner wall. Upon an axial force being applied to the member through the aperture of the nut, the member is pushed through the tubular portion from the first end to the second end in order to expand the inner wall and force the outer wall into engagement with the wall of the workpiece. A tool is provided to push the member through the tubular member and can be incorporated into either a manual or automatic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rahmatollah F. Toosky
  • Patent number: 7681296
    Abstract: A method and tool for producing a press joint connection, in which portions of the radial lateral walls of an opening of a die are configured as flexible displaceable segments, whereas other sections, when viewed from a periphery of the opening, remain rigidly connected to the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tox Pressotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eugen Rapp
  • Publication number: 20090293258
    Abstract: An anchor insertion rod is disclosed for use with an anchor insertion tool removable secured therein for the installation and setting of anchors. The anchor insertion rod comprises an outer member and an inner member slidably mounted within the outer member, whereby the inner member can be extended to increase the length of the insertion rod. Upper and lower stop members are positioned on the insertion rod, along with a slide hammer surrounding a portion of the insertion rod that moves along the insertion rod between the upper and lower stop members. To install an anchor, the insertion rod is raised to align an anchor within the anchor insertion tool with a pre-drilled hole in the surface in which the anchor is to be mounted. The slide hammer is moved to forcibly contact the upper stop member to impart an impacting force to insert the anchor. The anchor is set by moving the slide hammer to contact the lower stop member and impart a setting force to the lower stop member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Cousineau
  • Patent number: 7591059
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making a connection that can be rotationally locked by expansion are disclosed. Threaded tubular ends include a slot cut across a thread at a location along the circumference of the thread. Threading two tubular members that have the slot disposed in either or both of a pin or box end of the tubular members establishes the connection. The slots represent no impediment to the make-up or break-out of a box by pin connection prior to expansion. During expansion of the connection, the threads of either the box or pin end are forced via plastic flow into the slot in the corresponding thread. This results in locking the connection and preventing relative rotation between the two tubular members, which could otherwise loosen the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Iain C. MacAulay, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 7588052
    Abstract: A closure plug for bores, including a cylindrical jacket of through hardened steel, whose outer peripheral surface features a toothed design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Marco Systemanalyse und Entwicklung GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Reuter
  • Patent number: 7581309
    Abstract: A method of assembling a carriage assembly is capable of suppressing deformation of spacer portions when suspensions are attached to carriage arms. The method of assembling a carriage assembly aligns fitting holes provided in front end portions of carriage arms and spacer holes provided in spacer portions of suspensions and places the suspensions onto the carriage arms, and then presses a ball with a diameter equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the spacer holes with a pressure-applying member to pass the ball through the spacer holes, thereby crimping spacer hole edge portions of the spacer portions and attaching the suspensions to the front end portions of the carriage arms. By applying ultrasonic vibration from two axial directions to the pressure-applying member, the pressure-applying member is caused to vibrate on a two-dimensional movement path on a predetermined plane and passes the ball through the spacer holes while causing the ball to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takayoshi Matsumura, Naoki Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Yasuo Moriya, Hidehiko Kira
  • Patent number: 7578043
    Abstract: An expandable coupling arrangement for coupling first and second tubulars includes a male thread portion on an end of the first tubular and a female thread portion on an end of the second tubular. The thread portions comprise dovetail threads having flanks, roots and crests, wherein the flanks are inclined at an angle of greater than 10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Simon John Harrall, Paul David Metcalfe, Neil James Glover, David Stephenson, Andrew Michael Duggan
  • Publication number: 20090199390
    Abstract: The device prevents the loss of articles otherwise susceptible to falling behind furniture, appliances, fixtures or equipment or other large objects placed next to a wall which are not easy to move or reach under such as, but not exclusively, couches, wardrobes, desks, washers, dryers, refrigerators, filing cabinets and dressers. The compressible and flexible device is fitted from above into the crevice between the furniture and the wall. It is held in place by friction created by the pressure caused by the deformation of the device between the furniture and wall. The device, when flexed or compressed, creates a u-shaped channel which catches valuables such as jewelry, makeup, currency, papers, office supplies or other items which are left on top of furniture and which without such invention, may otherwise fall behind the furniture where it would be difficult or impossible to retrieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Howard A. Dobelle
  • Publication number: 20090189434
    Abstract: A vehicle seat frame provides a tilting feature for tilting the seat cushion. The frame includes side brackets (20) with a torsion tube (60) laterally—extending through an aperture (100) of the side brackets. The torsion tube is fitted against the side bracket through an internal swaging procedure to allow smooth rotation of the torsion tube within the side brackets. The torsion tube includes an annular protrusion (200) which provides an axial locking feature that tightly secures the subcomponents placed onto the torsion tube during vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew C. Jones, Paul Brown
  • Publication number: 20090151146
    Abstract: A method for joining a holed member, including a through-hole, and an unholed member together, the method includes deforming the unholed member against the through-hole of the holed member so that a flat portion of the holed member around the through-hole is deformed into the shape of a truncated conical projection and so that the unholed member is deformed along the truncated conical projection to partly project from the through-hole, and deforming a portion of the unholed member which projects from the through-hole to come into intimate contact with a wall surface of the through-hole of the holed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Kousuke Nagai, Osamu Ando, Kouhei Jiuchi
  • Patent number: 7527584
    Abstract: Subassembly of at least two machine parts, the outer machine part, in particular a tensioning roller with a running disk made of steel being fastened with its internal circumferential surface on an external circumferential surface of the inner machine part a raceway ring of a rolling bearing, by means of compression connection, wherein the overlap of the internal diameter of the outer machine part, in particular the running disk, and of the external diameter of the inner machine part, in particular raceway ring, and the dimensions of the machine parts and their materials are selected such that the outer machine part, in particular the running disk, is deformed into the plastic range of material strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Rainer Schenk
  • Publication number: 20090070984
    Abstract: A coupling between a device and a mating part includes an elastic material and perhaps a tensioner coupled to the elastic material. The elastic material is wrapped around at least part of the device. The tensioner or other method is used to stretch the elastic material, thereby reducing the thickness of the elastic material. With the thickness of the elastic material reduced by the stretching, the device is inserted into a hole in a mating part. Then the tension on the elastic material is removed, allowing the elastic material to increase in thickness, so as to fill at least part of the gap between the device and the mating part. The coupling may act as an effective heat transfer device for transmitting (by conduction) heat produced by the heat-producing device, to the mating part, which may act as, or be thermally coupled to, a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred Sorvino, Hilario Tejeda, Randy Thompson
  • Patent number: 7489056
    Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with a bonding method for bonding metallic members, which comprises the steps of: fitting a metallic members to another metallic member, followed by effecting preliminarily plastic bonding by means of a preliminarily bonding punch; and generating compression force in an axial direction of the members in the vicinity of the fitting portion of the bonding members after the preliminarily plastic bonding, and allowing part of the material of the bonding member to effect plastic-flow in such a manner as to fill a gap defined between the metallic members, so as to plastically bond the members; whereby the members are tightly integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouji Harada
  • Publication number: 20090020532
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for correctly installing a flexible liner in a tank for water storage. The present invention in the preferred form relates to the use of a substantially rigid outlet (20) in the flexible liner (12) that is received in a tank aperture (22) when the liner (12) is correctly installed in the tank (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Steven John Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20080311998
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint, wherein all of those rolling elements excluding a plurality of rolling elements are divided into a plurality of rolling element groups and arranged along the inner diameter part of a roller member. The excluded plurality of rolling elements are dispersed in first to third cam grooves at intervals in the circumferential direction. When the rolling elements are pressed in the radial outer direction by the first to third pressing faces of a cam rotating in the arrow A direction, they are simultaneously press-fitted into first to third clearances between the rolling elements from the side of the inner diameter part of the roller member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Shouichi Nakao, Tsutomu Kawakatsu, Masanori Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20080145284
    Abstract: A reactor including a monolith having a plurality of fins in an annular arrangement for receiving fluid flow through the reactor. The monolith is disposed within a generally cylindrical outer tube, and around a corrugated inner tube. The reactor includes a device for urging the monolith radially outward, so as to maintain contact between the monolith and the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: CATACEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
  • Patent number: 7380326
    Abstract: A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free end of the tubular barrel portion is coined and deformed axially and radially outwardly against a planar die face into an annular shape having a planar annular bearing surface supporting the panel and a flat end face. The die includes a central post and an annular planar die surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the die member. The method of installation includes coining and deforming the barrel portion axially and radially eliminating cracking of the barrel, frictional resistance and hoop-stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventor: Zdravko Kovac
  • Patent number: 7377021
    Abstract: Two components are held in at least partially overlapping relation to each other between a hold-down device and an essentially flat lower tool and then are joined together by pressing an auxiliary joining element into one of the components a sufficient distance to plastically deform the components in a manner that positively joins the two components together. A tool with an optional wobbling movement and/or an optional variable force is used to press the auxiliary joining element into the first component. The magnitude of force applied by the hold-down device affects the direction of plastic flow of the material of the components in relation to the flat lower tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung, e.V.
    Inventors: Reinhard Mauermann, Fred Jesche, Stephan Dietrich, Lutz Lachmann