Die-press Shaping Patents (Class 29/894.353)
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Patent number: 11633979Abstract: A method for producing a drop centre rim and to a drop centre rim for vehicle wheels of commercial vehicles. The rim has a plurality of zones, which form an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange, an inner steep-tapered bead seat and an outer steep-tapered bead seat and a rim drop centre with a drop centre base, an inner drop centre flank and an outer drop centre flank between the steep-tapered bead seats, wherein one of the zones is provided as a disc attachment region for a wheel disc, and the drop centre rim has at least one partial zone with a reduced wall thickness relative to the other zones. It is envisaged that at least one of the steep-tapered bead seats, preferably both steep-tapered bead seats, has/have a section with a wall thickness reduction of more than 20% relative to the wall thickness in the zone provided as the disc attachment region, wherein the wall thickness reduction is produced during one of the profiling steps.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Maxion Wheels Germany Holding GmbHInventors: Achim Boos, Jakob Schellenberg, Thomas Rang, Klaus Bernhard Zeyen
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Patent number: 10189316Abstract: Adapter coupled between a tire bead and a rim, and having an axially inner end mounted on the rim seat. The adapter comprises an inner reinforcer, an axially outer end that comprises an outer reinforcer, and a body that connects the outer and inner ends to form a single piece and comprises one main reinforcement that connects the outer and inner reinforcers. Substantially cylindrical adapter seat receives one of the tire beads, the seat being situated at the axially outer end of the body. An adapter bearing face is substantially contained in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire/rim rolling assembly, the bearing face being situated on the axially inner face of the axially outer end. The reinforcing element of the axially outer end is axially situated entirely on the outside of the bearing face. The body comprises, facing the adapter seat, an annular seat reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventor: Bertrand Daval
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Patent number: 9827607Abstract: A mold for molding a case of a mobile device includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth main body, connection slide blocks, and first and second abutment slide blocks. The connection slide blocks and the second abutment slide blocks are inlaid in first and second slide channels of the first and second main bodies. The first abutment slide blocks are inlaid in channels of the connection slide blocks. The third, fourth and fifth main bodies are horizontally movable relative to the first and second main bodies. The first and second main bodies, the connection slide blocks and the first and second abutment slide blocks together define a male mold section and the third, fourth and fifth main bodies together define a female mold section. A metal thin sheet is placed on the male mold section and pressurized and molded by the female mold section to form the case.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Sheng Lin, Fei-Fei Shi
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Patent number: 8914977Abstract: A vehicle wheel according to the present invention includes a hollow-state hollow portion and a solid-state non-hollow portion inside an outboard bead seat in a radial direction, which are provided in series in a circumferential direction of the wheel, the non-hollow portion having a cross section with a larger area than a hole cross section of a valve hole and having the valve hole formed therein. This structure prevents a sealing structure for ensuring hermetic performance from being complicated as compared to a wheel having the valve hole in the hollow portion, thus simplifying a mounting structure of an air valve. A method for manufacturing such a vehicle wheel allows formation of the valve hole in the non-hollow portion. Machining dust generated through a cutting process can thus be prevented from entering the hollow portion and remaining therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahide Furukawa, Hideyo Nehyo
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Patent number: 8353106Abstract: A device and method for fixing or repairing a wheel or rim of an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is provided. The device has an adjustable shaft having a first side and a second side. The first side may act as a brace secured against the interior of a rim of, for example, an automobile. The second side may be the work end of the device which may be formed to fit the interior wall(s) of the rim. When the rim is heated and the shaft is extended, the device may allow a user to fix a dented rim. A bracing bar may be extended perpendicularly from the shaft and may act to secure the device in place while the work is performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Rimsmith Tool, LLCInventors: Herbert Lauer Lasser, Kickey Steven Lutterbach, Adam M. Sworden, Joel P. Sanchez, Cesar P. Sanchez
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Patent number: 8336208Abstract: A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Inventor: Brock Weld
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Patent number: 8176631Abstract: A method for making positioning structures of a bicycle hub comprises the steps of: A. bicycle hub clamping step; B. bicycle hub press forming step; and C. bicycle hub loading step. By such arrangements, the positioning structures of the bicycle hub can be obtained by the quick press forming without affecting the structure strength.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Bitex Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Te-Yao Hsieh
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Publication number: 20110010940Abstract: A workpiece having a first constant diameter portion, a tapered reduced-diameter portion, a concave portion, a tapered increased-diameter portion, and a second constant diameter portion is formed by machining the tapered reduced-diameter portion, and then machining the tapered increased-diameter portion and the concave portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsunenari FUTAGI, Nobuyuki KAKIYA, Tadahisa AKIYAMA, Ikuo KATO, Akitoshi UCHIUMI, Shinichi OHNAKA, Toshimasa KOSHIMIZU, Haruo MACHIDA, Yuji MATSUMOTO
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Publication number: 20110000087Abstract: A device and method for fixing or repairing a wheel or rim of an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is provided. The device has an adjustable shaft having a first side and a second side. The first side may act as a brace secured against the interior of a rim of, for example, an automobile. The second side may be the work end of the device which may be formed to fit the interior wall(s) of the rim. When the rim is heated and the shaft is extended, the device may allow a user to fix a dented rim. A bracing bar may be extended perpendicularly from the shaft and may act to secure the device in place while the work is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Herbert Lauer Lasser, Kickey Steven Lutterbach, Adam M. Sworden, Joel P. Sanchez, Cesar P. Sanchez
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Patent number: 7587825Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Coleman, Tom Czarniecki, Bill Fowler
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Patent number: 7559145Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Utz Jäcke, Ramon J. Aquilué, Jordi Bosch
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Patent number: 7555838Abstract: A method for producing a bicycle wheel rim is disclosed. The method involves extruding a thin-walled, hollow body having the cross-sectional shape of the rim and an integral external tab. The walls of the hollow body are sufficiently thin that a length of the hollow body without the external tab is subject to buckling when roll formed to produce a rim. The tab is so positioned and sized that the hollow body with the integral external tab is not subject to buckling when roll formed. A portion of the extrusion is then rolled to a circular shape; the circular portion is cut from the extrusion; the free ends are connected, and the external tab is removed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Inventor: William B. Shook
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Patent number: 7523555Abstract: The present invention provides wheel manufacturing method comprising a pressing step in which a primary molded product having a cylindrical shape with a bottom in which a flange part that extends to the outside is disposed on the open side end part is manufactured, a working step in which a secondary molded product is obtained by cutting away the bottom part of the abovementioned primary molded product, and a spinning step in which, the secondary worked product is fit over and fastened to a rotating jig, a rim flange molding roller is pressed against the end part of the flange part while the secondary worked product is rotated together with the rotating jig, so that the flange part is gradually molded into the shape of a rim flange part, and the flange part is subsequently subjected to an angular adjustment to an appropriate angle to mold a rim flange part.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Work Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7523554Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wheel rim by bringing end faces of a workpiece into abutment against each other to form a hollow cylindrical body and forming a circumferential recess which is depressed from an outer circumferential wall of said hollow cylindrical body toward an inner circumferential wall thereof, including providing protrusions disposed near ends of a joined area of the hollow cylindrical body and extending in a joining direction, and then pressing the outer circumferential wall of the hollow cylindrical body to form the recess.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shizuo Kimura, Kenzo Takeda, Ikuo Kato, Yukio Uchiyama, Tadashi Goto, Nobuyuki Kakiya, Kiyoshi Satou, Naotake Marui, Shinichi Ohnaka, Tatsuo Yamanaka, Jin Fukuda, Taisei Wakisaka, Haruo Machida
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Patent number: 7520056Abstract: A method for molding a wheel rim hump part, comprising the steps of stopping a fist claw (30) and a second claw (32) holding a work (wheel rim for vehicle) (W) at specified positions and allowing an annular support member (160) to abut on the end surface of the curl part (C1) of the work (W), closing a right side first mold (16b) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the right side first mold (16b), also closing a left side first mold (16a) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the left side first mold (16a), moving forward a long rod (136) to allow a roller metal mold (124) to abut on the inner peripheral wall surface of the work (W), and turning the roller metal mold (124) along the circumferential direction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Arai, Minoru Nakano, Kenzo Takeda
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Patent number: 7490406Abstract: Bicycle wheel rims with internally reinforced spoke seats are disclosed along with methods for producing them. The rims are produced from a rim blank with at least one circumferentially extending spoke attachment region that has a relatively uniform given thickness. Access holes are formed in an upper web of the rim blank and tooling is positioned above and below the spoke attachment region to form a reinforced spoke seat and a spoke hole therein. Material that is upset and moved from the location of the spoke hole is displaced into an annular region where it reinforces the spoke hole. Material in the vicinity of the spoke hole can be displaced towards the inside of the rim and material can be removed from the undisplaced portions of the spoke region leaving a reinforced area around the spoke hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Inventor: William Shook
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Patent number: 7441335Abstract: A metal mold for electromagnetic forming, with the inner peripheral face thereof, serving as a forming face, is disposed on the outer peripheral side of a columnar workpiece, and a coil for electromagnetic forming is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the columnar workpiece. In a state of a configuration as described, electric energy is thrown into the coil for the electromagnetic forming, and the columnar workpiece is caused to undergo flaring to be thereby pressed against the forming face of the metal mold for the electromagnetic forming, so as to be turned into a shape corresponding to the forming face by means of the electromagnetic forming, thus obtaining a wheel rim. A disc is welded to the wheel rim obtained, and curling is applied to outer edges of the wheel rim. With the adoption of a method of manufacturing an automotive wheel, a manufacturing process as a whole is enhanced in efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Yoshihaya Imamura, Hiroyuki Yamashita
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Patent number: 7363709Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel and manufacturing method of the same which make it possible to prevent the formation of indentations along the hump parts in the inner circumferential surface of the rim. In a wheel which comprises a cylindrical rim consisting of a rolled metal plate, and in which hump parts that are used to lock the inner circumferential edge part of the tire are disposed circumferentially so that these hump parts protrude to the outside in the vicinity of the end part of the outer circumferential surface of the rim on at least the design surface side, the outer hump part is formed to have an increased thickness by damming so that this outer hump part protrudes outward while the inner circumferential surface of the rim that corresponds to the outer hump part is formed into a flat circumferential surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Work Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7240416Abstract: A method of forming a device, such as an electrode array for a cochlear implant. The method comprises a step of forming a predetermined pattern of relatively electrically conductive regions and relatively electrically resistive regions in a sheet of biocompatible electrically conductive material, such as platinum foil. The method can comprise a step of working on the sheet to remove predetermined portions therefrom to form the one or more discrete relatively conducting regions. The step of working on the sheet can comprise embossing the sheet, cutting or slicing the sheet, or using electrical discharge machining (EDM) to remove unwanted portions of the sheet, the EDM equipment having a cutting tool comprising an electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Dusan Milojevic, John Parker
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Patent number: 7228629Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a three piece aluminum wheel assembly comprising the steps of providing a pair of circular blanks made of a heat treatable alloy to be formed into preforms of a general shape. The preforms are subjected to a quenching step in an unconstrained condition to allow for natural thermal deformation during the quenching operation. The as quenched preforms are then subjected to a first forming operation using spin forming to remove the effects of the thermal deformation in the preform, followed by a second forming step using spin forming to shape the component to its desired final shape. The components are then exposed to precipitation heating and finishing to yield the final product.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Inventor: Michael J. Beyer
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Publication number: 20070107223Abstract: A method for molding a wheel rim hump part, comprising the steps of stopping a fist claw (30) and a second claw (32) holding a work (wheel rim for vehicle) (W) at specified positions and alowing an annular support member (160) to abut on the end surface of the curl part (C1) of the work (W), closing a right side first mold (16b) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the right side first mold (16b), also closing a left side first mold (16a) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the left side first mold (16a), moving forward a long rod (136) to allow a roller metal mold (124) to abut on the inner peripheral wall surface of the work (W), and turning the roller metal mold (124) along the circumferential direction thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2004Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Koichi Arai, Minoru Nakano, Kenzo Takeda
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Patent number: 7107809Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seamless wheel rim includes the steps of deeply drawing a pre-cut circular aluminum alloy plate into a cup-shaped embryo body, punching out the bottom surface thereof to form a hollow cylinder, then putting it into an expanding-pressing female die with an expanding die cavity at both ends thereof respectively, and finally pressing and expanding both ends of the embryo body by two sets of expanding-pressing male dies to form a seamless aluminum wheel rim in sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Inventors: Ting-Fang Wang, Juei-Hung Hung
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Publication number: 20060123629Abstract: Thus, the present disclosure includes a method of producing a weight-optimized pneumatic tire rim having rotationally-symmetrically partially different wall thickness. The steps include: providing a tube section having a first wall thickness and two end sides; leveling the first wall thickness starting from the two end sides over a defined rotationally-symmetrical area thereby forming two flanks by precontouring, each of the flanks having a second wall thickness, and pushing tolerance-caused excess material of the flanks into a well base zone between the two flanks; and contouring the flanks by pressure rolling while drawing each of the flanks toward an end area of each of the flanks and reducing the thickness of each of the flanks partially differently to predetermined measurements. The present disclosure also includes a device to implement the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2003Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventor: Udo Friese
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Publication number: 20060000094Abstract: A method of making a forged aluminum vehicle wheel includes forging a low copper bearing 7000 series aluminum alloy into a wheel workpiece followed by initial cooling and machining and surface treatment. Aging which may be natural aging, artificial aging or both may be provided after cooling and before or after machining. Corresponding forged aluminum wheels are disclosed. The low copper bearing 7000 series forged aluminum wheel has superior fatigue properties. An alloy suitable for use in the method and wheel is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: Carl Garesché, Dhruba Chakrabarti, Gregory Nowoslawski, Robert Fecke, Matthew Brest
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Patent number: 6961999Abstract: A deep V-section aero rim for a tensioned spoke wheel and a method for producing it are disclosed. The rim is produced by extruding an alloy to produce a rim profile, rolling the extrusion, cutting the rolled extrusion to length, joining the free ends to produce a rim blank and mechanically reducing the thickness of the rim side walls a substantial amount. In one embodiment, each of the side walls, after extrusion, has a thickness that is sufficient to withstand buckling of the side walls during rolling. After rolling and cutting the extrusion to length, its ends are joined and each side wall, namely, the portion between the rim floor and the braking surface, is thinned, preferably by mechanical abrasion, until each side wall is so thin that an extrusion having side walls of that thickness could not be rolled without side wall buckling. In another embodiment, flanges on the outside of the side walls prevent buckling during rolling and the flanges are removed after rolling.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Inventor: William B Shook
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Patent number: 6935024Abstract: A process of manufacturing a rim for a motor vehicle from an original pipe, in order to facilitate formation of projections for reducing road noise on the rim, comprises a projection forming step of partially extruding a ledge portion of an intermediate pipe for the rim from inside to outside in a radial direction of the ledge portion so as to form a plurality of projections at suitable intervals.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6907665Abstract: A method of manufacturing alloy rim for automobile is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming elongated extruded alloy straps with a cross-section shape from alloy by an extruding process; cutting the extruded alloy into the required length; placing the cut alloy obtained in (b) onto a mold to form into an arch-shaped edge; cutting the two ends of the edges of the extruded alloy to form into an inclined angle end; placing the extruded alloy of (d) into a device to form the alloy into a round rim; welding the ends of the two joining ends; performing a surface hardening process; furnishing the rim that obtained in (g) with CNC lathe machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Rimtech Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Frank Hung
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Patent number: 6886250Abstract: The manufacturing method for an aluminum alloy wheel rim consists of the following steps: (1) cutting aluminum alloy material; (2) heating the aluminum alloy material to make a marked center and fillet preformed blank; (3) forging the marked center and fillet preformed blank into a preformed blank; (4) punching a central axis of the preformed blank; (5) forging the punched preformed blank into an enlarged rough forging blank; and (6) forging the enlarged rough forging blank to form an aluminum alloy wheel rim. With this presenting invention the structural strength of the wheel rim is enhanced. In addition, the aluminum alloy wheel rim can be manufactured rapidly, thereby enhancing efficient productivity and improving quality of fabrication of the wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventor: Shu-Yuan Liao
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Publication number: 20040177507Abstract: A process of manufacturing a rim for a motor vehicle from an original pipe, in order to facilitate formation of projections for reducing road noise on the rim, comprises a projection forming step of partially extruding a ledge portion of an intermediate pipe for the rim from inside to outside in a radial direction of the ledge portion so as to form a plurality of projections at suitable intervals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Central Motor Wheel Co. Ltd.Inventor: Kiichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6757976Abstract: A method for manufacturing an alloy wheel for automobiles, the alloy wheel including a rim part having a portion running in and out from a rim flange to a drop center, and a disc part fitted in the rim part is disclosed. The method comprising forging of an alloy billet to obtain a cup-shaped preform, flowforming of the preform to obtain a seamless tube, cutting of the seamless tube into unit tubes, primary roll forming of the unit tube to obtain a preliminarily shaped unit tube, secondary roll forming of the preliminarily shaped unit to obtain a final shaped rim part, and attaching a disc part to the rim part.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: ASA Co. Ltd.Inventor: Jeong-Hoon Baek
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Publication number: 20040107576Abstract: A method of manufacturing alloy rim for automobile is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming elongated extruded alloy straps with a cross-section shape from alloy by an extruding process; cutting the extruded alloy into the required length; placing the cut alloy obtained in (b) onto a mold to form into an arch-shaped edge; cutting the two ends of the edges of the extruded alloy to form into an inclined angle end; placing the extruded alloy of (d) into a device to form the alloy into a round rim; welding the ends of the two joining ends; performing a surface hardening process; furnishing the rim that obtained in (g) with CNC lathe machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventor: Frank Hung
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Patent number: 6519852Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wheel rim for a motor vehicle comprises the steps of a strip of aluminum alloy sheet material having a predetermined cross-section suitable for forming into a wheel rim by extrusion molding, pressing the strip step-by-step lengthwise by an upper mold and a lower mold having complimentary profiles for causing the strip to have predetermined profiles as a hoop with a formed gap between the both ends, welding the gap to form an unfinished wheel rim, and annealing, shaping, heat treating, and polishing the unfinished wheel rim to form a finished wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Yuecom Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chien-Cheng Chen
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Patent number: 6450583Abstract: A spun light alloy rim that substantially duplicates the strength and light weight of a cold forged alloy rim and incorporates through its method of manufacture appearance features and the relatively low cost of a cast alloy wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Specialty Blanks, Inc.Inventors: Arthur D. Hale, Jr., Michael J. Beyer
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Patent number: 6370777Abstract: A method for producing a full face vehicle wheel wherein at least the inboard tire bead seat is precisely oriented and located relative to all axis of the associated vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel assembly having a wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together and defining a horizontal wheel axis, the wheel rim including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well and an outboard tire bead seat, the wheel disc including a wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel; (b) supporting the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle wheel fixturing and press apparatus including a wheel fixturing member and a wheel press member; and (c) selectively moving at least one of the wheel fixturing member and the wheel press member toward one another so as to engage and squeeze the inboard tire bead seat radially so as to expand the inboard tire bead seat in the radial directionType: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Heck