With Use Of Means To Move Work-forcer Patents (Class 72/213)
  • Patent number: 11723705
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an orthopaedic rod bender including: a rod receiving zone configured to receive a first rod having a predefined curvature and a second rod to which a curvature is to be imparted; a first support and a second support for contacting the first rod, the first and the second 9B supports being located on a first side of the rod receiving zone opposite the first side; and a mobile head located on a second side of the rod receiving zone; the mobile head being configured to be displaced towards the first side and in the rod receiving zone to contact the second rod and to apply a force to the second rod to push the second rod towards the first rod to impart a curvature to the second rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Neo Medical SA
    Inventor: Morten Beyer
  • Patent number: 11633770
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for air bending a plate of material such as steel which is characterised by having two bending steps, wherein the bending punch in the second bending step has a smaller radius and/or the die width used in the second bending step is smaller than the die width used in the first bending step. The method of the disclosure can achieve a significant improvement in the bendability of materials, particularly high strength steels. The disclosure also provides new bending apparatus that are specifically adapted to carrying out the method of the disclosure, including a nested double die having a second narrower die residing below and within the first die, and an adjustable die having a height adjustment means (either in the support, bending punch or both) capable of accommodating movement of the material during the adjustment to form the second die width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SSAB TECHNOLOGY AB
    Inventor: Lars Troive
  • Patent number: 11351588
    Abstract: A tube bending system having a frame, one or more static dies, one or more sliding dies and one or more motors for bending tubes, such as metal tubes, in the form of hoops to create a framework for a greenhouse. The system may include separately leveled frames including a central frame supporting the middle of an arch die, and a pair of lateral frames supporting the lateral sides of the die. An apex clamp on the central frame holds the middle of a straight tube blank against the arch die, while a pair of bending carriages on the lateral frames are displaced to bend the tube blank around the arch die. The apex clamp may move both vertically and longitudinally to cycle between holding the tube blank against the arch die, ejecting the bent tube from the die, and retracting to enable placement of another straight tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Redoux Industries LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Gover, Tony Stephens
  • Patent number: 10890386
    Abstract: An evaporator for an air conditioning system includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold and a plurality of refrigerant tubes. The refrigerant tubes hydraulically communicate with the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold for a refrigerant flow. The inlet manifold includes a distributor tube with a plurality of orifices for equally aliquoting two phase refrigerant inside the inlet manifold. A mandrel is provided inside the distributor tube and a portion of the distributor tube with the inserted mandrel is flattened and bent toward an inlet port of the distributor tube for fitting the distributor tube within the inlet manifold. The mandrel is inserted into the distributor tube for preventing the distributor tube from collapsing when the distributor tube is flattened and bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Edward Kent, Bruce William Dittly
  • Patent number: 10458890
    Abstract: A method for determining the wear properties of coated flat products such as galvannealed flat steel products is provided herein. In order to be able to achieve better comparability of the determined wear properties of different flat products at least one bending parameter for the bending of the particular flat product by a bending device is selected in accordance with defined criteria on the basis of information regarding the thickness and/or the strength of the particular flat products to be bent. The flat products are bent in the bending device in accordance with the selected bending parameters, wear thus being produced. The wear properties are analyzed in a predetermined manner on the basis of the wear of the particular flat products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Marcel Siegel, Peter Heidbuechel, Robert Yanik, Klaus Uran
  • Patent number: 10277088
    Abstract: A method to construct an electric machine provided with: a stator having a magnetic core longitudinally crossed by a plurality of stator slots; a stator winding having a series of rigid bars, which are “U”-shaped and are inserted through the stator slots defining an entry side, in which the cusps of the “U”-shaped bars are placed, and an exit side, in which the legs of the “U”-shaped bars are placed; the construction method comprises the steps of electrically connecting the ends of at least two non-adjacent legs to one another by means of a connection bridge, which is made of a flat plate arranged perpendicular to the central axis of rotation and has, for each leg, a corresponding “U”-shaped seat, which is suited to receive the end of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNETI MARELLI S.p.A
    Inventors: Franco Ciampolini, Marco Magri
  • Patent number: 9498812
    Abstract: A sheet metal forming device and a process for reducing springback during forming of sheet metal. The sheet metal forming device includes a die tool that has a corner and a roller that at least partially forms the corner. The roller rotates relative to the die tool during and/or after forming of a piece of sheet metal around the corner. The rotation of the roller can be either a rotation that freely occurs during the forming process or rotation that is forcibly imposed on the roller during and/or after the forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Chetan P. Nikhare
  • Patent number: 9444314
    Abstract: The stator winding has winding assemblies that are disposed in a stator core so as to be stacked in three or more layers in a radial direction such that slot-housed portions line up in single columns in a clot depth direction inside slots, and radial widths of return portions of the winding assemblies that are mounted so as to be stacked in a radial direction are made sequentially narrower in order of return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned centrally, return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned on an inner circumferential side, and return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned on an outer circumferential side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Hasegawa, Kazunori Tanaka, Yoshiro Imazawa, Yoshihiro Harada
  • Patent number: 9433988
    Abstract: A pipe bender includes: a body, a movable member, a return member, a stationary member, two adjustment members, two transverse positioning assemblies, two longitudinal positioning assemblies and a bending member. The movable member is disposed in the body, and an elastic member is disposed between the movable member and the body. A drive member and the return member are pivoted to the body, and the return member and the drive member are engaged with the rack of the body. The stationary member is fixed to the support portion of the body and arranged in a T-shaped manner with respect to the movable member. The two adjustment members are movably mounted at two ends of the stationary member to adjust a distance therebetween. A rotary block is fixed at the top of each of the adjustment members, and then the pipe bending member is mounted on the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Yung Chi Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 9397542
    Abstract: The stator winding has winding assemblies that are disposed in a stator core so as to be stacked in three or more layers in a radial direction such that slot-housed portions line up in single columns in a slot depth direction inside slots, and radial widths of return portions of the winding assemblies that are mounted so as to be stacked in a radial direction are made sequentially narrower in order of return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned centrally, return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned on an inner circumferential side, and return portions of a winding assembly that is positioned on an outer circumferential side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Hasegawa, Kazunori Tanaka, Yoshiro Imazawa, Yoshihiro Harada
  • Patent number: 9358593
    Abstract: An electrically powered apparatus for bending a length of stock includes a portable tube-bending component having a framework with two spaced-apart frame members and three rollers mounted rotatably on parallel horizontally disposed axles so that they occupy positions intermediate the two frame members. A first roller feeds stock longitudinally between the two frame members as it applies force downwardly on the length of stock, while the second and third rollers bear upwardly to produce the desired bending action. A power unit is provided on the framework in the form of a motor-and-reduction-gear assembly (MARG assembly) combined with a rotational-power-coupling-arm assembly (RPCA assembly). The power unit is mounted on the framework pivotally at a pivot position that is at least approximately directly beneath the center-of-gravity of the power unit in order to balance the power unit and thereby reduce transmission of linear forces to the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Colin William Hopper
  • Patent number: 9032770
    Abstract: A blank rolled in transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the blank, and with the aid of a drive for rockingly moving rolls in opposite directions, ensures that the geometry and dimensions of finished parts do not coincide with the form and dimensions of a die. A four-link articulation mechanism lifts/lowers the upper roll and transmits a rolling force thereto. Rods of hydraulic torque cylinders pivotally connect to ends of a rocker thereby transmitting oppositely directed torques and a rolling force to a lower roll. A wedge mechanism coupled to the lower end face of the lower thrust bearing lifts/lowers the lower roll thereby transmitting a rolling force thereto. A rack bar disposed between retainers horizontally moves during rolling and secures the blank using a cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Boris Zelmanovich Boguslavsky, Boris Semenovich Litvak
  • Patent number: 8683679
    Abstract: A pre-forming apparatus (4) for an electrical bar conductor (8), comprising a punch (12) provided with moving members for exerting a thrust on the conductor (8) during the relative pre-forming, the punch (12) being axially sliding along a pre-forming direction (X-X) and being provided with a cursor (20) and with a pre-forming head (24) suitable for engaging with the conductor (8). The apparatus (4) comprises a first pre-forming chamber (44) suitable for being crossed by the conductor (8) and by the punch (12) during the forward movement of the punch (12) for the pre-forming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tecnomatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sante Guercioni
  • Patent number: 8596104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing longitudinal grooves in cylindrical workpieces, especially for producing longitudinal grooves having an irregular profile. The forming process is carried out by means of segmental wheels in a similar manner to that of a rolling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ziesel, Frank Beig
  • Patent number: 8375761
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing an internally or externally toothed cup-shaped (body) sheet material component with alternating teeth and grooves that run in parallel to the center axis of the cup, especially of a clutch plate carrier. The method and device allow the use of profile rollers, the rollers controlling the true running, dimensional accuracy and the surface of the cup-shaped sheet material component having an internally and externally profiled wall in the shape of teeth, in such a manner that they guarantee a specifically variable position during production. An untoothed cup-shaped sheet material component is slid onto a pick-up mandrel which has an external toothing corresponding to the internal toothing of the sheet material component to be produced and the external profile is then rolled onto the cup-shaped sheet material component by pressing the cup-shaped sheet material component together with the pick-up mandrel by means of a set of profile rollers while exerting a radial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Webo Werkzeugbau Oberschwaben GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Norbert Wittig
  • Patent number: 8359895
    Abstract: A lower die or nest apparatus is described to create a hemming environment that locates and holds a metal panel to a frame using suction in a manner that substantially resists said loads on the panel without damage or deformation. The vacuum nest includes a frame made of a rigid material with an outer work surface and an interior region with a sealed elongated channel shaped to the contour of the metal panel. A polymeric rope is inlayed within a groove formed in the interior region to form the sealed elongated channel. A support member may be formed within the channel by inlaying additional polymeric ropes into grooves formed within the channel. A vacuum source is fluidly coupled with the sealed elongated channel to create a downward force by evacuating the volume of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Modern Body Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathon Reo Campian
  • Publication number: 20120085137
    Abstract: A blank is rolled by rolls in transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the blank with the aid of a drive for rockingly moving the rolls in opposite directions. The device comprises upper and lower rolls, a frame, two hydraulic power cylinders provided with pivot levers which kinematically form a four-link articulation mechanism, an upper thrust bearing and an upper axis on which an upper roll is secured. The four-link articulation mechanism is designed with the possibility of lifting/lowering the upper roll and transmitting a rolling force thereto. The device also comprises two hydraulic torque cylinders, a rocker, a lower thrust bearing and a lower axis, on which a lower roll is secured. The rods of the hydraulic torque cylinders are pivotally connected to the ends of the rocker with the possibility of transmitting oppositely directed torques and a rolling force to the lower roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Boris Zelmanovich Boguslavsky, Boris Semenovich Litvak
  • Patent number: 7997347
    Abstract: A handheld tool for straightening coiled tubing in a continuous manner. The tool is configured to straighten coiled tubing that has undergone plastifying deformation, for example, during winding about a coiled tubing reel. The tool is of enhanced mobility and may be employed to provide a straightened portion of coiled tubing without resorting to intermittent reverse kinking or corrugating of the coiled tubing. Rather, the substantially continuous character of the straightened portion of coiled tubing is well suited for stably and reliably accommodating a downhole tool for use within a well during hydrocarbon recovery applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: L. Michael McKee
  • Patent number: 7743637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a tool for producing cylindrical workpieces having longitudinal grooves, wherein the actual rolling operation is preceded by a drawing stage integrated in the tool and wherein the forming rollers are realized with an improved mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Schlayer, Hans-Joachim Pieperhoff, Frank Beig, Norbert Ziesel
  • Patent number: 7669448
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a thin wall sheet with first and second edge portions into a shell with a predetermined body configuration and a lockseam in which the edge portions are folded over each other. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a means for at least partially wrapping the sheet around the mandrel into the predetermined body configuration, and a number of gathering bars for engaging the sheet to configure the first and second edge portions according to a predetermined design. The apparatus also includes a number of forming bars for forming the first and second edge portions into respective preselected shapes extending above the top side of the mandrel, and a number of lockseaming rollers for folding the first and second edge portions over each other to form the lockseam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Mohamed Gharib
  • Publication number: 20090126440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing longitudinal grooves in cylindrical workpieces, especially for producing longitudinal grooves having an irregular profile. the forming process is carried out by means of segmental wheels in a similar manner to that of a rolling method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ziesel, Frank Beig
  • Patent number: 7065994
    Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of unfinished steel rods, spring steel bars, workpieces, and the like. A midpoint or center of the rod, bar or workpiece is automatically located and a high-energy pulse is applied for an embedded magnetic marker in the workpiece. Meanwhile, the magnetizing heads can also be repositioned to various points on a workpiece for imparting manufacturing and product identification data. In the case of leaf springs, the center of a spring steel bar is located a magnetic marker is embedded there. A high-energy rectangular pulse imparts a permanent invisible magnetic marks and data. The embedded indicators having peak magnetic strength allow manual or automatic positioning for perfect alignment in bending, tapping and other forming processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Donald M. Danko, Joseph H. Taddeo
  • Patent number: 6931908
    Abstract: A tube-bending device including a frame having a reciprocably mounted anvil and a coacting crossbar with tube-restraining blocks, together with a ratchet mechanism for driving the anvil toward the blocks to perform tube-bending operations, wherein the crossbar is reinforced with reinforcing ribs to prevent failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Ken J. Mitson
  • Patent number: 6807839
    Abstract: A method cold folds a hollow tube of magnesium material. The method includes providing an inner rib at opposite sides of a hollow square tube made of magnesium material, accommodating the square tube by having opposed ends of the square tube received in an upper portion guide member of a female mold, in an inner portion of the square tube received in a lower portion protection member of a male mold, and lowering the male mold to fold the square tube by the combination of a curved surface portion of the male mold and a curved surface of the female mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Tutomu Takamatu
  • Patent number: 6644087
    Abstract: A rod bender includes a ram shaft, having a distal end with an arcuate rod contact surface, that is movable along a shaft path that passes between two rollers, each having a curved roller surface. Each of the rollers is positionable, in an analog manner, at a variety of positions along a respective roller path, relative to a distal position of the arcuate rod contact surface. A straight rod, positioned against the rollers so that it spans the space separating the rollers and crosses the shaft path, can be rammed with the ram shaft so that the rod is bent into an arc. The rod is bent as the movement of the ram shaft pushes the arcuate rod contact surface forward against the center of the rod, while the curved roller surfaces prevent corresponding forward movement of the lateral portions of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Third Millennium Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ralph, Stephen Tatar, Thomas N. Troxell
  • Patent number: 6526793
    Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of cylindrical metal steel rods. To accurately locate the physical midpoint of the rod-to-be-cut, a novel head centering and positioning mechanism automatically sets the midpoint distance for each setup as the length of the finished rod stock is changed. The steel rod that is used to manufacture the U-bolts is inserted lengthwise into a cutoff saw station or machine until it comes in contact with a stop that is set to the desired predetermined length. An automatic centering device positions the magnetizing heads located at the longitudinal center, on each side, of the steel rod. A high-energy rectangular pulse imparts a permanent invisible magnetic mark at the longitudinal center of the steel rod before being formed into a U-bolt. The rod is then suitably cut to the desired predetermined length, and each of the opposite ends threaded with the desired thread size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Donald M. Danko, Joseph H. Taddeo
  • Patent number: 6418772
    Abstract: A straight rod is automatically positioned at the center of a mandrel of a U-bolt bending machine for subsequent bending into a U-bolt by the bending machine. The rod is positioned between spaced centering plates of a centering device mounted to the machine. The centering plates are coupled to a transport mechanism of the centering device that automatically provides for conjoint oppositely directed movement of the centering plates to automatically center and position the centerline of the rod at the centerline of the machine without marking or measuring the rod or other tasks previously required to accurately position the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Consolidated Metal Products, Inc., VicRoc inc.
    Inventors: Larry Talbott, Kenneth Webber
  • Patent number: 6314780
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a U-shaped conductor segment which has a U-shaped head and a pair of legs includes setting a straight conductor wire of a prescribed length on the outer peripheries of a pair of parallel rollers, and pushing a bender against one side of the conductor wire opposite the rollers between the pair of rollers so that the conductor wire can be bent to allow the bender to pass between the pair of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Naka, Kazuki Maesoba, Masaru Sugiyama, Youichi Kamakura
  • Patent number: 6148504
    Abstract: A cycle of operation of an attaching apparatus begins with determining whether an operator's extremity is in an area in which it can be struck by a downwardly moving ram during attachment of two fasteners to each other and to a material therebetween. If it is determined that the operator's extremity is not in the area in which it can be struck by the downwardly moving ram, the remainder of the cycle of operation is completed. If it is determined that the operator's extremity is in the area in which it can be struck by the downwardly moving ram, the cycle of operation must begin again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Eastlex Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, James E. Linville
  • Patent number: 6128942
    Abstract: A bending machine for bending and straightening tubing and plate metal includes a base, a bed mounted to the base, a sliding panel mounted to the bed, and a bending apparatus mounted to the sliding panel. The bending apparatus further includes a bending apparatus frame, a mounting arm, and hydraulic systems for moving the mounting arm and the bending apparatus frame. A limiting die is mountable to the bending apparatus frame and a bending die is mountable to the mounting arm of the bending apparatus. The mounting arm is adjustable relative to the bending apparatus frame to secure an object to be bent between the mounting die and the limiting die. The bending apparatus frame is adjustable relative to the sliding panel for further securing the object to be bent between the sliding panel and the bending apparatus frame. An adjustable pair of stop pegs are positionable to extend outwardly from the bed such that the sliding panel is passable through the stop pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Roy A. Stevicks
  • Patent number: 6073471
    Abstract: A wire-crimping device detects if an electrical terminal is stuck to a crimper after crimping, thereby effectively eliminating deformed terminals. Electrical wire-crimping device (1) has a ram (42) slidably mounted to a housing (4). A reflection light sensor (60) is mounted to the housing (4), and a pathway (80) that communicates with a wire-crimping member (40) is located in the ram (42). If an electrical terminal (30) should stick to crimpers (50, 52) after crimping, and if the wire-crimping member (40) mounted to the ram (42) rises, a wire depressor (54) will also rise, and an upper end of the wire depressor (54) will block the pathway (80). As a result, the light emitted from the reflection light sensor (60) will be reflected and detected by a light sensor, and it will be electrically detected that a defective part has been produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Naka, Hiromi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6070521
    Abstract: Learning control is adopted in slide control of a press, and the actual behavior pattern of the slide is converged to the optimum pattern thereby breakage of a metal mold or the like can be prevented. The slide control device is provided with a linear motor or a servo motor driving the slide in reciprocation, a position detector detecting position of the slide, and a control circuit fixing and storing previously the command value of the optimum pattern of behavior of the slide, and calculating error between the real position data from the position detector and the fixed command value of the optimum pattern in a prescribed period of time from the drive start of the slide, and correcting the command value to be outputted in order to eliminate the error and outputting the command value after the correction and controlling the linear motor or the servo motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Yamada Dobby Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Otoshi
  • Patent number: 6053099
    Abstract: A system for use in a press machine includes a drive assembly in the form of a pinion gear that selectively engages the flywheel to enable operative driving rotation of the pinion gear by the flywheel. A load system in the form of a hydraulic pump is arranged in operative driving relationship with the pinion gear. Accordingly, rotational energy withdrawn from the flywheel becomes available for use in driving the hydraulic pump, which is preferably arranged in fluid communication with the press machine to supply a flow of oil for lubrication purposes. An adjustment assembly is arranged to controllably reversibly displace the pinion gear to effect its selective engagement with the flywheel. The pinion gear is provided with a geared peripheral surface for intermeshing engagement with the flywheel at a geared periphery thereof. The system may also be operated in reverse to drive the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Gruber
  • Patent number: 6012312
    Abstract: A double blank detector apparatus and method of operation determines the condition of when one blank, no blanks or more than two blanks are about to be fed into a press. An indicator bar advances relative to the number of blank sheets of material being detected and interrupts an infra-red light beam when only blank of material has been detected. Under this preferred condition, a signal is produced which allows a press located adjacent to the double blank detector to continue its stamping operation. Alternatively, if either a no blank or a double blank condition is sensed, then the indicator bar advances accordingly, thus not interrupting the infra-red light beam. During this condition, a signal is produced indicative of the situation thus notifying the operator that there is a problem and stopping the press from cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Budd Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Bezkorow
  • Patent number: 6006581
    Abstract: A rod bending system includes a handle that holds a template rod and an implant rod in close proximity and in a fixed orientation with respect to one another. The system further includes one or more of the following: (a) a rod bender for bending the implant rod, the rod bender including a central pivot that is dimensioned and contoured to fit between the two rods; (b) a guide that slideably attaches to the template rod and clips onto the implant rod, the guide sliding along regions of the rods that correspond and stopping at regions that diverge; and (c) a stand that includes a holder which retains the handle at a desired orientation and a pedestal that elevates the handle above a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Hol-Med Corporation
    Inventor: Russell P. Holmes
  • Patent number: 5956991
    Abstract: A forming device to shape decoration panels having relieved contours features a design that includes an upper and a lower laminated spring, a flexible die within a frame formed by a spiral strip spring, and a plurality of movable rollers. The purpose of the device is to use the spring frame to hold the flexible die which is used to prevent die blocking. The upper and lower laminated springs can be used to spread the action force in forming, and to support the flexible die. Thus concentration of stress in a decoration panel during forming can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Shao-Chien Tseng
  • Patent number: 5953947
    Abstract: Hollow cylindrical blanks of tubular stock are transformed into finished work pieces (3) in a single work stroke with a profiling tool (7) equipped with profiling rollers (30) in one tool section (8) and a die matrix (15) in another tool section (6). The two tool sections (6, 8) are coaxially movable relative to each other, for example by a press. Each profiling roller in the one tool section is rotatably mounted in a chamber and all rollers (30) are positioned circularly around a central longitudinal tool axis (34) so that a central plane of each roller extends substantially radially relative to the tool axis. The die matrix (15) in the other tool section (6) is supported on a central mandrel or arbor (14) that also supports the blank. The die matrix (15) has in its outer surface a plurality of grooves (15A) and ridges (15B) that cooperate with grooves and ridges in the profiling rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Herzing & Schroth GmbH u. Co. KG
    Inventor: Erwin Klein
  • Patent number: 5934125
    Abstract: There is provided a refuging system for transfer bars of a transfer feeder of a transfer press, in which the transfer bars are driven by a transfer bar driving mechanism including an induction type servo motor. The refuging system includes a servo control for controlling the induction type servo motor, a detector for detecting an occurrence of an abnormal condition of the servo control and urgently stopping operations of a slide of a press body of the transfer press and the induction type servo motor, a detector for detecting a crank angle of the press body and discriminating an area in which the slide or a mold of the press body interfere with the transfer bar of the transfer feeder or an attachment therefor attached to the transfer bar, and a driver for driving the transfer bar to a position at which the slide and the mold of the press body do not interfere with the transfer bar of the transfer feeder and the attachment by applying an A.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 5906126
    Abstract: An angle adjusting device of a steel bar bending apparatus includes at least an adjusting unit, having a casing inside which a worm and worm gear pair is disposed. The worm is rotatably fit over a shaft which is in turn rotatably supported within the casing. The shaft is driven by a driving motor of the steel bar bending apparatus. The worm is fixed on a spindle having an end extending outside the casing to which a rotation knob is releasably fixed for rotating the worm about a central axis of the shaft. A switch is attached to the worm so that the angular position thereof about the central axis is adjustable by rotating the knob. A triggering member is fixed on the shaft so that when the shaft is driven by the motor to reach and thus trigger the switch, the motor is turned off by the operation of the switch. The casing is provided with a top projection and a corresponding bottom recess for receiving and fixing the top projection of a second unit for stacking the units over each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Wen-Chung Chiu
  • Patent number: 5887469
    Abstract: A terminal crimping device includes an elevating crimper for crimping terminals onto exposed conductors of cables and an anvil positioned opposite to said elevating crimper so that the ascend/descend of the crimper is carried out by a servo motor. The terminal crimping device further includes a height sensor for outputting a crimp height at the time of crimping said terminals, a data storage unit for storing a pressing time range for determination on whether or not terminal crimping is normal and a crimper height value for determination of said pressing time; and determining unit for time measuring the time during which an output from said height sensor is not larger than the crimper height and determining that crimping is normal if the measured time is within said pressing time range. Thus, the determination on whether or not the terminal crimping is normal can be surely made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Maeda, Chiaki Hatano
  • Patent number: 5868020
    Abstract: A brake time measurement and brake control system measures the brake time of a subassembly, such as an upper die of a press, with the programmable controller already used to control the press. The programmable controller has a selectable time interrupt which causes an interrupt routine inside the programmable controller to be executed at regular time intervals. By varying the duration of the interval, the precision of the brake time measurement may be varied. Also, since the system is implemented with the programmable controller already present on the press, no additional equipment is needed to measure brake time. The brake time monitor and brake control system also implements a top stop control capability with improved precision. The improved precision results from dynamically determining a top stop zone which is appropriately sized given the speed of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Allen-Bradly Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin O. Delaney, Brian P. Delaney, John D. Diurba
  • Patent number: 5829297
    Abstract: A gear teeth forming apparatus is used for forming a plurality of gear teeth on an outer circumferential wall of a pressed drum. The apparatus includes a die and a plurality of rotational rollers. A plurality of convex/concave portions are formed in the axial direction on the die. The die has an outer circumferential surface on which the outer circumferential wall of the pressed drum is fitted. Also, the die is movable in the axial direction. A plurality of the rotational rollers are insertable partially into grooves of the die and are rotatable along the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 5819570
    Abstract: A crimping station of a motor-driven portable crimper (A) has a movable head driven by a motor (M) to reciprocate straight towards and away from a fixed anvil. An automatic switch will automatically stop the motor upon detection of the movable head retracted from or having approached the anvil, so that the head and other members stand still for a while relative to the fixed anvil to allow the wire end to be inserted readily into the contact and then the contact thus crimped can easily be withdrawn from the crimping station. A manual switch is operable to restart the motor and resume the crimping process. A blind plate attached to and outside the frame is disposed near the crimping station so as to inhibit a user from erroneously inserting wire ends to the contacts which have not arrived at the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nichifu Terminal Manufacture
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Mori, Yoshihiro Nakagome, Yuji Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5813263
    Abstract: During the process of bending a workpiece, actual load exerted on the workpiece and displacement are sampled and the bending stress to displacement relationship is obtained from the sampling data and data on the actual thickness of the workpiece. From the bending stress to displacement relationship, a material characteristic value (e.g., yield stress) which indicates the condition of the material of the workpiece is obtained. Then, a bending angle correction amount is obtained from the material characteristic value, using a data table concerning the material characteristic value to bending angle relationship. From the bending angle correction amount thus obtained, a correction depth amount is obtained. The correction depth amount is added to a preset reference depth amount to obtain a final depth amount according to which bending is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Tokai
  • Patent number: 5794475
    Abstract: For shaping longitudinal grooves or comparable longitudinal structures into round housings or housings which are otherwise regularly shaped with respect to a longitudinal axis, a press is provided with a deforming tool whose top tool presses a workpiece through a corresponding roll arrangement of a bottom tool. The bottom tool has an opening which is coaxial to the top tool contains an axially displaceable cage provided with a group of rolls. The rolls are rotatably disposed in the cage and are supported on radially exterior abutments which are stationarily held in the bottom tool. The rolls are constructed as profile rolls and shape the desired longitudinal structures into the workpiece when it is moved through between the profile rolls. The resulting radial reaction forces are absorbed exclusively by the abutments and not by the cage. For supporting the longitudinal movement of the cage, a transmission is formed, for example, by gear wheels which are rotatably disposed on the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Schuppler, Wolfgang Moser
  • Patent number: 5724852
    Abstract: The portable small bending machine has a frame with first and second spaced anvils. A cylinder is mounted on the frame to pull a bending die between the anvils to bend rebar therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jimmy Dale Lee
  • Patent number: 5709118
    Abstract: A gear teeth forming apparatus is used for forming a plurality of gear teeth on an outer circumferential wall of a pressed drum. The apparatus includes a punch and a plurality of rotational rollers. A plurality of convex/concave portions are formed in the axial direction on the punch. The punch has an outer circumferential surface on which the outer circumferential wall of the pressed drum is fitted. Also, the punch is movable in the axial direction. A plurality of the rotational rollers are insertable partially into grooves of the punch and are rotatable along the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 5697146
    Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a terminal includes a crimper vertically reciprocating to crimp electric terminals to conductors of a striped wire, and anvil opposing the crimper, and an operating mechanism for vertically reciprocating the crimper. The operating mechanism has a piston-crank apparatus to vertically reciprocate a ram attached to the crimper and a servo-motor connected to a circular plate in the piston-crank mechanism by way of a reduction gear. The operating mechanism also has a control device that stops the servo-motor for a given time period when the crimper is positioned at its lowest position to prevent spring-back of the crimper material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Inoue, Masao Igarashi, Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 5622069
    Abstract: A metal stamping die for a punch press is provided that has a programmable logic microcontroller fixed directly to the die body of the stamping die. The programmable logic microcontroller is encased in epoxy resin to protect it from contaminants and to protect it from vibration which will occur as the punch press operates to stamp metal parts. Sensing devices on the stamping die are electrically connected through passages in the stamping die to the programmable logic microcontroller. An annunciator panel is positioned on the programmable logic microcontroller and has light emitting diodes to indicate the type of malfunction in the die which causes the punch press to stop when a malfunction occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Oberg Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry J. Walters
  • Patent number: 5617753
    Abstract: A tube bending machine is provided which includes a rotatable bend die about which the tube is bent and a rotatable clamp die disposed outwardly of said bend die and movable to secure the tube between the clamp die and the bend die. A clamp die positioning system is provided which includes a drop-away clamp die holder supporting the clamp die, a hydraulic cylinder directly attached to the die clamp holder which advances and retracts the clamp die holder, and an electro-pneumatic control system which drives the cylinder at preselected pressures. The electro-hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pump, a directional valve which varies the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, a proportional pressure reducing valve which varies the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, and a microprocessor controller which provides control signals to set the pressure to the preselected levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Pines Manufacturing
    Inventors: Thomas W. Glissman, Ajay K. Bhandari