Jaw Actuator Driven By Tool Or Tool Holder Patents (Class 72/313)
  • Patent number: 11478835
    Abstract: A planar workpiece machining device has an upper tool and a lower tool that are movable toward each other in a reciprocation direction and in the opposite direction to machine a workpiece arranged therebetween. The upper tool has a clamping shaft, an upper main body, and a tool body arranged opposite the clamping shaft on the main body and having an upper bending edge. The lower tool has a lower main body, on which a counter tool body having a lower bending edge and a counter holder are provided. The lower bending edge is oriented facing the counter holder. The upper bending edge is stationary to the upper main body, and the lower bending edge is stationary to the lower main body. The upper bending edge is associated with an undercut on the tool body and the lower bending edge is associated with an undercut on the counter tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wilhelm, Rainer Hank, Marc Klinkhammer, Leonard Schindewolf, Simon Ockenfuss, Jens Kappes, Dennis Traenklein, Alexander Tatarczyk, Joerg Neupert, Dominik Bitto, Markus Maatz, Christian Jakisch
  • Patent number: 11358201
    Abstract: A rotary press die has a rotating die forming a negative angle part on a plate-like work and a fixed die arranged outside the rotating die and forming a molding part except for the negative angle part on the work. The rotating die is a press molding die which is formed such that the press molding die rotates about a rotating axis when the work is removed and can be retracted inside the fixed die. A rotating block is configured by a fixed piece arranged on the fixing table and having a concave slide surface having the rotating axis as a center. A moving piece is arranged on the rotating die and having a convex slide surface which can slide on the concave slide surface by using the rotating axis as a center. An opening angle between the concave slide surface and the convex slide surface is 80° to 100°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: YOUR BUSINESS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11253902
    Abstract: A hem punch is floating-supported to a slide cam by a floating-support mechanism. After the hem punch is moved to be positioned at a pre-hemming start position by a driver cam, preliminary hemming is performed. Subsequently, the hem punch is moved to be positioned at a final-hemming start position by the driver cam, and then the hem punch is moved downward by the floating-support mechanism to perform final hemming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HIROTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Shibata, Sho Takai
  • Patent number: 11135634
    Abstract: To reduce warping of vertical wall portions without causing buckling occurring in a component shape not having a flange portion. A punch and a pad sandwiching a top sheet portion therebetween in the sheet thickness direction, bending blades for bend-forming the vertical wall portions, and stoppers facing the bending blades in the press direction and constraining end portions of a material to be machined are provided. The punch is supported by a first cushion component elastically expandable and contractible in the press direction. The bending blades each have an upper die component and a lower die component disposed facing each other in the press direction with an interval (D) equal to or larger than a set compression amount and a second cushion component interposed between the upper die component and the lower die component, maintaining the interval (D), and contractible in the press direction at a predetermined pressure or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Miyake, Toyohisa Shinmiya
  • Patent number: 11084080
    Abstract: To reduce warping of vertical wall portions without causing buckling during pressing. Press-forming into a hat cross-sectional shape having one linear vertical wall portion and the other curved vertical wall portion and not having a flange portion is performed. A punch and a pad sandwiching a top sheet portion therebetween, bending blades, and stoppers are provided. The punch is supported by a first cushion component. The bending blades each have an upper die component and a lower die component disposed facing each other in the press direction with an interval (D) equal to a set compression amount in the range of 2% or more and 6% or less of the heights of the vertical wall portions and a second cushion component interposed between the upper die component and the lower die component, maintaining the interval (D), and contractible in the press direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Miyake, Toyohisa Shinmiya, Daisuke Toyoda, Hiroyuki Takebe, Youichi Konkawa
  • Patent number: 11014139
    Abstract: A process of pressing a blank to form an intermediate formed component configured including a top plate, the ridge lines at short direction ends of the top plate, and vertical walls facing each other in a state extending from the respective ridge lines and at least one of the vertical walls configuring a curved wall curving as viewed from an upper side of the top plate, such that a step projecting toward an opposite side to a side on which the vertical walls face each other is formed to the curved wall so as to run along a length direction of the top plate. The method includes pressing the intermediate formed component to narrow a projection width of the step, or to move a portion of the curved wall where the vertical walls face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Kubo, Hiroshi Yoshida, Takashi Miyagi, Toshiya Suzuki, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10828683
    Abstract: An apparatus that manufactures a closed-structure part includes a bottom portion and left and right side wall portions, including a press-forming die that form a plurality of first out-of-plane deformed portions and bent portions, the first out-of-plane deformed portions being formed in a region of a workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion and arranged along a longitudinal direction, each of the first out-of-plane deformed portions having a recessed shape or a protruding shape; a pad and a punch that squash the first out-of-plane deformed portions by clamping the region of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion therebetween, a cross-sectional shape of a pressing portion of the punch being curved along the longitudinal direction; and bending dies that bend the bent portions by pressing the punch into a space therebetween while the region of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion is clamped between the pad and the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Higai, Yuji Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10399135
    Abstract: A device for hot stamping includes a lower mold having a shape corresponding to a bottom of a product material. An upper mold has a shape corresponding to a top of the product material and presses the product material with the lower mold. A blank holder is disposed inside the upper mold and fixes a blank between the upper mold and the lower mold. A cam has a shape corresponding to a flange of the product material and forms the flange of the product material by moving up or down along an inner side of the blank holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ho Young Kong
  • Patent number: 10272956
    Abstract: A component that is assembled to a vehicle body can be temporarily fastened to a position different from an original assembling position, and can be favorably coated, without using a special jig. A fuel lid cover (33) is temporarily fastened to a rear door (43) that is different from a predetermined assembling position, with use of an opening portion (33K) of a hinge (33) that is attached to the fuel lid cover (32). Further, the vehicle body (10) is provided with a flange portion that functions as a step portion that forms a space between the hinge (33) of the fuel lid cover (32) and the vehicle body (10), when the fuel lid cover (32) is temporarily fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Goto, Yoshiharu Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10022763
    Abstract: A method produces a press-molded article having a hat shaped cross-section with flanges at both sides, a top plate, vertical walls at both sides, and having a shape curved in the vertical direction to an inverted checkmark shape along the longitudinal direction when the molded article is viewed from a side face with the top plate section on the top side. An intermediate molded body is formed by drawing a metal stock sheet into an intermediate shape, and after preparing the outside shape of the intermediate molded body by trimming, drawing is subsequently performed to form the final shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuharu Tanaka, Toshimitsu Aso, Misao Ogawa, Takashi Miyagi, Shinobu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10016804
    Abstract: A hat-shaped cross-section component manufacturing apparatus includes: a die that includes a forming face that presses both side portions of a metal stock sheet; a punch that includes a forming face that presses a central portion of the metal stock sheet; a pad that includes a forming face that presses and grips the central portion of the metal stock sheet against the punch; and a blank holder that includes a forming face that presses and grips the both side portions of the metal stock sheet against the die. The hat-shaped cross-section component manufacturing apparatus further includes a pressure limiting device configured including a floating block that moves together with the blank holder when forming of a curving component has been completed, that is interposed between the pad and the blank holder, and that limits pressing of the formed curving component between the pad and the blank holder during demolding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuharu Tanaka, Toshimitsu Aso, Takashi Miyagi, Misao Ogawa, Shinobu Yamamoto, Eizo Hayashida
  • Patent number: 10011312
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a process for forming a reinforced rocker panel assembly, and which includes positioning a reinforcement patch having first and second patch sections in surface-to-surface contact with a blank panel sheet, and welding the first patch section to the blank panel sheet. The process further includes bending both the blank panel sheet and the reinforcement patch along a bend line interposed between the first and second patch sections to form the blank panel sheet into a rocker panel portion having an elongated base section and a longitudinal flange, where the first and second patch sections are in at least partial abutting contact with the base section and the flange. The process also includes welding the second patch section to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Bo Axel Lindgren, Cheng Zeng, David John McCabe, Barry Thomas Kavanaugh
  • Patent number: 9943901
    Abstract: A stamping die is provided. The stamping die includes a die block, a punch, and a trap wall. The punch is configured to engage the die block in order to form a part from a sheet metal blank. The trap wall is secured to the punch and configured to restrict the flow of sheet metal into the die block during punch and die block engagement. The trap wall is adjustable with respect to the punch such that a trap wall adjustment alters the flow of sheet metal into the die block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nia R. Harrison, Andrey M. Ilinich, Dennis Cedar
  • Patent number: 9914163
    Abstract: A method of sheet forming manufactures a sheet-formed part that is formed in an L-shape as viewed in a plan view and includes a top portion, side wall portions formed on the respective both sides of the top portion, and flange portions contiguously formed with the respective side wall portions, by sheet-forming a metal sheet with the a sheet forming tool. The method includes: a first sheet forming process in which the metal sheet is arranged on a first sheet forming tool including a first punch, a first die, a first blank holder, and a pad; and a second sheet forming process in which the first sheet-formed part formed is sheet-formed into a second sheet-formed part having a top portion and a side wall portion whose shapes are identical with those of the sheet-formed part, with a second sheet forming tool having a second punch and a second die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Shiozaki, Yoshikiyo Tamai, Toyohisa Shinmiya, Shunsuke Tobita
  • Patent number: 9782815
    Abstract: A prototype part drawing/flanging tool is provided that are arranged in a draw die set-up and a flange die set-up. The draw die set-up includes a binder ring, a pad; a flange forming ring, and a punch. The flange die set-up includes the flanging ring, the pad, and the punch. The draw die set draws a blank and the flange die set forms a flange on the blank in two separate operations using the same die parts in the two operations. A method is disclosed for making a formed and flanged part that begins by drawing a blank held by a pad, a flanging ring and a binder ring against a punch in a press to form a drawn blank. The drawn blank is then laser trimmed to form a trimmed/drawn blank. The trimmed/drawn blank is then clamped between the pad and the punch while the flange forming ring forms a flange into a flange forming groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Sallade, John Lowery, Erik Riha, Robert Schuh, Jorge Lopez, Matthew Campau, Hector Lopez, Steven Church, Brett Cook, Steven Guido
  • Patent number: 9744579
    Abstract: A rotary bending device for bending workpiece includes a saddle, a rocker, and first and second alignment elements. The saddle includes a longitudinally extending cavity in which the rocker is received, and the rocker rotates relative to the saddle between a neutral position and a bending position for bending the workpiece. The first alignment element is provided on the rocker, and the second alignment element is positioned to engage the first alignment element to limit axial movement of the rocker relative to the saddle during rotation of the rocker between the neutral position and the bending position. The rocker may tangentially contact a bearing surface of the cavity at no more than two lines of tangential contact during rotation. The rocker may further include a longitudinally extending shoulder, and the device may further include a return element positioned to contact the shoulder for biasing the rocker toward the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Dayton Lamina Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Johnson, Kevin J. Latouf, Nickolas E. Downey, Gezim Miftari, Thomas William Dollar
  • Patent number: 9731339
    Abstract: A method produces a press-molded article having a hat shaped cross-section with flanges at both sides, a top plate, vertical walls at both sides, and having a shape curved in the vertical direction to an inverted checkmark shape along the longitudinal direction when the molded article is viewed from a side face with the top plate section on the top side. An intermediate molded body is formed by drawing a metal stock sheet into an intermediate shape, and after preparing the outside shape of the intermediate molded body by trimming, drawing is subsequently performed to form the final shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Miyagi, Yasuharu Tanaka, Misao Ogawa, Toshimitsu Aso
  • Patent number: 9481019
    Abstract: A bending mold for a bending apparatus, the bending mold includes an upper mold; and a lower mold including a support member, a pressurizing member disposed on the support mold, having a metallic plate positioned thereon, and lowered by pressurization of the upper mold, an elastic member for providing an elastic force to the pressurizing member, and a bending member rotated at a predetermined angle by pressurization of the pressurizing member to bend the metallic plate placed on the pressurizing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Sounghoon Koak
  • Patent number: 9327330
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a backing surface that is operable to support a workpiece, and a mounting structure that is operable to move linearly between a first position and a second position. Movement from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward the backing surface. A first engaging part is fixedly connected to the mounting structure for movement in unison with the mounting structure, wherein the first engaging part is operable to engage a first portion of the workpiece. A second engaging part is rotatably connected to the mounting structure such that the second engaging part rotates with respect to the first engaging part in response to movement of the mounting structure from the first position to the second position, wherein the first engaging part is operable to engage a second portion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Scott McCallum
  • Patent number: 9032771
    Abstract: A method for bending a workpiece includes positioning a first bending surface adjacent to the workpiece; positioning a second bending surface adjacent to the workpiece; and moving the first bending surface and the second bending surface linearly toward the workpiece while the second bending surface rotates with respect to the first bending surface such that the first bending surface bends a first portion of the workpiece, the second bending bends a second portion of the workpiece, and the first portion of the workpiece, and the second portion of the workpiece are disposed on a first side of a bend line formed on the workpiece by the first bending surface and the second bending surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Scott McCallum
  • Patent number: 8789402
    Abstract: A bending die having a first bending surface and a second bending surface that is rotatable with respect to the first bending surface. The second bending surface rotates with respect to the first bending surface during a bending operation. The first bending surface is engagable with a workpiece during the bending operation to bend a first portion of the workpiece. The second bending surface is engagable with the workpiece during the bending operation to bend a second portion of the workpiece. The first portion of the workpiece and the second portion of the workpiece are disposed on a first side of a bend line formed by the bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Scott McCallum
  • Patent number: 8695394
    Abstract: In order to achieve a bending operation which provides a U-shaped metal piece of increased depth and to provide a bending operation safe to an operator involved in the bending operation, the invention is a lower die for press bending which includes: a block body which includes a groove on an upper surface thereof, the groove extending in a right and left direction, and the block body being fixed to a bending machine; and a rotating block which is received by the groove of the block body and is capable of oscillating about an axis of the groove, wherein a process groove is formed on an upper surface of the rotating block to receive a blade edge of an upper die. The block body includes a front shoulder and a rear shoulder at the front and rear sides of the groove. A level difference is defined between these shoulders such that the front shoulder is smaller in height than the rear shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Osamu Makino
  • Patent number: 8516874
    Abstract: A stamping tool for forming a stamped metal panel used as part of a pillar of a motor vehicle is provided. The stamped metal panel is arcuate and has a u-shaped cross-section, the arcuate panel including a transitional portion so as to avoid a die lock condition. The tool includes an upper die, and a lower die, and transitional portion surfaces. The transitional portion surfaces tapers as the transitional portion surface extends from the ends of respective upper and lower dies to a first point. The transitional portion is substantially tangential with at least the first wall surfaces of the dies to facilitate removal of the panel from between upper and lower dies of a stamping tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Nicole Moore, Stuart W. Bailey, Nobiaki Kitaura
  • Patent number: 8250896
    Abstract: A movable die is provided to be displaceable in an upper die. When the upper die is moved downward to press a steel plate together with a lower die, only the movable die first abuts on the steel plate to carry out forming together with the lower die. Then, the upper die is further moved downward to form a part which has not been formed by the movable die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hirotani
  • Patent number: 8171821
    Abstract: A corner cam assembly for use with a forming die and including a generally cylindrical inner cam component, an outer cam component, a base, and a retainer unit. Contoured contact surfaces on the inner and outer cam components enable the components to slide past one another during transitions between retracted and extended positions. Some features of the corner cam assembly include helical contact surfaces, guide features that control movement of the cam components, removable work steels, standardized cam components, and being able to form negative and other tight angles, multiple corners and edges, to name but a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Helical Cam, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Krozek
  • Patent number: 7757533
    Abstract: A filler cam assembly for use with a forming die generally including a center cam component, end cam components and a base assembly and being designed to transition between unloading and forming positions. The various cam components preferably have axial ends with helical surfaces such that rotation of one of the cam components causes a corresponding axial movement of an adjacent cam component. Some features of the filler cam assembly include removable work steels, standardized cam components, drive and lock out mechanisms, and being able to form negative angles, multiple corners and edges, and an entire formable periphery of a metal work piece in a single forming operation, to name but a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Helical Cam, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Krozek
  • Publication number: 20090205391
    Abstract: A filler cam assembly for use with a forming die generally including a center cam component, end cam components and a base assembly and being designed to transition between unloading and forming positions. The various cam components preferably have axial ends with helical surfaces such that rotation of one of the cam components causes a corresponding axial movement of an adjacent cam component. Some features of the filler cam assembly include removable work steels, standardized cam components, drive and lock out mechanisms, and being able to form negative angles, multiple corners and edges, and an entire formable periphery of a metal work piece in a single forming operation, to name but a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: HELICAL CAM, LLC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Krozek
  • Publication number: 20090173135
    Abstract: The invention relates to an upper part V-belt drive (1) with a tool fastening device (10, 200, 300, 400) having at least one lateral surface (19), which can be provided with a tool, and the V-belt drive (1) has a slider element (2, 420) and a driver element (3, 430). According to the invention, the tool fastening device (10, 200, 300, 400) is fastened in a manner that enables it to be removed downward with regard to the upper part V-belt drive (1) when in the working position thereof. In a tool fastening device (10, 200, 300, 400) for a V-belt drive (1) with a slider element (2, 420) and with a driver element (3, 430), the tool fastening device (10, 200, 300, 400) comprises at least one lateral surface (19), which can be provided with a tool, and the tool fastening device (10, 200, 300, 400) has at least one connecting device (11, 14, 22, 213, 214, 215, 219, 313, 314, 316, 317, 318, 319, 408, 409, 410, 411, 414) for positively and or non-positively connecting with the slider and driver element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Elke Weigelt
  • Patent number: 7523634
    Abstract: A filler cam assembly for use with a forming die generally including a center cam component, end cam components and a base assembly and being designed to transition between unloading and forming positions. The various cam components preferably have axial ends with helical surfaces such that rotation of one of the cam components causes a corresponding axial movement of an adjacent cam component. Some features of the filler cam assembly include removable work steels, standardized cam components, drive and lock out mechanisms, and being able to form negative angles, multiple corners and edges, and an entire formable periphery of a metal work piece in a single forming operation, to name but a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Helical Cam, LLC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Krozek
  • Patent number: 7165438
    Abstract: A wedge driving tool for cutting and/or non-cutting shaping of a sheet metal workpiece in a press includes a mould- and/or tool-bearing working slider, which may be displaced between a slider bed and a driver at a predetermined angle. For obtaining a working slider which may be continuously angularly adjusted, segmental disks are in each case arranged on both sides of the working slider in a continuously movable manner with respect to an angle of rotation, in each case, on the slider bed and the driver or on the working slider and the driver. The segmental disks, in each case, being arranged in pairs on an axis of rotation, are non-rotatably mutually connected along their chord-type boundaries such that corresponding straight-line guides, particularly for the working slider, are arranged in these connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ernst Heinl
  • Patent number: 7111487
    Abstract: A curvature forming device has an upper member and a lower member. A clamping member is mounted on a spring within a recess in the upper member. An elongate deforming member is fixedly mounted in the same recess. The deforming member protrudes out of the recess more at one end than at the other. The upper member is pressed down against a flat anvil or die of a lower member, with a metal strip between them. The clamping member clamps the strip, whilst the deforming member deforms a small length of it. The upper member is raised and the strip moved forward a little bit. The upper member is then brought down again to clamp and deform the adjacent small length. Each deformed portion is generally fan shaped. These build up to produce a curve in the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Ming Shyan Yong, Chee Mun Choy, Meng Kwong Ho
  • Patent number: 6983634
    Abstract: A rotary bending tool having a series of graphite plugs mounted in a saddle recess engaging a rocker surface to lubricate the same. The rocker is machined in an unhardened state and thereafter heat treated to be hardened, with reverse bending of the rocker thereafter carried out to correct any warpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Danly IEM
    Inventors: Victor Chun, Frank Madej
  • Patent number: 6860133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate material processing machine with a bending function which enables even a bending piece with two or more bending portions to be bent and which enables materials to be bend so as to have different bending directions, dimensions, angles, or the like using the same tools. An upper tool 21 and a lower tool 22 are provided which fix a plate material W by sandwiching it between themselves. An upper tool-side bending tool 23 and a lower tool-side bending tool 24 are provided on sides of the upper tool 21 and lower tool 22, respectively, so as to elevate and lower freely. The upper tool-side bending tool 23 and the lower tool-side bending tool 24 perform elevating and lowering operations relative to the upper tool 21 and the lower tool 22 to bend a plate material piece Wa of a plate material W sandwiched between the upper tool 21 and the lower tool 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040237621
    Abstract: A contraction tool includes a main body, and a pressing unit mounted on the main body. The pressing unit includes two press plates each having an upper section formed with a positioning recess and a lower section formed with a tapered face. The contraction tool further comprises a push rod moved relative to the main body and inserted into the positioning recesses of the two press plates of the pressing unit, and an urging member mounted on the push rod to move therewith synchronously and inserted between the tapered faces of the two press plates of the pressing unit. Thus, the contraction tool has an enhanced pressing force and is operated easily and conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Shu Chen Wei
  • Patent number: 6755070
    Abstract: A cam-type press system is provided which includes a cam base slidably mounted on a lower die and securing a material panel with a formation pad: cam base steel is mounted on the cam base corresponding to a height of the formation cam. The cam base steel is performs a formation process on the material panel together with a formation cam. A cam slider is mounted on the cam base through a linkage assembly such that the cam slider and the cam base are able to slide. The cam slider is linked with the operation of an operational driver. First and second return assemblies are mounted respectively within the cam base and the cam slider and contacting the lower die. The first and second return assemblies exert a biasing force to return the cam base and the cam slider, respectively, to an initial position when displaced from the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byung-No Jung
  • Patent number: 6668612
    Abstract: A device is provided comprising a guide mechanism used to position and securely hold a sheet metal blank in a sheet metal forming press that is operated at high temperatures. A sheet metal blank is initially positioned in the forming press by resting the sheet metal blank on the highest portion of the convex surface of the lower tool member and counter balancing it with a blank loading device that includes a support hand to initially hold the blank. The guide apparatus comprises an engagement tool mounted to a beam that is slidably attached to guide supports. As the upper tool member drops, the engagement tool pinches and securely holds the sheet metal blank as the guide supports slide along the beam in sync with the downward movement of the upper tool member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Kruger, Mark G. Konopnicki
  • Patent number: 6539766
    Abstract: A negative-angle forming die includes a lower die half and an upper die half. A rotary cam is rotatably provided in the lower die half, and a slide cam is slidably opposed to the rotary cam. An automatic retractor is provided in the lower die half for pivoting the rotary cam to a position allowing the work to be taken out of the lower die half after a forming operation. The rotary cam is divided into an end rotary cam and a main rotary cam which are both disposed on a same axis of pivoting. The end rotary cam is not pivoted for an initial predetermined period of the retraction, and thereafter, the end rotary cam is moved axially toward the main rotary cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6530255
    Abstract: A forming press apparatus with which forming of a plurality of different workpieces can be carried out using a single press. The press has raise/lowerable upper and lower die sets. A plurality of forming die pairs corresponding to a plurality of forming steps to be carried out on a pre-drawn workpiece are mounted en bloc to the die sets. The forming die pairs are disposed in a row on the die sets in the order of the forming steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Usui, Seiya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6263717
    Abstract: A press-forming die set including a first die and a second die which are linearly movable in a press-forming direction for mutual engagement to form a negative-angle portion on a workpiece placed on the second die, the press-forming die further including a rotary cam having a first negative-angle forming portion, and a forming cam having a second negative-angle forming portion. The first negative-angle forming portion is disposed such that the rotary cam is rotatable about an axis of rotation inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the workpiece. The rotary cam is engageable with the second die and is rotated about the axis of rotation in one of opposite directions when the first and second dies are moved toward each other, and is rotated in the other direction when the first and second dies are moved away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Nojiri
  • Patent number: 6230536
    Abstract: A negative angle-forming die includes a lower die for mounting a thin metallic plate workpiece onto a supporting portion thereof, and an upper die descendable in a straight direction towards the lower die for forming the workpieces by abutting against the workpiece. A columnar body is arranged in a freely rotating manner on the lower die by a pair of spaced-apart bearings, and has an intruding forming portion formed at an edge portion thereof. A slide cam is formed with an intruding forming portion, and is arranged to oppose the columnar body in a freely sliding manner with respect to the lower die. An automatic returning tool is arranged at the lower die for retracting the columnar body in a rotating manner to an extent with which the workpiece can be taken out from the lower die upon completion of forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6065324
    Abstract: A multi-piece die section for a press brake installed rotary bending tool in which a forming anvil is positioned in a holder in accordance with the thickness of material to be bent so that the rotary bender and press brake operate on the same center line. In one version of the holder a forming anvil is adjustably positioned relative to the center line of the rotary bender and in a second version thereof the forming anvil is precision sized in accordance with the thickness of the work material whereby to eliminate the need for shims and readjustment of press ram stroke as required by the first version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Power Brake Dies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Russell
  • Patent number: 6052887
    Abstract: A method for joining together two superimposed sheet metal layers includes clamping the sheet metal layers together on a base and positioning a resiliently deformable hemming bead adjacent the superimposed layers. One of the layers includes an outer peripheral flange that extends beyond the outer peripheral edge of the other layer. An anvil has a lower face that follows the bead around the periphery of the superimposed layers and presses against the bead to deform the bead toward the flange. Deformation of the hemming bead causes the peripheral flange of the one layer to bend around the peripheral edge of the other layer in a single operation to thereby join the superimposed sheet metal layers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Tower Automotive
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Dziadosz, Brian D. Hudock
  • Patent number: 6038908
    Abstract: This invention is comprised of a lower die having a groove-like cavity formed at its upper surface; a rotary die supported in the cavity of the lower die at both ends thereof by a shaft and rotatably stored in it; an upper die arranged above the rotary die; and a driving device for rotating said rotary die in a downward direction after the upper die is opened and for retracting it. The cavity is formed with some protrusion steps at its inner circumferential surface for use in supporting the rotary die when pressed. The rotary die is formed with a forming part for gathering and bending a metallic plate at its upper surface to be extended in a longitudinal direction of the rotary die. The gathering and bending blade to be fitted to the forming part of the rotary die is formed at the upper die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Yourbusiness Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5784916
    Abstract: A die assembly includes a forming portion to form a negative angle portion when an upper die is lowered in a straight line to abut a lower die. A cylindrical rotating cam with a groove formed therein in the axial direction is rotatably mounted in the lower die. A negative angle forming portion is formed in the groove edge portion of the rotating cam. A slide cam with a negative angle forming portion is mounted on the second upper die in such a manner to be opposed to the rotating cam. An automatic return device is provided on the lower die for rotating and retracting the rotating cam to enable the removal of the workpiece from the lower die after the forming process is complete. The rotating cam includes a plurality of rotating cam members, the rotation axis positions of which differ and are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5765427
    Abstract: The press comprises two tool holders facing each other (28a, 28b), capable of relative movement one towards the other and back again. Each tool holder carries a bending tool (40a, 40b) and a clamping tool (42a, 42b). The tool holders (28a, 28b) are in addition capable of relative movement between two working positions in one of which the rear edge (46a) of a tool holder (28a) is so positioned as to cooperate, in order to bend the sheet (L) in a first direction, with a front edge (44b) of the bending tool (40b) of the other tool holder (28b), and the clamping tool (42b) of the other tool holder (28b) is immediately opposite the tool of the first tool holder (28a) in order to cooperate with it through the interposed sheet (L). In the other working position, the functions of the edges of the bending tools and the functions of the clamping tools are reversed in order to carry out the bend in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5755132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a punching and forming tool for producing punched and shaped parts from sheets or foils which consist of material which can be deformed by overstretching. The punching and forming tool comprises upper tool carrier plate means and mating punching platemeans, which can be moved with respect to one another, drawing punch means arranged on the underside of the tool carrier plate means, thrust collar means surrounding the drawing punch means, elastic means arranged between the tool carrier plate means and the thrust collar means, a cutting rule means which arranged on the tool carrier plate, extending in the direction of the mating punching plate means and surrounding the thrust collar means, and a recess which is provided in the mating punching plate means and the inner circumferential edge of which is arranged below the end side of the thrust collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Karl Marbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heinz Sannwald
  • Patent number: 5746082
    Abstract: A die assembly includes a forming portion to form a negative angle portion when an upper die is lowered in a straight line to abut a lower die. A cylindrical rotating cam with a groove formed therein in the axial direction is rotatably mounted in the lower die. A negative angle forming portion is formed in the groove edge portion of the rotating cam. A slide cam with a negative angle forming portion is mounted on the upper die in such a manner to be opposed to the rotating cam to enable the removal of the workpiece from the lower die after the forming process is completed. The rotating cam includes a plurality of cylindrical portions of varying diameters whereby an excessively bent negative angle forming portion may be formed by a single rotating cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5735161
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a panel to a predetermined cross dimension by flangers which form flanges on the opposite side edges of the panel. The flangers are movable toward and away from advanced positions in which to form the flanges. The advanced positions can be adjusted depending on the cross dimension desired. The flangers can be retracted to permit loading and unloading of panels. Forming units are also provided to form tabs on an end of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Western Atlas, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Brown, Gerrit W. Sloat, Timothy A. VerVaecke
  • Patent number: 5572901
    Abstract: An adjustable locator device locates a sheet metal workpiece laterally on a metal forming die. The locator device includes a pivotal locator portion which engages a driver member of the flanging assembly in order to pivot the locator to engage and position the workpiece. The locator portion is movably mounted to a base in order to facilitate longitudinal movement of the locator portion to clearly locator portion and expose the workpiece to the flanging steel for flanging of the workpiece. The locator device includes a pair of springs for biasing the locator portion toward a tilted position for engagement with the driver member, and for biasing the locator portion in the direction of the flanging steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Active Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5474437
    Abstract: A lower metallic die has a major surface for supporting a workpiece thereon. A ridgeline is formed on an end portion of the major surface and with which a bending portion of the workpiece is brought into contact. An upper metallic die has a plane surface rotatable in a bending direction of the workpiece to clamp the workpiece together with the ridgeline of the lower metallic die, thereby freely bending the workpiece at one angle of desired various angles. A rotation controller controls rotation of the plane surface of the upper metallic die, thereby rotating and positioning the plane surface at a position of the one angle of the desired various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Kuroyone