US3753831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding apparatus
Assignee: Boston Machine Works Co
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Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for simultaneously folding the entire peripheral portion of a workpiece or part thereof. The apparatus comprises a shaping die having upper and lower elements, an elastomer sandwiched between the upper and lower elements, a press having upper and lower die members, and means for actuating the shaping die and press. The die elements and elastomer are formed with an internal hole which is adapted for reception of the upper and lower die members. The profiles of the die members conform substantially to the aperture profile of the internal hole and are in registration therewith. When the upper and lower elements are urged toward each other, the elastomer is compressed and bulges into the internal hole and engages the peripheral portion of the workpiece, whereby the entire margin of the workpiece or any portion thereof as desired is folded simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 A Copithorne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/02; B29C53/04; B29C67/00; B29C67/0011; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
An apparatus for making a reverse fold in a workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a. an elastomer formed with an internal opening adapted for reception of said workpiece, the aperture profile of said opening being slightly smaller than and substantially conforming to the peripheral profile of said workpiece; b. means for positioning said workpiece within said opening, said means for positioning including upper and lower members, the profile of said upper member being smaller than the aperture profile of said opening, said upper member having operative and inoperative positions, said upper member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position and disengaging said workpiece when in its inoperative position, said lower member having operative and inoperative positions, said lower member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position, said upper and lower members cooperating to position said workpiece in planar relationship to said elastomer, the peripheral portion of said workpiece being upturned when in planar relationship to said elastomer; and c. means operatively connected to said elastomer for compression thereof, said compression means including lower and upper elements, each said upper and lower element formed with a hole having a profile corresponding to said opening, said upper and lower elements having operative and inoperative positions, said elastomer being compressed when said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions, said compressed elastomer bulging into said opening and engaging the periphery of said workpiece and reversely folding the periphery of said workpiece, said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions when said upper member is in its inoperative position and said lower member is in its operative position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
269 words
An apparatus for making a reverse fold in a workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a. an elastomer formed with an internal opening adapted for reception of said workpiece, the aperture profile of said opening being slightly smaller than and substantially conforming to the peripheral profile of said workpiece; b. means for positioning said workpiece within said opening, said means for positioning including upper and lower members, the profile of said upper member being smaller than the aperture profile of said opening, said upper member having operative and inoperative positions, said upper member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position and disengaging said workpiece when in its inoperative position, said lower member having operative and inoperative positions, said lower member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position, said upper and lower members cooperating to position said workpiece in planar relationship to said elastomer, the peripheral portion of said workpiece being upturned when in planar relationship to said elastomer; and c. means operatively connected to said elastomer for compression thereof, said compression means including lower and upper elements, each said upper and lower element formed with a hole having a profile corresponding to said opening, said upper and lower elements having operative and inoperative positions, said elastomer being compressed when said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions, said compressed elastomer bulging into said opening and engaging the periphery of said workpiece and reversely folding the periphery of said workpiece, said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions when said upper member is in its inoperative position and said lower member is in its operative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastomer is silicone rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means operatively connected to said compression means and positioning means for selective control thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for making a reverse fold in a workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a. an elastomer formed with an internal opening adapted for reception of said workpiece, the aperture profile of said opening being slightly smaller than and substantially conforming to the peripheral profile of said workpiece; b. means for positioning said workpiece within said opening, said means for positioning including upper and lower members, the profile of said upper member being smaller than the aperture profile of said opening, said upper member having operative and inoperative positions, said upper member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position and disengaging said workpiece when in its inoperative position, said lower member defining a support for the workpiece, said upper and lower members cooperating to position said workpiece in planar relationship to said elastomer, the peripheral portion of said workpiece being upturned when in planar relationship to said elastomer; and c. means operatively connected to said elastomer for compression thereof, said compression means including lower and upper elements, each said upper and lower element formed with a hole having a profile corresponding to said opening, said upper and lower elements having operative and inoperative positions, said elastomer being compressed when said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions, said compressed elastomer bulging into said opening and engaging the periphery of said workpiece and reversely folding the periphery of said workpiece, said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions when said upper member is in its inoperative position.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
250 words
An apparatus for making a reverse fold in a workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a. an elastomer formed with an internal opening adapted for reception of said workpiece, the aperture profile of said opening being slightly smaller than and substantially conforming to the peripheral profile of said workpiece; b. means for positioning said workpiece within said opening, said means for positioning including upper and lower members, the profile of said upper member being smaller than the aperture profile of said opening, said upper member having operative and inoperative positions, said upper member engaging said workpiece when in its operative position and disengaging said workpiece when in its inoperative position, said lower member defining a support for the workpiece, said upper and lower members cooperating to position said workpiece in planar relationship to said elastomer, the peripheral portion of said workpiece being upturned when in planar relationship to said elastomer; and c. means operatively connected to said elastomer for compression thereof, said compression means including lower and upper elements, each said upper and lower element formed with a hole having a profile corresponding to said opening, said upper and lower elements having operative and inoperative positions, said elastomer being compressed when said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions, said compressed elastomer bulging into said opening and engaging the periphery of said workpiece and reversely folding the periphery of said workpiece, said upper and lower elements are in their operative positions when said upper member is in its inoperative position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |