Patent US4277996A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4277996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Force application apparatus, especially for severing materials
Assignee: STANZTECHNIK GmbH
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Filing: 1980-05-15
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Granted: 1981-07-14
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Expires: 2000-05-15
Abstract
Abstract The present apparatus applies force along a line or to a surface through one or more linear or rather longitudinal, elastically expandable or deformable members. The expansion of the elongated member, such as an elastic, reinforced hose or membrane, is transmitted to the tool proper, for example, a strip steel knife or a clamping device, along the entire length of the tool, whereby a linear force application is achieved. Several of such members may be arranged in parallel to obtain substantially a surface area force application. The force application member may also be curved for applying the force, such as a cutting force to an equally curved tool such as a strip steel knife. The force application member is returned to its starting position after a work stroke is completed. The work stroke is performed by expanding the member with the aid of a medium under pressure. The return is accomplished by a spring force or by a similar expansion member.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst M. Spengler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:59
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q5/00; B23Q5/02; B23Q5/027; B23Q5/033; B26; B26D; B26D5/00; B26D5/08; B26D5/12; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/38; B26F1/40; B26F2210/00; B26F2210/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/914; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/283; Y10T83/293; Y10T83/748; Y10T83/7487; Y10T83/7567; Y10T83/7573; Y10T83/808; Y10T83/825; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8752; Y10T83/8755; Y10T83/8788; Y10T83/8821; Y10T83/8858; Y10T83/8861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus for applying force to a three-dimensional work piece, comprising a plurality of work performing means each including rigidly supported frame means forming a plurality of hollow housing members, longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means having a longitudinal axis, said expansion means being operatively supported in said hollow housing members, elongated force transmission means (24) operatively arranged in each housing member for cooperation with said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means, pressure means operatively connected to said longitudinal elastically, deformable expansion means for expanding said expansion means along its entire length to perform a work stroke which is applied to said work piece along a line curved in space, at least two power transmitting rods operatively secured to said elongated force transmission means in a row extending substantially in the same plane as said longitudinal axis, whereby all power transmitting rods are operated in synchronism in said row, said power transmitting rods extending through said housing member, guide means secured to said housing member for guiding said power transmitting rods for a back and forth movement substantially perpendicularly to said housing member, reset means operatively arranged to return said power transmitting rods to a rest position when the pressure in said elastically deformable expansion means is released and support means for operatively supporting said plurality of work performing means in a three-dimensional relationship relative to each other for performing work on a three-dimensional work piece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus for applying force to a three-dimensional work piece, comprising a plurality of work performing means each including rigidly supported frame means forming a plurality of hollow housing members, longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means having a longitudinal axis, said expansion means being operatively supported in said hollow housing members, elongated force transmission means (24) operatively arranged in each housing member for cooperation with said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means, pressure means operatively connected to said longitudinal elastically, deformable expansion means for expanding said expansion means along its entire length to perform a work stroke which is applied to said work piece along a line curved in space, at least two power transmitting rods operatively secured to said elongated force transmission means in a row extending substantially in the same plane as said longitudinal axis, whereby all power transmitting rods are operated in synchronism in said row, said power transmitting rods extending through said housing member, guide means secured to said housing member for guiding said power transmitting rods for a back and forth movement substantially perpendicularly to said housing member, reset means operatively arranged to return said power transmitting rods to a rest position when the pressure in said elastically deformable expansion means is released and support means for operatively supporting said plurality of work performing means in a three-dimensional relationship relative to each other for performing work on a three-dimensional work piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising three-dimensional mold means for holding said three-dimensional work piece, and tool means operatively connected to said power transmission rods for movement relative to said three-dimensional mold means in a direction substantially perpendicularly to a work piece surface to be cut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 2, comprising further work performing means operatively arranged inside or below said three-dimensional mold means, said further work performing means including further tool means also arranged for movement relative to said three-dimensional mold means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least some of said tool means and further tool means comprise counter holder means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power transmitting rods have different lengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising tool means, such as strip steel knife means, operatively connected to said power transmitting rods for cooperation with said force transmission means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means comprise a hollow flexible body, such as a hose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated force transmission means comprise a force transmitting plate, and means guiding said force transmitting plate for movement in said frame means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said elastically deformable expansion means extend substantially along the entire length of said force transmitting plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated force transmission means constitute support wall means against which said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means rest at least along one side thereof, and wherein said reset means are operatively inserted between said housing member and said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means for returning the latter into a starting position following a work stroke.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said reset means comprise at least one elastically deformable component.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force transmitting means are arranged in direct contact with said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising stop means operatively arranged in said frame means for cooperation with said elastically deformable expansion means to limit the work stroke of the latter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising counter support means operatively connected to said force transmission means for movement therewith, whereby said counter support means are operable by said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means comprise hose means, said apparatus further comprising means operatively connected to said hose means for flowing a cooling medium through said hose means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means comprise hose means, said apparatus further comprising stop means arranged inside said hose means for limiting the stroke of said elastically deformable hose means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of work performing means are arranged in such a spacial relationship to one another that said line curved in space is substantially an endless, closed line (FIG. 10).
Claim 19
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for applying force to a work piece along a line curved in space, comprising elongated tool means shaped to substantially conform to said line curved in space, a plurality of work performing means, each work performing means including rigidly supported frame means, forming at least one hollow housing member, longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means having a longitudinal axis, said expansion means being operatively supported in said hollow housing member, elongated force transmission means (24) operatively arranged in said housing member for cooperation with said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means, pressure means operatively connected to said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means for expanding said expansion means along its entire length to perform a work stroke which is applied to said work piece, at least two power transmitting rods operatively secured at one end of each rod to said elongated force transmission means to form a row of rods which row extends substantially in the same plane as said longitudinal axis, means securing said other end of each rod to said tool means, at least some of said securing means comprising spacer means operatively interposed between the tool means and the respective other end of the rod, whereby all power transmitting rods are operated in synchronism in said row and to an extent defined by said line curved in space, said power transmitting rods extending through said housing member, guide means secured to said housing member for guiding said power transmitting rods for a back and forth movement substantially perpendicularly to said housing member, and reset means operatively arranged to return said power transmitting rods in unison to a rest position when the pressure in said elastically deformable expansion means is released, whereby the uniform expansion of said expansion means is transmitted to different extents due to said rods of different length.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for applying force to a work piece along a line curved in space, comprising elongated tool means shaped to substantially conform to said line curved in space, a plurality of work performing means, each work performing means including rigidly supported frame means, forming at least one hollow housing member, longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means having a longitudinal axis, said expansion means being operatively supported in said hollow housing member, elongated force transmission means (24) operatively arranged in said housing member for cooperation with said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means, pressure means operatively connected to said longitudinal, elastically deformable expansion means for expanding said expansion means along its entire length to perform a work stroke which is applied to said work piece, at least two power transmitting rods operatively secured at one end of each rod to said elongated force transmission means to form a row of rods which row extends substantially in the same plane as said longitudinal axis, means securing said other end of each rod to said tool means, at least some of said securing means comprising spacer means operatively interposed between the tool means and the respective other end of the rod, whereby all power transmitting rods are operated in synchronism in said row and to an extent defined by said line curved in space, said power transmitting rods extending through said housing member, guide means secured to said housing member for guiding said power transmitting rods for a back and forth movement substantially perpendicularly to said housing member, and reset means operatively arranged to return said power transmitting rods in unison to a rest position when the pressure in said elastically deformable expansion means is released, whereby the uniform expansion of said expansion means is transmitted to different extents due to said rods of different length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said rods have different lengths.
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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) | 1984-07-13 | 1985-01-12 | 1985-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-13 | 1989-01-12 | 1989-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-13 | 1993-01-12 | 1993-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |