US4757609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for joining sheet material
Assignee: BTM Corp
•
Filing: 1986-04-17
•
Granted: 1988-07-19
•
Expires: 2006-04-17
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an improved apparatus for joining a plurality of pieces of sheet metal or other sheet material items by first drawing and then laterally extruding portions of the material to be joined into an enlarged shape which will permanently mechanically interlock the sheet material pieces. The apparatus utilizes a novel die construction in which portions thereof are resiliently biased toward one another and pivot or slide laterally in response to lateral extrusion of the joining material, and which is applicable to conventional "lanced" type joints as well as to a novel leakproof joint. A method of forming a leakproof joint between a plurality of pieces of sheet material and a method of fabricating a novel die construction are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin G. Sawdon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:13
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D51/00; B21D51/16; B21D51/26; B21D51/30; B21D51/34; B21D39/00; B21D39/03; B21D39/031; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/04; B23P19/06; B23P19/062; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49833; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49915; Y10T29/49938; Y10T29/49943; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5343; Y10T29/53709; Y10T29/53717; Y10T29/53726
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a die assembly including pair of die portions defining an opening of receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions toward one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a die assembly including pair of die portions defining an opening of receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions toward one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said opening is complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said punch means and providing a generally uniform clearance between said punch means and said die portions in order to prevent shearing of the sheet material items when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by the punch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said die portions are provided with radiused edges around said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opening is at least partially complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said punch means, said die portions defining at least two sides of said opening substantially in alignment with corresponding sides of said punch means in order to cooperate with said punch means to shear the sheet material items at locations adjacent the sheet material portions when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said elastic biasing means comprises a polymeric band generally surrounding said die portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said die portions include a recessed peripheral portion for receiving and retaining said elastic biasing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being pivotally movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being pivotally movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said die portions include generally laterally inwardly recessed peripheral portions extending therearound and generally laterally-extending flange portions longitudinally adjacent said recessed peripheral portions, said elastic biasing means including an elastomeric band received in said recessed peripheral portions and retained therein at least in part by said flange portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further including a limiting ring generally surrounding said die portions for limiting the laterally outward pivotal movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward pivotal movement of said die portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further including a limiting sleeve generally surrounding said die portions and being normally laterally outwardly spaced therefrom for limiting the laterally outward pivotal movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward pivotal movement of said die portions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being slidably movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being slidably movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said die portions include generally laterally inwardly recessed peripheral portions extending therearound and generally laterally-extending flange portions longitudinally adjacent said recessed peripheral portions, said elastic biasing means being received in said recessed peripheral portions and retained therein at least in part by said flange portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further including a limiting ring generally surrounding said die portions for limiting the laterally outward slidable movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward slidable movement of said die portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further including a limiting sleeve generally surrounding said die portion and being normally laterally outwardly spaced therefrom for limiting the laterally outward slidable movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward slidable movement of said die portions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions configured to cooperate with the punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction, said die portions defining a generally circular opening therebetween for receiving said sheet material portions when said sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by said punch means, said opening being complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said punch means and providing a generally uniform clearance between said punch means and said die portions in order to prevent shearing of the sheet material items when said sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by said punch means; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions configured to cooperate with the punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction, said die portions defining a generally circular opening therebetween for receiving said sheet material portions when said sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by said punch means, said opening being complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said punch means and providing a generally uniform clearance between said punch means and said die portions in order to prevent shearing of the sheet material items when said sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by said punch means; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, comprising three of said die segments defining said circular opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, comprising four of said die segments defining said circular opening.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
256 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus including longitudinal movable punch means, the apparatus further comprising: spaced die portions configured to cooperate with the punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when the punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction, said die portions including a number of die segments defining a non-circular opening therebetween for receiving the sheet material portions when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by the punch means, said opening being at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the punch means, said die segments defining at least two sides of said opening substantially in alignment with corresponding sides of the punch means in order to cooperate with the punch means to shear the sheet material items at locations adjacent the sheet material portions when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
256 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus including longitudinal movable punch means, the apparatus further comprising: spaced die portions configured to cooperate with the punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when the punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction, said die portions including a number of die segments defining a non-circular opening therebetween for receiving the sheet material portions when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by the punch means, said opening being at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the punch means, said die segments defining at least two sides of said opening substantially in alignment with corresponding sides of the punch means in order to cooperate with the punch means to shear the sheet material items at locations adjacent the sheet material portions when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a first pair of said die segments are pivotally movable relative to one another in said generally lateral direction, a second pair of said die segments providing clearance between the punch means and said second pair of die segments in order to prevent shearing of the sheet material items at locations corresponding to said second pair of die segments when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by the punch means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first pair of said die segments have sides that are generally straight and generally parallel to one another, said second pair of die segments having generally arcuate sides defining a part of said opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first pair of said die segments have sides that are generally straight and generally parallel to one another, said second pair of die segments having generally straight sides defining a part of said opening.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second pair of die segments are also laterally pivotal relative to one another in a generally lateral direction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a first pair of said die segments are slidably movable relative to one another in said generally lateral direction, a second pair of said die segments providing clearance between the punch means and said second pair of die segments in order to prevent shearing of the sheet material items at locations corresponding to said second pair of die segments when the sheet material portions are forcibly deformed into said opening by the punch means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said first pair of said die segments have sides that are generally straight and generally parallel to one another, said second pair of die segments having generally arcuate sides defining a part of said opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said first pair of said die segments have sides that are generally straight and generally parallel to one another, said second pair of die segments having generally straight sides defining a part of said opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said second pair of die segments are also laterally slidable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions and molded thereon for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means; and elastic biasing means surrounding said die portions and molded thereon for resiliently biasing said die portions in a generally lateral direction toward one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, further including a limiting ring generally surrounding said die portions for limiting the laterally outward movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward movement of said die portions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, further including a limiting sleeve generally surrounding said die portions and being normally laterally outwardly spaced therefrom for limiting the laterally outward movement of said die portions, thereby substantially minimizing damage to said die portions and to said elastic biasing means caused by excessive laterally outward movement of said die portions.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means and configured to cooperate with said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; and anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means, the lateral dimension of said punch means being approximately twice the combined, undeformed thicknesses of said sheet material items, and the lateral dimension of the spacing between said die portions being approximately equal to the sum of the lateral dimension of said punch means plus approximately 80 percent of the combined, undeformed thicknesses of the sheet material items.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for joining two or more sheet material items, the apparatus comprising: punch means; a pair of die portions defining an opening for receiving said punch means and configured to cooperate with said punch means to forcibly deform portions of the sheet material items when said punch means and said die portions are moved relatively toward one another in a generally longitudinal direction with said sheet material items disposed therebetween, said die portions being movable relative to one another in a generally lateral direction; means for longitudinally supporting said die portions during said deformation of said portions of the sheet material items; and anvil means located in said opening, said die portions moving laterally away from one another in response to at least parts of said sheet material portions being deformed laterally outwardly by movement of said punch means against said anvil means, the lateral dimension of said punch means being approximately twice the combined, undeformed thicknesses of said sheet material items, and the lateral dimension of the spacing between said die portions being approximately equal to the sum of the lateral dimension of said punch means plus approximately 80 percent of the combined, undeformed thicknesses of the sheet material items.
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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) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |