US4803878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for forming elongate tubular members into a predetermined shape while extrusion is gas pressurized and product
Assignee: CB ACQUISITION VEHICLE Inc
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Filing: 1987-01-20
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Granted: 1989-02-14
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Expires: 2007-01-20
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus forms an elongate tubular member into a predetermined shape while preventing crimping of the walls of the member and comprises jaws for holding the member at its opposing ends and a pressurizer for pressurizing the interior of the member to a predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while being held sufficient to provide increased effective regidity and crimp resistance to the walls of the member. A die exerts a force against the member sufficient to form the member into a predetermined shape while pressurized. The pressure within the member is released after the member has been formed into its desired shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E. Moroney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:23
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D7/00; B21D7/06; B21D11/00; B21D11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for forming an elongate tubular member into a predetermined shape while preventing crimping of the walls of the member, comprising: (a) holding means for holding the member at its opposing ends; (b) pressurizing means for pressurizing the interior of the member with a gas to a predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while being held sufficient to provide increased effective rigidity and crimp resistance to the walls of the member; (c) tensioning means cooperating with said holding means to urge said holding means away from each other for tensioning the member into its yield state; (d) forming means for exerting a force against the member sufficient to form the member into a predetermined shape while pressurized and in its yield state; and (e) pressure releasing means for releasing the pressure within the member after the member has been formed into its desired shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for forming an elongate tubular member into a predetermined shape while preventing crimping of the walls of the member, comprising: (a) holding means for holding the member at its opposing ends; (b) pressurizing means for pressurizing the interior of the member with a gas to a predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while being held sufficient to provide increased effective rigidity and crimp resistance to the walls of the member; (c) tensioning means cooperating with said holding means to urge said holding means away from each other for tensioning the member into its yield state; (d) forming means for exerting a force against the member sufficient to form the member into a predetermined shape while pressurized and in its yield state; and (e) pressure releasing means for releasing the pressure within the member after the member has been formed into its desired shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for pressurizing the interior of the member comprises first and second mandrels carried by said holding means, and wherein said holding means comprise first and second jaws, respectively, for being inserted into the respective ends of the member; and sealing means carried by said mandrels for engaging the inner walls of the member adjacent its opposite ends and forming a gas-tight enclosure therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first and second mandrels each include first cylinder and piston means for extending the mandrel into the respective end of the member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second mandrels each include a first mandrel segment, a second, coaxial mandrel segment, means for moving said first and second mandrel segments axially relative to each other to define a variable sized space therebetween, and wherein said sealing means comprises an annular, resilient sealing material coaxially positioned between said first and second mandrel segments and radially outwardly expandible when compressed by converging movement of said first and second mandrel segments to move into sealing engagement with the inner walls of the member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for forming an elongate tubular member into a predetermined shape while preventing crimping of the walls of the member, comprising the steps of: (a) holding the member at its opposing ends with holding means; (b) pressurizing the interior of the member with a gas to a predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while being held sufficient to provide increased effective rigidity and crimp resistance to the walls of the member; (c) tensioning the member into its yield state by urging the holding means and the opposing ends of the member held thereby away from each other; (d) exerting a force against the member sufficient to form the member into a predetermined shape while pressurized; and (e) releasing the pressure within the member after the member has been formed into its desired shape.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for forming an elongate tubular member into a predetermined shape while preventing crimping of the walls of the member, comprising the steps of: (a) holding the member at its opposing ends with holding means; (b) pressurizing the interior of the member with a gas to a predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while being held sufficient to provide increased effective rigidity and crimp resistance to the walls of the member; (c) tensioning the member into its yield state by urging the holding means and the opposing ends of the member held thereby away from each other; (d) exerting a force against the member sufficient to form the member into a predetermined shape while pressurized; and (e) releasing the pressure within the member after the member has been formed into its desired shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the step of pressurizing the interior of the member includes the steps of providing first and second mandrels carried by first and second jaws, respectively, for being inserted into the respective ends of the member; and providing sealing means carried by said mandrels for engaging the inner walls of the member adjacent its opposite ends and forming a gas-tight enclosure therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |