Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080250837 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDING OF SHEET MATERIALS - A method and apparatus for folding of sheet materials for forming a three-dimensional structure from a substantially two-dimensional sheet material includes a restraint assembly for restraining a work piece from movement in one direction, a low flange assembly movably mounted on the frame for biasing the work piece against the restraint assembly and effecting folding along the low-flange fold line, a high flange assembly movably mounted on the frame to effect folding along the high-flange fold line, and a control assembly for sequentially operating the low flange assembly and the high flange assembly. A method of using the method and apparatus for folding of sheet materials, and the structure created thereby, is also disclosed. | 10-16-2008 |
20080257006 | Method of bending sheet materials and sheet therefor - A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line including a sheet of material ( | 10-23-2008 |
20080271511 | SHEET MATERIAL WITH BEND CONTROLLING DISPLACEMENTS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A method of preparing a sheet of material for bending along a bend line comprising the step of forming of at least one displacement in the thickness direction of the sheet of material with a portion of the periphery of the displacement closest to the bend line providing an edge and opposed face configured in position to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet on opposite sides of the periphery during bending. The forming step is preferably accomplished using one of a stamping process, a punching process, a roll-forming process and an embossing process. A sheet of material suitable for bending using the process also is disclosed, as are the use of coatings, shin guards and displacing the area of the sheet between bending inducing slits. | 11-06-2008 |
20080276682 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BEND CONTROLLING DISPLACEMENTS IN SHEET MATERIAL - An apparatus for forming bend controlling displacements in sheet materials includes one or more punch blades, a punch blade block having one or more recesses dimensioned and configured to receive the punch blades, a die block having one or more recesses corresponding in number to the number of punch blades, and a die block unit having a receptacle configured to receive the die block, one of the punch blade block and the die block unit being configured to reciprocate with respect to the other. The punch blades and the die block may include hardened steel and the punch blade block and the die block may include non-hardened steel. A method of using the sheet material with bend controlling displacements and method for forming the same is also disclosed. | 11-13-2008 |
20090043543 | METHOD OF DESIGNING FOLD LINES IN SHEET MATERIAL - A method of designing fold lines in sheet material includes the steps defining the desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, and populating the fold line with a fold geometry including a series of cut zones that define a series of connected zones configured and positioned relative to the fold line whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. Alternatively, the method may include the steps storing a plurality of cut zone configurations and connected zone configurations having differing dimensions and/or shapes, defining a desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, selecting a preferred cut zone and/or a preferred connected zone which have a desired shape and scale, locating a preferred fold geometry along the fold line, the preferred fold geometry including the selected cut zone and the selected connected zone, and relocating, resealing and/or reshaping the preferred fold geometry to displace, add and/or subtract at least one of the connected zones, whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. A computer program product and a system configured for implementing the method of designing fold lines in sheet material is also disclosed. | 02-12-2009 |
20090100893 | Method of forming two-dimensional sheet material into three-dimensional structure - A two-dimensional sheet material is provided that is suitable for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one side of the bend line. A portion of the displacements shear adjacent the bend line and define an edge and an opposed face. The edge and opposed face configured to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet material during bending. Alternatively, sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one or both sides of the bend line, and with a plurality of corresponding and cooperating protrusions to improve structural integrity and/or to improve electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding. The sheet material may also be provided with a self-latching structure. A method of preparing and using these sheet materials is also described. | 04-23-2009 |
20090100894 | Sheet of Material with Fluid-Resistant Bend Controlling Displacements and Method of Forming the Same - A method of preparing a two-dimensional sheet of material for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional article having a fluid-resistant bend includes the steps of forming at least one bend-controlling displacement in the thickness direction of the sheet of material, a portion of a periphery of the bend-controlling displacement proximate the bend line defining a sheared face directed toward an opposed sheet surface in the sheet of material on an opposite side of the bend line, and bending the sheet of material. A balancing of the forces during bending produces face-to-surface engagement between the sheared face and the opposed sheet surface such that the sheet material is substantially fluid-resistant along the bend line. | 04-23-2009 |
20090100895 | Hinged Three-Dimensional Structure Formed With Two-Dimensional Sheet of Material - A substantially two-dimensional sheet material is configured for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional structure having a hinge along the bend line. The sheet material includes a substantially two-dimensional in a region in which a bend is to be made, and a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material along opposing sides of the bend line, each displacement having a sheared edge extending between end portions thereof and substantially parallel to the bend line. The adjacent sheared edges overlap one another with respect to the bend line to form a hinge structure therebetween extending along the bend line, the hinge structure having hinge ends that conform in shape with the end portions. The hinge structure is dimensioned and configured for multiple bend and unbend cycles thereby providing a monolithic hinge connecting opposing panels of the sheet material on opposing sides of the bend line. A method of preparing and using the hinged three-dimensional structure is also disclosed. | 04-23-2009 |
20090188100 | CHASSIS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A load-bearing chassis for a motor vehicle includes a three-dimensional structure formed by a sheet of material including a plurality of bend lines. Each bend line has adjacent strap-defining structures defining a bending strap with a longitudinal strap axis oriented and positioned to extend across the bend line. Preferably the bend lines are configured and positioned to form a load-bearing chassis member when the sheet of material is bent along the bend lines. The bend lines defining geometrical features of the chassis. A method of forming the chassis is also disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090194089 | HIGH-STRENGTH THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A structure including a sheet of material bent along bend lines to form a plurality of walls defining an interior volume having a predetermined cross-section. A fold-out tab portion in one of the walls has a peripheral shape complementary to the predetermined cross-section. At least one side of the tab engages an immediately adjacent, corresponding wall thereby defining the predetermined cross-section. The structure may include a bend line defining a first portion and a second portion of the sheet of material, each portion including a pre-formed bend angle flange. The pre-formed bend of the first portion is aligned with the pre-formed bend of the second portion. A section of the first portion may also overlap a section of the second portion thereby forming a multiple-sheet-thick framework. An oven housing with sidewalls, a top and a back, and a removable bottom adjustably disposed within the oven compartment is also disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090205387 | SYSTEM FOR LOW-FORCE ROLL FOLDING AND METHODS THEREOF - A system for low-force roll folding effects bending of a two-dimensional sheet material having one or more predetermined fold lines into three-dimensional article. The system may include a sheet material with bend-facilitating structure extending along a length one or more of the predetermined fold lines, a stand of rollers configured to effect bending of the sheet metal along the bend-facilitating structure, and a driver to move the stand of folding rollers relative to the sheet material along the length of one or more of the predetermined fold lines to effect bending of the sheet material along the bend-facilitating structure. A method for low-force roll folding is also disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090297740 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line. Several slit embodiments suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed. With these teachings, forming numerous three-dimensional load-bearing structures from a two dimensional sheet are enabled. Examples of straight and curved beams, chassis, and exoskeletons are disclosed. | 12-03-2009 |
20100122563 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BEND-CONTROLLING STRAPS IN SHEET MATERIAL - A substantially two-dimensional sheet material is configured for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional article. The sheet material includes a sheet of elastically and plastically deformable material, one portion of the sheet material located on one side of the bend line and another portion located on the opposing side of the bend line, one portion being displaced relative to the another portion in the direction of the thickness of the sheet material, and/or a plurality of shear lengths extending along the bend line separating the one and another portions of the sheet material. At least a pair of adjacent shear lengths define a strap interconnecting the one and another portions of the sheet material. A tooling assembly is configured for forming the bend-controlling straps and includes a punch assembly and a die assembly dimensioned and configured to move relative to one another, a punch block having a continuous shear edge, the punch block removably secured on the punch assembly, and/or a die block having an interrupted shear edge broken into shear edge segments by one or more recesses, the die block removably mounted on the die assembly, wherein moving one of the punch assembly and the die assembly toward the other, the continuous shear edge of the punch block cooperates with the shear edge segments for impart shear lengths upon the sheet material along the predetermined bend line. A method of using the tooling assembly and forming the sheet material is also described. | 05-20-2010 |
20100147130 | FATIGUE-RESISTANCE SHEET SLITTING METHOD AND RESULTING SHEET - A sheet of material ( | 06-17-2010 |
20110008573 | SHEET OF MATERIAL WITH BEND-CONTROLLING STRUCTURES AND METHOD - A two-dimensional sheet of material for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional article having a load-bearing bend line, the sheet including at least one bend-controlling displacement. The displacement includes a displaced portion displaced from the sheet of material in a thickness direction defined by a sheared face, the displaced portion further including a central portion extending along the bend line and opposing end portions at opposite ends of the central portion; and a stem portion interconnecting the displaced portion to the remainder of the sheet of material. The stem portion is located inwardly of the end portions and defined by opposing termini of the sheared face. In various aspects, the displacements are formed in opposite thickness directions and configured to promote bi-directional precision folding. Methods of forming and using the sheet of material are also described. | 01-13-2011 |
20110031244 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE FORMED WITH PRECISION FOLD TECHNOLOGY AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME - A three-dimensional structure formed with precision fold technology includes a first sheet section having a first edge formed with a first joinder structure proximate the first edge, a second sheet section having a second edge formed with a second joinder structure proximate the second edge for interlocking engagement with said first joinder structure, and a plurality of folding structures formed in the sheet of material along a plurality of desired fold lines which divide the sheet of material into said first and second sheet sections, the folding structures being formed to produce sufficiently precise folding of the sheet of material along the fold lines to position the first and second edges together such that said first and second joinder structures interengage with one another and retain the sheet of material in a folded condition. | 02-10-2011 |
20110049166 | METHOD OF FORMING TWO-DIMENSIONAL SHEET MATERIAL INTO THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE - A two-dimensional sheet material is provided that is suitable for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one side of the bend line. A portion of the displacements shear adjacent the bend line and define an edge and an opposed face. The edge and opposed face configured to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet material during bending. Alternatively, sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one or both sides of the bend line, and with a plurality of corresponding and cooperating protrusions to improve structural integrity and/or to improve electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding. The sheet material may also be provided with a self-latching structure. A method of preparing and using these sheet materials is also described. | 03-03-2011 |
20110059330 | METHOD FOR PRECISION BENDING OF SHEET OF MATERIALS, SLIT SHEETS FABRICATION PROCESS - A method for precision bending of a sheet of material ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110281065 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material fowled with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line. Several slit embodiments suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed. With these teachings, forming numerous three-dimensional load-bearing structures from a two dimensional sheet are enabled. Examples of straight and curved beams, chassis, and exoskeletons are disclosed. | 11-17-2011 |
20110287228 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line. Several slit embodiments suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed. With these teachings, forming numerous three-dimensional load-bearing structures from a two dimensional sheet are enabled. Examples of straight and curved beams, chassis, and exoskeletons are disclosed. | 11-24-2011 |
20120121862 | SHEET MATERIAL WITH BEND CONTROLLING DISPLACEMENTS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A method of preparing a sheet of material for bending along a bend line comprising the step of forming of at least one displacement in the thickness direction of the sheet of material with a portion of the periphery of the displacement closest to the bend line providing an edge and opposed face configured in position to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet on opposite sides of the periphery during bending. The forming step is preferably accomplished using one of a stamping process, a punching process, a roll-forming process and an embossing process. A sheet of material suitable for bending using the process also is disclosed, as are the use of coatings, shin guards and displacing the area of the sheet between bending inducing slits. | 05-17-2012 |
20120276330 | PRECISION-FOLDED, HIGH STRENGTH, FATIGUE-RESISTANT STRUCTURES AND SHEET THEREFOR - A sheet of material formed for bending along a bend line comprises a plurality of slits positioned proximate and along the bend line. The slits each have opposite end portions which diverge away from the bend line. The slits are configured and positioned to produce bending of the sheet of material along the bend line. The diverging slit end portions reduce stress in the sheet of material during bending. | 11-01-2012 |
20140169720 | BEARING RETAINER - A bearing cage for use with a plurality of rolling elements in a bearing assembly includes a plurality of bridge elements arranged to separate the rolling elements from each other and to retain the rolling elements in alignment in the bearing assembly. Each of the bridge elements is formed of sheet material bent to define a partially hollow component. The cage further includes at least one rim element connecting the plurality of bridge elements. | 06-19-2014 |