The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1999
Glen C Pacher, Seattle, WA (US);
Alan T Potter, Seattle, WA (US);
Kevin A Gillespy, Seattle, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for forming and shearing a sheet metal workpiece in a single operation. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a stationary lower die half; (b) stretching the workpiece over the lower die half to stretch-form the workpiece; (c) providing a vertically movable upper die half including a laterally movable floating portion with a shearing edge; (d) moving the upper die half toward the lower die half; (e) moving the floating portion laterally as the upper die half is moved toward the lower die half in order to properly align the floating portion with the lower die half; and (f) shearing the stretch-formed workpiece between the shearing edge and the lower die half as the upper die half moves toward the lower die half.