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:
Jan. 25, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2001
Applicants:
Akira Tsubouchi, Maebahshi, JP;
Kiyoshi Okubo, Maebahshi, JP;
Yasushi Watanabe, Maebahshi, JP;
Inventors:
Assignee:
NSK Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B21D 5328 ; B21C 100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Methods are provided for forming a hollow rack shaft from a workpiece comprising a rectangular plate. The workpiece is first bent into a gutter-like shape using a first die set. Rack teeth are then press-formed in a portion of the gutter-like shape using a second die set. The legs, or sides, of the workpiece are then bent around a mandrel into a semi-circular shape so as to butt against each other. Preferably, the die sets and mandrel may be adapted to improve the resulting hollow rack shaft.