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:
Apr. 22, 2008
Filed:
Oct. 14, 2004
Jerry P. Bair, Muskegon, MI (US);
Jerry P. Bair, Muskegon, MI (US);
Century, Inc., Traverse City, MI (US);
Abstract
The subject invention discloses a sweep unit assembly having a series of stations defining a path for an elongated article. A cradle is coupled to each of the stations. The stations are movable to introduce a first curve into the path and the article and each of the cradles are independently movable for introducing a second curve into the path and the article. A mount is included that supports at least one of the stations. The mount engages a base such that each of the stations are movably secured to the base and remain easily accessible for adjusting the stations and the cradles to impart various degrees of curvature into the path and the article. The sweep unit assembly is capable of imparting a curve into an elongated article formed of a metal and having a tensile strength greater than 80 KSI and a yield strength of 6 to 9 percent. The subject invention also discloses a method of adjusting the sweep unit assembly and a method of introducing a curve into the elongated article.