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:
Nov. 08, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2008
Mark T. Hall, Troy, MI (US);
Robert T. Szymanski, St. Clair Township, MI (US);
Yen-lung Chen, Troy, MI (US);
Corey C. Holupko, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Mark T. Hall, Troy, MI (US);
Robert T. Szymanski, St. Clair Township, MI (US);
Yen-Lung Chen, Troy, MI (US);
Corey C. Holupko, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A device for use with a welding apparatus, such as a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) apparatus, that maintains work pieces in a generally flat or flush orientation during a welding operation. The device can be mounted to the operable end of an FSSW apparatus so that it exerts a stabilizing force against an upper work piece. The stabilizing force exerted by the device prevents the upper work piece from deflecting when the rotating tool of the FSSW apparatus passes through the upper work piece and penetrates into the lower work piece. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a housing component that slidably receives a movable component under the force of a biasing component.