# US 12,184,131 B2 · Interlocking tool for forming stator winding end turns > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,184,131 B2 - Document ID: US12184131B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/680,578 - Filed: 2022-02-25 - Published: 2023-08-31 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-25 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Mark A. Smith; Ante Tony Lausic; John S. Agapiou - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12184131B2 ## CPC - H02K 15/24: Shaping or compacting winding heads (H02K15/0428, H02K15/28, H02K15/36 take precedence) - H02K 15/36: Processes or apparatus for simultaneously twisting two or more open ends of hairpins after their insertion into the machine (for simultaneously twisting two or more hairpins prior to mounting into the machine H02K15/0428) - B21D 37/10: Die sets; Pillar guides - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract An interlocking tool for a for forming stator end turns includes a first member including a first base having a first surface. A first ring extends from the first surface and a second ring extends from the first surface radially outwardly of the first ring. The second ring is spaced from the first ring by a first gap. A second member includes a second base having a first surface portion. A first ring element extends from the first surface portion and a second ring element extends from the first surface portion radially inwardly of the first ring element. The second ring element is spaced from the first ring element by a second gap. The second ring is positioned in the second gap, and the second ring element is positioned in the first gap. The first member is rotatable relative to the second member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interlocking tool for forming stator end turns comprising: a first member including a first base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first ring extends from the first surface and a second ring extends from the first surface radially outwardly of the first ring, the second ring being spaced from the first ring by a first gap; and a second member including a second base having a first surface portion and an opposing second surface portion, a first ring element extends from the first surface portion and a second ring element extends from the first surface portion radially inwardly of the first ring element, the second ring element being spaced from the first ring element by a second gap, wherein the second ring is positioned in the second gap, and the second ring element is positioned in the first gap, the first member being rotatable relative to the second member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein the second base includes an opening that circumscribes the first base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein the first member includes a first mounting element extending outwardly of the second surface and the second member includes a second mounting element extending outwardly of the second surface portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein the first ring includes a first annular surface and a first outer edge, the first annular surface being connected to the first base through a ring support. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The interlocking tool according to claim 4, wherein the second ring includes a second annular surface and a second outer edge, the second annular surface including a first window aligned with the ring support. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The interlocking tool according to claim 5, wherein the ring support extends at an angle from the first base to form the first gap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The interlocking tool according to claim 5, wherein the first ring includes an inner edge is spaced from the second base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The interlocking tool according to claim 5, wherein the first ring element includes a first annular surface portion, a first outer edge portion, and a first inner edge portion that is spaced from the second base, the first inner edge portion defining a second window. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The interlocking tool according to claim 8, wherein the second ring element includes a second annular surface portion and a second outer edge portion, the second annular surface portion being connected to the first base through a ring support element arranged at the second window. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The interlocking tool according to claim 9, wherein the ring support element extends at an angle from the second base to form the second gap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The interlocking tool according to claim 10, wherein the first window defines a first travel limiter establishing an angle of rotation of the second member relative to the first member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The interlocking tool according to claim 11, wherein the angle of rotation of the second member is defined by a width of the first window. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The interlocking tool according to claim 12, wherein the angle of rotation of the second member relative to the first member is about 30°. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The interlocking tool according to claim 12, wherein the angle of rotation of the first member relative to the second member is about 30°. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein the first ring supports a first plurality of comb fingers and the second ring supports a second plurality of comb fingers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The interlocking tool according to claim 15, wherein the first ring element supports a first plurality of comb finger elements and the second ring element supports a second plurality of comb finger elements. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are coupled together to form the interlocking tool. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein one of the first member and the second member is one of a metal and a metal composite. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The interlocking tool according to claim 18, wherein each of the first member and the second member is one of a metal and a metal composite. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The interlocking tool according to claim 1, wherein one of the first member and the second member is a non-metal.