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US 6,474,975 B2Granted
Press mechanism
AssigneeCoachmen Industries, Inc.
InventorRon Bibeau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus of forming articles includes a press having a pair of opposite platens. An articulated clamping frame is mounted between the platens, each of which are moveable toward and away from the clamping frame. Material to be formed is clamped into the clamping frames and the articulated clamping frame is wrapped around the die as the die forms the material. The formed article is extracted from the die by moving the clamping frame away from the die.
Claims7
A press mechanism comprising:
- a clamping frame profiled to receive and clampingly retain a sheet of material to be formed, said clamping frame having articulated joints along respective sides allowing said frame to articulate about at least one axis;
- a movable die for forming an article being movable towards and away from said clamping frame;
- and
- movable engaging members fixed with respect of each other and profiled to hold the clamping frame adjacent end lengths thereof, said end lengths being parallel to said at least one axis, and said engaging members moving said frame with respect to said die, wherein a sheet of material to be formed by said die is held by said clamping frame and against said die.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.