Richard M Kleber from Sandusky, OH, age 77

Us Patents

Panel Extraction Assist For Superplastic And Quick Plastic Forming Equipment
view source
US Patent:

6615631, Sep 9, 2003
Filed:

Apr 19, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/837597
Inventors:

Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI
Nelson T. Brinas - Sterling Heights MI
Dana W. Moore - Rochester Hills MI
Donald L. Kenyon - Sunfield MI
Joseph B. Harris - Westland MI
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 4500
US Classification:

72 60, 72427
Abstract:

Equipment and method for the rapid and easy extraction of formed metal parts from forming dies while in a press and operating at elevated temperatures. The invention features the controlled supply of streams of air or other inert gas to the interface of the hot surface of the forming die and the formed panel to augment removal so that flaws from removal equipment are minimized for optimized production of high quality parts. High velocity air is discharged through nozzles onto the forming surfaces of hot forming dies to cool the forming die and the part that contract at different rates and pop the part from the surface.

Plural Sheet Superplastic Forming Equipment And Process
view source
US Patent:

6675621, Jan 13, 2004
Filed:

Sep 10, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/950229
Inventors:

Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 2602
US Classification:

72 60, 72 56, 72 57, 294211
Abstract:

Superplastic forming tools and method in which pairs of stacked metal blanks are serially loaded between heated forming dies that are moved to a closed position on each of the pair of blanks so that a partial perimeter gas seal is established therebetween. A pressure wedge is then introduced between the two blanks along one edge of the pair to act as a stopper or air seal to complete perimeter sealing thereof. The pressure wedge also establishes the operative position of a gas injection port, which directs pressurized air interiorly of the completed perimeter seal of the pair of blanks to force the blanks in opposite direction for the superplastic forming of a pair of discrete parts. The wedge and forming dies are then opened for the removal of a pair of formed parts and for the subsequent loading of additional pairs of stacked sheets for their simultaneous superplastic forming into pairs of parts. With this construction and process, the output of superplastic forming equipment can be multiplied for improved efficiency and for improved formation of parts.

Mid Plate Process And Equipment For The Superplastic Forming Of Parts From Plural Sheets
view source
US Patent:

6694790, Feb 24, 2004
Filed:

Apr 17, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/124079
Inventors:

Edward Frank Ryntz - Warren MI
Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 3920
US Classification:

72 60
Abstract:

Superplastic forming of sheet metal blanks is advanced both is quantity and quality with the utilization of a part separating and pressure distributing mid plate sandwiched between a pair of blanks. This arrangement is loaded between upper and lower die halves operatively mounted in a heated press which closes to effect the piercing of one of the blanks by a nozzle which subsequently delivers pressurized air or other inert gas to an intermediate chamber formed by the mid plate between the blanks to effect the simlayaneously forming of separate parts in both forming dies.

Guide Pin Slot Arrangement For Super Plastic Forming Blanks Providing Improved Blank Guidance And Formed Part Release
view source
US Patent:

6837087, Jan 4, 2005
Filed:

Sep 13, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/242981
Inventors:

Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Donald L. Kenyon - Sunfield MI, US
Verril J. Gamet - Diamondale MI, US
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 4500
US Classification:

72 60, 72344, 72420, 428571, 428577
Abstract:

A blank positioning and guide construction which includes guide pin slotting that effects the accurate positioning of the sheet on the forming die and guide pin thereof and which provides for the enlargement of the guide pin slot by the predetermined deformation of portion of the sheet at a predetermined bend line adjacent to the guide pin slot to eliminate adherence of the part to the pin so that the part can be ejected from the die without detrimental part distortion of the part.

Blow-Forming Flask And Tool Assembly
view source
US Patent:

6837088, Jan 4, 2005
Filed:

Mar 10, 2004
Appl. No.:

10/797228
Inventors:

Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Edward W. Bennett - Clarkston MI, US
Richard Harry Hammar - Utica MI, US
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 2602
US Classification:

72 60, 72 57, 72 63, 294211
Abstract:

A flask and tool assembly includes a forming tool insert that is housed within an insulated flask having four vertical sides. An insulation enclosure surrounds the flask and the flask contains a heater plate for contacting the bottom of the forming tool insert. The tops of the sides of the flask provide surfaces for gripping bottom edges of a sheet metal blank to be formed. A cover for the tool-containing flask provides complementary gripping surfaces for top edges of the sheet metal blank and defines a chamber above the sheet metal blank for pressurized forming gas. A peripheral seal underlies the sheet metal blank and bridges a space between the outer side surfaces of the forming tool insert and the inner surfaces of the sides of the flask, thereby obviating the need to provide a precision fit between the flask and forming tool insert.

Method For Stretch Forming Sheet Metal By Pressing And The Application Of Gas Pressure
view source
US Patent:

6886383, May 3, 2005
Filed:

Nov 4, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/287466
Inventors:

Chongmin Kim - Davisburg MI, US
Gary A. Kruger - Troy MI, US
Mark G. Konopnicki - Rochester MI, US
Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Michelle R. Goff - Grand Blanc MI, US
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D026/02
B21D025/00
US Classification:

72 57
Abstract:

A method is disclosed for forming sheet metal articles, such as automotive body panels, having significant curvatures in front-to-back and side-to-side directions. Opposing, complementary, preforming and final shape forming tools are used in a single press. A sheet of superplastically or quick plastically formable sheet metal alloy, heated to a forming temperature, is first stretched against the preform tool by the final shape tool to form a preform that has experienced most of the metal stretching required for the final part shape. The preform is removed from the preform tool and formed against the opposing, final shape tool with pressurized gas to obtain the final sheet metal part shape.

Heated And Insulated Tool Container For Hot Gas Blow-Forming
view source
US Patent:

7159427, Jan 9, 2007
Filed:

Feb 27, 2004
Appl. No.:

10/788931
Inventors:

James Gregory Schroth - Troy MI, US
Richard Murray Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Richard Harry Hammar - Utica MI, US
Edward W. Bennett - Clarkston MI, US
Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B21D 26/02
US Classification:

72 60, 7234292, 100326
Abstract:

Apparatus for hot gas blow-forming including opposed heated and insulated tool containers, each including a tool heater plate that is adapted for attachment to a platen of a press with one or more load bearing spacers interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen. Each tool container also includes an insulation enclosure having a base portion that is interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen and further having perimeter wall portion that surrounds the tool heater plate. A perimeter seal is preferably attached to at least one of the heated and insulated tool containers and is adapted for sealing engagement with the other of the heated and insulated tool containers.

Automotive Roof Rack And Accessories Manufactured With Qpf/Spf Technology
view source
US Patent:

7159931, Jan 9, 2007
Filed:

Feb 25, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/067579
Inventors:

Adrian B. Chernoff - Troy MI, US
Richard M. Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Chongmin Kim - Bloomfield Township MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B60J 7/00
US Classification:

29618701, 296210, 224321
Abstract:

An integrally designed roof rack and roof panel attached to a vehicle may be formed using quick plastic forming (QPF) and superplastic forming processing (SPF). A number of vehicle accessories such as luggage containers, fuel tanks, consoles, door attachments, truck beds and table trays may be formed using QPF processes. The items may be installed and movable onto and off the vehicle. A variety of QPF processes may be employed, enabling the vehicle accessory to meet required strength, dimensional, and shape considerations. Additionally, component integration is enabled by using QPF processes.