Apparatus and method for shaping an elongated member
First Claim
1. An apparatus for shaping an elongated member so that it has a smoothly varying shape along at least part of its length, comprising:
- a first roller element having an outer, curved, form-defining surface for engagement against an elongated member to be shaped and for use in creating a varying shape on one side of the elongated member;
a second roller element having an outer, curved, form-defining surface for use in creating a varying shape on an opposite side of the elongated member which is opposite from the first roller element, the form-defining surfaces each having a circumferential length and defining an aperture therebetween, and extending at least partly around circumferences of the first roller element and the second roller element respectively, and varying in shape around the first and second roller elements, the elongated member being hold between the surfaces of the first and second roller elements;
first drive means for rotating the form-defining surfaces of the first element and the second element with respect to the elongated member and in opposite directions with respect to each other; and
second drive means for pulling the elongated member through the aperture and with respect to the first and second elements at a rate which is faster than rotation of the elements for forming the varying shape in the elongated member and so that the varying shape is longer than the circumferencial length of the form-defining surfaces.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for shaping an elongated member so that it has a smoothly varying shape along its length utilizes first and second elements which define an aperture therebetween. The elements are advantageously roller elements having grooves around their circumference which change in size and shape. A core die can be used for creating the interior of the element and a fiber weave can be wrapped around the core die to create the body of the elongated member. The core is pulled through the aperture between the first and second elements as the elements rotate in opposite directions to create the varying shape.
86 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for shaping an elongated member so that it has a smoothly varying shape along at least part of its length, comprising:
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a first roller element having an outer, curved, form-defining surface for engagement against an elongated member to be shaped and for use in creating a varying shape on one side of the elongated member; a second roller element having an outer, curved, form-defining surface for use in creating a varying shape on an opposite side of the elongated member which is opposite from the first roller element, the form-defining surfaces each having a circumferential length and defining an aperture therebetween, and extending at least partly around circumferences of the first roller element and the second roller element respectively, and varying in shape around the first and second roller elements, the elongated member being hold between the surfaces of the first and second roller elements; first drive means for rotating the form-defining surfaces of the first element and the second element with respect to the elongated member and in opposite directions with respect to each other; and second drive means for pulling the elongated member through the aperture and with respect to the first and second elements at a rate which is faster than rotation of the elements for forming the varying shape in the elongated member and so that the varying shape is longer than the circumferencial length of the form-defining surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of shaping an elongated member so that it has a smoothly varying shape along at least part of its length, comprising:
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pulling a blank through an aperture formed between a first element having an outer form-defining surface for engagement against the blank, and a second element having an outer form-defining surface for use in creating a varying shape on at least one of two sides of the blank, the form-defining surface extending at least partly along each element and varying in shape along each element; moving the first and second elements with respect to each other while pulling the blank through the aperture formed between the first and second elements the blank being pulled at a greater rate than movement of the first and second elements so that there is a differential in movement between the form-defining surfaces and an outer surface of the blank, the length of the form-defining surfaces being less than the length of the blank; and removing the blank after it is passed through the aperture between the first and second elements, the blank having been shaped into the elongated member with a smoothly varying shape along its length corresponding to a shape generated by each form-defining surface; the first and second elements both being roller elements, the method including rotating the first and second roller elements in opposite directions; at least one of the form-defining surfaces comprising a groove extending around the circumference of the element and having a varying shape or size. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification