Drive head and ECM method and tool for making same
US6866769B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23H9/00
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive head for a bolt, fastener, coupling, nut or other driveable head made from a less malleable metal such as a powder metal nickel alloy. The drive head has an upper drive portion having at least six convex corners spaced around the outer periphery thereof, each corner terminating in an edge. The drive head also has a lower flange portion adjacent to the drive portion and having an edge extending radially outwardly to at least the edge of each corner. The drive portion and the flange portion of the drive head is formed by subjecting a blank having a generally circular head to electrochemical machining (ECM). A tool is also provided for the ECM method to form the drive portion and flange portion of the drive head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.