US Patents

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4,619,028 Autolok™ - Apparatus for the Manufacture of Laminated Parts

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
3/25/1983
Date Issued:
10/28/1986
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/28/2003
Claims:
Original Interlock Apparatus Claims
Description:
This invention advanced the art by making the interlocking of motor laminations (comprising rotor and/or stator cores dynamically adjustable an responsive to measured or assumed inconsistencies in steel coil stock. This made the interlocking of motor cores practical for the first time for many motor manufacturers and lamination stampers, because it made interlocking viable in the real world of imperfect steel stock. Now referred to as Autolok™, this new system is able to produce cores with precise skew angles, dynamically adjusted to variable stock thickness, and with programmable stack rotation to correct for gamma (cross grain thickness variation) to produce parallel and perpendicular stacks.

4,738,020 Autolok™ - Method of Manufacturing Laminated Parts

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
4/17/1986
Date Issued:
4/19/1988
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
4/19/2005
Claims:
Original Interlock Method Claims
Description:
See details above (4,619,028). The new apparatus and methods by LH Carbide have become the industry standard and have permanently changed the way electric motors are manufactured around the world.

5,087,849 Autolok™ - Laminated Parts, and a Method for Manufacture

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
3/22/1988
Date Issued:
2/11/1992
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
4/19/2005
Claims:
Original Product-By-Process Claims
Description:
All claims in this application were originally rejected by the examiner. The patent was eventually awarded after a successful appeal. This patent is important to us because it affirms that not only are the apparatus and method a departure from the prior art, but also that the products produced by our means are distinguishable from those produced by the earlier methods.

5,123,155 Autolok™ - Apparatus/Method for Manufacturing Laminated Parts

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
7/2/1991
Date Issued:
6/23/1992
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/28/2003
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent contains amendments and enhancements to the two initial patents, broadening our coverage of the technology.

5,241,138 - Coreweighing System for Closed-Loop Stock Gauging

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
2/13/1992
Date Issued:
8/31/1993
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
2/13/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent teaches the use of weight measurement of interlocked cores in a feedback loop for the automatic recalibration of the stock gauge.

5,349,740 Autolok™ - Progressive Die Assembly with Separate Blanking and Stacking

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
4/5/1993
Date Issued:
9/27/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
9/27/2011
Claims:
-
Description:
This is an Autolok™ apparatus patent, which is specifically directed to the use of blank and push-back techniques in conjunction with an interlocking choke station for skew and rotation of the stacks.

5,349,741 - Interlocked Cores Spaced for Anneal Penetration

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
6/24/1992
Date Issued:
9/27/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/24/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent covers the production of interlocked cores deliberately and automatically kept spaced apart to permit improved flow of gases in the annealing process. After anneal, the cores are subjected to a compression operation to bring the core to its proper height. Note: Our coverage on this technology is fairly narrow, as there exists a broader patent by Siemens.

5,359,763 Autolok™ - Progressive Die Assembly with Rotation and Interlock

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
3/22/1994
Date Issued:
11/1/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/28/2003
Claims:
-
Description:
This is a continuation patent to 5,123,155

5,365,021 - Coreweighing System for Closed-Loop Stock Gauging Control

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
6/4/1993
Date Issued:
11/15/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
3/13/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
This is a continuation patent to 5,241,138 (above) comprising all the methods claims associated with the coreweighing system.

5,373,622 Autolok™ - Laminated Parts and a Method for Manufacture

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
4/28/1992
Date Issued:
12/20/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/28/2003
Claims:
-
Description:
This was a continuation application enhancing and improving on our original Autolok methods and apparatus claims. This patent gives us our broadest coverage yet on the technology.

5,377,115 Autolok™ - Controller for a Progressive Die Assembly

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
4/5/1993
Date Issued:
12/27/1994
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
12/27/2011
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent provides, by far, our broadest Autolok™ controller coverage to date. It expands the original concept to include the use of virtually any type of drive system that employs a positional feedback device (such as an encoder or resolver).

5,550,327 - Coreweighing System for Closed-Loop Stock Gauging Control

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
11/9/1994
Date Issued:
8/27/1996
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
8/27 28/2013
Claims:
-
Description:
A continuation application of 5,241,138 and 5,365,021, this includes additional and broader apparatus and method claims than were allowed on the earlier patents.

5,604,678 Autolok™ - Controller for a Progressive Die Assembly

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
7/25/1994
Date Issued:
2/18/1997
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
12/27/2011
Claims:
-
Description:
Continuation patent to 5,377,115 containing further enhancements and still broader claims for an Autolok die controller.

5,755,023 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack with at Least One Lamina Having a Plurality of Discrete Segments and an Apparatus and Method for Mfg. Said Stack

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
2/24/1997
Date Issued:
5/26/1998
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
This continuation to 5,799,387 (app 08/658,595), adds claims concerning discrete lamination segments (multiple laminations on a single layer of the stack), which may be combined also with multiple OD configurations. They extend from the OD to ID of the stack.

5,799,387 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack Having a Plurality of Outer Perimeter Configurations

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
6/5/1996
Date Issued:
9/1/1998
Issued To:
Abnet, Habegger, and Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent application teaches a method and apparatus for manufacturing interlocked stator cores which have more than one outside periphery or O.D. This is accomplished through programmable cammed trim punches and a choke station that applies back pressure via a number of common choke points on the stators' peripheries. This was reduced to practice for a customer in 1996.

5,809,638 Autolok™ - Round Concentric Interlock / Methods and Apparatus

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/26/1992
Date Issued:
9/22/1998
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/26/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
This specification is for a round, partially blanked embossment (concentric with the axis of the stack) which is the interlocking feature. This method offers the advantage of permitting any angle of indexing rotation that is compatible with the number of rotor slots.

5,881,450 - Dual Action Indexing System and Method

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
12/5/1996
Date Issued:
3/16/1999
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
12/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
This application teaches a method of combining a mechanical indexer with a servo-driven phase adjuster to provide skew and rotation of rotor cores at extremely high speed.

5,918,359 - Interlocked Cores Spaced for Anneal Penetration

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
6/20/1994
Date Issued:
7/6/1999
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
7/6/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
A continuation application of 5,349,741, this includes additional and broader method claims than were allowed in the earlier patent.

5,960,533 Autolok™ - Apparatus/Method for Manufacturing Laminated Parts

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
1/30/1998
Date Issued:
10/5/1999
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/28/2003
Claims:
-
Description:
This patent contains amendments and enhancements to 4.619,028, still further broadening our coverage of the Autolok technology.

6,000,119 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack Having a Plurality of Outer Perimeter Configurations

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
11/12/1997
Date Issued:
12/14/1999
Issued To:
Abnet, Habegger, Neuenshwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
Divisional application of 5,799,387; additional apparatus and method claims.

6,131,268 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack with a Plurality of Discrete Segments (Iomega-Type)

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
11/4/1997
Date Issued:
10/17/2000
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
Divisional of 5,755,023; additional apparatus and method claims.

6,163,949 Varilok™ - Method for Manufacturing Long, Slender Lamina Stacks - Pencil Cores

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/12/1999
Date Issued:
12/26/2000
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
Contains many claims specific to pencil core ignition products.

6,192,575 - Dual Action Indexing System and Method

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
12/24/1998
Date Issued:
2/27/2001
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
12/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
This amanedment to 5,881,450 teaches the use of the Wedgtrac differential with an indexer to provide skew and rotation of rotor cores at extremely high speed.

6,195,875 Varilok™ - Apparatus for Manufacturing Long, Slender Lamina Stacks (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/12/1999
Date Issued:
3/6/2001
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/5/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
This application includes Varilok™ apparatus claims.

6,237,214 Autolok™ - Laminated Parts with Center Interlock / Round Concentric Interlock

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
2/28/2000
Date Issued:
5/29/2001
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/26/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
Divisional application of 5,809,638; additional apparatus and methods claims.

6,484,387 Varilok™ - Progressive Stamping Die Having Transversely Moveable Die Station

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
6/7/2000
Date Issued:
11/26/2002
Issued To:
Lee and Schrank
Expiration Date:
5/11/2021
Claims:
-
Description:
This application teaches the use of programmable, servo-driven transversely moveable die sections to permit the trimming of varying lamination widths, yet allowing for a shorter overall die length. Method claims.

6,530,142 - Dual Action Indexing System and Method

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
1/4/2001
Date Issued:
3/11/2003
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
3/13/2017
Claims:
-
Description:
This continuation to 5,881,450 adds further claims involving the use of the special Wedgtrac differential with an indexer to provide skew and rotation of rotor cores - higher speed and longer life.

6,636,137 Varilok™ - Long, Slender Lamina Stacks of Non-Uniform Laminae (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
11/9/2000
Date Issued:
10/21/2003
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
10/26/2016
Claims:
-
Description:
Product claims for "pencil" cores in an ignition coil assembly.

6,725,756 - Two-Piece Punch Construction and Method for Making

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/23/2001
Date Issued:
4/27/2004
Issued To:
Brenneke
Expiration Date:
3/9/2022
Claims:
-
Description:
Unique, cost-saving punch construction with WEDM head and stick punch.

6,742,239 Varilok™ - Progressive Stamping Die Having Transversely Moveable Die Station

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/1/2002
Date Issued:
6/1/2004
Issued To:
Lee and Schrank
Expiration Date:
5/11/2021
Claims:
-
Description:
Divisional of 6,484,387, this application teaches the use of programmable, servo-driven transversely moveable die sections to permit the trimming of varying lamination widths, yet allowing for a shorter overall die length. Apparatus claims.

6,745,458 Varilok™ - Long, Slender Lamina Stacks of Non-Uniform Laminae (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
12/13/2001
Date Issued:
6/8/2004
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
1/9/2017
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus – additional claims

6,877,214 - Method of Manufacturing a Stack of Laminations (Formable)

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
11/5/2002
Date Issued:
4/12/2006
Issued To:
Neuenschwander and Shane
Expiration Date:
1/16/2023
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus for stamping a stack of interlocked laminations and subsequently forming the stack into a desired shape by bending the stack’s original axis.

6,984,913 - Laminated Parts with Center Interlock / Round Concentric Interlock

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
12/18/2000
Date Issued:
1/10/2006
Issued To:
Neuenschwander (LHC0024-04)
Expiration Date:
11/29/2012
Claims:
-
Description:
Divisional application of 5,809,638; additional apparatus and methods claims.

7,062,841 - Formable Stack of Interlocked Laminations

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/8/2002
Date Issued:
6/20/2006
Issued To:
Neuenschwander (LHC0129)
Expiration Date:
1/11/2024
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus for stamping interlocked stator cores in linear form, allowing the interleaving of rows for material savings. Stacks are annealed (if required), insulated, and wound before the stacks are formed into a final round shape and welded or riveted.

7,337,531 - Manufacturing Lamina Stacks from a Plurality of Separate Strips

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/6/2004
Date Issued:
3/4/2008
Issued To:
Lee and Neuenschwander (LHC0146)
Expiration Date:
8/11/2025
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus for stamping interlocked stacks from multiple strips.

7,600,312 - Die Assembly and Method for Manufacturing Lamina Stacks Including Formed Features

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/25/2005
Date Issued:
10/13/2009
Issued To:
Lee and Neuenschwander (LHC0147)
Expiration Date:
8/11/2025
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus for stamping interlocked stacks with formed lams.

7,676,906 - Die Assembly and Method for Manufacturing Lamina Stacks from a Plurality of Separate Strips of Stock Material

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/26/2007
Date Issued:
3/16/2010
Issued To:
Lee and Neuenschwander (LHC0146)
Expiration Date:
4/2/2025
Claims:
-
Description:
Method and apparatus for stamping interlocked stacks from multiple strips, Divisional application to 7,337,531.

8,786,158 - Continuously Formed Annular Laminated Article and Method

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
08/18/2010
Date Issued:
07/22/2014
Issued To:
Lee, Hirst, and Neuenschwander (LHC0161)
Expiration Date:
09/13/2032
Claims:
-
Description:
Combination of interlocked pole pieces with "slinky" back iron core.

9,099,897 - Method for Connecting End Sections of an Annular Laminated Article

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
09/12/2012
Date Issued:
08/04/2015
Issued To:
Lee and Neuenschwander (LHC0164-01)
Expiration Date:
07/13/2033
Claims:
-
Description:
Integral Locking for Linear Stacked and Formed Cores.

9,479,034 - Continuously Formed Annular Laminated Article and Method

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
06/14/2014
Date Issued:
10/25/2016
Issued To:
Lee, Hirst, and Neuenschwander (LHC0161-02)
Expiration Date:
06/13/2034
Claims:
-
Description:
Combination of interlocked pole pieces with "slinky" back iron core.

9,685,264 – Die Assembly And Method For Manufacturing Wound Motor Laminated Article

Patent Location:
United States
Date Filed:
10/18/2013
Date Issued:
6/20/2017
Issued To:
Lee & Neuenschwander (LHC0167-03-US)
Expiration Date:
9/23/2034
Claims:
-
Description:
Softening edges of slots in Axial Wound parts
Foreign Patents

EPO910 487 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack with at Least One Lamina Having a Plurality of Discrete Segments and an Apparatus and Method for Mfg. Said Stack

Patent Location:
EPO
Date Filed:
11/12/1998
Date Issued:
8/21/2002
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2017
Description:
European Varilok patent, similar to US 6,131,268, our first foreign patent.

DE69714849 Varilok™ - Verfahren und vorrichtung zur herstellung eines Blechpakettes

Patent Location:
Germany
Date Filed:
11/12/1998
Date Issued:
8/21/2002
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2017
Description:
German Varilok patent stemming from EPO 910 487

212251 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack with at Least One Lamina Having a Plurality of Discrete Segments and an Apparatus and Method for Mfg. Said Stack

Patent Location:
Mexico
Date Filed:
12/4/1998
Date Issued:
12/18/2002
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2017
Description:
Mexican Varilok patent

EPO1121211 Varilok™ - Long, Slender Lamina Stacks of Non-Uniform Laminae (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
EPO
Date Filed:
6/3/1999
Date Issued:
10/15/2003
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2019
Description:
European Varilok pencil core patent/div>

DE69912143 Varilok™ - Verfahren zur herstellung von langen, schmalen Blechpaketen aus ungleichförmigen Blechen

Patent Location:
Germany
Date Filed:
6/3/1999
Date Issued:
10/15/2003
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2019
Description:
German Varilok patent stemming from EPO 1121 211

2,255,921 Varilok™ - Lamina Stack with at Least One Lamina Having a Plurality of Discrete Segments and an Apparatus and Method for Mfg. Said Stack

Patent Location:
Canada
Date Filed:
12/4/1998
Date Issued:
8/17/2004
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2017

215851 - Dual Action Indexing System and Method

Patent Location:
Mexico
Date Filed:
12/4/1997
Date Issued:
8/15/2003
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
12/4/2017
Description:
Mexican patent stemming from PCT application

97950839.7 - Dual Action Indexing System and Method

Patent Location:
EPO
Date Filed:
12/4/1997
Date Issued:
-
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
-
Description:
(LHC0070/22)

227117 Varilok™ - Long, Slender Lamina Stacks of Non-Uniform Laminae (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
Mexico
Date Filed:
6/3/1999
Date Issued:
4/6/2005
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2019
Description:
(LHC0091-24) Mexican Varilok pencil core patent stemming from PCT Application

PI9912402-5 Varilok™ - Long, Slender Lamina Stacks of Non-Uniform Laminae (Pencil Cores)

Patent Location:
Brazil
Date Filed:
6/3/1999
Date Issued:
5/9/2006
Issued To:
Neuenschwander
Expiration Date:
6/3/2019
Description:
(LHC0091-22) Brazilian Varilok pencil core patent stemming from PCT Application

EP 2 722 976 B1 – Die Assembly And Method For Manufacturing Wound Motor Laminated Article

Patent Location:
EPO
Date Filed:
10/18/2013
Date Issued:
3/11/2020
Issued To:
Lee & Neuenschwander (LHC0167-01-EP)
Expiration Date:
10/18/2033
Description:
Softening edges of slots in Axial Wound parts

Building on Creativity and Ingenuity.

LH Carbide holds over 40 U.S. and world wide patents. This takes bold leadership, dedication to continuous improvement, and a willingness to invest in the best people and processes. That’s why LH Carbide is so much more than simply a die supplier. We’re a pioneer in our industry who continues to make and impact with advancing technology.