Patent ID: 6779374
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for bulge forming an unheated substantially flat blank which includes peripheral portions, by deforming the flat blank into an article which comprises a formed part, wherein the formed part includes a shaped portion, comprising:a deforming-enabling element for enabling deforming of the unheated blank so as to enable the shaped portions of the article to be formed thereagainst, including a complementary portion which is complementary in shape to the shape of the shaped portion of the article to be formed thereby; an enclosing enabling element for enabling the deforming-enabling element to be enclosed therein, and for enabling the unheated blank to be positioned and enclosed therein without restricting deforming of the flat blank including the peripheral portions thereof; a flexible member, adapted to be enclosed within the enclosing enabling element, to bulge within the enclosing enabling element upon the application of pressure to the flexible member, to exert pressure on the unheated blank adapted to be positioned in the enclosing enabling element, and to deform the unheated blank relative to the form-shaping element complementary portion to form the shaped portion of the article; and an expansion enabling element for enabling expansion of the flexible member so as to exert pressure on the unheated blank and deform the unheated blank to form the shaped portion of the article against the deforming-enabling element.