BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the present disclosure to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present disclosure will now be described for the purpose of illustration not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein;
FIG. 1 is a flow chart representing a method of manufacturing a turnbuckle in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a material for making the turnbuckle in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating the process of forming the turnbuckle of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the turnbuckle shown in FIG. 5.
FIGS. 7 to 9 are cross-sectional views illustrating further process of forming the turnbuckle of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the application of the turnbuckle of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional turnbuckle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flow chart representing a method for manufacturing a one piece turnbuckle 10. The method comprises steps of preparing a board 20 of metal; deep drawing the board 20 to form two protrusions 30 and bending the protrusions 30 and shaping the board 20 into a form of a bar which has two opposite ends defined by the protrusions 30; deep drawing the board 20 to reduce its thickness and to form a recess 40 between the protrusions 30; punching the recess 40 off so as to form a through opening 50; boring a hole 60 through each of the protrusions 30; and tapping each hole 60 to form a threaded section 70. The steps may be carried out in a progressive die or compound dies.
FIG. 2 illustrates the broad 20 of metal provided for making the turnbuckle 10. The board 20 may be of metal or other materials capable of being deep drawn, as is desired. In FIG. 3, there is illustrated a deep drawing operation in which the board 20 is subjected to a deep drawing machine (not shown) to form the protrusions 30 on a side thereof. In FIG. 4, there is illustrated a bending operation in which the protrusions 30 are angled and thereafter a deep drawing operation in which the board 20 is shaped into a form of a bar which has two opposite ends defined by the protrusions 30. In FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a deep drawing operation in which the board 20 is deep drawn to reduce its thickness in transverse direction and to form the recess 40 between the protrusions 30. The depth of the recess 40 gradually increases throughout the deep-drawing operation. The protrusions 30 may be parallel to one another and include a planar surface 31 thereon.
In FIG. 7, there is illustrated a punching operation in which the recess 40 is punched off so as to form the through opening 50. In FIG. 8, there is illustrated a boring operation in which any type of machinery available is run into each of the protrusions 30 to form the hole 60. The holes 60 may be formed successively or simultaneously. In FIG. 9, there is illustrated a tapping operation in which the hole 60 is tapped to form the threaded section 70 for engaging with bolts or with other structures which are intended to be retained by the turnbuckle 10.
In one aspect of the turnbuckle 10 according to the present invention, the turnbuckle 10 is formed in one piece to provide an excellent tensile strength.
In another aspect of the turnbuckle 10 according to the present invention, the turnbuckle 10 is efficient and economical of manufacture, as the turnbuckle 10 is saved from a welding operation.
In yet another aspect of the turnbuckle 10 according to the present invention, the turnbuckle 10 is manufactured from a board of metal rather than a bulky one.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.
Patent Application
20080072649
