CN212310580U - Bent pipe punching die - Google Patents
Bent pipe punching die Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN212310580U CN212310580U CN202021116417.1U CN202021116417U CN212310580U CN 212310580 U CN212310580 U CN 212310580U CN 202021116417 U CN202021116417 U CN 202021116417U CN 212310580 U CN212310580 U CN 212310580U
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- punching
- block
- wedge
- punch
- elbow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Images
Landscapes
- Punching Or Piercing (AREA)
Abstract
The utility model discloses a bend punching die, which comprises an upper template, a lower template, a fixing mechanism, a first punching mechanism and a second punching mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism is used for fixing a bend; the first punching mechanism comprises at least one side punching device and a first upper punching device; the second punching mechanism comprises a second upper punch, one end of the second upper punch is fixedly connected with the upper die plate, and the other end of the second upper punch is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe. The utility model provides a technical scheme's beneficial effect is: the bent pipe is fixed through the fixing mechanism, the bent pipe is punched through the first punching mechanism, so that a first upper punching hole and a side punching hole are formed respectively, the bent pipe is punched through the second punching machine, a second upper punching hole is formed, punching of the first upper punching hole and the second upper punching hole and side punching hole are completed through one punching process, errors of all punched hole positions are reduced, the qualification rate of a punched bent pipe product is improved, and the production cost of the bent pipe is reduced.
Description
Technical Field
The utility model belongs to the technical field of stamping die technique and specifically relates to a return bend cut-out press is related to.
Background
Fig. 1 shows a structure of a bent pipe 1 used as a trunk support of an automobile, wherein one end of the bent pipe 1 is provided with four side punched holes 11 and two first upper punched holes 12, the other end of the bent pipe 1 is provided with four second upper punched holes 13, and the four side punched holes 11, the two first upper punched holes 12 and the four second upper punched holes 13 correspond to each other in pairs.
When the elbow is manufactured, in the prior art, after the straight pipe is punched into the shape of the elbow, two punching processes are performed, the first punching process is used for processing two first upper punching holes 12 and four second upper punching holes 13, the second punching process is used for processing four side punching holes 11, and due to the fact that certain displacement deviation exists in the hole positions punched in each punching process, the accumulated error of the hole positions in the two punching processes is large, the qualified rate of the processed elbow product is low, and the production cost is increased.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a bend punching die which reduces the error of punched hole positions, improves the yield of punched bent pipe products, and reduces the production cost.
A bend-punching die for punching a side punch hole, a first upper punch hole and a second upper punch hole on a bend, the bend-punching die comprising: an upper template, a lower template, a fixing mechanism, a first punching mechanism and a second punching mechanism,
the fixing mechanism is arranged between the upper template and the lower template and is used for fixing the bent pipe;
the first punching mechanism comprises at least one side punching device and a first upper punching device, the side punching device comprises a plurality of side punches and at least one side punching wedge device, the side punches are used for penetrating through the side wall of the bent pipe, the side punching wedge devices are connected with the upper template and each side punch, the first upper punching device comprises a first upper punch, one end of the first upper punch is fixedly connected with the upper template, and the other end of the first upper punch is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe;
the second punching mechanism comprises a second upper punch, one end of the second upper punch is fixedly connected with the upper die plate, and the other end of the second upper punch is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe.
Compared with the prior art, the utility model provides a technical scheme's beneficial effect is: the bent pipe is fixed through the fixing mechanism, the bent pipe is punched through the first punching mechanism, so that a first upper punching hole and a side punching hole are formed respectively, the bent pipe is punched through the second punching machine, a second upper punching hole is formed, punching of the first upper punching hole and the second upper punching hole and side punching hole are completed through one punching process, errors of all punched hole positions are reduced, the qualification rate of a punched bent pipe product is improved, and the production cost of the bent pipe is reduced.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot for a vehicle;
fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a bent pipe punching die provided by the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elbow punch of FIG. 2 with the upper die plate removed;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional mechanism of the elbow punching die in FIG. 3 after removing the pressing block, the pressing spring and the side punch upper wedge;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the elbow punch of FIG. 4 with the slot plate and mounting block removed;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the elbow punch die of FIG. 5 with the first upper punch removed and with the addition of a mounting block and a side-punch upper wedge;
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the movable knife-edge block of FIG. 5;
in the figure: 1-bent pipe, 2-upper template, 3-lower template, 4-fixing mechanism, 5-first punching mechanism, 6-second punching mechanism, 11-side punching, 12-first upper punching, 13-second upper punching, 21-guide post, 22-upper limiting block, 31-guide sleeve, 32-lower limiting block, 41-first fixing block, 42-second fixing block, 43-clamping wedge device, 44-pressing block, 45-pressing spring, 46-mounting block, 47-fixed knife edge inlet block, 48-movable knife edge inlet block, 481-first upper die hole, 482-side die hole, 49-driving device, 491-backing plate, 492-cylinder, 493-grooved plate, 51-side punching device, 511-side punch, 512-side punch wedge device, 5121-side punch lower wedge, 5122-side punch upper wedge, 52-first upper punch device, 521-first upper punch, 61-second upper punch.
Detailed Description
In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.
Referring to fig. 2-6, the present invention provides a bend punching die, which includes an upper die plate 2, a lower die plate 3, a fixing mechanism 4, a first punching mechanism 5 and a second punching mechanism 6.
Referring to fig. 4, the fixing mechanism 4 is disposed between the upper mold plate 2 and the lower mold plate 3 and is used for fixing the elbow 1.
Referring to fig. 4 to 7, the first punching mechanism 5 includes at least one side punching device 51 and a first upper punching device 52, the side punching device 51 includes a plurality of side punches 511 and at least one side punching wedge device 512, the side punches 511 are configured to penetrate through the side wall of the bent tube 1 to form side punched holes 11, the side punching wedge device 512 is connected to the upper die plate 2 and each of the side punches 511, the first upper punching device 52 includes a first upper punch 521, one end of the first upper punch 521 is fixedly connected to the upper die plate 2, and the other end of the first upper punch 521 is configured to penetrate through the top wall of the bent tube 1 to form a first upper punched hole 12.
Referring to fig. 4, the second punching mechanism 6 includes a second upper punch 61, one end of the second upper punch 61 is fixedly connected to the upper die plate 2, and the other end of the second upper punch 61 is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe 1, so as to form a second upper punched hole 13.
The utility model provides an elbow punching die is when using, fix elbow 1 on lower bolster 3 through fixed establishment 4 earlier, punch press action makes cope match-plate pattern 2 downstream after that, the downstream of cope match-plate pattern 2 drives first upper punch 521 and second upper punch 61 on the one hand and runs through elbow 1's roof downwards, thereby form respectively and punch a hole 13 on first upper punch a hole 12 and the second, the downstream on the other hand of cope match-plate pattern 2 drives the action of side blow slide wedge device 512, side blow slide wedge device 512 makes each side drift 511 side direction run through elbow 1's lateral wall, thereby form side and punch a hole 11, the punch press rises after that, drive cope match-plate pattern 2 upward movement, take out the return bend product after that, accomplish whole punching process.
Specifically, referring to fig. 4, the side-punching wedge device 512 includes a side-punching lower wedge 5121 and a side-punching upper wedge 5122 that are matched with each other, the side-punching lower wedge 5121 is slidably mounted on the lower die plate 3, the side-punching lower wedge 5121 is fixedly connected with one end of each side punch 511, and the side-punching upper wedge 5122 is fixed on the upper die plate 2. In use, downward movement of the upper die plate 2 causes the side punch upper wedges 5122 to move downward, and the side punch upper wedges 5122 act on the side punch lower wedges 5121 through the inclined surfaces, so that the side punch lower wedges 5121 are translated, thereby causing each side punch 511 to be inserted into the side wall of the elbow 1.
Preferably, referring to fig. 3 to 6, the number of the side punching devices 51 is two, and the two side punching devices 51 are respectively disposed at two sides of the elbow 1, so that when side punching is performed, lateral impact forces of the two side punching devices 51 on the elbow 1 can be mutually offset, thereby ensuring that the elbow 1 does not laterally move due to the impact of the side punching devices 51.
The fixing mechanism 4 comprises four embodiments:
referring to fig. 4 and 5, in a first embodiment, the fixing mechanism 4 includes a first fixing block 41, a second fixing block 42 and a clamping wedge device 43, the first fixing block 41 is fixed on the lower template 3, the first fixing block 41 has a first arc-shaped edge, and the first arc-shaped edge is used for being attached to the inner arc surface of the elbow 1; the second fixing block 42 is slidably mounted on the lower die plate 3, the second fixing block 42 can be located at a first position and a second position, the second fixing block 42 has a second arc-shaped edge, when the second fixing block 42 is located at the first position, the second arc-shaped edge is attached to the outer arc surface of the elbow pipe 1, and when the second fixing block 42 is located at the second position, the second arc-shaped edge is separated from the outer arc surface of the elbow pipe 1; the clamping wedge device 43 comprises a clamping lower wedge and a clamping upper wedge, the clamping lower wedge is fixedly installed on the lower template 3, the clamping upper wedge is slidably installed on the upper template 2 and fixedly connected with the second fixing block 42, and the inclined plane of the clamping upper wedge is attached to the inclined plane of the clamping lower wedge. When using, when cope match-plate pattern 2 pushes down, second fixed block 42 is located the first position to make the intrados and the extrados of return bend 1 respectively with first fixed block 41 and second fixed block 42 butt, thereby reach the purpose of fixed return bend 1, when cope match-plate pattern 2 rose, second fixed block 42 was located the second position, thereby made the second arc limit with the extrados separation of return bend 1, in order to conveniently take out return bend 1.
Referring to fig. 3, the fixing mechanism 4 in the second embodiment further includes a pressing block 44 and a plurality of pressing springs 45 on the basis of the first embodiment, the pressing block 44 is parallel to the upper die plate 2, one end of each pressing spring 45 is fixedly connected to the upper die plate 2, and the other end of each pressing spring 45 is fixedly connected to an upper end surface of the pressing block 44. In use, when the upper die plate 2 is pressed downwards, the upper die plate 2 applies pressure to the pressing blocks 44 through the pressing springs 45, and the pressing blocks 44 apply pressure to the bent pipe 1, so that the bent pipe 1 is kept in a fixed state during punching.
Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the fixing mechanism 4 in the third embodiment further includes an installation block 46 and a fixed knife-edge inlet block 47 on the basis of the second embodiment, the installation block 46 is fixed on the lower die plate 3, one end of the fixed knife-edge inlet block 47 is fixedly connected to the installation block 46, the other end of the fixed knife-edge inlet block 47 is used for being inserted into one end of the bent pipe 1, the outer side wall of the fixed knife-edge inlet block 47 is attached to the inner side wall of the bent pipe 1, and a second upper die hole corresponding to the second upper punched hole 13 is formed in the fixed knife-edge inlet block 47. When the device is used, one end of the elbow 1 is sleeved on the fixed knife edge inlet block 47, so that the elbow 1 is conveniently fixed, and meanwhile, the second upper die hole is formed in the fixed knife edge inlet block 47, so that the elbow 1 can be punched in cooperation with the second upper punch 61, and the elbow 1 is prevented from deforming in the punching process.
Referring to fig. 4 to 7, the fixing mechanism 4 in the fourth embodiment further includes a movable knife edge block 48 and a driving device 49 on the basis of the third embodiment, the movable knife edge block 48 is used for being inserted into the other end of the elbow pipe 1, a first upper die hole 481 corresponding to the first upper punched hole 12 is formed on the movable knife edge block 48, and a side die hole 482 corresponding to the side punched hole 11 is further formed on the movable knife edge block 48; the drive device 49 is connected to the movable knife edge block 48. When the elbow fixing device is used, one end of the elbow 1 is sleeved on the fixed knife edge inlet block 47, the movable knife edge inlet block 48 is inserted into the other end of the elbow 1 through the driving device 49, so that the elbow 1 is fixed, and meanwhile, the movable knife edge inlet block 48 is provided with the first upper die hole 481 and the side die hole 482, so that the first upper punch 521 and the side punch 511 can be matched to punch the elbow 1, and the elbow 1 is prevented from deforming in the punching process.
Preferably, referring to fig. 4-7, the driving device 49 includes a backing plate 491 and a cylinder 492, wherein the backing plate 491 is fixed on the lower template 3; the cylinder 492 is mounted on the backing plate 491, and an output shaft of the cylinder 492 is connected with the movable knife-edge block 48 and is used for driving the movable knife-edge block 48 to move.
Preferably, referring to fig. 4 to 7, the driving device 49 further includes a groove plate 493, the groove plate 493 is fixed on the backing plate 491, a guide groove extending along a length direction of the groove plate 493 is formed in the groove plate 493, and an output shaft of the cylinder 492 passes through the guide groove and is slidably connected to the groove plate 493. The output shaft of the cylinder 492 is restricted by the guide groove to prevent lateral deviation thereof.
Preferably, referring to fig. 2, a plurality of guide pillars 21 are fixed on the upper mold plate 2, and guide sleeves 31 corresponding to the guide pillars 21 are fixed on the lower mold plate 3 at positions corresponding to the guide pillars 21. The guide post 21 is matched with the guide sleeve 31, so that the pressing process of the upper template 2 is accurately positioned.
Preferably, referring to fig. 2, a plurality of upper limiting blocks 22 are further fixed on the upper template 2, and lower limiting blocks 32 corresponding to the upper limiting blocks 22 are fixed on the lower template 3 at positions corresponding to the upper limiting blocks 22. The depth of depression of the upper die plate 2 is limited by the cooperation of the upper stopper 22 and the lower stopper 32.
For better understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description is made with reference to fig. 1 to 7 to describe the working process of the elbow punching die provided by the present invention: when the device is used, one end of the elbow 1 is sleeved on the fixed knife edge inlet block 47, the air cylinder 492 is started to enable the movable knife edge inlet block 48 to be inserted into the other end of the elbow 1, so that the elbow 1 is fixed, then the punch press moves to enable the upper die plate 2 to move downwards, the downward movement of the upper die plate 2 drives the clamping upper wedge to slide, so that the second fixing block 42 reaches the first position, the inner arc surface and the outer arc surface of the elbow 1 are respectively clamped with the first fixing block 41 and the second fixing block 42, so that the stability of the elbow 1 is enhanced, meanwhile, the upper die plate 2 applies pressure to the pressing block 44 through the compression springs 45, the pressing block 44 applies pressure to the elbow 1, so that the stability of the elbow 1 in punching is further enhanced, when the upper die plate 2 is pressed downwards, the first upper punch 521 and the second upper punch 61 penetrate through the top wall of the elbow 1 downwards, so that the first upper punch 12 and the second upper punch 13, when the upper die plate 2 is pressed downwards, the side punching wedge devices 512 are driven to act simultaneously, the side punching wedge devices 512 enable the side punches 511 to penetrate through the side wall of the bent pipe 1 laterally, so that a side punching hole 11 is formed, then the punch rises to drive the upper die plate 2 to move upwards, then the air cylinder 492 is started to enable the movable knife edge insert block 48 to be separated from the bent pipe 1, and finally the bent pipe product is taken out, so that the whole punching process is completed.
To sum up, the utility model discloses a fixed establishment 4 is fixed return bend 1, punch a hole through first mechanism 5 of punching a hole to return bend 1 to form and form respectively and punch a hole 12 and the side blow hole 11 on the first, punch a hole to return bend 1 through second mechanism 6 of punching a hole simultaneously, 13 punch a hole on the second of forming, thereby accomplished through the process of punching a hole one on the first 12 that punch a hole, 13 and the side punching a hole's of punching a hole 11 on the second punching a hole 13, the error of each hole site of punching press play has been reduced, the qualification rate of the return bend product of punching press play has been improved, the manufacturing cost of return bend 1 has been reduced.
The above description of the present invention does not limit the scope of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made according to the technical idea of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims (10)
1. The utility model provides a return bend cut-out press for punching a side on the return bend and punch a hole on, first punch a hole and the second, its characterized in that, return bend cut-out press includes: an upper template, a lower template, a fixing mechanism, a first punching mechanism and a second punching mechanism,
the fixing mechanism is arranged between the upper template and the lower template and is used for fixing the bent pipe;
the first punching mechanism comprises at least one side punching device and a first upper punching device, the side punching device comprises a plurality of side punches and at least one side punching wedge device, the side punches are used for penetrating through the side wall of the bent pipe, the side punching wedge devices are connected with the upper template and each side punch, the first upper punching device comprises a first upper punch, one end of the first upper punch is fixedly connected with the upper template, and the other end of the first upper punch is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe;
the second punching mechanism comprises a second upper punch, one end of the second upper punch is fixedly connected with the upper die plate, and the other end of the second upper punch is used for penetrating through the top wall of the bent pipe.
2. The elbow punching die of claim 1, wherein the side-punching wedge device comprises a side-punching lower wedge and a side-punching upper wedge which are matched with each other, the side-punching lower wedge is slidably mounted on the lower die plate, the side-punching lower wedge is fixedly connected with one end of each side punch, and the side-punching upper wedge is fixed on the upper die plate.
3. The elbow punching die according to claim 1, wherein the number of the side punching means is two, and two side punching means are provided on both sides of the elbow pipe, respectively.
4. The elbow punching die of claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism comprises a first fixing block, a second fixing block and a clamping wedge device,
the first fixing block is fixed on the lower template and provided with a first arc-shaped edge, and the first arc-shaped edge is used for being attached to the inner arc surface of the bent pipe;
the second fixing block is slidably mounted on the lower template, the second fixing block can be located at a first position and a second position, the second fixing block is provided with a second arc-shaped edge, when the second fixing block is located at the first position, the second arc-shaped edge is attached to the outer arc surface of the bent pipe, and when the second fixing block is located at the second position, the second arc-shaped edge is separated from the outer arc surface of the bent pipe;
the clamping wedge device comprises a clamping lower wedge and a clamping upper wedge, the clamping lower wedge is fixedly installed on the lower template, the clamping upper wedge is slidably installed on the upper template and fixedly connected with the second fixing block, and the inclined plane of the clamping upper wedge is attached to the inclined plane of the clamping lower wedge.
5. The elbow punching die according to claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a pressing block and a plurality of pressing springs, the pressing block is disposed in parallel with the upper die plate, one end of each of the pressing springs is fixedly connected to the upper die plate, and the other end of each of the pressing springs is fixedly connected to an upper end surface of the pressing block.
6. The elbow punching die of claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism comprises an installation block and a fixed knife-edge inlet block, the installation block is fixed on the lower die plate, one end of the fixed knife-edge inlet block is fixedly connected with the installation block, the other end of the fixed knife-edge inlet block is used for being inserted into one end of the elbow, the outer side wall of the fixed knife-edge inlet block is attached to the inner side wall of the elbow, and a second upper die hole corresponding to the second upper punch hole is formed in the fixed knife-edge inlet block.
7. The elbow punching die of claim 6, wherein the fixing mechanism further comprises a movable knife-edge block and a driving device,
the movable knife edge inlet block is used for being inserted into the other end of the bent pipe, a first upper die hole corresponding to the first upper die hole is formed in the movable knife edge inlet block, and a side die hole corresponding to the side die hole is further formed in the movable knife edge inlet block;
the driving device is connected with the movable knife edge inlet block.
8. The elbow punching die according to claim 7, wherein the driving means includes a back plate and a cylinder,
the backing plate is fixed on the lower template;
the cylinder is installed on the backing plate, and the output shaft of the cylinder is connected with the movable knife edge inlet block and is used for driving the movable knife edge inlet block to move.
9. The elbow punching die according to claim 8, wherein the driving means further comprises a slot plate fixed to the backing plate, a guide groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the slot plate is formed in the slot plate, and the output shaft of the cylinder passes through the guide groove and is slidably coupled to the slot plate.
10. The bend punching die of claim 1, wherein a plurality of guide posts are fixed on the upper die plate, and guide sleeves corresponding to the guide posts one by one are fixed on the lower die plate at positions corresponding to the guide posts.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202021116417.1U CN212310580U (en) | 2020-06-16 | 2020-06-16 | Bent pipe punching die |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202021116417.1U CN212310580U (en) | 2020-06-16 | 2020-06-16 | Bent pipe punching die |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN212310580U true CN212310580U (en) | 2021-01-08 |
Family
ID=74025959
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202021116417.1U Active CN212310580U (en) | 2020-06-16 | 2020-06-16 | Bent pipe punching die |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN212310580U (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111774471A (en) * | 2020-06-16 | 2020-10-16 | 武汉市华源达科技有限公司 | Bent pipe punching die |
-
2020
- 2020-06-16 CN CN202021116417.1U patent/CN212310580U/en active Active
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111774471A (en) * | 2020-06-16 | 2020-10-16 | 武汉市华源达科技有限公司 | Bent pipe punching die |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP6059880B2 (en) | Embossing mold manufacturing method and apparatus | |
| CN212310580U (en) | Bent pipe punching die | |
| CN216297694U (en) | Automobile structural part stamping die capable of preventing upper die and lower die from shifting | |
| CN208575183U (en) | A kind of automobile production bending mould | |
| CN103448090B (en) | Double-inclined-wedge lateral punching die and punching method | |
| CN211071515U (en) | Inclined plane hole flanging device | |
| CN211191666U (en) | Support cutting device that bends | |
| CN201791813U (en) | Pressure regulator base multi-station continuous die capable of punching four lateral slotted holes | |
| CN113172152A (en) | High-precision in-mold rotation forming mold and method for automobile framework lower cross beam part | |
| CN111774471A (en) | Bent pipe punching die | |
| CN216324394U (en) | Cut and turn over integrated into one piece's stamping die | |
| CN111774479A (en) | Multifunctional bridge stamping die | |
| CN215090162U (en) | Punching die structure capable of synchronously flattening, bending, positively punching and laterally punching | |
| CN211161474U (en) | Automatic punching and bending equipment | |
| CN215697323U (en) | Pre-bending and pressing edge covering combined die for inner plate and outer plate of automobile covering part | |
| CN205043875U (en) | Car weather strip die | |
| CN213826723U (en) | Fixing device for producing motor iron core punching machine | |
| CN213495956U (en) | BSUV skylight guide rail inslot tears a mouthful bending device | |
| CN213195291U (en) | Multifunctional bridge stamping die | |
| CN216095949U (en) | Stone pipe clamping piece processing and positioning device | |
| CN107695159B (en) | Stamping equipment | |
| CN216989505U (en) | Hardware mould and inside reverse bending device thereof | |
| CN112475015A (en) | Rigid wedge mechanism | |
| CN219425416U (en) | Synchronous side cut-out press of bending | |
| CN110681781A (en) | Downward forming and side-pushing riveting die for partition wall |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant |