IP Library Granted Patent US 8,197,615
Granted Patent B2
US 8,197,615 · App. 11/577,081 · Granted Jun 12, 2012

Amorphous alloy hooks and methods of making such hooks

Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,197,615
App. No.
11/577,081
Granted
Jun 12, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Mechanical hooks made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, wherein the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys provide ruggedness, durability, higher service loads, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing are provided. In addition, methods of making such mechanical hooks from bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are also disclosed.

Claims (22)

1. A mechanical hook comprising a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy, wherein the mechanical hook comprises at least one bent elongated body configured to carry a load while retaining a structural shape, and wherein the at least one bent elongated body has a varying cross-sectional geometry along its length comprising a substantially circular cross-section end with a sharpened tip.

2. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bent elongated body comprises an open loop.

3. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bent elongated body comprises a closed loop.

4. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the hook is a fish hook.

5. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bent elongated body has at least one of (i) a varying cross-sectional shape and (ii) a varying cross-sectional diameter along its length.

6. The mechanical hook as in claim 1 , which is net-shape formed.

7. A mechanical hook as in claim 1 , wherein the section of said hook is optimized to maximize a Second Moment (I) for loading stresses.

8. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional diameter around the sharpened tip is smaller than the remainder of the at least one bent elongated body.

9. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bent elongated body is isotropic.

10. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy is described by the following molecular formula: (Zr, Ti) a (Ni, Cu, Fe) b (Be, Al, Si, B) c , wherein “a” is in the range of from 30 to 75, “b” is in the range of from 5 to 60, and “c” is in the range of from 0 to 50 in atomic percentages.

11. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy is described by the following molecular formula: (Zr, Ti) a (Ni, Cu) b (Be) c , wherein “a” is in the range of from 40 to 75, “b” is in the range of from 5 to 50, and “c” is in the range of from 5 to 50 in atomic percentages.

12. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy can sustain strains up to 1.5% or more without any permanent deformation or breakage.

13. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy has a high fracture toughness of at least 20 ksi-in 0.5 .

14. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy has a ΔT of 60° C. or greater.

15. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous alloy has a hardness of 7.5 GPa or higher.

16. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook is a mechanical tool.

17. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook is configured to transmit loads concentrated to an area of the mechanical hook.

18. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook is configured to carry an object by hanging on a portion of the object.

19. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook is configured to carry an object and retain structural shape and durability of the mechanical hook.

20. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook has strength characteristics to resist substantial deformations.

21. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook comprises a net-shape object having a net-shape form.

22. The mechanical hook of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical hook has corrosion resistance and inertness.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2016
From: APPLE INC.
To: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
Reel/Frame 037861/0073 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 6, 2010
From: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 024804/0149 →
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 6, 2010
From: LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC
Reel/Frame 024804/0169 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2009
From: OGAWA, DENNIS; PHAM, QUOC TRAN; PEKER, ATAKAN
To: LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 022373/0804 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090101244A1 · Apr 23, 2009