US3661486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet forming apparatus
Assignee: MERCO PRODUCTS Inc
•
Filing: 1970-05-07
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-05-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for forming sheet material including a mold table, for supporting a mold with a sheet of airproof moldable material draped loosely thereover, and a clamping frame fro clamping the edges of the sheet against the table. The clamping frame includes a hollow side beam with an internally mounted adjustable truss for stiffening the beam to inhibit deflection. A vacuum manifold extends along the side of the beam adjacent the table with suction cups spaced therealong. A lower-than-atmospheric pressure may be produced in the manifold. The suction cups communicate with the manifold and act as vacuum grab means to hold the edges of a sheet against the beam when the pressure in the manifold is lowered. The clamping frame is movable toward and away from the table, and selective use of the vacuum grab permits the sheet either to remain on the table, or to be carried away from the table with the frame. A heat source is spaced from the frame in a direction opposite the table. The heat source is operable to heat a thermoplastic sheet carried with the frame to make it pliable and thus easier to form over the mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney A Macdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:34
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/261; B29C51/262; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for forming sheet material comprising a mold table for supporting the mold and an overlay sheet a clamping frame above said mold table including an elongated hollow beam disposed substantially parallel to the top of said table and truss means mounted within said beam operable to inhibit deflection of said beam intermediate its ends upwardly and away from said table, means mounting said table and frame for movement relative to each other between a clamping position in which the clamping frame is adjacent the table to clamp such sheet against the table and an open position in which the table and frame are spaced vertically from each other, power-operated means operable to produce such relative movement, and vacuum grab means on said clamping frame operable to retain such sheet adjacent such frame when the table and frame are moved apart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for forming sheet material comprising a mold table for supporting the mold and an overlay sheet a clamping frame above said mold table including an elongated hollow beam disposed substantially parallel to the top of said table and truss means mounted within said beam operable to inhibit deflection of said beam intermediate its ends upwardly and away from said table, means mounting said table and frame for movement relative to each other between a clamping position in which the clamping frame is adjacent the table to clamp such sheet against the table and an open position in which the table and frame are spaced vertically from each other, power-operated means operable to produce such relative movement, and vacuum grab means on said clamping frame operable to retain such sheet adjacent such frame when the table and frame are moved apart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said beam comprises an elongated bottom plate, and said truss means comprises an elongated tension member above said plate secured at its ends at spaced points to said bottom plate, and bracing means interposed between said bottom plate and tension member operable to bias intermediate portions of said plate and tension member away from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said bracing means is adjustable for varying the force with which the bottom plate and tension member are biased away from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said bracing means comprises a screw device including an adjustment portion accessible from the outside of said beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vacuum grab means comprises means secured to said beam and extending therealong defining a vacuum manifold within which a lower-than-atmospheric pressure may be produced, and suction openings extend through the bottom of said manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means defining the vacuum manifold includes a rigid, elongated side portion extending along onE side of the beam, said suction openings extend through said side portion of the manifold, and an elongated resilient pad is secured to the outer surface of said side portion, said pad having openings extending therethrough communicating with the suction openings in the manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6, which further comprises suction cups on said pad communicating with said openings in the pad and facing outwardly and away from said manifold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7, which further comprises means disposed within a suction cup for inhibiting deflection of a sheet into said cup.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for forming sheet material comprising a substantially horizontal mold table for supporting a mold and an overlay sheet, a substantially horizontal clamping frame above said mold table means mounting said frame for vertical movement relative to the table between a clamping position in which the clamping frame is adjacent the table to clamp a sheet against the table and an open position in which the frame is spaced vertically upwardly from the table, said frame being maintained substantially horizontal throughout such movement, power-operated means operable to produce such relative movement, vacuum grab means on said clamping frame permitting the frame to fasten to a sheet with the sheet having been disposed on said table and with the frame then adjusted to a clamping position, and operable to retain such a sheet adjacent said frame when the table and frame are moved apart with such sheet maintained substantially horizontal, and heating means disposed above said frame with the frame in its said open position for heating a sheet retained thereby.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for forming sheet material comprising a substantially horizontal mold table for supporting a mold and an overlay sheet, a substantially horizontal clamping frame above said mold table means mounting said frame for vertical movement relative to the table between a clamping position in which the clamping frame is adjacent the table to clamp a sheet against the table and an open position in which the frame is spaced vertically upwardly from the table, said frame being maintained substantially horizontal throughout such movement, power-operated means operable to produce such relative movement, vacuum grab means on said clamping frame permitting the frame to fasten to a sheet with the sheet having been disposed on said table and with the frame then adjusted to a clamping position, and operable to retain such a sheet adjacent said frame when the table and frame are moved apart with such sheet maintained substantially horizontal, and heating means disposed above said frame with the frame in its said open position for heating a sheet retained thereby.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |