US3678558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating cellular structures
Assignee: Corlite Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-24
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of making cellular, honeycomb-like structures by utilizing cooperating mandrels and rams to deform and shape relatively collapsible material into a cellular array. The material is suitably secured to retain the tensioned state produced by the cooperation of the mandrels and rams, and a plurality of the structural members thus formed is stacked, and a perimetrical frame is attached to the outermost walls of the cells of the outermost structural members. The frame maintains the tensioned state of the cellular array, so that the mandrels can be removed from the array. Various sizes and configurations of rams and mandrels may be used to provide cellular arrays of different or composite configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl K Fredericks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:08
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D47/00; B29; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/0089; B31; B31D; B31D3/00; B31D3/02; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/10; B32B3/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49616; Y10T29/4962; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of fabricating a cellular structure comprising the steps of: arranging two lengths of formable material adjacent opposite sides of a plurality of spaced apart mandrels with first portions of said lengths overlying opposite sides of the recesses defined between said spaced apart mandrels, and with second portions of said lengths located outwardly of said mandrels; urging said first portions of at least one of said lengths into said recesses to bring the opposed said first portions into engagement, while constraining said second portions against relative mOvement, whereby said lengths are placed under tension to form cells around said mandrels, and securing together the engaged said first portions; and attaching a perimetrical frame to the outermost walls of said cells while said mandrels are in place in said cells to maintain said tension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of fabricating a cellular structure comprising the steps of: arranging two lengths of formable material adjacent opposite sides of a plurality of spaced apart mandrels with first portions of said lengths overlying opposite sides of the recesses defined between said spaced apart mandrels, and with second portions of said lengths located outwardly of said mandrels; urging said first portions of at least one of said lengths into said recesses to bring the opposed said first portions into engagement, while constraining said second portions against relative mOvement, whereby said lengths are placed under tension to form cells around said mandrels, and securing together the engaged said first portions; and attaching a perimetrical frame to the outermost walls of said cells while said mandrels are in place in said cells to maintain said tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said formable material is collapsible when said tension is relieved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said urging step is accomplished by a plurality of pairs of confronting rams, the rams of each said pair being moved toward each other until said lengths are placed under said tension; and including the step of securing together said second portions to form a doublet in which said tension is maintained prior to attaching said perimetrical frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 3 and including the step of stacking a plurality of said doublets and thereafter attaching said perimetrical frame to the outermost walls of the outermost cells of said stacked doublets to maintain said tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 3 and including the steps of stacking a plurality of said doublets; bonding together those portions of said lengths located between the mandrels of said doublets while applying pressure to the aligned, stacked mandrels; and thereafter attaching said perimetrical frame to the outermost walls of the outermost cells of said stacked doublets to maintain said tension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 5 and including the further step of removing said mandrels whereby said frame maintains said tension.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
187 words
The method of fabricating a cellular structure of relatively collapsible material comprising the steps of: arranging a structurally continuous loop of said material about a plurality of spaced apart mandrels with first portions of said loop overlying opposite sides of the recesses defined between the spaced apart mandrels, second portions of said loop located adjacent the outer sides of the outermost ones of said mandrels, and third portions of said loop overlying opposite faces of said mandrels; urging said first portions into said recesses from opposite sides and into engagement by utilizing a plurality of rams, whereby said loop is placed in tension and said second and third portions are pressed against the associated said mandrels to form cells around said mandrels, and securing together the engaged said first portions; repeating said arranging and urging and securing steps with one or more additional said loops; stacking said loops with said mandrels in place in said cells; and attaching a frame to the outermost walls of the outermost cells of the upper and lower ones of said stacked loops while said mandrels are in place in said cells.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
187 words
The method of fabricating a cellular structure of relatively collapsible material comprising the steps of: arranging a structurally continuous loop of said material about a plurality of spaced apart mandrels with first portions of said loop overlying opposite sides of the recesses defined between the spaced apart mandrels, second portions of said loop located adjacent the outer sides of the outermost ones of said mandrels, and third portions of said loop overlying opposite faces of said mandrels; urging said first portions into said recesses from opposite sides and into engagement by utilizing a plurality of rams, whereby said loop is placed in tension and said second and third portions are pressed against the associated said mandrels to form cells around said mandrels, and securing together the engaged said first portions; repeating said arranging and urging and securing steps with one or more additional said loops; stacking said loops with said mandrels in place in said cells; and attaching a frame to the outermost walls of the outermost cells of the upper and lower ones of said stacked loops while said mandrels are in place in said cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 7 and including the further step of securing together said third portions of each of said loops to said third portions of the adjacent said loops and thereafter removing said mandrels whereby said stacked loops may be collapsed into a relatively small space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said frame is perimetrical and is attached to the outermost walls of the outermost cells of said stacked loops whereby said frame maintains said tension.
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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) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |