US3705380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of interconnecting parts
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1971-02-18
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1991-02-18
Abstract
Abstract In a method of interconnecting a pair of parts at least one of which is thermoplastic, the thermoplastic part has an aperture therein and one surface of the thermoplastic parts has a recess adjacent said aperture, a shoulder being defined between the recess and the aperture. The other parts have a peripheral groove and is positioned in the aperture so that the groove is adjacent the recess in the thermoplastic part and is located between the base of the recess and the one surface of the thermoplastic part. Ultrasonic energy is supplied to the shoulder to cause material from the shoulder to flow into the groove in the other part to interconnect the pair of parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:08
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/70; B29C66/74; B29C37/00; B29C37/0078; B29C37/0082; B29C65/00; B29C65/56; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/32; B29C66/322; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/53; B29C66/534; H; H01; H01H; H01H11/00; H01H11/04; H01H11/06; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R9/16; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C66/12; B29C66/124; B29C66/1244; B29C66/12445; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of interconnecting a pair of parts at least one of which is thermoplastic wherein the thermoplastic part has an aperture therein and one surface of the thermoplastic part has a recess adjacent said aperture, a shoulder being defined between the recess and the aperture, and wherein the other part has a peripheral groove, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting the other part in the aperture in the thermoplastic part until the groove is located between the base of the recess and said one surface of the thermoplastic part and is positioned adjacent said recess, and b. supplying ultrasonic energy to said shoulder so that thermoplastic material from said shoulder flows, and c. causing thermoplastic material flowing from said shoulder to enter the groove in said other part and the recess in said thermoplastic part so as to interconnect the pair of parts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of interconnecting a pair of parts at least one of which is thermoplastic wherein the thermoplastic part has an aperture therein and one surface of the thermoplastic part has a recess adjacent said aperture, a shoulder being defined between the recess and the aperture, and wherein the other part has a peripheral groove, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting the other part in the aperture in the thermoplastic part until the groove is located between the base of the recess and said one surface of the thermoplastic part and is positioned adjacent said recess, and b. supplying ultrasonic energy to said shoulder so that thermoplastic material from said shoulder flows, and c. causing thermoplastic material flowing from said shoulder to enter the groove in said other part and the recess in said thermoplastic part so as to interconnect the pair of parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recess extends completely around the periphery of said aperture whereby said shoulder, defined between the recess and said aperture, is annular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said groove defines an integral neck on said other part of smaller cross-section than the remainder of the other parts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein thermoplastic material flowing from said shoulder is caused to fill the groove and the recess so that when the ultrasonic energy is removed from said shoulder said one surface of the thermoplastic part is plain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said other part is a tight fit in said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic part is a switch housing anD said other part is an electrical contact terminal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of interconnecting a pair of parts at least one of which is thermoplastic wherein the thermoplastic part has an aperture therein and a sleeve is integral with and upstanding from one surface of said thermoplastic part, the sleeve defining with said one surface a recess in the one surface and the bore in the sleeve communicating with said aperture, and wherein the other part has a peripheral groove, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting the other part through the bore in said sleeve into the aperture in the thermoplastic part until the groove is located between the base of the recess and said one surface of the thermoplastic part and is positioned adjacent said recess, and b. supplying ultrasonic energy to the sleeve to cause thermoplastic material from the sleeve to flow, and c. causing thermoplastic material flowing from said sleeve to enter the groove in said other part and the recess in the thermoplastic part to interconnect the pair of parts.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of interconnecting a pair of parts at least one of which is thermoplastic wherein the thermoplastic part has an aperture therein and a sleeve is integral with and upstanding from one surface of said thermoplastic part, the sleeve defining with said one surface a recess in the one surface and the bore in the sleeve communicating with said aperture, and wherein the other part has a peripheral groove, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting the other part through the bore in said sleeve into the aperture in the thermoplastic part until the groove is located between the base of the recess and said one surface of the thermoplastic part and is positioned adjacent said recess, and b. supplying ultrasonic energy to the sleeve to cause thermoplastic material from the sleeve to flow, and c. causing thermoplastic material flowing from said sleeve to enter the groove in said other part and the recess in the thermoplastic part to interconnect the pair of parts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said thermoplastic part is a switch housing and said other part is an electrical contact terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |