US3762677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molding apparatus
Assignee: Motor Wheel Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-14
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-10-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for molding a composite styled wheel for use on automotive passenger vehicles and the like, a method of constructing such a wheel employing the molding apparatus and a method of constructing such molding apparatus, wherein a portion of the mold comprises a conventional metal vehicle wheel having a drop center rim secured to a central disc or body having the usual bolt circle holes and a central aperture so that the disc can be mounted on an axle, drum or disc brake assembly. The metal wheel is employed in conjunction with an upper back-up clamp and lower mold part to define therewith a sealed cavity for molding and attaching a three-dimensional contoured plastic overlay, the overlay thus being molded in situ and permanently attached to the outboard side of the wheel in the mold apparatus. Preferably, the wheel forms the upper surface of the mold cavity and a reaction mixture of a urethane elastomer liquid adhesive material is injected or poured into the mold to fill the cavity and contact the outboard surface of the wheel assembly. The urethane material solidifies to form a high density noncellular elastomer body which permanently adheres to the outboard surface of the wheel subassembly. The plastic overlay may also be constructed from a lower density microcellular closed cell urethane elastomer adhesive material. The urethane material is allowed to solidify in the mold cavity and then the mold is opened so that the wheel with the overlay securely adhered to it may be removed from the mold. The overlay may then be painted or otherwise covered with a decorative coating to provide a finished metallic-appearing ornamental wheel. The urethane elastomer thus forms a plastic body having a three-dimensional contour which is permanently attached to the outboard side of the wheel to provide a decorative surface, and the elastomer overlay appears to be an integral portion of the metal wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 L Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:57
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/26; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/74; B60; B60B; B60B5/00; B60B5/02; B60B7/00; B29C2045/1486; B29C2045/14868; B29C2045/14877; B29C67/00; B29C67/24; B29C67/246; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular clamp portion comprises a resilient pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said disc has a plurality of vent openings arranged in a circular row therein and said resilient pad is dimensioned to cover said openings in the seated condition thereof against the inboard face of said disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said lower mold part has a plurality of bosses one associated with each of said disc vent openings and extending upwardly from said mold cavity surface into the associated opening, each of said bosses having a seating surface adapted to be engaged by said resilient pad when said pad is in seated engagement with the inboard face of said disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said boss has a relatively large clearance with the marginal portion of said disc defining the vent opening therein associated with said boss.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein each said boss has a wear resistant metal plate secured thereto and defining said seating surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular lip of said lower mold part comprises a resilient elastomeric seal ring protruding axially from an adjacent peripheral portion of said mold cavity surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said annular portion of said subassembly comprises an axially protruding outboard peripheral edge thereof and wherein said seal ring has a first inner peripheral surface inclined outwardly relative to the axis of said ring adapted to receive said edge of said subassembly thereon in an underformed free-state condition of said seal ring, said seal ring having a second inner peripheral surface contiguous with said first surface and disposed closer to said mold cavity surface than said first surface and also being inclined outwardly relative to the axis of said ring, said second surface having a diameter less than that of said annular portion of said subassembly whereby said ring has an interference fit with said edge of said subassembly in the closed condition of said molding apparatus to thereby provide sealing engagement between said lower mold part and said subassembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second surface is inclined at a lesser angle relative to said ring axis than said first surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first surface is inclined at an angle of about 30* from said ring axis and said second surface is approximately parallel to said ring axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said seal ring has an axially extending circumferential groove therein open at the underside of said ring, and said annular lip of said lower mold part further comprises a resilient metal split band inserted partially in said ring groove such that one edge of said band protrudes from said ring, and means securing said band to said lower mold part via the portion of said band protruding from said ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as seT forth in claim 11 wherein said peripheral edge of said subassembly comprises the radially outermost portion of said rim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said radially outermost portion of said rim comprises a generally axially extending flange contiguous with a tire retaining outboard bead seat portion of said rim.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower mold part has an inner seal adapted to sealably engage a bolt circle portion of said disc in the closed condition of said mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said inner seal is made of resilient elastomeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said inner seal has a sprue passageway therein communicating with said mold cavity, and wherein said disc has a pour opening located in said bolt circle portion intermediate a pair of adjacent bolt holes in said disc bolt circle portion, said pour opening in said disc being aligned with said sprue passageway of said disc in the closed condition of said molding apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said locating pin protrudes upwardly through and beyond said inner seal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said inner seal comprises a ring having an internal rib protruding radially inwardly therefrom, and wherein said lower mold part has a locating boss secured centrally thereto in radially overlapping clamping relationship to said inner seal rib, said locating boss having a close clearance fit within a center hole of said disc in the closed condition of said molding apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said inner seal has a plurality of stops located in said seal, said stops comprising metal bushings each having a mounting stud inserted therethrough and engaging said lower mold part, said bushings having an axial dimension less than the axial thickness of said inner seal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one of said mold parts has seal means projecting into said cavity coaxially with said disc center hole, said other of said upper and lower mold parts having a central portion adapted to engage a protruding end of said core and seal means in the closed condition of said molding apparatus, said core and seal means and said central portion defining a core wall in said cavity radially inwardly of said annular lip portion of said lower mold part.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disc has a plurality of vent openings arranged in a circular row radially intermediate said rim and the central portion of said disc and said lower mold part has a plurality of bosses protruding parallel to the axis of the disc and rim subassembly when placed on said mold part and adapted to register with said vent openings, said bosses being dimensioned and oriented such that said bosses protrude into said vent openings when said disc and rim subassembly are fully seated in said sealing engagement on said lower mold part.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rim is secured to said disc by circumferentially spaced welds between the outer periphery of said disc and the inner periphery of said rim such that slight gaps exist therebetween intermediate said welds to define vent openings communicating with said mold cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |