US3821048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic ribbon splicer
Assignee: SCM Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-02
•
Granted: 1974-06-28
•
Expires: 1993-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for ultrasonically splicing ribbons which consists of placing the segments of ribbon to be spliced in a fixture to position the segments in proper relation for maximum splice strength, tensioning at least one of the ribbon segments, compressing the ribbon with an ultrasonic welding device against an anvil, and then actuating the ultrasonic welding device to produce relative motion between the ribbon segments to heat the ribbon material sufficiently to fuse the segments. The method of ultrasonically welding the segments of ribbon is accomplished by means of apparatus having positioning grooves in which the ribbon segments to be spliced are placed. Positioning pads are provided which automatically fix the ribbon in position in the ribbon grooves during the splicing operation. Ribbon tensioning feet press on at least one of the ribbon segments to gather a portion of the ribbon in a depression coacting with the tensioning feet, thereby tensioning the ribbon for ultrasonic welding.
Inventors
- 👤 D Acker
- 👤 D Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:38
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C65/74; B29C65/743; B29C65/7443; B29C65/78; B29C65/7841; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/344; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/80; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B41; B41J; B41J32/00; B41J32/02; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/709
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for splicing ribbon segments, comprising: bed means for said ribbon segments; means to position said ribbon segments on said bed means in proper relationship for splicing; means to tension said positioned ribbon segments when operatively engaged with said bed means; and means to move said ribbon tensioning means into and out of operative engagement with said bed means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for splicing ribbon segments, comprising: bed means for said ribbon segments; means to position said ribbon segments on said bed means in proper relationship for splicing; means to tension said positioned ribbon segments when operatively engaged with said bed means; and means to move said ribbon tensioning means into and out of operative engagement with said bed means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 1, wherein said means to tension said positioned ribbon segments comprise: cavity means in said bed means: and tensioning feet means adapted to extend into said cavity means to force a quantity of ribbon segment into said cavity means to tension said ribbon segments on said bed means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 1, wherein said means to position said ribbon segments on said bed means comprise positioning pad means biased to press said ribbon segments against said bed means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 3, wherein said means to position said ribbon segments on said bed means further comprise: ribbon positioning groove means on said bed means; and depression means in said bed means adapted to receive said ribbon positioning pad means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 1, wherein said means to tension said positioned ribbon segments comprise: ribbon tensioning fixture means; ribbon tensioning feet means connected to said ribbon tensioning fixture means; and guide means connected to said bed means and said ribbon tensioning fixture means to guide said ribbon tensioning means into and out of operative engagement with said bed means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 5, wherein said means to tension said positioned ribbon segments further comprise cavity means positioned in said bed means to coact with said ribbon tensioning feet means to receive a quantity of ribbon urged into said cavity means by said ribbon tensioning feet means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 6, wherein said means to position said ribbon segments comprise: positioning pad means connected to said ribbon tensioning fixture means and biased to press said ribbon segments against said bed means; ribbon positioning groove means in said bed means; and depressions in said bed means adapted to receive said ribbon positioning pad means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 7, wherein said cavity means in said bed means adapted to coact with said ribbon tensioning feet and said depressions in the said bed means adapted to receive said ribbon positioning pad means are each disposed in said ribbon positioning groove means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 1, wherein said means to tension said positioned ribbon segments comprise: ribbon tensioning fixture means; ribbon tensioning feet means connected to said ribbon tensioning fixture means; said means to position said ribbon segments on said bed comprise positioning pad means connected to said ribbon tensioning fixture means; and resilient means biasing said ribbon tensioning feet and ribbon positioning pads to urge said ribbon segments against said bed means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 9, further comprising means to adjust the biasing force of each of said ribbon tensioning feet and said ribbon positioning pad.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 10 further comprising: guide means connected to said bed means and said ribbon tensioning fixture means to guide said ribbon tensioning meanS into and out of operative engagement with said bed means; means connected to said ribbon tensioning fixture means adapted to connect to a welding implement to move said ribbon tensioning fixture means in association with movement of said welding implement means; and wherein said means to position said ribbon segments comprise: a plurality of ribbon positioning grooves intersecting on said bed means; and anvil means disposed on said bed means at the intersection of said plurality of ribbon positioning grooves, said anvil means adapted to coact with a welding implement means to fuse ribbon segments placed in said ribbon positioning groove means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for splicing ribbon segments comprising the steps of: placing a first and a second ribbon segment on a bed in proper relationship for splicing; fixing the position of said first and second ribbon segments; tensioning at least one of said ribbon segments; and contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining of said first and second ribbon segments.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for splicing ribbon segments comprising the steps of: placing a first and a second ribbon segment on a bed in proper relationship for splicing; fixing the position of said first and second ribbon segments; tensioning at least one of said ribbon segments; and contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining of said first and second ribbon segments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 12, wherein each of said first and second ribbon segments are tensioned prior to contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said first and second ribbon segments are tensioned by deforming said ribbon segment at spaced locations on said ribbon segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 12, wherein the step of contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining includes the step of ultrasonically vibrating said ribbon segments to produce frictional forces between said ribbon segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 15, wherein said frictional forces produced by ultrasonically vibrating said ribbon segments are sufficient to raise the temperature of said ribbon segments above the melting point of said ribbon material to cause fusion of said ribbon segments.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 15, wherein portions of said first and second ribbon segments are placed on said bed in overlapping relationship to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 17, wherein the step of contacting said ribbon segments together includes pressing said first and second ribbon segments together in said overlapping portions of said ribbon segments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 12 which, after the step of contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining of said first and second segments, further comprises the step of separating said joined first and second ribbon segments to form at least one spliced ribbon assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 19 wherein said joined first and second ribbon segments are separated into two separate spliced ribbon assemblies.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 19 which, after the step of separating the joined first and second ribbon segments to form at least one spliced ribbon assembly, further comprises the step of unfolding said spliced ribbon assembly to form a continuously dimensioned ribbon portion having a splice thereon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
174 words
The method for splicing ribbon segments according to claim 12, wherein: said first and second ribbon segments are placed in overlapping, criss-cross relationship on said bed; prior to the step of contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining, each of said first and second ribbon segments are tensioned by deforming said ribbon segments at spaced locations on each of said ribbon segments; the step of contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining includes the step of ultrasonically vibrating said ribbon segments to produce frictional forces between said ribbon segments which will raise the temperature of said ribbon segments above the melting point of said ribbon material to cause fusion of said ribbon segments; and, which, after the step of contacting said ribbon segments together to cause joining of said first and second ribbon segments, further comprises the steps of: separating said joined first and second ribbon segments to form at least one spliced ribbon assembly; and unfolding said spliced ribbon assembly to form a continuously dimensioned ribbon portion having a splice thereon.
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) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |