Mechanical attachment for thermoplastic material to a base sheet

Abstract

Abstract An interlocked composite finish product includes relatively rigid, apertured metallic base member, a finish strip or sheet of an appropriate thermoplastic composition juxtaposed in relation to the vase, and one or more heat-conductive interlocking clips or grommet-like inserts of relatively thin gauge stamped sheet metal each of substantially less area than the base and the strip. In preferred forms the interlock or clip element has an indented, depressed or cupped portion received in an aperture of the base member, with a tab or flange formation of the element overlying a margin of the base aperture, thus engaging a side of that member opposite the surface or side engaged by the thermoplastic finish member. The finish member initially presents a substantially uninterrupted surface engaging flush with the last-named base member side, with the interlock clip or insert element engaging the thermoplastic through the base member''s aperture. When said element is heated above the melting point of the thermoplastic material, the latter softens under mild pressure and conducted heat, and extrudes about and/or through said element into a mechanical interlock, when the material has cooled and set, with the base member, in certain instances through the agency of the clip or insert element alone. However, in some contemplated embodiments the element may be removed after thermal displacement and setting of the plastic composition finish material, having served as a form confining the zone of the latter''s extrusion.

Inventors

• 👤 R Ascencio

Bibliographic Details