US3873395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming laminated wall structures
Assignee: Monon Trailer Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-05
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-03-05
Abstract
Abstract The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a method and apparatus for forming laminated wall structures which can be used to build trailer truck bodies, or the like. The method comprises a sequence of steps incuding placing laminate sheet material on a support table, covering the sheet material with plywood panels, and then covering the panels again with plastic sheet material. The laminated structure is then covered with a movable platen which is lowered into position in a manner automatically to spread the laminated materials and bonding agents from the center out toward the edges. The spreading or squeezing action is accomplished by straightening of the platen.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Ehrlich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:43
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B27; B27D; B27D3/00; B32B21/00; B32B21/04; B32B21/08; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for forming large generally rectangular laminated wall panels for trailer bodies and the like comprising a large substantially rigid rectangular bottom platen having a size and shape similar to a trailer body wall panel to be produced for supporting a wall panel thereon, a large rectangular resiliently bendable top platen similar in size and shape to said bottom platen, support means connected with the top platen for lowering said top platen to an operative position in registration with said bottom platen and for retracting the top platen to a raised position, seal means disposed around a peripheral portion of one of said platens for sealingly engaging the other of said platens when said top platen is lowered to said operative position, said support means being connected with opposite marginal portions of said top platen, a midportion of said top platen being substantially unsupported and bending downwardly from said opposite marginal portions under the top platens own weight when the top platen is in said raised position, said top platen upon being lowered to the operative position initially engaging a midportion of a panel on the bottom platen and then progressively bending and engaging the panel outwardly toward opposite margins thereof and also causing engagement of the seal means between the platens for defining a cavity between the platens, and means connected with said cavity for evacuating the cavity for causing ambiant air pressure to press the platens together and squeeze the panel therebetween.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for forming large generally rectangular laminated wall panels for trailer bodies and the like comprising a large substantially rigid rectangular bottom platen having a size and shape similar to a trailer body wall panel to be produced for supporting a wall panel thereon, a large rectangular resiliently bendable top platen similar in size and shape to said bottom platen, support means connected with the top platen for lowering said top platen to an operative position in registration with said bottom platen and for retracting the top platen to a raised position, seal means disposed around a peripheral portion of one of said platens for sealingly engaging the other of said platens when said top platen is lowered to said operative position, said support means being connected with opposite marginal portions of said top platen, a midportion of said top platen being substantially unsupported and bending downwardly from said opposite marginal portions under the top platens own weight when the top platen is in said raised position, said top platen upon being lowered to the operative position initially engaging a midportion of a panel on the bottom platen and then progressively bending and engaging the panel outwardly toward opposite margins thereof and also causing engagement of the seal means between the platens for defining a cavity between the platens, and means connected with said cavity for evacuating the cavity for causing ambiant air pressure to press the platens together and squeeze the panel therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a pair of generally oppositely extending arms having first ends pivotally connected with a depending support member over a midportion of the top platen and opposite outer ends respectively pivotally connected with said opposite marginal portions of the top platen, said pair of arms having a total length greater than the distance between their connection to the top platen, downward movement of the depending member causing said arms to apply a downward pressure to the opposite margins of the top platen for insuring initial engagement of the seal means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for evacuating the cavity comprises suction means connected to the cavity through a midportion of said top platen for promoting initial squeezing of the workpiece between midportions of the platens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said seal means is secured around the periphery of said top platen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a second bottom platen substantially the same as said first mentioned bottom platen and disposed adjacent thereto in side by side relationship, said support means including a track structure extending over said first mentioned and said second bottom platens, a carriage movable on said track means between positions over said first mentioned and said second bottom platens, and a lifting mechanism carried by said carriage and connected with said top platen.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |