Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A method of coating respective faces of a plurality of parts having a face, a back and sides wherein said sides are configured for assembly in abutting side-by-side relationship which comprises the steps of: assembling the parts in abutting side-by-side relationship with a first group of parts having their faces facing in one direction, and a second group of parts having their faces facing in the opposite direction so as to form a first coating surface defined by the faces of the first group of parts and the backs of the second group of parts, and a second coating surface defined by the faces of the second group of parts and the backs of the first group of parts, the faces of the first group of parts being recessed with respect to the backs of the second group of parts, and the faces of the second group of parts being recessed with respect to the backs of the first group of parts, said parts being assembled so that each part of said first group of parts is succeeded in order by one of said second group of parts, applying a hardenable continuous coating to the first coating surface and applying a hardenable continuous coating to the second coating surface, allowing the coating to harden, reducing the thickness of the coating applied to the first coating surface sufficiently to remove substantially all of the coating from the backs of the second group of parts and expose the backs thereof while leaving a residual coating on the recessed faces of the first group of parts, and reducing the thickness of the coating on the second coating surface sufficiently to remove substantially all of the coating from the backs of the first group of parts and expose the backs thereof while leaving a residual coating on the recessed faces of the second group of parts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
312 words
A method of coating respective faces of a plurality of parts having a face, a back and sides wherein said sides are configured for assembly in abutting side-by-side relationship which comprises the steps of: assembling the parts in abutting side-by-side relationship with a first group of parts having their faces facing in one direction, and a second group of parts having their faces facing in the opposite direction so as to form a first coating surface defined by the faces of the first group of parts and the backs of the second group of parts, and a second coating surface defined by the faces of the second group of parts and the backs of the first group of parts, the faces of the first group of parts being recessed with respect to the backs of the second group of parts, and the faces of the second group of parts being recessed with respect to the backs of the first group of parts, said parts being assembled so that each part of said first group of parts is succeeded in order by one of said second group of parts, applying a hardenable continuous coating to the first coating surface and applying a hardenable continuous coating to the second coating surface, allowing the coating to harden, reducing the thickness of the coating applied to the first coating surface sufficiently to remove substantially all of the coating from the backs of the second group of parts and expose the backs thereof while leaving a residual coating on the recessed faces of the first group of parts, and reducing the thickness of the coating on the second coating surface sufficiently to remove substantially all of the coating from the backs of the first group of parts and expose the backs thereof while leaving a residual coating on the recessed faces of the second group of parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further including staggering the assembled parts so as to recess said faces with respect to said backs in the same coating surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is applied to the first and second coating surfaces as a molten coating which hardens into place thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is applied by plasma spray onto the first and second coating surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parts are elongate metal parts and the coating is a facing coating including material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, metal carbides alumina, titania, zirconia and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the parts are internal combustion engine seals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the coating is applied by plasma spray onto the engine seals.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of coating the respective faces of a plurality of parts having oppositely facing faces and backs and sides, wherein said sides are configured for assembly in abutting side-by-side relationship, which comprises providing a plurality of said parts, assembling the parts in a fixture in abutting, side-by-side relationship each part having its face facing in the same direction as the back of a next adjacent part, so that the respective faces and backs define two oppositely facing coating surfaces and wherein at least a portion of each of the respective faces of said parts is recessed with respect to the back of a next adjacent part in the coating surfaces, applying a hardenable continuous coating to each of said two coating surfaces so that said coating bridges adjacent ones of said parts, allowing the coating to harden, reducing the thickness of said coatings so as to remove substantially all of the coating sufficiently to expose the backs of said parts in both said coating surfaces and leave a residual coating on said faces, and separating said coated parts from the assembly.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of coating the respective faces of a plurality of parts having oppositely facing faces and backs and sides, wherein said sides are configured for assembly in abutting side-by-side relationship, which comprises providing a plurality of said parts, assembling the parts in a fixture in abutting, side-by-side relationship each part having its face facing in the same direction as the back of a next adjacent part, so that the respective faces and backs define two oppositely facing coating surfaces and wherein at least a portion of each of the respective faces of said parts is recessed with respect to the back of a next adjacent part in the coating surfaces, applying a hardenable continuous coating to each of said two coating surfaces so that said coating bridges adjacent ones of said parts, allowing the coating to harden, reducing the thickness of said coatings so as to remove substantially all of the coating sufficiently to expose the backs of said parts in both said coating surfaces and leave a residual coating on said faces, and separating said coated parts from the assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 further including providing said parts by cutting said parts to length from a continuous reel of stock material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the entire face of a part is recessed with respect to the back of a next adjacent part in the coating surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said recessed portions of said faces include grooves, and wherein said grooves are formed prior to applying said coating, and within which grooves said residual coating is retained.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of of claim 11 wherein said grooves are defined by lands formed on said faces, and assembling parts in abutting side-by-side relationship with the top surfaces of said lands aligned with the part backs with which they form said coating surfaces.