US4044092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Groove molding method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-29
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1996-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for molding, in a single integrated operation, a tubular part having an internal recess which may take the form of a groove extending completely around the inside of the part for receipt therein of an O-ring or the like. The method utilizes an apparatus which comprises a core assembly having a longitudinal axis, and base means movable along the axis and defining an annular outer mold surface for forming of the interior wall of the tubular part. The core assembly further includes a plurality of groove-forming segments carried on the base means adjacent to the annular surface and movable between first contracted positions and second expanded positions. In accordance with the method, when the segments are in the contracted positions they do not extend radially outwardly of the annular surface, and the segments may be withdrawn from the molded tubular part by movement along the longitudinal axis. The segments are movable, incident to movement of the annular surface into the mold cavity, to the radially expanded molding positions wherein they extend substantially radially outwardly from the annular surface. The segments are mechanically locked in the radially expanded positions during molding of the tubular part. After the part is molded, some of the groove-forming segments are moved radially inwardly to withdraw them from the molded groove. Then, these withdrawn segments move axially relative to the remaining segments and the latter segments themselves withdraw from the groove. The segments are configured and arranged so that some can move radially inwardly from the expanded positions. Thus, deep, circumferential grooves can be molded in a tubular part as part of the basic molding of the part, and without requiring a secondary operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne Spears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/40; B29C45/44; B29C45/4421; B29C33/00; B29C33/44; B29C33/48; B29C33/485; B29C45/26; B29C45/261; B29C45/2612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for molding an annular groove internally in a tubular molded part, said method comprising: a. providing a mold core assembly having an outer mold surface and a plurality of first mold segments forming a first group and a plurality of second mold segments forming a second group thereof circumferentially around and intermediate the ends of the mold core, b. introducing said mold core assembly into a mold cavity, c. molding a part in said cavity and radially expanding said first and second groups of segments to form a recess in the molded part, d. moving the first group of segments radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, e. initiating axial movement of the first group of segments relative to the second group of segments after being withdrawn from said recess, f. moving the second group of segments radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, and which radial movement of the second group of segments starts approximately when or without substantial delay after said first group of segments starts said axial movement, g. initiating axial movement of the second group of segments, and h. removing the molded part from the cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for molding an annular groove internally in a tubular molded part, said method comprising: a. providing a mold core assembly having an outer mold surface and a plurality of first mold segments forming a first group and a plurality of second mold segments forming a second group thereof circumferentially around and intermediate the ends of the mold core, b. introducing said mold core assembly into a mold cavity, c. molding a part in said cavity and radially expanding said first and second groups of segments to form a recess in the molded part, d. moving the first group of segments radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, e. initiating axial movement of the first group of segments relative to the second group of segments after being withdrawn from said recess, f. moving the second group of segments radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, and which radial movement of the second group of segments starts approximately when or without substantial delay after said first group of segments starts said axial movement, g. initiating axial movement of the second group of segments, and h. removing the molded part from the cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a locking means and moving same to a locking position for engaging at least some of the segments when they are in the expanded positions to lock said segments against radially inward movement, and thereafter unlocking said locking means to an unlocked position permitting radially inward movement of said segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second group of segments are configured to be blocked in their expanded positions from radially inward movement by said first group of segments in their expanded positions and so locking said second group of segments by the first group of segments in their expanded positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a locking means and moving same to a locking position for engaging at least said first group of said mold segments when they are in the expanded positions to lock said segments against radially inward movement and thereafter unlocking said locking means to an unlocked position permitting radially inward movement of said first group of segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an actuator means associated with the core assembly between a base means and said segments, actuating said actuator means for effecting movement of said segments between said expanded and contracted positions incident to movement of at least a portion of said base means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said segments have radially inward contact surfaces and said locking means is provided with a locking surface adapted to engage said radially inward contact surfaces of said segments, said method further comprising axially moving said locking surface between said locked and unlocked positions incident to axial movement of the core assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said actuator means comprises a positive drive mechanical coupling means between said second group of segments and said base means, and said method comprises actuating the positive drive coupling means to move said second group of segments radially inwardly from said expanded positions only after said first group of segments have been withdrawn from the recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said method comprises moving a member associated with the base means axially relative to the remainder of said base means to operate the actuator means and thereby effect movement of the segments between the expanded and unexpanded positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the molding of said part occurs simultaneously with the radial expansion of said first and second groups of segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the axial movement of said first group of segments occurs during a portion of the radial movement thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for molding a tubular part having an annular internal recess, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a mold cavity; b. providing a movable core assembly in said cavity, which core assembly includes a first group and a second group of recess-forming means which combine to define in their radially expanded condition structure configured to form an annular internal recess in the part to be molded; c. molding a part in the mold cavity; d. effecting radially inward movement of the recess-forming means to thereby withdraw said means from the molded recess, said effected radially inward movement being achieved by: 1. first moving the first group of recess-forming means radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, 2. then effecting axial movement of the first group of recess-forming means after being withdrawn from the recess, 3. moving the second group of recess-forming means radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, and which radial movement of the second recess-forming means starts approximately when or without substantial delay after said first recess-forming means start said axial movement,
Claim 13
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for molding a tubular part having an annular internal recess, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a mold cavity; b. providing a movable core assembly in said cavity, which core assembly includes a first group and a second group of recess-forming means which combine to define in their radially expanded condition structure configured to form an annular internal recess in the part to be molded; c. molding a part in the mold cavity; d. effecting radially inward movement of the recess-forming means to thereby withdraw said means from the molded recess, said effected radially inward movement being achieved by: 1. first moving the first group of recess-forming means radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, 2. then effecting axial movement of the first group of recess-forming means after being withdrawn from the recess, 3. moving the second group of recess-forming means radially inwardly until they are fully withdrawn from the recess, and which radial movement of the second recess-forming means starts approximately when or without substantial delay after said first recess-forming means start said axial movement,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
thereafter initiating axial movement of the second recess-forming means, e. moving the core assembly to withdraw it from the molded part; and f. removing the molded part from the mold cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
thereafter initiating axial movement of the second recess-forming means, e. moving the core assembly to withdraw it from the molded part; and f. removing the molded part from the mold cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising mechanically locking the recess-forming means against radially inward movement during the molding of the part in the mold cavity, and thereafter unlocking the recess-forming means to effect radial inward movement thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising mechanically locking the first group of recess-forming means against radially inward movement during the molding of the part in the mold cavity, and thereafter unlocking the first group of recess-forming means to effect radial inward movement thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a locking means and moving same to a locking position for engaging at least some of the recess-forming means when they are in the expanded positions to lock said recess-forming means against radially inward movement, and thereafter unlocking said locking means to an unlocked position permitting radially inward movement of said recess-forming means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the second group of recess-forming means are configured to be blocked in their expanded positions from radially inward movement by said first group of recess-forming means in their expanded positions and so blocking said second group of recess-forming means by the first group of recess-forming means in their expanded positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising providing an actuator means associated with the core assembly and between a base means and said recess-forming means, actuating said actuator means for effecting movement of said recess-forming means between said expanded and contracted positions incident to movement of at least a portion of said base means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said recess-forming means are segments which have radially inward contact surfaces and said locking means is provided with a locking surface adapted to engage said radially inward contact surfaces of said segments, said method further comprising axially moving said locking surface between said locked and unlocked positions incident to axial movement of the core assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the axial movement of the first group of recess-forming means occurs during a portion of the radial movement thereof.
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) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |