US4218276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making 3-D structures
Assignee: Avco Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-16
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1994-10-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to a method and machine for making 3-D structures. Briefly, the 3-D structure is formed by piercing layers of over-lying fabric with needles and then threading filamentary reinforcement through the passages formed in the layers of fabric by the needles to form the 3-D structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:16
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/06; B29C70/10; B29C70/16; B29C70/24; B29C33/00; B29C33/0033; B29C70/28; B29C70/54; B29C70/545; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1056; Y10T156/1057; Y10T156/1062; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of fabricating a 3-D structure comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of layers of a reinforcing fabric; piercing said layers to provide a plurality of prearranged spaced passges through said fabric layers; and threading filamentary reinforcement through said passages to fill said passages to form a 3-D structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of fabricating a 3-D structure comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of layers of a reinforcing fabric; piercing said layers to provide a plurality of prearranged spaced passges through said fabric layers; and threading filamentary reinforcement through said passages to fill said passages to form a 3-D structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said filamentary reinforcement is taken from the class consisting essentially of monofilament, a plurality of monofilaments, or a thread of staple fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as described in claim 1 which includes the step of compressing said layers around said filamentary reinforcement to form a compressed free-standing structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 1 which includes in addition the step of impregnating said 3-D structure with a matrix material to form a reinforced composite.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of fabricating a 3-D structure comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of parallel needles oriented with an axis; placing layers of fabric, in succession, over the needles and piercing each of said layers of fabric, said pierced layers of fabric forming a column of overlying layers; and removing said needles and threading filamentary reinforcement in the passages formed by said needles in the column of fabric and replacing said needles with filamentary reinforcements.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of fabricating a 3-D structure comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of parallel needles oriented with an axis; placing layers of fabric, in succession, over the needles and piercing each of said layers of fabric, said pierced layers of fabric forming a column of overlying layers; and removing said needles and threading filamentary reinforcement in the passages formed by said needles in the column of fabric and replacing said needles with filamentary reinforcements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as described in claim 5 wherein said filamentary reinforcements are taken from the class consisting essentially of a B-staged reinforced resin composite material or a composite comprising filaments disposed within a matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as described in claim 5 in which said filamentary reinforcement is taken from the class consisting essentially of monofilament, a plurality of monofilaments, or a thread of staple fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as described in claim 5 which includes the step of compressing said layers around said filamentary reinforcement to form a compressed free-standing structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 5 which includes, in addition, the step of impregnating said 3-D structure with a matrix material to form a composite structure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of making a 3-D structure which comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of parallel spaced needles oriented along an axis and maintaining the spatial relationship of the needles with an alignment means; placing a piece of fabric on ends of said needles and piercing said fabric with said needles; using a plate with holes corresponding to the spatial arrangement of the needles to pierce said fabric and move said fabric along the length of said needles; removing said alignment means and sliding said piece of fabric toward said base; moving said plate to said exposed ends of said needles and replacing said alignment means; and removing said plate out of contact with said needles and placing another piece of fabric on the ends of said needles.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of making a 3-D structure which comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of parallel spaced needles oriented along an axis and maintaining the spatial relationship of the needles with an alignment means; placing a piece of fabric on ends of said needles and piercing said fabric with said needles; using a plate with holes corresponding to the spatial arrangement of the needles to pierce said fabric and move said fabric along the length of said needles; removing said alignment means and sliding said piece of fabric toward said base; moving said plate to said exposed ends of said needles and replacing said alignment means; and removing said plate out of contact with said needles and placing another piece of fabric on the ends of said needles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said filamentary reinforcements are taken from the class consisting essentially of a B-staged reinforced resin composite material or a composite comprising filaments disposed within a matrix.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of fabricating an improved, rigid, ablative multi-directional reinforced unitary composite structure which method comprises: (a) laying up uncured, resin impregnated, multi-directional, fibrous material; (b) driving a series of rigid, spaced, cured, resin impregnated fibrous reinforcing rods at least partially through said lay-up at a first angle to the surface of said lay-up; and (c) thereafter fully curing and rigidifying the resulting reinforced composite ablative structure to bond said reinforcing rods to said lay-up.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of fabricating an improved, rigid, ablative multi-directional reinforced unitary composite structure which method comprises: (a) laying up uncured, resin impregnated, multi-directional, fibrous material; (b) driving a series of rigid, spaced, cured, resin impregnated fibrous reinforcing rods at least partially through said lay-up at a first angle to the surface of said lay-up; and (c) thereafter fully curing and rigidifying the resulting reinforced composite ablative structure to bond said reinforcing rods to said lay-up.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 12 wherein before said curing said lay-up comprises stacked sheets of two-directional woven, high temperature resistant fibrous material impregnated with uncured thermosetting resin and wherein before said curing said reinforcing rods comprise high temperature resistant material impregnated with cured thermosetting resin compatible with said resin of said sheets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3837985A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |