US4330349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preparing conductive fiber brushes
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1980-10-02
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal recesses on its surface, and winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around the mandrel by rotating the mandrel. The brush backing or base may be formed by a number of methods utilizing the recesses on the surface of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the brush backing is formed by placing a strip of a conductive material in each of the recesses, and after the conductive fibers have been wound thereover, the conductive fiber windings are caused to adhere to each other by adhesive means and another strip of conductive material is placed over the windings to mate with the strip in the recess to form the backing for the conductive brush. Individual conductive brushes are obtained by cutting the conductive fibers in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel. Other embodiments of the method for producing the backing or base of the conductive brushes, including one embodiment in which a mandrel without recesses is used, are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Swift
- 👤 C. Michael Ray
- 👤 Joan R. Ewing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46D; A46D1/00; A46B; A46B5/00; A46D3/00; A46D3/04; A46D3/05; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49119
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having at least one longitudinal recess on its surface, positioning a first strip of a backing material in said recess, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, fastening said conductive fiber windings to each other by adhesive means on the windings at the recess, positioning a second strip of a backing material on said conductive fiber windings opposite said recess, fastening said two strips together, and cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel to obtain conductive brushes of appropriate fiber length.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having at least one longitudinal recess on its surface, positioning a first strip of a backing material in said recess, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, fastening said conductive fiber windings to each other by adhesive means on the windings at the recess, positioning a second strip of a backing material on said conductive fiber windings opposite said recess, fastening said two strips together, and cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel to obtain conductive brushes of appropriate fiber length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of recesses on the surface of said mandrel, and a first strip of a backing material is positioned in each recess so that the number of conductive brushes which can be produced equals the number of recesses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said recesses are substantially equally spaced apart around the circumference of the mandrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said two strips of a backing material are conductive metallic strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein each of said first strip of a backing material is fastened in one of said recesses during the winding operation by mechanical fastening means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive means is applied to the surface of said first strip prior to the windings operation, and said adhesive means is again applied to the windings facing said first strip prior to the positioning of said second strip thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising repeating the winding and fastening operations one or more times until the desired fiber density has been obtained, prior to positioning the second strip onto said conductive fiber windings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the brush fibers are lengthened by leaving some of the recesses without the first strip to produce a reduced number of conductive brushes having lengthened brush fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said conductive fibers are conductive carbon fibers.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having at least one longitudinal recess on its surface, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, position a cover for said mandrel having recesses corresponding to the recesses on the mandrel over the conductive fiber windings with the recesses on the mandrel and the recesses on the cover in a facing relationship, applying a plastic material into said recesses to fasten said conductive fiber windings to each other and to provide a backing for said conductive brushes, and cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel to obtain conductive brushes of appropriate fiber length.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having at least one longitudinal recess on its surface, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, position a cover for said mandrel having recesses corresponding to the recesses on the mandrel over the conductive fiber windings with the recesses on the mandrel and the recesses on the cover in a facing relationship, applying a plastic material into said recesses to fasten said conductive fiber windings to each other and to provide a backing for said conductive brushes, and cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel to obtain conductive brushes of appropriate fiber length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said conductive fibers are conductive carbon fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said plastic material is applied through conduit means in said mandrel or in said cover.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said plastic material is a conductive thermoplastic resinous material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having a substantially smooth drumlike surface, positioning a plurality of a first strip of backing material longitudinally on said mandrel, fastening said first strips to the mandrel, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, fastening said conductive fiber windings to each other by adhesive means applied onto the windings over each of said first strips, positioning a second strip of a backing material on said conductive fiber windings opposite each said first strip, fastening said two strips together, cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel, and releasing said first strips from the mandrel to obtain the conductive brushes.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having a substantially smooth drumlike surface, positioning a plurality of a first strip of backing material longitudinally on said mandrel, fastening said first strips to the mandrel, winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around said mandrel by rotating the mandrel, fastening said conductive fiber windings to each other by adhesive means applied onto the windings over each of said first strips, positioning a second strip of a backing material on said conductive fiber windings opposite each said first strip, fastening said two strips together, cutting the conductive fiber windings in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel, and releasing said first strips from the mandrel to obtain the conductive brushes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said windings are fastened to each other and are fastened to said first strips by placing a double-sided adhesive tape on each of said first strips prior to the winding operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |