US4357381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoplastic building enclosure member
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-20
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Granted: 1982-11-02
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Expires: 2000-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A process for forming a low silhouette thermoplastic enclosure panel including the steps of heating a thermoplastic sheet while its periphery is restrained and tension exerted outward toward the periphery thereof, uniformly cooling one side of said sheet while maintaining the opposite side at or above plastic deformation temperatures until the side being cooled is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape, removing the sheet from the restraining means and uniformly cooling both surfaces of the sheet material to effect a deflection of the sheet in a direction of the first cooled surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted R. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:25
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/08; B29C51/26; B29C51/42; B29C51/421; B29C51/422; B29C51/423; B29C61/00; E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/03; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A process of forming a low silhouette thermoplastic enclosure panel comprising the steps of heating a sheet-like thermoplastic workpiece to effect plastic deformation; restraining the periphery of the workpiece in a desired plane while exerting tension on the workpiece outward toward the periphery so as to form a contact-free plane in the workpiece center; uniformly cooling one side of said workpiece while maintaining the opposite side at or above the plastic deformation temperatures until the side being cooled becomes sufficiently rigid to maintain said workpiece shape in the desired plane; removing said workpiece; and uniformly cooling both surfaces of said workpiece to effect a deflection of 0.5 to 3 percent of the shortest dimension of the panel in the direction of the first cooled surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A process of forming a low silhouette thermoplastic enclosure panel comprising the steps of heating a sheet-like thermoplastic workpiece to effect plastic deformation; restraining the periphery of the workpiece in a desired plane while exerting tension on the workpiece outward toward the periphery so as to form a contact-free plane in the workpiece center; uniformly cooling one side of said workpiece while maintaining the opposite side at or above the plastic deformation temperatures until the side being cooled becomes sufficiently rigid to maintain said workpiece shape in the desired plane; removing said workpiece; and uniformly cooling both surfaces of said workpiece to effect a deflection of 0.5 to 3 percent of the shortest dimension of the panel in the direction of the first cooled surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process of forming a low silhouette thermoplastic enclosure panel comprising the steps of heating a sheet-like thermoplastic workpiece to effect plastic deformation; restraining the periphery of the workpiece in a desired plane; inserting and moving a plug to engage one side of said workpiece only along the plug's periphery so as to exert tension on the workpiece outward toward the periphery, to cause a contact-free portion of said workpiece, restricted by the perimeter of said plug to be displaced into a plane parallel to the retraining edges; uniformly cooling one side of said workpiece while maintaining the opposite side at or above the plastic deformation temperatures until the side being cooled becomes sufficiently rigid to maintain said workpiece shape in the desired plane; removing said workpiece; and uniformly cooling both surfaces of said workpiece to effect a deflection of 0.5 to 3 percent of the shortest dimension of the panel in the direction of the first cooled surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process of forming a low silhouette thermoplastic enclosure panel comprising the steps of heating a sheet-like thermoplastic workpiece to effect plastic deformation; restraining the periphery of the workpiece in a desired plane; inserting and moving a plug to engage one side of said workpiece only along the plug's periphery so as to exert tension on the workpiece outward toward the periphery, to cause a contact-free portion of said workpiece, restricted by the perimeter of said plug to be displaced into a plane parallel to the retraining edges; uniformly cooling one side of said workpiece while maintaining the opposite side at or above the plastic deformation temperatures until the side being cooled becomes sufficiently rigid to maintain said workpiece shape in the desired plane; removing said workpiece; and uniformly cooling both surfaces of said workpiece to effect a deflection of 0.5 to 3 percent of the shortest dimension of the panel in the direction of the first cooled surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 2 wherein said plug is in the shape of the formed workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 2 wherein the top surface of said plug is covered by heat insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
7 words
The product produced according to claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
7 words
The product produced according to claim 2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A rigid synthetic organic thermoplastic enclosure panel produced according to claim 1 or 2 having a curvature of 0.5 to 3 percent of the shortest dimension and characterized by the ability to return to its original condition after being subjected to deforming load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The building enclosure according to claim 7 useful as a skylight component.
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) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |