US4377428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of friction welding
Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corp
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Filing: 1982-07-02
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Granted: 1983-03-22
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Expires: 2002-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of friction welding thermoplastic materials, such as a reinforcing plate to the inner surfaces of oppositely disposed legs of a generally U-shaped workpiece, wherein a flexible force applying means applies a force in a direction normal to the direction of relative motion between the parts but in the plane of the mating surfaces for urging the legs of the U-channel into intimate contact with the edges of the reinforcing plate. During a weld time interval the parts undergo relative linear reciprocating motion while being urged in intimate contact by the flexible force applying means which causes the mating surfaces to soften under the influence of friction. After the weld interval, the parts are returned to their original position and are held in forced contact for a time sufficient for the mating surfaces to solidify. Upon solidification the force ceases and the welded parts are removed from the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Toth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:05
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/80; B29C66/82; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/82421; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/06; B29C65/0609; B29C65/0618; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/114; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/53; B29C66/534; B29C66/5346; B29C66/53461; B29C66/54; B29C66/542; B29C66/545; B29C66/61; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C66/81; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81431; B29C66/822; B29C66/8221; B29C66/8227; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8324; B29C66/83241; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of friction welding a thermoplastic reinforcing plate to a thermoplastic U-shaped channel, the latter including a base and two upstanding legs comprising: supporting said channel in a first support means; supporting said plate in a second support means within said channel in a manner to dispose each of the opposite lateral edges of said plate in abutting contact with a respective inside surface of each of said legs; applying a force to the outside surface of each of said legs for causing each of said legs to be in forced abutting surface contact with said plate along said two opposite edges of said plate, and causing said first and second support means to undergo relative linear reciprocating motion along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plate during a weld time interval for causing thermoplastic material along said respective abutting surface contacts to melt and upon cessation of said motion to rigidify whereby said plate becomes welded to said channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of friction welding a thermoplastic reinforcing plate to a thermoplastic U-shaped channel, the latter including a base and two upstanding legs comprising: supporting said channel in a first support means; supporting said plate in a second support means within said channel in a manner to dispose each of the opposite lateral edges of said plate in abutting contact with a respective inside surface of each of said legs; applying a force to the outside surface of each of said legs for causing each of said legs to be in forced abutting surface contact with said plate along said two opposite edges of said plate, and causing said first and second support means to undergo relative linear reciprocating motion along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plate during a weld time interval for causing thermoplastic material along said respective abutting surface contacts to melt and upon cessation of said motion to rigidify whereby said plate becomes welded to said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of friction welding as set forth in claim 1, said applying a force to the outside surface of each of said legs including using flexible pressure applying means adapted to conform to the outside surface of the respective legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of friction welding as set forth in claim 2, and inflating said flexible pressure applying means with a fluid for applying a force to the outside surface of the respective legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of friction welding as set forth in claim 1, said applying a force to the outside surface of each of said legs including using an array of juxtaposed fingers disposed for contacting the outside surface of said legs and said applying a force applying selective pressure to said fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of friction welding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second support means undergoes linear reciprocating motion relative to said first support means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1233378A
Cited
US3840168A
Cited
GB1436217A
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US3920504A
Cited
FR2312341A1
Cited
US4086122A
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US4154641A
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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) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |