Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
The method of molding a composite washer assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a mold including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion, providing a first plurality of circumferentially spaced resiliently biased pins in the second portion of the mold, providing a second plurality of circumferentially spaced resiliently biased pins in the first portion of the mold, the second plurality of pins being circumferentially shifted with respect to the first plurality of pins, providing a first annular washer having an inner face and a first plurality of circumferentially spaced holes matching the circumferential spacing of the second plurality of pins, positioning the first washer in the first portion of the mold such that the second plurality of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the first washer, providing a second annular washer having an inner face and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced holes matching the circumferential spacing of the first plurality of pins, positioning the second washer in the second portion of the mold such that the first plurality of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the second washer, closing the mold portions together, to cause the first plurality of pins to engage the inner face of the first washer, and the second plurality of pins to engage the inner face of the second washer, thereby positioning the first and second washers in the mold such that the washers are substantially parallel and coaxial with respect to one another, and introducing a plastic substance into the mold between the first and second washers to form a body integrally molded with the washers, the first and second plurality of pins maintaining the washers in position during introduction of the plastic substance into the mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
291 words
The method of molding a composite washer assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a mold including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion, providing a first plurality of circumferentially spaced resiliently biased pins in the second portion of the mold, providing a second plurality of circumferentially spaced resiliently biased pins in the first portion of the mold, the second plurality of pins being circumferentially shifted with respect to the first plurality of pins, providing a first annular washer having an inner face and a first plurality of circumferentially spaced holes matching the circumferential spacing of the second plurality of pins, positioning the first washer in the first portion of the mold such that the second plurality of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the first washer, providing a second annular washer having an inner face and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced holes matching the circumferential spacing of the first plurality of pins, positioning the second washer in the second portion of the mold such that the first plurality of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the second washer, closing the mold portions together, to cause the first plurality of pins to engage the inner face of the first washer, and the second plurality of pins to engage the inner face of the second washer, thereby positioning the first and second washers in the mold such that the washers are substantially parallel and coaxial with respect to one another, and introducing a plastic substance into the mold between the first and second washers to form a body integrally molded with the washers, the first and second plurality of pins maintaining the washers in position during introduction of the plastic substance into the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first mold portion is stationary and wherein the second mold portion is movable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the washers are made of a suitable metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plastic substance comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plastic substance comprises a nylon resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plastic substance comprises an elastomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mold is shaped to cause the plastic substance to form an inner annular band joining the respective inner diameters of the washers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mold is shaped to cause the plastic substance to form an outer annular band joining the respective outer diameters of the washers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of pins is circumferentially shifted by approximately sixty degrees with respect to the first plurality of pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each pin is slidably retractable in its respective mold portion, as the mold portions are brought together, and wherein means are provided for preventing each resiliently biased pin from being ejected from is respective mold portion as the mold is opened.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said means for preventing each pin from being ejected comprises a shoulder on the pin and a cooperating abutment in the mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a plasticated thermoplastic substance is introduced into the mold at a temperature ranging from 320° F. to 450° F.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of allowing the plasticated thermoplastic to solidify.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the plasticated thermoplastic is allowed to solidify for approximately 45 seconds or longer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of separating the mold portions and removing the composite washer assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the first washer in the first portion of the mold occurs prior to the step of positioning the second washer in the second portion of the mold.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
270 words
The method of molding a composite washer assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a mold including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion, providing a first pair of substantially diametrically opposed spring-loaded pins in the second portion of the mold, providing a second pair of substantially diametrically opposed spring-loaded pins in the first portion of the mold, the second pair of pins being circumferentially shifted with respect to the first pair of pins, providing a first annular washer having an inner face and a first pair of substantially diametrically opposed holes, positioning the first washer in the first portion of the mold such that the second pair of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the first washer, providing a second annular washer having an inner face and a second pair of substantially diametrically opposed holes, positioning the second washer in the second portion of the mold such that the first pair of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the second washer, closing the mold portions together to cause the first pair of pins to engage the inner face of the first washer, and the second pair of pins to engage the inner face of the second washer, thereby positioning the washers in the mold so that the washers are substantially parallel and coaxial with respect to one another, and introducing a plastic substance into the mold between the first and second washers to form a body integrally molded with the washers, the first and second pair of pins maintaining the washers in position during introduction of the plastic substance into the mold.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
270 words
The method of molding a composite washer assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a mold including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion, providing a first pair of substantially diametrically opposed spring-loaded pins in the second portion of the mold, providing a second pair of substantially diametrically opposed spring-loaded pins in the first portion of the mold, the second pair of pins being circumferentially shifted with respect to the first pair of pins, providing a first annular washer having an inner face and a first pair of substantially diametrically opposed holes, positioning the first washer in the first portion of the mold such that the second pair of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the first washer, providing a second annular washer having an inner face and a second pair of substantially diametrically opposed holes, positioning the second washer in the second portion of the mold such that the first pair of pins protrudes through the respective holes in the second washer, closing the mold portions together to cause the first pair of pins to engage the inner face of the first washer, and the second pair of pins to engage the inner face of the second washer, thereby positioning the washers in the mold so that the washers are substantially parallel and coaxial with respect to one another, and introducing a plastic substance into the mold between the first and second washers to form a body integrally molded with the washers, the first and second pair of pins maintaining the washers in position during introduction of the plastic substance into the mold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method claimed in claim 17, wherein the second pair of pins is shifted circumferentially by approximately ninety degrees with respect to the first pair of pins.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased pins of the first plurality of resiliently biased pins are circumferentially equispaced relative to one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased pins of the second plurality of resiliently biased pins are circumferentially equispaced relative to one another.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased pins are each biased by a spring member.