US4657626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Friction welding tool
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1984-08-06
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2004-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven V. Cearlock
- 👤 Francis C. Peterson
- 👤 Gene S. Kunos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:35
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/06; B29C65/0672; B29C65/069; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/40; B29C66/47; B29C66/474; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/816; B29C66/8161; B29C66/8167; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/90; B29C66/92; B29C66/924; B29C66/9241; B29C66/92431; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/727
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Tool for friction welding an article having drive means and a surface adapted to be fused to a workpiece, said tool comprising a rotary drive member including rotary torque applying means for contacting a portion of said article and for causing rotation of said article through engagement with said drive means, and a pressure applying member, said pressure applying member being continuously freely rotatably supported by said rotary drive member, said pressure applying member including pressure applying means for contacting another portion of said article and for applying axial pressure to said article against said workpiece to assure proper contact between said article and said workpiece both during and after rotation of said fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Tool for friction welding an article having drive means and a surface adapted to be fused to a workpiece, said tool comprising a rotary drive member including rotary torque applying means for contacting a portion of said article and for causing rotation of said article through engagement with said drive means, and a pressure applying member, said pressure applying member being continuously freely rotatably supported by said rotary drive member, said pressure applying member including pressure applying means for contacting another portion of said article and for applying axial pressure to said article against said workpiece to assure proper contact between said article and said workpiece both during and after rotation of said fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tool as described in claim 1 wherein said tool includes a load sensitive switch which begins rotation of said driving means when a predetermined axial pressure is applied to said fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tool as described in claim 1 wherein said rotary drive member includes an outer sleeve which substantially surrounds said pressure applying member, and said pressure applying member includes an inner sleeve adapted to continuously freely rotate within said outer sleeve, said pressure applying means including a flange at one end of said inner sleeve, said flange having a contoured surface for transmitting the axial pressure to said fastener.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tool as described in claim 1 which further comprises guide means for assuring proper alignment of said fastener with respect to said workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tool as described in claim 1 wherein said torque applying means includes at least one notch adapted to receive said drive means on said fastener whereby said fastener can stop rotating upon yielding of said projection and momentum of said torque applying means will thereafter not be transmitted to said fastener.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A tool for friction welding an article having a yielding driving protrusion and a surface adapted to be fused to a workpiece, said tool comprising an outer sleeve having one end attachable to a rotating chuck, the opposite end of said outer sleeve having at least one projection thereon, said projection adapted to engage a protrusion on said article, an inner pressure applying member adapted to abut said fastener, said inner member being continuously freely rotatable within said outer sleeve whereby rotational disengagement between a protrusion on said article and a projection on said outer sleeve can occur while axial pressure can be applied to said article through said inner member without need for axial movement of said tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A tool for friction welding an article having a yielding driving protrusion and a surface adapted to be fused to a workpiece, said tool comprising an outer sleeve having one end attachable to a rotating chuck, the opposite end of said outer sleeve having at least one projection thereon, said projection adapted to engage a protrusion on said article, an inner pressure applying member adapted to abut said fastener, said inner member being continuously freely rotatable within said outer sleeve whereby rotational disengagement between a protrusion on said article and a projection on said outer sleeve can occur while axial pressure can be applied to said article through said inner member without need for axial movement of said tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tool according to claim 6 wherein said inner member and said sleeve are separated by bearings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tool according to claim 7 wherein two sets of said bearings are used, a first set being roller bearings extending axialy and parallel to said sleeve and said inner member, a second set being thrust bearings to allow the transmission of axial force from said sleeve to said inner member without transmission of significant rotational force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tool according to claim 6 wherein said sleeve has three projections on said opposite end, said projections being generally equally spaced about the periphery of said opposite end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tool according to claim 6 wherein said inner member has an end flange with a contoured surface comprising inner and outer annular rings adapted to contain molten material created during a friction welding 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) | 1990-04-13 | 1990-10-13 | 1991-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-10-13 | 1995-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-13 | 1998-10-13 | 1999-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |