US4849270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tufting process and apparatus for manufacturing weatherstripping
Assignee: Amesbury Group Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-19
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2007-06-19
Abstract
Abstract Weatherstripping is produced continuously by two or more spaced apart tufting heads, which may be operating at different stitch rates. The or each strip of weatherstripping comprises at least two rows of tufts sequentially inserted by two tufting heads. Heated dies may be located between the tufting heads for transforming rows of tufts inserted by the first tufting head at least partially into film to form barrier fins. The knuckles of the tufts are flattened, a secondary backing applied, and then individual strips of weatherstripping separated by ultrasonically slitting, all as a continuous process enabling weatherstripping of various constructions to be efficiently and economically produced by tufting.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Evans
- 👤 Robert C. Blezard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:25
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B7/00; E06B7/16; E06B7/22; D; D05; D05C; D05C15/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23957; Y10T428/23979
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Tufted weatherstripping comprising: a strip of primary backing; and at least first and second rows of tufts inserted through said primary backing along the length of said strip, said first and second rows of tufts having a different number of tufts per unit length of said strip and said first row of tufts having at least partially been converted into a film and forming a barreer fin
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Tufted weatherstripping comprising: a strip of primary backing; and at least first and second rows of tufts inserted through said primary backing along the length of said strip, said first and second rows of tufts having a different number of tufts per unit length of said strip and said first row of tufts having at least partially been converted into a film and forming a barreer fin
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tufted weatherstripping of claim 1, further comprising a third row of tufts, said barrier fin being disposed between said second row of tufts and said third row of tufts, and said second and third rows of tufts having the same number of tufts per unit length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
Tufted weatherstripping comprising: a strip of primary backing, and at least first and second rows of tufts inserted through said primary backing along the length of said strip, and said first and second rows of tufts having a different number of tufts per unit length of said strip, said first row of tufts being higher than said second row and comprising looped pile and said second row comprising cut pile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Tufted weatherstripping comprising: a strip of primary backing, and at least first and second rows of tufts inserted through said primary backing along the length of said strip, and said first and second rows of tufts having a different number of tufts per unit length of said strip, said first row of tufts being higher than said second row and comprising looped pile and said second row comprising cut pile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tufted weatherstripping of claim 3, further comprising a third row of tufts having the same number of tufts per unit length as said second row, said first row being disposed between said second and third rows.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, and wherein two rows are tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other said tufting positions and wherein said first and second rows are tufted at different stitch rates.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, and wherein two rows are tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other said tufting positions and wherein said first and second rows are tufted at different stitch rates.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, passing said primary backing with said tuft rows past a third tufting position spaced downstream from said second tufting position, and tufting another row of tufts into said primary backing along side one of the previously tufted rows.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, passing said primary backing with said tuft rows past a third tufting position spaced downstream from said second tufting position, and tufting another row of tufts into said primary backing along side one of the previously tufted rows.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and cutting the tufts formed at one tufting station to produce cut pile, the tufts in the other rows remaining as looped pile.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and cutting the tufts formed at one tufting station to produce cut pile, the tufts in the other rows remaining as looped pile.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and subjecting said first row of tufts to heat and compression at a location between said tufting positions.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and subjecting said first row of tufts to heat and compression at a location between said tufting positions.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions; forming at least a portion of said first row into a film before said first row reaches said second tufting position, and tufting two rows of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said second tufting position adjacent to opposite sides of said film.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions; forming at least a portion of said first row into a film before said first row reaches said second tufting position, and tufting two rows of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said second tufting position adjacent to opposite sides of said film.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and flattening the knuckles of the tufts of said first and second rows by subjecting said knuckles to heat.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and flattening the knuckles of the tufts of said first and second rows by subjecting said knuckles to heat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said flattening includes effecting a smearing action on said knuckles while being subjected to heat, said flattening occurring at a location downstream from said second tufting position.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and applying a secondary backing to said primary backing continuously at a location downstream from said second tufting position.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting at least a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting at least a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, two rows being tufted at one of said tufting positions for one row tufted at the other of said tufting positions, and applying a secondary backing to said primary backing continuously at a location downstream from said second tufting position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising ultrasonically slitting said primary and secondary backings on opposite sides of said rows to produce an individual strip of weatherstripping including said rows.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, said first and second rows being tufted at different stitch rates, and flattening the knuckles of the tufts of said first and second rows by subjecting said knuckles to heat.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprising: passing primary backing past a first tufting position; tufting a first row of tufts into said primary backing as it passes said first tufting position; passing said primary backing with said first row of tufts past a second tufting position spaced downstream from said first tufting position; tufting a second row of tufts into said primary backing alongside said first row of tufts, said first and second rows being tufted at different stitch rates, and flattening the knuckles of the tufts of said first and second rows by subjecting said knuckles to heat.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
148 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head, each tufting head having a plurality of needles, one of said tufting heads having a pair of needles for every single needle of the other tufting head, said two tufting heads being aligned so that a said single needle is aligned between a said pair of needles; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
148 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head, each tufting head having a plurality of needles, one of said tufting heads having a pair of needles for every single needle of the other tufting head, said two tufting heads being aligned so that a said single needle is aligned between a said pair of needles; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tufting apparatus of claim 15, wherein said operating means includes adjustable means for adjusting said second stitch rate relative to said first stitch rate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
145 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head, said second tufting head including a needleplate over which the primary backing passes, said needleplate having a groove therein in the direction of movement of the primary backing to accommodate the passage therethrough of a row of tufts inserted by said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
145 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head, said second tufting head including a needleplate over which the primary backing passes, said needleplate having a groove therein in the direction of movement of the primary backing to accommodate the passage therethrough of a row of tufts inserted by said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
135 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially; and die means, disposed between said first and second tufting heads, for heating and compressing a row of tufts inserted by said first tufting head and transforming said row at least partially into a film.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
135 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially; and die means, disposed between said first and second tufting heads, for heating and compressing a row of tufts inserted by said first tufting head and transforming said row at least partially into a film.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
137 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially; and means, disposed downstream from said second tufting head, for slitting said primary backing ultrasonically as the latter is moved therepast by said moving means, whereby an individual strip of weatherstripping is slit from said primary backing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
137 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially; and means, disposed downstream from said second tufting head, for slitting said primary backing ultrasonically as the latter is moved therepast by said moving means, whereby an individual strip of weatherstripping is slit from said primary backing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
109 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; said first and second stitch rates being different, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
109 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one needle, said second tufting head being spaced downstream apart from and in general alignment with said first tufting head but with said needle of said second tufting head being displaced slightly to one side of said needle of said first tufting head; means for operating said first tufting head at a first stitch rate and said second tufting head at a second stitch rate; said first and second stitch rates being different, and means for moving primary backing past said first and second tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one pair of needles; said first and second tufting heads being spaced apart in a longitudinal direction with said one needle being aligned between said pair of needles and means for moving primary backing in said longitudinal direction past said tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
Tufting apparatus for producing weatherstripping, comprising: a first tufting head having at least one needle; a second tufting head having at least one pair of needles; said first and second tufting heads being spaced apart in a longitudinal direction with said one needle being aligned between said pair of needles and means for moving primary backing in said longitudinal direction past said tufting heads sequentially.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
The tufting apparatus of claim 21, wherein: said second tufting head is downstream of said first tufting head with respect to movement of the primary backing by said moving means; said second tufting head has a needleplate over which the primary backing passes; and said needleplate has a groove therein extending in said longitudinal direction to accommodate passage therethrough of a row of tufts inserted in the primary backing by said one needle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tufting apparatus of claim 22, wherein said groove extends between said pair of needles.
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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) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |