US5783276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insert molded bezel and method of manufacturing
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-13
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Granted: 1998-07-21
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Expires: 2017-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a plastic shell by providing a printed applique having a central portion with a peripheral skirt portion having an edge, then inserting the applique into the recess on a first side of a mold. The skirt of the applique has a length greater than the depth of the recess, so that the edge of the skirt extends beyond the parting line. The second side of the mold is closed to enclose the recess, and has a second recess that receives the edge of the skirt on the second side of the parting line. Plastic material is injected into the closed mold pressing the applique against the first side, and providing a bezel with an applique that covers the exterior of the front portion, and which extends to cover the skirts beyond the parting line.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Steve Lyford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/1418; B29C45/14065; B29C45/14688; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3005; B29L2031/3008; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24471; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24736; Y10T428/24802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of manufacturing a plastic shell comprising the steps: providing a printed applique having a central portion and a skirt portion depending from the periphery of the central portion and terminating at an edge; inserting the applique in a first mold portion having a first recess sized to receive the applique, the first recess defined by a peripheral wall terminating at an line coincident with a parting line of the mold; the skirt of the applique having a length greater than the depth of the first recess, such that the edge of the skirt extends beyond the parting line; moving a second mold portion into a closed position in contact with the first mold portion to enclose the recess, the second mold portion defining a second recess registered with the skirt of the applique such that a portion of the skirt is received in the second recess when in the closed position; and injecting plastic material into the first and second recesses to a region between the applique and the second mold portion, including pressing the applique against the first recess.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of manufacturing a plastic shell comprising the steps: providing a printed applique having a central portion and a skirt portion depending from the periphery of the central portion and terminating at an edge; inserting the applique in a first mold portion having a first recess sized to receive the applique, the first recess defined by a peripheral wall terminating at an line coincident with a parting line of the mold; the skirt of the applique having a length greater than the depth of the first recess, such that the edge of the skirt extends beyond the parting line; moving a second mold portion into a closed position in contact with the first mold portion to enclose the recess, the second mold portion defining a second recess registered with the skirt of the applique such that a portion of the skirt is received in the second recess when in the closed position; and injecting plastic material into the first and second recesses to a region between the applique and the second mold portion, including pressing the applique against the first recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein providing the applique includes providing a flat sheet of plastic and thermoforming the sheet to provide the skirt portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 including cutting the applique to define the edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the applique has a corner at which the skirt forms an angle, and wherein thermoforming the sheet includes forming expandable ridges in the skirt, such that the corner of the skirt may expand to fill the recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein pressing the applique against the first recess includes extending an intermediate portion of the skirt laterally beyond the edge of the skirt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein pressing the applique against the first recess includes forming an edge along an intermediate portion of the skirt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the edge corresponds to the parting line of the mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
A bezel comprising: a central panel portion having an exterior surface facing a first direction and an interior surface facing an opposite second direction; a skirt depending from a periphery of the panel portion and angularly disposed therefrom at least somewhat toward the second direction; the skirt having a major first surface facing away from the central panel portion, and at least slightly toward the first direction; the skirt having a second surface meeting the first surface at a parting line edge, and facing away from the central panel portion and at least slightly toward the second direction, such that the first and second surfaces have draft angles in opposite directions; and a single sheet of printed material covering and defining the exterior surface of the central panel portion and extending over the first surface of the skirt, and covering and defining at least a portion of the second surface of the skirt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
A bezel comprising: a central panel portion having an exterior surface facing a first direction and an interior surface facing an opposite second direction; a skirt depending from a periphery of the panel portion and angularly disposed therefrom at least somewhat toward the second direction; the skirt having a major first surface facing away from the central panel portion, and at least slightly toward the first direction; the skirt having a second surface meeting the first surface at a parting line edge, and facing away from the central panel portion and at least slightly toward the second direction, such that the first and second surfaces have draft angles in opposite directions; and a single sheet of printed material covering and defining the exterior surface of the central panel portion and extending over the first surface of the skirt, and covering and defining at least a portion of the second surface of the skirt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bezel of claim 8 wherein the skirt encompasses the central panel portion to define a recess facing the second direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bezel of claim 8 wherein the entire first surface is covered by the sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bezel of claim 8 wherein the sheet extends beyond the parting line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The bezel of claim 8 including a rear cover matable with the skirt to define a chamber, and wherein the rear cover has a periphery partially covering a lower portion of the second surface of the skirt, and revealing an upper portion of the second surface of the skirt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bezel of claim 12 wherein the sheet entirely covers the upper portion of the second surface of the skirt, such that the edge of the sheet is hidden by the lower cover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The bezel of claim 12 wherein the rear cover has a mating surface facing at least partially in the first direction and partially inwardly at an angle corresponding to the second surface of the skirt, such that the mating surface makes face-to-face contact with the second surface of the skirt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bezel of claim 12 wherein the cover includes a peripheral surface facing outwardly and partially toward the first direction, and wherein the peripheral surface and the second surface of the skirt define a V-shaped groove when mated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A molded plastic bezel comprising: an applique sheet having a first surface comprising a major outer surface portion of the bezel, and an opposed second surface; a casting material adhered to and integral with the second surface; a parting line defining a boundary between a first bezel portion and a second bezel portion; the respective surfaces of the first bezel portion and the second bezel portion having draft angles such that the bezel may be readily demolded; and the applique covering a major portion of the first bezel portion, and extending across the parting line to cover at least some of the second bezel portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
A molded plastic bezel comprising: an applique sheet having a first surface comprising a major outer surface portion of the bezel, and an opposed second surface; a casting material adhered to and integral with the second surface; a parting line defining a boundary between a first bezel portion and a second bezel portion; the respective surfaces of the first bezel portion and the second bezel portion having draft angles such that the bezel may be readily demolded; and the applique covering a major portion of the first bezel portion, and extending across the parting line to cover at least some of the second bezel portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bezel of claim 16 wherein the sheet and the casting material are of the same material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bezel of claim 16 wherein the parting line extends about the entire periphery of the entire bezel, and wherein the applique extends across the entire parting line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bezel of claim 16 wherein the parting line defines a junction between angularly offset surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The bezel of claim 16 including a rear cover matable with the bezel to cover a portion of the second portion of the bezel, and wherein the entire second portion is covered by an element selected from the group comprising the rear cover and the applique sheet.
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) | 2001-07-20 | 2002-01-19 | 2002-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-20 | 2006-01-19 | 2006-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-20 | 2010-01-19 | 2010-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |