COMPRESSION MOLDING FASTENER

• US 20150176632A1
• Filed: 05/22/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Structural Plastics Incorporated (Teijin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Continental Structural Plastics Incorporated (Teijin Limited)
• Inventors: Johnston, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,677,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/3602 with means for positioning, fastening or clamping the material to be formed or preforms inside the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/12 with incorporated means for positioning inserts, e.g. labels positioning reinforcements B29C70/541
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/18 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C43/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/36 Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/682 Preformed parts characterised by their structure, e.g. form
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/86 Incorporated in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers, e.g. by winding
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2101/12 Thermoplastic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0872 Prepregs
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/727 Fastening elements bolts B29L2001/002; nuts B29L2001/005; screws B29L2001/007; slide fasteners B29L2005/00; buttons for haberdashery B29L2019/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/122 Threaded inserts, e.g. "rampa bolts"
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps

Abstract

A method for forming an elevated surface feature for compression molded assemblies includes the placement of an afore-mentioned insert onto an actuated fixture pin with the pin initially in a retracted position. An upper portion of a mold configured with said retracted actuated fixture pin over a preform of pre-preg plies placed on the bottom portion of the mold is then closed. The fixture pin is actuated towards the pre-preg plies when a flowable material fills a molding cavity in the upper portion of the mold. The cavity is configured to form the elevated surface feature with the advancing action of the insert packs out the surface feature under the pressure of the pin to eliminate porosity in the elevated surface feature in the molding cavity.

Claims

1. An insert comprising:

a cylindrical center space extending from a counter bore within an interior of said insert with a series of threads, the space defined by cylinder wall to accommodate a fastener;

a multi-faced region with a plurality of flat faces at the distal end of said recessed area; and

a tapered region extended from said multi-faced region that terminates in a sharpened leading edge.

2. The insert of claim 1 further comprising an upper region with a lip and retaining ring surrounding a counter bore at the proximal end of a recessed area.

3. The insert of claim 1 wherein the sharpened leading edge forms a point.

4. The insert of claim 2 wherein said rounded recessed area below said lip has a circumference that is less than the circumference of said retaining ring.

5. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is formed of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, high temperature plastics, or composite materials.

6. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert adapted to engage a fixture pin.

7. The insert of claim 6 wherein said insert has threads that engage said fixture pin.

8. The insert of claim 6 further comprising a sleeve having threads for engaging said fixture pin.

9. A method for forming an elevated surface feature for compression molded assemblies;

said method comprising;

placing the insert of claim 1 on to an actuated fixture pin with the pin initially in a retracted position;

closing an upper portion of a mold configured with said retracted actuated fixture pin over a preform of pre-preg plies placed on the bottom portion of said mold; and

actuating said fixture pin towards said pre-preg plies when a flowable material fills a molding cavity in the upper portion of the mold, said cavity configured to form said elevated surface feature;

the advancing action of said insert packs out the surface feature under the pressure of the pin to eliminate porosity in the elevated surface feature in the molding cavity.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising heating said cavity to cure said flowable material.