Apparatus and methods for filament crimping and manufacturing
First Claim
1. A filament crimping element, said element comprising:
- a first plurality of cavities, said first plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first plurality of features; and
a second plurality of cavities, said second plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second plurality of features;
wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities are substantially opposite to yet substantially offset from one another when said crimping element is crimped;
wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities and features form a substantially serpentine channel therebetween for receiving said filament when said crimping element is crimped; and
wherein when said crimping element is crimped around said filament, no part of said first plurality of features is received within said second plurality of cavities, and no part of said second plurality of features is received within said first plurality of cavities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for filament crimping. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a filament crimp element. The filament crimp element comprises a first set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first set of features and a second set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second set of features. The first and second set cavities are substantially opposite one another. The first set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the second set of cavities and the second set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the first set of cavities. Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of the device are also disclosed. In addition, methods for automated placement and manufacture of assemblies using the crimp elements are also disclosed.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A filament crimping element, said element comprising:
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a first plurality of cavities, said first plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first plurality of features; and a second plurality of cavities, said second plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second plurality of features; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities are substantially opposite to yet substantially offset from one another when said crimping element is crimped; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities and features form a substantially serpentine channel therebetween for receiving said filament when said crimping element is crimped; and wherein when said crimping element is crimped around said filament, no part of said first plurality of features is received within said second plurality of cavities, and no part of said second plurality of features is received within said first plurality of cavities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A filament crimping element, said element comprising:
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a first plurality of cavities, said first plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first plurality of features; and a second plurality of cavities, said second plurality of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second plurality of features; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities are substantially opposite to yet substantially offset from one another when said crimping element is crimped; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities and features form a substantially serpentine channel therebetween for receiving said filament when said crimping element is crimped; and wherein said first features are substantially juxtaposed and coplanar with one another in a first plane, and said second features are substantially juxtaposed and coplanar with one another in a second plane, and when said crimping element is crimped around said filament, said first and second planes do not intersect. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A filament crimping element, said element comprising:
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a first plurality of cavities; and a second plurality of cavities; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities are substantially opposite to yet substantially offset from one another when said crimping element is crimped, and form a substantially serpentine channel therebetween for receiving said filament, such that said filament assumes a shape defined substantially by said channel when said crimping element is crimped; wherein said first and second plurality of cavities are disposed at a spacing which creates a first and second plurality of features respectively; and wherein when said crimping element is crimped around said filament, no part of said first plurality of features is received within said second plurality of cavities, and no part of said second plurality of features is received within said first plurality of cavities. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A filament crimping element, said element comprising:
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a first plurality of cavities; and a second plurality of cavities; wherein said first and second pluralities of cavities are substantially opposite to yet substantially offset from one another when said crimping element is crimped, and form a substantially serpentine channel therebetween for receiving said filament, such that said filament assumes a shape defined substantially by said channel when said crimping element is crimped; wherein said first and second plurality of cavities are disposed at a spacing which creates a first and second plurality of features respectively; and wherein said first features are substantially juxtaposed and coplanar with one another in a first plane, and said second features are substantially juxtaposed and coplanar with one another in a second plane, and when said crimping element is crimped around said filament, said first and second planes do not intersect. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification