Integral joining

• US 7,815,409 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Woodwelding AG
• Original Assignee: Woodwelding AG
• Inventors: Torriani, Laurent, Mock, Elmar, Aeschlimann, Marcel
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson; Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELISLE, ROBERTA S
• Application Number:
  US11/555,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20070062628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 411440-441, 411/451.1, 411/451.4, 411/451.5, 411/452, 411/463, 411/464, 411/487, 411/908, 219/98
• US Class Current: 411/451.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 35/0288 Welding studs
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/0045 Perforating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/562 using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/564 hidden in the joint, e.g. dowels or Z-pins B29C65/603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/606 the rivets being integral with one of the parts to be joined, i.e. staking
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/645 using friction or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30221 said melt initiators being point-like
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30223 said melt initiators being rib-like
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30326 in the form of porosity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/472 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52631 with a right angle, e.g. for making L-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5268 characterised by their solid cross sections being non-circular, e.g. being elliptical, square or rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/723 being multi-layered B29C66/7292, B29C66/72941 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/727 being porous, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7463 Concrete
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7487 : Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 : Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9511 : by measuring their vibration frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9512 : by controlling their vibration frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9515 : by measuring their vibration amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9516 : by controlling their vibration amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/08 : by means of welds or the like welding B23K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/908 : Resinous material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/109 : Embedding of laminae within face of additional laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/477 : Fusion bond, e.g., weld, etc.

Abstract

A method for joining bodies by melting down a joining element. The joining element acts on a surface of one of the bodies and penetrates the surface as a result of a directed force. Once in a penetrated condition, a mechanical excitation is generated such that during further penetration of the joining element into the one body, the advance is maintained through the directed force and the melting down is maintained through the mechanical excitation. Molten or melted material is hydraulically displaced into the bodies.

Claims

1. A joining element suitable for being forced through a surface of an object comprising a porous material and for being anchored in the porous material with the aid of a directed force and mechanical oscillation, the joining element comprising:

a first end portion comprising a thermoplastic material,

a second end portion,

a body arranged between said first and second end portions, and

an axis extending between said first and second end portions,

wherein said first end portion is shaped for penetrating the surface and

wherein said body comprises at least two substantially cylindrical body portions which are arranged co-axially and have differing cross sections, wherein a first body portion adjoining the first end portion has a smaller cross section than a second body portion adjoining the first body portion via a shoulder and wherein at least one sharp-ended element spaced from the first body portion and directed toward the first end portion is arranged around the first body portion on said shoulder.

2. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein said body portions have round or polygonal cross sections.

3. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said body portions comprises axially extending or spiral ribs.

4. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein said first end portion comprises a sharp point or edge.

5. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a filler.

6. The joining element according to claim 5, wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of lime powder, fibers, wood dust and ceramic materials.

7. The joining element according to claim 5, wherein first zones of the joining element have relatively higher filler contents than second zones.

8. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein said second end portion is equipped for attaching a further object to the joining element.

9. The joining element according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of sharp-ended elements arranged in a ring around and spaced from the first body portion on said shoulder.

10. The joining element according to claim 1, wherein a sharp end of the at least one sharp-ended element is an edge of the sharp-ended element.