Apparatus and methods for filament crimping and manufacturing
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a crimping assembly comprising a crimping element and a crimped filament, comprising:
- pre-forming said crimping element prior to crimping so as to provide a gap, said pre-formed crimping element comprised of;
a first plurality of cavities, said first plurality of cavities disposed so as to at least partly define a first plurality of features; and
a second plurality of cavities, said second plurality of cavities disposed so as to at least partly define a second plurality of features;
disposing a filament at least partly within said gap and adjacent at least a portion of said first and second plurality of cavities;
placing said filament under tension; and
crimping said crimping element after placing said filament under tension so as to fixedly secure said filament to said crimping element.
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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
9 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a crimping assembly comprising a crimping element and a crimped filament, comprising:
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pre-forming said crimping element prior to crimping so as to provide a gap, said pre-formed crimping element comprised of; a first plurality of cavities, said first plurality of cavities disposed so as to at least partly define a first plurality of features; and a second plurality of cavities, said second plurality of cavities disposed so as to at least partly define a second plurality of features; disposing a filament at least partly within said gap and adjacent at least a portion of said first and second plurality of cavities; placing said filament under tension; and crimping said crimping element after placing said filament under tension so as to fixedly secure said filament to said crimping element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification