Abstract: A metal forming process and welded coil assembly that may be used to form complex metal components in a manner that is efficient, reduces scrap material, and maintains the structural integrity of the components. Generally, a number of individual metal blanks are welded to one or more sheet metal coils in order to produce a welded coil assembly. The metal blanks may be welded along the length of the inner sides of two sheet metal coils, or the metal blanks may be welded along the length of the outer sides of a single sheet metal coil, to cite a couple of possibilities. The welded coil assembly can then be fed through a progressive stamping apparatus or other machine to create a complex metal part.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite component that includes both a structural insert and a plastic casing. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a closed-loop control system and includes the following steps: evaluating the structural insert for various attributes, placing the structural insert in a mold cavity, adjusting the position and/or orientation of the structural insert with respect to the mold cavity based on, among other things, the evaluated attributes, and injecting molten material into the mold cavity so that it at least partially surrounds the structural insert.

Abstract: A metal framing member for use in a wide variety of applications including interior and exterior walls, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as floors, ceilings and roofs of residential and commercial buildings, to name but a few. The metal framing member generally includes first and second metal components, where each of the metal components is a separate piece and includes an elongated support with a series of fingers extending therefrom. The two metal components are attached together near tips of the fingers so that an alternating sequence of fingers and spaces is formed in an intermediate area between the two supports. This sequence can result in weight, material and cost savings, reduced thermal and acoustic conductivity across the metal framing member, and trade-ready holes for passing through items such as wires, pipes, etc.

Abstract: A sound damping material for use in a sound damping laminate having one or more rigid layers, such as those used in the automotive industry. The sound damping material is preferably a viscoelastic material that damps or otherwise inhibits the transmission of vibrational or acoustical energy through the laminate, and also acts as an adhesive for bonding the rigid layers together. In its cured form, the sound damping material layer can include an acrylate-based polymer matrix, and one or more of the following components: a precipitated phase, a viscous phase, and miscellaneous constituents. The acrylate-based polymer matrix is the reaction product of at least one acrylate-based monomer, such as isobornyl acrylate.

Abstract: A metal framing member for use in a wide variety of applications including interior and exterior walls, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as floors, ceilings and roofs of residential and commercial buildings, to name but a few. The metal framing member generally includes first and second metal components, where each of the metal components is a separate piece and includes an elongated support with a series of fingers extending therefrom. The two metal components are attached together near tips of the fingers so that an alternating sequence of fingers and spaces is formed in an intermediate area between the two supports. This sequence can result in weight, material and cost savings, reduced thermal and acoustic conductivity across the metal framing member, and trade-ready holes for passing through items such as wires, pipes, etc.

Abstract: A scraper tool for removing material such as surface treatments, metal coatings, and other material layers from an edge region of a metal work piece where they could potentially contaminate a nearby weld. According to one embodiment, the scraper tool includes a body having a base portion and a tab portion, and several scraping elements attached to the base portion. During operation, the scraping elements scrape one or more surfaces of the edge region so that the depth to which the scraping element engage the metal work piece is generally affected by the amount of rotation of the scraper tool about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal frame, such as a tractor cab frame, that can reduce scrap material, simplify the manufacturing process, improve the structural integrity of the frame, and eliminate the use of overlapping joint areas. According to one embodiment, the manufacturing method includes the steps of: blanking a number of individual metal segments, joining the individual metal segments together to form a welded blank assembly, stamping the welded blank assembly to form a stamping assembly that includes the desired perimeter, and forming the stamping assembly by bending the stamping assembly into the final shape of the three-dimensional metal frame. The resultant metal frame preferably includes at least one metal segment that is shared between adjacent sides of the structure and is bent along its length to form a smooth transitioning corner lacking overlapping joint areas.

Abstract: There is provided an elongate body side molding suitable for attachment to the side of a vehicle body, which molding comprises: i) one or more stabilising strip(s); ii) one or more layer(s) of a polymeric material with a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion; and iii) one or more layer(s) of a polymeric material with a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion; the layers of polymeric material with high and low coefficients of thermal expansion being so arranged that, over a predetermined range of temperatures, the overall shape of the body side molding is substantially maintained.

Abstract: A tire tread that is applicable to retread a worn tire carcass. The tire tread includes a cured tread portion having a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A first uncured wing portion extends from the first shoulder and a second uncured wing portion extends from the second shoulder. Further, an end section at each end of the tire tread portion is uncured. When the tire tread is wrapped around the tire carcass to be formed to the tire carcass and form a tire retread, the first and second wing portions extend down the side walls of the tire carcass and the uncured end sections of the tire tread contact each other. The tire carcass is placed within an autoclave, and the autoclave is heated under pressure such that the tire tread is cross-linked to the tire carcass. During the autoclaving step, the uncured wing portions are cured and cross-linked to the side walls of the tire carcass, and the uncured end portions are cured and cross-linked to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming an intermittent stabilized length of a coextruded trim strip product. The method includes coextruding two strips of a thermoplastic material around intermittent sections of a stabilizing insert by a split extrusion die and forming rolls. A cutter cuts the trim strip product between the intermittent stabilizing sections so as to define trim strip products having ends without stabilizing inserts.

Abstract: A tire tread that is applicable to retread a worn tire carcass. The tire tread includes a cured tread portion having a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A first uncured wing portion extends from the first shoulder and a second uncured wing portion extends from the second shoulder. Further, an end section at each end of the tire tread portion is uncured. When the tire tread is wrapped around the tire carcass to be formed to the tire carcass and form a tire retread, the first and second wing portions extend down the side walls of the tire carcass and the uncured end sections of the tire tread contact each other. The tire carcass is placed within an autoclave, and the autoclave is heated under pressure such that the tire tread is cross-linked to the tire carcass. During the autoclaving step, the uncured wing portions are cured and cross-linked to the side walls of the tire carcass, and the uncured end portions are cured and cross-linked to each other.

Abstract: A method for spray forming manufacturing of near-net-shape molds, dies and related toolings, wherein liquid material such as molten metal, metallic alloys, or polymers are atomized into fine droplets by a high temperature, high velocity gas and deposited onto a pattern. Quenching of the atomized droplets provides a heat sink, thereby allowing undercooled and partially solidified droplets to be formed in-flight. Composites can be formed by combining the atomized droplets with solid particles such as whiskers or fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming a body comprising resin material which can be crosslinked to form a thermally stable resin is carried out by the sequential steps of:(A) providing a body of resin which can be crosslinked to form a thermally stable resin;(B) selectively crosslinking said body to provide a first zone of substantially uncrosslinked resin; a zone of substantially crosslinked resin and a transition zone therebetween;(C) forming said first zone and transition zone; and(D) substantially crosslinking said first zone and transition zone.Step (C) can be carried out by introducing a first zone and associated transition zone into a mold cavity in effective contacting relationship with second zone of substantially uncrosslinked resin and associated transition zone and then step (D) can be carried out to thereby bond said first and second zone together. The present invention also relates to the products made by the method of this invention.

Abstract: An integral hybrid molding and weatherstrip for attachment to a vehicle includes a core member and a first layer extruded to the core member. A second layer abuts the first layer at one edge thereof, and is extruded to the core member. The first and second layers are of a thermoset and thermoplastic material which is co-extruded in-line.

Abstract: A glass run channel strip for providing an improved chamfered surface transition from an end flange of a vehicle to a slidable window pane, said glass run strip comprising a core member, a first chamfer forming lip portion extending from the core member in a direction toward the glass run channel and normally positioned at an angle to a window pane, said first lip portion including an outer surface for forming a chamfered surface between the end flange and the window pane, said lip portion being under cut at its attachment to the core member for allowing flexible hinging of the lip portion, wherein a second lip portion extending into the glass run channel, said second lip portion for deflecting the window pane during movement of the window pane relative to the strip away from the end flange to an extend which ensures that the first lip portion will hinge to its normal position for forming the chamfered surface transition.

Abstract: A variable gap sealing article for sealing between a first surface and a second surface has an elongated body portion with a resilient contractible portion and an expandable portion. The article fills a gap between the surfaces by expanding the expandable portion and compressing the contractible portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass run channel molding having a structural core encased in an elastomeric material. The glass run channel molding has, in cross-section, a first U-shaped channel for clamping retention on a pinchweld flange or the like and a second U-shaped channel to receive a guide a window pane. The structural core is a sheet having a band along one lateral edge and a plurality of laterally extending narrow strips with free ends, extending laterally therefrom. A surface of the band has surface exposed to view for decorative purposes. The structure of the core facilitates bending of the integral trim and glass run channel about the window frame.

Abstract: An applique and glass run channel assembly includes an applique portion which has a portion thereof which extends over the glass run channel portion of a stub `B` pillar. A glass run attachment is attached to the back of the applique and only a small lip portion extends outward from the edge of the applique. The lip portion is substantially within the plane of the applique. This configuration provides an improved transitional appearance and better tolerances for such an applique. An improved attachment of a stub `B` pillar applique is also provided which includes a novel stud and locking depression combination.

Abstract: A gasket system has a gasket adapted to be secured about an opening. The gasket includes a mechanism for retaining and sealing a window or the like. The gasket is positioned about the opening such that when the window is positioned within the opening, the window substantially conceals the gasket and is flush at its perimeter with the opening.

Abstract: A static seal strip has a base and a bulb. The base is adapted to be secured to the object to be sealed. The bulb includes an encapsulated sealant and is adapted to release the sealant upon exertion of a force onto the bulb to enable the sealant to seal the object.