With Reshaping Of Wound Body Patents (Class 156/194)
  • Patent number: 7087128
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hub in particular for bicycles and the like, wherein a winding device comprising at least a first shaping device is provided, a predetermined quantity of fibers is deposited on said first shaping device, at least a first cross-linking agent is deposited on at least part of the fibers, said first shaping device is inserted into a second shaping device and said first shaping device with at least said fibers and at least said first cross-linking agent is expanded toward said second shaping device, wherein said shaping devices are matched relative to each other such that an expanded body comprising said fibers and said cross-linking agent has a substantially even thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Rudolf Kurth
  • Patent number: 6962637
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular film includes the steps of: winding a thermoplastic sheet film on a columnar member with at least two turns so that leading and trailing ends of the film are placed approximately on one normal line of an outer surface of the columnar member without overlapping each other; fitting a tubular molding member on the wound film; and connecting the leading and trailing ends of the film by heating at least the film, thereby forming the sheet film into the tubular film. The resulting tubular film has a high film thickness uniformity and suitable for a fixing film of an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Takeuchi, Shoichi Shimura
  • Patent number: 6890470
    Abstract: A fiber composite structural component such as a fitting, bracket, mounting or the like is produced by applying fiber material such as fiber threads or fiber yarns in an automatic circular weaving operation to a core that has at least two sections, to form a fiber material body (6). One core section is removed from the fiber material body when the weaving is completed. The body is then deformed in a mold that has the contour of the finished structural component with at least one mold core section still in the fiber material body. The deformed configuration of the structural component is then impregnated in an RTM device with a resin and hardener followed by curing. Reinforcements may be inserted or secured to the fiber material body prior to the impregnated and curing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Staub, Tim Leeraar, Juergen Filsinger, Andreas Gessler
  • Patent number: 6863763
    Abstract: The propeller shaft comprises a transmission shaft 10 consisting of a hollow metal tube 11 with excellent torque transmissibility and a composite material prepregs 12 having higher specific stiffness than a metal material and stacked to the inner surface of the metal tube, and metal yokes 40 mounted on both ends of the transmission shaft and assembled with other devices. The composite material prepregs is co-cure bonded while applying an axial compressive preload to the transmission shaft and creating a vacuum in a space between a vacuum bag inserted in the transmission shaft and the composite material prepregs of the transmission shaft. Teeth 43 or embossments 44, and adhesive-retaining grooves 45 are formed on inner surfaces of the metal yokes, so the transmission shaft is desirably compression-fitted into the metal yokes. Accordingly, the propeller shaft has advantages of securing improved impact, abrasion, and water resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dai Gil Lee, Jin Kook Kim, Hak Sung Kim, Jong Woon Kim
  • Patent number: 6824636
    Abstract: A method for manufacture of a hollow complex three-dimensional fiber golf club head having at least one hole. A fluid-removable core is shaped in the general form of the golf club head, placed in a flexible pressurizable bladder around the core, at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin is wrapped over the core and bladder, and a cured part is formed by pressurizing the bladder while the core, bladder, and impregnated fiber is in a female mold to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold. After heating to cure the resin, the bladder and the fluid-removable core is removed from the interior of the cured part by disintegrating core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Radius Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Nelson, Dimitrije Milovich, Paul Nordstrom Clark, Gregory Joseph Loughry
  • Patent number: 6641693
    Abstract: A developable structural part, such as a component, includes at least one layer made from a resin-impregnated fabric (prepreg) and at least one layer made from wound threads, yarns, rovings or ribbons. At least one constant thread tension, but preferably a thread tension increasing from layer to layer, is applied during winding of the threads, yarns, rovings or ribbons. An outer ply is always formed of wound threads, yarns, rovings or ribbons. A process for producing the structural parts, a thermal insulation cylinder, a protective tube, a heating element, a stay pipe, a hot-press die and a thermal insulation element are also provided. The developable component or structural part can be obtained due to a combination of the application of fabric prepreg layers and windings made from threads, yarns, rovings or ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Werner Guckert, Siegfried Rauch
  • Patent number: 6632312
    Abstract: A tubular film manufacturing method includes the steps of winding a sheet film on a cylindrical member, cutting a winding end portion of the sheet film, and inserting the cylindrical member, on which the sheet film is wound, into a tubular mold member. The sheet film is molded into a tubular film by heating. In the inserting step, the cylindrical member is inserted into the tubular mold member while the winding end portion of the sheet film is pressed by an elastically deformable brush member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20030010424
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to components of fiber-reinforced plastics which can also be used as load-bearing components in mechanical and automotive engineering. A construction for such components is created that can be used flexibly and enables a defined design of the components. A method is created for this purpose that makes it possible to design and produce such load-bearing components to specific requirements. The method can be automatable and can make highly replicable results possible. The components thus produced of a fiber-reinforced plastic can have low weight with high strength properties and can be economical to produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Emil Lindenau
  • Patent number: 6488802
    Abstract: A process of making a continuous thermoplastic helical seam profile pipe. The thermoplastic material is extruded through a die to form a continuous square tube. The continuous tube is cooled and a filler material is applied. The continuous tube bearing the applied filler material is helically wound to form turns of wound continuous tube. Each turn of the continuous tube is pressed into the preceding turn on the mandrel for adhering the turns together to form the pipe. Apparatus for producing a helical seam profile pipe includes a frame, and a mandrel mounted on the frame for rotation on the frame about a longitudinal axis of the mandrel to helically wind the thermoplastic tube around the mandrel. A source of filler material, and a filler material applicator located adjacent to the mandrel continuously apply a bead of the filler material to the thermoplastic tube prior to being wound on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jerry C. Levingston, J. Keith Beasley
  • Patent number: 6458306
    Abstract: Bicycle frame components without laps made by a method comprising; shaping a fluid-removable core in the general form of the component, placing a flexible inflatable bladder around the core, wrapping over the assembly of core and bladder at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin, forming a cured part by inflating the bladder while the assembly of core, bladder, and impregnated fiber is in a mold to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold, such that compaction of the fiber against the mold is predominantly from the bladder inflation and not from the core, and heating to cure the resin to form a cured part, removing the bladder and the fluid-removable core from the interior of the cured part by disintegrating the fluid-removable core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the core and the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Radius Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Nelson, Dimitrije Milovich, Paul Nordstrom Clark, Gregory Joseph Loughry
  • Patent number: 6413343
    Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peet strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Brian S. Smith, Herbert Reyes, James M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6406580
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite parts includes positioning a plurality of composite layers on an application surface formed by a plurality of tooling members and filler members on a mandrel. A part formation aid is disposed on the composite layers above each tooling member. The filler members are then removed, and the composite layers slit over the recesses. The mandrel, the tooling members, the composite layers, and the part formation aids are placed in a vacuum bag. As the bag is evacuated, each part formation aid forces the side edge of the composite layers formed by the slit around the respective tooling member, thereby forming a composite part with a desired shape, thickness, and density. In an alternate embodiment, a flanged composite panel is formed around a rectangular mandrel after positioning composite layers on an outer surface of the mandrel and an outer surface of a filler member disposed on one end of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Campbell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020056504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making applicators for inserting materials into body cavities. The applicators comprise a tubular insertion member having an insertion end and a gripper end opposite thereof. The gripper end has an indentation with a shoulder on each end of the indentation. The shoulder most proximal the insertion end provides resistance to finger slip during the step of inserting the applicator into a body cavity. Whereas the shoulder most proximal the gripper end provides resistance to finger slip during the step of expelling material substantially contained by the applicator. The shoulder most proximal the gripper end also provides secure handling of the applicator while removing the applicator from the body after the expulsion step has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Carlos G. Linares, Linda M. Pierson
  • Patent number: 6284082
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wound insulator pipe, in particular for a high voltage insulator, having one or more ducts for conductors of any kind is provided. A laminate structure is achieved by winding a material onto a spindle and impregnating with a resin. Initially first layers of the material to be wound are applied; then at least one groove is made in the surface obtained and then the winding is completed until the final diameter is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Schuler, Dieter Lorenz, Walter Gross, Stefan Hain, Hans-Henning Lessmann-Mieske, Hans Schmuck, Karl Stenzel
  • Patent number: 6068723
    Abstract: A separator cartridge comprises a support screen comprising a substantially rigid reinforced plastic cylinder including an inner first major surface and an outer second major surface, a first nonwoven polymer layer adhered to the inner first major surface of the support screen, a second nonwoven polymer layer adhered to the outer second major surface of the support screen, and a polymeric screen contacting and frictionally engaging the second nonwoven polymer layer, the polymeric screen including a hydrophobic coating. The invention also contemplates a process for preparing the separator cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Velcon Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Sprenger, Michael J. Gish
  • Patent number: 6048428
    Abstract: A pipe and method of manufacture of the pipe are described. The pipe comprises a core of helically wound steel strip embedded in a plastics material matrix and lined with inner and outer linings of filament wound fiber reinforced plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Royal Ordnance plc
    Inventors: William A. Millward, John Dabinett
  • Patent number: 6030574
    Abstract: Process of manufacturing a golf club shaft made of composite materials, including the successive steps of fitting a tubular, flexible impermeable bladder around a rigid mandrel, dressing the mandrel with a composite structure including fibers impregnated with a synthetic resin matrix, placing the mandrel in the mold, and then carrying out a molding operation by applying at least one internal pressure exerted by feeding a fluid inside the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Banchelin, Philippe Renard, Serge Solviche
  • Patent number: 6024131
    Abstract: A method of forming a flexible spiral-wound tube includes the steps of spiral wrapping at least two webs of material in an overlapping relationship about a mandrel to form a multi-ply tube and advancing the tube along the mandrel and off a reduced diameter portion of the mandrel at a forward end of the mandrel. Advancement of the tube along the mandrel includes rotating the tube as the tube longitudinally moves such that the tube advances in a spiral manner. The method further includes the step of retarding movement of the tube along the reduced diameter portion of the mandrel by providing frictional resistance between the tube and the mandrel to form folds or pleats in the tube so that the tube becomes extremely flexible. The flexible spiral-wound tube has a uniform pattern of generally diamond-shaped folds therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Electrolock, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Lester, Steven P. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6025066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stencil sheet roll formed by winding up a stencil sheet to form a roll, the sheet including a thermoplastic resin film and a porous support laminated thereto, wherein the compression elastic modulus of the sheet is not less than 32 kg/cm.sup.2. The invention also provides a stencil sheet roll formed by winding up a stencil sheet to form a roll, the sheet including a thermoplastic resin film and a porous support laminated thereto and having been subjected to calender treatment. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a stencil sheet roll comprising laminating a thermoplastic resin film to a porous support to form a stencil sheet, subjecting the stencil sheet to calender treatment, and winding up the calender-treated stencil sheet to form a roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Terasawa, Hiroyo Kikuchi, Takayuki Kurosaki, Mitsuru Ujiie
  • Patent number: 5985197
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a golf-club head is disclosed comprising; shaping a fluid-removable core in the general form of the club head, placing a flexible inflatable bladder around the core, wrapping over the assembly of core and bladder at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin, placing the assembly of core, bladder, and impregnated fiber into a female mold, forming a cured part in the form of a golf-club head by inflating the bladder to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold and heating the mold to cure the resin, removing the cured part from the mold, disintegrating the fluid-removable core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the bladder from the interior of the cured part through a hole in the cured part, removing the bladder through the hole with any residues of the core within the bladder to form a hollow molded club head with a hollow interior essentially free from non-functional materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Radius Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Nelson, Dimitrije Milovich, Paul Nordstrom Clark, Gregory Joseph Loughry
  • Patent number: 5985072
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a rim preform or rim-element having an axis of revolution by the placing on a preforming matrix pre-assembled fibers along two orientations defining deformable meshes. A winding of a strip of fibers is fastened on a circumference of the preforming matrix with asymmetrical orientation of the fibers, whereupon it is applied progressively until covering the entire surface of the preforming matrix by subjecting it to tensions of substantially circumferential orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Francois Finck, Yves Vernet
  • Patent number: 5885680
    Abstract: The electric isolator (1) is manufactured from a support (2) made of laminated material and a continuous band made of elastomeric material (3) wound in several contiguous successive turns around the support on an outer face (20) thereof so as to make an isolating coating in the form of a plurality of annular flanges (16, 17, 18). The continuous band is profiled so as to have, in section, a basis used as a contact surface with the support outer surface, an upper face provided with at least one flange extending transversally to the basis, a first and a second side surfaces which continue the basis by forming a certain angle therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sediver Societe Europeene d'Isolateurs en Verre et Composite
    Inventors: Roger Levillain, Gilles Bourdier
  • Patent number: 5814268
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a golf club shaft made of composite materials, including the successive steps of fitting a tubular, flexible impermeable bladder around a rigid mandrel whose length is at least equal to the length of the shaft to be produced, dressing the mandrel with a composite structure comprising fibers impregnated with a synthetic resin matrix, placing the mandrel in the mold, and then carrying out a mold operation by applying at least one internal pressure exerted by feeding a fluid inside the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Banchelin, Philippe Renard, Serge Solviche
  • Patent number: 5798019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements of uniform thickness on flexible sleeves. The apparatus for forming a seamless cylindrical photosensitive element of uniform thickness on a flexible sleeve, comprises a mandrel, a mandrel support assembly, a calendering assembly, a drive system and at least a heating element. The methods comprise forming seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements of uniform thickness on flexible sleeves from a stream of molten photopolymerizable material, or a solid or molten sheet of photopolymerizable material. The seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements are formed on polyester sleeves for use on a printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Stephen Cushner, Roxy Ni Fan, Edward Andrew Calisto, Daniel Francis Sheehan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5733403
    Abstract: This invention relates to a product packaging material and method, and in particular to a product packaging material (27) formed from a length of rolled corrugated paper (20) and a method of manufacture therefor. There is provided a packaging material comprising corrugated paper (20), the corrugated paper including non-sinusoidal corrugations (16, 18, 72). There is also provided a method of making a packaging material of multi-layer corrugated paper (27) including the steps of forming corrugated paper (20) having a sheet with sinusoidal corrugations (42), and compressing the sheet to destroy the sinusoidal form of at least some of the corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Aston Packaging Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Corben Morley
  • Patent number: 5698055
    Abstract: A method for making a reinforced tubular laminate. A dry braided fiber sleeve is placed between a mandrel and spiral tape wrap either over, under, or layered with a pre-preg material. During the initial stages of the curing process, while the temperature is rising, the resin in the pre-preg material flows and wets out the dry braid. When the final cure takes place, the braid becomes an integral part of the finished laminate. The choice of fiber materials and braid angle permit various tubular laminate strengths. The selection of fiber colors and patterns permit a wide variety of tubular laminate aesthetic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Andrew J. Benkoczy
  • Patent number: 5639328
    Abstract: An improved article of manufacture and method hereof utilizing a fibrous structure of initially discrete layers, each having first and second sides. At least one side of each layer is rough and the structure has a shrinkage of no more than about 2 percent. The structure is impregnated with a thermoplastic-type polymeric material, and in the final structure there is no visible layer separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Robert J. Rossi
  • Patent number: 5632834
    Abstract: A process for the production of sandwich structures made of fiber-reinforced ceramics, the base substance of the ceramic matrix consisting of a Si-organic polymer and a ceramic or metallic powder. A cross-linking of the Si-organic polymer takes place under increased pressure and at an increased temperature. After the joining of the facings and the honeycomb core, the sandwich structure is pyrolysed to form a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Ostertag, Tilman Haug, Richard Renz, Wolfgang Zankl
  • Patent number: 5632839
    Abstract: A screen for anchoring a fastener to a hollow block or brick wall which includes an elongate tubular plastic screen member having first and second opposite ends and a uniform diameter along its length. The first end is formed substantially into a frusto-conical shape that includes at least a portion thereof where the mesh of the screen is closed off. At least one reinforcement member is formed along the length of the elongate screen member that enables the elongate screen member to be inserted within a first aperture formed in a first wall of a hollow block and maintain the desired stiffness of the tubular screen member so that it can extend across an interior of the hollow block for blind insertion into a second aperture formed in a second opposite wall of the hollow block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Kish, Michael A. Rancich, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5516384
    Abstract: Furniture and furniture parts are formed with support bodies of cardboard laminate. The winding is formed from a cardboard which is pressed into the appropriate shape. If desired, the winding is divided into pieces. Parts of upholstered pieces of furniture, such as armrests, backrests and seat parts can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Ellman Consulting
    Inventor: Niels Mossbeck
  • Patent number: 5484498
    Abstract: A method of molding an elongated, tapered seamless and hollow member or tubular of net shape comprising providing an elongated, tapered mandrel, applying a composite material consisting of reinforced fibers with a resin on the mandrel, providing a shell having an elongated, tapered bore, inserting the mandrel with the composite material applied thereon into the bore of the shell to provide a mold assembly, heating the mold assembly, displacing the mandrel and shell longitudinally toward each other to compress the composite material of the article being formed by simultaneously applying a tensile force at one end of the mandrel and a compressive force at the other, allowing the mold assembly to cool, and then separating the shell and mandrel from the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventors: Harold P. Hogarth, Wayne E. Hogarth
  • Patent number: 5482664
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a spectacle frame component composed of a fiber-reinforced, synthetic resin includes filling a core of a single tubular braid woven from long reinforcing fibers with an inert filling material, exteriorly impregnating the filled tubular braid with a synthetic resin comprising a bisphenol epoxy comprising first aliphatic amine hardening agent and a second aromatic diamine hardening agent, or a single aliphatic amine hardening agent, shaping and stabilizing a cross-section of the epoxy impregnated tubular braid, and shaping the stabilized cross-section epoxy impregnated tubular braid into a three dimensional form and hardening in the three dimensional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: L'Amy S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Lamy, Jean-Philippe Caspar
  • Patent number: 5396699
    Abstract: A novel method of forming a heating element in a proper place on the surface of a composite, molded material made up of a multiplicity of layers of individual element where the elements are overlapped each other, suitably on a mandrel, until the composite article almost completely built up; the last element has a plastic strip disposed on the surface thereof which will be the outermost surface of the molded article, and on the surface of this plastic strip, which is directed away from the rest of the composite article, there is disposed at least one printed resistance circuit in such position(s) as to provide heating coverage for so much of the surface of the composite article as is required. This composite article is then molded, suitably by compression, to form the desired final article with the heating circuit on an exposed surface. If desired, suitable electric cables can be attached to the heating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Daniel Mauduit
  • Patent number: 5389323
    Abstract: A method of forming an Ilizarov ring includes forming two half rings, each of which comprises a length of resin impregnated cloth. Cloth is pre-impregnated with a resin and then wound to provide a plurality of layers in a three dimensional orientation, and then the resin impregnated cloth is placed in a mold. After the resin impregnated cloth is pressed and cured in the mold, the material is removed from the mold and is appropriately machined. Two half rings are secured together to form a single ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Richard L. Cook
  • Patent number: 5322249
    Abstract: A method of making game racket frame of plastic compound material includes a tubular body, which is formed by a bendable inner tube wrapped orderly and windingly with the cured thermoplastic plastic thin films and the long fiber fabric sheets made up of a plurality of long fiber bundles. The tubular body is placed in a mold cavity of a molding tool, which is subjected to a heat corresponding to the melting point of the thermoplastic plastic thin film. A gas with a first predetermined pressure is introduced into the tubular body so as to force the molten thermoplastic plastic thin film to diffuse uniformly into the interstices of the fiber bundles. Another gas having a second predetermined pressure is introduced into the tubular body to force the outer shell of tubular body to attach intimately to the wall of mold cavity of the molding tool, which is then cooled to permit the removal of the racket frame made therein. The method produces a recyclable racket frame and no waste causing environmental pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Chin-San You
  • Patent number: 5318742
    Abstract: A method of making a bicycle frame of plastic composite material includes a process in which an inner tube is wrapped orderly with at least a thermoplastic matrix layer and a long fiber reinforcing layer, so as to form a tubular object having a laminated outer shell. The tubular object is placed in a molding tool, which is then heated up to a temperature corresponding to the melting point of the thermoplastic matrix. Under the condition that the heating temperature is maintained, a pressurized gas having a pressure is introduced into the tubular object in such a manner that the pressure is increased progressively and stepwise for a predetermined period of time. The molding tool is finally cooled to permit the removal of a newly-formed bicycle frame, which is light in weight, strong and tough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Chin-San You
  • Patent number: 5262118
    Abstract: In the production of a hollow FRP article such as a wood type carbon black golf club head, a hollow resin shell is formed via blow molding, heat-resistant fine particles are filled as a filler into the interior of the resin shell, the interior of the resin shell is decompressed to form an inner mold, the inner mold is covered with FRP prepreg including thermoplastic resin to form a prepreg composite, the prepreg composite is heated in a metallic mold under pressure and the fine articles are removed after demolding. A golf club shaft is formed by heating a mandrel, applying thermoplastic resin powder to the mandrel and then winding a lamellar prepreg around the mandrel to thereby form a hollow shaft. A golf club is formed from a head and shaft formed as described above by enlarging the end of the shaft, placing the shaft and the head in a mold and heating the mold under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihari Fukushima, Masuhiro Okada, Kaoru Hashimoto, Eizi Abe, Kunio Hiyama
  • Patent number: 5256237
    Abstract: The inner surface affixation system and process is a method for affixing wound optical fibers on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. It is useful, for example, in the manufacture of rigid mandrel-based fiber optic sensors. The optical fibers of a sensor wound on the inner surface are less susceptible to damage than are optical fibers wound on the outside of the mandrel.The process requires that the fibers be supported on a cylinder, which is coated with an adhesive and placed within the sensor mandrel cylinder, at which time the circumference of the supporting cylinder is expanded, causing the fibers to engage the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder. The adhesive is then cured, holding the fibers in place on the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder while the supporting cylinder is contracted and removed from the sensor mandrel cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Maas, Michael R. Layton, A. Douglas Meyer, Dennis P. Bevan
  • Patent number: 5244622
    Abstract: A method and tool for fabricating composite shafts with at least one flared end. The tool includes a specially adapted end fitting for each flared end which define the angle and direction of flaring The end fitting includes structure for conforming/compacting the composite material at the flared ends either during and/or after the composite build-up is completed and during cure the conforming/ compacting insures that the external surfaces of the flared ends achieve dimentional control and a machined like quality without the necessity of machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William E. Rumberger
  • Patent number: 5236529
    Abstract: A thermal protection device for protecting walls of structures exposed to ablative flow at high temperatures in the presence of vibrations comprises, embedded in a thermally insulative matrix, a refractory armature formed by a fringed mat comprising a meshed part exposed to the ablative flow and fringes intended to be directed towards the wall of the structure to be protected. The device further comprises an open-weave refractory woven material parallel to the meshed part of the armature and through which the fringes pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Christiane Ferrier, Jean Claudel
  • Patent number: 5207960
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a thin-walled tube of fluorinated resin, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene, in which a ribbon of fluorinated resin obtained by lubricated extrusion and calendaring, is wound into a tube on a mandrel, the winding of the ribbon being performed in a plurality of layers, and the thus-wound ribbon on the mandrel being brought to a temperature above the sintering temperature of the fluorinated resin for sufficient time to produce sintering. The wound tube and the mandrel are cooled; while on the mandrel the thin-walled tube is rolled to elongate the tube, to reduce the thickness of the tube, and to increase the inside diameter of the tube; and then the mandrel within the tube is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Bernard Moret de Rocheprise
  • Patent number: 5198058
    Abstract: A method of making a golf club includes the use of an inner tube, which is made of an elastic and refractory material and is wrapped orderly onto with at least a matrix layer of thermoplastic material and with at least a reinforcing layer of long fiber material so as to form a tubular body having a laminated outer shell. The tubular body is heated in a molding tool up to a temperature corresponding to the melting point of the thermoplastic plastic material. A pressurized gas is introduced into the tubular body to force the molten thermoplastic plastic material to diffuse evenly into the interstices of fiber bundles making up the long fiber material. After being cooled, the molding tool is opened to remove therefrom the golf club made of plastic composite material. Such golf club is tough, light in weight, and has an excellent shock-absorbing quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Chin-San You
  • Patent number: 5192384
    Abstract: Reinforced composite tubes having integral tapered ends are formed on mandrels which are tapered at each end. Reinforcement fabric is first conformed to the mandrel with at least one end of the fabric structure retaining an opening therein. The mandrel is disassembled and removed through the opening, and a matrix cured within the fabric to produce the desired composite. Usually, the fabric structure will be cured in an external mold with an inflatable mandrel inserted through the opening applying internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Barrier, Mark D. Drey, Leslie V. Montford, Stephen S. Tan
  • Patent number: 5135596
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber reinforced tubular member having flanges at opposite ends thereof includes the steps of applying a winding including a plurality of fiber strands in an uncured curable matrix to a core element having a pair of spaced outwardly extending spreader elements thereon so as to form a central winding portion and a pair of conical winding portions on the core element; applying a forming tool to the winding between the spreader elements, the forming tool having a tubular inner surface, opposite outwardly extending end faces and transition edges therebetween; applying resilient outward pressure to the winding so as to urge the winding against the forming tool along the transition edges; uniformly applying the fiber from the conical portions of the winding to the end faces of the forming too; and curing the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Arno R. E. K. Pabsch, Werner E. Strehlow
  • Patent number: 5128092
    Abstract: A method for shaping a tetrafluoroethylene resin pipe which comprises:(a) winding a porous sheet of tetrafluoroethylene resin which is not sintered around a mandrel,(b) covering the wound sheet with an elastomeric material,(c) isotactically pressing the wound sheet covered with the elastomeric material,(d) removing the elastomeric material from the wound sheet, and(e) sintering the wound sheet. According to the present invention, a dense tetrafluoroethylene resin pipe having excellent appearance and surface smoothness can be easily obtained, while maintaining the advantages inherent in the conventional winding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignees: Nichias Corporation, Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asaumi, Takehiro Yoshida, Yasuo Yoda, Tomokazu Hattori
  • Patent number: 5084038
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming tampons is disclosed, as well as the tampon itself. The apparatus includes a mechanism and the method includes the step of advancing and cutting a cover strip and an absorbent ribbon into predetermined lengths. A portion of the absorbent ribbon is then overlapped by the cover strip and both are radially wound into a cylinder having a length equal to at least two tampons. The cylinder is then compressed and cut into two or more single length pledgets. The single length pledgets are heat set before a withdrawal string is attached to form a finished tampon. The tampon itself can be made with tucked or untucked ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Sheldon, Paul G. Franke, Raymond Brown
  • Patent number: 5065493
    Abstract: A spherical sealing body is to be inserted in a space defined by three of an end edge of an exhaust pipe on upstream side, a flange fixed on an outer periphery of the exhaust pipe on upstream side, and a concave spherical portion disposed on an end edge of an exhaust pipe on downstream side. The spherical sealing body includes a wire mesh body obtained through weaving or knitting a fine metal wire, the metal mesh body has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface to be fitted in an outer circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe on upstream side, a convex outer circumferential surface to be fitted in the concave spherical portion, and a bottom surface on large diameter side to be abutted against the flange. A refractory material is filled in meshes and clearances of a part of the wire mesh body corresponding to the convex outer circumferential face and the bottom face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Ozora
  • Patent number: 5006298
    Abstract: A method of producing a badminton racket frame includes the following steps. Prepare a mold cavity. Wrap a number of layers of graphite fibers so as to form a shell shaped in the form of the racket frame. Insert solvent material into the shell. Arrange the shell within the mold cavity. Heat the solvent material to cause expansion and to generate pressure within the mold cavity so as to press against the layers of graphite fibers and thereby provide intimate bonding of the layers. Remove the shell as an integral composite badminton racket frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Ko-Jan C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 4986863
    Abstract: A laminated tubular fibrous structure is produced using a tubular braid and folding over its wall in order to form corrugations or wrinkles superposed in axial direction. The tubular braid is brought over a mandrel of which the inner diameter corresponds to that of the structure to be produced, by causing the braid to pass around a forming head which is mounted on the mandrel and of which the outer diameter corresponds to that of the structure to be produced, and at least one yarn is wound following a helicoidal path on the braid, around the mandrel and at the front of the forming head, between said head and a counter-piece of which the faces in facing relationship have shapes corresponding to the shape of the wrinkles to be produced, the winding of the yarn being performed while the forming head is moving away from the counter-piece progressively with the formation of the wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Propulsion
    Inventors: Jean D. Denoel, Michel C. Vives, Christian Bertone
  • Patent number: 4902024
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spherical sealing body for use in exhaust pipe joints, including the steps of; laminating a flexible refractory sheet and a flexible wire net with each other, winding the laminated refractory sheet and the wire net to thereby form a cylindrical member, laminating the other flexible refractory sheet and an unsintered tape or film made of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin to each other, compressing to integrate the laminated other refractory sheet and the unsintered tape or film in a direction of the thickness thereof to thereby form an sliding face member, winding the sliding face member to an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member to thereby form a cylindrical preform body, and applying compression to the preform body in an axial direction of the preform body, and a spherical sealing body for use in exhaust pipe joints manufactured by the method above mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventor: Yukinori Takenoshita