Including Means To Expand Or Contract Core Patents (Class 249/178)
  • Patent number: 9889578
    Abstract: A method for casting a hollow core concrete product with a substantially horizontal slipform casting process, where concrete mass is fed at least in one feeding stage through a limited cross-section (5, 6, 7) moving progressively along with the cast, and at least one core is formed in the concrete product to be cast with a core forming member (4), wherein the thickness of webs between the cores of the product to be cast are changed during the slipform casting process by changing the width of the at least one core forming member (4). The invention also relates to such an apparatus and a core forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elematic Oyj
    Inventors: Tarmo Sahala, Lassi Järvinen, Leena Raukola
  • Patent number: 9512818
    Abstract: An optimally-shaped single part molded wind turbine blade is provided for small wind turbines. Two mold bodies are brought together to form a cavity, and a third retractable mold body is inserted into the cavity. A flowable material such as filled thermoplastic resin is introduced into the space between the mold bodies and solidified. The retractable mold body is retracted and the mold is opened to reveal a single-part wind turbine blade with a hollow root region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Pika Energy LLC
    Inventors: Keith Thomas Richtman, Benjamin Francis Polito, Joshua Daniel Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8807982
    Abstract: An expandable molding insert apparatus and corresponding method are provided. The insert apparatus may be expandable between a first uncompressed position with a first diameter and a second compressed position with a second, larger diameter due to axial decompression and compression, respectively, of the insert apparatus. For example, the insert apparatus may include an inner rod, an outer jacket, and a compression member. The compression member may be configured to provide axial compression to the outer jacket, such that the outer jacket may be adjusted between a first uncompressed position with a first outer diameter and a second compressed position with a second, larger outer diameter. The insert apparatus of the present disclosure facilitates withdrawal of the insert apparatus from a molded component, requires a minimal number of mechanical components, and provides for ease of actuation when the insert apparatus is utilized during a molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventor: Roger C. Knox
  • Patent number: 8800953
    Abstract: A collapsible bladder has flexible outer walls and at least one strut inside the enclosure. The strut is connected to the outer walls and controls the shape into which the enclosure may be collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John D. Morris, Michael A. Lee, Kenneth L. Brook
  • Patent number: 8714513
    Abstract: Embodiments of a mold insert assembly and methods of use are disclosed herein. A mold insert assembly includes, but is not limited to a driving member that moves between a retracting position and an extending position, a plurality of first-segment members engaging the driving member and moving between a first retracted position and a first extended position and a plurality of second-segment members proximate the plurality of first-segment members and configured to move between a second retracted position and a second extended position as the driving member moves to the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members and second-segment members cooperate to form a substantially liquid-tight periphery when the driving member is in the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members second-segment members are configured to move towards the first and second retracted positions, respectively when the driving member moves towards the retracting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walker, Mark A. Kramarczyk
  • Patent number: 8623262
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, at least one placeholder is inserted into a recess in a molding tool, wherein the unfinished component is subsequently produced, the placeholder is removed, at least one lifting pad is inserted into the recess and the unfinished component is removed from the molding tool by inflating the lifting pad. In a system for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, the component removal process is monitored and controlled by a computer unit in order to prevent predetermined maximum component loads from being exceeded. The gentle component removal process makes it possible to avoid consequential costs for repairing or reworking the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Jung, Michael Bechtold
  • Patent number: 8511359
    Abstract: A layup mandrel includes a shell having a tool surface on which plies may be laid up. The shape of the shell is changed by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David Lynn Perlman
  • Patent number: 8500085
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a composite fiber component (1) the method comprising the following method steps: forming a moulding core (4) comprising a hollow profile (15) made of segments (16a . . . d) in order to establish an external geometry of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) of the moulding core (4) each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the moulding core (4) and are each constructed so as to be pivotable about an axis running in the longitudinal direction of the moulding core (4), between a folded position (A), and an unfolded position (B) of the hollow profile (15) of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) are constructed so as to be coupled to one another via connections (18a . . . d, 19a . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Torben Jacob, Joachim Piepenbrock
  • Patent number: 8501073
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for injecting a resin into at least one fiber layer of a fiber-reinforced product (5) to be manufactured, comprising a mold (2, 3) having a mold cavity (4) that is surrounded by a mold wall for abutment of the product thereagainst in the closed condition of the mold. A rigid part (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) of the mold wall is movable with respect to another part of the mold wall in the closed condition of the mold so as to ensure a continued abutment of the movable part of the mold wall with the products when shrinkage of the resin caused by curing thereof takes place subsequent to the injection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fokker Landing Gear B.V.
    Inventors: Tjaard Sijpkes, Peet Vergouwen, Bert Thuis
  • Patent number: 8453413
    Abstract: A construction element of reinforced-concrete panel (1) in which is embedded a reinforcement framework includes at least one main framework layer extending along a tensioned outer face (11) of the element (1) and to which an inner framework (3) is attached for securing to the concrete, extending to the thickness of the element (1), the latter being produced, after the placement of the reinforcement framework, by pouring concrete onto a thin continuous wall (2) forming a sacrificial formwork. The thin wall (2) forming the sacrificial formwork extends along the tensioned face (11) of the element (1) and at the same time forms the main framework layer of the element (1), the nature and thickness of the thin wall (2) being determined so as to withstand the tensile stresses generated by the forces applied to the element (1) without the risk of separation from the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Societe Civile de Brevets Matiere
    Inventor: Marcel Matiere
  • Patent number: 8246877
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a concrete product with a substantially horizontal slipform casting process, wherein the concrete mix is fed at least in one step through a limited cross-section moving progressively along with the cast, whereby the height of the product forming part (1) is changed during the cast. The invention also comprises a product forming part (1) having an adjustable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Elematic Oy AB
    Inventor: Lassi Järvinen
  • Patent number: 8024015
    Abstract: A mobile device having a housing and operating on power supplied from the battery loaded in the battery chamber including: a pair of walls of the housing having hook receiving portions formed a groove; a battery lid covering the battery chamber so as to be freely detached; a pair of positioning hooks serving to position the battery lid by entering the grooves of the corresponding hook receiving portions; overhanging edges serving to regulate position of the cover lid; and a waterproof gasket fixed to the battery chamber side of the cover lid so as to be in contact with all sides of the battery chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Araki, Hiroaki Matsuda, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Manabu Sotodate, Wataru Murata, Ken Shoji, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 8002538
    Abstract: A collapsible core device for molding articles around the core device in a mold cavity includes an expansion member, a discontinuous first sleeve and a discontinuous second sleeve. When the expansion member is fitted within the first and second sleeves, the expansion member and the first and second sleeves form a substantially continuous, flush top molding surface with the first and second sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Garry Zydron
  • Publication number: 20110147564
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a mold core (5) for making hollow parts (11) based on a composite material including fibers, fabrics, or textiles together with a resin, the method consisting in mixing a filler material (1) and a binder material (2) in order to obtain a uniform mixture of materials, and in solidifying, compacting, and shaping the resulting mixture in order to constitute said core, the method being characterized in that it further consists in introducing into the mixture at least one complementary material (3) that is expandable under the effect of heat or by applying another physical or chemical principle, and in mixing said materials (1, 2, 3) in order to obtain a uniform distribution of the complementary material (3) in the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Kunze
  • Publication number: 20100264562
    Abstract: Tools for the forming of composite parts from composite forming materials, having tool bodies that comprise, at least in part, high density carbon foam where a surface of the high density carbon foam may comprise a tool face or support tool face materials. The tools of the present invention may be lighter, more durable, and less costly to produce and/or use than conventional tools used for the production of composite parts, particularly those tools used for the production of carbon composites. Additionally, such tools may be reusable, repairable, and more readily modifiable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: TOUCHSTONE RESEARCH LABORATORY, LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Matviya
  • Publication number: 20100009124
    Abstract: A mandrel used to cure a composite part layup has an elastic body and at least one internal open space therein. The internal open space is configured to allow substantially uniform thermal expansion of the body during curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Brian G. Robins, Kurtis Willden, Ethan W. Hunter, Nika McManus
  • Patent number: 7628605
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the mold stack. For example, a mold stack is provided. The mold stack comprises a first molding cavity defining component, a second molding cavity defining component and a third molding cavity defining component, with the second molding cavity defining component being located, in use, in-between the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component. At least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component is associated with a respective compensator, the respective compensator configured to allow the at least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component to align itself relative to the second molding cavity defining component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnold Mai, Friedheim Schmitz, Sven Kmoch, Laurent Christel Sigler
  • Patent number: 7597551
    Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating retaining member for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A retaining structure for use in a molding system, the retaining structure configured to cooperate with a slide that is configured to receive, in use, a split mold insert coupled to the slide, is provided. The retaining structure comprises a body defining a relief element configured to provide a degree of flexibility to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnold Mai, Friedhelm Schmitz, Sven Kmoch, Laurent Christel Sigler
  • Patent number: 7588439
    Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating core for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A core insert for use in a molding system is provided. The core insert comprises a core base for defining, in use, a portion of a molding cavity; a core support for supporting, in use, the core base relative to a core plate of the molding system; a compensator associated, at least partially, with the core support to permit at least a degree of axial movement to the core base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnold Mai, Friedhelm Schmitz, Sven Kmoch, Laurent Christel Sigler
  • Patent number: 7575429
    Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the compensating mold stack. A mold stack for use in a molding system is provided. The mold stack comprises at least two compensating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnold Mai, Friedhelm Schmitz, Sven Kmoch, Laurent Christel Sigler
  • Patent number: 7549616
    Abstract: A molding device is provided that includes outer and inner rubber molds that define a space therebetween for forming a column. Inserted within the inner mold is an elongated rigid member. A multisectional housing surrounds the outer mold and includes a plurality of sections that in a molding mode are secured together by fasteners. Once the column has been molded between the outer and inner molds, the fasteners are released allowing the sections of the housing to be relaxed or removed from around the outer mold. This permits the outer mold to expand or move slightly outwardly and in response to that outward movement, the pressure or force on the molded column lying between the outer and inner molds is reduced. This facilitates the extraction of the column from between the outer and inner molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Column & Post, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Koren
  • Patent number: 7361296
    Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel frame is integrally molded in a split mold including a lower mold portion (12) and a complemental mold portion. Channel-like spoke forming formations (12.1) receive layers (24.1) of molding material wrapped around heat expanding, resilient intensifiers (20) which are inwardly checked by resilient locking inserts (22) partially within a hub cavity and abutting a cylinder (18). During demolding, after curing, the locking inserts (22) and thereafter the intensifiers (20) are removed by longitudinally stretching and cross-sectionally reducing them, leaving the spokes hollow. During curing, the heat expanding intensifiers pressurize the spoke forming layers of molding material against the mold portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: High-Flyer Investment 5 (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Christian Andreas Adrian
  • Patent number: 6827322
    Abstract: A recoverable improved casing for the manufacture of recesses for buried bodies includes a mold with a section decreasing toward a smaller section end. The mould has internal longitudinal and transverse reinforcing ribs, which define nodes at their point of intersection. Some of these nodes have metallic flanges in a socket that are joined by tappets to a series of rods. The rods in turn are joined by tappets to a series of metallic interconnected crossbars. The ends of the crossbars protrude outside the mold, are joined by billets, and have a detachable coupling with the end of the rod of a hydraulic mold extractor piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Serafin Garrido Martinez, Juan Ramón Rivero Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6808154
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a member, such as a column. The invention comprises inner and outer molds that are spaced apart forming a cavity for receiving a viscous material for making the member. A core is inserted within the inner area of inner mold when the viscous material is initially disposed within the mold. Once the material attains a gelled state, an extraction member is inserted within the inner area. A vacuum is applied to the inner area that causes the flexible inner mold to separate from the material and conform to the extraction member allowing for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Column & Post., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Koren
  • Patent number: 6761555
    Abstract: A device for producing an opening or cavity in the side of a ceramic product during product molding in a mould with a molding cavity delimited by a molding surface which has a window, comprising a deformable punch, joined on the window, designed to project into or retract from the molding cavity, with the ability to vary its rigidity. The device comprises punch shape variation differential constriction means and actuator means for punch deformation, which together produce a controlled anisotropic punch deformation, which makes the punch project into the molding cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Soc. Coop. a r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio Sarani, Davide Visani
  • Publication number: 20040061040
    Abstract: Recoverable improved casing for the manufacture of recesses, which comprises a mould with a section decreasing towards the smaller section end, the mould having some internal longitudinal and transversal reinforcing ribs, which define nodes at their point of intersection, some of these nodes having some metallic flanges in the socket that, by means of tappets, are joined to a series of rods that in turn are joined by tappets to a series of metallic interconnected crossbars, the ends of which protrude outside the mould, being joined by means of billets and with a detachable coupling with the end of the rod of a hydraulic mould extractor piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Serafin Garrido Martinez, Juan Ramon Rivero Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20030141624
    Abstract: A panel-forming system including a plurality of bulkheads and one or more extensions. A first group of the bulkheads are used to define the overall dimensions and shape of the panel, while a second group are used to define at least one aperture formed into the panel. The extensions are made up of a bulkhead-engaging portion and a recess portion that extends from the bulkhead-engaging portion. The aperture extensions are configured to allow various-shaped recesses to be formed in the panels adjacent the apertures. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kyozaburo Takagi, Gordon Dodson
  • Patent number: 6279867
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-part form, for use in forming an inner wall of a mold. The multi-part form includes a consumable exterior wall for contacting a casting compound. A collapsible intermediate wall contacts an inner side of the exterior wall and an interior wall is slidably engaged with the intermediate wall. The present invention is also directed to a method of forming a containment member for molten metal. A mold having an inner wall is provided. The inner wall includes a consumable exterior wall for contacting a casting compound, a collapsible intermediate wall that contacts an inner side of the exterior wall and an interior wall that is slidably engaged with the intermediate wall. Also provided is an outer wall that substantially surrounds the inner wall and defines a space between the outer wall and the inner wall. Casting compound is poured into the space and the casting compound is allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Magneco/Metal, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Scott Knarr
  • Patent number: 6254812
    Abstract: A tooling concept uses a compliant forming surface for forming composite parts. The tooling concept utilizes a rigid support substructure that has a thin compliant forming surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tooling concept is used to form a composite sine wave spar. A preferred embodiment of the tooling concept includes upper and lower tool inserts and side tool inserts. The upper tool insert has a compliant forming surface that is located in between a rigid support substructure and the composite material used to form the composite part. Composite prepreg is laid up over a sine wave contour on the upper and lower tool inserts to form upper and lower U-shaped composite workpieces. The upper and lower tool inserts and workpieces are then brought together to form a sine wave I-beam. Radius fillers are then applied to the intersections between the upper and lower composite workpieces and cap strips are placed over the flanges of the joined composite workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Harold M. Goodridge, Kirk D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 6193209
    Abstract: An insert device for forming voids in concrete for various types of purposes, such as anchoring heavy machinery to a concrete foundation, is disclosed. A method for the use of the insert device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Ken Bergman
  • Patent number: 6110407
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for manufacturing shafts from composite materials, particularly shafts for golf clubs. An elongate mandrel, having a passage therein and having a plurality of holes between the passage and an outer surface of the mandrel, includes a flexible bladder, preferably latex, dipped and cured directly on the outer surface of the mandrel. A set of plies of pre-preg composite sheet is wrapped around the mandrel in a predetermined manner. The wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold, the bladder is inflated to a predetermined pressure. The pressurized wrapped mandrel is then heated for a predetermined period of time to cure the composite material to form a shaft, preferably for a golf club. While the shaft is cured in the mold, gas of a predetermined pressure is introduced through the passage in the mandrel to inflate the bladder and force the composite sheet against the walls of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: James M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6105924
    Abstract: A wedge apparatus for use with molds and a mold utilizing at least one wedge apparatus. The wedge apparatus includes a pair of attachment portions, each having an attachment surface and a wedge surface, a wedge portion, and a shaft. The wedge portion is slidably attached to the attachment portions and has a center portion terminating in a pair of center edges disposed at opposite angles to the wedge edges such that the center surface and the wedge surfaces form a substantially continuous mold surface. The shaft is attached to the center portion and extends through an opening through a cross member to maintain the center edges of the wedge portion in alignment with the wedge edges of the attachment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis E. Carr
  • Patent number: 5788874
    Abstract: A leak resistant hinge is provided for pivotally connecting adjacent concrete form sections to permit angular adjustment and movement of the form sections. The hinge includes first and second L-shaped hinge brackets which pivot about a pivot member to which both brackets are mounted. A gasket member is situated on the exterior of the first and second hinge brackets to seal the hinge while simultaneously permitting the first and second hinge brackets to pivot about the pivot member. Each hinge bracket is mountable to a respective adjacent concrete form section to permit adjacent form sections to pivot as needed to obtain the desired concrete form configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Bascom Murray Tucker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5720993
    Abstract: A collapsible core for concrete pipe making machines that are used in the dry cast process when lined pipe are to be produced. The collapsible core of the invention has a moveable front panel joined to two moveable side panels, all of the panels being connected to hydraulically powered linkage arrangements that will pull the panels straight back from the liner. The collapsible core is constructed so that when moveable panels of the core are retracted to collapse the core, the core panels are guided along radial lines of the core to pull the panels directly away from the pipe liner, thus practically eliminating the friction that causes bulging or pull out of the liner from the concrete pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Hawkeye Concrete Products Co.
    Inventor: Jon A. Schmidgall
  • Patent number: 5714080
    Abstract: A gated mold for casting concrete pipe requires no wedges or bolts for securement. A core mold may be contracted by lifting at an actuation point, and expanded by resting on a base ring. An external mold may be expanded by lifting at an actuation point, and contracted by resting on a base ring. The mold gates are opened and closed with sets of collapsing links pivotably attached to a longitudinally extending actuation column. Longitudinal motion of the actuation column forces the links to collapse or extend, thereby expanding or contracting the mold. Appropriately positioned actuation and lifting points are provided such that the mold can be lifted vertically along the longitudinal axis containing the mold center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ming C. Kuo, Paul Kubat
  • Patent number: 5709808
    Abstract: A formwork is to be used with a wall form assembly for forming a door opening in a concrete wall. The formwork mainly includes a parallel pair of mold frame members that are to be disposed between a parallel pair of wall form plates which confine a concrete pouring space for forming a concrete wall, and that are adapted to be mounted to the wall form plates. The mold frame members have partition plates that extend toward and that overlap one another. The partition plates are movable with the mold frame members towards and away from each other and confine a door opening that is isolated from the concrete pouring space. The formwork is easy to assemble and disassemble, is suitable for large-scale construction, and is adjustable to fit the size of the door frame that is to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Kuo-An Lee
  • Patent number: 5698065
    Abstract: Glass-fibre reinforced plastic tank, for example for liquid petroleum gas under high pressure, compressed air for air brakes or for storage of acetylene. The tank is composed of two halves, the open ends of which are conically bevelled to form a male end and a female end, which are joined to each other by an adhesive. The reinforcement in the outer and inner layers of the halves contains essentially longitudinal glass-fibre strands and the intermediate layer contains essentially longitudinal glass-fibre strands and the intermediate layer contains essentially transverse glass-fibre strands. In the half with the male end, the longitudinal glass-fibre strands in the inner layer are densely located adjacent to each other, while the longitudinal glass-fibre strands in the outer layer lie in separate groups of densely arranged glass-fibre strands with the predetermined spacing between the groups of form channel-shaped spaces. In the half with the female end, the order is reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Composite Scandinavia AB
    Inventor: Kurt Berglund
  • Patent number: 5679279
    Abstract: A shield or cover combined with a collapsible core used in machines for making concrete pipe lined with a plastic liner. The cover is mounted on the outside of the core between the core and the liner and extends the full length of the seam between the stationary side and the moveable side of the core. The cover extends around the core a sufficient distance to prevent friction between the liner and the moveable portion of the core from pulling the liner out of the concrete as the core is collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Hawkeye Concrete Products Co.
    Inventor: Jon A. Schmidgall
  • Patent number: 5667191
    Abstract: A casting is produced using a non-sand plastic core. The plastic core is made of a thermoplastic resin and set in a casting mold so as to form a cavity in the casting mold. A molten metal such as aluminum is poured under pressure into the cavity to form the casting (product). The plastic core maintains its initial shape during casting. The remaining heat of the casting or the solidifying metal causes the plastic core to melt after the casting so that the molten plastic core is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Suguro Nemoto
    Inventor: Masaru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5524861
    Abstract: A system of mounting a plurality of wall panels to a soffit layout which defines the building module's layout, utilizes exterior and interior wall panels which are hingedly mounted at the bottom and are actively displaced to permit the casting to be removed. The panels are movable through the use of manual or hydraulic actuators. When the interior panels are positioned to receive the mold material they are exactly vertical. To permit the creation of orthogonal corners, the invention employs a trapezoidal corner panel for use in each interior corner. This corner panel is movable independently of the wall panels although it fits in precise confronting relation with specially designed terminal sections of the wall panels. A spacer or filler segment is also utilized above each interior wall panel and outwardly of the marginal roof panels with the filler segment defining a horizontal junction for the casting wall and roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Modal Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5456593
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed for forming articles with internal undercuts by the use of lifter heads with transversely extending protrusions. The lifter heads are received in recesses in the mold projections which form the interior of the molded article. The transverse protrusions of the lifter heads extend into the voids surrounding the projections to form the undercuts. The lifter heads are extended outwardly from the projections to remove the article from the mold. Ejector pins move the molded article outwardly from the lifter heads. The lifter head protrusions have inward ramping surfaces which facilitate the removal of the molded article. A lifter head may include two, angularly offset protrusions which form two undercuts near the corner between intersecting internal walls of the molded article. The protrusions have beveled release surfaces which allow the molded article to shift transversely off the lifter heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Kleyn Die Engravers, Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik Kleyn
  • Patent number: 5429693
    Abstract: A method is described for forming a prestressed composite which comprises steps of applying matrix material to the fibers, selectively tensioning the fibers, winding the fibers on an adjustable mandrel and curing the matrix material with the fibers under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: David H. Rose
  • Patent number: 5381995
    Abstract: A compressible band and end retainer assembly which secures opposite ends of a band to an intermediate spacer. The band mounts between facing concrete sidewall forms to define a hole, upon pouring and curing a slurry of surrounding concrete. Various band geometries permit hole formation in planar or curvilinear poured walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: William M. Del Zotto
  • Patent number: 5368467
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed for forming articles with internal undercuts by the use of lifter heads with transversely extending protrusions. The lifter heads are received in recesses in the mold projections which form the interior of the molded article. The transverse protrusions of the lifter heads extend into the voids surrounding the projections to form the undercuts. The lifter heads are extended outwardly from the projections to remove the article from the mold. Ejector pins move the molded article outwardly from the lifter heads. The lifter head protrusions have inward ramping surfaces which facilitate the removal of the molded article. A lifter head may include two, angularly offset protrusions which form two undercuts near the corner between intersecting internal walls of the molded article. The protrusions have beveled release surfaces which allow the molded article to shift transversely off the lifter heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Kleyn Die Engravers, Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik Kleyn
  • Patent number: 5316611
    Abstract: A method for fabricating, and a resulting structure for, a seamless, reusable and collapsible mandrel suitable for forming a plurality of seamless and hollow fiber wound vessels upon is disclosed. A destructible mandrel is used to form the seamless reusable mandrel. The destructible mandrel is preferably formed from a material which can be destroyed by dissolving, for example, materials such as foam or plaster. The seamless, collapsible, and reusable mandrel includes a plurality of different layers including a gas impermeable layer, a continuous fiber wound layer, and a release surface forming the outermost layer of the seamless, collapsible, and reusable mandrel. The resulting seamless, reusable and collapsible mandrel has advantages over mandrels which include a seam. Such advantages include a longer useful life and consistently high quality fiber wound vessels at a relatively low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Edo Corporation, Fiber Science Division
    Inventor: Daniel J. Moser
  • Patent number: 5290006
    Abstract: A lightweight metal or plastic form that when collapsed can be installed on the inside of a temporarily suspended manhole casting and expanded by a mechanism having numerous arms connected at a center point and extending outwardly to spaced and positioned spring encasing brackets that compensate and adjust slightly the pressure that the arms project to the outer walls of a slotted circular shaped form. By a cam effect the handle locks into a over center position that is maintained without the aid of clamps or additional hardware so that the form will stay in position until the user lifts the handle upwardly which removes the device from the manhole and at the same time collapses the form. The inventions primary purpose is to provide a seal between a temporarily blocked up manhole metal casting and the manhole precast concrete riser rings so that cement may be applied around the outside of the manhole and vibrated into position without danger of any cement contaminating or plugging the sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Clifford Gouker
  • Patent number: 5266137
    Abstract: A rigid mandrel has a plurality of elongated sector pieces arranged in an edge-to-edge relationship to provide a peripheral wall for forming a hollow shell. One or more bladders are inflated within the peripheral wall by a pressurized fluid and edge portions of the sector pieces are configured to interlockingly engage corresponding edge portions of adjacent sector pieces when the bladder is in its fully inflated condition to form connecting joints which retain the sector pieces in a substantially rigid predetermined configuration corresponding to the peripheral wall. The connecting joints permit the sector pieces to be separated when the bladder is in a deflated condition, and a mandrel member provides an opening for removing the separated sector pieces from an interior chamber of the shell after the forming thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Ritch D. Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 5230904
    Abstract: Disclosed is a collapsible plug which is insertable into the interior section of an appliance cabinet and expandable therein to simultaneously extend the plurality of panels to provide lateral shoring support to each of the interior surfaces of the cabinet so as to prevent bulging thereof during the injection and curing of insulating foam in the cavity between the interior surfaces and external surfaces of the cabinet, and collapsible so that the plug can be inserted into and removed from the cabinet interior without contacting the interior surfaces during insertion nor removal. Particularly, the disclosed design allows different thicknesses of tooling panels having surfaces complementary to the interior surface of the cabinet to be employed without concern for contact between adjacent panels upon their retraction due to the additional thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Komo Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5217731
    Abstract: An injection-molding tool for producing pipe fittings with an internal groove has bead-forming segments of the core alternating with one another on respective bell crank levers at alternating bell-crank levers being fulcrummed at fixed locations on a core sleeve while the other bell-crank levers are fulcrummed on a ring movable axially on the core sleeve. The actuator is a hydraulically or pneumatically moved actuating sleeve having grooves or slits receiving radial arms of the levers with abutments or end surfaces axially staggered so that one group of segments is retracted inwardly and axially first to allow the second group of segments to be swung inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Rudolf Zahradnik
    Inventor: Gerhard Fallent
  • Patent number: 5156755
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming voids in concrete including baseplates secured to a wood supporting deck or form for a concrete floor by a plurality of short wood screws. An adjustable sleeve assembly is attached to each baseplate and is adjustable to a height generally equal to the thickness of the floor with the upper end of the sleeve being accessible and observable when concrete is poured. After the baseplates have been secured in place, various subsequent work procedures may be carried out without the workers encountering obstructions that would exist if upwardly projecting cavity forming members where attached to the wood deck and the sleeve assemblies are mounted prior to pouring the concrete. After the concrete has been poured and set, the sleeve assemblies and the baseplates are removed by unscrewing the sleeve assemblies, removing an upper sleeve and pulling a lower sleeve and baseplate up from the wood deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Ronald L. Cass