Compression molding fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9677596-B2
Application number	US-201314403545-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 22, 2013
Priority date	May 22, 2012
Publication date	Jun 13, 2017
Grant date	Jun 13, 2017

Abstract

A method for forming an elevated surface feature for compression molded assemblies includes the placement of an afore-mentioned insert onto an actuated fixture pin with the pin initially in a retracted position. An upper portion of a mold configured with said retracted actuated fixture pin over a preform of pre-preg plies placed on the bottom portion of the mold is then closed. The fixture pin is actuated towards the pre-preg plies when a flowable material fills a molding cavity in the upper portion of the mold. The cavity is configured to form the elevated surface feature with the advancing action of the insert packs out the surface feature under the pressure of the pin to eliminate porosity in the elevated surface feature in the molding cavity.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A molded article comprising:
molded material; and
an insert comprising:
a head with an open end, a lip, and a circular retaining ring defined by parallel walls and surrounding a counter bore;
a cylindrical center space extending from the counter bore within an interior of said insert with a series of threads formed on a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical center space defined by the cylindrical wall to accommodate a fastener;
a multi-faced region with a plurality of flat faces on an exterior of the insert and surrounding the cylindrical center space; and
a tapered region extended from said multi-faced region that terminates in a sharpened leading edge;
wherein said molded material is in contact with said plurality of flat faces and said tapered region of the insert.

2. The molded article of claim 1 wherein said insert further comprising a recessed area on the exterior of the insert and located intermediate between said open end and said multi-faced region.

3. The molded article of claim 1 wherein the sharpened leading edge of said insert forms a point.

4. The molded article of claim 2 wherein said recessed area of said insert below said lip has a circumference that is less than the circumference of said retaining ring.

5. The molded article of claim 1 wherein said insert is formed of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, high temperature plastics, or composite materials.

6. A method for forming an elevated surface feature for compression molded assemblies; said method comprising:
placing an insert on to an actuated fixture pin with the pin initially in a retracted position;
closing an upper portion of a mold configured with said retracted actuated fixture pin over a preform of pre-preg plies placed on the bottom portion of said mold; and
actuating said fixture pin towards said pre-preg plies when a flowable material fills a molding cavity in the upper portion of the mold, said cavity configured to form said elevated surface feature; the advancing action of said insert packs out the surface feature under the pressure of the pin to eliminate porosity in the elevated surface feature in the molding cavity; and
wherein said insert comprises: a head with an open end, a lip, and a retaining ring surrounding a counter bore;
a cylindrical center space extending from the counter bore within an interior of said insert with a series of threads formed on a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical center space defined by the cylindrical wall to accommodate a fastener;
a multi-faced region with a plurality of flat faces on an exterior of the insert and surrounding the cylindrical center space; and
a tapered region extended from said multi-faced region that terminates in a sharpened leading edge; wherein the sharpened leading edge forms a point; a rounded recessed area below said lip has a circumference that is less than the circumference of said retaining ring, said insert is formed of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, high temperature plastics, or composite materials.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising heating said cavity to cure said flowable material.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising forming a seal between the counter bore and said actuated fixture pin.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising preventing said flowable material from flowing beyond said retaining ring and said lip.

Assignees

• Continental Structural Plastics Inc

Inventors

• Johnston Christopher

Classifications

• B29L2031/727

  Fastening elements (bolts B29L2001/002; nuts B29L2001/005; screws B29L2001/007; slide fasteners B29L2005/00; buttons for haberdashery B29L2019/00) · CPC title

• B29C70/682

  Preformed parts characterised by their structure, e.g. form · CPC title

• B29K2101/12

  Thermoplastic materials · CPC title

• B29K2105/0872

  Prepregs · CPC title

• B29C33/12

  with incorporated means for positioning inserts, e.g. labels {(positioning reinforcements B29C70/541)} · CPC title