Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Including settable material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2003-04-08
Yao, Sam Chuan (Department: 1733)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Including settable material
C411S258000, C411S901000, C411S909000, C411S930000, C156S091000, C156S275700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06543976
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosed invention relates to a fastening device which is useful in facilitating the assembly of associated parts by employing a heat activated assembly element such as a dowel or a disc or a strip constructed to include a target material and a solid substance which will exhibit adhesive and expansive properties on exposure to heat. The heat will be generated in the target material by exposing the target material to electromagnetic waves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,120 to Russell describes the use of an energized heating element or wire to heat a hot melt glue resulting in adhesion between contiguously assembled panels. The reference method involves heating a glue-coated wire to liquefy the glue, producing a cohesive state and facilitating the assembly of panels. This method is useful for introducing a cohesive material (glue) to an area of limited accessibility (groove), but the heating element (wire) requires the direct application of energy (electricity) to provide the heat to melt the glue.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,402 to Sindt relates to the assembly of sheet materials by the use of a fastening device utilizing an apertured sheet of eddy current-conducting material sandwiched between coatings of hot-melt glue. An induction heating system is activated causing eddy current heating in the EC-conducting material with consequent melting of the hot-melt glue thus resulting in fusion and bonding of the sheet materials in accordance with the desired construction.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,031 to Heller et al. describes a method and material for welding thermoplastic bodies by using a susceptor sealant between the bodies to be joined. The susceptor sealant is characterized by having particles, heatable by induction, dielectric or radiant energy, dispersed in a thermoplastic carrier compatible with the thermoplastic sheets to be welded. The welding of the thermoplastic sheets is effected by applying and exposing the susceptor sealant to heat energy, softening the carrier material and joining all thermoplastic materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,803 to Klaas discloses a fastening device, which, in its most relevant embodiment, consists of a quantity of heat-activatable adhesive containing a closed electronically conductive loop and a ferromagnetic material insulated from said closed loop. In operation, the fastening device is activated by a solenoid coil energized with alternating electrical current. The current emitted from the solenoid is transferred to the fastening device where a current of large amperage and low voltage is generated in the loop enveloped by the heat-activatable adhesive. The current produces heat that causes the adhesive to become sticky. The efficiency, and apparently the usefulness, of the disclosed device is improved by fitting it with a ferromagnetic core enclosed within the closed loop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instantly disclosed fastening device is distinguished from, and goes beyond, the prior art by describing an assembly element which will provide structure, strength and stability to an assembled product while serving as a vehicle for introducing an adhesive material in a neat, non-messy form to internal and inaccessible areas of the parts to be assembled. In addition to providing adhesive properties, the disclosed device simultaneously expands upon exposure to heat; this expansion takes up assembly clearances and provides contact pressure at the interface between the adherends and the device. The disclosed device includes a target material for absorbing and converting electromagnetic waves to heat, and for conducting heat energy to both the expansive assembly element and the adhesive material so that it can be activated to provide an adhesive bond between the associated parts. This disclosure also relates to an improved and expeditious method for the assembly and adherence of associated parts of various materials which are mostly transparent to electromagnetic waves. The improved method utilizes a device which comprises an assembly element which includes a receptive target material for absorbing electromagnetic waves, a solid adhesive material contiguous with the conductive target material which will become physically or chemically adhesive by heat energy resulting from electromagnetic waves absorbed and conducted by the target material, and an expansive material which expands concurrently with the heat from the target material. This disclosure also relates to the assembled products produced according to the method utilizing the disclosed fastening device.
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Malofsky Adam G.
Malofsky Bernard M.
Remerowski David L.
Shomler Duane C.
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Senco Products Inc.
Yao Sam Chuan
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