Method and apparatus for securing sheets to slats and in spaces therebetween for forming a composite structure
US5453142A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1095
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite structure such as a roller door comprises a plurality of rigid slats (1) arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart transversely in an array, the array of slats being sandwiched between upper (3) and lower (4) flexible sheets fixed together in the spaces (5) between adjacent slats to form flexible hinge portions. Preferably the structure is formed by advancing the array of slats (1), in the longitudinal direction of the slats through means which applies the upper and lower flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats and bonds the flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats, then passing the resulting assembly, still in the longitudinal direction of the slats, through apparatus which bears on the flexible sheets and deforms them, in the interstices between the slats, until the upper and lower sheets come together in said interstices and are bonded to each other where they come together. Thus, the slats are securely encapsulated between the flexible sheets and the portion of the flexible sheets between adjacent slats form said flexible hinge portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.