Patent · US Active

Sandwich board assembly having thermoplastic joining element

US9032693B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
29References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 2014
Grant dateMay 19, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 30, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/4949
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An assembly including a joining element and an object, the object having a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a middle layer between the first and second outer layers. The object has an opening that extends through the first outer layer and the middle layer, and the joining element is anchored in the opening. The joining element includes a proximal end, a distal end, a contact face in the area of the proximal end, a wall anchoring portion, and a tubular portion. The contact face is engaged by a vibrating tool that applies mechanical vibration and axial force to the joining element. The joining element includes a thermoplastic material at least at the circumferential surface of the wall anchoring portion and at the distal end to anchor the joining element to the first and second outer layers, respectively.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.