US3745641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for joining two elements made of metal or thermoplastic material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-28
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Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1991-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of joining by friction two elements of metal or thermoplastic material in which the elements are maintained immobile in axially aligned spaced relation and an intermediate member is inserted therebetween for rotational movement while in pressure contact with the ends of the tubular members to be joined and the surfaces are softened by friction after which rotational movement of the intermediate member is stopped while maintaining pressure contact until the weld sets.
Inventors
- 👤 L Paolini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:35
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K20/00; B23K20/12; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/06; B29C65/0672; B29C65/78; B29C65/7802; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5221; B29C66/90; B29C66/97; B29C66/974; B29C66/70; B29C66/71; B29C66/91; B29C66/92; B29C66/924; B29C66/9261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for joining two elements of metal or thermoplastic material comprising maintaining the elements substantially immobile relative to each other with the surfaces to be joined facing each other in spaced parallel plane, positioning an intermediate member between the surfaces to be joined, rotating the intermediate member while in pressure contact with the surfaces to be joined until the said surfaces are caused to soften by friction, adjusting the position of the intermediate member in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces to be welded during rotational movement of the intermediate member in response to temperature and flow at the welding zone to provide uniformity in the welds at both ends of the intermediate member, and stopping rotation of the intermediate member while maintainiNg axial pressure on the parts to be joined until a weld has solidified.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for joining two elements of metal or thermoplastic material comprising maintaining the elements substantially immobile relative to each other with the surfaces to be joined facing each other in spaced parallel plane, positioning an intermediate member between the surfaces to be joined, rotating the intermediate member while in pressure contact with the surfaces to be joined until the said surfaces are caused to soften by friction, adjusting the position of the intermediate member in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces to be welded during rotational movement of the intermediate member in response to temperature and flow at the welding zone to provide uniformity in the welds at both ends of the intermediate member, and stopping rotation of the intermediate member while maintainiNg axial pressure on the parts to be joined until a weld has solidified.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1 which includes the step of axially displacing at least one of the elements in the direction towards the other to maintain pressure contact between the surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the elements to be joined are of tubular shape and wherein the intermediate member is a tubular member of short length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the intermediate member is continuously rotated in one direction about the axis of the elements to be joined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the intermediate member is rotated in a reciprocal movement about the axis of the elements to be joined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 which includes the steps of controlling the position of the intermediate member in response to temperature and flow at the welding zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the elements to be joined and the intermediate member are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal in the form of iron, copper, aluminum and alloys thereof, and a thermoplastic material in the form of a polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for joining two tubular elements by friction comprising support means for maintaining the ends of the tubular elements in fixed position in parallel spaced relation, means for supporting a short tubular member in alignment between the spaced ends of the tubular elements, means for rotating the short tubular member between the tubular elements to be joined, traction means for moving at least one of the tubular elements in the direction towards the other to effect pressure contact between the end surfaces of the tubular elements and the tubular member during rotational movement to soften the material by frictional engagement, said traction means being effective to maintain axial pressure after the material has been reduced to a softened state and the rotational movement of the tubular member has been stopped to effect joinder, and means for adjusting the position of the tubular member relative to the ends of the tubular elements in response to temperature and flow at the weld zones.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for joining two tubular elements by friction comprising support means for maintaining the ends of the tubular elements in fixed position in parallel spaced relation, means for supporting a short tubular member in alignment between the spaced ends of the tubular elements, means for rotating the short tubular member between the tubular elements to be joined, traction means for moving at least one of the tubular elements in the direction towards the other to effect pressure contact between the end surfaces of the tubular elements and the tubular member during rotational movement to soften the material by frictional engagement, said traction means being effective to maintain axial pressure after the material has been reduced to a softened state and the rotational movement of the tubular member has been stopped to effect joinder, and means for adjusting the position of the tubular member relative to the ends of the tubular elements in response to temperature and flow at the weld zones.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular member is mounted for continuous movement in one direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular member is mounted for reciprocal movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |