US5384083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming a glove attachment
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1992-08-14
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2012-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming a glove attachment principally for the palm of an astronaut glove to enhance the gripping area of the palm without detracting from the flexibility and utility of the glove. The attachment is a composite construction formed from a layer of silicone rubber having an outer surface with a friction configuration and an another layer of silicone rubber in which a meta-aramid mesh fabric is embedded prior to curing. The method of construction involves the use of a mold with a friction configuration surface. A first layer of silicone rubber or sealant is disposed in the mold and allowed to set for an hour. A second layer of silicone rubber or sealant is layered over the first layer and leveled. A meta-aramid mesh fabric is embedded into the second layer and the composite is permitted to cure. When cured, a configured area of the composite construction is glued or stitched to the palm area of the glove.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic S. Dawn
- 👤 Walter W. Guy
- 👤 Joseph J. Kosmo
- 👤 Arthur P. Drennan
- 👤 Richard P. Tschirch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:18
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B29C70/34; A; A41; A41D; A41D19/00; A41D19/015; A41D19/01547; A41D19/01558; B29C70/06; B29C70/08; B29K; B29K2083/00; B29K2277/00; B29K2277/10; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/48; B29L2031/4842; B29L2031/4864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of constructing a thin, lightweight, flexible, durable composite structure that is functional over a wide range of temperatures in a space environment for attachment to glove areas for enhancing frictional characteristics including the steps of: constructing a mold with a bottom surface arranged in a frictional pattern, applying a release agent to the mold for casting; disposing a first liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures in the mold to form a first layer of material of selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; permitting the first liquid silicone rubber to set to a gel state, disposing a second liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures over the first liquid silicone rubber compound and forming the second liquid silicone rubber compound to a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; overlaying the second liquid silicone rubber compound with a meta-aramid mesh fabric having a thickness less than the thickness of said second liquid silicone rubber compound; forcing the fabric into said second liquid silicone rubber compound to extrude said second liquid silicone rubber compound through the fabric mesh; smoothing off the surface of said second liquid silicone rubber compound whereby the thickness of the first and second silicone rubber layers is between 36 and 40 mils; and curing said first and second silicone rubber compounds.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of constructing a thin, lightweight, flexible, durable composite structure that is functional over a wide range of temperatures in a space environment for attachment to glove areas for enhancing frictional characteristics including the steps of: constructing a mold with a bottom surface arranged in a frictional pattern, applying a release agent to the mold for casting; disposing a first liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures in the mold to form a first layer of material of selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; permitting the first liquid silicone rubber to set to a gel state, disposing a second liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures over the first liquid silicone rubber compound and forming the second liquid silicone rubber compound to a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; overlaying the second liquid silicone rubber compound with a meta-aramid mesh fabric having a thickness less than the thickness of said second liquid silicone rubber compound; forcing the fabric into said second liquid silicone rubber compound to extrude said second liquid silicone rubber compound through the fabric mesh; smoothing off the surface of said second liquid silicone rubber compound whereby the thickness of the first and second silicone rubber layers is between 36 and 40 mils; and curing said first and second silicone rubber compounds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mold is prepared by first applying a mold release wax to the frictional pattern, buffing the mold release wax and applying a release agent to the mold release wax surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of forcing the fabric into said second liquid silicone rubber compound includes applying a polyester film with a soft pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the polyester film is stripped off prior to smoothing off the surface of said second liquid silicone rubber compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a thickness shim is added to the mold prior to adding the second layer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of constructing a thin (less than 40 mils in thickness), lightweight, flexible, durable composite structure that is functional over a wide range of temperatures in a deep space environment for attachment to glove areas for enhancing frictional characteristics including the steps of: constructing a mold with a bottom surface arranged in a frictional pattern, applying a release agent to the mold for casting, disposing a first liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures in the mold to form a first layer of material with a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; permitting the first liquid silicone rubber to set to a gel state, attaching a thickness shim to the mold, disposing a second liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures over the first liquid silicone rubber compound and forming a second liquid silicone rubber compound to a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; overlaying the second liquid silicone rubber compound with a meta-aramid mesh fabric having a thickness less than the thickness of said second liquid silicone rubber compound; placing a polyester film over the mesh fabric, applying pressure to the film to force the fabric into said second liquid silicone rubber compound to extrude said second liquid silicone rubber compound through the fabric mesh; stripping off the polyester film; smoothing off the surface of said second liquid silicone rubber compound whereby the thickness of the composite structure is between 36 and 40 mils; and curing said first and second silicone rubber compounds prior to stripping the composite structure from the mold.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of constructing a thin (less than 40 mils in thickness), lightweight, flexible, durable composite structure that is functional over a wide range of temperatures in a deep space environment for attachment to glove areas for enhancing frictional characteristics including the steps of: constructing a mold with a bottom surface arranged in a frictional pattern, applying a release agent to the mold for casting, disposing a first liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures in the mold to form a first layer of material with a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; permitting the first liquid silicone rubber to set to a gel state, attaching a thickness shim to the mold, disposing a second liquid silicone rubber compound which can set at ambient temperatures over the first liquid silicone rubber compound and forming a second liquid silicone rubber compound to a selected uniform thickness of approximately 18 to 20 mils; overlaying the second liquid silicone rubber compound with a meta-aramid mesh fabric having a thickness less than the thickness of said second liquid silicone rubber compound; placing a polyester film over the mesh fabric, applying pressure to the film to force the fabric into said second liquid silicone rubber compound to extrude said second liquid silicone rubber compound through the fabric mesh; stripping off the polyester film; smoothing off the surface of said second liquid silicone rubber compound whereby the thickness of the composite structure is between 36 and 40 mils; and curing said first and second silicone rubber compounds prior to stripping the composite structure from the mold.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |