US20030094772A1 - In situ gasket moulding - Google Patents
In situ gasket moulding Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030094772A1 US20030094772A1 US10/312,540 US31254002A US2003094772A1 US 20030094772 A1 US20030094772 A1 US 20030094772A1 US 31254002 A US31254002 A US 31254002A US 2003094772 A1 US2003094772 A1 US 2003094772A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gasket
- hollow form
- shape
- foam
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/06—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
- B29C44/02—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
- B29C44/12—Incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or reinforcements
- B29C44/14—Incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or reinforcements the preformed part being a lining
- B29C44/16—Incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or reinforcements the preformed part being a lining shaped by the expansion of the material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S248/00—Supports
- Y10S248/90—Movable or disengageable on impact or overload
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method of forming a gasket on a hollow article during the process of filling the article with foam.
- Mirror heads are generally pivotally connected to supporting brackets which are in turn attached to motor vehicle bodies.
- the brackets are normally moulded components and are attached via threaded fasteners. They have a gasket or thin rubber sealing strip placed between the bracket and the body of the vehicle. This gasket forms a weather-proof seal between the vehicle and the bracket.
- the invention is a method of forming a gasket over an opening of a hollow form comprising:
- the pressure exerted by the foam while the hollow form is held against the mould is sufficient to cause the gasket material to deform to the required shape as defined by the mould.
- the hollow form is held against the mould as the foam cures so that when the product is released from the mould, the gasket retains the shape of the mould.
- This process has the advantage of moulding the gasket to the required shape while at the same time using the foam to glue the gasket to the hollow form.
- the gasket also stops foam leaking out during the filling process.
- the process avoids the need of forming the foam directly against a mould surface which would require use of a mould release agent.
- the avoidance of using any mould release agents is important, as residues of these agents may migrate to surfaces that require painting. This is not possible if the surface is contaminated with mould release agent.
- FIGS. 1 to 6 show the production steps for foam filling of a mirror head incorporating a gasket over an opening on a mirror mounting bracket.
- the process starts with a hollow form or article 10 having an opening 11 .
- the article 10 is to be filled with expanding foam and it is also to have a gasket 12 formed across the opening 11 .
- the gasket 12 is to be formed during the moulding process into the required shape. This is achieved using a mould 13 that has the required shape 14 in relief on the surface of the mould.
- the process comprises cutting or moulding the gasket 12 to the required shape. It is then placed against the mould 13 and held in place by the article 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
- Foam 15 is then injected into the cavity of the article 10 .
- the foam 15 expands and applies pressure to the gasket 12 so that the gasket 12 forms the shape defined by the mould 13 . This is shown in FIG. 5.
- the required amount of pre-mixed foam may be placed within the article 10 just prior to it being placed against the gasket 12 and mould 13 .
- the article 10 can be removed from the mould 13 .
- the foam will adhere the gasket 12 to the article 10 and also maintain the required shape.
- the article 10 is then ready to fit directly to either a motor vehicle body or some other fitting.
- this aspect of the invention provides a greatly simplified means of manufacturing an article with a pre-fitted gasket rather than having to assemble the article with the gasket at a later stage. Also it meets the requirements of sealing an article with an opening with is to be filled with foam. A combination of these features produces a useful and unique result.
- Such components include electronic sensors such as proximity sensors to determine if the vehicle mirror is close to an obstruction, sensors that sense external temperature and humidity, and sensors incorporated with the car security system such as motion detectors.
- Other various electronic equipment may be incorporated into the mirror mounting brackets such as lights used to light the area around the vehicle, or lights that may be controlled from within the vehicle that enable the light to be moved so as to provide directional lighting.
- Speakers and microphones used to communicate to people external of the vehicle may also be incorporated as well as antennas for various apparatus such as mobile phones, GPS devices and other radio communication devices.
- transmitters may be incorporated into the mounting bracket which are used for controlling external objects such as garage doors or providing radio transmissions which may be used, for example, to track or locate the vehicle.
- Other electronic devices such as automatic toll payment systems or remote transaction systems may be incorporated into the mounting bracket to enable electronic registration of various toll payments.
- Cameras may also be incorporated into the mounting bracket which are both forward and rearward looking which are designed to continuously digital images and to store those images either on command or as a result of an accident.
- Motion sensors can be used to determine the occurrence of an accident so that images before and after the event are stored.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
- Gasket Seals (AREA)
- Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a method of forming a gasket on a hollow article during the process of filling the article with foam.
- This application describes improvement to the external mirror assembly and method of manufacture described in the applicant's earlier International Patent Application PCT/AU00/00054. The disclosure contained in that specification is included by reference to this specification. This specification should be reviewed in conjunction with the disclosure contained in the above application.
- Mirror heads are generally pivotally connected to supporting brackets which are in turn attached to motor vehicle bodies. The brackets are normally moulded components and are attached via threaded fasteners. They have a gasket or thin rubber sealing strip placed between the bracket and the body of the vehicle. This gasket forms a weather-proof seal between the vehicle and the bracket.
- Traditionally, such gaskets are either pre-cut to the required shape or are injection moulded from rubber. They are either glued to the bracket or held in place during assembly.
- This specification describes an improved method of providing either a gasket or seal for a component that is attached to another article. The invention could be suited to applications in other areas so the invention as described herein is not necessarily restricted to the application of mirror heads and attachment brackets.
- In its broadest form, the invention is a method of forming a gasket over an opening of a hollow form comprising:
- placing an unformed gasket over a mould surface having a shape in relief being the shape to which said gasket is to be formed;
- placing said hollow form onto said mould so that said gasket is held between said opening of said hollow form and said mould surface, and
- locating expanding foam material within said hollow form so that said foam pushes against said gasket to form it to the shape of said mould surface said shape being retained upon setting of said foam.
- The pressure exerted by the foam while the hollow form is held against the mould is sufficient to cause the gasket material to deform to the required shape as defined by the mould. The hollow form is held against the mould as the foam cures so that when the product is released from the mould, the gasket retains the shape of the mould.
- This process has the advantage of moulding the gasket to the required shape while at the same time using the foam to glue the gasket to the hollow form. The gasket also stops foam leaking out during the filling process. Also, the process avoids the need of forming the foam directly against a mould surface which would require use of a mould release agent. The avoidance of using any mould release agents is important, as residues of these agents may migrate to surfaces that require painting. This is not possible if the surface is contaminated with mould release agent.
- Although this invention has numerous applications, a particular application described in this specification will be in relation to its use with foam filling of hollow forms such as mirror heads or mirror mounting brackets. Gaskets on such hollow forms perform a number of functions. For instance they are used to form a seal between the component and attachment point of the vehicle (to provide weather proofing), to provide a better fit to the vehicle and/or to improve the appearance of the joint.
- In order to fully understand the invention as described above, a preferred embodiment will now be described. However, it should be realised that the scope of the embodiments described do not restrict the invention to the precise detail of the embodiment.
- FIGS.1 to 6 show the production steps for foam filling of a mirror head incorporating a gasket over an opening on a mirror mounting bracket.
- As seen in FIG. 1, the process starts with a hollow form or
article 10 having anopening 11. Thearticle 10 is to be filled with expanding foam and it is also to have agasket 12 formed across the opening 11. Thegasket 12 is to be formed during the moulding process into the required shape. This is achieved using amould 13 that has the requiredshape 14 in relief on the surface of the mould. The process comprises cutting or moulding thegasket 12 to the required shape. It is then placed against themould 13 and held in place by thearticle 10 as shown in FIG. 4.Foam 15 is then injected into the cavity of thearticle 10. Thefoam 15 expands and applies pressure to thegasket 12 so that thegasket 12 forms the shape defined by themould 13. This is shown in FIG. 5. - In addition to injecting the
foam 15, the required amount of pre-mixed foam may be placed within thearticle 10 just prior to it being placed against thegasket 12 andmould 13. - After the
foam 15 is set, thearticle 10 can be removed from themould 13. The foam will adhere thegasket 12 to thearticle 10 and also maintain the required shape. - The
article 10 is then ready to fit directly to either a motor vehicle body or some other fitting. - Clearly, this aspect of the invention provides a greatly simplified means of manufacturing an article with a pre-fitted gasket rather than having to assemble the article with the gasket at a later stage. Also it meets the requirements of sealing an article with an opening with is to be filled with foam. A combination of these features produces a useful and unique result.
- Australian Patent No. 639105 titled “Spigot Type Bread-Away Mirror” and International Application No. AU00/00068 titled “Pivot With A Detent” describe pivot mechanisms that may be incorporated between a mirror mounting bracket and a mirror head. The disclosure of both of these specifications is incorporated in its entirety herewith. The pivot mechanisms disclosed in both of these specifications that may be used with the mounting bracket described in this invention.
- Australian Patent Application No. 68997/98 titled “A mirror operating Mechanism” and International Application No. AU00/00009 titled “A mirror rotation mechanism” described electric power fold mechanisms which move a mirror head from its normal in use position to a parked position where the mirror head is rotated towards the body of the vehicle. Both of these inventions could be used with the mounting bracket described in this invention and the disclosure of both of these specifications is incorporated in their entirety within this specification.
- International Patent Application No. AU00/00413 titled “method of producing a plastic moulded part including a film covering” discloses a method of forming a moulding component comprising an outer thin film component with an adhered moulded shell. This invention could be used to mould the hollow form component subject of this invention and the disclosure of this application is incorporated herewith in its entirety.
- International Patent Application No. AU00/00815 titled “Load support for a wing mirror” describes a method of supporting a mirror head on a mounting bracket. This support could be incorporated on the mirror mounting bracket subject of this invention and the disclosure of this application is incorporated in its entirety herewith.
- It would also be possible to incorporate other components with the mirror mounting bracket. Such components include electronic sensors such as proximity sensors to determine if the vehicle mirror is close to an obstruction, sensors that sense external temperature and humidity, and sensors incorporated with the car security system such as motion detectors. Other various electronic equipment may be incorporated into the mirror mounting brackets such as lights used to light the area around the vehicle, or lights that may be controlled from within the vehicle that enable the light to be moved so as to provide directional lighting. Speakers and microphones used to communicate to people external of the vehicle may also be incorporated as well as antennas for various apparatus such as mobile phones, GPS devices and other radio communication devices. In addition, transmitters may be incorporated into the mounting bracket which are used for controlling external objects such as garage doors or providing radio transmissions which may be used, for example, to track or locate the vehicle. Other electronic devices such as automatic toll payment systems or remote transaction systems may be incorporated into the mounting bracket to enable electronic registration of various toll payments.
- Cameras may also be incorporated into the mounting bracket which are both forward and rearward looking which are designed to continuously digital images and to store those images either on command or as a result of an accident. Motion sensors can be used to determine the occurrence of an accident so that images before and after the event are stored.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPQ7949A AUPQ794900A0 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-06-05 | Improved external vehicle mirror and method for manufacture |
PCT/AU2001/000665 WO2001094091A1 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | In situ gasket moulding |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030094772A1 true US20030094772A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
Family
ID=3822021
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/312,540 Abandoned US20030094772A1 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | In situ gasket moulding |
US10/297,538 Expired - Fee Related US6896378B2 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | External vehicle mirror and method for manufacture |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/297,538 Expired - Fee Related US6896378B2 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2001-06-05 | External vehicle mirror and method for manufacture |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20030094772A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1292438A1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP2003535747A (en) |
AU (3) | AUPQ794900A0 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2001094091A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080262466A1 (en) * | 2007-04-19 | 2008-10-23 | Steve Smith | Storage container |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4961171B2 (en) * | 2006-06-22 | 2012-06-27 | 株式会社ミツバ | Vehicle door mirror |
EP2399778B1 (en) | 2010-06-28 | 2013-01-02 | SMR Patents S.à.r.l. | External rear view mirror assembly |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3505436A (en) * | 1965-07-01 | 1970-04-07 | Freudenberg Carl | Production of foam article |
US5889624A (en) * | 1996-05-01 | 1999-03-30 | Paccar Inc | Plug-in mirror |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3408136A (en) * | 1965-05-25 | 1968-10-29 | Signal Stat Corp | Rearview vehicle mirror with flat and convex elements |
DE2537876C3 (en) * | 1975-08-26 | 1980-04-24 | Reitter & Schefenacker Kg, 7300 Esslingen | Rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles |
US4174823A (en) * | 1978-01-23 | 1979-11-20 | Desmo Limited | Motor vehicle rear-view mirrors |
DE2820883A1 (en) * | 1978-05-12 | 1979-11-15 | Licentia Gmbh | Exterior mirror for motor vehicle - comprises mirror-backed glass in housing, with interposed plastics, moulded, foam packing, and elastic edge seal |
US4256375A (en) * | 1979-02-26 | 1981-03-17 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Remote controllable motorized rear view mirror |
JPS58208025A (en) * | 1982-05-27 | 1983-12-03 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Manufacture of heat-insulating door |
DE3437865A1 (en) * | 1983-10-21 | 1985-05-09 | Kabushiki Kaisha Swallow Ski, Iiyama, Nagano | MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR SKIS |
FR2633568B1 (en) * | 1988-07-01 | 1991-11-22 | Harman Automotive Sa | MIRROR WITH HOUSING AND TWO-MATERIAL BASE |
US5328648A (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1994-07-12 | Foam Enterprises, Inc. | Method of using a composite joint infill system |
DE4429604A1 (en) | 1994-08-20 | 1996-02-22 | Mekra Rangau Plastics | External mirror for heavy vehicles and omnibuses |
CA2198267C (en) | 1997-02-21 | 2001-02-06 | Heinrich Lang | External mirror for motor vehicles |
DE19711547A1 (en) * | 1997-03-20 | 1998-09-24 | Mekra Lang Gmbh & Co Kg | Rearview mirror arrangement for commercial vehicles, especially for buses |
US6030560A (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 2000-02-29 | International Cushioned Products, Inc. | Method for making a cushioned article |
AUPP849099A0 (en) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-02-25 | Britax Rainsfords Pty Ltd | Vehicle external mirror housing |
DE19913072B4 (en) * | 1999-03-23 | 2005-10-13 | Mekra Lang Gmbh & Co. Kg | Exterior mirrors for motor vehicles |
-
2000
- 2000-06-05 AU AUPQ7949A patent/AUPQ794900A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
2001
- 2001-06-05 JP JP2002501690A patent/JP2003535747A/en active Pending
- 2001-06-05 US US10/312,540 patent/US20030094772A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-05 WO PCT/AU2001/000665 patent/WO2001094091A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-06-05 WO PCT/AU2001/000664 patent/WO2001094154A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-06-05 EP EP01937860A patent/EP1292438A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-06-05 AU AU2001263649A patent/AU2001263649A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-05 US US10/297,538 patent/US6896378B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-06-05 JP JP2002501638A patent/JP2003534957A/en active Pending
- 2001-06-05 AU AU2001263648A patent/AU2001263648A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-05 EP EP01937859A patent/EP1296851A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3505436A (en) * | 1965-07-01 | 1970-04-07 | Freudenberg Carl | Production of foam article |
US5889624A (en) * | 1996-05-01 | 1999-03-30 | Paccar Inc | Plug-in mirror |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080262466A1 (en) * | 2007-04-19 | 2008-10-23 | Steve Smith | Storage container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6896378B2 (en) | 2005-05-24 |
JP2003535747A (en) | 2003-12-02 |
AU2001263648A1 (en) | 2001-12-17 |
AUPQ794900A0 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
EP1296851A1 (en) | 2003-04-02 |
US20030128446A1 (en) | 2003-07-10 |
WO2001094091A1 (en) | 2001-12-13 |
AU2001263649A1 (en) | 2001-12-17 |
WO2001094154A1 (en) | 2001-12-13 |
EP1292438A1 (en) | 2003-03-19 |
JP2003534957A (en) | 2003-11-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHEFENACKER VISION SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, AUS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GILBERT, ROBERT WILLIAM;FIMERI, GARY GORDON LESLIE;SCHWARZ, PAUL MICHAEL;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013760/0976 Effective date: 20021128 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHEFENACKER VISION SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, AUS Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT ASSIGNOR'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 013760 FRAME 0976;ASSIGNORS:GILBERT, ROBERT WILLIAM;FIEMERI, GARRY GORDON LESLIE;SCHWARZ, PAUL MICHAEL;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014312/0731 Effective date: 20021128 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |