| WO/2002/009923 | CHANGEABLE INJECTION MOLD INSERT |
| JP2004175032 | INJECTION-MOLDED ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR SPILL-OUT PROCESSING IN INJECTION MOLDING |
| JP2004299351 | INJECTION MOLDING MOLD |
EIDSVIK, Ingegjerd (Håhjem, Skodje, N-6260, NO)
| P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. A tool, preferably an injection molding tool, for manufacture of a latch groove (4; 4') in a product part (3; 3'), preferably a part of a child seat, comprising a first (1 ; 1') and a second; (2; 2') tool component for forming of the product part (3; 3') between the tool components (1 , 2; 1', 2'), characterized i n that in the second tool component (2; 2') there is formed a protruding groove tongue (17; 17') for configuration of the groove (4; 4') in the product part (3; 3'), and that along a length of the groove tongue (17; 17') there is configured a projecting part (18; 18'), and wherein at least one end of the projecting part (18; 18') extends past a side (20, 21; 20', 21') of the groove tongue (17; 17') for formation of at least one retainer edge (11; 11 ') in the product part (3; 3'), wherein there is provided in the first tool component (1; 1') a recess (14; 14') that corresponds in its positioning to the projecting part (17; 17') to form a connecting bridge section (7; 7') between a first (8; 8') and a second (9; 9') section of the product part (3; 3') separated by the groove (4; 4'), wherein the projecting part (17; 17') in the second tool component (2; 2') defines a space (10, 10') in the product part (3; 3') extending between the at least one retainer edge (11; 11') and the bridge section (7; 7'). 2. A tool according to claim 1, characterized i n that the projecting part (18') extends past a side (21) of the groove tongue (17) to form one retainer edge (11) in the product part (3). 3. A tool according to claim 1, characterized i n that the projecting part (18') extends past two opposing sides (20', 21') of the groove tongue (17') to form two retainer edges (11') in the product part (3'). 4. A tool according to any one of the above claims, characterized i n that a number of recesses (14; 14') are formed in the first tool component (1; 1') and that a corresponding number of projecting parts (18; 18') are formed in the second tool component (2; 2') for the formation of a corresponding number of bridge sections (7, ) between the product sections (8, 9; 8', 9'). 5. A method for manufacturing a product part (3; 3') with a tool as disclosed in one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by the steps of - bringing the first (1 ; 1') and the second (2; 2') tool component into contact with each other, or only one tool component (1 , 2; 1', 2') into contact with a fixed second tool component (2, 1; 1', 2'), - introducing a material into a molding cavity between the tool components (1 , 2; 1', 2'), - hardening or solidifying the material in the molding cavity, - breaking the contact between the tool components (1, 2; 1', 2'), and - releasing the product part (3; 3') from the tool components (1 , 2; 1 ', 2'). 6. A method according to claim 5, characterized by injection molding of the product part (3; 3'), wherein the material is a plastic material. |
The present invention relates to a tool and a method for manufacturing a latch groove in a product. More specifically the invention relates to a tool and a method as disclosed in the preamble of claims 1 and 5, respectively.
For the fastening of a fabric seat cover to a child seat made of injection molded plastic it has previously been known to attach the seat cover along the two sides of the child seat in their respective undercut grooves by wrapping an edge of the seat cover end around a latch cable threaded into the groove from one end thereof, and thus locking the seat cover in the groove, generally as shown in the attached Fig. 5B, and where the area above and below the groove is made of separate components that are glued together or joined by other suitable means before the seat cover wrapped around the latch cable is threaded in for locking the seat cover in the groove.
An objective of the present invention is to achieve fewer components and hence a simpler and less expensive production of a product than by the previously known technique. Also, by avoiding the use of glue or other means of joining the latch groove components, it will be possible to achieve more secure latching, which in certain cases could enhance the safety of the product, for example the child seat, as a whole.
According to the invention, attainment of the aforementioned and/or other objectives or advantages is sought through a tool and a method as disclosed in the characterizing clause of claims 1 and 5, respectively.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the following, with reference to the attached figures, wherein
Figure 1 is a first perspective view of two components of an injection molding tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, and having an injection molded part shown between them, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molding tool and the injection molded part shown in Fig. 1 ,
Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the injection molding tool and the injection molded part shown in Figs. 1 and 2,
Figure is a top view of the injection molding tool and the injection molded part shown in Figs. 1 -3,
Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view, along line D-D, of the injection molding tool and the injection molded part shown in Fig. 4,
Figure 5B is an enlarged view of the area within the circle in Fig. 5A, with a fabric wound around a latch cable in the groove,
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, along line B-B, of the injection molding tool and the injection molded part shown in Fig. 4,
Figures 7A-F are various perspective views of an injection molded part produced by means of an additional embodiment of an injection molding tool according to the invention,
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, along line A-A, of the injection molded part shown in Fig. 7A,
Figure 9 is a profile configured to be pressed into a corresponding groove in the injection molded part shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and
Figure 10 is a perspective view of two components of an injection molding tool in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, for forming of a product part generally as shown in Figs. 7-9.
Figs. 1-7 show a first embodiment of a tool in accordance with the invention comprising a first 1 and a second 2 tool component for forming, preferably by injection molding, a product part 3 having a groove 4 suitable for the insertion and latching of a fabric 5 in the groove 4 in product part 3, advantageously by the wrapping of a fabric 5 around a latch cable 6 prior to its insertion in groove 4, see particularly Fig. 5B. A continuous groove 4 in product part 3 is secured by means of bridge sections 7, advantageously disposed with uniform spacing along the length of groove 4, which join together a first 8 and a second 9 section of product part 3. Bridge section 7 has an inner curved aperture 10 oriented toward groove 4 for insertion there through of latch cable 6 with fabric 5 wound around latch cable 6. As is apparent particularly from Fig. 5B, the width of groove 4 between sections 8 and 9 is smaller than the diameter of latch cable 6 with fabric 5 wrapped around it, preventing latch cable 6 with fabric 5 wrapped around it from passing through groove 4. Also the size and the shape of aperture 10 is advantageously adapted for easy insertion there through of latch cable 6 with fabric 5 wrapped around it, there being a retainer edge 1 1 in the embodiment shown herein advantageously formed in section 8; the edge could also just as well be formed in section 9, or in both sections 8, 9, as in a second embodiment described below.
However, when product part 3 is used for covering an object with fabric 5 where the transition between fabric 5 and product part 3 is visible during use, it is preferable that retainer edge 1 1 is formed in only one of the sections 8, 9, and that fabric 5 is drawn toward that section 8, 9 in which the retainer edge 1 1 is formed, so that notches or discontinuities 12 in the retainer edge 11 resulting from the injection molding process are covered by fabric 5. In this way a straight transition between product part 3 and fabric 5 will be visible in a retainer zone for a finished, covered product, and where the discontinuities will be described in more detail below.
For reasons of production technology associated with the injection molding process, and as is also apparent particularly from the figures showing both the tool components 1 , 2 and product part 3, said notches or discontinuities 12 are configured in the retainer edge 11 at each bridge section 7 in order to be able to form an area 13 of bridge section 7 behind retainer edge 11 and facing the aperture 10.
For the configuration of product part 3, the first 1 and second 2 tool components advantageously comprise the following features: In the first tool component 1 it is advantageous to have uniformly spaced recesses 14 formed with a curved cross-section 15 corresponding to an outer curvature 16 in bridge section 7, for the shaping of the latter.
In the second tool component 2 there is configured a protruding groove tongue 17 for the forming of groove 4, and where projecting parts 18 having a curvature 19 corresponding to the curvature of aperture 10 in bridge section 7 are formed from the groove tongue 17, in positions corresponding to the position of the recesses 14 in the first tool component 1. For the formation of the retainer edge 1 1 , which thus results in the notches or discontinuities 12 in retainer edge 11 , the projecting parts 18 are eccentrically disposed on groove tongue 17 and have a first end flush with a first side 20 of groove tongue 17 and a second end projecting past an opposing second side 21 of groove tongue 17, advantageously in a direction transverse to the groove tongue, as shown.
Figs. 7-10 show a second embodiment of a tool in accordance with the invention comprising a first 1 ' and a second 2' tool component for the configuration, preferably by injection molding, of a product part 3', and where parts corresponding to or similar to those in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1- 6 are indicated with the same reference numerals, followed by an apostrophe (').
Product part 3' differs from part 3 and the tool components 1 , 2 mainly by substantially beveled sections 8', 9' instead of flat sections 8, 9, and by retainer edges 11 ' on each side of groove 4', and thus also by a corresponding notch or discontinuity 12' on each side of groove 4'. As is shown, the discontinuities 12' have an essentially round shape, instead of the essentially quadrangular shape of the discontinuities 12. Also, the bridge sections 7' have a straighter form than bridge sections 7, adapted to the shape of sections 8', 9'. As is shown particularly in Fig. 8, the bridge sections 7' are diagonally positioned as compared to smaller, flat parts of the sections 8', 9' in which groove 4' is formed. As is also shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the aperture 10' behind each retainer edge 1 1' has a substantially angular shape. However, aperture 10' has a tapered form inward towards bridge section 7', for easy release of the finished product part 3' from tool components 1', 2', as in the first embodiment described above. As is apparent from Fig. 10, for the forming of a rounded discontinuity 12' in product part 3', the tool component 2' is configured with a corresponding round, projecting part 26 shown centrically disposed on groove tongue 17' and having the same height as groove tongue 17', and where an additional projecting part 18' is provided on section 26, transverse to groove tongue 17'. In Fig. 10 the tool components 1 ', 2' are shown displaced relative to each other, due to the properties of the drawings, and the edges or surfaces of tool component 2' which are not visible in the perspective view that is shown are drawn with dotted lines.
As shown, each end of the projecting part 18' runs into its respective side of the rounded, projecting part 26, and both ends of the projecting part 18' thus extend past two opposing sides 21 ', 22' of the groove tongue 17' to form each of the retainer edges 11' in product part 3'. Further, the shape of the projecting part 18' imparts the angular form to aperture 10' in bridge section T in product part 3'.
As can be seen particularly from Fig. 4, the projecting parts 18 and the recesses 14 on the respective tool components 2, 1 may also advantageously have a tapered form or draft angles in their longitudinal direction, for easy separation of the tool after molding.
As an alternative to insertion and latching of a latch cable 6 with a fabric wound around latch cable 6 through groove 4' and apertures 10', there is shown in Fig. 9 a profile 22 made of resilient material, for example rubber, which may be pressed into groove 4' and locked to part 3'. To enable the compression insertion and locking of profile 22 into groove 4', profile 22 has a wedge-shaped or "Christmas tree-shaped" insertion section 23 which is followed in the direction of insertion by two opposing, recessed sections 24 for engagement with the two retainer edges 11 '. As shown in Fig. 9, profile 22 is advantageously configured with a rounded section 25 at an opposite end of insertion section 23.
The rounded section of profile 22 may function as a rail on the underside of a child seat, not shown, for contact with a base, for example a floor or a part of a chair to which the child seat is fastened. Alternatively profile 22 may function as a fastener between two parts, said rounded section being replaced by a connecting piece for the other part, for example an additional, not shown, insertion section identical to and disposed opposite to insertion section 23, and advantageously having an hourglass- shaped profile between the two insertion sections 23. As still another alternative, not shown, the profile 22 may be used to lock a hinge member in place.
The other embodiment, not shown, of the tool according to the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art in light of the description of the first embodiment and the description of the product part 3' that is produced with the aid of said second embodiment. Also, only those parts of the tool which are considered to be essential for the invention are shown and/or described, since practical adaptations, for example in connection with injection molding, will be known to the person skilled in the art.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments above, but may be varied within the scope of the attached claims.
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