The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 2021
Filed:
May. 18, 2020
Arris Composites Inc., Berkeley, CA (US);
Todd Pelman, Moss Beach, CA (US);
Kameron Butler, San Francisco, CA (US);
Adam Hansel, Berkeley, CA (US);
Erick Davidson, Piedmont, CA (US);
Riley Reese, Carpinteria, CA (US);
Ethan Escowitz, Berkeley, CA (US);
Cory Bloome, San Francisco, CA (US);
Alexander Darrow, San Francisco, CA (US);
Ryan Satcher, San Francisco, CA (US);
J. Scott Perkins, Oakland, CA (US);
Abstract
A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.