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:
Nov. 25, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2001
Robert J. Geertsen, Clackamas, OR (US);
Edward L. Hazlewood, Portland, OR (US);
PCC Structurals, Inc., Portland, OR (US);
Abstract
Embodiment of a disclosed seam tool comprise a rigid backing configured to be positioned about a seam region defined by at least two adjacent pattern segments. The rigid backing further includes an injection port and, typically, a gas outlet port, fluidly coupled to the seam region. The disclosed device may further include a resilient liner which contacts and forms a seal with surfaces of the pattern segments. Compensating grooves may be formed in the resilient material to allow complete filling of the seam region by weld-forming material. An injection fitting may be operably coupled to an injection port to provide an improved ability to receive weld-forming material to form welds. A method for forming a weld between plural, adjacently positioned pattern segments also is disclosed. The method comprises positioning the disclosed embodiments of the seam tool about a seam region defined between adjacent pattern segments. A weld-forming material is introduced into an injection port fluidly coupled to the seam region, and allowed to solidify to form a weld. In other embodiments, a seam tool may include an air bladder.