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:
Jun. 29, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 04, 2000
Gunnar Westerlund, Kungälv, SE;
Volvo Personvagnar AB, , SE;
Abstract
Apparatus is disclosed for molding a load-bearing element of reinforced thermoplastic material provided from a material charge including a thermoplastic matrix material of a non-permeable plastic membrane and a reinforcement material, the apparatus including a molding tool having first and second molding surfaces which are juxtaposed in a closed molding position producing at least one internal cavity having dimensions corresponding to the load-bearing element, a heater for heating the matrix material to a temperature above its softening temperature, a pressurizer for providing a pressure or vacuum force to urge the matrix material against at least one of the molding surfaces with the reinforcement material therebetween in order to urge the reinforcement material against one of the first and second molding surfaces to mold and consolidate the material charge. Methods for molding these load-bearing elements and novel load-bearing elements themselves are also disclosed.