US4309807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making composite connector and using same
Assignee: Memry Corp
•
Filing: 1978-11-27
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Granted: 1982-01-12
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Expires: 1998-11-27
Abstract
Abstract The substantial change in modulus with temperature of certain materials, especially memory metals, is used to make a novel connector by forcing a band made from such a material in its low modulus state up an external tapered portion of a tubular coupling member so as to deform the band which remains in position about the coupling member. To make a connection one or more substrates is (are) positioned inside the tubular coupling member and the band is brought to its high modulus state whereupon it contracts and deforms the tubular coupling member and forces it into firm connection with the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick W. L. Hill
- 👤 Robin J. T. Clabburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P11/00; B23P11/02; B23P11/025; F; F16; F16L; F16L13/00; F16L13/004; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of making a connector, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tubular member at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band that is relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface, the band being made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature; (c) positioning such a band about the narrower end of the tapered surface of the tubular member; and (d) forcing the positioned band at said first temperature along and against the elongated tapered surface so that the band is progressively expanded solely by the tapered surface, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of the band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of making a connector, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tubular member at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band that is relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface, the band being made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature; (c) positioning such a band about the narrower end of the tapered surface of the tubular member; and (d) forcing the positioned band at said first temperature along and against the elongated tapered surface so that the band is progressively expanded solely by the tapered surface, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of the band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein both ends of the tubular member are externally tapered and such a band is provided at each of said ends, and forcing both bands at said first temperature along and against the taper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of said tubular member taper from a central region of greater external diameter to a terminal region of lesser external diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of said tubular member taper from a central region of lesser external diameter to a terminal region of greater external diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is provided with means for facilitating proper positioning of the band after it has been forced up the taper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means comprises a shoulder formed on the external surface of the tubular member, and the step of positioning said band comprises forcing said band up against the shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a separate positioning member is provided on the external surface of the tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the separate positioning member engages a groove on the external surface of the tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the provided band is a continuous ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the provided band is contoured to facilitate its movement up the taper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of the tapered portion is not greater than 5°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the angle of the tapered portion is from 1° to 2°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the provided band is made from a memory metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the memory metal is an alloy of nickel and titanium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the memory metal is a brass.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the memory metal has been preconditioned.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the provided band is made from a plastics material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plastics material is selected from the group consisting of polyarylene, polyketone, polysulphone and polyphenylene sulphide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plastics material is cross-linked polyethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioned band cannot be completely forced up the tapered portion without deforming the tubular member, the tubular member being constructed so that such deformation can take place, and the step of forcing the positioned band against the taper comprises deforming the tubular member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is relatively thick-walled, and including the step of boring out the tubular member after expansion of the band to produce a relatively thin-walled coupling member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of making a connection to at least one substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning said substrate within a connector comprising a tubular member, at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface, and a band positioned about said tubular member away from the narrower end of the taper, the band being relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface, the band being made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature and being capable of contracting on being brought to said second temperature; and (b) bringing said band to said second temperature so that it contracts and deforms the tubular member and forces it into firm connection with the substrate.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of making a connection to at least one substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning said substrate within a connector comprising a tubular member, at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface, and a band positioned about said tubular member away from the narrower end of the taper, the band being relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface, the band being made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature and being capable of contracting on being brought to said second temperature; and (b) bringing said band to said second temperature so that it contracts and deforms the tubular member and forces it into firm connection with the substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the substrate is a pipe.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the substrate is compressible.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the substrate is a stranded cable.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of making a connection to at least one substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tubular member at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature, the band being relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface; (c) positioning said band about the narrower end of the elongated tapered surface of the tubular member; (d) forcing said band at said first temperature along and against the elongated tapered surface so that the band is progressively expanded solely by the tapered surface, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of said band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member; (e) positioning said substrate within said tubular member; and then (f) bringing said band to said second temperature so that it contracts and deforms the tubular member and forces it into firm connection with the substrate.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of making a connection to at least one substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tubular member at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature, the band being relatively narrow compared to the length of the elongated tapered outer surface; (c) positioning said band about the narrower end of the elongated tapered surface of the tubular member; (d) forcing said band at said first temperature along and against the elongated tapered surface so that the band is progressively expanded solely by the tapered surface, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of said band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member; (e) positioning said substrate within said tubular member; and then (f) bringing said band to said second temperature so that it contracts and deforms the tubular member and forces it into firm connection with the substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the separate positioning member engages a protuberance on the external surface of the tubular member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 including the steps of placing a substrate in the tubular member in a position underlying the forced and positioned band and bringing the band to said second temperature to deform the tubular member to grip the substrate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 in which said substrate is positioned with said tubular member before the step of forcing the band along and against the taper.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 in which said substrate is positioned within said tubular member after the step of forcing the band along and against the tapered surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 or 26 in which the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of forcing the band along the tapered surface comprises deforming the tubular member so as to grip the substrate positioned therein.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of making a connector which comprises the steps of; (a) providing a relatively thick-walled tubular member, at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature; (c) positioning such a band about the narrower end of the tapered surface of the tubular member; (d) forcing the positioned band at said first temperature along and against the taper so as to expand the band, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of the band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member; and (e) boring out the relatively thick-walled tubular member after the step of forcing to produce a relatively thin-walled coupling member.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of making a connector which comprises the steps of; (a) providing a relatively thick-walled tubular member, at least a portion of which has an elongated tapered outer surface; (b) providing at least one band made from a material which exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity at a first temperature and a relatively high modulus of elasticity at a second temperature; (c) positioning such a band about the narrower end of the tapered surface of the tubular member; (d) forcing the positioned band at said first temperature along and against the taper so as to expand the band, the relatively high modulus of elasticity of the material of the band being such that when the band is brought to said second temperature it contracts and deforms the tubular member; and (e) boring out the relatively thick-walled tubular member after the step of forcing to produce a relatively thin-walled coupling member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-11 | 1985-07-13 | 1986-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-11 | 1989-07-13 | 1990-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-11 | 1993-07-13 | 1994-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |