Load bearing surface
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsTimothy P. Coffield, Daniel S. Sommerfeld, Andrew B. Hartmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elastomeric load hearing surface with different load support characteristics in different directions. In one embodiment, the surface includes an elastomeric membrane that is oriented in only a single direction, for example, by compression or stretching. In another embodiment, the surface includes mechanical structures, such as connectors and variations in thickness that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another embodiment, a surface is both oriented and includes mechanical structures.
Claims3
A method for manufacturing a load bearing part, comprising the steps of:
- molding a part from an elastomeric material, the molded part having an initial length, the molded part including a first section and a second section, the first section having a first cross-sectional thickness, the second section having a second cross-sectional thickness, the first cross-sectional thickness being greater than the second cross-sectional thickness;
- orienting the molded part using an orienting apparatus, said orienting including elongating the molded part in one direction to at least twice the initial length, wherein orienting the molded part includes elongating the molded part an amount sufficient to increase alignment of a crystalline structure of the molded part;
- and
- releasing the oriented molded part from the orienting apparatus, the oriented molded part having a finished length greater than the initial length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.