Tool and method for crimping fabric
AssigneeVascutek Limited
InventorTimothy Rawden Ashton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A crimping tool is provided, where the tool comprises a mandrel (1) having a first portion (3) with a first outer diameter, and a second portion (5) with a second outer diameter which is greater than the first outer diameter. A chamfered abutment face (7) is provided between the first and second portions (3,5). At least one first collar (9) is mountable on the first portion (3) of the mandrel (5) and has a chamfered first end (11) which in use abuts the abutment face (7). At least one second collar (13) is mountable on the second portion (5) of the mandrel (1) and has a chamfered second end (15) which in use abuts the first end (11) of the first collar (9). A method of using the tool to form one or more crimps in a piece of fabric is also disclosed.
Claims39
A crimping tool comprising:
- a mandrel comprising a first portion having an outer surface defining a first outer diameter, a second portion having an outer surface defining a second outer diameter which is greater than the first outer diameter, and an outer chamfered abutment face extending between the outer surfaces of the first and second portions;
- at least one first collar mountable on the outer surface of the first portion of the mandrel and having a chamfered first end which engages with the abutment face when the at least one first collar is mounted on the outer surface of the first portion;
- and
- at least one second collar mountable on the outer surface of the second portion of the mandrel and having a chamfered second end which engages with the first end of the at least one first collar when the at least one first and second collars are mounted on the outer surface of the second portion.
A method of forming one or more crimps in a piece of fabric, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a mandrel having a first portion with an outer surface defining a first outer diameter, a second portion with an outer surface defining a second outer diameter which is greater than the first outer diameter, and an outer chamfered abutment face extending between the outer surfaces of the first and second portions;
- forming an aperture in the piece of fabric, the aperture having a diameter which is substantially identical to the first outer diameter of the mandrel;
- sliding the first portion of the mandrel into the aperture until the fabric abuts the abutment face;
- providing at least one first collar having a first end which is chamfered, and at least one second collar having a second end which is chamfered;
- mounting the at least one first collar on the outer surface of the first portion of the mandrel such that the first end engages the abutment face and traps a portion of the fabric between the outer chamfered abutment face and the first end;
- folding the fabric over the first collar towards the first portion of the mandrel;
- mounting the at least one second collar on the outer surface of the second portion of the mandrel such that the second end engages the first end and traps a further portion of the fabric between the first and second ends;
- and
- heat setting the fabric whilst trapped between the abutment face and the first and second collars.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.