Method for molding a resilient material around a rigid work piece

Abstract

A method of forming a resilient seal about a work piece is presented. The method includes the steps of providing a work piece defining a rib circumferentially protruding from an outer surface about a longitudinal axis of the work piece and providing a mold. The mold defines a first cavity configured to receive the work piece, a second cavity circumferentially extending about the longitudinal axis of the work piece and in communication with the first cavity, and a port in communication with the second cavity. The method further includes the steps of inserting the work piece within the first cavity such the rib is circumferentially in intimate contact with an inner surface of the first cavity, introducing a curable resilient material into the port, thereby filling the second cavity with the resilient material, curing the resilient material, and then removing the work piece from the mold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.