Adapter for welding objects to plastic
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsErich James Vorenkamp, Duane Fish, Lawrence Eugene Vaughn III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adapter provides for mounting an object on plastic. The adapter comprises a body coupled with at least two feet. The feet are weldable to the surface of the plastic while the plastic is in a molten state. The adapter also includes a coupling mechanism coupled with the body. The coupling mechanism is operable to couple the object with the adapter.
Claims37
An adapter for mounting an object on plastic while the plastic is in a molten state, the adapter comprising:
- a body;
- at least two feet coupled with the body, the feet extending away from the body in different directions, the at least two feet weldable to the surface of the plastic;
- and
- a coupling mechanism coupled with the body, the coupling mechanism with provision to couple the object with the body.
An adapter for use in mounting an object on plastic while the plastic is in a molten state, the adapter comprising:
- a plurality of plastic feet each having a distal end and a proximal end;
- a body couple with the distal end, the proximal end of each of the plastic feet suspended away from the body to form a weld zone with provision to engage the surface of the plastic;
- and
- a coupling mechanism coupled with the body, the coupling mechanism operable to couple with the object.
An adapter for mounting a fuel system component to a wall of a plastic fuel tank while the wall is in a molten state, the adapter comprising:
- a body, the body forming a longitudinally extending hollow housing with a distal end and a proximal end;
- the distal end comprising a coupling mechanism operable to couple with the fuel system component;
- a plurality of slits in the body, the slits extending from the proximal end a predetermined distance toward the distal end;
- and
- a portion of the body adjacent the slits formed to provide a weld zone near the proximal end, the weld zone weldable to the surface of the wall.
A method of coupling an object to plastic, the method comprising:
- a) heating the plastic to a molten state;
- b) providing an adapter comprising a body, a plurality of feet and a coupling mechanism;
- c) coupling an object with the coupling mechanism;
- d) advancing the feet into contact with a surface of the plastic to form a surface weld;
- and
- e) cooling the plastic and the adapter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.