Fastening device
AssigneeSenco Products, Inc.
InventorsDuane C. Shomler, David L. Remerowski, Anthony T. Racca, David J. Lococo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastening device, which will facilitate the assembly of associated parts or manufactured articles, and electromagnetic energy absorptive component for absorbing electromagnetic waves and converting wave energy to heat; an expansive component, which expands upon exposure to heat emanating from the target material; matrix material, which will become adhesively active and effect the adherence of the associated parts upon exposure to heat emanating from the target material, and a stiffening component.
Claims12
A fastening device for promoting the assembly and adherence of associated pieces by exposure to electromagnetic energy, said fastening device having an outer surface and comprising:
- (i) an electromagnetic energy absorptive component comprising an electromagnetic energy absorptive target material;
- (ii) an expansion component adapted to be expansive upon exposure to heat in at least one direction, said expansion component being in a compressed state which compressed state is released upon exposure to heat;
- and
- (iii) a matrix material component comprising a matrix material, said matrix material being adhesively activatable by heat energy;
- wherein the matrix material comprises or is disposed on the outer surface of the fastening device and the matrix material, the expansion component and the electromagnetic energy absorptive component are oriented so that heat generated in the electromagnetic energy absorptive component is conducted to the matrix material and expansion component whereby when said fastening device is positioned within said associated pieces and is exposed to electromagnetic energy, said electromagnetic energy absorptive component provides heat energy to activate said expansive and said matrix material components, thereby causing said matrix material to either soften or liquefy as well as become adhesively active and allowing or causing the expansive component to expand in at least one direction causing contact of said matrix material and said associated pieces, thereby effecting a joining or bonding relationship upon cooling of said matrix component.
A fastening device for promoting the assembly and adherence of associated pieces by exposure to electromagnetic energy, said fastening device having an outer surface and comprising:
- (i) an electromagnetic energy absorptive component which generates heat as a result of the eddy current resistive heating upon exposure to electromagnetic energy;
- (ii) an expansion component adapted to be expansive upon exposure to heat in at least one direction, said expansion component being selected from the group consisting of compressed fibers, compressed foraminous materials and compressed rubber-like materials, which materials release from their compressed state upon exposure to heat;
- and
- (iii) a matrix material component selected from the group consisting of hot melt adhesives and heat activated adhesives;
- wherein the matrix material comprises or is disposed on the outer surface of the fastening device and the matrix material, the expansion component and the electromagnetic energy absorptive component are oriented so that heat generated in the electromagnetic energy absorptive component is conducted to the matrix material and expansion component whereby when said fastening device is positioned within said associated pieces and is exposed to electromagnetic energy, said electromagnetic energy absorptive component provides heat energy to activate said expansive and said matrix material components, thereby causing said matrix material to either soften or liquefy as well as become adhesively active and allowing or causing the expansive component to expand in at least one direction causing contact of said matrix material and said associated pieces, thereby effecting a joining or bonding relationship upon cooling of said matrix component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.