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US 5,330,343 AGranted
Variable-shape mold
AssigneeAutocontrole Inc.
InventorJacques Berteau
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAutocontrole Inc.
InventorJacques Berteau
Estimating the term…
The device for forming a variable-shape mold surface includes a plurality of cylindrical and helically threaded rods each having a mold surface defining end. These rods are assembled into a bundle of laterally adjacent rods in which (a) the helical thread of each rod is engaged with the helical threads of the adjacent rods, (b) each rod is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and (c) the mold surface defining ends of the rods define the variable-shape mold surface. Upon rotation, the thread of one helically threaded rod slides on the threads of the adjacent rods to impart longitudinal movement to this rod relative to the adjacent rods and therefore axial movement of the mold surface defining end of this rod, to thereby modify the configuration of the variable-shape mold surface. Each rod has a second end shaped for engagement thereof with a digitally controlled rod rotating tool.
A device for forming a variable-shape mold surface, comprising a plurality of cylindrical and helically threaded rods each having a longitudinal axis and a mold surface defining end, and means for assembling said rods into a bundle of laterally adjacent rods in which (a) the helical thread of each rod is engaged with the helical threads of the adjacent rods, (b) each rod is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and (c) said mold surface defining ends of the rods define said variable-shape mold surface, whereby, upon rotation of one of said helically threaded rods about its longitudinal axis, the thread of said one rod slides on the threads of the adjacent rods to impart longitudinal movement to said one rod relative to the adjacent rods and therefore axial movement of the mold surface defining end of said one rod, to thereby modify the configuration of the variable-shape mold surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.