US 5,634,998 AGranted

Shutter and method of assembling same

AssigneeTapco International Corporation

InventorsCharles E. Schiedegger, Jack G. Wnuk

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Abstract

A shutter apparatus and method of assembling same. The apparatus comprises a pair of elongated, outer support members and a plurality of center component sections which slidably engage channel portions of each of the outer support members. One or more spacer panels are included as well as one or more end members. The shutter apparatus is assembled by ultrasonically welding portions of the outer support members to side portions of each of the center components and the spacer panel, and to securing portions of the end members. By ultrasonically welding the various components of the shutter apparatus together rather than assembling same though the conventional use of staples and other like external fastening elements, the cost of assembly is reduced and the ability to re-use scrap component parts is made significantly easier and less costly.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for forming a component shutter without the use of external fastening element such as staples, threaded screws or other like members, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of elongated, outer support members, each said outer support member having a side portion forming a channel along at least a portion of a length thereof, said channel having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
providing a center component having a pair of side portions adapted to slidably engage within said channel of each said elongated, outer support member, said side portions of said center component each having an exterior surface;
positioning said elongated, outer support members generally parallel to each other and a distance from one another in accordance with an overall width of said center component;
slidably urging said side portions of said center component into said channels of said elongated, outer support members, such that said exterior surface of each said side portion of said center component is in contact with said interior surface of said channel of each said side portion of each said elongated, outer support member;
and
ultrasonically welding said side portions of said center component within said channels of said elongated, outer support members by the application of ultrasonic welds spaced apart at points along a rear portion of said exterior surface of each said channel such that portions of said interior surface of each said channel are welded to portions of said exterior surface of each said side portion of said center component, to thereby secure said center component to said elongated, outer support members without the use of external fastening elements.

3 more elements

A method of forming a component shutter without the use of external fastening elements such as staples and threaded screws, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of elongated, outer support members each having a channel formed along at least a portion of a length thereof and a main body portion, said channels each having an inner surface and an exterior surface;
providing a center component having side portions on opposite sides thereof adapted to slidably engage within said channels of said elongated, outer support members when said elongated, outer support members are positioned generally parallel to one another at a spacing in accordance with an overall width of said center component, each of said side portions having an exterior surface;
slidably inserting said side portions of said center component within said channels of said elongated, outer support members such that said inner surface of each said channel is in contact with said exterior surface of each said side portion and until a major portion of said center component is positioned between said elongated, outer support members;
and
ultrasonically welding said side portion of said center support to said channels of said elongated, outer support members by applying ultrasonic welds to said exterior surface of each said channel at a plurality of spaced-apart locations along a rear portion of each said elongated, outer support member such that said center support and said elongated, outer support members form a single, rigid, unitary structure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.