Plastic impact driven fasteners
AssigneeUtility Composites International Limited
InventorsPamela S. Tucker, Nancy Showers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Plastic impact driven fasteners having relatively high flexural strength and relatively low heat deformation temperature are provided. Additional embodiments relate to methods of using the fasteners. For example, the fasteners may be used in a tire retreading process. In such a case, one or more fasteners may be used to secure new tread to a tire core before and/or during a curing process. The curing process may also cause deformation of the fastener, thereby eliminating the need to remove the fasteners after the curing process.
Claims48
An impact driven fastener for tire retreading, comprising:
- at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, wherein plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi;
- at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F;
- and
- wherein the fastener is configured to, when heated to less than about 250° F. during a tire retreading process, at least partially soften.
A fastener for a tire retread process, comprising:
- a least one penetrating portion, the penetrating portion consisting essentially of plastic, the plastic having a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi;
- at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F.;
- wherein the penetrating portion extends from a tip to the head portion;
- and
- wherein the fastener is configured to at least partially soften during a tire retread process.
A fastener for a tire retread process, comprising:
- at least one penetrating portion, wherein at least one penetrating portion has a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi;
- a head portion coupled to at least one penetrating portion, the head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F., and the head portion consisting essentially of plastic;
- and
- wherein the fastener is configured to at least partially soften during a tire retread process.
A staple for a tire retread process, comprising:
- a first penetrating portion formed of plastic, wherein plastic of the first penetrating portion provides the first penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi;
- a second penetrating portion;
- a plastic head coupled to the first penetrating portion and the second penetrating portion, the plastic head having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F.;
- wherein the first plastic penetrating portion extends from a tip to the plastic head, and wherein the second plastic penetrating portion extends from a tip to the plastic head;
- and
- wherein the fastener is configured to at least partially soften during a tire retread process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.