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US 8,939,674 B2Granted
System and method for assembling blow molded parts without use of fasteners
AssigneeCustom-Pak, Inc.
InventorsRonald A. Zimmer, Alan W. Knapper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and method for assembling blow molded parts without the use of separate fasteners, including a tab-and-slot or dovetail mortise and tenon joint that includes a slide-and-lock tab feature. A retention barb on the tab slides along a ramp to engage with a receptacle within the slot. Tabs and slots can have varying widths to create mutual incompatibility with other joint components that are otherwise similarly constructed. An optional stopper on the tab and corresponding notch within the slot can add an additional axis of incompatibility with other joints throughout the assembly. These features prevent incorrect assembly and allow convenient redesigns.
Claims30
A method of connecting blow molded parts, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first blow molded part and a second blow molded part;
- providing a slot formed on the first blow molded part, the slot comprising a receptacle and a ramp, the slot having first and second ends and two sides wherein the first end defines an opening of the slot and the ramp extends from the first end towards the second end and the ramp is recessed into a wall of the slot;
- providing a tab and a barb formed in the tab, the barb and tab formed on the second blow molded part;
- wherein the ramp is disposed at a ramp offset from one of the two sides of the slot, and the barb is disposed at a barb offset from a side of the tab corresponding to the ramp offset;
- inserting the tab into the slot, such that the barb engages the receptacle;
- and
- providing a protrusion extending from the lab;
- wherein at least one of the two sides includes a sidewall flange and a recess, the recess located between the wall of the slot and the sidewall flange and the protrusion disposed on the tab such that insertion of the tab into the slot causes the protrusion to be located at least partially in the recess and between the sidewall flange and the wall of the slot.
5 more elements
A slide-lock joint system comprising:
- a first blow molded part and a second blow molded part;
- a slot formed on the first blow molded part, the slot comprising a receptacle and a ramp, the slot having first and second ends and two sides wherein the first end defines an opening of the slot and the ramp extends from the first end towards the second end and the ramp is recessed into a wall of the slot;
- a tab formed in the second blow molded part;
- a barb formed in the second blow molded part within the tab;
- the tab fitting the slot such that the barb engages the receptacle;
- a stopper on the tab and a notch within the slot;
- the stopper comprising a stopper width and a stopper offset from a side of the tab, and the notch comprising a notch width corresponding to the stopper width and a notch offset from a side of the slot corresponding to the stopper offset;
- wherein the stopper prevents full insertion of the tab into an otherwise identical other slot that is not provided with a notch comprising a width and offset that are complimentary to the stopper.
5 more elements
A method for connecting blow molded parts, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first blow molded part and a second blow molded part;
- providing a slot formed on the first blow molded part, the slot comprising a receptacle and a ramp, the slot having first and second ends and two sides wherein the first end defines an opening of the slot and the ramp extends from the first end towards the second end and the ramp is recessed into a wall of the slot;
- providing a tab formed on the second blow molded part , the tab comprising a barb and at least one protrusion, wherein the barb is formed in the tab and the barb and tab are formed in the second blow molded part;
- beginning to insert the tab into the slot, such that the barb begins to engage the ramp, and the at least one protrusion engages slidably with a recess in at least one of the two sides of the slot;
- continuing to insert the tab into the slot such that the barb slides along the ramp toward the receptacle;
- and,
- completing insertion of the tab into the slot such that the barb engages the receptable and wherein the engagement is perceptible audibly or tactilely;
- providing a stopper on the tab, and providing a notch within the slot, the stopper comprising a stopper width and a stopper offset from a side of the tab, and the notch comprising a notch width corresponding to the stopper width and a notch offset from a side of the slot corresponding to the stopper offset, the stopper preventing full insertion of the tab into another slot that is not provided with a notch comprising a width and offset that are complimentary to the stopper.
5 more elements
An assembly of blow-molded parts comprising:
- at least two blow molded parts;
- at least two slots, each slot formed on one of the blow molded parts, each slot having first and second ends and two sides wherein the first end of each slot defines an opening;
- a ramp and a receptacle formed in each slot, each ramp extending from the first end towards the second end of its respective slot, each ramp recessed into a wall of its respective slot;
- at least two tabs, each integrally formed on one of the blow molded parts;
- a barb integrally formed in each of the at least two tabs, each tab comprising a tab side;
- each ramp disposed at a ramp offset from one of the two sides of its respective slot, the ramp offset of at least one of the at least two slots is different from the ramp offset of at least one other of the at least two slots;
- each barb is disposed at a barb offset from the tab side, the barb offset of one of the at least two tabs is different from the barb offset of at least one other of the at least two tabs;
- a protrusion extending from at least one of the tabs on one of the blow molded parts;
- wherein at least one of the two sides of at least one of the slots on another one of the blow molded parts includes a sidewall flange and a recess, the recess located between the wall of the slot and the sidewall flange and the protrusion disposed on the at least one tab such that insertion of the tab into the at least one slot causes the protrusion to be located at least partially in the recess and between the sidewall flange and the wall of the slot.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.