DE8409877U1 - Device for producing phase-reinforced plastic composite bodies - Google Patents

Description

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The invention relates to improvements in the field of reinforced PTastic composite bodies, in particular those with an unequal longitudinal cross-section, and to a device for producing them.

Apparatus ea for making reinforced plastic composites is known in the art as the pultrusion method and generally involves straightening various types of uniform composite reinforcements, such as continuous glass, graphite or boron, through a resin impregnation system and through a shaping and forming die where the composite is cured until it has its final structure. In this apparatus and method, the shaping and forming die, which is linear in length, generally acts on the composite so that the die size and shape and the composite is cured in size and shape when it exits the shaping and forming die. This type of pultrusion system is shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,871,911 and 3,556,888.

For many years, only relatively straight pultruded articles could be formed. U.S. Patent No. 3,872,399 shows a method and apparatus by which reinforced plastic composites could be curved over at least part of their length. According to this apparatus and method, a movable trough having a trough channel and generally rotatable about a curved path was connected to a stationary trough so that the combination of the respective two troughs could form a channel. When the movable trough was rotated,

reinforced plastic composite bodies were pulled through the die channel and simultaneously hardened in it to form an object that was curved over part of its length.

In the aforementioned US patent 3873399 an apparatus and method for producing an article is explained, which relates to unequal cross-sections. An article is described which, for example, had a different shape at the upper part than at the lower part. The articles produced according to this apparatus and method all had a large longitudinal cross-section. A part of the article could not be manufactured in such a way that the cross-sectional shape of one section differed from a corresponding other section of the same article.

The invention is based on the object of producing a reinforced plastic composite body in which the cross-section of a first section is undercut by the cross-section of a second corresponding section of the same object, in such a way that the object has an unequal longitudinal cross-section and that the object can have a constant or non-constant cross-sectional volume over its length.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for producing reinforced plastic composite articles having a different cross-sectional shape, the apparatus having a pair of dies which together form a channel having an unequal cross-section so that fibrous material containing reinforced plastic material will form an article of unequal cross-section when fed through the die channel.

The expressions "unequal" and "cross-sectional" in

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When used in connection with an article made in this way, the term "counterbore" means that the article may have a first section with a cross-section different from the cross-section of a second section of the same article, but connected to the first section along its length. Similarly, when used in connection with the countersink or apparatus in general used to make such articles, these terms refer to a countersink cavity having a first cross-sectional shape different from a wide section of the countersink which is in connection with the first cross-sectional shape and has a different cross-sectional shape from the first section.

The reinforced plastic composites may have either a constant cross-sectional volume or a non-constant cross-sectional volume. Generally, all articles produced are curved along their length. The articles are produced in a uniform stream and may be separated from one another upon exiting the slump chamber. In one embodiment, an article may have a constant radius along its length. In another embodiment, the article may have a non-constant radius along its length.

fibers" containing reinforced material that can be impregnated with a binding agent, such as 2.B, resin as material, is fed into a sinking chamber. This sinking chamber is formed by a first sinking forming device* which is connected to a second sinking forming device and has a corresponding surface which is on the surface of the

2we1ten countersinking device.

One of the seric forming devices is provided with a countersinking shoulder and is in communication with the other countersinking device to form a channel adapted to receive the fibers containing reinforcing material. The countersinking device provided with the shoulder is preferably moved relative to the second countersinking device to form the countersinking channel.

The fiber containing reinforced plastic material is moved along with the movable die-forming device and simultaneously held while in the die-channel. When the resin-impregnated reinforced plastic composite is thus cured, a desired reinforced plastic composite is produced having the shape that effectively comes from the die-channel. Further movement of the first die-forming device relative to the second causes the cured and finally hard reinforced plastic composite to exit the die-channel. In another embodiment, both die-forming devices are movable.

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Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below:

Ice pointers Fig. 1: a plan view of an embodiment of the

Contraption;
Fig. 2: an extended view partly in the

Section along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Fig. 3: a vertical view partially in section,

along lines 3-3 of Figure 1; Fig. 4: a schematic horizontal section showing a

Section of the first die-forming device

and a second die-forming device,

which shows reinforced material entering the canal;
Fig. 5: a rare view of a partially opened and sectioned embodiment

the device of Figure 1;
Fig. 6: a plan view of an embodiment of a reinforced

Plastic composite body according to the invention

can be produced;
Fig. 7&iacgr; a side view of the composite body

along the line 8-8 of Figure 7; Fig. 8: a vertical section along the lines 8-8

of Figure 7;
Fig. 9: a vertical section along lines 9-9

of Figure 7;
Fig.10: a schematic horizontal section showing a modified device form for the production of reinforced plastic reinforcements bent at a non-constant radius

becomes;
Fig.11: a vertical section along the lines 11-11

of Figure 10;
Fig.12: a plan view of a shaped body, which

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according to the devices in Figures 10 and 11

can be produced*»
FIG*13&idigr; a schematic view from another

modified Verm ehtungsform Flg.14: a partial plan view of a section of the

Device 13}
flg.16: a horizontal section of a section of the

Device 14 in detailed form; Fig.16: a perspective view of a section of a continuous belt and its connection to a first movable lowering section and

the resulting exit end of the lowered duct Fig.17: a vertical section along line 17-17

clay figure 14j
F1g.13: a rear view 1m essentially along the

Line 18-18 of Figure 17;
Fig. 19: a front view of a portion of the device substantially along the plane through line

18-18 of Figure 17;
Fig.20: a plan view of another modified embodiment of the device that can produce bodies with non-constant cross-sectional shape

and non-constant cross-sectional volume; Fig.21: a side view of a rod-producing

Device which in the device of Figure

20 is used;
Fig.22a and 22b: a composition of a partial

Top view of a section of the device of

Figure 21;

Fig.23: a section along line 22-23 of Figure 2t; Fig.24: a section along line 24-24 of Figure 21; Fig.25: an expanded side view of a rod material cutting mechanism, which forms part of the

device;

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Fig, 26: a side view of a cold briquetting

lowering mechanism forming part of the rod producing device;

Fig. 27j is a vertical section taken along line 27-27 of Figure 26;

Fig. 28: a vertical section showing a pair of die-forming devices and the rods and reinforced material in a die cavity formed by the die-forming devices;

Fig. 29: an embodiment of a body with non

constant volume that can be produced according to the present invention.

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Figures 1 to 4 show the first embodiment A of an apparatus and Figures 6 to 8 show a form of a body that can be made according to the present invention. The apparatus A uses some of the principles described in the so-called "circular pultrusion apparatus" of US Patent 387,3399, which is used to pultrude a non-linear composite body.

Apparatus A generally includes a resin impregnator 30 and a resin impregnation dip tank 32 having a carding plate 34 or similar device at its inlet for collecting and receiving fiber threads 36 containing reinforcing material. A liquid resin base material thoroughly impregnates the fibers containing threads of reinforced material.

The outlet port of the resin impregnator 30 may be provided with a scraper blade 38 which removes excess resin from the impregnated filaments which may then be collected in a trough 40 as shown in Figure 1. The resin impregnated filaments are then passed through a funnel-shaped device 42 to cause the impregnated filaments to assemble into a uniform circular mass knit referred to as a "strand". In this way it is possible to produce a reinforced plastic product which is formed by pultruding the product in a domed shape during overall forming. The product preferably consists of a fiber containing reinforced material and is impregnated with a hardening binder, such as a hardening resin base, and is hardened to a solid form when the reinforcing material is pulverized on a curved path in the direction of movement.

Mounted on a support frame 44" which also supports the resin impregnator 30, as shown in Figure 1, is a dielectric preheating and precuring housing 46 which allows an electrode assembly 48 to

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to generate pre-curing radiation. The electrode device 48 is arranged to receive the reinforcing material impregnated with resin base. The pre-heating electrode device 48 is powered by a source of dielectric energy, a dielectric energy generator (not shown) in the housing 46.

Utilizing both the preheat provided by the preheat housing 46 and the final heating zone as described later, an enhanced cure similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 355,688 can be achieved. In connection with the present invention, it has been found that this enhanced cure of a resin base impregnated reinforcing material allows complete cure of the resin base without overcuring and also allows for substantially higher operating rates. In addition, this type of enhanced cure increases the range of raw materials that can be used to form the final product.

The dielectric preheating or precuring mechanism of the present invention can operate in both the radio frequency and microwave energy ranges. The radio frequency generator generates energy within a frequency range of about 13 MHz to about 100 MHz, and primarily within the range of about 13 MHz to about 82 MHz. The microwave generator generates energy within the range of about 920 MHz to about 25,000 MHz. Accordingly, the term "dielectric" as used herein generally refers to both radio frequency energy in the recited frequency range of about 13 MHz to about 100 MHz, and microwave energy in the recited frequency range of about 920 MHz to about 25,000 MHz.

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When conductive or semiconductive fibers such as boron, etc. are used in the reinforcing material, it may be desirable to use an inductive type of enhanced hardening, such as the inductive type enhanced hardening system described in U.S. Patent No. 3,960,629.

In Figures 1 and 2, the pre-cured composite material is fed to a pultrusion station consisting of a pultrusion machine 58. The machine 58 generally consists of a base frame ₆₀ having a base plate 62 and a central, upright, cylindrical housing 64. Fixedly mounted in the housing 64 is a upright support shaft 68. The shaft 68 is provided with an upper end 70 of reduced diameter which extends out of the housing 60. An attachment 72 is concentrically disposed about the upper end 70 and is threadably connected thereto. The radial arm 118 of a movable cut-off saw (which will be described in more detail below) has an enlarged inner end 74 which is disposed about the shaft for rotation thereof and thereby functions as a bearing for the arm 118. The enlarged end 74 rests on a main bearing sleeve 76 which is disposed about the shaft 68. Retained between the cap 72 and the bearing 74, and rotatably disposed about the shaft 68, is a main mold supporting plate 80 which supports a first countersunk mold part 100 in a manner to be discussed in detail.

A plate 82 on the frame 60 carries an electric motor 84 or similar drive device. The motor has a drive shaft 86 which carries a drive pinion 88. The drive pinion 88 is connected to a drive gear 90 which is carried by and rotated by the bearing housings 76. The drive gear 90 is mounted on an inner flange on the

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Plate 88 is secured by means of a wedge 91.

Figure 3 shows the first countersunk molding 100, which may have a mating receiving cavity, mounted on the plate 80. The countersunk molding 100 is provided with a recess 102 which receives the sealing material 104 as shown in Figure 3. The first countersunk molding 100 is connected to a second countersunk molding 106 which may be a fixed cavity. The fixed countersunk molding 106 has a vertical flat face which fits onto a flat face of the receiving cavity 100 to form a countersunk molding channel from a recess 102.

The second countersunk part 106 is suspended from a protective plate and is shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The protective plate is secured at its inner end to the shaft 68 and is supported at its outer end by three studs 109. The cap 72 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 68 and, as previously described, supports all the devices mounted thereon or supported by it.

The countersink channel 102 may extend the entire length of the first countersink mold part 100 or only a portion thereof, it may have a first portion 108 which has a smaller thickness than a second portion 110 of the countersink channel 102. The second portion 110 of the countersink channel, which has a greater thickness, has a smaller depth than the first-mentioned portion 108. This countersink channel could produce articles of the type shown in Figures 6 to 9.

Figure 4 shows that the countersink segment 100 is movable and is pressed against the countersink 106, which is fixedly mounted by means of drive rollers 112. The impregnated fiber

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The reinforcing material containing the material enters the countersinking channel as a strand 114 so that it runs essentially tangentially to the first countersinking mold part.

Either one or both of the dies are provided with final heating or curing devices which cause the binder to cure to a final or so-called "C-stage". When this occurs, the reinforced plastic material is fully cured to thereby form the final product. The cured, reinforced plastic material can then be released from the second die 106 from the die channel 102. Generally, the product produced can be removed at the location indicated by "cut" in Figure 4.

The device can be provided with a movable cutting saw 116 which is mounted on the shaft 68 and is provided with a radially extending arm 118. At its outer end it is provided with a sawing mechanism 120. The movable cutting saw can move on a curved path in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1. Since the first die part can be continuously rotated, at the desired location the movable cutting saw starts to move and separates a part of the reinforced plastic composite body from the parts which still remain in the die channel or are about to be removed from this die channel. After cutting has been done, the movable cutting saw 116 is returned to its original position. The movement of the movable cutting saw 116 can be easily controlled electrically according to the amount of rotation of the first die, thus maintaining the production rate of the reinforced plastic body in discrete units.

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Figures 6 to 9 show an embodiment of reinforced plastic composite bodies. The body R can take the form of a leaf spring. The leaf spring R has a first end portion 122 whose shape is created by the first portion 108 of the end channel. A second portion of this body corresponds to the first portion 122 and has a shape that is created by the portion 110 of the depression channel. This automotive leaf spring is only one embodiment of a body that can be made according to the present invention. The shape of the body can be changed by using different depressions.

Figure 5 shows a modified device for arranging the first countersunk mold part 100 and the second countersunk mold part 106. A support block 126 is mounted on a support surface, e.g., the support plate 80. Alternatively, the support block 126 may be attached to a plate 128 which is attached to the support plate 80. A C-shaped beam 130 is supported by the support block 126 which supports the first countersunk mold part 100 and the second countersunk mold part 106. In the actual construction, a plurality of peripheral and spaced apart C-shaped beams 130 are used to support the two countersunk mold parts.

Figure 5 shows how the first countersunk mold part can be connected to heating cartridges 132 which are connected to an appropriate source of electrical energy. The second countersunk mold part 106 can be provided with heating cartridges 134 which are connected to the appropriate source of electrical power. These heating cartridges 132 and/or 134 generate the final curing radiation for the binder with which the plastic-reinforced composite body has been impregnated.

The second countersunk molded part 106 is attached to an L-shaped retaining bracket 136, which is screwed to the countersunk molded part 106 by means of the screws 138. The bracket

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is held by a standing pin 140 which projects from the support block 126 and extends into a 18-inch opening formed by the bracket 136. Outer screws 142 allow at least the poten- tial adjustment of the fixed recess. Additional adjusting screws 144 extend from the surface of the plate 128 into the C-shaped support 130.

Pins 145 support upper and lower guide rollers 146 on the supports 130. These rollers 146 ride on rearwardly disposed surfaces of upwardly and downwardly directed flanges 148. The two die-forming members are held close together, but can be adjusted to control the amount of sliding friction that occurs between the surfaces of the two die-forming members. They are automatically positioned to compensate for misalignments along the respective dies.

Figures 10 and 11 show an embodiment B of the device which can produce a body, designated S in Figure 12, having different sections represented by different radii.

The body of Figure 12 has a first section 150 defined by a radius r and a second section 152 of slightly curved shape defined by a different radius designated v and having a third section 154 defined by the same radius v at the other end of section 152. As stated, the body may also have a non-constant cross-sectional shape. The device is designed to produce a body of constant volume along its length with varying cross-sectional shape, which bodies may be different by varying the countersinks used.

The device B consists of a first countersunk mold part 156 and a second countersunk mold part 158, which are similar to the countersunk mold parts 100 and 106, respectively. The first countersunk mold part 156 is provided with a recess to form a shape with the countersunk mold part 158. The countersunk mold part 156 can be somewhat flexible to accept different curved mold sections. Countersunk mold part 156 is supported at its rear and front by follower rollers 160. These rollers 160 are all mounted on a vertical roller support shaft 162. The shafts 162 allow for slight biasing away from or toward the second countersunk mold part 158 by suitable adjustment devices (not shown).

As shown in Figure 11, the countersunk members 156 and 158 are housed in an inverted U-shaped housing 164. The roller shafts 162 that support the rollers 160 may be supported in a portion of the housing 164 as shown.

In Figure 11, the second countersunk molding has a laminated structure consisting of glass reinforced Teflon layers 166 disposed on opposing surfaces with 0.0381 cm thick stainless steel outer layers 168. This type of countersunk molding has been found to be highly effective.

fully resists the effects of abrasion and also gives way to irregularities that may be a result of the non-optimal adjustment of the rollers 160. j

Figures 13 to 19 show another embodiment of the device C. The device C has a main support frame 180 with a central shaft 182. The main support frame 180 also has a generally cylindrically shaped first countersunk mold part 184 which is largely identical to

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the countersunk molding can be 100.

The first countersunk part 184 is similarly provided with a peripherally extending recess 186, which together with a second countersunk part 188 of Figure 15 forms a countersunk channel. The housing 180 is provided with a drive device (not shown) to rotate the countersunk part 184.

The frame holding the countersunk moldings is mounted on a main support plate 190 which is arranged on the upper surface of the main housing 180. The device has terminal plate holders 192 which are bolted to the upper surface 190 and arranged in a circle in the vicinity thereof. These terminal plate holders 192 are all provided with locking bolts 194 which serve to fasten the support plate 196 to the inward surface of the first countersunk molding 184. The bolts 194 are screwed in such a way that they can enable easy adjustment of the first countersunk molding 184.

The second countersink member 188 is a continuous band that is continuously movable at the same speed as the first countersink member. The continuous band must be sufficiently strong to be able to be placed over a first portion of the shoulder 1m of the first countersink member 184 to form the countersink chamber and to maintain the uniformity of the cavity.

A separate holding mold 198 is provided to hold the second countersink mold part 188 and to bring the two countersink mold parts 184 and 188 into the assembled position to maintain the uniformity of the countersink channel. The holding mold 198 contains a plurality of C-shaped brackets 200 which are in a uniform

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Patterns of curved shape are arranged to guide the countersunk mold part 188. The strip section that does not rest against the countersunk mold part 184 is guided by end rollers 201 and rear rollers 203.

One of the C-shaped brackets 200 is shown in more detail in Figures 14, 15 and 17 of the drawings and includes an upper plate 202 and a lower plate 204 connected together by an end plate 206. At the right hand end of each bracket 200 (Fig. 17) are mounted upper and lower lugs 208 provided with bearings 210 to hold roller shafts 212 and to support upper and lower rollers 214. These rollers 214 are designed to bear against upper and lower rolling surfaces 216 mounted on the rear surface of the countersunk molding 184. Supported by upper and lower plates 202 and 204 are bearing bodies 218 which suitably support vertically disposed roller shafts. The bearing bodies or otherwise the shafts 220 extend through an elongated slot 222 on the upper plate 202. The vertically arranged plate 206 carries a threaded positionally adjustable bolt 224 which presses against the roller shaft 220. A spring 226 is mounted around the bolt 224, and a locking slot 228 on the bolt, which is shown in Figure 16.

Upper and lower rollers 230 are mounted on the roller shafts 220 of each carrier 200 and press against the inner part of the surface of the continuous belt. The pressure that countersunk part 188 exerts on countersunk part 184 can be adjusted by various bolts 224.

Each of the C-shaped beams 200 is connected to one another by a series of upper and lower support assemblies 232 and 234 and secured by bolts 236, respectively. The plates 206 on each of the C-shaped beams

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are also provided with holding plates 238 which hold heating cartridge assemblies 240 which are provided with electrically operated heating cartridges 242.

Due to the fact that the countersink chamber does not have a uniform cross-section along its length, no separate pulling device is required. The countersink chamber and the associated countersink section also serve as a pulling mechanism.

All the stress is not applied to the frame but to the various pairs of rollers which primarily support the die and hold it in its mating relationship. The use of the tape as a second die is equally effective in forming essentially any contour and any body of non-uniform radius. There are no problems with "slippage" of two dies mating. The tape can be pressed to the surface that is mating with the reinforced material, bonding the tape pattern to the surface of the reinforcing material.

The arrangement can be provided with a roller and combing device 244, which serves to guide and store the incoming binder with reinforcing material provided strands in the sinking chamber. The arrangement C can be seen in a similar way with a movable cutting saw 116, which is similar to the arrangement A.

Figures 20 to 27 show an embodiment of the arrangement D, which enables the production of reinforced plastic composite bodies. Figure 29 is representative of a soft body that can be produced in this way.

Arrangement 0 is similar to arrangement C except that it uses a rod forming arrangement 250 shown in Figures 21 through 25. The rod forming arrangement forms a plurality of separate individual rods 252 which are guided by a continuous connecting strand 298 which will be described later. The various rods of the connecting strand 298 are contained in a medium stream of impregnated fibers containing reinforcing material 256. The continuous medium stream of impregnated reinforcing material along the rods on the connecting strand enters the sink chamber. The rod material is separated on the connecting strand 298 within the strands of reinforcing material so that the rods are located in sections of the sink chamber that have a larger volume. In Figure 28, a first sinking molding 258 is shown that is connected to a second sinking molding, e.g., a continuous band. The two sinking moldings 258 and 260 are arranged relative to one another to form a sinking channel 262. The sinking channel 262 has an enlarged section 264 therein. When the fiber reinforced material entering the sinking channel 262 is cured, it assumes a T-shape in the manner shown in Figure 29. The enlarged hump portion of the body is then disfigured in the enlarged heel portion 264 of the sinking chamber 262.

The rod forming assembly 252 generally includes a main support table or frame 266. Mounted on the surface of the frame 266 is a material transport drum 268 which conveys the feed of rod forming material, distributes the material,

and thereby produces a uniform strand 270 of this material as shown in Figure 21. The continuous thread or strand of rod-shaped material is preferably a main molding mass which can be formed into a rod of desired size and shape.

The composite main molding mass may be of polyester, which is moldable, and may contain fiber-reinforced material, such as glass powder, to have a putty-like consistency.

The main molding compound strand is fed into a forming roller mechanism 272. Two vertically arranged rollers 274 are positioned on opposite sides of the strand. The compound strand is passed between a pair of rollers 276 which are arranged horizontally. The two pairs of rollers 274 and 276 generally shape the main molding compound strand in the horizontal and vertical directions.

The rollers 274 are mounted on pins 278 which support the support housing 280, the latter being located on the upper surface of the frame 266. The rollers 276 are supported by roller shafts 282 mounted on the frame 280. The rollers 276 have relatively deep grooves to effect the shaping of the strand of main forming material as it passes between the two rollers 276.

Next, a pair of pre-stretch rollers 284 and 286 take up the strand of mass. The roller 286 has a peripherally extended rim 288 which extends into a groove 290 formed in the upper portion of the roller 284. As the main molding mass is passed between the two rollers 284 and the rim 288 and the groove

the main mold body has a U-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 24.

The rollers 284 and 286 are secured to the frame 280 by a pair of roller shafts 292 and 294, respectively. These roller shafts rest on a pair of enlarged roller walls 296.

The mass strand is continued by a continuous thread 298 which is supplied from a source on the frame 266. The U-shaped strand of the main molding mass can be arranged above the thread so that the thread 298 sits at the top inside the groove of the strand of the main molding mass.

The assembly is also provided with a cutting device 300 which comprises a pair of notched cutting blades

302. These cutting blades 302 are arranged so that they perform rotary movements on vertically arranged shafts

303. The blades 302 are arranged to receive the main molding compound strand and cut this main molding compound into separate sections without severing the continuous strand 298. The notched cutting blades rotate in opposite directions to each other to cut the main composite compound and the notches allow the strand 298 to remain undamaged. The strand remains continuous in the stream of fiber material entering the sink channel, but the main composite compound is divided into different sections. These different sections form the rods 2S2 which enter the sink channel.

Figure 21 shows a transport mechanism which is equipped to transport the various rods

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of bulk material 1' of a desired number. The transport mechanism includes a crank arm 306 on a shaft 294 which causes the rotation of the lower roller blind 286. The arm moves from a rest position represented by the axis 308 to a position as shown in Figure 21. A locking mechanism (not shown) is mounted within a hub 296 which supports the shaft 294. This allows the shaft and rollers 284 and 286 to rotate only in the transport direction and not in the opposite direction. A cylinder 310 is connected to the crank arm 306 _to effect the same movement from the axis line 308 to the position shown in Figure 21 and back to the axis line 308. It is thereby possible to control the rate of movement of the various rods and hence the spacing of the rods.

The individual different sections of the rod-forming material are formed into a desired shape by a cold sinking mechanism, often referred to as a "briquetting ^sinking mechanism" as shown in Figures 22B and 26-27. The sinking mechanism is often referred to as a briquetting sinking mechanism as the various sections of the rod-forming material are formed into a shape which sometimes resembles the briquette shape. Little or no heat is required to form the various rods of material into the desired shape. The rod-forming material is

of a small «like substance, so that it can be formed into the desired shape only by a small amount of pressure, and the substance will then essentially retain this shape.

The cold sink mechanism 314 generally includes a main frame 316 having a pair of slightly laterally mounted, longitudinally extending support rods 318 for guiding a longitudinally reciprocating bracket 320.

The aliening 320 generally supports a main frame 322 having a bottom plate 324. Attached to the bottom plate 324 is an L-shaped bracket 326 for mounting a pull rod 328. This pull rod 328 is attached to the bracket 326 by a pair of grooves 330, and a lug 332 is attached thereto for connection to a portion of the support rod, not shown. The support rod 328 extends generally longitudinally through the rod forming apparatus and is guided by a pair of spaced apart upper and lower rollers 334.

The support rod 328 is reciprocally pulled back and forth in accordance with the timing of the movement of the continuous strand 298 and the various main molding masses 252 disposed thereon. Therefore, the support is constructed so that it can move at the same speed as the continuous strand 298 as well as the various rods 252 formed from main masses.

A pair of spaced apart plates 336 are mounted on a floor structure 322. Each of the plates is guided by a rod which engages a sleeve 338, also referred to as a "guide carriage." These guide carriages 338 are supported by the rods 318 and are slidable thereon. Also mounted on the floor structure 322 are a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical posts 340. At the upper end of each of these upright posts 340 is mounted a cleated bracket 342 having a lower support plate 344. An upper flat support plate 346 is attached to the support plate 344, which cooperates with a deeper support plate 347, which is grooved to fit onto the posts 340, a guide plate 348 is attached to the underside of the upper guide plate 346, 348 being provided with a

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Pair of laterally displaced depressions 350 cooperate and guide them during the opening and closing movement.

The lower floor structure 322 is provided with an anvil-shaped plate 352 which functions as a lower guide plate and is supported by a support post 353. Mounted on the upper surface of the plate 352 is a guide plate 354 which guides the sinks 350. A pair of hydraulic cylinder mechanisms 356 serve to open and close the sinks 350 in the horizontal direction. Each cylinder mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder 358 and an extendable and retractable piston 360.

The upper guide plate 356 and the lower plate 347 are connected to each other by means of four bolts 368 and extend into the openings formed by each of the guide plates 346 and 352 which are secured by a pair of upper and lower grooves 370 as shown in Figures 26 and 27 of the drawings, furthermore each of these bolts 368 has external thread means at both the upper and lower ends so that adjustment can be made in a very simple manner.

The depressions 350 may be provided with guide devices 376 at their inlet openings which serve to guide the incoming mass into the channel formed between the depressions 350. A guide mechanism may be attached to their outlet ends. The inlet guide device 376 may be operated by means of the same or different hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangements.

Since each section of the rod-forming material reaches the depressions, provided they move at the same speed,

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As the mass moves along the sagging chamber, the depressions open and allow the mass rods to enter the sagging chamber, which has the desired size and shape, to form the main composite mass into a rod of the desired size and shape. The depressions then close and form a rod through this section, which finally enters the sagging channel 262 and is formed into a composite body, as previously mentioned.

As shown in Figure 20, the continuous thread 298 carrying the various rods 252 is introduced into a binder stream of impregnated reinforcing material and then enters the sink channel.

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Claims (1)

·· ta Device for producing phase-reinforced plastic composite bodies 1. Device for producing fibre-reinforced composite bodies with non-constant cross-section over their length,
marked by : ä) a first countersunk mold part (100) with a longitudinal recess (102) with a first section having a different cross-sectional shape than a second section; __ b) a second countersunk mold part (106), near the first countersunk mold part (100), for forming a countersunk channel (102) which contains at least a part of the longitudinal recess, so that the countersunk channel (102) has a first channel section with a different &ldquor;- cross-sectional shape as a second channel section, and has a non-constant cross-sectional shape along its length; c) a device for moving at least one of the die-casting parts (100, 106) and simultaneously pulling fibers containing reinforcing material (104) through the die-casting channel (102); and d) a hardening device (46) comprising at least one of the countersunk mold parts (100, 106) is assigned to expose the material to a HM radiation in the countersunk channel (102) and thereby harden a binding agent with which the fibers are impregnated while they are in the lowering channel (102). 2.Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the sinking channel (102) has a constant volume over its length with a non-constant cross-sectional shape, and thus produces a reinforced plastic composite body with a non-constant cross-sectional shape but with a constant cross-sectional volume over its length. 3.Device according to claim 1,
characterized.,
that the sinking channel (102) over sections of its length - has a non-constant volume compared to other sections, and has a non-constant shape, in order to produce a reinforced plastic composite body with a non-constant cross-sectional shape and with a non-constant cross-sectional volume along its length. 4.Device according to claim 1, __ characterized, that at least one of the first and second countersunk parts (100, 106) is provided with a hardening device (46) over a larger length section, so that the body produced thereby is 2Q length is hardened in the countersink channel (102). S.Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the body is curved and has a constant radius so that all sections of the body along its length are determined by the constant radius. ftf!« · · III * * < · ill I I · ·»! I J } · Il ItI II·· I Il Il Il Il · · .j... . ,.L. , L ■ t I 6. Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the body is curved and has a non-constant radius and consists of curved sections determined by different radii. 7!Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the movement device causes a movement of the first countersunk mold part (100), and that the second countersunk mold part (106) is fixedly arranged. &thgr;.Device according to claim 1, characterized, that the movement device causes a movement of both countersunk mold parts (100, 106) in a coordinated time"· 2ß relationship. 9 «Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that for the production of plastic composite bodies the 2« first countersunk mold part (156) has a first curved longitudinal recess and a second curved longitudinal recess which is adjacent to and connected to the first recess, and both have a curved cross-sectional shape which is defined by different radii« 3Q, and that the curing device (164) generates a curing radiation acting on the material in each of the recesses to thereby cure an impregnated bonding agent while it is in the shoulder sections and thereby form a composite body of domed shape having at least two sections (150 and 152) of domed shape, each defined by different radii. tit» « · · · Ot · 10. Device according to claim 9 , characterized in that at least one of the recesses has a non-constant cross-sectional shape over its length, so that the composite body has a non-constant cross-section over its length. tO 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the sinking channel has a constant volume over its entire length although the shape is not constant, thereby producing a reinforced plastic composite body which has a non-constant cross-sectional shape but a constant cross-sectional volume over its length. 12. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the sink channel has a non-constant volume over its length sections (150, 152) compared to other sections although they do not have a constant shape, thereby producing a reinforced plastic composite body which has a non-constant cross-sectional shape and a non-constant cross-sectional volume over its length. 13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a pre-curing device (164) is included, which initiates a curing of a binding agent in the fiber-containing material, wherein at least one of the first or second countersinking mold parts (156, 158) is provided with curing devices, over a larger portion of a length, which ultimately cures the binding agent while it is in the countersinking channel, and the body produced thereby is also &bull; t··· · if hardened along its length during passage in the countersinking channel. 14.Device for producing fiber-reinforced »elastomeric composite bodies having a preselected cross-sectional shape,
marked by: '® a) a first countersunk section having a relatively flat surface with an elongated shoulder (186) therein having a preselected cross-sectional shape along its length; b) a continuous belt disposed proximate a surface and having continuous portions (201, 203) mating with the surface of the first countersunk portion (184) to form a countersunk channel therein comprising at least the elongated shoulder (186) receiving fiber with reinforced material; c) Devices for moving the lowering section of the continuous band, so that successive·* tyjt mating surfaces move in the same direction and generally at the same speed to form a continuously moving sink channel and simultaneously pull fiber containing reinforcing material through the sink channel; and d) a hardening device (180) in connection with the countersinking section, for supplying a hardening radiation to the material in the countersinking channel in order to harden a binder impregnated therein and in the process form a composite body with a preselected cross-sectional structure. 15. Device according to claim 14,
characterized, that the countersink channel has a non-constant cross-sectional shape over its length, eo that the reinforced plastic material forms a reinforced plastic composite body with a non-constant cross-sectional shape over its surface during hardening.
10 16. Device according to claim 14,
characterized, that &igr; IS a) first roller devices (201) engage on one side of the first lowering section; b) second roller devices (203·) engage one side of the belt so that the first lowering section and the belt are pressed together; c) pre-tensioning devices influencing the first and second roller devices (201, 203) and
by mutual prestressing of these, whereby the BaneL is prestressed against the countersunk section 17,Device according to claim 16,
characterized, that the first and second roller guide device (201, 203) 3® is mounted on a bracket (200), and the pre-tensioning devices are connected to a
the roller devices in order to pre-tension them against each other. ^OJ 18.Device according to claim 15,
characterized, that the first countersunk section is bent over a larger portion of its length, and the manufactured &bull;; j · j, J ! &iacgr;"V Body is also bent along its length, while ex is located in the sink channel. 5 19. Device according to claim 14,
characterized, that the body is curved and has a constant radius, so that all sections of the body along its length are determined by a constant radius. 20. Device according to claim 14,
characterized, that the body is curved and has a non-constant radius and can consist of curved sections which are determined by different radii. 21. Device for producing fiber-reinforced plastic composite bodies which may have a non-constant cross-sectional volume over their length, characterized by: a) a first countersunk mold part (258) with an elongated recess (264) which has a non-constant cross-sectional volume; b) a second countersunk mold part (260) in and connected to the first countersunk mold part (258) , _ _ft around a fibre containing reinforcing material (270) receiving depression (262)" which consists at least of the elongated recess (264); c) means for moving a reinforcing material (270) impregnated with binder in the sinking channel (26Jt) which forms the body when the binder enters the material; ·· ·· MM MM MI· M i ·· ·■ M I · d) means (252) for introducing rod material into the reinforcing material at preselected locations to increase the volume at each of these locations; and e) devices (272) for moving at least one of the countersunk mold parts (258, 260) and at the same time for pulling fiber (270) containing reinforcing material and rods (252) through the countersunk channel (162) into the recess (264) in order to form a reinforced plastic composite body with a non-constant volume to shape along its length.
15 22. Device according to claim 21,
characterized, that the hardening device is connected to at least one of the countersunk mold parts (258, 260) in order to ^O to apply a hardening radiation to the material in the recess (264) to thereby harden a binding agent impregnated therein and to form a hardened composite body having a non-constant cross-section along its length. 23. Device according to claim 21,
characterized, that the channel (262) does not have a constant cross-sectional shape, so that the composite body does not have a constant cross-sectional shape as well as a non-constant cross-sectional volume along its length. 24. Device according to claim 21,
characterized, that the first and second countersunk mold parts (258/260) are bent over a larger portion of their length and the manufactured body is also bent over its length.