David C Lederer

US Patent:

20030108380, Jun 12, 2003

Filed:

Dec 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/012630

Inventors:

Kenneth Schweitz - Oconomowoc WI, US
Sean Redfern - Watertown WI, US
David Lederer - Oconomowoc WI, US
Trent Heinzel - Oconomowoc WI, US

International Classification:

F16D001/12
F16D003/00
F16C011/00

US Classification:

403/079000

Abstract:

A pivot joint and a method for molding a pivot joint includes creating a mold to form an eyelet link and a yoke link of the pivot joint, in whatever form is desired or required. A pivot bushing and a loose part are each placed into the mold. The mold is closed and, through use of either a high pressure injection molding process or a reaction injection molding process, polyurethane plastic or resin is injected into the mold through a runner and gate system. After the joint is removed from the mold, and the loose part is removed from the joint, the gate and vent are trimmed, as are one or more sub-gates between the eyelet link and the yoke link of the pivot joint. In this fashion, a fully articulated pivot joint is created in a single molding cycle.