Auto-indexing visor core
View Patent ↗A method for making visor cores is disclosed. The method includes sequentially molding visor cores, and interconnecting the visor cores as they are molded to form a chain of visor cores. The visor cores remain oriented relative to one another, and the visor cores can be sequentially positioned in a cooling fixture and a flexing fixture. The chain of visors can be wound on a spool or the like for transport.
1. A method for forming visor cores, comprising:
sequentially molding a plurality of visor cores, each visor core having first and second halves interconnected by a living hinge;
sequentially interconnecting the visor cores to form a chain of the visor cores;
sequentially folding the visor cores about the living hinge.
2. The method of claim 1 , including:
sequentially molding the visor cores together.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
each visor core has a connector with an opening; and including:
filling the opening to mold adjacent visor cores together.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
each visor core has an extension; and including:
overlapping the extension and opening of the connector of adjacent visor cores before the visor cores are molded together.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
each visor core includes at least two connectors with openings and at least two extensions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
each visor core includes first and second connectors, and including:
mechanically interconnecting the second connectors of each visor core with the first connectors of the next visor core in the chain.
7. The method of claim 6 , including:
deforming at least a selected one of the first and second connectors as the first and second connectors are mechanically interconnected.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first connectors have a C-shaped portion, and the second connectors include a generally cylindrical portion that is received in the C-shaped portion of the first connectors.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first connectors have an opening, and the second connectors include a barbed extension that is received in the openings of the first connectors.
10. A method for fabricating visor cores, comprising:
providing a mold tool having a mold cavity;
molding a first visor core in the mold cavity, wherein the first visor core includes first and second halves that are interconnected by a living hinge disposed between the first and second halves, the first visor core having a first connector defining a first configuration adjacent a first side of the first visor core, the first visor core having a second connector defining a second configuration adjacent a second side of the first visor core;
moving the first visor core out of the mold cavity;
molding a second visor core in the mold cavity after molding the first visor core in the mold cavity, wherein the second visor core is substantially identical to the first visor core;
connecting the first visor core to the second visor core by engaging the second connector of the first visor core with the first connector of the second visor core.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the second connector of the first visor core and the first connector of the second visor core are molded together as the second visor core is molded to connect the first visor core to the second visor core.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the second connectors comprise extensions having an opening therethrough; and
the first and second connectors overlap and the opening is filled when the first and second connectors are molded together.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the first connector of the second visor core is molded to the second connector of the first visor core simultaneously with the molding of the second visor core.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the first connectors comprise clasps having a C-shaped portion;
the second connectors include a cylindrical portion and including:
snapping the cylindrical portions of the second connectors into the C-shaped portions of the first connectors.
15. The method of claim 10 , including:
deforming at least a selected one of the first and second connectors when the first visor core is connected to the second visor core.
16. A method for forming visor cores including at least a first visor core, comprising:
sequentially molding a plurality of additional visor cores that are substantially identical to the first visor core; and
sequentially interconnecting the visor cores to form a chain of visor cores at equally spaced intervals along the chain;
supporting and cooling each visor core in a cooling fixture after molding of the visor core;
wherein the molding and interconnecting comprises:
molding a first visor core having a first connector defining a first configuration adjacent a first side of the first visor core, the first visor having a second connector defining a second configuration adjacent a second side of the first visor core;
molding a second visor core that is substantially identical to the first visor core; and
connecting the first visor core to the second visor core by engaging the second connectors of the first visor core with the first connectors of the second visor core.
17. The method of claim 16 , including:
forming each visor core with a living hinge; and
flexing each visor core about the living hinge after cooling the visor cores.
18. The method of claim 17 , including:
forming a locating feature associated with each visor core; and
using the locating feature for positioning the visor cores in the cooling fixture.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the locating features comprise an opening; and including:
inserting a pin in the openings to position the visor cores.
20. A method for forming visor cores, comprising:
sequentially molding and interconnecting a plurality of visor cores to form a chain of equally spaced, interconnected visor cores, each visor core including first and second halves and a living hinge interconnecting the first and second halves; and
flexing each living hinge in a flexing fixture.
21. The method of claim 20 , including:
supporting and cooling the visor cores in a cooling fixture.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein:
the visor cores are sequentially molded together.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein:
the visor cores are mechanically interconnected.
24. The method of claim 20 , including:
winding the chain of visor cores on a spool.
25. The method of claim 20 , including:
forming a positioning feature associated with each visor core;
utilizing the positioning feature to position the visor cores.