Collapsible element pocket former
View Patent ↗A pocket former may include a pocket former body, the pocket former body having an outer surface. The pocket former may further include a collapsible element, the collapsible element formed on the outer surface of the pocket former body. The collapsible element may extend radially outwardly from the pocket former body.
1. A pocket former comprising:
a pocket former body, the pocket former body having an outer surface and including at least one pocket former bridge oriented longitudinally along the pocket former body; and
a collapsible element, the collapsible element formed on the outer surface of the pocket former body, the collapsible element extending radially outwardly from the pocket former body;
wherein the at least one pocket former bridge is less thick than the rest of the pocket former body so that upon the application of a force on the collapsible element, the at least one pocket former bridge breaks such that the pocket former body separates into two or more segments.
2. The pocket former of claim 1 , wherein the pocket former body is tapered from a pocket former outer edge to a pocket former inner edge.
3. The pocket former of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the pocket former body includes textured surfaces, ridges, grooves, recesses, or protrusions.
4. The pocket former of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element has an exterior surface and wherein the exterior surface of the collapsible element has a curved profile.
5. The pocket former of claim 4 , wherein the collapsible element has a cross-sectional angle α and a longitudinal angle β, and wherein the cross-sectional angle α is smaller than the longitudinal angle β.
6. The pocket former of claim 1 , wherein the pocket former body further comprises a flex feature.
7. The pocket former of claim 1 wherein upon the application of a force on the collapsible element, the at least one pocket former bridge breaks such that the pocket former body separates into two or more longitudinal segments.
8. A pocket former comprising:
a pocket former body, the pocket former body having an outer surface, the pocket former body having a first portion and a second portion and including at least one pocket former bridge oriented longitudinally along the pocket former body; and
a collapsible element, the collapsible element flexibly coupled to the first portion and the second portion of the pocket former body;
wherein the at least one pocket former bridge is less thick than the rest of the pocket former body so that upon the application of a force on the collapsible element, the at least one pocket former bridge breaks such that the pocket former body separates into two or more segments.
9. The pocket former of claim 8 wherein upon the application of a force on the collapsible element, the at least one pocket former bridge breaks such that the pocket former body separates into two or more longitudinal segments.
10. A pocket former comprising:
a pocket former body;
a collapsible element; and
a spring mechanism, the spring mechanism mechanically connected to the collapsible element and the pocket former body, wherein the spring mechanism comprises:
a connecting member, the connecting member mechanically attached or formed integrally with a pivot and wherein the connecting member mechanically connects to the collapsible element; and
a spring, wherein the spring connects the pivot to the pocket former body.