Patent ID: 9403318
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B29C,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A thermoplastic joint assembly comprising: a first plate formed from a thermoplastic material, the first plate having a first joint surface and including a thermoplastic protrusion extending from the first joint surface; a second plate formed from the thermoplastic material, the second plate including: wherein the receiving pocket of the second plate is adapted to receive the protrusion of the first plate when the first joint surface abuts the second joint surface; wherein the local area of the heat-apply surface of the second plate is configured to contact a thermal die having a temperature above a melting point of the thermoplastic to conduct thermal energy into the second plate; and wherein the conducted thermal energy melts the local area of the second plate proximate the receiving pocket and melts the protrusion of the first plate such that the second plate and the first plate locally fuse together when the thermal energy is removed.