Patent ID: 6426031
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a sweep elbow tube connector, comprising the steps of:providing an injection mold structure defining exterior features of a tube connector member comprising a first linear tube end portion, a second linear tube end portion, and a curved sweep tube portion defined by a relatively large sweep radius, the mold structure including a curved first core pin for defining an interior passageway portion of the tube connector member in the curved sweep tube portion and of the first linear tube end portion, and a straight second core pin for defining an interior passageway portion of the tube connector member in the second linear tube end portion; injecting a molten plastic material in a cavity formed in the mold structure to form the tube connector, wherein the tube connector member has a thick wall thickness over at least a portion of said curved sweep tube portion and a thin wall thickness over said first linear tube end; removing the second core pin from the mold structure; after the plastic material has hardened to form a solidified part, removing the solidified part from the mold structure with the first core pin still in place in the solid part; and stripping the first core pin from the solidified part by effecting relative movement therebetween, the solid plastic material forming first linear tube end flexing to allow withdrawal of the curved core pin.