Patent ID: 7981348

Claim:
A method of making a compressible elastomeric pad from a preselected polymer material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a preform including a substantially solid body having a predetermined cross-section disposed normal to a central axis of said preform and a pair of axial ends, each of said pair of axial ends having each of a substantially flat surface disposed normal to said central axis and a central socket provided within at least one substantially flat surface; (b) providing a pair of forming plates, at least one of said pair of forming plates having a raised annular ring at least one of formed integral with and secured to one surface thereof; (c) positioning said preform between said pair of forming plates; (d) axially aligning said raised annular ring with a respective central socket; (e) forming said pad having an axial projection extending outwardly from said at least one substantially flat surface of said preform having said socket provided therewithin; and (f) removing said pad from engagement with said pair of forming plates.