| 摘要 |
A joint between a first tubular member 22 and a second tubular member 24, where each tubular member has a first end portion 26, 28, comprises a plastics moulding moulded about the first end portions of the first and second tubular members, where one of the first end portions includes a radially deflected region. The first and second tubular members may be placed in an open mould cavity such that their first ends abut, and are not able to move in relation to one another. A sprue 36 may be provided in one of the mould parts to enable a plastics material 30 to be injected into the cavity. The plastics material, which may comprise a thermoplastics material such as polypropylene or nylon, may then flow around the outer surfaces 42, 44 of the first and second tubular members. Once the mould cavity has been filled a pressure due to the plastics material within the mould cavity may be increased. When the pressure reaches a certain level, it may cause parts 46, 48 of the tubular members in the region of the abutted first ends 26, 28 to deform radially inwardly. The tubular members may be in the form of aluminium pipes, such as those used in the manufacture of motor vehicle spaceframes. |
