US3633250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical connector system including bifurcate hinged connector means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A connector system for securing a first physical object to a second is based primarily on a one-piece bifurcate connector having a first or head axis and a second or leg axis generally transverse to the first. The connector per se comprises a plastic hinged loop element flexible enough to open and pass astride the first object, and bifurcate leg elements in continuation of the loop, adapted to be closed together along the second axis to engage the second object. Plural cooperating notches, grooves, or cutouts are formed between the legs to engage between them pin, key or other detent means projecting from the second object and preferably parallel to the first axis. Annular grooves or other surfaces of revolution also may be formed inside or outside the legs, as closed, to permit rotation of the second object about its own axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell H Romney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:20
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/04; A; A47; A47F; A47F7/00; A47F7/16; A47F7/163; F16B15/00; F16B15/02; F16B35/00; F16B35/02; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/0446; F16B7/048; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0657; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32114; Y10T403/32196
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Connection apparatus which comprises an elastic hinged bifurcate connector formed of tough elastic material with a first object-encircling loop having a first axis, and legs formed along a second axis and in continuation of said loop and transverse to the first axis, the loop having a relatively thinner hinge portion opposite the legs and being relieved internally at the junction between loop and legs, said loop being flexible enough by reason of said thinner portion and said relief to be opened up and passed over a said first object large enough to substantially fill the loop when closed thereon, said legs being hollowed to form between them a receptacle for a rod or shaftlike second object lying along said second axis, said legs also being formed with a pair of cooperating detent notches in matching edges of said legs to receive and retain a radially projecting lock element on a said second object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Connection apparatus which comprises an elastic hinged bifurcate connector formed of tough elastic material with a first object-encircling loop having a first axis, and legs formed along a second axis and in continuation of said loop and transverse to the first axis, the loop having a relatively thinner hinge portion opposite the legs and being relieved internally at the junction between loop and legs, said loop being flexible enough by reason of said thinner portion and said relief to be opened up and passed over a said first object large enough to substantially fill the loop when closed thereon, said legs being hollowed to form between them a receptacle for a rod or shaftlike second object lying along said second axis, said legs also being formed with a pair of cooperating detent notches in matching edges of said legs to receive and retain a radially projecting lock element on a said second object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 secured to a second physical object in the form of a shaft disposed along the second axis and a transverse pin in said shaft disposed in at least one of said pair of notches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes an inner rod member between said legs, an annular outer member surrounding said legs and holding them together, and pin means passing through at least one pair of detent notches and through at least one of said outer and inner members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the rod is a driven fastening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the rod is a threaded member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the annular leg surrounding member is movably attached around said rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the annular outer member is a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises an annular member surrounding said bifurcate legs to hold them together and flat base-engaging means attached to said annular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the annular member is split.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises at least one additional article-engaging element projecting radially from said loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes plural pairs of detent notches and additional openings to receive a pin projecting radially from the second axis and transverse to the leg junctures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which two pairs of notches are provided between said legs, one set being rounded for closely engaging a round pin and the other set being wider for engaging a transverse detent member having greater width along the second axis than transverse thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the bifurcate member has an internal detent in the form of a surface of revolution formed collectively between and in said legs to hold said second object for rotation about said second axis while retaining said second object against displacement along the second axis when said legs are closed together around said second object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said loop is formed internally to accommodate a spherical surface on a first object, thereby to permit angular shifting of said first object with respect to said first axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |