Patent US3635547A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3635547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reflector construction
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-08
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight reflector construction suitable for use in space, having a thin flexible reflector membrane means stretched flat between the projecting ends of a plurality of arms which extend axially and radially from a central support member about which such arms are distributed. The arms accept the reflector membrane tensioning load in compression along their length and are permitted to be of relatively slender construction by virtue of a rigidizing system of guys that constrain the arms against buckling at spaced apart locations along their length.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C Rushing
- 👤 Lynford W Gilbert
- 👤 Albert B Sikon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A reflector construction comprising, a central support member through which an axis of symmetry of the construction passes, a plurality of arms attached to said support member at their one end and extending axially and radially therefrom with respect to said axis of circumferentially spaced apart intervals therearound, a central mast attached to said central support member and extending along said axis in a direction opposite to that in which said arms extend, a thin flat reflector membrane means supported and held in tension at spaced apart intervals about its periphery by the projecting ends of said arms, a first plurality of guy wires extending from said mast to respective locatioNs along each of said arms, and a second plurality of guy wires extending between said arms at locations therealong.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A reflector construction comprising, a central support member through which an axis of symmetry of the construction passes, a plurality of arms attached to said support member at their one end and extending axially and radially therefrom with respect to said axis of circumferentially spaced apart intervals therearound, a central mast attached to said central support member and extending along said axis in a direction opposite to that in which said arms extend, a thin flat reflector membrane means supported and held in tension at spaced apart intervals about its periphery by the projecting ends of said arms, a first plurality of guy wires extending from said mast to respective locatioNs along each of said arms, and a second plurality of guy wires extending between said arms at locations therealong.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reflector construction of claim 1, wherein certain of said second plurality of guy wires extend between longitudinally corresponding locations on the arms and others extend diagonally between nonlongitudinally corresponding arm locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reflector construction of claim 1, wherein each of said arms is of equal length and is maintained in a straight attitude by the several pluralities of guy wires.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflector construction of claim 1, wherein all of the aforesaid guy wires are prestressed in tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reflector construction of claim 1, wherein tension spring means are interposed between said arms and said reflector membrane means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2534710A
Cited
GB877350A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |