US3670358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self actuating self locking flexible hinge
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-04-29
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-04-29
Abstract
Abstract The hinge is capable of twisting and bending about at least two axes and comprises a pair of strips having a transverse curvature. The strips are secured at their ends to a pair of rigid tubes, beam parts, supports, and the like, which are thereby joined together. The strips are preferably mounted facing one another with their centers of curvature lying inward. In bending the hinge, the strips are caused to flatten out and the inner strip is compressed thus developing the actuation force. Rubber pads or the like may be placed between the metal strips in order to increase the stored spring energy and to improve the hinge''s folding characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Seymour S Schwartz
- 👤 Charles P Rubin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/08; B; B64; B64G; B64G99/00; F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/12; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/16; H01Q15/161; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/47; F16C2380/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A self-actuating, self-locking flexible hinge comprising a pair of strips of spring material, each said strip having a curvature transverse to the length thereof to provide a concave side and a convex side, said strips being positioned 180* apart with the concave sides in face to face relationship, means joining said strips together at the ends thereof, and an elastomeric material placed between and in contact with said strips, said strips twistable and bendable about at least two axes when said strips are curved in a direction angled to the length of said strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A self-actuating, self-locking flexible hinge comprising a pair of strips of spring material, each said strip having a curvature transverse to the length thereof to provide a concave side and a convex side, said strips being positioned 180* apart with the concave sides in face to face relationship, means joining said strips together at the ends thereof, and an elastomeric material placed between and in contact with said strips, said strips twistable and bendable about at least two axes when said strips are curved in a direction angled to the length of said strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A self-actuating, self-locking flexible hinge comprising a pair of transversely curved strips of spring material, said strips being secured to each other at their respective ends and mounted facing each other with the center of curvature of each said strips lying toward the other of said strips, and an elastomeric material placed between and in contact with said strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A self-actuating, self-locking flexible hinge comprising a pair of transversely curved strips of spring material, said strips being secured to each other at their respective ends and mounted facing each other with the center of curvature of each said strips lying toward the other of said strips, and an elastomeric material placed between and in contact with said strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A foldable and unfoldable closed loop including a plurality of single segments placeable in tandem when said loop is unfolded to lie in a single plane, said unfolded loop thereby acting as a closed beam, and articulated lockable joints secured between said segments and to adjoining ends thereof, each said joint comprising a pair of strips of spring material joined at their ends to said segments and elastomeric material positioned between said strips for unfolding said loop and for twisting and bending about at least two axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A foldable and unfoldable closed loop including a plurality of single segments placeable in tandem when said loop is unfolded to lie in a single plane, said unfolded loop thereby acting as a closed beam, and articulated lockable joints secured between said segments and to adjoining ends thereof, each said joint comprising a pair of strips of spring material joined at their ends to said segments and elastomeric material positioned between said strips for unfolding said loop and for twisting and bending about at least two axes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2211385A
Cited
US3386128A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |