US3696575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expansion joint cover
Assignee: Metalines Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An expansion joint cover is disclosed in the form of an extruded elongated cover plate having an integral centrally oriented ratchet which extends into an expansion joint opening for engagement with a spring plate fastened to the structure so that one end of the plate is engaged with the ratchet and another end is engaged with the cover for urging the cover into holding relationship with the ratchet. In one embodiment, the cover is a planar member for spanning a joint formed between co-planar wall sections, while, in another embodiment, the cover is an L-shaped member for spanning a joint oriented between perpendicular wall sections; in each case, the connective theory is substantially identical.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary E Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:49
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/66; E04B1/68; E04B1/6803; E04B1/6804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An expansion joint cover assembly for covering an elongated opening extending between first and second spaced wall sections, said assembly comprising an elongated cover plate adapted to cover said elongated opening, ratchet means integrally formed in said cover plate positioned in said elongated opening when said cover plate is in position to cover said elongated opening, spring plate means fastened to one of said wall sections having a cantilever arm with a free end edge extending into said elongated opening for engagement with said ratchet means for holdIng said elongated cover plate in position over said elongated opening, a flexible biassing arm portion extending from the other end of said spring plate engageable with a camming lug on said cover plate for urging said cover plate and ratchet means against said cantilever free end edge while simultaneously urging one edge of said cover plate against said first wall section to maintain said ratchet means in engagement with said spring plate while simultaneously urging said cover plate into covering relationship with respect to said elongated opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An expansion joint cover assembly for covering an elongated opening extending between first and second spaced wall sections, said assembly comprising an elongated cover plate adapted to cover said elongated opening, ratchet means integrally formed in said cover plate positioned in said elongated opening when said cover plate is in position to cover said elongated opening, spring plate means fastened to one of said wall sections having a cantilever arm with a free end edge extending into said elongated opening for engagement with said ratchet means for holdIng said elongated cover plate in position over said elongated opening, a flexible biassing arm portion extending from the other end of said spring plate engageable with a camming lug on said cover plate for urging said cover plate and ratchet means against said cantilever free end edge while simultaneously urging one edge of said cover plate against said first wall section to maintain said ratchet means in engagement with said spring plate while simultaneously urging said cover plate into covering relationship with respect to said elongated opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said wall sections are substantially parallel to each other and said spring plate comprises a flat wall abutting main portion connected to said first wall section with said cantilever arm free end and said flexible biassing arm portion extending outwardly in opposite directions from opposite sides of each end of said flat wall abutting main portion and inclined with respect to said wall abutting main portion to provide an overall generally S-shaped configuration for said spring plate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 2 additionally including flexible sealing means along one edge of said cover plate to provide a weatherproof connection between said one edge and said second wall section and said cover plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said cover plate comprises a generally U-shaped extrusion in the form of a main web and first and second edge legs extending perpendicularly therefrom along opposite edges thereof with the outer ends of said edge legs abutting against said first and second wall sections and wherein said ratchet means comprises a unitary ratchet plate extending medially from said main web perpendicularly to said main base plate and having a plurality of ratchet teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said camming lug comprises an inwardly extending rounded lug member extending inwardly from adjacent the outer edge of said first edge leg with said ratchet teeth on said ratchet plate facing said inwardly extending rounded lug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said main web is of relatively thin construction permitting inward manual deflection of said main base and said integral ratchet plate toward said elongated opening whereby engagement of said ratchet plate with said flexible biassing arm maintains and holds said elongated cover plate in stressed condition against said elongated opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 4 additionally including flexible sealing means mounted in the edge of said second edge leg for engagement with said second wall section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said camming lug comprises an inwardly extending rounded lug member extending inwardly from adjacent the outer edge of said first edge leg with said ratchet teeth on said ratchet plate facing said inwardly extending rounded lug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said main web is of relatively thin construction permitting inward manual deflection of said main web and said integral ratchet plate towards said elongated opening whereby engagement of said ratchet plate with said flexible biassing arm maintains and holds said elongated cover plate in stressed condition against said elongated opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said cantilever arm tapers inwardly from said main flat wall abutting main portion to said free end edge which is of substantially less width than said flat wall abutting main portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said wall sections are substantially perpendicular to each other and said cover plate is of generally L-shaped configuration formed of a main leg and a minor leg extending from a juncture edge mutually perpendicular to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said spring plate comprises a main base plate portion abuttingly connected to said first wall section with said cantilever arm extending outwardly perpendicularly from one edge of said main base plate portion and terminating in a bent lip Portion extending inwardly toward said main base plate and defining said free end edge, wherein said flexible biassing arm extends unitarily from the end of said main base plate opposite said cantilever arm and is in the form of a bent tab oriented at an acute angle with respect to said main base plate and inwardly facing toward said cantilever arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said ratchet means comprises a series of ratchet teeth extending outwardly perpendicularly from an inner surface of said major leg of said L-shaped cover plate along said juncture edge of the major and minor legs of the cover plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said ratchet means extends from said major leg on both sides of said minor leg.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said camming lug comprises an inwardly extending lug plate extending from said minor leg and mounted inwardly of the outer edge of said minor leg and terminating in a rounded lug portion extending perpendicularly from the edge of said lug plate toward the outer end of said minor leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 15 additionally including relatively soft weatherproof seal means mounted adjacent the outer edge of said major leg.
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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |