Patent UST938009I4 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3717879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible reflector
Assignee: NEOTEC Corp A CORP OF DE
•
Filing: 1968-12-03
•
Granted: 1973-02-20
•
Expires: 1988-12-03
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a collapsible reflector including a number of substantially rigid foldable panels covered with a reflecting surface spaced around a central hub and flexible reflecting material located between adjacent panels; the substantially rigid panels being folded adjacent the hub in a small volume for stowing and upon deployment providing the required stiffness and contour control for the reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 E Ganssle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/16; H01Q15/161; H01Q15/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A collapsible reflector adapted to automatically erect to the operational configuration of a surface of revolution, comprising: a substantially circular hub member, said hub member having a diameter no larger than said reflector in its collapsed condition; a plurality of substantially rigid folding panels spaced around said hub member and connected thereto by hinge means so that they may fold substantially flat against said hub member when said reflector is collapsed, each of said panels being articulated so that the outer portion thereof may also be folded substantially flat against the inner portion of said panels hinged to said hub member; flexible reflecting material spaced between said panels; and relatively stiffer reflecting material than said flexible reflecting material covering said folding panels, said flexible reflecting material being pleated when said reflector is in its collapsed condition in contrast to said relatively stiffer reflecting material on said panels which remains stretched sheet-like across Said folding panels when said reflector is either collapsed or in its operational configuration, the rigidity of said folding panels providing the required stiffness and contour control for the reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A collapsible reflector adapted to automatically erect to the operational configuration of a surface of revolution, comprising: a substantially circular hub member, said hub member having a diameter no larger than said reflector in its collapsed condition; a plurality of substantially rigid folding panels spaced around said hub member and connected thereto by hinge means so that they may fold substantially flat against said hub member when said reflector is collapsed, each of said panels being articulated so that the outer portion thereof may also be folded substantially flat against the inner portion of said panels hinged to said hub member; flexible reflecting material spaced between said panels; and relatively stiffer reflecting material than said flexible reflecting material covering said folding panels, said flexible reflecting material being pleated when said reflector is in its collapsed condition in contrast to said relatively stiffer reflecting material on said panels which remains stretched sheet-like across Said folding panels when said reflector is either collapsed or in its operational configuration, the rigidity of said folding panels providing the required stiffness and contour control for the reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
A collapsible reflector adapted to automatically erect to the operational configuration of a surface of revolution, comprising: a substantially circular hub member, said hub member having a diameter no larger than said reflector in its collapsed condition; a plurality of substantially rigid folding panels spaced around said hub member and connected thereto by hinge means so that they may fold substantially flat against said hub member when said reflector is collapsed, each of said panels being articulated so that the outer portion thereof may also be folded substantially flat against the inner portion of said panels hinged to said hub member; flexible reflecting material spaced between said panels; and relatively stiffer reflecting material than said flexible reflecting material covering said folding panels, said flexible reflecting material being pleated when said reflector is in its collapsed condition in contrast to said relatively stiffer reflecting material on said panels which remains stretched sheet-like across Said folding panels when said reflector is either collapsed or in its operational configuration, the rigidity of said folding panels providing the required stiffness and contour control for the reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
A collapsible reflector adapted to automatically erect to the operational configuration of a surface of revolution, comprising: a substantially circular hub member, said hub member having a diameter no larger than said reflector in its collapsed condition; a plurality of substantially rigid folding panels spaced around said hub member and connected thereto by hinge means so that they may fold substantially flat against said hub member when said reflector is collapsed, each of said panels being articulated so that the outer portion thereof may also be folded substantially flat against the inner portion of said panels hinged to said hub member; flexible reflecting material spaced between said panels; and relatively stiffer reflecting material than said flexible reflecting material covering said folding panels, said flexible reflecting material being pleated when said reflector is in its collapsed condition in contrast to said relatively stiffer reflecting material on said panels which remains stretched sheet-like across Said folding panels when said reflector is either collapsed or in its operational configuration, the rigidity of said folding panels providing the required stiffness and contour control for the reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 1 including a plurality of formers supporting said flexible reflecting material when said reflector is in its erected configuration, an inner portion of said formers being hinged to said hub member and folded substantially flat against said hub member when said reflector is collapsed and said formers being articulated so that an outer portion thereof may be folded substantially flat against the inner portion when said reflector is in its collapsed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 2 including linking members connecting the outer tips of said formers with one another to enhance the rigidity of said reflector, said linking members being foldable when said reflector is collapsed and having stop members thereon to aid them in unfolding to their proper connecting position as said reflector unfolds from its collapsed condition to its operational configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 1 including at least one other set of substantially rigid folding panels connected to the outer portion of said folding panels connected to said hub member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 1 wherein its operational configuration assumes the shape of a paraboloid of revolution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 1 wherein said hub member is covered with reflecting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 2 including means for providing the force required to cause said reflector to automatically erect to its operational configuration from its collapsed condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 7 including means for releasably restraining the reflector in its collapsed condition and means for releasing said restraining means to allow said reflector to unfold to its operational configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A collapsible reflector as described in claim 8 wherein spring biased hinge means connect said folding panels to said hub and also connect the outer portion of said panels to the inner portion thereof to provide the force required to cause said reflector to automatically erect to its operational configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |