US3744196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hinged slab system of building
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-20
•
Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A modular system of building constructed by casting reinforced slabs having embedded transverse hinge elements located at spaced intervals and folding the slabs into sleeve-like parallelogram modules or tunnels. The modules are stacked and grouted together in various arrangements to form four part structural elements of a building. The hinge elements are folded annealed metal strips having cut-out slots for interfitting with the reinforcing wires, punched-out tabs for embedding in the concrete slab, and notches to produce a plane of weakness at the bending point.
Inventors
- 👤 H Weese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:04
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/35; E04B1/3533; E04B1/3538; E04B1/348; E04B1/34815; E04B1/34823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A modular unit for use in a modular building comprising four casted slabs hingedly-connected together in an open-ended sleevelike parallelogram configuration, a plurality of reinforcing wires extending in a generally parallel plane through the entire length of each of said slabs, and four integral hinge elements connecting said slabs together, each of said hinge elements comprising an elongated sheet of bendable high strength material folded lengthwise to present two hinge plates, a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly in each of said hinge plates at a transverse angle to said parallel plane with at least a portion of said tabs embedded in the ends of said slabs, and a plurality of slots formed through said hinge plates to provide passageways for said reinforcing wires, the portion of said hinge plate about each of said slots projecting inwardly of its associated slab a sufficient distance to provide access for severing said reinforcing wires when said modular unit is in its flattened preassembled position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A modular unit for use in a modular building comprising four casted slabs hingedly-connected together in an open-ended sleevelike parallelogram configuration, a plurality of reinforcing wires extending in a generally parallel plane through the entire length of each of said slabs, and four integral hinge elements connecting said slabs together, each of said hinge elements comprising an elongated sheet of bendable high strength material folded lengthwise to present two hinge plates, a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly in each of said hinge plates at a transverse angle to said parallel plane with at least a portion of said tabs embedded in the ends of said slabs, and a plurality of slots formed through said hinge plates to provide passageways for said reinforcing wires, the portion of said hinge plate about each of said slots projecting inwardly of its associated slab a sufficient distance to provide access for severing said reinforcing wires when said modular unit is in its flattened preassembled position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A modular unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the ends of said reinforcing wires extend outwardly of the opposite ends of each slab a sufficient distance to provide structural continuity with adjacent slabs when stacked together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A modular unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of slots are formed along the lateral edges of said hinge plates and said lateral edge is bent inwardly of its associated slab to define said inwardly projecting portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A modular unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said tabs extend substantially the entire width of said hinge plates and adjacent tabs are separated by an acute angle to provide an alternate staggered arrangement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A modular unit as defined in claim 3, further comprising transverse reinforcing wires interleaved between said alternate staggered tabs for each of said hinge plates.
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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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |