US3745726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floor joint cover assembly
Assignee: ARCHITECTURAL ART Mfg Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-15
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A cover assembly for a floor joint utilizes the combination of a bowed leaf spring spanning the joint and a coiled compression spring extending vertically in the joint to maintain an essentially stable holding bias on the cover plate of the assembly during relative shifting of the floor members of the joint caused by normal thermal effects on the members. The leaf spring is designed to break upon excessive movement of the floor members such as by earthquakes, thus releasing the cover plate before the latter can be permanently damaged.
Inventors
- 👤 W Thom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:39
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/66; E04B1/68; E04B1/6803; E04B1/6804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A cover assembly for a joint defined by a pair of spacedapart, relatively shiftable structural members, said assembly comprising: a plate-like cover; means supporting said cover in overlying relationship to said joint; first yieldable biasing means disposed in spanning relationship within the joint having a pair of resilient legs on opposite sides of the joint and a shiftable portion between said legs, said first biasing means being responsive to relative shifting of said members toward and away from one another to flex said legs and move said shiftable portion toward and away from said cover, to thereby vary the biasing energy of said first biasing means, second yieldable biasing means within said joint disposed for operation by said shiftable portion of said first biasing means during movement thereof, said second biasing means being coupled with said cover for biasing the latter toward the joint, and said first and second biasing means interacting with one another during relative shifting of said members to dissipate biasing energy otherwise accumulating in said first biasing means, thereby stabilizing the bias applied to said cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A cover assembly for a joint defined by a pair of spacedapart, relatively shiftable structural members, said assembly comprising: a plate-like cover; means supporting said cover in overlying relationship to said joint; first yieldable biasing means disposed in spanning relationship within the joint having a pair of resilient legs on opposite sides of the joint and a shiftable portion between said legs, said first biasing means being responsive to relative shifting of said members toward and away from one another to flex said legs and move said shiftable portion toward and away from said cover, to thereby vary the biasing energy of said first biasing means, second yieldable biasing means within said joint disposed for operation by said shiftable portion of said first biasing means during movement thereof, said second biasing means being coupled with said cover for biasing the latter toward the joint, and said first and second biasing means interacting with one another during relative shifting of said members to dissipate biasing energy otherwise accumulating in said first biasing means, thereby stabilizing the bias applied to said cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein is provided an elongated, rigid element on the cover projecting into said joint and supporting said second biasing means, said shiftable portion shifting relative to said element during movement toward and away from said cover to relax and compress said second biasing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion of the first biasing means is provided with an opening receiving said element for movement of the portion therealong, said opening being enlarged with respect to said element a sufficient extent to permit canting of said first biasing means relative to the element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion of the first biasing means is provided with an opening receiving said element, said element and said portion being provided with mutually interengageable means for precluding rotation of said element within said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said element has a plurality of flat sides, said opening corresponding in configuration to the element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first biasing means includes a generally U-shaped, resilient component presenting a pair of legs bendable toward and away from one another from opposite sides of the joint in response to corresponding shifting of said members and a bight interconnecting said legs, and wherein is provided a rigid post on said cover, projecting into said joint through said bight, said post being shiftably received by said bight for movement of the latter along the post in response to bending of said legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein is provided an abutment on said post below said bight, said second biasing means being interposed between said abutment and said bight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second biasing means includes a coil compression spring surrounding said post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein is provided an opening in said bight for the post, said opening being enlarged with respect to said post a sufficient extent to permit canting of said component relative to the post.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said post has a plurality of flat sides, and wherein is provided an opening in said bight for the post conforming in configuration to said post whereby to preclude relative rotation between the component and the post.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein is provided an elongated flange integral with said bight and projeCting outwardly therefrom, said flange extending generally in the direction of bending movement of said legs to preclude corresponding bending of said bight to a sufficient extent to prevent binding of the bight on the post during movement of the bight therealong.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said component is constructed of material capable of breaking along the lines of bend of said legs upon excessive relative shifting of said members, thereby releasing said cover.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |