US3749133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strain energy erectile tubular beam with stitched flanges
Assignee: FRW Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-02
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A tubular structural member or beam which may be flattened and folded and springs back to its original expanded shape under the force of elastic strain energy when released. The beam is composed of two mirror image half sections constructed of relatively thin resiliently flexible sheet material and having confronting arcuate wall portions forming a tube and contacting outwardly directed flanges along the longitudinal edges of the wall portions pivotally joined to one another by rows of stitching which permit the flanges to rotate away from one another and thereby reduce or eliminate binding stress and resultant creep along the junctures between the flanges and arcuate wall portions when the beam is flattened, whereby the beam may be retained in the folded configuration for a prolonged period of time without adversily effecting its ability to spring back to its original expanded shape.
Inventors
- 👤 M Bochory
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/12; F16L11/121; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/08; H01Q1/085; H01Q1/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A collapsible and foldable self-erecting tubular structural member comprising: a relatively thin walled resiliently flexible tube composed of two separate mirror image wall sections each including a central genErally semicylindrical wall portion, outwardly directed flanges along the longitudinal edges of said central wall portion, and arcuate juncture portions joining and merging tangentially with said semicylindrical wall portion and said flanges; said wall sections being disposed in confronting relation with their flanges in contact and their concave sides facing one another; longitudinal rows of stitching joinging each pair of contacting flanges adjacent and parallel to said juncture portions in such a way as to provide a hinge connection between the contacting flanges; said tube having a normal tubular configuration wherein said contacting flanges are disposed in face to face contact across substantially their entire width and said central wall portions define a tubular cross-section, and said tube being adapted to be flattened and folded to a folded configuration wherein said wall sections store elastic strain energy for effecting selferection of said tube to its normal tubular configuration when released; and said stitching constituting the sole attachment between said contacting falnges and permitting the outer flange edges to hinge away from one another and thereby minimize bending stress in said juncture portions when said tube is flattened and return to contact when said tube is released.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A collapsible and foldable self-erecting tubular structural member comprising: a relatively thin walled resiliently flexible tube composed of two separate mirror image wall sections each including a central genErally semicylindrical wall portion, outwardly directed flanges along the longitudinal edges of said central wall portion, and arcuate juncture portions joining and merging tangentially with said semicylindrical wall portion and said flanges; said wall sections being disposed in confronting relation with their flanges in contact and their concave sides facing one another; longitudinal rows of stitching joinging each pair of contacting flanges adjacent and parallel to said juncture portions in such a way as to provide a hinge connection between the contacting flanges; said tube having a normal tubular configuration wherein said contacting flanges are disposed in face to face contact across substantially their entire width and said central wall portions define a tubular cross-section, and said tube being adapted to be flattened and folded to a folded configuration wherein said wall sections store elastic strain energy for effecting selferection of said tube to its normal tubular configuration when released; and said stitching constituting the sole attachment between said contacting falnges and permitting the outer flange edges to hinge away from one another and thereby minimize bending stress in said juncture portions when said tube is flattened and return to contact when said tube is released.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |