US3757743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slatted flooring connector system
Assignee: MORANDEX Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-20
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, easily-assembled slatted flooring system for an animal enclosure comprising a plurality of channels interconnected in spaced-parallel relationship by X-shaped connectors, each connector having arcuately-shaped ends extending from two of its legs which engage similarly shaped grooves in the upper, outer corners of each channel.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lehe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:22
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0151
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A floor construction including a plurality of inverted elongated channel members each having a generally U-shaped crosssectional configuration, said channel members extending substantially parallel to one another in spaced-apart relationship, each of said channel members including a base defining a load carrying surface and having spaced-apart opposite base edges, each of said channel members including a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls extending downwardly from said base adjacent said edges thereof and forming juncture areas with said base, each said channel member including a longitudinally extending groove adjacent each of said juncture areas, a plurality of connectors positioned between each pair of said channel members and having upper connecting portions locked in said grooves for interconnecting said channels, said connectors including spaced-apart downwardly extending portions abutting said outer surfaces of said sidewalls on adjacent ones of said channel members in areas spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A floor construction including a plurality of inverted elongated channel members each having a generally U-shaped crosssectional configuration, said channel members extending substantially parallel to one another in spaced-apart relationship, each of said channel members including a base defining a load carrying surface and having spaced-apart opposite base edges, each of said channel members including a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls extending downwardly from said base adjacent said edges thereof and forming juncture areas with said base, each said channel member including a longitudinally extending groove adjacent each of said juncture areas, a plurality of connectors positioned between each pair of said channel members and having upper connecting portions locked in said grooves for interconnecting said channels, said connectors including spaced-apart downwardly extending portions abutting said outer surfaces of said sidewalls on adjacent ones of said channel members in areas spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The floor construction of claim 1 wherein said downwardly extending portions of said connectors have flat abutting surfaces contacting said outer surfaces of said sidewalls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The floor construction of claim 1 wherein said grooves are arcuate in cross-sectional shape, said grooves opening outwardly substantially perpendicular to said sidewalls in locations spaced downwardly from said base edges and curving upwardly toward said base, said upper connecting portions being curved to correspond with said grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The floor construction of claim 3 wherein said arcuate grooves are defined by spaced-apart upper and lower arcuate walls, said walls having facing upper and lower wall surfaces lying on the surfaces of circles having different radii and a common center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The floor construction of claim 4 wherein said connecting portions of said connectors have upper and lower leg surfaces, said upper leg surface and said upper groove surface being arcuately curved at a substantially common radius having a substantially common center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The floor construction of claim 3 wherein said grooves have inner connection surfaces and said upper connecting portions of said connectors have connection surfaces, at least one of said connection surfaces having a deformable prOjection thereon extending outwardly therefrom for locking one of said upper connecting portions in one of said grooves, said grooves and connecting portions having terminal ends and beginning ends, said deformable projection being located closer to said terminal ends than to said beginning ends, said connection surfaces being substantially smooth except for said deformable projection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The floor construction of claim 1 wherein said grooves extend inwardly beneath said bases from both said opposite edges and said sidewalls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The floor construction of claim 7 wherein said grooves open outwardly below said base edges and curve upwardly to terminate at terminal groove ends located inwardly of said sidewalls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The floor construction of claim 8 wherein said connectors include abutment means for abutting said outer surfaces of said sidewalls adjacent said grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The floor construction of claim 9 wherein said sidewalls slope inwardly toward one another from said opposite base edges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The floor construction of claim 1 wherein said sidewalls slope inwardly toward one another from said opposite base edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A locking and spacing connector member for connecting structural members in spaced-apart relationship, said connector member having spaced-apart outwardly facing lower abutment surfaces and upper spaced-apart curved legs extending outwardly beyond said lower abutment surfaces, said curved legs being curved outwardly and upwardly to have upper concave surfaces and lower convex surfaces, said curved legs having a substantially uniform thickness throughout their length, said connector having a longitudinal axis and extending substantially straight and uncurved from one longitudinal end thereof to the other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A locking and spacing connector member for connecting structural members in spaced-apart relationship, said connector member having spaced-apart outwardly facing lower abutment surfaces and upper spaced-apart curved legs extending outwardly beyond said lower abutment surfaces, said curved legs being curved outwardly and upwardly to have upper concave surfaces and lower convex surfaces, said curved legs having a substantially uniform thickness throughout their length, said connector having a longitudinal axis and extending substantially straight and uncurved from one longitudinal end thereof to the other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 12 wherein said legs have upper and lower walls lying on the peripheries of circles having different radii and a common center.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 12 wherein said member has a downwardly curved upper surface between said upper legs.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of making a slatted flooring construction comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of U-shaped channels each channel including a base defining a load carrying surface, a pair of sidewalls extending downwardly from the edges of said base, and interlocking grooves defined by inner and outer spaced walls at each outer juncture of a sidewall with said base; b. placing a U-shaped channel in an inverted position on a supporting surface; c. providing a plurality of connectors each having a pair of upper legs and a pair of lower legs, said upper legs having ends similar in configuration to said channel grooves, said lower legs having ends terminating in a general flat surface; d. placing one of the upper arcuate ends of at least one connector in one of said grooves; e. holding a second channel in inverted relationship to the first channel; f. laterally moving said second channel to engage the free upper arcuate ends of said connector with a groove in the second channel; g. rotating the second channel into an upright position whereby said upper ends of the connector are seated in said grooves, said lower ends of the connector contact said sidewalls and the lower end of said legs rest on said supporting surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of making a slatted flooring construction comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of U-shaped channels each channel including a base defining a load carrying surface, a pair of sidewalls extending downwardly from the edges of said base, and interlocking grooves defined by inner and outer spaced walls at each outer juncture of a sidewall with said base; b. placing a U-shaped channel in an inverted position on a supporting surface; c. providing a plurality of connectors each having a pair of upper legs and a pair of lower legs, said upper legs having ends similar in configuration to said channel grooves, said lower legs having ends terminating in a general flat surface; d. placing one of the upper arcuate ends of at least one connector in one of said grooves; e. holding a second channel in inverted relationship to the first channel; f. laterally moving said second channel to engage the free upper arcuate ends of said connector with a groove in the second channel; g. rotating the second channel into an upright position whereby said upper ends of the connector are seated in said grooves, said lower ends of the connector contact said sidewalls and the lower end of said legs rest on said supporting surface.
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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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |