Patent US3768846A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3768846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking joint
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A joint construction including a first member having an inclined ramp inwardly of a rounded outer edge, with a flat surface at the upper end of the ramp and a shoulder rearwardly of the flat surface, the second portion of the joint including parallel flanges defining an opening, one of the flanges having a flat surface adjacent the other, the other flange having a thick portion at its inner end to define a narrower portion of the opening, a bendable intermediate portion and a bead at the outer end having a beveled outer surface, a rounded edge and an inner shoulder adapted to lock with the shoulder of the first member when the joint is assembled. An inwardly and rearwardly inclined lip on the deflectable flange helps align the parts. Means for holding the shoulders in a separated condition may be included for permitting release of the joint.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hensley
- 👤 I Hensley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said first element being relatively rigid and resistant to bending, said second element having a shoulder extending toward and opposed to said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said first element being relatively rigid and resistant to bending, said second element having a shoulder extending toward and opposed to said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as recited in claim 1 in which said first and second members are of plastic material, said second member being unitary, with said second element inwardly of said shoulder thereof being thinner than said first element for thereby causing said second element to be resilient and deflectable and said first element to be relatively rigid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outeR edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, and means for holding said shoulders apart upon separation of said shoulders of said first and second members.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outeR edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, and means for holding said shoulders apart upon separation of said shoulders of said first and second members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as recited in claim 3 in which said means for holding said shoulders apart includes means for holding said second element in a portion where it is deflected away from said first element and said shoulders are remote from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said means for holding said second element in a position where it is deflected away from said first element is carried by said first member and positioned inwardly of said shoulder of said first member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said means for holding said second element in a position where it is deflected away from said first element is carried by said second member and positioned inwardly of said shoulder of said second member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as recited in claim 1 in which said first member includes a panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as recited in claim 7 in which said opening of said second member includes an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge and an intermediate portion providing a surface of said second element spaced from said outer edge when said outer edge is received in said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device as recited in claim 8 in which said outer edge of said first member includes a convexly rounded corner, the outer edge of said second element includes a convexly rounded corner, and the entrance to said inner relatively narrow portion of said opening includes a convexly rounded corner, for facilitating said relative advancement of said first member toward said second member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
287 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, said outer edge of said first member including a convexly rounded corner, the outer edge of said second element including a convexly rounded corner, and the entrance to said inner relatively narrow portion of said opening including a convexly rounded corner, for facilitating said relative advancement of said first member toward said second member, said second element including means intermediate said shoulder thereof and Said relatively narrow portion of said opening extending toward said first element for engagement with said panel portion when said panel portion enters said opening for aligning said first and said second members and directing said outer edge of said first member toward said relatively narrow portion of said opening.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
287 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, said outer edge of said first member including a convexly rounded corner, the outer edge of said second element including a convexly rounded corner, and the entrance to said inner relatively narrow portion of said opening including a convexly rounded corner, for facilitating said relative advancement of said first member toward said second member, said second element including means intermediate said shoulder thereof and Said relatively narrow portion of said opening extending toward said first element for engagement with said panel portion when said panel portion enters said opening for aligning said first and said second members and directing said outer edge of said first member toward said relatively narrow portion of said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as recited in claim 10 in which said last-mentioned means includes a deflectable member inclined rearwardly away from said shoulder of said second element and toward said relatively narrow portion of said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as recited in claim 10 in which said first element extends outwardly beyond said second element for facilitating alignment of said first and second members when said first and second members are moved relatively toward each other for attachment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as recited in claim 12 in which said first member has a substantially planar surface on the side thereof opposite from said one side, and in which said first element has a substantially planar surface adjacent said second element for engagement with said substantially planar surface of said first member for aligning said first and second members.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
241 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, and means on said first member spaced inwardly from said shoulder thereof and inclined toward said shoulder for overlapping the outer edge of said second element when said shoulders are in said interengagement, said last-mentioned means being deflectable for permitting separation of said shoulders and for thereafter supporting said outer edge of said second element for maintaining said shoulders disengaged and allowing separation of said first and second elements.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
241 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, and means on said first member spaced inwardly from said shoulder thereof and inclined toward said shoulder for overlapping the outer edge of said second element when said shoulders are in said interengagement, said last-mentioned means being deflectable for permitting separation of said shoulders and for thereafter supporting said outer edge of said second element for maintaining said shoulders disengaged and allowing separation of said first and second elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as recited in claim 14 in which said second element includes a surface adjacent said first element extending from said shoulder to said outer edge, said surface being inclined outwardly toward said first element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as recited in claim 15 in which said surface is so inclined at approximately 5* .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as recited in claim 15 in which said second element includes a beveled surface remote from said first element and extending to said outer edge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as recited in claim 15 in which said last-mentioned means is defined by a plurality of discrete tabs on said first member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as recited in claim 15 in which said last-mentioned means is defined by a lip on said first member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as recited in claim 19 in which said lip has an opening therein for permitting access to said outer edge of said second element and permitting said second element to be deflected so as to separate said shoulders.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
274 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a Panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, said second element including means inwardly of said shoulder thereof inclined forwardly toward said shoulder thereof and inwardly toward said first element, said first member having a recess therein adjacent the upper portion of said ramp, said recess being inclined at substantially the same angle as that of said means inwardly of said shoulder, whereby said recss is adapted to receive said means when said shoulders are in interengagement, said first member having a surface intermediate said ramp and said shoulder thereof for engagement by said means inwardly of said shoulder upon separation of said shoulders for maintaining said shoulders disengaged.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
274 words
A device for attaching together a first member having an outer edge and a second member comprising means on one side of said first member defining a ramp adjacent said outer edge of said first member, said ramp being inclined inwardly relative to said outer edge, a Panel portion extending from the base of said ramp to said outer edge, and a shoulder inwardly of said ramp, and means on said second member defining an opening adapted to receive said outer edge of said first member, said opening being defined by a first element and a second element, said second element having a shoulder extending toward said first element, said second element being resilient and deflectable inwardly of said shoulder thereof, whereby upon relative advancement of said first member toward said second member said ramp deflects said second element and permits said shoulders of said first and second members to be brought into adjacency, said opening of said second member including an inner relatively narrow portion for substantially complementarily receiving said outer edge, said second element including means inwardly of said shoulder thereof inclined forwardly toward said shoulder thereof and inwardly toward said first element, said first member having a recess therein adjacent the upper portion of said ramp, said recess being inclined at substantially the same angle as that of said means inwardly of said shoulder, whereby said recss is adapted to receive said means when said shoulders are in interengagement, said first member having a surface intermediate said ramp and said shoulder thereof for engagement by said means inwardly of said shoulder upon separation of said shoulders for maintaining said shoulders disengaged.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as recited in claim 21 in which said second element includes a surface adjacent said first element extending from said shoulder to said outer edge, said surface being inclined outwardly toward said first element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as recited in claim 22 in which said surface is so inclined at approximately 5* .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as recited in claim 21 in which said means inwardly of said shoulder is a lip.
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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) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |