US3773012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible assembly
Assignee: Elgin Molded Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-16
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1993-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible assembly usable as a warning device, as for a vehicle stalled on a thoroughfare. The assembly has three leg members which coact to form a triangle. End portions of each leg member are fitted with hinge means adapting the assembly to exist either in an assembled configuration or in a collapsed configuration. When collapsed, the assembly has hinge means disconnected. In the event of breakage, individual leg members can be replaced separately.
Inventors
- 👤 H Lindner
- 👤 J Kennedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q7/00; B60Q7/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S40/00; Y10S40/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
A collapsible assembly adapted to utilization as a warning device comprising A. three leg members adapted to coact together in abutting endto-end relationship to form a triangle, the outside perimeter portion of each one of said leg members being thickened relative to the adjacent inside perimeter portion thereof. B. three hinge means, each hinge means being adapted to demountably interconnect a different one pair of abutting ends of said leg members in an assembled said assembly and being further adapted to permit each said abutting pair of leg members to fold from such an abutting configuration in an assembled said assembly to an adjacent side-by-side configuration in a disassembled said assembly, said folding being about an axis which is generally normal to the third said leg member when another one of said hinge means is demountably disconnected between the abutting ends of that one pair of said leg members associated with said another hinge means, C. each of such hinge means comprising a pintle portion and a leaf portion, each pintle portion being rigidly interconnected with one end of each leg member at the inside perimeter portion thereof, and each leaf portion being rigidly interconnected with the opposite end of each such leg member at the inside perimeter portion thereof, D. each leaf portion having a terminal portion which upstands generally laterally from its associated leg member and which terminates in a cross-sectionally J-shaped configuration, E. each pintle portion having a terminal portion which upstands generally laterally from its associated leg member and which terminates in a pin configuration, and which is adapted to make mating engagement within said terminal portion of the adjacent one of said leaf portions in an assembled said assembly, F. each of said leaf portions being adapted to exert a yielding spring bias against the said pin configuration of the adjacent one of said pintle portions engaged therewith in an assembled said assembly, and G. positioning means functionally associated with the outside perimeter portion of one of said leg members and adapted to mount an assembled said assembly in an upright position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
A collapsible assembly adapted to utilization as a warning device comprising A. three leg members adapted to coact together in abutting endto-end relationship to form a triangle, the outside perimeter portion of each one of said leg members being thickened relative to the adjacent inside perimeter portion thereof. B. three hinge means, each hinge means being adapted to demountably interconnect a different one pair of abutting ends of said leg members in an assembled said assembly and being further adapted to permit each said abutting pair of leg members to fold from such an abutting configuration in an assembled said assembly to an adjacent side-by-side configuration in a disassembled said assembly, said folding being about an axis which is generally normal to the third said leg member when another one of said hinge means is demountably disconnected between the abutting ends of that one pair of said leg members associated with said another hinge means, C. each of such hinge means comprising a pintle portion and a leaf portion, each pintle portion being rigidly interconnected with one end of each leg member at the inside perimeter portion thereof, and each leaf portion being rigidly interconnected with the opposite end of each such leg member at the inside perimeter portion thereof, D. each leaf portion having a terminal portion which upstands generally laterally from its associated leg member and which terminates in a cross-sectionally J-shaped configuration, E. each pintle portion having a terminal portion which upstands generally laterally from its associated leg member and which terminates in a pin configuration, and which is adapted to make mating engagement within said terminal portion of the adjacent one of said leaf portions in an assembled said assembly, F. each of said leaf portions being adapted to exert a yielding spring bias against the said pin configuration of the adjacent one of said pintle portions engaged therewith in an assembled said assembly, and G. positioning means functionally associated with the outside perimeter portion of one of said leg members and adapted to mount an assembled said assembly in an upright position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein each leg member has, at one end thereof, a said pintle portion integrally formed therewith, and, at the other end thereof, a said leaf portion integrally formed therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly claim 1, wherein, in each pintle portion, said pin configuration has a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed flattened regions adapted to coact with its adjacent said leaf portion engaged therewith in an assembled said assembly and in a disassembled said assembly to augment the rigidity between adjacent leg members by such coaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said three leg members are adapted to form generally an equilateral triangle in an assembled said assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said leg members are generally symmetrical and similar to one another, and each end of each leg member has both a pintle portion and a leaf portion, each of such respective portions both upstanding generally laterally from their associated one leg member end but in opposed directions relative to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein all of said pintle portions and all of said leaf portions are integrally formed with their respective leg members.
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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |