US3784043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightweight collapsible structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-26
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1990-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, collapsible or knock-down parallelepiped structure and other geometric structures, such as geodesic domes, having a high strength-weight ratio, erected without tools from series of standardized wall sections are disclosed herein. Each wall section of the structure comprises a plurality of framing rails which define a closed frame, which supports a rigid sheet of lightweight, durable paneling. The cross section of the framing rials is hermaphroditic, i.e., it is especially configured to mate with itself. The appropriate mating of two of the framing members is the first step in forming a unique edge joint of the structure without the use of tools. The edge joint is rigidly established by swinging toggle clamp members which firmly lock together the mating framing members of adjacent wall sections. When desired, the new structure may be disassembled or knocked down, also without tools, for storage in minimum space, by releasing the toggle clamp members by a simple pivoting movement. Spring keeper elements hold the toggle clamps in predetermined relation to the wall sections in both the operative and inoperative positions of the toggle clamps.
Inventors
- 👤 M Presnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/52; B65D88/526; B65D88/528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A universal, hollow one-piece hermaphroditic framing rail characterized in that the cross section of said rail includes four consecutive generally perpendicular walls, the first of which includes a key means, the second of which is adjacent to said first wall and includes a slot means abuttably matable with said key means, the third of which is generally flat, and the fourth of which has a paneling support means integral therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A universal, hollow one-piece hermaphroditic framing rail characterized in that the cross section of said rail includes four consecutive generally perpendicular walls, the first of which includes a key means, the second of which is adjacent to said first wall and includes a slot means abuttably matable with said key means, the third of which is generally flat, and the fourth of which has a paneling support means integral therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A rail in accordance with claim 1, in which a. said key means is wedge-shaped and has a predetermined height, b. said slot means is canted and has a depth greater than said predetermined height, c. whereby the key means of one frame rail is adapted to nest in the slot means of another frame rail of the same cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
A lightweight collapsible geometric structure comprising a plurality of wall panels clamped together, characterized in that a. each of said panels is framed by universal hollow one-piece hermaphroditic framing rails having four sides, three of which are generally perpendicular; b. all of said framing rails have key means and slot means of configurations abuttably matable with each other on consecutive sides, one of the other sides has panel support means formed integrally and recieving said wall panels; and c. elastomeric gasket means are disposed between the key means and slot means of adjacent panels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A lightweight collapsible geometric structure comprising a plurality of wall panels clamped together, characterized in that a. each of said panels is framed by universal hollow one-piece hermaphroditic framing rails having four sides, three of which are generally perpendicular; b. all of said framing rails have key means and slot means of configurations abuttably matable with each other on consecutive sides, one of the other sides has panel support means formed integrally and recieving said wall panels; and c. elastomeric gasket means are disposed between the key means and slot means of adjacent panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
A universal, hollow one-piece hermaphroditic frame rail having a generally polygonal cross section including four sides, three of which are generally perpendicular, one of which sides includes a male key means, a second of which sides is adjacent to said first side and includes a separate female slot means of directly abuttably, matable configuration with said male key means, and panel retaining means formed integrally with a third side, said panel retaining means including an integral planar extension of a side remote of said slot means, whereby said universal frame rail is adapted to frame planar members of predetermined shape, a plurality of which framed panel members may be connected to one another in predetermined orientations in abutting edge-to-edge relationship with said key means and said slot means mated to establish predetermined three dimensional geometric structures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A universal, hollow one-piece hermaphroditic frame rail having a generally polygonal cross section including four sides, three of which are generally perpendicular, one of which sides includes a male key means, a second of which sides is adjacent to said first side and includes a separate female slot means of directly abuttably, matable configuration with said male key means, and panel retaining means formed integrally with a third side, said panel retaining means including an integral planar extension of a side remote of said slot means, whereby said universal frame rail is adapted to frame planar members of predetermined shape, a plurality of which framed panel members may be connected to one another in predetermined orientations in abutting edge-to-edge relationship with said key means and said slot means mated to establish predetermined three dimensional geometric structures.
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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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |