Patent US3789556A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking structural units
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-13
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A structural assembly is formed by a frame having a pair of spaced, parallel support components spanned by a series of spaced, parallel members orthogonal to said components, and a series of elongated structural units each longitudinally slotted to receive a corresponding member for support thereby. The frame would normally be positioned with the support components either upright for a wall or inclined for a roof or stairway, with the series of members being horizontally disposed. The structural units are successively installed on the members, each unit as it is installed interlocking with the previously installed unit to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly. The interlocking units are monolithic bodies of structurally strong, rigid, synthetic resin foam material such as polyurethane, and thus possess superior insulating properties as well as being quite strong in compression. In constructing walls and roofs, panels of assembled frames and units are arranged in abutting, side-by-side relationship to form a multiple-panel wall or roof area. Several mechanical raceways are available and extend throughout the entire area. The individual interlocking units are molded panel sections having opposed, prefinished surfaces that become the interior and exterior of the structure. For stairway construction, a single frame is employed with the interlocking units thereon being shaped to provide treads and risers.
Inventors
- 👤 J Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:15
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F11/00; E04F11/02; E04F11/022; E04F11/025; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/18; E04B1/24; E04B2/00; E04B2/02; E04B2/14; E04B2/16; E04D; E04D3/00; E04D3/24; E04D3/32; E04B1/2403; E04B2001/2451; E04B2001/2454; E04B2001/2481; E04B2001/249; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot between said fingers receiving a corresponding member for support of the unit thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair and terminating in offset ends engaging the other unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot between said fingers receiving a corresponding member for support of the unit thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair and terminating in offset ends engaging the other unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame supports said members in a common plane, and wherein the slots in the units are disposed substantially in said plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fingers of said one unit of each pair of units are of unequal length, presenting said offset ends engaging the other unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein an imaginary line through said ends of the fingers of each unit forms an angle of approximately 45* with the axis of alignment of said members in said plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said units comprises an elongated, monolithic body provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said fingers projecting transversely of the body beyond the member received therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bodies are composed of a structurally strong, rigid, synthetic resin foam material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further has a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, and wherein each of said units is elongated and extends along the corresponding member between said components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said components extend upwardly and are disposed in upright planes to position said members in a horizontal attitude, said frame and said units presenting a structural panel and each of said units comprising a monolithic, compressive load-bearing body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said frame and units present a structural panel, and wherein is provided a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, there being mating parts on said abutting components interlocking the same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said frame and units present a structural panel, and wherein is provided a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said members being tubular and the members of adjacent panels being in alignment and communicating through the abutting components, whereby to provide mechanical raceways in the panels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said frame and units present a structural panel, and wherein is provided a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said components being of elongated, transversely channel shaped configuration, each pair of said abutting components being disposed to preseNt a box member defining a mechanical raceway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said units comprises a monolithic body provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said fingers projecting transversely of the body substantially parallel with said plane and beyond the member received therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein said frame and said units present a structural panel, and wherein said components have openings therein aligned with said slots to provide mechanical raceways through the panel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said frame and said units present a structural panel, and wherein each of said units comprises a monolithic panel section of structurally strong, insulating material having opposed surfaces presenting a desired exterior and interior appearance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said components are inclined and disposed with said members extending horizontally therebetween, and wherein each of said units is horizontally disposed and presents a tread and a riser to provide a stairway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the riser of each unit is canted with respect to the vertical from its base inwardly beneath the tread, said tread having a nose projecting outwardly over the riser to a point no further than vertical alignment with the base thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said units comprises a monolithic body provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said fingers of each unit above the lowermost unit projecting downwardly substantially in the direction of inclination of said components and into said interlocking engagement with the adjacent unit therebelow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
231 words
A structural assembly comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced, inclined support components and a series of spaced, generally parallel members extending horizontally between said components and supported thereby; and a series of elongated structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a longitudinal slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each of said units extending longitudinally along the corresponding member between said components in continuous engagement with the member received within said slot in the unit, the finger structure of each unit projecting transversely thereof, and the end portion of the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units being in engagement with the other unit of the pair, each of said units engaged by the finger structure of an adjacent unit being provided with means interlocking the unit with the engaging end portion of the finger structure to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser to provide a stairway, the tread of each unit overlying the member received within the slot in the unit, each unit above the lowermost unit having a base portion presenting the finger structure thereof engaging the next unit therebeneath adjacent the tread of the next unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
231 words
A structural assembly comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced, inclined support components and a series of spaced, generally parallel members extending horizontally between said components and supported thereby; and a series of elongated structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a longitudinal slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each of said units extending longitudinally along the corresponding member between said components in continuous engagement with the member received within said slot in the unit, the finger structure of each unit projecting transversely thereof, and the end portion of the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units being in engagement with the other unit of the pair, each of said units engaged by the finger structure of an adjacent unit being provided with means interlocking the unit with the engaging end portion of the finger structure to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser to provide a stairway, the tread of each unit overlying the member received within the slot in the unit, each unit above the lowermost unit having a base portion presenting the finger structure thereof engaging the next unit therebeneath adjacent the tread of the next unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of said units comprises a monolithic body provided with said slot therein and presenting said finger structure, said slot being continuous throughout the length of the body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein said bodies of the units are composed of a rigid, synthetic resin material characterized by the property of being of relatively low density but strong in compression, and wherein each of said members is rigidly secured at its ends to said components.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein said finger structure of each unit comprises a pair of spacEd fingers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
204 words
A structurally strong, lightweight stairway assembly comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced, inclined support components and a series of spaced, generally parallel members spanning said components and supported thereby in a common plane, each of said members being rigidly secured at its ends to said components; and a series of elongated stair units, each having a monolithic body composed of a rigid, synthetic resin material characterized by the property of being of relatively low density but strong in compression, and provided with a longitudinal slot therein continuous throughout the length of the unit and receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each of said units extending longitudinally along the corresponding member between said components in continuous engagement with the member received within said slot in the unit, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser with said tread overlying the member received within the slot in the unit, each of said units above the lowermost unit having a base portion engaging the next unit therebeneath adjacent the tread of the next unit and throughout its length to provide a continuous stairway of successive, uninterrupted risers and treads.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
204 words
A structurally strong, lightweight stairway assembly comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced, inclined support components and a series of spaced, generally parallel members spanning said components and supported thereby in a common plane, each of said members being rigidly secured at its ends to said components; and a series of elongated stair units, each having a monolithic body composed of a rigid, synthetic resin material characterized by the property of being of relatively low density but strong in compression, and provided with a longitudinal slot therein continuous throughout the length of the unit and receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each of said units extending longitudinally along the corresponding member between said components in continuous engagement with the member received within said slot in the unit, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser with said tread overlying the member received within the slot in the unit, each of said units above the lowermost unit having a base portion engaging the next unit therebeneath adjacent the tread of the next unit and throughout its length to provide a continuous stairway of successive, uninterrupted risers and treads.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
152 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot between said fingers receiving a corresponding member for support of the unit thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, each unit including an elongated, monolithic body composed of a structurally strong, rigid, synthetic resin foam material provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said fingers projecting transversely of the body beyond the member received therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot between said fingers receiving a corresponding member for support of the unit thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, each unit including an elongated, monolithic body composed of a structurally strong, rigid, synthetic resin foam material provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said fingers projecting transversely of the body beyond the member received therebetween.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
196 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, and mating parts on said abutting components interlocking the same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
196 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, and mating parts on said abutting components interlocking the same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
213 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member beIng in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member being said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said members being tubular and the members of adjacent panels being in alignment and communicating through the abutting components, whereby to provide mechanical raceways in the panels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
213 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member beIng in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member being said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said members being tubular and the members of adjacent panels being in alignment and communicating through the abutting components, whereby to provide mechanical raceways in the panels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
213 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported therein in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said components being of elongated, transversely channel shaped configuration and each pair of said abutting components being disposed to present a box member defining a mechanical raceway.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
213 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which is provided with finger structure and has a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the finger structure of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter spanning said components and being supported therein in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components whereby said frame and units present a structural panel, there being a plurality of said panels in side-by-side relationship with said components in parallelism and with the components of adjacent panels abutting each other, said components being of elongated, transversely channel shaped configuration and each pair of said abutting components being disposed to present a box member defining a mechanical raceway.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
171 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced, inclined support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter extending horizontally between said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser to provide a stairway.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
171 words
A building structure comprising: a frame having a series of spaced, generally parallel members; and a series of structural units, each of which has a pair of fingers and a slot in the unit receiving a corresponding member for support thereby as the units are successively installed on the members, each unit in its installed position on the corresponding member being in interlocking engagement with an installed unit on an adjacent member to lock the series of units together in a rigid assembly, the fingers of one unit of each pair of adjacent units extending into said interlocking engagement with the other unit of the pair, said frame further having a pair of spaced, inclined support components extending generally orthogonally of said members, the latter extending horizontally between said components and being supported thereby in a common plane, each of said units being elongated and extending along the corresponding member between said components, each of said units being horizontally disposed and presenting a tread and a riser to provide a stairway.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 27, whrein the riser of each unit is canted with respect to the vertical from its base inwardly beneath the tread, said tread having a nose projecting outwardly over the riser to a point no further than vertical alignment with the base thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
72 words
The building structure as claimed in claim 27, wherein each of said units comprises a monolithic body provided with said slot therein and presenting said pair of fingers extending longitudinally thereof, said slot in eaCh unit being disposed between the fingers thereof, said fingers of each unit above the lowermost unit projecting downwardly substantially in the directioon of inclination of said components and into said interlocking engagement with the adjacent unit therebelow.
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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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |