US3791077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for stretching strip of sheet material on rigid supports
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract Method for stretching strips of flexible sheets, consisting of laying the strip on two rigid supports, and above said strip a tubular element, superimposing on the latter an inextensible strap which is restrained at its ends. By inflating the tubular element, an even stretching for the flexible strip is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 F Ventimiglia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:39
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3205; A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/14; A01G9/1407; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/64; E04H15/642; E04B2001/3235; E04B2001/3241; E04B2001/3252; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for stretching a flexible sheet of material fastened to rigid structures and spanning a space between said rigid structure comprising the steps of: arranging a pair of rigid supports in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship adjacent one side of said sheet; placing an air-tight, deformable, tubular element in a collapsed configuration on the other side of said sheet so as to be parallel to and within at least a portion of the space bridging said pair of rigid supports; positioning a substantially inextensible elongated element against said tubular element on the side of said tubular element opposite the side facing said sheet; restraining the free ends of said elongated element; and introducing a fluid under pressure into said tubular element, whereby said tubular element tends to assume a non-collapsed configuration and to force a portion of said sheet into the space between said rigid supports.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for stretching a flexible sheet of material fastened to rigid structures and spanning a space between said rigid structure comprising the steps of: arranging a pair of rigid supports in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship adjacent one side of said sheet; placing an air-tight, deformable, tubular element in a collapsed configuration on the other side of said sheet so as to be parallel to and within at least a portion of the space bridging said pair of rigid supports; positioning a substantially inextensible elongated element against said tubular element on the side of said tubular element opposite the side facing said sheet; restraining the free ends of said elongated element; and introducing a fluid under pressure into said tubular element, whereby said tubular element tends to assume a non-collapsed configuration and to force a portion of said sheet into the space between said rigid supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of interposing a flexible shielding strap between said rigid supports and said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of introducing a fluid comprises introducing air.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for stretching a flexible sheet of material fastened to rigid structures and spanning a space between said rigid structures comprising: a pair of rigid supports held in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, said pair of rigid supports being adapted for placing adjacent one side of said sheet; an air-tight, deformable tubular element having a valve for introducing or expelling a fluid into said tubular element so that it can be expanded to a tubular configuration or to a collapsed configuration, said tubular element being adapted to position on the side of said sheet opposite said pair of rigid supports so as to be parallel to and within at least a portion of the space bridging said pair of rigid supports; and a substantially inextensible elongated element located on the side of said tubular element opposite the side adapted to be positioned against said sheet, the ends of said elongated element having restraining means connected to said rigid supports and holding said elongated element in position against said tubular element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for stretching a flexible sheet of material fastened to rigid structures and spanning a space between said rigid structures comprising: a pair of rigid supports held in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, said pair of rigid supports being adapted for placing adjacent one side of said sheet; an air-tight, deformable tubular element having a valve for introducing or expelling a fluid into said tubular element so that it can be expanded to a tubular configuration or to a collapsed configuration, said tubular element being adapted to position on the side of said sheet opposite said pair of rigid supports so as to be parallel to and within at least a portion of the space bridging said pair of rigid supports; and a substantially inextensible elongated element located on the side of said tubular element opposite the side adapted to be positioned against said sheet, the ends of said elongated element having restraining means connected to said rigid supports and holding said elongated element in position against said tubular element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including a flexible shielding strap located parallel to said pair of rigid supports and adapted for positioning between said sheet and said rigid supports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the width of said elongated element and of said tubular element is substantially the same as the distance between said pair of rigid supports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said elongated element comprises a metal strap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pair of rigid supports are held by a U-shaped fork having one of each end joining one of each of said rigid supports to form an integrated rigid structure.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |