US3802133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-30
•
Granted: 1974-04-09
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Expires: 1992-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A structure fabricated from two generally rectangular sheets of plastic or cardboard and provided with opposed, generally segmented elliptical notches or cut-out portions in opposed side edges of each sheet, each sheet being bent to an arch or inverted U-shaped configuration in order to comprise an arched covering with a lateral passageway therethrough provided by the elliptical cut-out portions. One of the arched sheets may be forced to overlie the other to provide two intersecting tunnels oriented 90* with respect to each other. For example, the sheets are retained in their arched configurations by securing the opposed side edges of each sheet to a base member, or alternatively, by maintaining the opposed side edges in spaced relationship with a plurality of straps, each of which straps is secured to a respective side edge of a sheet by a dowel pierced through the strap and the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gregory
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:21
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3205; E04B2001/327; E04B2001/3276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A structure comprising a first arched section provided with inverted U-shaped cut-out portions, a second arched section overlying said first section provided with inverted, U-shaped cut-out portions, said sections being formed from resilient sheets of material biased toward the flat position, said second section intersecting said first section with the cut-out portions of said second section in complimentary alignment with the cutout portions of said first section, thereby providing a plurality of intersecting passageways through said first and second sections, and removable means secured to each of said sections foR retaining them in said arched configurations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A structure comprising a first arched section provided with inverted U-shaped cut-out portions, a second arched section overlying said first section provided with inverted, U-shaped cut-out portions, said sections being formed from resilient sheets of material biased toward the flat position, said second section intersecting said first section with the cut-out portions of said second section in complimentary alignment with the cutout portions of said first section, thereby providing a plurality of intersecting passageways through said first and second sections, and removable means secured to each of said sections foR retaining them in said arched configurations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said removable means comprises a strap provided with apertures in its end portions thereof, and said sections are provided with complimentary aligned apertures, and said structure further includes locating dowels receivable in said complimentary aligned apertures of said strap and said sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 1 and further including a floor having extended portions extending beneath said intersecting sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said removable means comprises flange portions on said floor, said flange portions being so constructed and arranged for folding to upstanding positions, and fastening means being adapted for removably securing said flange portions to said sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said fastening means include snap fasteners.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said sections is fabricated from a single piece of sheet material, each sheet material being bent to an arch configuration defining the arch of the section, the arch configuration being load bearing and preventing the collapse of said tunnel section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said cut-out portions are of segmented elliptical configurations, and said sections are bent to arch configurations having segmented elliptical cross-sections for supporting the weight of children climbing over said tunnel sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the intersection of said sections is further provided with sealing means adapted to prevent leakage into said structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said sections are further provided with vertical support means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The structure of claim 9 wherein said supports are telescoping poles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1214928A
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US1111040A
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-08 | 1977-10-08 | 1978-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-08 | 1981-10-08 | 1982-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-08 | 1985-10-08 | 1986-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |