US3838529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directory nameplate construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-16
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1993-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A nameplate for a directory comprising a strip and blank in which the strip is comprised of a thin, flexible, resilient, deformable material having rounded ends forming lobes, and the blank being a plastic engravable blank being secured to the strip; the nameplate is flexible to be bent in a slight curvature and is resilient to return to that shape when flattened; the nameplate is deformed and/or positioned to cause only the strip of the nameplate to fit into and engage folded-over edge portions of a holder.
Inventors
- 👤 A Aybar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:37
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F7/00; G09F7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A vertical directory, including in combination: a holder comprised of a rectangular sheet having forwardly folded over, marginal, hem edges along two opposite vertical sides; said folded over hem edges each defining an opening to receive the end lobe of a nameplate strip; plural, elongate rectangular nameplate strips each being thin and having opposed flat surfaces, each said strip being comprised of flexible, resilient, yet permanently deformable material; each said strip having two opposite ends, a respective rounded shape lobe projecting from each said end for securing each said strip in said hem edge openings and for enabling the insertion and removal of said strip; each said strip being of a length such that its said lobes each extend into a respective one said marginal hem edge opening; each said strip being permanently deformed and concavely curved with respect to the front of the holder around an axis transverse to a line joining said strip ends such that said strip lobes can be flexed to engage said hem edges of said holder in the respective said openings thereof, and the resiliency of said strips biases them into fixed position along said holder vertical sides by their inherent flexible deformation; a plurality of blanks of engravable material, each being secured to the forwardly facing surface of one said strip when in said holder; said blanks being adapted to display directory information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A vertical directory, including in combination: a holder comprised of a rectangular sheet having forwardly folded over, marginal, hem edges along two opposite vertical sides; said folded over hem edges each defining an opening to receive the end lobe of a nameplate strip; plural, elongate rectangular nameplate strips each being thin and having opposed flat surfaces, each said strip being comprised of flexible, resilient, yet permanently deformable material; each said strip having two opposite ends, a respective rounded shape lobe projecting from each said end for securing each said strip in said hem edge openings and for enabling the insertion and removal of said strip; each said strip being of a length such that its said lobes each extend into a respective one said marginal hem edge opening; each said strip being permanently deformed and concavely curved with respect to the front of the holder around an axis transverse to a line joining said strip ends such that said strip lobes can be flexed to engage said hem edges of said holder in the respective said openings thereof, and the resiliency of said strips biases them into fixed position along said holder vertical sides by their inherent flexible deformation; a plurality of blanks of engravable material, each being secured to the forwardly facing surface of one said strip when in said holder; said blanks being adapted to display directory information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The directory of claim 1, in which said marginal hem edge openings are of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said strip lobes and are thereby too thin to receive said blank; said blank is of sufficient length to have indicia engraved thereupon and is short enough so as not to extend into said holder marginal hem edge openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The directory of claim 1, wherein said strip is of a first height and said lobes are of a shorter height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The directory of claim 3 in which said strip is comprised of a spring tempered steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The directory of claim 1 in which orientation guide lines are positioned on a back surface of said strip to provide mounting limitation for a blank to be secured to a front surface of said strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The directory of claim 1 in which a notch with a rounded corner is formed below each lobe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The directory of claim 6, wherein said blank of engravable material has an adhesive surface on the back thereof and said blank is secured by its adhesive surface to said strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
A vertical directory, including in combination: a holder comprised of a permanently deformable, metal, flexible, resilient, rectangular sheet having forwardly folded over, marginal hem edges along two opposite vertical sides; said folded over hem edges each defining an opening to receive the end lobe of a nameplate strip; plural, elongate, rectangular nameplate strips, each being thin and having opposed flat surfaces; each said strip having two opposite ends, a respective rounded shape lobe projecting from each said strip end for securing each said strip in said hem edge openings and for enabling the insertion and removal of said strip; each said strip being of a length such that its said lobes each extend into a respective one said marginal hem edge opening; said holder being permanently deformed convexly with respect to the front of said holder around the vertical height of said holder, which moves said marginal hem edges close together and twists said marginal hem edges, thereby to provide greater friction for holding said strip in position; said strip lobes engaging said hem edges in respective said openings thereof and the resilient deformation of said holder biasing said strips into position along said hem edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
196 words
A vertical directory, including in combination: a holder comprised of a permanently deformable, metal, flexible, resilient, rectangular sheet having forwardly folded over, marginal hem edges along two opposite vertical sides; said folded over hem edges each defining an opening to receive the end lobe of a nameplate strip; plural, elongate, rectangular nameplate strips, each being thin and having opposed flat surfaces; each said strip having two opposite ends, a respective rounded shape lobe projecting from each said strip end for securing each said strip in said hem edge openings and for enabling the insertion and removal of said strip; each said strip being of a length such that its said lobes each extend into a respective one said marginal hem edge opening; said holder being permanently deformed convexly with respect to the front of said holder around the vertical height of said holder, which moves said marginal hem edges close together and twists said marginal hem edges, thereby to provide greater friction for holding said strip in position; said strip lobes engaging said hem edges in respective said openings thereof and the resilient deformation of said holder biasing said strips into position along said hem edges.
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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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |