US3854185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming structural joints
Assignee: ROBERT JOHN REID Ltd
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a structural joint between a first and a second rigid element, the first element having at least one flange extending from a face thereof and having an outer end, the second element having at least one elongate groove which is substantially arcuate in cross-section provided on a face thereof, each groove having opposed edges which define an elongate opening of a dimension to permit entry of a flange into the groove, comprises placing the outer end of at least one flange into the elongate opening of the at least one groove. Then by applying sufficient external force to the first and second elements, relative movement between the elements results and the distance between the opposing faces thereof is decreased, the flange being deformed within the groove to form a portion of a coil therein having a width which is greater than the width of the elongate opening. The degree of coiling of the flange within the groove may be varied along the length of the joint. This method may be used to join a ladder rung to a ladder rail. A structural joint between a first and a second element when formed by the above method.
Inventors
- 👤 R Reid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:59
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C7/00; E06C7/08; E06C7/082; E06C7/084; B; B21; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D47/00; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/76; E06C7/085; F; F16; F16B; F16B17/00; F16B17/006; F16B7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49616; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49925; Y10T29/49934; Y10T29/49936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of forming a structural joint between a first and a second rigid element, said first element having at least one flange extending from a face thereof and having an outer end, said second element having at least one elongate groove which is substantially arcuate in ross-section provided on a face thereof, each said groove having opposed edges which define an elongate opening of a dimension to permit entry of a flange into said groove, comprising the steps of: placing the outer end of at least one flange into the elongate opening of said at least one groove; and applying sufficient external force to at least one of said first and second elements to cause relative movement between said elements so as to decrease the distance between the opposing faces thereof and so as to deform said flange within said groove to form at least a portion of a coil therein having a width which is greater than the width of said elongate opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of forming a structural joint between a first and a second rigid element, said first element having at least one flange extending from a face thereof and having an outer end, said second element having at least one elongate groove which is substantially arcuate in ross-section provided on a face thereof, each said groove having opposed edges which define an elongate opening of a dimension to permit entry of a flange into said groove, comprising the steps of: placing the outer end of at least one flange into the elongate opening of said at least one groove; and applying sufficient external force to at least one of said first and second elements to cause relative movement between said elements so as to decrease the distance between the opposing faces thereof and so as to deform said flange within said groove to form at least a portion of a coil therein having a width which is greater than the width of said elongate opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said flange is deformed within said groove and coiled about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to an axis along which said external force is directed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said groove has a depth relative to the face of said second element throughout the length of said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method of claim 2, wherein said flange has an inner and an outer face and is inserted in said groove to place said outer face proximate the inner arcuate face of said groove, a portion of said outer face of said flange contacting a portion of said inner arcuate face of said groove when said external force is applied.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of claim 1, wherein an indentation is formed proximate a side edge of said flange in one or more sides of said groove to decrease the cross-sectional area of said groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method of claim 1 where said at least one flange is formed with a length greater than the circumferential length of the inner arcuate face of said groove, and the movement of said outer end of said flange within said groove defining a locus along which said outer end traverses more than 180* while said external force is applied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method of claim 4, including a further step of forming at the outer end of said at least one flange a bend having a curvature substantially identical to that of a portion of the inner arcuate face of said at least one groove proximate the area of initial contact of said outer face of said flange with said inner arcuate face of said groove; said flange with said bend being placed in said groove with said outer face proximate said inner arcuate face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 4, said outer end being formed with a rounded edge adjacent said outer face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said flange enters said groove along a path which is offset from the longitudinal axis of said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of claim 1 for making a structural joint between a rung and a rail of a ladder wherein said rung is said first element having at least one flange extending from each end thereof, and said rail is said second element having at least one arcuate groove extending along a face thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of claim 10 where there are two substantially parallel arcuate grooves provided on the face of said rail for a length at least equal to the height of a respective flange, and two flanges at each end of said rung, the elongate openings of said grooves being spaced apart a distance to receive the outer ends of said respective flanges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of claim 10 where below said rung relative to the upright position of said ladder, an indentation in one or more sides of said groove is formed to decrease the cross-sectional area of said groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of claim 10 where a plurality of rungs are placed between two rails, the flanges of each rung being placed in the respective grooves of said rails; and where an external force is applied to each of said rails to cause relative movement therebetween to thereby secure each rung to both of said rails simultaneously.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of claim 1 wherein along the length of the structural joint between said first and second elements, the degree that each flange is coiled within a groove is proportionaltely varied along the length of the joint to form a taper between said opposing faces.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |