US3858282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking separable seam assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A self-locking separable seam assembly comprising a pair of identical extruded semi-rigid strips of plastic material having a tubular portion tear-drop shape in cross section along one lateral edge of the mounting web thereof. One sidewall of the tubular portion is slotted to permit these overlapped edges to be pressed into interlocking engagement with one edge of each slot closely spaced from the exterior of the tubular portion of the other strip and cooperating therewith to lock the closed seam against disassembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A Plummer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:37
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B19/00; A44B19/10; A44B19/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S24/00; Y10S24/30; Y10S24/38; Y10S24/39; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45152; Y10T24/45173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An interlocked self-locking separable seam assembly comprising a pair of generally J-shaped semi-rigid continuous strips of identical cross-section extruded from plastic material and including a trough-shaped portion integral with a stem portion, said trough-shaped portion having a free lip edge extending therealong, a semi-rigid deflectable locking rib integral with said stem portion and extending lengthwise of said strip with the free edge thereof extending toward and closely spaced from the lip edge of said trough-shaped portion, said locking rib being so positioned as to require deflection toward said stem portion as said trough-shaped portions of said strips are overlapped and pressed into interlocking engagement with one another, and the free edges of said locking ribs then resuming the initial unstressed position thereof and cooperating with the juxtaposed exterior surfaces of said cup-shaped portions to resist separation of said interlocked strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An interlocked self-locking separable seam assembly comprising a pair of generally J-shaped semi-rigid continuous strips of identical cross-section extruded from plastic material and including a trough-shaped portion integral with a stem portion, said trough-shaped portion having a free lip edge extending therealong, a semi-rigid deflectable locking rib integral with said stem portion and extending lengthwise of said strip with the free edge thereof extending toward and closely spaced from the lip edge of said trough-shaped portion, said locking rib being so positioned as to require deflection toward said stem portion as said trough-shaped portions of said strips are overlapped and pressed into interlocking engagement with one another, and the free edges of said locking ribs then resuming the initial unstressed position thereof and cooperating with the juxtaposed exterior surfaces of said cup-shaped portions to resist separation of said interlocked strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottom of said trough-shaped portion is substantially thicker than the free lip edge thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottom of said trough-shaped portion is substantially thicker and stiffer than said stem portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the spacing between the free edge of said locking rib and the juxtaposed exterior surface of said trough-shaped portion approximates the wall thickness of said trough-shaped portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said strips have a shore hardness of the order of 95 on the A scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An interlocked self-locking separable seam assembly comprising a pair of semi-rigid strips of identical cross-section extruded from plastic material, said strips having a wide thin mounting web formed along one lateral edge with a tubular portion of tear-drop shape in cross-section, the midportion of one sidewall of said tubular portion having a narrow endless slot extending lengthwise from end to end thereof to permit interlocking assembly of said pair of strips when said tear drop portions are overlapped with the slots of each in juxtaposition and positioned for interlocking nesting engagement with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An interlocked self-locking separable seam assembly comprising a pair of semi-rigid strips of identical cross-section extruded from plastic material, said strips having a wide thin mounting web formed along one lateral edge with a tubular portion of tear-drop shape in cross-section, the midportion of one sidewall of said tubular portion having a narrow endless slot extending lengthwise from end to end thereof to permit interlocking assembly of said pair of strips when said tear drop portions are overlapped with the slots of each in juxtaposition and positioned for interlocking nesting engagement with one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said slot has a width approximating the wall thickness of the bottom portion of said tear-drop shaped portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 6 characterized in that the wall of said tubular portion remote from said mounting web is crescent-shaped in cross-section and substantially thicker along the midlength thereof than along the opposite sides of said thick midlength portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A seam assembly as defined in claim 6 characterized in that the walls of said tubular portions integral with the adjacent portion of said mounting web are relatively thin and more flexible than the relatively thick and relatively rigid portion of said tubular portion remote from said mounting web.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1959319A
Cited
US2756172A
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US2909822A
Cited
US2787435A
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US3638286A
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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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |