Patent US3886700A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3886700A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible structural member
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-08-27
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible structural member comprises a plurality of elongated inner elements in spaced end-to-end relationship and attached together by a flexible strand, and a plurality of elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with the inner elements and positioned in alternating relationship therewith. The outer elements are longer than the distance between adjacent pairs of inner elements and are slidable with respect thereto between extended positions engaging the ends of an adjacent pair of inner elements whereby a substantially rigid member is created, and retracted positions engaging only one inner element, whereby the structural member can be collapsed and folded. Limiting stops are provided in the interior of the outer elements, and means for locking the outer elements in the extended position is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 William M Lambert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:22
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C1/00; E06C1/52; E04; E04C; E04C3/00; E04C3/005; E04H; E04H12/00; E04H12/18; E04H12/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of rigid elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, each of said inner elements being of a first length, a plurality of rigid elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said inner elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to creAte a continuous rigid structural member and a retracted position spaced from one of the said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, each of said outer elements being of a second length at least substantially equal to said first length so that said inner elements are positionable substantially entirely within said outer elements when said outer elements are in said retracted position, whereby the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements in said retracted position is substantially less than the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of rigid elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, each of said inner elements being of a first length, a plurality of rigid elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said inner elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to creAte a continuous rigid structural member and a retracted position spaced from one of the said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, each of said outer elements being of a second length at least substantially equal to said first length so that said inner elements are positionable substantially entirely within said outer elements when said outer elements are in said retracted position, whereby the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements in said retracted position is substantially less than the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
257 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of rigid elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, each of said inner elements being of a first length, a plurality of rigid elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said inner elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to creAte a continuous rigid structural member and a retracted position spaced from one of the said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, each of said outer elements being of a second length at least substantially equal to said first length so that said inner elements are positionable substantially entirely within said outer elements when said outer elements are in said retracted position, whereby the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements in said retracted position is substantially less than the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
257 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of rigid elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, each of said inner elements being of a first length, a plurality of rigid elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said inner elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to creAte a continuous rigid structural member and a retracted position spaced from one of the said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, each of said outer elements being of a second length at least substantially equal to said first length so that said inner elements are positionable substantially entirely within said outer elements when said outer elements are in said retracted position, whereby the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements in said retracted position is substantially less than the effective combined length of all of said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer elements are in said extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structural member of claim 1 wherein the outer cross-sectional size and shape of said inner elements are substantially identical to the inner cross-sectional size and shape of said outer elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structural member of claim 2 wherein both said cross-sectional shapes are circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structural member of claim 2 wherein both said cross-sectional shapes are not circular, and further comprising alignment means for maintaining the proper radial alignment of said elements to facilitate movement of said outer elements to said extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structural member of claim 4 wherein said alignment means comprises flexible alignment strand means connecting together adjacent pairs of said outer elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structural member of claim 1 wherein said flexible connecting means establishes a particular maximum spacing between adjacent pairs of said inner members, and the length of said outer members is greater than the length of said spacing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structural member of claim 6 wherein the length of each of said outer elements is at least the length of said spacing plus two-thirds of the length of one said inner element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structural member of claim 7 wherein the length of each of said inner elements is less than the length of one of the respective said outer elements into which said inner element is retracted in said retracted position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structural member of claim 1 further comprising means for limiting the relative movement between said inner elements and said outer elements to define said extended position and said retracted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structural member of claim 9 wherein said limiting means comprises a stop installed in the interior of said outer elements for engaging the ends of said inner elements, said stop having an opening through which said flexible connecting means passes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structural member of claim 1 further comprising releasable locking means for holding said outer elements in said extended position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structural member of claim 11 wherein said releasable locking means comprises a biased locking element and a receiving groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structural member of claim 11 wherein said releasable locking means comprises a movable bar carried by each said inner element and extendable radially outwardly generally perpendicular to the axis of said inner element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
231 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to create a continuous rigid strUctural member and a retracted position spaced from one of said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer element is in said extended position, and releasable locking means for holding said outer elements in said extended position, said releasable locking means comprising a movable bar carried by each said inner element and connected to said flexible connecting means, said bar being extendable radially upwardly to a locked position generally perpendicular to the axis of said inner element by tension on said flexible connecting means when said outer element is moved to said extended position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
231 words
A collapsible structural member comprising: a plurality of elongated inner elements arrangeable in spaced end-to-end relationship and connected together by flexible connecting means attached to adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of elongated open-ended outer elements coaxial with said inner elements and arrangeable in alternating relationship with said elements, said flexible connecting means extending through the interior of said outer elements, said outer elements being axially relatively movable with respect to said inner elements between an extended position engaging opposite end portions of a pair of adjacent of said inner elements to create a continuous rigid strUctural member and a retracted position spaced from one of said pair of adjacent said inner elements to allow said structural member to be collapsed and folded, the cross-sectional configuration of said outer elements and said inner elements being so related to one another as to minimize lateral and angular movement between said inner and outer elements when said outer element is in said extended position, and releasable locking means for holding said outer elements in said extended position, said releasable locking means comprising a movable bar carried by each said inner element and connected to said flexible connecting means, said bar being extendable radially upwardly to a locked position generally perpendicular to the axis of said inner element by tension on said flexible connecting means when said outer element is moved to said extended position.
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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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |