US3971156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interchangeable-face devices and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-10-08
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Granted: 1976-07-27
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Expires: 1995-10-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved interchangeable-face device comprising two rows of alternately disposed equilateral triangles, spaced apart from one another and joined by link members bridging the interspaces, bonded to opposing surfaces of a pliant intermediate binder element, whereby the triangles and their interspaces are in registry, with the exposed portions of the binder element forming hinges for adjoining triangles. The triangle faces are provided with corresponding representations and the triangles are schematically overlaid upon one another, with the end triangles bonded together, to form a polygon, the latter adapted to be flexed for progressive exposure of groups of triangle faces, each group defining a different composite representation.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart Lamlee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:46
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An improved interchangeable-face device comprising a first row of alternatively disposed equilateral triangles equally spaced apart, with link members bridging the interspaces, to form a single unit thereof, a second row of identical triangles similarly spaced and linked to form a single unit, and an intermediate flat pliant binder element of identical shape, means to bond one row of triangles to each surface of the binder element so as to bring the triangles and interspaces of each row in registry with the other, with the exposed portions of the binder element adapted to act as hinges between adjoining triangles, the triangles being schematically overlaid, with end triangles in registry, and means to bond the end triangles together to form of the device a polygon, the latter adapted to be progressively flexed at one side and extruded at the other to progressively expose different groups of triangle faces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An improved interchangeable-face device comprising a first row of alternatively disposed equilateral triangles equally spaced apart, with link members bridging the interspaces, to form a single unit thereof, a second row of identical triangles similarly spaced and linked to form a single unit, and an intermediate flat pliant binder element of identical shape, means to bond one row of triangles to each surface of the binder element so as to bring the triangles and interspaces of each row in registry with the other, with the exposed portions of the binder element adapted to act as hinges between adjoining triangles, the triangles being schematically overlaid, with end triangles in registry, and means to bond the end triangles together to form of the device a polygon, the latter adapted to be progressively flexed at one side and extruded at the other to progressively expose different groups of triangle faces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 1, the faces of all but the last triangle of the first row, and the faces of all but the first triangle of the second row being schematically provided with graphic representations, whereby progressive exposure of each group of triangle faces discloses a different composite representation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 2, the graphic representations being colors, whereby each group of triangle faces discloses a different composite color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 2, the graphic representations being portions of designs, whereby each group of triangle faces discloses a different composite design.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 2, the graphic representations being legends, whereby each group of triangle faces discloses a different composite legend.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 1, each of the rows comprising 19 equilateral triangles, the schematic overlaying of which forms a hexagon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved interchangeable-face device as described in claim 1, each of the rows of triangles comprising 37 equilateral triangles, the schematic overlaying of which forms a hexahexagon.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of making an improved interchangeable-face device comprising the steps of stamping out a first row of alernatively disposed equilateral triangles equally spaced apart, with link members bridging the interspaces to define a single unit, stamping out a second row of identical triangles and interspaces as a unit, bonding each of the rows to an opposing surface of a pliant intermediate binder element, whereby the triangles and interspaces of each row come into registry with the other, with exposed portions of the binder element adapted to act as hinges between adjoining triangles, schematically providing graphic representations on the triangle faces, and overlaying the triangles to form a polygon adapted to be flexed by pinching two adjacent triangles together and extruding the opposing triangle, to expose a different group of triangle faces progressively, disclosing a different composite representation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of making an improved interchangeable-face device comprising the steps of stamping out a first row of alernatively disposed equilateral triangles equally spaced apart, with link members bridging the interspaces to define a single unit, stamping out a second row of identical triangles and interspaces as a unit, bonding each of the rows to an opposing surface of a pliant intermediate binder element, whereby the triangles and interspaces of each row come into registry with the other, with exposed portions of the binder element adapted to act as hinges between adjoining triangles, schematically providing graphic representations on the triangle faces, and overlaying the triangles to form a polygon adapted to be flexed by pinching two adjacent triangles together and extruding the opposing triangle, to expose a different group of triangle faces progressively, disclosing a different composite representation.
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) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |