US4057941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular green house construction
Assignee: AIRFLOW ALUMINUM AWNING Co
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Filing: 1975-12-19
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Granted: 1977-11-15
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Expires: 1995-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A modular greenhouse construction in which panels are prefabricated from a universal beam or mullion and the panels are interlocked to form walls and a roof. The universal beam has a spline receiving groove in one surface and a ribbed channel in the surface opposite with C-shaped slots on either side of the beam for interlocking the two panels. Joints are formed by L-shaped inserts engaging an interior channel in the beam with the particular angle of the joint being determined by the shape of the insert. For 90° corner joints, the insert would, of course, be a 90° L-shape. An enclosure is formed by securing adjacent panels with an H-shaped insert engaging abutting C-shaped slots on the periphery of each panel. Caps which snap on the frames are provided to form corners for the building and a gabled roof.
Inventors
- 👤 Seymour L. Schwartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/14; A01G9/16; E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/02; E04H15/32; E04H15/34; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A modular building construction comprising: a plurality of panels having a frame formed of a universal beam comprised of: an elongate substantially hollow beam having a substantially rectangular cross section; a pair of outwardly facing, mirror image, continuous slots on opposite sides of said beam for interlocking adjacent beams when their sides are in abutment; an outward facing, ribbed channels on a third side of said beam for forming a continuous, peripheral, screw-receiving channel when a plurality of said beams are formed into panel frames; cover securing means on a fourth side of said beam for securing a panel covering, interlocking means for interlocking the mirror image slots of abutting universal beams to form walls and a ceiling; capping bracket means for sliding over and capping said frames for joining adjacent walls to form corners; said capping bracket having a flange extending over the rib channel for securing adjacent panels; and a substantially transparent material stretched across and secured to said cover securing means for enclosing said modular building.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A modular building construction comprising: a plurality of panels having a frame formed of a universal beam comprised of: an elongate substantially hollow beam having a substantially rectangular cross section; a pair of outwardly facing, mirror image, continuous slots on opposite sides of said beam for interlocking adjacent beams when their sides are in abutment; an outward facing, ribbed channels on a third side of said beam for forming a continuous, peripheral, screw-receiving channel when a plurality of said beams are formed into panel frames; cover securing means on a fourth side of said beam for securing a panel covering, interlocking means for interlocking the mirror image slots of abutting universal beams to form walls and a ceiling; capping bracket means for sliding over and capping said frames for joining adjacent walls to form corners; said capping bracket having a flange extending over the rib channel for securing adjacent panels; and a substantially transparent material stretched across and secured to said cover securing means for enclosing said modular building.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The modular building construction according to claim 1 wherein: said securing means comprises; a spline receiving channel along one side of said beam whereby said channel is formed around the periphery of said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular building according to claim 1 including vent means for controlling air circulation in said building.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The modular building according to claim 1 wherein said building has a gabled roof formed from: oppositely angled top cap brackets engaging roof panel frames; said caps having abutting slots for interlocking; and interlocking means engaging the abutting slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular building according to claim 4 wherein said interlocking means includes means for sealing the seam between said oppositely angled abutting roof caps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The modular building according to claim 4 wherein one side of said caps extends over the ribbed channel in said beams whereby the caps may be secured with screws.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular building construction according to claim 3 wherein said vents comprise: hinged panels hingedly attached to roof panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular building construction according to claim 7 wherein said roof panels form a gabled roof; said gabled roof being formed by top cap brackets engaging the frame of the roof panels to form a peak.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular building construction according to claim 8 wherein said top caps have flanges extending over the edge of said panels; and said flanges securing said hinges for the vent panels to said top panels.
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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) | 1980-11-14 | 1981-05-16 | 1981-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-14 | 1985-05-16 | 1985-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-14 | 1989-05-16 | 1989-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |