US4126974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable beam structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-11-17
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Granted: 1978-11-28
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Expires: 1997-11-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an expandable beam structure comprising a plural-sided structure, each side formed of consecutive pairs of scissor links pivotally connected end-to-end to form a side. The plural-sided figure is connected by intermediate sides and the main sides are interconnected through pivot members which pivot the ends of the links and interconnect the sides. The pivot members combined to form a locking device to maintain the beam in an erected position and further support a tensioning means whenever it is desired to tension the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Hardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:29
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H12/00; E04H12/18; E04H12/185; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/20588; Y10T74/20594
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An expandable beam structure comprising, a three-sided beam structure with each side being formed of pairs of scissor links each having a given length dimension and pivotally connected end-to-end to form the side, connecting side surface means formed intermediate each side of said beam structure, said connecting side surface means each being formed of a plurality of pairs of scissor links pivotally connected end-to-end with the links having a shorter length dimension than the links forming the three sides of the beam structure, block means pivotally connecting the ends of the links of the main sides with the links of the side surface means and means included in part in said last named means for maintaining said beam structure in an expanded position, said links forming the sides and the connecting side surface means of the beam structure being constructed to form a six-sided structure in a collapsed position, said means included in part in said last named means being notches in the respective blocks permitting the blocks to fit together and apertures through the blocks to permit pins to be threaded therethrough to hold the blocks together and hence the beam structure in an expanded position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An expandable beam structure comprising, a three-sided beam structure with each side being formed of pairs of scissor links each having a given length dimension and pivotally connected end-to-end to form the side, connecting side surface means formed intermediate each side of said beam structure, said connecting side surface means each being formed of a plurality of pairs of scissor links pivotally connected end-to-end with the links having a shorter length dimension than the links forming the three sides of the beam structure, block means pivotally connecting the ends of the links of the main sides with the links of the side surface means and means included in part in said last named means for maintaining said beam structure in an expanded position, said links forming the sides and the connecting side surface means of the beam structure being constructed to form a six-sided structure in a collapsed position, said means included in part in said last named means being notches in the respective blocks permitting the blocks to fit together and apertures through the blocks to permit pins to be threaded therethrough to hold the blocks together and hence the beam structure in an expanded position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 1 in which the shorter links are in the ratio of 2:3 to the longer links forming the sides of the beam structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 2 in which the blocks have additional apertures therethrough which align with one another when the blocks are brought together to permit the passage of tensioning means therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
The expandable beam structure comprising, a plural-sided structure including a plurality of main sides and an equal number of intermediate connecting sides positioned between the main sides, each of the sides of the structure being formed of a plurality of pairs of scissors links connected end-to-end, the links of the main sides having a length dimension which is greater than the length of the links forming the intermediate sides, pivotal connection means positioned at the ends of each pair of links and pivotally connecting the ends of the links of the main sides to the ends of the links of the intermediate sides, and means securing the pivotal connection means in abutting contact when the beam structure is in the expanded condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
The expandable beam structure comprising, a plural-sided structure including a plurality of main sides and an equal number of intermediate connecting sides positioned between the main sides, each of the sides of the structure being formed of a plurality of pairs of scissors links connected end-to-end, the links of the main sides having a length dimension which is greater than the length of the links forming the intermediate sides, pivotal connection means positioned at the ends of each pair of links and pivotally connecting the ends of the links of the main sides to the ends of the links of the intermediate sides, and means securing the pivotal connection means in abutting contact when the beam structure is in the expanded condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 4 in which the number of main sides are three.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 5 in which the scissor links forming the intermediate sides are substantially aligned in the expanded position of the beam structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 6 in which the scissor links forming the main and intermediate sides are made of metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 7 in which the pivotal connection means connecting the adjacent links of the intermediate and main sides are block means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The expandable beam structure of claim 8 and including means for applying the tension to the beam structure in the expanded positon including tension means passing through the blocks and secured to the blocks at the end of the beam structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-11-27 | 1982-05-29 | 1982-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-27 | 1986-05-29 | 1986-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-27 | 1990-05-29 | 1990-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |