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US4175883A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Composite structural members and fastening methods

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-02
•
Granted: 1979-11-27
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Expires: 1997-09-02
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Abstract

Abstract Composite moldings are provided defining structural members such as beams, stakes and poles for use in a variety of applications including the fabrication of fences, frames and other architectural structures wherein a plurality of structural members or planks are secured together by means of the composite moldings. In one form, the composite moldings are formed of elongated structural core members such as rods, tubes, angles, channels, box-beams or otherwise shaped members, preferably but not necessarily, made of metal which are disposed within a mold after which a cellular plastic material is cast or injection molded thereabout to form a sheathing. The sheathing may be decorated or shaped to represent a wood grained structure and the core member may extend from either or both ends thereof for fastening purposes and to permit the composite molding to be driven into the ground or secured to an anchoring material such as concrete. In another form, the sheathing is especially shaped with one or more cavities therein to permit attachment of other structural devices such as rods, tubes, beams or planks, to the composite molding, to form fences, frames and the like thereof.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jerome H. Lemelson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 01:48
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H17/00; E04H17/14; E04H17/1413; E04H17/1447; E04H17/1465; A; A01; A01G; A01G17/00; A01G17/04; A01G17/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7001; Y10T403/7003; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24438

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 161 words
An elongated composite structural member for use in constructing assemblies above the ground comprising in combination: an elongated metal structural core member, one end of said structural core member being shaped to permit and facilitate its penetration of the ground, a sheathing formed of structural cellular plastic resin, said structural cellular plastic sheathing covering a portion of said core member with the portion of said elongated structural core member which is shaped to facilitate insertion of the composite structural member into the ground being void of said structural cellular plastic resin defining said sheathing, the upper end of said metal core member being exposed to the exterior of said sheathing to permit force to be applied directly to the end of said core member without damaging the upper end of the structural cellular plastic sheathing to permit forcing said composite structural member into the ground a degree such that the elongated structural member may be supported by and above the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 161 words
An elongated composite structural member for use in constructing assemblies above the ground comprising in combination: an elongated metal structural core member, one end of said structural core member being shaped to permit and facilitate its penetration of the ground, a sheathing formed of structural cellular plastic resin, said structural cellular plastic sheathing covering a portion of said core member with the portion of said elongated structural core member which is shaped to facilitate insertion of the composite structural member into the ground being void of said structural cellular plastic resin defining said sheathing, the upper end of said metal core member being exposed to the exterior of said sheathing to permit force to be applied directly to the end of said core member without damaging the upper end of the structural cellular plastic sheathing to permit forcing said composite structural member into the ground a degree such that the elongated structural member may be supported by and above the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
An elongated structural member in accordance with claim 1 having at least one cavity formed in said structural cellular plastic sheathing and a further structural member having a portion thereof disposed within said sheathing cavity and supported by said structural member above the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said further structural member is also supported by the wall portion of said sheathing defining said cavity in said sheathing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein support for said further structural member is effected at least in part by said core member portion of said structural member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said further structural member is fastened to said core member of said structural member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said further structural member has a portion thereof welded to said core member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A container in accordance with claim 5 including a fastener extending through a portion of said further structural member and said core member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
A structural member in accordance with claim 1 in which said core member is a solid metal rod and said sheathing comprises a cellular plastic structure surrounding the major portion of said rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
A structural member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said core member is a metal tube which is tapered at the lower end thereof to facilitate its penetration into the ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
A structural member in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of cavities formed in said sheathing for supporting separate structural members having portions inserted into said cavities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 51 words
A structural member in accordance with claim 1 having a channel-like formation formed in said sheathing, and a plurality of serrations or teeth mold formed in and defining portions of the side walls of said channel-like formation for engaging and frictionally and mechanically retaining another structural member within said channel-like formation.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US806743A Cited
US2976346A Cited
US3067717A Cited
US3973756A Cited
US3993289A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-11-26 1983-05-28 1983-11-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-11-26 1987-05-28 1987-11-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-11-26 1991-05-28 1991-11-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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