US4241664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Formable drive rails
Assignee: WELD TOOLING CORP
•
Filing: 1979-03-13
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An elongate formable drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed drive gear and support elements is provided in the form of a narrow elongate strip of metal having a regular series of corrugations extending lengthwise of the strip intermediate its edges and adapted to be engaged by the toothed drive gear while the edges of the strip engage the support elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold E. Cable
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:32
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An elongate formable drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed driving gear drivingly engaging said rail and support means engaging a portion of the edge of the side rail for supporting said apparatus comprising an elongate narrow strip of metal of width selected to carry said working apparatus, having opposite faces and opposite side edges, a regular series of corrugations formed in said strip on both faces extending lengthwise of said strip intermediate its edges, said corrugations corresponding substantially in shape and width along the median line of the strip to the tooth configuration of the toothed driving gear of said working apparatus and sloping therefrom on each side to the plane of the strip to form a substantially smooth uncorrugated edge portion on each side of said corrugations receiving the support means for the working apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An elongate formable drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed driving gear drivingly engaging said rail and support means engaging a portion of the edge of the side rail for supporting said apparatus comprising an elongate narrow strip of metal of width selected to carry said working apparatus, having opposite faces and opposite side edges, a regular series of corrugations formed in said strip on both faces extending lengthwise of said strip intermediate its edges, said corrugations corresponding substantially in shape and width along the median line of the strip to the tooth configuration of the toothed driving gear of said working apparatus and sloping therefrom on each side to the plane of the strip to form a substantially smooth uncorrugated edge portion on each side of said corrugations receiving the support means for the working apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive rail is made of austentic stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 2 wherein said corrugations at the median line of the strip are in the form of a stub tooth involute gear configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 1 wherein each side edge is folded upon itself in a plane parallel to said strip to form a double thickness portion of relatively narrow width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 4 wherein the folded double thickness portion provides a substantially semi-circular face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rail has a plurality of spaced holding magnets on one side for engaging a ferromagnetic work piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rail has a plurality spaced vacuum cups on one side for engaging a work piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An elongate formable drive rail as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corrugations at the median line of the strip are in the form of a stub tooth involute gear configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2686565A
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US2706696A
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US2843421A
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US3226027A
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US3575364A
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US4092928A
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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) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |