Patent US4360042A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4360042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arched conduit with improved corrugations
Assignee: National City Bank
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Filing: 1980-07-01
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A foldable conduit has a generally parabolic arched portion and a flat base. The arched portion comprises a pair of corrugated side walls which are connected with a hinge. The corrugations comprise alternating peak portions and valley portions. Each peak portion comprises a pair of generally vertical corrugation walls and a top wall connected with the corrugation walls. The top wall has a pair of ribs, each adjacent one of the pair of corrugation walls. Between the ribs is a recessed area. The ribs and recessed area are arcuate and generally undulating in cross section. The valley portion comprises an arcuate valley wall connected with the corrugation walls of adjacent peak portions. The flat base is a flexible sheet which may be perforated to permit fluid ingress and egress. The hinge and flexible base allow the side walls to be folded together with the base folded in between for more compact shipment.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Fouss
- 👤 John J. Parker
- 👤 James L. Child, Jr.
- 👤 Donald W. Sting
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/11; F16L11/118; B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C69/00; B29C69/001; B29D; B29D23/00; B29D23/18; E; E02; E02B; E02B11/00; E02B11/005; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/009; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0019; B29C48/03; B29C48/12; B29C48/13; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/53; B29C66/534; B29C66/5346; B29C66/53461; B29C66/536; B29C66/70; B29C66/71; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
422 words
A foldable conduit comprising: a first wall which is elongated in one direction and having first corrugations extending generally between an opposed first wall apex side edge area and a first wall terminal side edge area, said first corrugations comprising alternating first peak portions and first valley portions, at least one of said first peak portions comprising a first pair of corrugation side walls which connect the first peak portion with adjacent first valley portions and a first top wall which connects the first pair of corrugation walls, said first top wall having a generally undulating cross section between the first pair of corrugation walls; a second wall which is elongated in said one direction and having second corrugations extending beteen an opposed second wall apex side edge area and a second wall terminal side edge area, said second corrugations comprising alternating second peak portions and second valley portions, at least one of said second peak portions comprising a second pair of corrugation side walls which connect the second peak portion with adjacent second valley portions and a second top wall which connects the second pair of corrugation walls, said second top wall having a generally undulating cross section between the second pair of corrugation walls; means for connecting said first and second walls along said one direction at generally said first and second wall apex side edge areas, said connecting means allowing said first and second walls to be arcuately moved toward and away from each other, whereby said first and second walls are moveable between a folded position in which said first and second wall terminal side edge areas are substantially adjacent and an unfolded fluid conveying position in which said first and second wall terminal side edge areas are displaced from each other; and, a non-corrugated flexible base connected in both the folded and unfolded positions adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area and connected in both the folded and unfolded positions adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, said base being elongated in said one direction and having a width disposed between the first and second wall terminal side edge areas, the width of said base limiting the amount by which said first wall terminal edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area can be displaced in the unfolded position and the base being sufficiently flexible across its width that in the folded position said base is adapted to be disposed in a generally folded configuration between said first wall and said second wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
422 words
A foldable conduit comprising: a first wall which is elongated in one direction and having first corrugations extending generally between an opposed first wall apex side edge area and a first wall terminal side edge area, said first corrugations comprising alternating first peak portions and first valley portions, at least one of said first peak portions comprising a first pair of corrugation side walls which connect the first peak portion with adjacent first valley portions and a first top wall which connects the first pair of corrugation walls, said first top wall having a generally undulating cross section between the first pair of corrugation walls; a second wall which is elongated in said one direction and having second corrugations extending beteen an opposed second wall apex side edge area and a second wall terminal side edge area, said second corrugations comprising alternating second peak portions and second valley portions, at least one of said second peak portions comprising a second pair of corrugation side walls which connect the second peak portion with adjacent second valley portions and a second top wall which connects the second pair of corrugation walls, said second top wall having a generally undulating cross section between the second pair of corrugation walls; means for connecting said first and second walls along said one direction at generally said first and second wall apex side edge areas, said connecting means allowing said first and second walls to be arcuately moved toward and away from each other, whereby said first and second walls are moveable between a folded position in which said first and second wall terminal side edge areas are substantially adjacent and an unfolded fluid conveying position in which said first and second wall terminal side edge areas are displaced from each other; and, a non-corrugated flexible base connected in both the folded and unfolded positions adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area and connected in both the folded and unfolded positions adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, said base being elongated in said one direction and having a width disposed between the first and second wall terminal side edge areas, the width of said base limiting the amount by which said first wall terminal edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area can be displaced in the unfolded position and the base being sufficiently flexible across its width that in the folded position said base is adapted to be disposed in a generally folded configuration between said first wall and said second wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The foldable conduit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second top walls comprise a first outward extending rib adjacent a first of the corresponding pair of currugation walls and a second outward extending rib adjacent the second of the corresponding pair of corrugation walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The foldable conduit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second ribs are rounded and wherein each of said first and second top walls further comprises an inward rounded recess between said first and second ribs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The foldable conduit as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said valley portions comprise an arcuate valley wall connected between a corresponding pair of corrugation walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The foldable conduit as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second valley portions lie in a common cross section transverse to said one direction, the cross section of the first and second valley portions being substantially parabolic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
403 words
A foldable, partially corrugated conduit comprising: a first wall which is elongated in one direction and which has a plurality of first corrugations extending generally transverse to said one direction, said first corrugations extending generally between a first wall apex side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction and a first wall terminal side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction; a second wall which is elongated in said one direction and which has a plurality of second corrugations extending generally transverse to said one direction, said second corrugations extending generally between a second wall apex side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction and a second wall terminal side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction; said first and second corrugations comprising alternating peak portions and valley portions, the peak portions comprising pairs of corrugation walls and top walls connecting the pairs of corrugation walls, said top walls having ribs disposed substantially contiguous with each corrugation wall, said valley portions comprising valley walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls; hinge means connecting said first wall apex side edge area with said second wall apex side edge area, said hinge means providing for said first wall and said second wall to move arcuately generally about the hinge means at least between a folded position in which said first wall terminal side edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area are generally adjacent each other and an unfolded position in which said first wall terminal side edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area are displaced from each other; and a foldable base which is elongated in said one direction, said base being connected substantially adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area and being connected substantially adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, said foldable base being foldable at least generally along a first fold area disposed substantially adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area, generally along a second fold area disposed substantially adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, and generally along at least a third folded area extending in said one direction, said third fold area being disposed generally intermediate said first fold area and said second fold area, whereby said foldable base is foldable along at least the first, second, and third fold area as said conduit is moved between the folded and unfolded positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
403 words
A foldable, partially corrugated conduit comprising: a first wall which is elongated in one direction and which has a plurality of first corrugations extending generally transverse to said one direction, said first corrugations extending generally between a first wall apex side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction and a first wall terminal side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction; a second wall which is elongated in said one direction and which has a plurality of second corrugations extending generally transverse to said one direction, said second corrugations extending generally between a second wall apex side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction and a second wall terminal side edge area which extends substantially in said one direction; said first and second corrugations comprising alternating peak portions and valley portions, the peak portions comprising pairs of corrugation walls and top walls connecting the pairs of corrugation walls, said top walls having ribs disposed substantially contiguous with each corrugation wall, said valley portions comprising valley walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls; hinge means connecting said first wall apex side edge area with said second wall apex side edge area, said hinge means providing for said first wall and said second wall to move arcuately generally about the hinge means at least between a folded position in which said first wall terminal side edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area are generally adjacent each other and an unfolded position in which said first wall terminal side edge area and said second wall terminal side edge area are displaced from each other; and a foldable base which is elongated in said one direction, said base being connected substantially adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area and being connected substantially adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, said foldable base being foldable at least generally along a first fold area disposed substantially adjacent said first wall terminal side edge area, generally along a second fold area disposed substantially adjacent said second wall terminal side edge area, and generally along at least a third folded area extending in said one direction, said third fold area being disposed generally intermediate said first fold area and said second fold area, whereby said foldable base is foldable along at least the first, second, and third fold area as said conduit is moved between the folded and unfolded positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The foldable partially corrugated conduit as set forth in claim 6 wherein pairs of corrugation walls which are connected by a common top wall converge toward said top wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A conduit comprising: a longitudinally elongated element which has an apex area disposed substantially at the top of the element and a pair of displaced longitudinal terminal side edge areas disposed generally at the bottom of the element, the terminal side edge areas defining a generally planar base area therebetween; the elongated element having a plurality of transverse corrugations extending from the apex area to both of said terminal side edge areas; said corrugations comprising outward extending peak portions and inward extending valley portions, the peak portions comprising corrugation walls and top walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls, the top walls having a recess between the connected pairs of corrugation walls, the valley portions comprising valley walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls; and, a generally flat base connected between said terminal side edge areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A conduit comprising: a longitudinally elongated element which has an apex area disposed substantially at the top of the element and a pair of displaced longitudinal terminal side edge areas disposed generally at the bottom of the element, the terminal side edge areas defining a generally planar base area therebetween; the elongated element having a plurality of transverse corrugations extending from the apex area to both of said terminal side edge areas; said corrugations comprising outward extending peak portions and inward extending valley portions, the peak portions comprising corrugation walls and top walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls, the top walls having a recess between the connected pairs of corrugation walls, the valley portions comprising valley walls connecting alternate pairs of corrugation walls; and, a generally flat base connected between said terminal side edge areas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said valley walls are more parabolic in transverse cross section than said top walls and said top walls are more semicircular in transverse cross section than said valley walls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 8 further comprising at least one outward extending rib disposed on each of said top walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said recess and said valley walls are arcuate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 8 wherein the top wall has a thickness and wherein the depth of the recess is substantially twice the thickness of the top wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 8 wherein the distance between the outward surface of the top walls and the outward surface of the valley walls is the height of the corrugations, said top walls defining an outer surface of the elongated element and the valley walls defining an inner surface of the elongated element; the corrugations having a first height adjacent the terminal edge areas, a second height adjacent the apex area, and between the apex area and the terminal edge areas the corrugations having a height which is greater than the first and second heights and varies with the tendency of the elongated element to deflect at the same point under subterranean loads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 13 wherein the height of said corrugations varies as a function of the bending moment at the same point under hydrostatic loading.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 13 wherein the height of said corrugations varies such that the moment of inertia at each point is proportional to the bending moment at the same point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
245 words
A corrugated plastic conduit product comprising: a first corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis, the first side wall having two longitudinally extending edges, the first side wall comprising alternating along the longitudinal axis a plurality of first top walls and first valley walls and a plurality of first corrugation walls connecting adjacent first top walls and first valley walls, the first top walls and first valley walls each extending generally between the two longitudinally extending edges of the first side wall, the first top walls having at least one rib; a second corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis, said second side wall having two longitudinally extending edges, the second side wall comprising alternating along the longitudinal axis a plurality of second top walls and second valley walls and a plurality of second corrugation walls connecting adjacent second top walls and second valley walls, the second top walls and second valley walls extending generally between the two longitudinally extending edges of the second side wall, the second top walls, having at least one rib, one of said second side wall's longitudinally extending edges being integrally connected with one of said first side wall's longitudinally extending edges; and a smooth base which is connected longitudinally adjacent the longitudinally extending edges of the first side wall and the second side wall such that the first wall, the second wall, and the base define a hollow fluid conveying region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
245 words
A corrugated plastic conduit product comprising: a first corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis, the first side wall having two longitudinally extending edges, the first side wall comprising alternating along the longitudinal axis a plurality of first top walls and first valley walls and a plurality of first corrugation walls connecting adjacent first top walls and first valley walls, the first top walls and first valley walls each extending generally between the two longitudinally extending edges of the first side wall, the first top walls having at least one rib; a second corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis, said second side wall having two longitudinally extending edges, the second side wall comprising alternating along the longitudinal axis a plurality of second top walls and second valley walls and a plurality of second corrugation walls connecting adjacent second top walls and second valley walls, the second top walls and second valley walls extending generally between the two longitudinally extending edges of the second side wall, the second top walls, having at least one rib, one of said second side wall's longitudinally extending edges being integrally connected with one of said first side wall's longitudinally extending edges; and a smooth base which is connected longitudinally adjacent the longitudinally extending edges of the first side wall and the second side wall such that the first wall, the second wall, and the base define a hollow fluid conveying region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The corrugated plastic conduit product as set forth in claim 16 wherein the first and second top walls have a pair of ribs separated by a recess between each pair of ribs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
375 words
A corrugated plastic conduit which is disposable in a folded and in an open configuration, said conduit comprising: a first corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis said first side wall having a longitudinally extending apex side edge area and a longitudinally extending terminal side edge area, said first side wall having first corrugations comprising first peak portions and first valley portions alternating along the longitudinal axis and extending generally between the apex side edge area and the terminal side edge area of the first side wall, said first peak portion having inward recesses extending at least partially between the apex side edge area and the teminal side edge area of the first side wall; a second corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis said second side wall having a longitudinal extending apex side edge area and a longitudinally extending terminal side edge area, said second side wall having second corrugations comprising second peak portions and second valley portions alternating along the longitudinal axis and extending generally between the apex side edge area and the terminal side area of the second side wall, said second peak portions having recesses extending at least partially between the apex side edge area and the terminal side edge area of the second side wall; means for connecting the apex side edge areas of said first and second walls together in such a manner that in the open configuration the terminal side edge areas of the first and second walls are displaced and the connected first and second walls have a generally arch-like cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis; and, a generally flat base which is elongated along the longitudinal axis and has a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, said base being foldably connected with the terminal side edge areas of said first and second walls to allow relative folding between the base and the first and second walls, the width of the base limiting the amount by which the terminal side edge areas of said first and second wall can be displaced in the open configuration, whereby the first and second side walls can be folded generally parallel to each other to form the folded configuration of the conduit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
375 words
A corrugated plastic conduit which is disposable in a folded and in an open configuration, said conduit comprising: a first corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis said first side wall having a longitudinally extending apex side edge area and a longitudinally extending terminal side edge area, said first side wall having first corrugations comprising first peak portions and first valley portions alternating along the longitudinal axis and extending generally between the apex side edge area and the terminal side edge area of the first side wall, said first peak portion having inward recesses extending at least partially between the apex side edge area and the teminal side edge area of the first side wall; a second corrugated plastic side wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis said second side wall having a longitudinal extending apex side edge area and a longitudinally extending terminal side edge area, said second side wall having second corrugations comprising second peak portions and second valley portions alternating along the longitudinal axis and extending generally between the apex side edge area and the terminal side area of the second side wall, said second peak portions having recesses extending at least partially between the apex side edge area and the terminal side edge area of the second side wall; means for connecting the apex side edge areas of said first and second walls together in such a manner that in the open configuration the terminal side edge areas of the first and second walls are displaced and the connected first and second walls have a generally arch-like cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis; and, a generally flat base which is elongated along the longitudinal axis and has a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, said base being foldably connected with the terminal side edge areas of said first and second walls to allow relative folding between the base and the first and second walls, the width of the base limiting the amount by which the terminal side edge areas of said first and second wall can be displaced in the open configuration, whereby the first and second side walls can be folded generally parallel to each other to form the folded configuration of the conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
106 words
The conduit as set forth in claim 18 wherein the first and second peak portions extend outward and the first and second valley portions extend inward, the difference in the extension between the peak and valley portions being the corrugation height, the corrugation height adjacent the apex side edge of the first and second wide walls and the terminal side edge of the first and second side walls being less than the corrugation height at intermediate areas of the first and second walls between the apex and terminal side edges, said recesses in the first and second peak portions extending at least through the intermediate area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
145 words
A corrugated plastic conduit comprising: a first corrugated plastic wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis, the first corrugated plastic wall having first and second longitudinally extending edges; a second corrugated plastic wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis, the second corrugated plastic wall having first and second longitudinally extending edges, the second corrugated plastic wall's first longitudinally extending edge being integrally formed with the first corrugated plastic wall's first longitudinally extending edge, whereby the first and second corrugated plastic walls form a unitary elongated element having an open cross section; and, a noncorrugated, flexible base which is thinner than the first and second corrugated plastic walls, the base being connected adjacent the second longitudinally extending edge of the first corrugated plastic wall and the second longitudinally extending edge of the second corrugated wall, the base being freely flexible along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
145 words
A corrugated plastic conduit comprising: a first corrugated plastic wall which is elongated along a longitudinal axis, the first corrugated plastic wall having first and second longitudinally extending edges; a second corrugated plastic wall which is elongated along the longitudinal axis, the second corrugated plastic wall having first and second longitudinally extending edges, the second corrugated plastic wall's first longitudinally extending edge being integrally formed with the first corrugated plastic wall's first longitudinally extending edge, whereby the first and second corrugated plastic walls form a unitary elongated element having an open cross section; and, a noncorrugated, flexible base which is thinner than the first and second corrugated plastic walls, the base being connected adjacent the second longitudinally extending edge of the first corrugated plastic wall and the second longitudinally extending edge of the second corrugated wall, the base being freely flexible along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The corrugated plastic conduit as set forth in claim 20 wherein the first corrugated plastic wall is arcuate transverse to the longitudinal axis and the second corrugated plastic wall is arcuate transverse to the longitudinal axis, whereby the conduit has a generally semiround cross section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The corrugated plastic conduit as set forth in claim 20 wherein the first corrugated plastic wall is generally linear transverse to the longitudinal axis and the second corrugated plastic wall is generally linear transverse to the longitudinal axis, whereby the conduit has a generally triangular cross section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The corrugated plastic conduit as set forth in claim 22 further including at least one longitudinal hinge means which is integrally formed generally along the integral connection of the first and second corrugated plastic walls longitudinally extending connected edges.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The corrugated plastic conduit as set forth in claim 22 wherein the flexible base is porous to allow fluid flow therethrough.
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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) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |