US4408430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Construction elements and joint connections for a deformable structure as well as deformable line, plane and three-dimensional structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-05-05
•
Granted: 1983-10-11
•
Expires: 2000-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A construction system including a plurality of construction elements joined by removably received, flexible joining elements which allow for relative motion between adjacent construction elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Wangler
- 👤 Otto K. Fiedler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:41
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/344; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S16/00; Y10S16/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, a spring element located within said opening for detachably retaining said connection element within said opening, said spring element including a first surface section and at least one flexible spring section engaging said connection element, and means for joining said first surface section of said spring element to its respective construction element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, a spring element located within said opening for detachably retaining said connection element within said opening, said spring element including a first surface section and at least one flexible spring section engaging said connection element, and means for joining said first surface section of said spring element to its respective construction element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said connection element has at least one locking section and said flexible spring section of said spring element abuttingly engages a locking section of said connection element for forming a detachable connection between said construction element and said connection element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said flexible spring section of said spring element engages said locking section of said connection element so as to place said flexible spring section in tension for resisting disengagement of said construction element and said connection element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said flexible spring section of said spring element abuttingly engages said locking section of said connection element so as to place said flexible spring section in compression for resisting disengagement of said construction element and said connection element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, each of said openings comprising a circumferential slot in said construction element, said slot having an inner periphery extending approximately normal to a lengthwise axis of said connection element, said connection element having an edge abuttingly engaging said inner periphery of said slot for resisting inward movement of said connection element, locking means for resisting movement of said connection element within said slot in a direction normal to the lengthwise axis of said connection element, and means for disengaging said locking means from said connection element.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, each of said openings comprising a circumferential slot in said construction element, said slot having an inner periphery extending approximately normal to a lengthwise axis of said connection element, said connection element having an edge abuttingly engaging said inner periphery of said slot for resisting inward movement of said connection element, locking means for resisting movement of said connection element within said slot in a direction normal to the lengthwise axis of said connection element, and means for disengaging said locking means from said connection element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said locking means comprises a U-shaped locking element having two legs and a head section, said legs disposed within second slots of said construction element, said head section lying outwardly of a recess in said connection element for preventing said connection element from disengaging from said construction element, wherein said means for disengaging said locking element from said connection element defines an edge of said recess and is movable so as to lie inwardly of said head section of said locking element for removing said connection element from said head section of said locking element for disengaging said connection element from said construction element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said connection element comprises an elastic or soft plastic body which has a lengthwise axis and which twists about said axis thereby providing for relative motion between said construction elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said connection element has a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to said first lengthwise axis, and wherein said connection element bends about said second axis for providing relative motion between said construction elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said connection element has a third axis extending generally perpendicularly to each of said first and second axes and wherein said connection element bends about said third axis for providing relative motion between said construction elements.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, said connection element comprising an elastic or soft plastic body having a lengthwise axis and wherein said connection element twists about said axis providing for relative motion between said construction elements, and means for detachably retaining said connection element within said opening comprising a spring element including a first surface section fixedly joined to said construction element and at least one flexible spring section.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus comprising a plurality of construction elements of a deformable line, surface or a three-dimensional structure, a connection element joining two of said construction elements and connected with said construction elements and providing for relative motion between said construction elements, each of said construction elements having an opening therein for removably receiving said connection element, said connection element comprising an elastic or soft plastic body having a lengthwise axis and wherein said connection element twists about said axis providing for relative motion between said construction elements, and means for detachably retaining said connection element within said opening comprising a spring element including a first surface section fixedly joined to said construction element and at least one flexible spring section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said connection element has at least one locking section and said flexible spring section of said spring element abuttingly engages a locking section of said connection element for forming a detachable connection between said construction element and said connection element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said connection element has a second axis extending generally perpendicularly to said first lengthwise axis, and wherein said connection element bends about said second axis for providing relative motion between said construction elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said connection element has a third axis extending generally perpendicularly to each of said first and second axes and wherein said connection elements bends about said third axis for providing relative motion between said construction elements.
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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) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |