US4438800A — Surface defining slats and articles utilizing same

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A slat adapted to being securely positioned between opposing support members capable of defining at least one surface when a plurality of slats are positioned therebetween, said slat comprising surface defining means including top and bottom surfaces for defining a portion of said at least one surface, said surface defining means having two generally opposing ends, each of said ends including attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A slat adapted to being securely positioned between opposing support members capable of defining at least one surface when a plurality of slats are positioned therebetween, said slat comprising surface defining means including top and bottom surfaces for defining a portion of said at least one surface, said surface defining means having two generally opposing ends, each of said ends including attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

A slat as in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes a tab member disposed substantially adjacent said bottom surface of said support means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

A slat as in claim 2 further comprising retaining means for removably retaining said tab member in said normal substantially closed position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

A slat as in claim 3 wherein said retaining means comprises means defining an aperture associated with said tab member and a nib member dependently fixed to said bottom surface of said support means including means for removably engaging said aperture and said nib member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

A slat as in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said biasing means is provided by the inherent properties of a substantially rigid material capable of resilient deformation under sufficient force, at least said attachment means consisting essentially of said material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 11 words

A slat as in claim 5 wherein said material is polyvinylchloride.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 123 words

In combination with an article of furniture of the type including generally opposing frame members, and a plurality of slats positioned between said opposing frame members thereby providing at least one load-bearing surface on said article, wherein each of said slats comprises support means including top and bottom surfaces for supporting a load placed thereon, said support means having generally opposing ends each of said ends including attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said frame members and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means in a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 123 words

In combination with an article of furniture of the type including generally opposing frame members, and a plurality of slats positioned between said opposing frame members thereby providing at least one load-bearing surface on said article, wherein each of said slats comprises support means including top and bottom surfaces for supporting a load placed thereon, said support means having generally opposing ends each of said ends including attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said frame members and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means in a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

An article as in claim 7 wherein said attachment means includes a tab member disposed substantially adjacent to said bottom surface of said support means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

An article as in claim 8 further comprising retaining means for removably retaining said tab member in said normally closed position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 44 words

An article as in claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises means defining an aperture associated with said tab member and a nib member dependently fixed to said bottom side of said support means including means for removable engagement with said aperture defining means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 42 words

An article as in claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein said biasing means is provided by the inherent properties of a substantially rigid material capable of resilient deformation under sufficient force, at least said attachment means consisting essentially of said material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 11 words

An article as in claim 11 wherein said material is polyvinylchloride.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

An article as in claim 7 wherein said slat consists essentially of polyvinylchloride material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

An article as in claim 7 wherein said support means comprises an elongated support member of sufficient length to bridge said opposing frame members.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

An article as in claim 14 wherein said support member is arcuate in latitudinal cross-section, the apex of which being disposed to support weight thereon.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

An article as in claim 14 or 15 wherein each cavity is substantially perpendicular to the elongated length of said support member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 102 words

An article of furniture comprising in combination: at least a pair of opposing, generally parallel frame members; a plurality of elongated slats having a top and bottom surface positioned between said pair of frame members, each of said slats including two generally opposing ends each having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said frame members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 102 words

An article of furniture comprising in combination: at least a pair of opposing, generally parallel frame members; a plurality of elongated slats having a top and bottom surface positioned between said pair of frame members, each of said slats including two generally opposing ends each having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said frame members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 40 words

An article of furniture as in claim 17 wherein said biasing means is provided by the inherent properties of a substantially rigid material capable of resilient deformation under sufficient force, at least said attachment means consisting essentially of said material.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

An article of furniture as in claim 18 wherein said slat is arcuate in latitudinal cross-section, the apex of which is disposed to support weight thereon.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

An article of furniture as in claim 17 or 19 wherein each cavity is substantially perpendicular to the elongated length of said slat.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

An article of furniture as in claim 20 wherein each of said slats further comprise means for removably retaining said attachment means in said normally closed position.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 100 words

An article of manufacture comprising: a pair of separated, opposing support members; and means positioned between said support members for defining at least one surface therebetween, said surface defining means comprising a plurality of elongated slats, each of said slats including opposing ends having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 100 words

An article of manufacture comprising: a pair of separated, opposing support members; and means positioned between said support members for defining at least one surface therebetween, said surface defining means comprising a plurality of elongated slats, each of said slats including opposing ends having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 144 words

An article for protecting areas of a building structure, such as windows, doors, or the like, from breakage and/or damage due to potentially damaging debris normally associated with high-velocity winds, said article comprising: a pair of separated, opposing support members attachable to said building structure generally bordering the area desired to be protected; and protection means attachable between said support members over said area for defining a protecting surface, said protection means comprising a plurality of elongated slats each of said slats including opposing ends having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of a predetermined one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 144 words

An article for protecting areas of a building structure, such as windows, doors, or the like, from breakage and/or damage due to potentially damaging debris normally associated with high-velocity winds, said article comprising: a pair of separated, opposing support members attachable to said building structure generally bordering the area desired to be protected; and protection means attachable between said support members over said area for defining a protecting surface, said protection means comprising a plurality of elongated slats each of said slats including opposing ends having attachment means defining a substantially closed cavity for receiving a portion of a predetermined one of said support members, and biasing means for providing a bias force thereby biasing said attachment means to a normal substantially closed position and for allowing access to said cavity upon application of a force in a direction generally opposing said bias force.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

An article as in claim 23 further comprising connecting means for attachably connecting said support members to said building structure.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

A slat as in claim 23 wherein said attachment means includes a tab member disposed substantially adjacent to the bottom surface of said support means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

A slat as in claim 25 further comprising retaining means for removably retaining said tab member in said normal substantially closed position.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 45 words

A slat as in claim 26 wherein said retaining means comprises means defining an aperture associated with said tab member and a nib member dependently fixed to said bottom surface of said support means including means for removably engaging said aperture and said nib member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 40 words

A slat as in claim 23 or 26 wherein said biasing means is provided by the inherent properties of a substantially rigid material capable of resilient deformation under sufficient force, at least said attachment means consisting essentially of said material.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

An article as in claim 23 wherein said slat between each of said opposing ends is arcuate in latitudinal cross-section, the apex of which being disposed to define said protecting surface.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

An article as in claim 23 or 29 wherein each cavity is substantially perpendicular to the elongated length of said slat.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-03-27	1987-09-26	1988-03-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-03-27	1991-09-26	1992-03-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-03-27	1995-09-26	1996-03-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Surface defining slats and articles utilizing same

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