US4558969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hinge for use with large pre-cast overfilled load support structures
Assignee: BEBO OF AMERICA A MD CORP
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Filing: 1984-03-19
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Granted: 1985-12-17
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Expires: 2004-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Arch elements (S) of an overfilled load support structure (L) suitable for use in highway construction are associated with a foundation (F) by a hinge (10). The hinge is formed by edges (12,14) of the arch element bearing on a horizontally disposed load bearing surface (22) and a vertically disposed load bearing surface (24). Essentially unrestrained rotation about the edge bearing on the horizontally disposed surface is permitted, and translation of the element is primarily restrained by the edge bearing against the vertically disposed load bearing surface. The rest of the element is spaced from the foundation.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis N. FitzSimons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:00
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01D; E01D19/00; E01D19/04; E01F; E01F5/00; E01F5/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A hinge for use with large pre-cast overfilled load support structures such as are used in highway construction or the like for associating an element of the structure with a foundation, wherein the element includes a bottom end intersecting an inner surface of the element to form an inner edge and intersecting an outer surface of the element to form an outer edge, comprising: a first means for bearing vertically directed forces on the foundation; a second means for bearing horizontally directed forces on the foundation; rotational axis forming means for permitting essentially unrestrained rotation of the element, said rotational axis forming means consisting entirely of one of the element edges bearing on said first means; and restraining means for restraining translation of the element tending to increase the span, said restraining means including the outer edge of element bearing against said second means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A hinge for use with large pre-cast overfilled load support structures such as are used in highway construction or the like for associating an element of the structure with a foundation, wherein the element includes a bottom end intersecting an inner surface of the element to form an inner edge and intersecting an outer surface of the element to form an outer edge, comprising: a first means for bearing vertically directed forces on the foundation; a second means for bearing horizontally directed forces on the foundation; rotational axis forming means for permitting essentially unrestrained rotation of the element, said rotational axis forming means consisting entirely of one of the element edges bearing on said first means; and restraining means for restraining translation of the element tending to increase the span, said restraining means including the outer edge of element bearing against said second means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hinge defined in claim 1 wherein the element bottom end is spaced from both said first and second means everywhere except at said edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hinge defined in claim 2 wherein said restraining means further includes the element one edge with the element other edge being the primary means for restraining translation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hinge defined in claim 3 further including reinforcing bars in the foundation and in the load support structue element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hinge defined in claim 4 wherein the reinforcing bars in the foundation have a center-to-center spacing of less than about twelve inches and the reinforcing bars in the load support structure element have a center-to-center spacing of less than about six inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hinge defined in claim 5 wherein the load support structure is an nth degree arch element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hinge defined in claim 3 wherein the first and second means each includes a filler block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hinge defined in claim 2 further including a keyway defined in the foundation and having first means located therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hinge defined in claim 2 further including a keyway defined in the foundation and having said second means located therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hinge defined in claim 6 wherein said arch element has a span of about forty-one feet and a span/rise ratio of less than about 4:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hinge defined in claim 2 wherein the overfill is about ten feet in depth.
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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) | 1988-12-16 | 1989-06-17 | 1989-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-16 | 1993-06-17 | 1993-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-06-17 | 1997-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |