US4578919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-stowing arrangement for structural tension members with taper latch hinge coupling joints
Assignee: Harris Corp
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Filing: 1982-07-14
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2002-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A compact, deployable support structure arrangement includes a collapsible truss structure having tension cable members formed of specifically configured tension tapes. These tension tapes diagonally cross one another as they extend between respective pairs of longeron support truss members. The tension tapes are preformed to have two straight sections joined together by a plurality of loops. Because of the nature of the topological surface defined by such shapes, the tapes, when relaxed, will automatically refold into a stable, non-tangled condition. The hinge joints that pivotally interconnect successive longeron subsections employ a novel, effectively zero-backlash, taper latch hinge mechanism. As the portions of the hinge are rotated about a pivot axis, a locking pin is caused to contact an outer cam surface of a hinge contact plate face so as to be driven against the bias action of a spring, and to travel along the outer cam surface. Eventually, the longeron subsections rotate to a point where the longerons are in substantially end-to-end abutment causing the locking pin to be captured by the inner surface of a hook plate so that the locking pin thereby creates a wedge effect that locks the now abutting longerons subsections together.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Amadon
- 👤 Warren H. Miller, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:20
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G99/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
For use in an extendable structure for movement between a collapsed state and an elogated deployed state, said structure including longitudinal support members, and cross members joined thereto, a tension member to be diagonally coupled to said structure at a plurality of positions for imparting tension between interconnected positions on said structure and thereby maintaining said extendable structure in its elongated deployed state, each tension member comprising a tension band having, in its relaxed state, first and second substantially straight end portions at the ends of which said tension member is coupled to said structure and a plurality of interior loop portions disposed between and joining together said first and second substantially straight end portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
For use in an extendable structure for movement between a collapsed state and an elogated deployed state, said structure including longitudinal support members, and cross members joined thereto, a tension member to be diagonally coupled to said structure at a plurality of positions for imparting tension between interconnected positions on said structure and thereby maintaining said extendable structure in its elongated deployed state, each tension member comprising a tension band having, in its relaxed state, first and second substantially straight end portions at the ends of which said tension member is coupled to said structure and a plurality of interior loop portions disposed between and joining together said first and second substantially straight end portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
212 words
An extendable structure for movement between a collapsed state and an elongated deployed state comprising: a plurality of sections connected in tandem, each section comprising a plurality of longitudinal support members and cross members coupled therebetween, said longitudinal support members being hinged to each other and to said cross members so as to be collapsible at said hinges and stackable on top of one another in alignment with each other and said cross members in the collapsed state of said structure; and means for imparting tension among the members of said sections and thereby maintaining said extendable structure in its elongated deployed state comprising a plurality of tension bands diagonally coupled to the members of said sections, each tension band comprising, in its relaxed state, first and second substantially straight end portions, at the ends of which the tension band is coupled to hinge joints of said structure, and a plurality of interior loop portions disposed between and joining together said first and second substantially straight end portions, whereby, in the collapsed state of said structure the straight end portions of said tension band are aligned with a cross member and the loop portions thereof are nested out of the way of other tension bands within the collapsed configuration of said structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
212 words
An extendable structure for movement between a collapsed state and an elongated deployed state comprising: a plurality of sections connected in tandem, each section comprising a plurality of longitudinal support members and cross members coupled therebetween, said longitudinal support members being hinged to each other and to said cross members so as to be collapsible at said hinges and stackable on top of one another in alignment with each other and said cross members in the collapsed state of said structure; and means for imparting tension among the members of said sections and thereby maintaining said extendable structure in its elongated deployed state comprising a plurality of tension bands diagonally coupled to the members of said sections, each tension band comprising, in its relaxed state, first and second substantially straight end portions, at the ends of which the tension band is coupled to hinge joints of said structure, and a plurality of interior loop portions disposed between and joining together said first and second substantially straight end portions, whereby, in the collapsed state of said structure the straight end portions of said tension band are aligned with a cross member and the loop portions thereof are nested out of the way of other tension bands within the collapsed configuration of said structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
An extendable structure according to claim 2, wherein each of said sections comprises first, second and third spaced apart longitudinal support members which extend substantially along the length of said extendable structure when said structure is in its elongated deployed state; and first and second triangular-shaped cross member brace arrangements, respectively joining said first, second and third longitudinal support members together at opposite ends thereof; and wherein each longitudinal support member is comprised of first and second longeron subsections pivotally hinged at a joint therebetween and at a connection to a respective cross member brace arrangement and a longeron subsection of an adjacent section, whereby said longeron subsections are foldable at hinged joints therebetween and hinge connections at said cross member brace arrangements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
An extendable structure according to claim 3, wherein a respective tension band is coupled at the opposite ends thereof to the hinge joint between a triangular-shaped cross member brace arrangement at one end of one of the longitudinal support members of a respective section and to the hinge joint between a triangular-shaped cross member brace arrangement at the other end of another of the longitudinal support members of said respective section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
206 words
An extendable structure according to claim 3, wherein each of said hinges comprises: a hook plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a first longeron subsection, said hook plate having a hook portion, and a pivot connection for engagement with another part of said hinge; and a first slot plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a second longeron subsection, said first slot plate having a slot in which rides a portion of a locking pin for engaging the hook portion of said hook plate, and a pivot connection for engagement with the pivot connection of said hook plate; and wherein said hook portion of said hook plate has a first surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, and said slot in said first slot plate in which said locking pin rides has a second surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, said first and second surface positions being shaped to effectively form a wedge between which said locking pin is held when said locking pin is engaged by said first surface portion of said hook plate and said second surface portion of said first slot plate and is urged into said hook portion of said hook plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
An extendable structure according to claim 5, wherein each of said hinges further comprises: a second slot plate adapted to be coupled to said one end of said second longeron subsection in parallel, spaced-apart relationship with said first slot plate, said second slot plate having a slot in which rides a portion of said locking pin, and a pivot connection for engagement with said pivot connection of said hook plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An extendable structure according to claim 6, wherein each of said hinges further comprises means for imparting a prescribed bias to said locking pin to urge said locking pin towards one end of the slots provided in said first and second slot plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An extendable structure according to claim 7, wherein the hook portion of said hook plate has a cam surface adapted to be contacted by said locking pin as said hook plate and first and second slot plates are rotated about said pivot connection so that said locking pin is caused to travel along said cam surface in opposition to said prescribed bias.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
An extendable structure according to claim 8, wherein the cam surface of said hook portion terminates at an open locking pin-receiving region of said hook plate such that upon a prescribed amount of rotation of said hook plate about said pivot connection relative to said first and second slot plates, said locking pin is caused to enter said open locking pin-receiving region of said hook plate and be captured thereby in response to the urging of said locking pin by said prescribed bias imparting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
An extendable structure according to claim 5 wherein that portion of said first surface portion of said hook portion of said hook plate and that portion of said second surface portion of said slot in said slot plate between which said locking pin is wedged and held thereby is located to be essentially aligned with the axes of said pair of members when said members have been joined together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
An extendable structure according to claim 7, wherein said prescribed bias imparting means comprises a pair of spaced apart substantially triangular-shaped plates having a toe portion at a vertex thereof, said toe portions engaging slots provided in said locking pin, and a spring member coupled to said triangular-shaped plates for causing a rotation of said plates about a prescribed axis, said presecribed axis being located to be essentially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said second member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An extendable structure according to claim 11, wherein said each of said slot plates has an aperture for receiving a rotational axis member about which said triangular shaped plates are rotationally biased by said spring member, thereby causing said toe portions to urge said locking pin along said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An extendable structure according to claim 9, wherein the pivot connection of said first and second slot plates and said hook plate is substantially coplanar with end faces of said longeron subsections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
An extendable structure according to claim 13, wherein the slots in said first and second slot plates and the locking-pin receiving region of said hook plate, in their locked position via the engagement of said locking pin, have a common axis that is substantially coplanar with the end faces of said longeron subsections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
220 words
For use with a pair of members to be pivotally rotated about a prescribed axis and joined together, a hinge arrangement comprising: a hook plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a first of said pair of members, said hook plate having a hook portion, and a pivot connection for engagement with another part of said hinge; a first slot plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a second of said pair of members, said first slot plate having a slot in which rides a portion of a locking pin for engaging the hook portion of said hook plate, and a pivot connection for engagement with the pivot connection of said hook plate; and wherein said hook portion of said hook plate has a first surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, and said slot in said first slot plate in which said locking pin rides has a second surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, said first and second surface portions being shaped to effectively form a wedge between which said locking pin is held when said locking pin is engaged by said first surface portion of said hook plate and said second surface portion of said first slot plate and is urged into said hook portion of said hook plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
220 words
For use with a pair of members to be pivotally rotated about a prescribed axis and joined together, a hinge arrangement comprising: a hook plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a first of said pair of members, said hook plate having a hook portion, and a pivot connection for engagement with another part of said hinge; a first slot plate adapted to be coupled to one end of a second of said pair of members, said first slot plate having a slot in which rides a portion of a locking pin for engaging the hook portion of said hook plate, and a pivot connection for engagement with the pivot connection of said hook plate; and wherein said hook portion of said hook plate has a first surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, and said slot in said first slot plate in which said locking pin rides has a second surface portion to be engaged by said locking pin, said first and second surface portions being shaped to effectively form a wedge between which said locking pin is held when said locking pin is engaged by said first surface portion of said hook plate and said second surface portion of said first slot plate and is urged into said hook portion of said hook plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 15, wherein each of said hinges further comprises a second slot plate adapted to be coupled to said one end of said second member in parallel, spaced-apart relationship with said first slot plate, said second slot plate having a slot in which rides a portion of said locking pin, and a pivot connection for engagement with said pivot connection of said hook plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 16, wherein each of said hinges further comprises means for imparting a prescribed bias to said locking pin to urge said locking pin towards one end of the slots provided in said first and second slot plates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the hook portion of said hook plate has a cam surface adapted to be contacted by said locking pin as said hook plate and first and second slot plates are rotated about said pivot connection so that said locking pin is caused to travel along said cam surface in opposition to said prescribed bias.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the cam surface of said hook portion terminates at an open locking pin-receiving region of said hook plate such that upon a prescribed amount of rotation of said hook plate about said pivot connection relative to said first and second slot plates, said locking pin is caused to enter said open locking pin-receiving region of said hook plate and be captured thereby in response to the urging of said locking pin by said prescribed bias imparting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 17, wherein said prescribed bias imparting means comprises a pair of spaced apart substantially triangular-shaped plates having a toe portion at a vertex thereof, said toe portions engaging slots provided in said locking pin, and a spring member coupled to said triangular-shaped plates for causing a rotation of said plates about a prescribed axis, said prescribed axis being located to be essentially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said second member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 20, wherein said each of said slot plates has an aperture for receiving a rotational axis member about which said triangular shaped plates are rotationally biased by said spring member, thereby causing said toe portions to urge said locking pin along said slot.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the pivot connection of said first and second slot plates and said hook plate is substantially coplanar with end faces of said first and second members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the slots in said first and second slot plates and the locking-pin receiving region of said hook plate, in their locked position via the engagement of said locking pin, have a common axis that is substantially coplanar with the end faces of said first and second members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hinge arrangement according to claim 15, wherein that portion of said first surface portion of said hook portion of said hook plate and that portion of said second surface portion of said slot in said slot plate between which said locking pin is wedged and held thereby is located to be essentially aligned with the axes of said pair of members when said members have been joined together.
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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) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |