US4670938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
One piece flexible hinge having engaging ridges and a rib
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-11-15
•
Granted: 1987-06-09
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Expires: 2005-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A hinge for joining a pair of panels, the hinge comprising a first member U-shaped in cross-section with a pair of side walls and a base, at least one of the side walls having a rib parallel to the base and projecting towards the other wall, the rib being receivable in a groove in one of the panels, a second member attachable to the other panel and a flexible web interconnecting the base of the first member and the second member. The second member may be a mirror image of the first member.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth B. Fowlston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D43/00; B65D43/14; B65D43/16; B65D43/163; B65D43/168; E; E05; E05D; E05D1/00; E05D1/02; E05Y; E05Y2999/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S16/00; Y10S16/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
In a container, a lid comprising a first panel and a hinge connecting the first panel to a second panel of the container substantially the entire length thereof, the hinge comprising a first member and a second member each U-shaped in cross-section with a pair of side walls and a base, one of the side walls of each member having a rib parallel to the base and projecting towards the other wall, a groove in the outer face of the first panel parallel to and adjacent one edge thereof with the rib of the first member engaging the groove of the first panel, a groove in the outer face of the second panel parallel to and adjacent one edge thereof with the rib of the second member engaging the groove of the second panel, and a flexible web interconnecting the base of the first member and the second member and integral therewith, the web and said one of the side walls of each member having the rib being coplanar with each other when the hinge is in a relaxed position, the other of the side walls of each said member being coplanar with each other when the hinge is in said relaxed position, said base of each of said members being substantially parallel to each other when the hinge is in said relaxed position, in which the first panel comprises the top of the container which is fixed to a pair of opposed side walls at each end thereof, and a slot in each side wall bounded by the top whereby the hinge is slidable laterally onto the first panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a container, a lid comprising a first panel and a hinge connecting the first panel to a second panel of the container substantially the entire length thereof, the hinge comprising a first member and a second member each U-shaped in cross-section with a pair of side walls and a base, one of the side walls of each member having a rib parallel to the base and projecting towards the other wall, a groove in the outer face of the first panel parallel to and adjacent one edge thereof with the rib of the first member engaging the groove of the first panel, a groove in the outer face of the second panel parallel to and adjacent one edge thereof with the rib of the second member engaging the groove of the second panel, and a flexible web interconnecting the base of the first member and the second member and integral therewith, the web and said one of the side walls of each member having the rib being coplanar with each other when the hinge is in a relaxed position, the other of the side walls of each said member being coplanar with each other when the hinge is in said relaxed position, said base of each of said members being substantially parallel to each other when the hinge is in said relaxed position, in which the first panel comprises the top of the container which is fixed to a pair of opposed side walls at each end thereof, and a slot in each side wall bounded by the top whereby the hinge is slidable laterally onto the first panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hinge as claimed in claim 1 in which the material forming the hinge is polyvinylchloride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hinge as claimed in claim 1 in which the material forming the hinge is polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hinge as claimed in claim 1 in which each of said side walls of said first and second members is serrated in cross-section on the inner side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hinge as claimed in claim 1 in which the side walls of said first and second members are slightly convergent towards their free edges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3445052A
Cited
FR1517445A
Cited
US3592354A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
US4296524A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-08 | 1990-12-08 | 1991-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-08 | 1994-12-08 | 1995-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-08 | 1998-12-08 | 1999-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |