US4776139A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building panels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-02-26
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2007-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Integral, elongated panels have sets of converging corrugations arranged on lines defined by folded, transversely triangular elements. These elements extend laterally across the panel, and are dimensioned such that a pair of adjacent parallel side edges of two corresponding panels can mate. Preferably, each corrugation has a planar element arranged on lines generally perpendicular to the side edge defining congruent elements with triangular faces meeting at the apex. By such arrangement, a panel is obtained which in conjunction with other such panels, can produce a curved surface, which curvature may be reversed in direction in any point along a structure surface, by inverting the next adjacent series of panels.
Inventors
- 👤 David N. Lockwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:08
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/30; E04C2/32; E04C2/326; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3211; E04B2001/3217; E04B2001/327; E04B2001/3276; E04B2001/3294; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49833; Y10T29/49835; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49995
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An integral elongated spherically curved panel strip comprising generally parallel sides and transversely folded converging corrugations extending across the panel in opposite directions, each corrugation having at least two sloping planar triangular segments which converge toward their apexes, selected corrugations having their size reduced by transversely folded triangular darts extending across the panel so as to shorten one side edge of the panel strip, such that each side edge can mate congruently with a side edge of a suitably dimensioned, similarly shaped panel strip to form a structural surface curved in two planes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An integral elongated spherically curved panel strip comprising generally parallel sides and transversely folded converging corrugations extending across the panel in opposite directions, each corrugation having at least two sloping planar triangular segments which converge toward their apexes, selected corrugations having their size reduced by transversely folded triangular darts extending across the panel so as to shorten one side edge of the panel strip, such that each side edge can mate congruently with a side edge of a suitably dimensioned, similarly shaped panel strip to form a structural surface curved in two planes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A panel strip as defined in claim 1 wherein the planar triangular segments are joined to a common parallel sided planar ridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A curved panel strip as described in claim 2 in which one side edge is so shortened by transversly folded darts that congruent corrugations converge on a radial alignment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A curved panel strip as described in claim 3 wherein the converging corrugations are at an oblique angle with respect to the radial alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A panel strip as described in claim 4 wherein the converging corrugations are at a suitable oblique angle to mate with and reinforce other panel strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A panel strip as defined in claim 5 further comprising a curved reinforcing panel strip having a plurality of longitudinally folded parallel corrugations, each having two rectangular faces wherein a surface of said first panel strip is connected to a respective surface of the reinforcing panel strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A panel strip as defined in claim 6 wherein said rectangular faces are separated by a planar element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
A method of forming a panel described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: decoiling a flat sheet from a coil of sheet metal having parallel side edges; stiffening and strengthening the side edges of the sheet by rolling and folding over a margin of each side edge to form a double thickness; folding and flattening transverse darts across the flat sheet to form generally curved side edges; punching holes in the side edge margins of the flat sheet; stamping and pressing indentations in the flat sheet to strengthen elements and locate fold lines; folding and cinching the flat sheet into converging corrugations; moving and aligning the sheet through the preceding steps; and cutting the elongated panel strip to the desired length.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of constructing a structure surface comprising the steps of: supplying continuous sheet metal from a coil stock having parallel side edges; transversely folding said sheet metal to form converging corrugations extending across the panel in opposite directions, each corrugation being comprised of at least two sloping planar faces; reducing the size of selected corrugations by forming transversly folded darts extending across the panel so as to shorten one side edge of the panel strip; positioning similarly shaped panel strips with mating side edges parallel and adjacent to one another; and joining adjacent mating side edges of the panels.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of constructing a structure surface comprising the steps of: supplying continuous sheet metal from a coil stock having parallel side edges; transversely folding said sheet metal to form converging corrugations extending across the panel in opposite directions, each corrugation being comprised of at least two sloping planar faces; reducing the size of selected corrugations by forming transversly folded darts extending across the panel so as to shorten one side edge of the panel strip; positioning similarly shaped panel strips with mating side edges parallel and adjacent to one another; and joining adjacent mating side edges of the panels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 9 further comprising the step of transversly folding darts into said sheet metal to form a laterally curved sheet with one shortened side edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method as defined in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of curved reinforcing panel strips from sheet metal coil stock by longitudinally folding said sheet to form a plurality of parallel corrugations having rectangular faces; positioning said reinforcing panel strips parallel with said first panel strips with surfaces of said first panel strip adjacent to a respective surface of the reinforcing panel strip; and connecting such adjacent surfaces.
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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) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |