US4855166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial pine needle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-12-05
•
Granted: 1989-08-08
•
Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract There is provided an artificial pine needle including a plurality of strands each of which may be made from an olefin material. The strands are adjacent and somewhat parallel to one another. The strands are attached to one another on one end. The strands have appearance and characteristics to emulate a natural pine needle. The artificial pine needles are used as a synthetic ground cover.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Allison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:56
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41G; A41G1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/919
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
An artificial pine needle comprising: a plurality of strands; said strands being at least partially made of a synthetic material; said strands being somewhat parallel and adjacent to one another; means for attaching said strands together at one end of each strand; said strands not being attached to one another for the major portion of the length of said strands.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
An artificial pine needle comprising: a plurality of strands; said strands being at least partially made of a synthetic material; said strands being somewhat parallel and adjacent to one another; means for attaching said strands together at one end of each strand; said strands not being attached to one another for the major portion of the length of said strands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said synthetic material is an olefin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 2 including a colorant mixed with said olefin material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said colorant is taken from the group consisting essentially of dyes and pigments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said olefin is polypropylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said olefin is polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 2 further including a flame retardant mixed with said olefin material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said flame retardant is taken from the group consisting essentially of boric acid, alumina trihydrate, brominated aromatics, halogenated aliphatics, and phosphate esters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 2 further including a filler mixed with said olefin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said filler is calcium carbonate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the major diameter of said strands are in the range of from 0.10 to 0.20 centimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pine needles have a partial cross sectional shape essentially in the shape of a semicircle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 12 further including a point extending from the straight portion of said semicircle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strands include a hollow portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 having a weight in the range 0.15 grams to 0.47 grams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
an artificial pine needle as set forth in claim 1 having a length in the range of from 18 centimeters to 33 centimeters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3900637A
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US4171401A
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US4161768A
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US4462065A
Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |