US4897973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular sun block system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-02-16
•
Granted: 1990-02-06
•
Expires: 2008-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A system for installation around foundation portions of houses, sidewalks, wire fences and mobile homes inhibits weed growth, assembling to form a series of end-to-end abutted sheet metal shields that includes tread plates extending along the assembly as a portion of it. Connectors at intervals provide selectively a slide fit and a snap fit to the tread plate and a spaced series of angled sheet metal upright stakes that can be pushed when desired into the ground by the user's foot, either before or after assembly of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Foster, Jr.
- 👤 Vincent S. Pedrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:46
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/06; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34336; E04B1/62; E04B1/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Structure for inhibiting vegetative growth on the ground adjacent a foundation comprising the combination of a plurality of angle pieces for anchoring the structure to the ground adjacent the foundation, each of said angle pieces having a short angle arm and a long angle arm with the short angle arm extending generally perpendicular to said long angle arm and having stiffening means located thereon, an elongated tread having a flange with a hook portion located thereon and means for detachably affixing the plurality of angle pieces to the elongated tread in spaced relation to each other on assembly, said means for detachably affixing the plurality of angle pieces to the elongated tread including a plurality of spring clips each having a portion thereof shaped to be located on one of said angle pieces and means for securing each spring clip to one of said angle pieces, each said spring clip having at least one hook thereon oriented and located for springing into engagement in assembly with an adjacently located hook portion located on the flange of said elongated tread.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Structure for inhibiting vegetative growth on the ground adjacent a foundation comprising the combination of a plurality of angle pieces for anchoring the structure to the ground adjacent the foundation, each of said angle pieces having a short angle arm and a long angle arm with the short angle arm extending generally perpendicular to said long angle arm and having stiffening means located thereon, an elongated tread having a flange with a hook portion located thereon and means for detachably affixing the plurality of angle pieces to the elongated tread in spaced relation to each other on assembly, said means for detachably affixing the plurality of angle pieces to the elongated tread including a plurality of spring clips each having a portion thereof shaped to be located on one of said angle pieces and means for securing each spring clip to one of said angle pieces, each said spring clip having at least one hook thereon oriented and located for springing into engagement in assembly with an adjacently located hook portion located on the flange of said elongated tread.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the stiffening means of the short angle arm of said angle pieces comprises an open trough shaped portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein the long angle arm of said angle pieces has a bent out portion projecting at an angle outward from said long angle arm and toward the short angle arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein each said spring clip has at least one tab portion located adjacent the hook of said spring clip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein the long arm of each of said angle pieces has a plurality of holes for receiving and holding root growth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional elongated tread and associated angle pieces and spring clips and wherein each tread has end portions and further comprising flexible means for connecting an end portion of one elongated tread with the end portion of an adjacently located elongated tread.
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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) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |