Patent US5261205A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5261205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for fabricating plastic block panels
Assignee: CIRCLE REMOUNT Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-07
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2010-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for fabricating plastic block panels suitable for use as building and construction materials. According to the invention, the panels are fabricated using a plurality of novel plastic blocks. Each block, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, is rectangularly shaped, has broad opposite parallel surfaces (faces) and has four edges which form a closed border around the block. Two adjacent edges of each block have two laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon, each formation comprising a longitudinally extending tongue. The other two adjacent edges of each block have four laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon. Two of these formations are longitudinally extending lips, and the other two formations are longitudinally extending tongues located between said lips such that the two spaces formed between each adjacent lip and tongue are adapted to receive the two tongues on the mating edge of another block to thereby align and facilitate interconnecting the blocks. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the walls of each block are dimensionally equal in thickness to facilitate mass production of the block by injection molding techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick J. Sandor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:51
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C1/00; E04C1/42; E04C2/00; E04C2/54; E04C2/546
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A plastic block panel assembly comprising a plurality of edge interfitting selfaligning plastic blocks, said blocks having opposite parallel faces and end panels orthogonal to and extending between said faces, said blocks being interconnected to form the assembly and provide walled horizontal and vertical chases within said assembly wherein at least two chase walls parallel to said faces and extending between said end panels provide planar surfaces between said end panels against which planar surfaces a load bearing support member may be placed; means for retaining applied sealants and adhesives between said plurality of blocks and; and means for permitting thermal expansion of said blocks, sealants and adhesives.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A plastic block panel assembly comprising a plurality of edge interfitting selfaligning plastic blocks, said blocks having opposite parallel faces and end panels orthogonal to and extending between said faces, said blocks being interconnected to form the assembly and provide walled horizontal and vertical chases within said assembly wherein at least two chase walls parallel to said faces and extending between said end panels provide planar surfaces between said end panels against which planar surfaces a load bearing support member may be placed; means for retaining applied sealants and adhesives between said plurality of blocks and; and means for permitting thermal expansion of said blocks, sealants and adhesives.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for retaining includes at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for permitting thermal expansion includes at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one reinforcing member of I-beam form located in at least one of said chases and extending between said parallel walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of blocks is comprises entirely of unidimensionally thick elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said blocks is rectangularly shaped, has broad opposite parallel surfaces (faces), and has four edges which form a closed border around each block; wherein each of said blocks has two adjacent mating edges each having two laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon, each formation comprising a longitudinally extending tongue and further wherein the edges of each block opposite said mating edges, each have four laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon where two of these four formations are longitudinally extending lips, and the other two of these four formations are longitudinally extending tongues, located between said lips, such that spaces are formed between each adjacent lip and tongue that are adapted to receive the two tongues on either mating edge of another of said plurality of blocks to thereby align and facilitate interconnecting said block; and wherein each of said plurality of blocks is comprised entirely of unidimensionally thick elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A plastic block panel assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of edge interfitting selfaligning plastic blocks, said blocks having opposite parallel faces and being interconnected to form the assembly and provided walled horizontal and vertical chases within said assembly wherein at least two chase walls parallel to said faces provide substantially planar surfaces against which a load bearing support member may be placed; (b) means for retaining applied sealants and adhesives between said plurality of blocks wherein said means for retaining further comprises at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks; and (c) means for permitting thermal expansion of said blocks, sealant and adhesives which includes at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A plastic block panel assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of edge interfitting selfaligning plastic blocks, said blocks having opposite parallel faces and being interconnected to form the assembly and provided walled horizontal and vertical chases within said assembly wherein at least two chase walls parallel to said faces provide substantially planar surfaces against which a load bearing support member may be placed; (b) means for retaining applied sealants and adhesives between said plurality of blocks wherein said means for retaining further comprises at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks; and (c) means for permitting thermal expansion of said blocks, sealant and adhesives which includes at least one dimensionally controlled cavity between two adjacent ones of said plurality of interconnected blocks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising at least one reinforcing member of I-beam form located in at least one of said chases and extending between said parallel walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 where each of said plurality of blocks is comprised entirely of unidimensionally thick elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
A modular plastic building block comprising a rectangularly shaped body portion, broad opposite parallel surfaces (faces), and four edges which form a closed border around said body portion, wherein two adjacent mating edges of said body have two laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon, each formation comprising a longitudinally extending tongue and further wherein the edges of said body opposite said mating edges have four laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon where two of these four formations are longitudinally extending lips, and the other two of these four formations are longitudinally extending tongues, located between said lips, such that spaces are formed between each adjacent lip and tongue that are adapted to receive the two tongues on either mating edge of the body of another modular block, in nonabutting axial relationship, to thereby align and facilitate interconnecting said blocks and to provide spaces between the ends of said tongues of said modular building block and the mating edge of the body of said another modular block to allow for thermal expansion of said blocks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
A modular plastic building block comprising a rectangularly shaped body portion, broad opposite parallel surfaces (faces), and four edges which form a closed border around said body portion, wherein two adjacent mating edges of said body have two laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon, each formation comprising a longitudinally extending tongue and further wherein the edges of said body opposite said mating edges have four laterally spaced, longitudinally extending formations thereon where two of these four formations are longitudinally extending lips, and the other two of these four formations are longitudinally extending tongues, located between said lips, such that spaces are formed between each adjacent lip and tongue that are adapted to receive the two tongues on either mating edge of the body of another modular block, in nonabutting axial relationship, to thereby align and facilitate interconnecting said blocks and to provide spaces between the ends of said tongues of said modular building block and the mating edge of the body of said another modular block to allow for thermal expansion of said blocks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modular plastic building block as set forth in claim 10 wherein said plastic is a polycarbonate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A modular plastic building block as set forth in claim 10 where said block is further comprised entirely of unidimensionally thick elements.
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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) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |