Patent US6474029B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6474029B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Roadway, hardstand, floor or fence/wall
Assignee: LH Woodhouse and Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-10-05
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Granted: 2002-11-05
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Expires: 2019-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A roadway or fence comprises a series of panels linked together by means of flexible joints. A series of the panels is prevented from separating into discrete panels by means of a compression rod. Lengths of the panels thus connected are secured to further such lengths using a coupling device.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Cook
- 👤 Gordon Partridge
- 👤 Anthony Richard Marsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:37
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/02; E04C2/10; E04C2/20; E01; E01C; E01C5/00; E01C5/20; E04H; E04H17/00; E04H17/14; E04H17/16; E04H17/1602; E01C2201/00; E01C2201/12; E01C2201/16; E01C2201/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A panel construction comprising: a plurality of flexible, adjacent panels secured to each other, each panel having a substantially planar configuration comprising two generally parallel surfaces separated by at least one edge surface; protruding from the at least one edge surface is a projection engageable with a complementary recess in an edge surface of the adjacent panel; wherein a joint defined by the projection and recess permits the adjacent panels to flex relative to each other, such that the panel construction is flexible as a whole to permit adaptation of the panel construction to contours on which the panel construction rests; a first set of adjacent panels forming a first unitary length of panels and a second set of adjacent panels forming a second unitary length of panels; the first unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a first compression member for securing the first unitary length of panels; the second unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a second compression member for securing the second unitary length of panels; the first and second compression members each passing through the at least one edge surface of the panels and each compression member having at least one end that is threaded for receiving a tensioning nut; and wherein the first unitary length of panels has a coupling device for connecting to a coupling device on the second unitary length of panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A panel construction comprising: a plurality of flexible, adjacent panels secured to each other, each panel having a substantially planar configuration comprising two generally parallel surfaces separated by at least one edge surface; protruding from the at least one edge surface is a projection engageable with a complementary recess in an edge surface of the adjacent panel; wherein a joint defined by the projection and recess permits the adjacent panels to flex relative to each other, such that the panel construction is flexible as a whole to permit adaptation of the panel construction to contours on which the panel construction rests; a first set of adjacent panels forming a first unitary length of panels and a second set of adjacent panels forming a second unitary length of panels; the first unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a first compression member for securing the first unitary length of panels; the second unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a second compression member for securing the second unitary length of panels; the first and second compression members each passing through the at least one edge surface of the panels and each compression member having at least one end that is threaded for receiving a tensioning nut; and wherein the first unitary length of panels has a coupling device for connecting to a coupling device on the second unitary length of panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of adjacent panels have additionally a compression strip extending along at least one side of the two generally parallel surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The panel construction according to claim 2 wherein the compression strip is flexible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 , wherein the first compression member is rigid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 , wherein the first compression member is flexible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 wherein at least one surface of the two generally parallel surfaces has an uneven finish.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 wherein at least one surface of the two generally parallel surfaces includes a surface finish.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 wherein the panels are extruded from a plastics material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The panel construction according to claim 8 wherein the plastics material is recycled PVC.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The panel construction according to claim 1 wherein each panel has formed in the at least one edge surface one or more hollow recesses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The panel construction according to claim 10 wherein the one or more hollow recesses extend substantially along a length of the panel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
247 words
A method for assembling a panel construction comprising the steps of: securing a plurality of flexible, adjacent panels to each other, each panel having a substantially planar configuration comprising two generally parallel surfaces separated by at least one edge surface; engaging a projection protruding from the at least one edge surface with a complementary recess in an edge surface of the adjacent panel; permitting a joint defined by the projection and recess to allow the adjacent panels to flex relative to each other, such that the panel construction is flexible as a whole to permit adaptation of the panel construction to contours on which the panel construction rests; assembling a first set of adjacent panels into a first unitary length of panels and a second set of adjacent panels into a second unitary length of panels; inserting a first compression member that extends the entire length of the first unitary length of panels for securing the first unitary length of panels; inserting a second compression member that extends the entire length of the second unitary length of panels for securing the second unitary length of panels; wherein the first and second compression members each pass through the at least one edge surface of the panels and each compression member having at least one end that is threaded for receiving a tensioning nut; and placing a coupling device on the first unitary length of panels for connecting to a coupling device on the second unitary length of panels.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
247 words
A method for assembling a panel construction comprising the steps of: securing a plurality of flexible, adjacent panels to each other, each panel having a substantially planar configuration comprising two generally parallel surfaces separated by at least one edge surface; engaging a projection protruding from the at least one edge surface with a complementary recess in an edge surface of the adjacent panel; permitting a joint defined by the projection and recess to allow the adjacent panels to flex relative to each other, such that the panel construction is flexible as a whole to permit adaptation of the panel construction to contours on which the panel construction rests; assembling a first set of adjacent panels into a first unitary length of panels and a second set of adjacent panels into a second unitary length of panels; inserting a first compression member that extends the entire length of the first unitary length of panels for securing the first unitary length of panels; inserting a second compression member that extends the entire length of the second unitary length of panels for securing the second unitary length of panels; wherein the first and second compression members each pass through the at least one edge surface of the panels and each compression member having at least one end that is threaded for receiving a tensioning nut; and placing a coupling device on the first unitary length of panels for connecting to a coupling device on the second unitary length of panels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-04 | 2006-05-06 | 2006-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-04 | 2010-05-06 | 2010-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-04 | 2014-05-06 | 2014-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |