US6715255B2 — Foldable support structure with hinged sawtooth w…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 159 words

A foldable truss member, comprising: a plurality of adjacently connected side members together forming a peripheral boundary of the truss member, each side member comprising: an elongated support member having a side surface and a first end; a bridging member fixably connected to the side surface of the support member at an attachment point of the support member, the bridging member having an extension at an edge of the bridge member opposite the attachment point; a plurality of hinge members pivotably joining the extension of each side member to the support member of the adjacent side member, each hinge member allowing relative rotation of adjacent side members in a folded configuration of the truss member; and a locking frame having a plurality of locking members, each locking member attachable at the first end of at least two of the side members of the truss in the deployed configuration, the attached locking frame preventing relative rotation of adjacent side members.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 159 words

A foldable truss member, comprising: a plurality of adjacently connected side members together forming a peripheral boundary of the truss member, each side member comprising: an elongated support member having a side surface and a first end; a bridging member fixably connected to the side surface of the support member at an attachment point of the support member, the bridging member having an extension at an edge of the bridge member opposite the attachment point; a plurality of hinge members pivotably joining the extension of each side member to the support member of the adjacent side member, each hinge member allowing relative rotation of adjacent side members in a folded configuration of the truss member; and a locking frame having a plurality of locking members, each locking member attachable at the first end of at least two of the side members of the truss in the deployed configuration, the attached locking frame preventing relative rotation of adjacent side members.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 52 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein each bridging member comprises a sawtooth-shaped member having a first and second set of oppositely disposed peaks, the first set of peaks attached to the attachment pointof the associated support member, and the extensions of each bridging member comprising the second set of peaks.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein the first ends of the side members include a recess and wherein each of the locking members of the locking frame comprise a locking post, the locking posts receivable into the recesses of the side members.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein the locking frame is lockable with the first ends of the side members.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 74 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein at least one locking member of the locking frame further comprises a locking hole, the first end of the associated side member further comprises a locking hole, and wherein the locking frame is attachable with the first ends of the side members so that the locking hole of the at least one locking member is in alignment with the locking hole of the associated side member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 48 words

The truss member of claim 5 , further comprising an elongated interference member passable through the locking hole of the at least one locking member and the locking hole of the associated side member to prevent relative motion of the side member with respect to the locking frame.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hinge members resists relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The truss member of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the hinge members includes an increased friction to resist relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

The truss member of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the hinge members includes a feature to elastically deform the associated extension to resist relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 57 words

The truss member of claim 1 , wherein each of the hinge members comprise a mounting surface and a hinge channel breaking a portion of the mounting surface, the extensions of the bridging member of the adjacent side member locatable within the hinge channel, the mounting surface of the hinge members fixably attaching to the support members.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The truss member of claim 10 , wherein the hinge channel of each of the hinge members further comprises a first and second end, and the first and second ends are flared.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 118 words

A foldable truss member, comprising: a plurality of side member means, each side member means comprising a receiving means located at a lower edge of the side member means, the side member means adjacently arranged so that the lower edges of the adjacently arranged side member means form a closed shape; a plurality of hinging means connected between adjacently arranged side member means, the hinging means allowing relative rotation between adjacently arranged side member means so that the side member means are foldable into a substantially flat assembly; and a frame locking means attachable to the receiving means of the side member means to rigidly couple the side member means into a deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 118 words

A foldable truss member, comprising: a plurality of side member means, each side member means comprising a receiving means located at a lower edge of the side member means, the side member means adjacently arranged so that the lower edges of the adjacently arranged side member means form a closed shape; a plurality of hinging means connected between adjacently arranged side member means, the hinging means allowing relative rotation between adjacently arranged side member means so that the side member means are foldable into a substantially flat assembly; and a frame locking means attachable to the receiving means of the side member means to rigidly couple the side member means into a deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The truss member of claim 12 , wherein the receiving means of the side member means are slidably interfacable with the frame locking means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The truss member of claim 12 , further comprising a fastening means for lockably fastening the frame locking means to the receiving means of the side member means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 70 words

The truss member of claim 12 , wherein each of the side member means comprises a sawtooth-shaped member and an elongated support member, the sawtooth-shaped member having a first and second set of oppositely disposed peaks, the first set of peaks fixably attached to the support member, and the second set of peaks forming hinge extensions of the side members, the hinge extensions pivotably attachable to the associated hinging means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 64 words

The truss member of claim 15 , wherein each of the hinging means comprise a mounting surface and a hinge channel breaking a portion of the mounting surface, the mounting surface of each of the hinging means fixably attaching to the support member of each of the side member means, the hinge extension of the adjacent side member means locatable within the hinge channel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The truss member of claim 12 , wherein the hinging means include friction means to resist relative rotation between adjacently connected side member means at a deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 43 words

The truss member of claim 12 , wherein the hinging means include elastic deformation means to resist relative rotation between adjacently connected side member means by elastically deforming a portion of the side member means at a deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 195 words

A foldable display structure, comprising: (A) a first and second truss member, each truss member comprising: (1) a plurality of adjacently connected side members, each side member comprising: (a) an elongated support member having a side surface and a first end; and (b) a bridging member fixably connected to the side surface of the support member at an attachment point of the support member, the bridging member having an extension at an edge of the bridge member opposite the attachment point; and (2) a plurality of hinge members pivotably joining the extension of each side member to the support member of the adjacent side member, each hinge member allowing relative rotation of adjacent side members; (B) a locking frame comprising a first and second side, a first set of locking members on the first side, and a second set of locking members on the second side; and (C) wherein the locking frame is disposed between the first and second truss members, the first set of locking members removably connected to the first ends of the first truss member, the second set of locking members removably connected with the first ends of the second truss member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 195 words

A foldable display structure, comprising: (A) a first and second truss member, each truss member comprising: (1) a plurality of adjacently connected side members, each side member comprising: (a) an elongated support member having a side surface and a first end; and (b) a bridging member fixably connected to the side surface of the support member at an attachment point of the support member, the bridging member having an extension at an edge of the bridge member opposite the attachment point; and (2) a plurality of hinge members pivotably joining the extension of each side member to the support member of the adjacent side member, each hinge member allowing relative rotation of adjacent side members; (B) a locking frame comprising a first and second side, a first set of locking members on the first side, and a second set of locking members on the second side; and (C) wherein the locking frame is disposed between the first and second truss members, the first set of locking members removably connected to the first ends of the first truss member, the second set of locking members removably connected with the first ends of the second truss member.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 57 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein each bridging member of the truss members comprises a sawtooth-shaped member having a first and second set of oppositely disposed peaks, the first set of peaks attached to the attachment point of the associated support member, and the extensions of each bridging member comprising the second set of peaks.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein the first ends of the side members of the first and second truss members each comprise a recess.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 35 words

The display structure of claim 21 , wherein each locking member of the first and second set of locking members comprises a locking post, the locking posts receivable into the recesses of the side members.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein the locking frame is lockable with the first ends of the first and second truss members.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 83 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein at least one locking member of the first and second set of locking members each further comprises a locking hole, the first ends of the associated side members of the first and second truss members each further comprise a locking hole, and wherein the locking members are removably connected with the associated side members so that the locking hole of the locking members are in alignment with the locking hole of the associated side member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 47 words

The display structure of claim 24 , further comprising an elongated interference member passable through any of the locking holes of the locking members and the locking hole of the associated side member to prevent relative motion of the side members with respect to the locking frame.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 36 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the hinge members of each of the truss members resists relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

The display structure of claim 26 , wherein at least one of the hinge members of each of the truss members includes an increased friction to resist relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The display structure of claim 26 , wherein at least one of the hinge members of each of the truss members elastically deforms the associated extension to resist relative rotation of the associated extension at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 57 words

The display structure of claim 19 , wherein each of the hinge members comprise a mounting surface and a hinge channel breaking a portion of the mounting surface, the extensions of the bridging member of the adjacent side member locatable within the hinge channel, the mounting surface of the hinge members fixably attaching to the support members.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 32 words

The display structure of claim 29 , wherein the hinge channel of each of the hinge members further comprises a first and second end, and the first and second ends are flared.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 137 words

A method of assembling a display structure, comprising: forming a first and second truss member by adjacently coupling a plurality of side members to form a peripheral boundary for each of the truss members, each of the side members including an elongated edge pivotably attached to the adjacent side member; relatively rotating the adjacent side members about the elongated edges to put the side members of the truss members in a deployed configuration; slidably attaching a receiving edge of at least two of the side members of the first truss member to a locking frame to make the first truss member rigid; and slidably attaching the receiving edge of at least two of the side members of the second truss member to the locking frame to rigidly couple the first truss member to the second truss member.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 137 words

A method of assembling a display structure, comprising: forming a first and second truss member by adjacently coupling a plurality of side members to form a peripheral boundary for each of the truss members, each of the side members including an elongated edge pivotably attached to the adjacent side member; relatively rotating the adjacent side members about the elongated edges to put the side members of the truss members in a deployed configuration; slidably attaching a receiving edge of at least two of the side members of the first truss member to a locking frame to make the first truss member rigid; and slidably attaching the receiving edge of at least two of the side members of the second truss member to the locking frame to rigidly couple the first truss member to the second truss member.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 31 , further comprising attaching a fastening member to the first truss member and the locking frame to create a positive mechanical engagement therebetween.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 32 , further comprising attaching a fastening member to the second truss member and the locking frame to create a positive mechanical engagement therebetween.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 31 , wherein forming a first and second truss member further comprises coupling an extension of each side member to an attachment point of the adjacent side member with a hinge member.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 31 , wherein forming a first and second truss member further comprises coupling an extension of each side member with a hinge member to the elongated edge of the adjacent side member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 35 , wherein putting the side members of the truss members in a deployed configuration further comprises relatively rotating the adjacent side members until a resistance to relative rotation is encountered between the hinge members and the associated extensions coupled therein.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method of claim 35 , wherein putting the side members of the truss members in a deployed position further comprises relatively rotating the adjacent side members through an intermediate position where a resistance to relative rotation is encountered between the hinge members and the associated extensions coupled therein, the relative resistance to rotation decreasing at the deployed configuration of the truss member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-04-06	2007-10-06	2008-04-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-04-06	2011-10-06	2012-04-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-04-06	2015-10-06	2016-04-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Foldable support structure with hinged sawtooth wall members and rigid end cap

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