Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Including means to hold or retard hinged members against...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2002-03-12
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Including means to hold or retard hinged members against...
C403S102000, C403S161000, C114S361000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06353969
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an articulating strut support strength member. More particularly, the field of this invention relates to a support member used in—but not limited to—the flexible coverings field with particular emphasis on marine canvas, vinyl and similar synthetic materials.
Additionally the field relates to an articulating knuckle insert compatible with industry standard marine grade structural tubing. Further, my field of invention relates to a knuckle insert which is shop fabricated for field installation within existing rigid support tubing as found, for example on boats, tents, temporary buildings and the like.
Explanation of Terms
Certain terms are used to introduce and explain the background of the art and the invention; and, for convenience and completeness sake, such terms are summarized in this section. These terms are not meant to supersede the claims nor the definition of terms as defined within the four corners of the specification; but, rather, are meant to further the understanding of the invention and briefly introduce the technical art stage for a detailed teaching of the improvement in the art as provided by this invention as claimed.
Locking Sleeve
A slidable tubular sleeve of an internal diameter a few thousands of an inch or so larger than the external diameter of its strut member counterparts. In most applications, such a sleeve has a mating configuration to the framework tubing—with such tubing often being cylindrical or box shaped in nature.
Latching Detents
Spring loaded balls which protrude partially through holes in each half, or sectional member, of a support strut. These detents retain the locking sleeve in place over an articulating bridge, thus locking the strut in an extended and taut position.
Articulating Bridge
A short, relieved and shaped, generally rectangular bridge which is hinge-pin connected at each end to identical, opposed image socket insert hubs. This articulating bridge, in concert with flat-faced mating socket hubs, create a double knuckle two axis, folding joint. An underneath section of this bridge is relieved sufficiently to provide rotation in excess of 90 degrees at each end. Such over 90 configuration provides additional freedoms of motion improving field installation flexibility in that outboard pivot point locations are less critical during field installations.
Insert (Sometimes Called Anchor Insert Hubs)
Relieved and shaped, but generally cylindrical, hubs of a snug fit diameter which are inserted into and fixed by pins to one member of a folding two member strut. Such hubs receive and house the ends of a bridge cross piece and provide folding capability for the joined strut sections.
On the folding part of my strut, these inserts are flat faced and when butted together one against the other act as load bearing surfaces for increased strut strength and rigidity.
Folding Strut
In mechanical terms, a strut is a brace fitted into a framework to add strength and rigidity. For this invention the term strut is generalized to include both structural halves or legs of a rigid tubing strength member. It further includes a center insert which includes a double knuckle geometry allowing the two halves of the strut to fold upon itself, in one direction, or unfold to a perfectly straight configuration.
Such a locked strut becomes a single rigid structural support member with improved compressive holding strength by virtue of a bridge and “flat-faced” inserts. That single strut member, in turn, often locks other struts or separate articulating framework members in place.
Axes of Rotation
Within the framework of this invention there are two axes of rotation within the double knuckle insert of the folding strut. In usage my folding strut cooperates with two additional axes of rotation at the outboard ends of the two strut halves. These outboard axes of rotation, or pivot points, are also the structural connecting points to a collapsible, skeletal framework. When a folding strut is extended and sleeve locked, both outboard axes of rotation become fixed by virtue of triangular geometry. The two axes within the double knuckle, and the outboard pivot points all rotate within the same plane.
Collapsible Covering
A generic term which includes bimini tops, dodgers, and other stretched coverings usually but not limited to weather exposed marine applications. A covering which by design is taut when fixed in place over a rigid framework, generally of cylindrical tubing construction.
Such a framework in marine applications is often pinned for a forward collapsing, articulating motion, and when opened, is held upward and rigid by straps in tension. This articulating framework is usually configured with one or more crossway structural bows which have been inserted through stitched sleeves in a canvas or vinyl covering.
Tension Strap
One or more generally downward and aft tending straps attached to the structural tubular framing of a Bimini Top, Dodger or Covering. With tension straps extended and secured, the covering is pulled taut and held upwardly in place to its maximum open and tautly stretched configuration.
Bimini Top
A canvas or synthetic covering stretched tautly over a skeletal framework. A temporary convertible covering usually positioned over an outside steering station on a powerboat or yacht.
Dodger
A weather covering of canvas like material stretched tautly over a curved, tubular framework on a dodger is temporary convertible covering over the forward portion of a sailboat cockpit and affording weather protection to both the steering station and the companionway entrance. Given the more limited deck space of a sailboat over a power yacht, dodgers are shaped and fitted to attempt optimization of weather protection and entrance/egress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Articulating struts are well known and find many uses. Often such struts are manufactured in place as part of a customized larger equipment piece. Typical examples abound in the aircraft, space and marine and recreational industry. Often such struts employ many moving parts and are unusually complex for what—on the surface or to a casual observer—is a seemingly simple and straightforward application. An aftermarket in these various technical disciplines exists, and such an aftermarket calls for pre-fabricated, field installation folding struts.
The marine recreation world, for example, broadly involves both sail and power boats. Such craft use canvas or synthetic fabric-covered apparatus extensively for protection from sun and rain. On power boats, these coverings are known generically as bimini tops and usually cover a substantial portion of a deck or outside steering station such as a flying bridge. Depending on weather usage preferences, these bimini tops are preferably folding and collapsible, usually in a forward direction, such that an operator may raise or lower the covering for personal preference and weather conditions.
In the sailboat world, similar but smaller coverings generically called dodgers, are used in much the same general fashion as the bimini tops on larger power boats. Sizes and shapes vary from boat to boat depending on specific boat deck designs which dictate attachment configurations.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Turning now to the prior art, a search has revealed various patents, several of which are only of peripheral relevance. Such patents include:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,829 to Metheopoulos (Apr. 8, 1986)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,300 to Jackson (Apr. 11, 1989)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,006 to Wang (Sep. 24, 1985)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,656 to Chan (Mar. 15, 1994)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,921 to Avni et al. (Jun. 9, 1987)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,954 to Shogan et al. (May 5, 1998)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,164 to Baucom (Oct. 31, 1989)
Each of these reference patents will be discussed briefly in order to point out the lack of significant relevance to this invention.
4,580,829
Apr. 8, 1986
Matheopoulos
Matheopoulos has disclosed work in the field of vehicle visor hinging. Using cylindrical sleeved openings similar to a door hinge, Matheopoulos has
Peavey E
Stan Jones Patents
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