Joints and connections – Molded joint – Including mechanical interlock
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-21
2001-09-11
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Molded joint
Including mechanical interlock
C403S298000, C116S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287042
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a process for dividing a tubular flagpole.
The invention also relates to a device in a tubular flagpole, divisible into a first and a second flagpole section.
Flagpoles are often very long. This may cause difficulties, for example, when transporting them, partly for reasons of space and partly because they are awkward to handle. It is therefore desirable that the flagpoles be divisible into two or more parts.
A device for achieving a rigid and rattle-free connection of two flagpole sections is already known from SE 464 037. The device is used to connect two tubes of different diameter, where the outside diameter of the first tube is smaller than the inside diameter of the second tube. The first tube has two sleeves with a plurality of peripheral slots, designed to receive O-rings. The first sleeve is arranged at a free end of the first tube and the second sleeve is arranged further in on the tube. The second sleeve, at the end furthest away from the first sleeve, is equipped with a flange, the diameter of which is greater than the inside diameter of the second tube. When connecting the sections of the flagpole, the first tube provided with sleeves is inserted into the second tube so that the first sleeve is situated entirely inside this tube and the second sleeve is situated partially inside this tube, with its flange resting against the end of the second tube. The O-rings on the sleeves are designed so that they come into contact with the inside of the second tube, thereby achieving a rattle-free connection.
A disadvantage with this device is that it requires flagpole sections of different diameters. This means that these flagpoles differ significantly in appearance from conventional, non-divisible flagpoles.
A flagpole of tubular metal sections with successively diminishing diameters, which are connected by pipe studs inserted into the ends of the tubular sections, which connect the tubular sections to one another, is already known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,102,413. The tubular sections have been shrunk fast in the pipe stubs and their projecting parts are provided with external threads corresponding with internal threads on a coupling piece, which connects the tubular sections in that their respective threaded pipe studs are firmly screwed into this coupling piece.
A disadvantage with this flagpole is that the joints are made up of a plurality of components which require accurate assembly and adjustment in order to achieve a satisfactory joint. The coupling piece in this device is clearly visible on the outside of the flagpole when the two flagpole sections are assembled. Furthermore this device also involves coupling together flagpole sections of different diameter, which means that the flagpole differs significantly in appearance from conventional, non-divisible flagpoles.
An object of the invention is to arrive at a method by means of which the disadvantages associated with previously known solutions are overcome, in which method
an elongated body is chosen, which over at least one part of its length has a geometric shape, which in its interaction with a complementary geometric shape inside the flagpole ensures that the flagpole can be cut and assembled in a way that guarantees that the flagpole remains straight when assembled, and over its entire length has an outside dimension less than the inside diameter of the flagpole,
non-stick agent is applied to the outer surface of the elongated body on a part of its length, including one end of the body and at least one part of the said geometric shape,
the elongated body is inserted into the flag pole and placed with its centre essentially where division is required,
a seal is produced between the flagpole and the elongated body at both ends of the body, thereby forming an enclosed space,
at least one hole is made though the wall of the flagpole so that the hole(s) communicate(s) with the enclosed space,
a filling material, preferably thermosetting plastic, is injected through the hole(s) (
6
a
,
6
b
) so that the space between the flagpole and the elongated body is filled, thereby forming the said complementary geometric shape,
the filling material is allowed to set, so that the elongated body is thereby fixed to the flagpole by that part of its outer surface to which non-stick agent has not been applied,
the flagpole is cut away around the elongated body, at an area on this to which non-stick agent has been applied, down to the outer surface of the body, so that a certain length of the body remains on both sides around the cutting site, and so that it is possible to divide the flagpole into two parts at the cutting site, the body remaining fixed to one of the parts.
According to another characteristic of the invention the elongated body is a tube, in which case it is possible to form the enclosed space by introducing an expandable agent, in one simple, advantageous embodiment a rubber bladder, into the tube and causing this to expand so that it protrudes from the tube at both ends thereof and in such a way as to form a seal between the tube and the flagpole, as a result of which the tube is also centered in the flagpole.
According to a further characteristic of the invention a plurality of elongated bodies are arranged in the flagpole in order to permit dividing at a plurality of points.
Another object of the invention is to produce a device by means of which the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome. This is achieved by the invention in that a tube is introduced and fixed in the first flagpole section at its end corresponding to the second flagpole section, so that one part of the tube protrudes from the first flagpole section, the protruding part of the tube having a geometric shape corresponding to a complementary geometric shape inside the second flagpole section at its end corresponding to the first flagpole section, in which the said fixing and said complementary geometric form are respectively produced by the injection of a filling material, preferably thermosetting plastic, between the tube and the flagpole so that, after setting, this filling material together with the tube with the said geometric shape mean that the flag pole, after dividing around the tube down to this can only be assembled in a way that guarantees that the flagpole remains straight.
In order to obtain an uncomplicated design, the said geometric shape, according to a further characteristic of the invention, comprises at least one guide extending along the said tube which in one simple embodiment is an axially aligned key.
According to yet another characteristic of the invention at least one part of the outer surface of that part of the tube fixed in the first flagpole section to ensure its fixing is provided with a friction-enhancing external texture, consisting in one embodiment of grooves.
REFERENCES:
patent: 822405 (1906-06-01), Teese
patent: 1102413 (1914-07-01), Jensen
patent: 1633798 (1927-06-01), Taylor
patent: 3253846 (1966-05-01), Garcia
patent: 4407505 (1983-10-01), Kendziorski
patent: 4461509 (1984-07-01), Yaotani et al.
patent: 4958953 (1990-09-01), Charondiere
patent: 5052848 (1991-10-01), Nakamura
patent: 5383420 (1995-01-01), Dundorf
patent: 5495821 (1996-03-01), Brewer
patent: 5660492 (1997-08-01), Bathon
patent: 1133687 (1957-04-01), None
patent: 464037 (1991-02-01), None
Copy of the International Search Report for PCT/SE97/01786.
Kim Harry C.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Tidaflag AB
LandOfFree
Method and arrangement at a flagpole does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and arrangement at a flagpole, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and arrangement at a flagpole will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511433