Receptacles – Sectional – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-31
2001-04-10
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sectional
Knockdown
C220S611000, C403S251000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213328
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the art of connecting elements made of different materials, typically softer and harder materials, and, more particularly, to a method and construction effective in connecting together metal and plastic elements.
In many cases it is advantageous in terms of stability, durability, appearance, weight, production costs, storage costs, shipping costs, and the like to stably and non-separably connect plastic and metal elements together.
The prior art teaches, in this respect, the use of a plurality of nits or screws inserted into dedicated holes pre prepared in the plastic and/or metal elements to thereby connect them together.
This approach is disadvantageous because the process of connecting the two elements is tedious and cumbersome, since each nit or screw needs individual attention.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a novel and simpler way of connecting together metal and plastic elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a metal element comprising a surface, a first end portion and an opposite, second, end portion, the first end portion being formed with a plurality of inner cuts designed so as to enable a plurality of pieces each remaining integrally connected to the metal element to at least slightly protrude from the surface, each of the pieces featuring at least one sharp or pointed edge generally pointing towards the opposite, second, end portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of engaging together in a stable, substantially non-separable, manner at least one plastic element and at least one metal element having a surface and an end portion, the method comprising the steps of (a) forming an accepting groove having an opening in the at least one plastic element; (b) forming at least one inner cut designed so as to enable at least one piece remaining integrally connected to the metal element to at least slightly protrude from the surface thereof, the at least one piece featuring at least one sharp or pointed edge generally pointing towards the opening of the accepting groove, such that the end portion of the at least one metal element is readily insertable into the accepting groove of the at least one plastic element; and (c) inserting the end portion of the at least one metal element into the accepting groove of the at least one plastic element via the opening, so as to enable the at least one piece to secure the end portion in the accepting groove, so as to resist separation of the at least one plastic element and the at least one metal element.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture comprising at least one plastic element formed with an accepting groove having an opening and at least one metal element having a surface and an end portion being intimately accepted in the accepting groove, the end portion of the at least one metal element being formed with at least one inner cut designed so as to enable at least one piece remaining integrally connected to the metal element to at least slightly protrude from the surface, the at least one piece featuring at least one sharp or pointed edge generally pointing towards the opening of the accepting groove, such that the end portion of the at least one metal element is readily insertable into the accepting groove of the at least one plastic element, while the at least one piece secures the end portion in the accepting groove, so as to resist separation of the at least one plastic element and the at least one metal element.
According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the at least one piece is U or V shaped.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one piece is formed through a combination of the inner cut and a cutout.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the cutout is substantially circular having a first radius, and the inner cut is an incomplete circular form having a second radius, larger than the first radius, such that the at lest one piece features a double horn configuration.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one metal element features ribs.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the end portion of the at least one metal element is bent.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the bend is of about 90 degrees.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one metal elements, alone or in combination with additional metal elements, form an enclosure selected from the group consisting of a substantially circular enclosure and a substantially circular enclosure.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a single metal element bent to form the enclosure, and at least two metal elements bent to form the enclosure in combination.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least two metal elements bent to form the enclosure in combination feature complementary engaging mechanisms for stabilizing the combination.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the accepting groove of the at least one plastic element includes an undercut.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one plastic element and the at least one metal element are further connected to one another by at least one nit.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the accepting groove of the at least one plastic elements is formed between walls of a cutout formed in the at least one plastic element an walls of an extra plastic piece inserted into the cutout and thereafter welded to the at least one plastic element.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the article of manufacture is formed as a container having two bases made of plastic and four side walls made of metal.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments each of the bases includes a crossing rib structure.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments at least one of the bases is formed with an opening.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments at least one of the bases is formed with a portion of a hinge mechanism for holding an openable cover having a compatible portion of the hinge mechanism.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the openable cover is decorated with direction alternating quatrogons, so as to mimic appearance of metal articles.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the container features a wheel and a locking mechanism.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the article of manufacture is formed as a construct having two sides made of plastic and at least one metal member connected therebetween.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the construct is selected from the consisting of a drawer, a door, a chair, a bin, a mail box, a ladder, a bench and a shelf.
The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a a method and construction effective in connecting together metal and plastic elements which is simpland easy to implement, and above all, overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2761188 (1956-09-01), Bedford, Jr.
patent: 2817132 (1957-12-01), Petri
patent: 3771834 (1973-11-01), Kretschmer
patent: 3788707 (1974-01-01), Connell
patent: 3794385 (1974-02-01), Kretschmer
patent: 3873161 (1975-03-01), Kretschmer
patent: 387
Bozak John A.
Fudge Chester M.
Ham Soohyun
Tiramani Paolo M. B.
500 Group Inc.
Merek Joe
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Shoap Allan N.
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