US PATENT 5152119 Foldable and lockable structural member fabricated from recycled plastic
Patent Drawings: Drawing: 5152119-2 Drawing: 5152119-3 Drawing: 5152119-4
(3 images)
Inventor: Miller
Date Issued: October 6, 1992
Application: 07/636,890
Filed: January 2, 1991
Inventors: Miller; Leslie (Jericho, NY)
Assignee:
Primary Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Assistant Examiner: Wood; Wynn E.
Attorney Or Agent: Plevy; Arthur L.
U.S. Class: 27/4; 52/108; 52/631; 52/731.3
Field Of Search: 52/108; 52/631; 52/731; 52/732; 27/4
International Class:
U.S Patent Documents: 3654053; 3969798
Foreign Patent Documents:
Other References:
Abstract: A structural member is an elongated, generally rectangular panel having at least 2 substantially parallel fold lines extending the length of the panel parallel its long sides, preferably defining 3 subpanels. When the panel is folded along the fold lines, preferably by hand, the interior angles at each fold occur on the same surface of the panel, are approximately 90 degrees, and the member has a generally C-shaped cross-section when folded. At least one male/female lock holds each of the panels at a fixed angle relative to the adjacent panel, each male/female lock having a male component affixed to one of the subpanels and a mating female component affixed to the adjacent subpanel such that when said one subpanel is folded with respect to the adjacent subpanel, the male component inserts into the female component and is retained therein.
Claim: I claim:
1. A structural member comprising:
(a) an elongated, generally rectangular panel having at least 2 substantially parallel fold lines extending the length of said panel parallel to the long sides of said panel, whereby at least 3 subpanels are formed when said panel is folded alongsaid fold lines, the interior angles at each fold occurring on the same surface of said panel; and
(b) internal locking means affixed to said panel along each of said fold lines for holding said panel in a folded condition by independently and automatically locking each said subpanel at a fixed angular position relative to an adjacent saidsubpanel, as said subpanel is folded along said fold lines into said angular position, said locking means being the sole means for holding said panel in said folded condition and further, preventing each said subpanel from being nondestructively unfoldedfrom said angular position.
2. The structural member of claim 1, wherein said fold lines are 2 in number, said subpanels are 3 in number, said interior angles are approximately 90 degrees, and said member has a generally C-shaped cross-section when folded.
3. The structural member of claim 2, wherein said locking means is located on said same surface as said interior angles and said panel is foldable by hand.
4. The structural member of claim 3, wherein said locking means includes at least one male/female lock to hold each of said subpanels at said fixed angular position, each male/female lock having a male component affixed to one of said subpanelsand a mating female component affixed to said adjacent said subpanel such that when said one subpanel is folded with respect to said adjacent subpanel, said male component locks into said female component.
5. The structural member of claim 4, wherein said panel and said lock means are monolithically formed from a polymer.
6. The structural member of claim 5, wherein said male component is a beading and said female component is a groove configured to retain said male component after insertion.
7. The structural member of claim 6, wherein said panel is thinned along said fold line to promote the folding of said panel along said fold line.
8. The structural member of claim 7, wherein at least one of said subpanels has stiffening means on at least one surface thereof for stiffening said subpanel.... (con't)
Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION (more)
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