US3776523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structural tube assembly
Assignee: Universal Fence Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-27
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a structural tubing assembly such as a fence or gate in which one tubular member is joined to a second tubular member by (1) cutting an elongated opening in the second member, (2) cutting opposing slots in the end of the first member thus forming two locking tabs, (3) inserting the tabs through the opening in the second member, and (4) spreading the tabs, thus securely and rigidly locking the first tubular member to the second tubular member. Preferably, the end of the first tubular member is partially flattened to conform to the shape of the elongated opening in the second member prior to cutting the two opposing slots to form the locking tabs. Optionally, a reinforcing insert such as a tube of proper size is pressed into the opening between the spread tabs to strengthen the connection.
Inventors
- 👤 E Weiland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:32
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D39/04; B21D39/044; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/38; E04B1/58; E04B1/5825; E04B1/5837; E04B1/5843; F; F16; F16B; F16B17/00; F16B17/004; F16B7/00; E04B2001/5856; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/10; F16B2200/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49938; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/49
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A structural tubing assembly comprising at least one substantially rigid connection of a first tubular member to a second tubular member, said connection comprising (A) an opening in the wall of said second tubular member, the width of said opening being less than the inside diameter of said second tubular member, and (B) opposing longitudinal slots in the end of said first tubular member such that the wall between said slots form two locking tabs, said tabs being positioned through said opening and inside of said second tubular member and shaped to abruptly diverge and converge to substantially conform to and tightly contact the inside surface of said second tubular member to prevent angular and lateral distortion thereof forming a substantially rigid connection of said first tubular member to said second tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A structural tubing assembly comprising at least one substantially rigid connection of a first tubular member to a second tubular member, said connection comprising (A) an opening in the wall of said second tubular member, the width of said opening being less than the inside diameter of said second tubular member, and (B) opposing longitudinal slots in the end of said first tubular member such that the wall between said slots form two locking tabs, said tabs being positioned through said opening and inside of said second tubular member and shaped to abruptly diverge and converge to substantially conform to and tightly contact the inside surface of said second tubular member to prevent angular and lateral distortion thereof forming a substantially rigid connection of said first tubular member to said second tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tubing assembly of claim 1 wherein said opening in the wall of said second tubular member is longitudinally elongated and the opposing side walls of said first tubular member at the location at which it extends through said opening in said second tubular member are flattened such that the cross-sEction of said first tubular member at said location substantially conforms with said longitudinally elongated opening in said second tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tubing assembly of claim 1 further characterized by having a cylindrical reinforcing insert tightly fitted between said two locking tabs, said insert conforming with the inside contour of said two locking tabs thereby holding said tabs tightly against the inside surface of said second tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tubing assembly of claim 3 wherein said reinforcing insert is an end of a third tubular member of said structural tubing assembly, said end having a reduced outside diameter to conform with the inside contour of said two locking tabs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tubing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and said second tubular members have a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tubing assembly of claim 5 wherein said opening in the wall of said second tubular member is longitudinally elongated and the opposing side walls of said first tubular member at the location at which it extends through said opening in said second tubular member are flattened such that the cross-section of said first tubular member at said location substantially conforms with said longitudinally elongated opening in said second tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tubing assembly of claim 6 further characterized by having a cylindrical reinforcing insert tightly fitted between said two locking tabs, said insert conforming with the inside contour of said two locking tabs thereby holding said tabs tightly against the inside surface of said second tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tubing assembly of claim 7 wherein said reinforcing insert is a tubular member tightly fit between said two locking tabs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tubing assembly of claim 8 wherein said tubular member is an end of a third tubular member of said structural tubing assembly, said end having a reduced outside diameter to conform with the inside contour of said two locking tabs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A substantially rectangular tubular frame assembly comprising four tubular members, each of said members connected at both ends to another of said four tubular members to form a substantially rectangular frame, each of said connections comprising (A) a longitudinally elongated opening in one of the connected members, the width of said opening being less than the inside diameter of said one of the connected members, and (B) opposing longitudinal slots in the end of the other of said connected members such that the wall between said slots forms two locking tabs, said tabs being inserted through said elongated opening and abruptly diverging and converging to substantially conform to the inside surface of said one of the connected members forming a substantially rigid rectangular frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A substantially rectangular tubular frame assembly comprising four tubular members, each of said members connected at both ends to another of said four tubular members to form a substantially rectangular frame, each of said connections comprising (A) a longitudinally elongated opening in one of the connected members, the width of said opening being less than the inside diameter of said one of the connected members, and (B) opposing longitudinal slots in the end of the other of said connected members such that the wall between said slots forms two locking tabs, said tabs being inserted through said elongated opening and abruptly diverging and converging to substantially conform to the inside surface of said one of the connected members forming a substantially rigid rectangular frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tubular frame assembly of claim 10 useful as a gate or fence section wherein fencing is positioned in the rectangular area formed by said four tubular members and is attached to said members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tubular frame assembly of claim 10 further characterized by having a cylindrical reinforcing insert tightly fitted between said two locking tabs, said insert conforming with the inside contour of said two locking tabs thereby holding said tabs tightly against the inside surface of said one of the connected members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tubular frame assembly of claim 12 wherein at least one of said reinforcing inserts is an end of another tubular member which forms one side of an adjoining tubular frame assembly, said adjoining tubular frame assembly sharing a common tubular member with said tubular frame assembly of claim 12, said end having a reduced outside diameter to conform with the inside contour of said two locking tabs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |