US3836418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-02
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of rectangular members interconnected by hinges such that the members in one unfolded configuration form a square having a side length to height ratio of 8:1 and in a second configuration form a cube having an edge length of four units. A flexible cord is provided interconnecting some of the rectangular members such that pulling the central portion of the cord causes the square to fold to the cube form while pulling the opposed ends of the cord causes the cube to unfold to the square form.
Inventors
- 👤 M Montgomery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A folding structure in the form of a square board one unit thick and eight units long on each side foldable into a cube four units long on each edge, comprising: a. a square center member measuring four units long on each side; b. four side members, each four units long and two units wide comprising a first opposite pair of side members and a second opposite pair of side members flanking the four sides of the square center member; c. four square corner members, each measuring two units long on each side; d. hinge means connecting together on one side of the board the contiguous edges of the square center member with the first opposite pair of side members, and the contiguous edges of the four corner members with the second opposite pair of side members, so that the first opposite pair of side members can be folded inwardly onto the square center member and the four corner members inwardly onto the second opposite pair of side members; and e. hinge means connecting together on the opposite side of the board the contiguous edges of the corner members and the first opposite pair of side members, so that when the first opposite pair of side members are folded onto the square center member and the square corner members are folded onto the second opposite pair of side members, the square corner members together with the second opposite pair of side members can be folded inwardly onto the first opposite pair of side members, to complete the cube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A folding structure in the form of a square board one unit thick and eight units long on each side foldable into a cube four units long on each edge, comprising: a. a square center member measuring four units long on each side; b. four side members, each four units long and two units wide comprising a first opposite pair of side members and a second opposite pair of side members flanking the four sides of the square center member; c. four square corner members, each measuring two units long on each side; d. hinge means connecting together on one side of the board the contiguous edges of the square center member with the first opposite pair of side members, and the contiguous edges of the four corner members with the second opposite pair of side members, so that the first opposite pair of side members can be folded inwardly onto the square center member and the four corner members inwardly onto the second opposite pair of side members; and e. hinge means connecting together on the opposite side of the board the contiguous edges of the corner members and the first opposite pair of side members, so that when the first opposite pair of side members are folded onto the square center member and the square corner members are folded onto the second opposite pair of side members, the square corner members together with the second opposite pair of side members can be folded inwardly onto the first opposite pair of side members, to complete the cube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
The folding structure of claim 1 including a pair of holes in said center member and a single hole in each of said first opposite pair of side members; a single cord means extending through said holes and slidably movable therein such that the center portion of said cord forms a loop between said pair of holes in said center member; cord attaching points on a pair of diagonally opposed corner members; the opposed end portions of said cord means extending from said holes in said first opposite pair of side members to said cord attaching points and then outwardly therefrom; and whereby pulling said loop portion of said cord causes said structure to fold to a cube and pulling said opposed ends of said cord causes said cube to unfold to a square.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The folding structure of claim 2 wherein sAid opposed ends of said cord means include hand grip portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The folding structure of claim 1 wherein said square center member, said side member and said corner members are hollow and include opening means communicating with said hollow interiors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The folding structure of claim 1 wherein said corner members, said side members and said center member are related to each other in size as one is to two is to four.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
A folding structure comprising a square center member and a surrounding rectangular chain of four alternating side members and four corner members; hinge means interconnecting said alternating side members and corner members such that adjacent members are pivotal with respect to each other, consecutive pairs of hinges being alternately mounted on vertically opposed sides of said adjacent side members and corner members; and, a pair of hinge means extending between said center member and an opposed pair of side members to pivotally interconnect said center member with said surrounding rectangular chain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
A folding structure comprising a square center member and a surrounding rectangular chain of four alternating side members and four corner members; hinge means interconnecting said alternating side members and corner members such that adjacent members are pivotal with respect to each other, consecutive pairs of hinges being alternately mounted on vertically opposed sides of said adjacent side members and corner members; and, a pair of hinge means extending between said center member and an opposed pair of side members to pivotally interconnect said center member with said surrounding rectangular chain.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |