US4042991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parallelogram structure
Assignee: Sunoco Inc R&M
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Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable structure which consists of a plurality of I beams placed side by side and hinged together in a parallelogram fashion such that adjacent I beams may be folded together.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Macy
- 👤 Joseph E. Zupanick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:04
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B5/00; E04B5/02; E04B5/14; E01; E01D; E01D15/00; E01D15/12; E01D15/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A portable structure which may be folded together for transporation or storage and then unfolded for use, and comprising: a. a plurality of I beams positioned side by side and having a first plurality of alternate I beams and a second plurality of alternate I beams, with each second alternate I beam being positioned adjacent to first alternate I beams; and a. inclined pivot means for securing said plurality of I beams together such that the I beams may be folded together by having said first plurality of alternate I beams move relative to said second plurality of alternate I beams causing the top and bottom flanges of said first plurality of alternate I beams to rise over the top and bottom flanges of said adjacent plurality of second alternate I beams, and the same may be unfolded to form a structure wherein the tops of all of the plurality of I beams lie in the same plane, whereby the structure may be used as a load carrying structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A portable structure which may be folded together for transporation or storage and then unfolded for use, and comprising: a. a plurality of I beams positioned side by side and having a first plurality of alternate I beams and a second plurality of alternate I beams, with each second alternate I beam being positioned adjacent to first alternate I beams; and a. inclined pivot means for securing said plurality of I beams together such that the I beams may be folded together by having said first plurality of alternate I beams move relative to said second plurality of alternate I beams causing the top and bottom flanges of said first plurality of alternate I beams to rise over the top and bottom flanges of said adjacent plurality of second alternate I beams, and the same may be unfolded to form a structure wherein the tops of all of the plurality of I beams lie in the same plane, whereby the structure may be used as a load carrying structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A portable structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a plurality of hinges coupling adjacent I beams with each of said plurality of hinges having its axes about which it hinges skewed relative to a vertical when the structure is in a horizontal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A portable structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said I beam comprises an aluminum I beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A structure as set forth in claim 2 designed to be used as a bridge and wherein a buoyant material is affixed to at least one I beam to make the bridge buoyant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure as set forth in claim 2 and wherein a cable extends from first ends of said first alternate I beams to some point along the lengths of said second alternate I beams in a fashion to allow the structure to be deployed by tensioning the cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2192269A
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US2344772A
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US2744590A
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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) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |