US3832775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable implement and method of manufacture thereof
Assignee: BARLOW SPECIALTY ADVERTISING Inc 2330 PONTIUS AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90064 A CORP OF
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Filing: 1972-08-21
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1992-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A foldable implement in which one or more tools are pivotally supported in a body, the body assembly being formed into an integral unit from two spaced generally rectangular plastic plates sonically welded together. Preformed pins on one of the plates provide pivots for the tools. Operationally, these pivoted tools are held at open and close positions by unique spring means housed in the body assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 A Stahel
- 👤 T Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:42
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B26; B26B; B26B11/00; B29C65/00; B29C65/56; B29C65/60; B29C65/606; B29C65/608; B29C65/78; B29C65/7802; B29C65/7805; B29C65/7814; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/12; B29C66/126; B29C66/20; B29C66/21; B29C66/302; B29C66/3022; B29C66/30223; B29C66/541; B29C66/5414; B29C66/543; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/73921; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C66/30221; B29C66/71; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/28; B29L2031/283; B29L2031/46; B29L2031/463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A pocket implement comprising: a first plate having an integral pivot pin generally normal to said first plate and having a free end surface; a second plate having an inner surface facing said first plate and in abutment with said free end surface; tool means pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on a pivot pin; and a fusion joint connecting said inner surface to said free end surface of the pivot pin of said first plate to form a unitary body assembly such that the integral pivot pin functions as a tool means pivot secured to said plates at both ends and as a plate spacer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A pocket implement comprising: a first plate having an integral pivot pin generally normal to said first plate and having a free end surface; a second plate having an inner surface facing said first plate and in abutment with said free end surface; tool means pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on a pivot pin; and a fusion joint connecting said inner surface to said free end surface of the pivot pin of said first plate to form a unitary body assembly such that the integral pivot pin functions as a tool means pivot secured to said plates at both ends and as a plate spacer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 1 including: spring means having a fixed portion rigidly held within a cavity defined between the first and second plates in the body assembly and a yieldable portion engaging the tool means near the pivot pin to hold the tool at a plurality of predetermined pivotal positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 1 including: cylindrical bearing means positioned about the pivot pin of the pivotally mounted tool means, said tool means being pivotally mounted thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 1 including: a partition normal to and integral with one of said plates and engaging the other plate such that the first and second plates are held in a predetermined spaced relationship when joined together in a unitary body assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 2 including: means integrally formed with one of said plates and defining a shaped cavity for retaining the spring means in the body assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 4 including: an integral energy director bead along the top of the integral partition to provide for sonic welding of the plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 3 including: a bearing retainer groove at the base of the pivot pin to retain the bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 5 wherein the spring-retaining means comprises: a key integral on said one plate; and a slot on the spring means to receive the key whereby the spring means is retained in the body assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 1 wherein: said plates are formed of thermoplastic material, said joining means comprises sonically welded portions of the first and second plates forming a unitary body assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 2 including two separately pivotal tool means having generally parallel pivotal axes, and two pivot pins extending from said plates, the spring means comprising: a spring having a bight portion and a pair of free ends each engaging one of said tool means adjacent its pivot axis, said free ends tending to be generally parallel when depressed by the corresponding tool means whereby the loads on the spring are directed inwardly and are compensatory whereby a relatively small force is exerted on The body assembly in which the spring is secured.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 9 including: a socket in the second plate to accept the integral pivot pin of the first plate; and an integral energy director protuberance in the bottom of the socket to enhance sonic welding of the integral pivot pin to the second plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 11 including cylindrical bearing means surrounding said pivot pin and extending into said socket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an integral pin on the second plate; and a corresponding socket on the first plate such that the plates are guided and aligned when joined together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pocket implement as recited in claim 3 including bearing retaining grooves at the base of the pivot pin formed in each of said plates to retain the bearing means, said bearing means extending into said grooves.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of manufacturing a foldable pocket implement which includes a body assembly having two plates which define a tool cavity, pivot pin means, and a pivotally mounted apertured tool means in said tool cavity comprising the steps of: integrally molding said pivot pin means and one of said plates from a thermoplastic material, assembling the apertured portion of said tool means on said pin means, molding the other plate of a thermoplastic material, assembling said other plate over said one plate with its internal surface in abutting engagement with the end surface of said pin means to retain said tool means on said pin means and within the cavity defined between said plates, and fusing said other plate to said end surface of said pin.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of manufacturing a foldable pocket implement which includes a body assembly having two plates which define a tool cavity, pivot pin means, and a pivotally mounted apertured tool means in said tool cavity comprising the steps of: integrally molding said pivot pin means and one of said plates from a thermoplastic material, assembling the apertured portion of said tool means on said pin means, molding the other plate of a thermoplastic material, assembling said other plate over said one plate with its internal surface in abutting engagement with the end surface of said pin means to retain said tool means on said pin means and within the cavity defined between said plates, and fusing said other plate to said end surface of said pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of clamping one portion of a resilient means between said plates with a free portion thereof in resilient engagement with said tool means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16 wherein a cavity is formed in said other plate to receive the end of said pin, and including the step of applying sonic energy thereto to fuse said pin in said cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 17 wherein partition portions are formed on one of said plates to define said cavity and partially surround said resilient means, including the steps of forming protuberant portions in said cavity and on said partition portions, and applying sonic energy thereto to fuse said partition to the other of said plates and to fuse said pin in said cavity.
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) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |