Back to results
US 12,522,537 B2Granted
Collapsible engagement mechanism
AssigneeJordon Peter Marshall
InventorJordon Peter Marshall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and systems for collapsible engagement mechanisms are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a front panel, a first side panel connected to the front panel, a second side panel connected to the front panel, and a collapsible portion connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel, where the collapsible portion is collapsible about a hinge.
Claims19
A collapsible engagement mechanism, comprising:
- a front panel that is non-collapsible;
- a first side panel connected to the front panel via a first hinge;
- a second side panel connected to the front panel via a second hinge;
- and
- a collapsible portion that includes a first collapsible panel connected to the first side panel and a second collapsible panel connected to the second side panel, wherein:
- the collapsible portion is collapsible about a third hinge connecting the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel such that the collapsible engagement mechanism is configured to be in a collapsed position;
- the first side panel, the second side panel, and the collapsible portion are configured to rotate relative to the front panel such that the collapsible portion moves from a collapsed orientation to an over-center orientation and the collapsible engagement mechanism moves from the collapsed position to an engaged position, wherein the over-center orientation creates a tension between the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel that prevents collapse;
- and
- the collapsible portion is located opposite of the front panel when the collapsible engagement mechanism is in the engaged position.
6 more elements
A collapsible engagement mechanism, comprising:
- a front panel that is non-collapsible;
- a first side panel connected to the front panel via a first hinge, the first side panel including a first engagement mechanism;
- a second side panel connected to the front panel via a second hinge, the second side panel including a second engagement mechanism;
- and
- a collapsible portion that includes a first collapsible panel connected to the first side panel and a second collapsible panel connected to the second side panel, wherein:
- the collapsible portion is collapsible about a third hinge connecting the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel such that the collapsible engagement mechanism is configured to be in a collapsed position to be inserted between two rails of an engagement structure;
- the first side panel, the second side panel, and the collapsible portion are configured to rotate relative to the front panel such that the collapsible portion moves from a collapsed orientation to an over-center orientation and the collapsible engagement mechanism moves from the collapsed position to an engaged position to engage with the two rails of the engagement structure, wherein the over-center orientation creates a tension between the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel that prevents collapse;
- and
- the collapsible portion is located opposite of the front panel when the collapsible engagement mechanism is in the engaged position.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a collapsible engagement mechanism comprising:
- a front panel that is non-collapsible;
- a first side panel connected to the front panel via a first hinge, the first side panel including a first engagement mechanism;
- a second side panel connected to the front panel via a second hinge, the second side panel including a second engagement mechanism;
- and
- a collapsible portion that includes a first collapsible panel connected the first side panel and a second collapsible panel connected to the second side panel, wherein:
- the collapsible portion is collapsible about a third hinge connecting the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel such that the collapsible engagement mechanism is configured to be in a collapsed position;
- the first side panel, the second side panel, and the collapsible portion are configured to rotate relative to the front panel such that the collapsible portion moves from a collapsed orientation to an over-center orientation and the collapsible engagement mechanism moves from the collapsed position to an engaged position, wherein the over-center orientation creates a tension between the first collapsible panel and the second collapsible panel that prevents collapse;
- and
- the collapsible portion and the front panel are substantially parallel to each other when the collapsible engagement mechanism is in the engaged position;
- and
- an engagement structure including two rails, wherein the collapsible engagement mechanism is sized to interact with the two rails via the first and second engagement mechanisms when the collapsible engagement mechanism is in the engaged position.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.