Moldable edge connecting apparatus
OwnerAlvin E. Alvyninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A moldable edge connecting apparatus is disclosed that can optionally be employed as a hinge. It is suitable for use as fencing and is particularly applicable to removable fencing. It employs integrally molded connecting fingers that are designed without deep slots, lips thereover, or fully circumscribed openings to economize on mold manufacturing cost and the expense and difficulty of operating the mold, rendering the invention appropriate to very low cost items. The entire structure is substantially coplanar with segments to be connected, even when used as a hinge, and utilizes half-round grooves that are substantially no deeper than the radius of the groove.
Claims17
In an improved edge connecting apparatus having connecting fingers respectively molded integrally with each segment to be connected, the improvement comprising:
- a first segment having first connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other;
- a second segment having second connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other, said grooves being not substantially deeper than their radius;
- a joining rod having a rod axis coaxial with and passing through the half-round grooves of the connecting fingers of each segment, said rod axis being substantially coplanar with a midline disposed within sidewalls of at least one of the segments to be connected;
- said first connecting fingers alternating with said second connecting fingers along the rod axis of the joining rod;
- and
- the connecting fingers of at least one segment having end surfaces radiused coaxial with the half-round grooves such that the segments can pivot with respect to each other about the rod axis as a hinge.
In an improved edge connecting apparatus having connecting fingers respectively molded integrally with each segment to be connected, the improvement comprising:
- first segment connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other;
- second segment connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other and with the half-round grooves of the first segment connecting fingers, said grooves being not substantially deeper than their radius;
- a joining rod having a rod axis coaxial with and passing through the half-round grooves of the first and second segment connecting fingers, said rod axis being substantially coplanar with a midline disposed within sidewalls of at least one of the segments to be connected;
- said first connecting fingers alternating with said second connecting fingers along the rod axis of the joining rod;
- and
- the connecting fingers of at least one segment having end surfaces radiused coaxial with the half-round grooves such that the segments can pivot with respect to each other about the rod axis as a hinge.
In an improved edge connecting apparatus having connecting fingers respectively molded integrally with each segment to be connected, the improvement comprising:
- first segment connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other;
- second segment connecting fingers in opposed pairs and defining therein half-round grooves coaxial with each other and with the half-round grooves of the first segment connecting fingers said grooves being not substantially deeper than their radius;
- a joining rod having a rod axis coaxial with and passing through the half-round grooves of the first and second segment connecting fingers, said rod axis being coplanar with a midline disposed within sidewalls of at least one of the segments to be connected, said joining rod being extended beyond the segments to be inserted into the earth as a fence post, providing sole support for the segments constituting portions of a fence;
- said first connecting fingers alternating with said second connecting fingers along the rod axis of the joining rod;
- and
- the connecting fingers of at least one segment having end surfaces radiused coaxial with the half-round grooves such that the segment can pivot with respect to each other about the rod axis as a hinge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.