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US 5,632,071 AGranted
Flexible hinge connector
OwnerMartha Maunderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible hinge connector, and method for making same is provided comprising a hinge having flange and loop portions constructed out of flexible, planar material, and a loop connector which may comprise flexible, compressible material, thereby allowing the flexible hinge connector to compress and deform without damage. The flexible hinge connector allows flexible objects to be hingedly connected without a rigid hinge. The flexible hinge connector may also be seamlessly incorporated into such objects.
Claims12
A flexible connector comprising:
- a first flange comprising a section of planar, flexible material;
- a first set of loops formed from and integral with said planar, flexible material of said first flange and comprising a first set of strips of planar, flexible material having first and second end portions;
- and wherein said first and second end portions are fixed in relative positions proximate one another thereby forming said first set of loops;
- a second flange comprising a section of planar, flexible material seamlessly attached to said first flange,
- a second set of loops formed from and integral with said planar, flexible material of said second flange and comprising a second set of strips of planar, flexible material having first and second end portions;
- and wherein said first and second end portions are fixed in relative positions proximate one another thereby forming said second set of loops;
- a flexible and compressible loop connector disposed through and between said first and second sets of loops and alternately passing through a loop of said first set and then a loop of said second set so as to form a single row of loops in a single plane;
- and
- said first flange, said second flange, said first set of loops and said second set of loops being movable with respect to said loop connector.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.