U.S. patent application number 11/349511 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for tubular interconnecting support structure.
Invention is credited to Thomas A. Pfeifer.
Application Number | 20060180702 11/349511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814716 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060180702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfeifer; Thomas A. |
August 17, 2006 |
Tubular interconnecting support structure
Abstract
A tubular support structure (20) includes a first section (22)
and a second section (24) longitudinally interconnected with the
first section (22). A third section (66) is longitudinally
interconnected with the second section (24), and has an end that
abuts an end of the first section (22) to form a butt joint (76). A
fastener system (46) couples the first and third sections (22, 66)
with the second section (24), the fastener system (46) being
retained internal to the first, second, and third sections (22, 24,
66). Multiple sections can be assembled to form a variable length
support (20), with the resulting multiple butt joints (76) formed
between pairs of sections along support (20) being longitudinally
offset along support (20) relative to one another.
Inventors: |
Pfeifer; Thomas A.;
(Glendale, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charlene R. Jacobsen;MESCHKOW & GRESHAM, P.L.C.
Suite 409
5727 North Seventh Street
Phoenix
AZ
85014
US
|
Family ID: |
36814716 |
Appl. No.: |
11/349511 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11266847 |
Nov 3, 2005 |
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11349511 |
Feb 6, 2006 |
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60626255 |
Nov 8, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/609.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 37/045 20130101;
D05C 9/10 20130101; B65H 75/241 20130101; D05C 9/04 20130101; D05B
39/005 20130101; B65H 75/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/609.1 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/14 20060101
B65H075/14 |
Claims
1. A tubular support structure comprising: a first section; a
second section longitudinally interconnected with said first
section; and a fastener coupling said second section with said
first section, said fastener being retained internal to said first
and second sections.
2. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each
of said first and second sections includes inwardly extending
ribs.
3. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
inwardly extending ribs are radially oriented.
4. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
inwardly extending ribs are directed away from a radial direction
of said tubular support structure to form a generally rectangular
central cavity.
5. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each
of said first and second sections exhibits an arcuate
cross-sectional shape such that interconnection of said first and
second sections yields said tubular support structure exhibiting an
elliptical cross-sectional shape.
6. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each
of said first and second sections comprises: a first outer surface;
and a second outer surface oriented approximately perpendicular to
said first outer surface such that interconnection of said first
and second sections yields said tubular support structure
exhibiting a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
7. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said
first section comprises an integrally formed trough slidably
capturing a head of said fastener; and said second section
comprises means for retaining a distal end of said fastener.
8. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said
retaining means of second section comprises a second integrally
formed trough; and said tubular support structure further comprises
a connector element slidably captured in said second trough, said
connector element having a receiving section for retaining said
distal end of said fastener.
9. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said
first section comprises a first tab element extending from a first
interior surface of said first section; said second section
comprises a second tab element extending from a second interior
surface of said second section, said second tab element being
oriented in opposing relation with said first tab element to form a
central channel between said first and second tab elements; and
said fastener comprises a longitudinally oriented pin seated in
said central channel, said pin producing a tensioning force against
said first and second tab elements to hold said first and second
sections together.
10. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said
first section comprises a first longitudinal edge having a first
tongue portion and a second longitudinal edge having a first groove
portion; and said second section comprises a third longitudinal
edge having a second tongue portion and a fourth longitudinal edge
having a second groove portion, said second tongue portion fitting
in said first groove portion and said first tongue portion fitting
in said second groove portion to interconnect said first and second
sections.
11. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a third section longitudinally interconnected with said
second section, and having a first end abutting a second end of
said first section to form a butt joint.
12. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein said
fastener is a first fastener, and said structure further comprises:
a second fastener for coupling said third section with said second
section; and a connector bar slidably captured in an integrally
formed trough of said second section, said connecter bar having a
first receiving section for retaining a first distal end of said
first fastener and a second receiving section for retaining a
second distal end of said second fastener.
13. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein said
butt joint is a first butt joint, and said structure further
comprises a fourth section having a third end abutting a fourth end
of said second section to form a second butt joint longitudinally
offset along said tubular support structure from said first butt
joint.
14. A tubular support structure comprising: a first section, said
first section including a first longitudinal edge having a first
tongue portion and a second longitudinal edge having a first groove
portion; a second section, said second section including a third
longitudinal edge having a second tongue portion and a fourth
longitudinal edge having a second groove portion, said second
tongue portion fitting in said first groove portion and said first
tongue portion fitting in said second groove portion to
interconnect said first and second sections, and each of said first
and second sections including inwardly extending ribs; and a
fastener coupling said second section with said first section, said
fastener being retained internal to said first and second
sections.
15. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 14 wherein:
said first section comprises an integrally formed trough slidably
capturing a head of said fastener; and said second section
comprises means for retaining a distal end of said fastener.
16. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 15 wherein:
said retaining means of said second section further comprises a
second integrally formed trough; and said tubular support structure
further comprises a connector element slidably captured in said
second trough, said connector element having a receiving-section
for retaining said distal end of said fastener.
17. A tubular support structure comprising: a first section; a
second section longitudinally interconnected with said first
section; a third section longitudinally interconnected with said
second section, and having a first end abutting a second end of
said first section to form a butt joint; and a fastener system
coupling said second section with said first and third sections,
said fastener system being retained internal to said first, second,
and third sections.
18. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 17 wherein:
said fastener system includes a first fastener and a second
fastener; said first section comprises a first integrally formed
trough slidably capturing a first head of said first fastener; said
third section comprises a second integrally formed trough slidably
capturing a second head of said second fastener; and said second
section comprises means for retaining a distal end of each of said
first and second fasteners.
19. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 18 wherein:
said retaining means of said second section includes a third
integrally formed trough; and said fastener system further
comprises a connector bar slidably captured in said third trough,
said connecter bar having a first receiving section for retaining
said distal end of said first fastener and a second receiving
section for retaining said distal end of said second fastener.
20. A tubular support structure as claimed in claim 17 wherein said
butt joint is a first butt joint, and said structure further
comprises a fourth section having a third end abutting a fourth end
of said second section to form a second butt joint longitudinally
offset along said tubular support structure from said first butt
joint.
Description
RELATED INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is a continuation in part (CIP) of
"Tubular Interconnecting Support Structure," U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/266,847, filed 3 Nov. 2005, still pending,
which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to "Continuous
Beam," U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/626,255,
filed 8 Nov. 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of tubular
support structures. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a tubular support structure system for accommodating
varying lengths of rolled up materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Elongated tubular structures that support materials, such as
rolled up fabric, paper, and the like, may be needed of varying
lengths to accommodate varying widths of such materials. Stocking
multiple independent tubular structures to accommodate varying
lengths of materials is impractical and expensive. In addition, at
greater lengths, a tubular structure may bow or permanently deform
due the weight of the material it is supporting.
[0004] Market demand has lead to the development of quilting
devices for holding fabric to be quilted and moving a sewing
machine relative to the fabric. A typical quilting device includes
a frame system for holding the fabric to be quilted, and a platform
supporting a sewing machine for moving the sewing machine relative
to the fabric. Generally, the frame holds one or more payout
rollers, onto which fabric is rolled, and a take-up roller. The
take-up roller is typically directed through the throat of the
sewing machine so that fabric suspended between the payout rollers
and the take-up roller can be passed under the needle bar of the
sewing machine for machine stitching. The platform typically
includes two carriages, one sitting upon the other. One carriage
moves in a longitudinal direction, and the other carriage moves
upon the first carriage in a transverse direction. The platform can
then be manipulated by the user to impart a stitch pattern onto the
fabric.
[0005] The pay-out and take-up rollers may be short to support
fabric for making small quilts, such as baby quilts or wall
hangings, or may be elongated to support fabric for making quilts
of greater width to accommodate, for example, king sized beds.
Fabric rolled onto these elongated rollers can be heavy, thus
causing bowing or deformation of the rollers. In addition, the use
of elongated rollers for making small quilts can be quite
cumbersome for the user. Moreover, maintaining an inventory of
rollers in varying lengths for accommodating a wide variety of
fabric widths is costly and unwieldy to store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention
that a tubular interconnecting support structure is provided.
[0007] It is another advantage of the present invention that a
tubular interconnecting support structure is provided that is
created from sections for accommodating a wide variety of material
widths rolled thereon.
[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is that a tubular
interconnecting support structure is provided that is resistant to
bowing and/or permanent deformation from the weight of the material
rolled thereon.
[0009] The above and other advantages of the present invention are
carried out in one form by a tubular support structure including a
first section and a second section longitudinally interconnected
with the first section. A fastener couples the second section with
the first section, the fastener being retained internal to the
first and second sections.
[0010] The above and other advantages of the present invention are
carried out in another form by a tubular support structure
comprising a first section and a second section. The first section
includes a first longitudinal edge having a first tongue portion
and a second longitudinal edge having a first groove portion. The
second section includes a third longitudinal edge having a second
tongue portion and a fourth longitudinal edge having a second
groove portion. The second tongue portion fits in the first groove
portion and the first tongue portion fits in the second groove
portion to interconnect the first and second sections. Each of the
first and second sections includes inwardly extending ribs. A
fastener couples the second section with the first section, the
fastener being retained internal to the first and second
sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when
considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference
numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exploded end view of a tubular
interconnecting support structure in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an end view of the tubular interconnecting
support structure of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the interconnecting support
structure of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective end view of the tubular
interconnecting support structure of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an exploded end view of a tubular
interconnecting support structure in accordance with an alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows an end view of the tubular interconnecting
support structure of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an exploded end view of a tubular
interconnecting support structure in accordance with another
alternative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 8 shows an end view of the tubular interconnecting
support structure of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention provides a tubular interconnecting
support structure for supporting material, such as, fabric, quilt
batting, paper, and the like rolled thereon. Such a support
structure may be effectively utilized on a quilting frame as fabric
rollers that allow variable length configurations. However, the
tubular interconnecting support structure is not limited to such a
use. In addition, it may be utilized as a bar from which items are
suspended, as a beam within another structure, and the like.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, FIG. 1 shows an exploded end view of
a tubular interconnecting support structure 20 in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an end
view of tubular interconnecting support structure 20.
[0022] Tubular interconnecting support structure 20 includes a
first section 22 and a second section 24 that mate and form
longitudinally oriented joints 26. In particular, first section 22
includes a first longitudinal edge 28 having a first tongue portion
30, and a second longitudinal edge 32 having a first groove portion
34. Correspondingly, second section 24 includes a third
longitudinal edge 36 having a second tongue portion 38, and a
fourth longitudinal edge 40 having a second groove portion 42.
[0023] As shown, second tongue portion 38 of second section 24 fits
into first groove portion 34 of first section 22. Likewise, first
tongue portion 30 of first section 22 fits into second groove
portion 42 of second section 24. This interlocking fit along
longitudinally oriented joints 26 yields a sturdy joint resistant
to separation when subjected to shear forces.
[0024] First and second sections 22 and 24 include rib members 44
that extend inwardly into the interior of the tubular support
structure 20. Rib members 44 are radially oriented and run the
length of first and second sections 22 and 24. Rib members 44
provide structural reinforcement so that tubular support structure
20 is resistant to bowing and/or permanent deformation due to the
weight of the material rolled onto or suspended from structure
20.
[0025] First and second sections 22 and 24 are held together via a
fastener system 46 that includes a fastener 48 and a connecter
element 50 having a receiving section, in the form of a threaded
opening 52, for retaining a distal end 54 of fastener 48. Fastener
48 and connector element 50 are located internal to first and
second sections 22 and 24. More specifically, first section 22
includes an integrally formed first trough 56 that slidably
captures a head 58 of fastener 48. Second section 24 includes an
integrally formed second trough 60 that slidably captures connector
element 50.
[0026] In operation, head 58 of fastener 48 is slid into first
trough 56, and connector element 50 is slid into second trough 60.
Fastener head 58 is accessible via an access opening 62 through
first section 22. Distal end 54 of fastener 48 can then be secured
to threaded opening 52 by inserting a tool, such as a hex head
wrench or screwdriver, into fastener head 54 through access opening
62. As fastener 48 is secured to connector element 50, first and
second sections 22 and 24, respectively, are coupled tightly
together by the forces imposed on inner surfaces 64 of first and
second troughs 56 and 60, respectively, by fastener head 58 and
connector element 50, respectively.
[0027] First and second sections 22 and 24, exhibit a generally
arcuate or curved cross-sectional shape. Consequently, when first
and second sections 22 and 24 are coupled together, the resulting
cross-sectional shape of tubular support structure is elliptical,
and in this example, generally circular in nature. In an exemplary
embodiment, first and second sections 22 and 24 are identically
shaped and can be manufactured using, for example, an extrusion
process. First and second sections 22 and 24 may be formed from
aluminum, a rigid plastic material, and so forth, and can be cut
into various pre-determined lengths.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4 in connection with FIGS. 1-2,
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of interconnecting
support structure 20, and FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective end
view of tubular interconnecting support structure 20. As shown in
FIG. 3, a variable length tubular support structure is formed
utilizing additional sections.
[0029] In this example scenario, tubular interconnecting support
structure 20 includes first and second sections 22 and 24,
respectively. In addition, structure 20 includes a third section 66
and a fourth section 68. Additional sections 70 can be added to
structure 20 until a desired length is reached. The discussion
below applying to third and fourth sections 66 and 68,
respectively, can be applied equivalently to additional sections
70.
[0030] Third and fourth sections 66 and 68 are shaped identically
to first and second sections 22 and 24, respectively. Therefore,
the above-presented discussion need not be repeated. Third section
66 is longitudinally interconnected with second section 24 and has
a first end 72 abutting a second end 74 of first section 22 to form
one of a number of butt joints 76. A blown-up view of butt joint 76
between first and third sections 22 and 66, respectively, is
presented in FIG. 3 for clarity of illustration to portray the
interconnection of first and third sections 22 and 66 with second
section 24.
[0031] Connector element 50 is a connector bar having threaded
opening 52, referred to hereinafter as first threaded opening 52,
for attachment of fastener 48, referred to hereinafter as first
fastener 48. Connector element 50 further includes a second
receiving section, in the form of a second threaded opening 78 for
attachment of a second fastener 80 of fastener system 46 that
functions to couple third section 66 with second section 24.
[0032] Assembly of tubular interconnecting support structure 20 to
form butt joint 76 entails attaching first fastener 48 to threaded
opening 52 of connector element 50, and attaching second fastener
80 to second threaded opening 78 of connector element. Connector
element 50 can then be slid to the desired location in second
trough 60. Each of first and third sections 22 and 66,
respectively, are then mated with second section 24 and adjusted
such that access opening 62 of each of first and third sections 22
and 66 align with first and second fasteners 48 and 80,
respectively. First and second fasteners 48 and 80 are then
tightened into first and second threaded openings 52 and 78 to
tightly couple first and third sections 22 and 66 with second
section 24. This procedure can be repeated with fourth section 68
and each of sections 70 until a desired length of structure 20 has
been attained.
[0033] Retention of first and second fasteners 48 and 80 in first
trough 56 and retention of connector bar 50 in second trough 60,
and the attachment of first and second fasteners 48 and 80 to
connector bar 50 yields a strong butt joint 76 that is resistant to
bending and/or permanent deformation when subjected to the loads
imposed on tubular interconnected support structure 20.
[0034] It should be noted that each end of support structure 20, of
which only one is shown in FIG. 3 may include a mechanism, such as
a post or spindle 82, for attachment to another structure. For
example, when tubular interconnecting support structure 20 is used
in connection with a quilting table, posts 82 may couple structure
20 to supports attached to the frame of a quilting table. Fastener
system 46, such as first fastener 48 and connector 50, may be
installed into first and second sections 22 and 24, respectively,
proximate spindle 82 to serve as a stop so that spindle 82 is
prevented from sliding too far into tubular interconnecting support
structure 20.
[0035] As further shown in FIG. 3, butt joints 76 can be offset or
staggered for additional structural integrity. For example, another
of butt joints 76 is formed between a third end 84 of fourth
section 68 and a fourth end 86 of second section 24. Butt joint 76
formed between second and fourth sections 24 and 68, respectively,
is longitudinally offset or spaced apart from butt joint 76 between
first and third sections 22 and 66, respectively.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, connection at butt joints 76 is
accomplished utilizing fastener system 46. However, those skilled
in the art will recognize that other temporary fastener techniques
may alternatively be employed, or the joint connection may be made
permanent by welding, gluing and the like. In addition, although
the sections of tubular support structure 20 are joined utilizing
an internally located fastener system 46, they may alternatively be
joined externally.
[0037] Tubular support structure 20 is formed by longitudinally
connected pairs of sections, each section forming half of the
circumference of support structure 20. However, such is not a
limitation of the present invention. Rather, tubular support
structure 20 may be formed of multiple longitudinally connected
sections. By way of example, in an alternative embodiment, a
tubular support structure may be formed from four sections, where
each section forms one quarter of the circumference of the tubular
interconnecting support structure.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, FIG. 5 shows an exploded end view of
a tubular interconnecting support structure 90 in accordance with
an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6
shows an end view of tubular interconnecting support structure 90.
Tubular support structure 90 includes a first section 92 and a
second section 94 that mate to form longitudinally oriented joints
96.
[0039] Each of first hand second sections 92 and 94, respectively,
includes a first outer surface 98 and a second outer surface 100
oriented approximately perpendicular to first outer surface 98.
Consequently, interconnection of first and second sections 92 and
94 yields tubular support structure 90 exhibiting a rectangular
cross-sectional shape, and in this example, generally square in
nature.
[0040] Like tubular support structure 20 (FIG. 1), first section 92
includes a first longitudinal edge 102 having a first tongue
portion 104, and a second longitudinal edge 106 having a first
groove portion 108. Correspondingly, second section 94 includes a
third longitudinal edge 110 having a second tongue portion 112, and
a fourth longitudinal edge 114 having a second groove portion
116.
[0041] As shown, second tongue portion 112 of second section 94
fits into first groove portion 108 of first section 92. Likewise,
first tongue portion 104 of first section 92 fits into second
groove portion 116 of second section 94. This interlocking fit
along longitudinally oriented joints 96 yields a sturdy joint
resistant to separation when subjected to shear forces.
[0042] First and second sections 92 and 94 include rib members 118
that extend inwardly into the interior of the tubular support
structure 90. Rib members 118 run the length of first and second
sections 92 and 94, and provide structural reinforcement so that
tubular support structure 90 is resistant to bowing and/or
permanent deformation due to the weight of the material rolled onto
or suspended from structure 20.
[0043] First section 92 further includes a first tab element 120
extending from an interior surface 122 of first section 92.
Likewise, second section 92 includes a second tab element 124
extending from an interior surface 126 of second section 94. First
and second tab elements 120 and 124 are hook shaped and are
oriented in opposing relation with one another. This orientation
produces a central channel 128 between first and second tab
elements 120 and 124, respectively.
[0044] A longitudinally oriented pin 130 is seated in this central
channel 128. Pin 130 produces a tensioning force, represented by
outwardly directed arrows 132, against first and second tab
elements 120 and 124, respectively. Tensioning force 132 serves to
hold first and second sections 92 and 94, respectively, together.
Pin 130 may extend from an end of structure 90 so that another pair
of first and second section 92 and 94, respectively may be coupled
thereon to form a variable length tubular interconnecting support
structure 90. In such a configuration, one or both of first and
second tab elements 120 and 124, respectively, may optionally
include a stop so that pin 130 is prevented from sliding too far
into central channel 128. Similar to the configuration of FIGS.
1-4, butt joints (not shown) of structure 90 can be staggered for
additional structural integrity.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 7-8, FIG. 7 shows an exploded end view of
a tubular interconnecting support structure 136 in accordance with
another alternative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8
shows an end view of tubular interconnecting support structure 136.
Tubular support structure 136 is of a generally circular
cross-sectional shape having a first section 138 and second section
140 that also mate to form longitudinally oriented joints 142.
Tubular support structure 136 shares many of the features of
tubular support structure 20, such as variability of length,
internal fasteners, tongue and groove mating longitudinal edges,
and the like. Hence, they need not be repeated herein.
[0046] Like tubular support structures 20 (FIG. 1) and 90 (FIG. 5)
discussed above, first and second sections 138 and 140 also include
rib members 144 that extend inwardly into the interior of structure
136 for strength. However, unlike rib members 44 (FIG. 1) of
tubular support structure 20, rib members 144 deviate away from a
radial direction of tubular support structure 136. This deviation
of rib members 144 produces a generally rectangular central cavity
146. Rectangular central cavity 146 can accommodate a pin, such as
spindle 82 (FIG. 3) having a rectangular cross section.
[0047] The tubular interconnecting support structures shown in
FIGS. 1-8 may be implemented on a quilting frame as fabric rollers
that allow variable length configurations. The variable length
rollers allow for accommodation of a narrower quilt (for example,
less than forty-seven inches in width) through a much wider "king
sized" quilt (for example, approximately one hundred and five
inches in width). Such beam-like fabric rollers and the internally
located ribs are structurally rigid, durable, and readily
assembled, while retaining the ability of break down into shorter
parts for convenient storage and shipping.
[0048] In summary, the present invention teaches of a tubular
interconnecting support structure that is created from sections for
accommodating a wide variety of material widths rolled thereon. The
tubular interconnecting support structure includes internally
extending ribs and longitudinally offset butt joints that are
resistant to bowing and/or permanent deformation.
[0049] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have
been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may
be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention
or from the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *