Slit tube extendible members and methods for manufacturing same
US11787160B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2597/00
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Extendible slit tube members and methods for manufacturing extendible slit tube members are provided. In one aspect, an extendible member (10) comprises a laminated shell (2) of plural fibre reinforced layers (P1-P5) constructed and arranged to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. In the extended form (12) the shell is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having longitudinal edges (14) defining a slit (3) along its length and wherein the shell can be opened out at the slit to assume a flattened form in which it can be wound about an axis extending transversely to its longitudinal direction to assume its coiled form (11). In the region of one or both longitudinal edges (50), the amount of reinforcing fibre is less than in the region between the edge regions (51). In another aspect, a flexible cord (40) may be attached along the edge of a shell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.