ADAPTABLE COVERING STRUCTURES
First Claim
1. An assembly comprising:
- first and second links with each link having first and second pivot elements, said first and second pivot elements of each said link being offset from one another in a stepwise relationship;
first and second panels with each panel being offset with one another in a stepwise relationship and each having first and second pivot elements;
wherein said first pivot element of said first panel is connected to said first pivot element of said first link for defining a first pivot;
wherein said first pivot element of said second panel is connected to said second pivot element of said first link for defining a second pivot;
wherein said second pivot element of said first panel is connected to said first pivot element of said second link for defining a third pivot; and
wherein said second pivot element of said second panel is connected to said second pivot element of said second link for defining a fourth pivot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly comprising at least two movable panels, each having an elongated profile and at least two pivot connections is provided. The assembly also includes at least two links, each link comprised of at least two pivot connections, each of which is offset from one another both in the plane orthogonal to the axis of the pivots as well as offset from one another along the vector defined by the axis of the pivots itself. The assembly further includes a single fixed member to which the two or more links are pivotally attached. The movable panels are each pivotally attached to at least two of the two or more links. The assembly may take an extended configuration wherein the panels form a continuous surface having a polygonal profile in plan and a stepped profile in elevation. The assembly may take on a retracted configuration such that the panels are essentially stacked over one another to form a compact bundle having an elongated profile.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
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first and second links with each link having first and second pivot elements, said first and second pivot elements of each said link being offset from one another in a stepwise relationship;
first and second panels with each panel being offset with one another in a stepwise relationship and each having first and second pivot elements;
wherein said first pivot element of said first panel is connected to said first pivot element of said first link for defining a first pivot;
wherein said first pivot element of said second panel is connected to said second pivot element of said first link for defining a second pivot;
wherein said second pivot element of said first panel is connected to said first pivot element of said second link for defining a third pivot; and
wherein said second pivot element of said second panel is connected to said second pivot element of said second link for defining a fourth pivot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification