FLEXIBLE DRIVE SHAFT FOR GREETING CARDS AND THE LIKE
First Claim
1. A foldable article comprising:
- a first subpanel and a second subpanel, each of the first subpanel and the second subpanel includes a folding edge, each folding edge is positioned adjacent to the other such that the first subpanel and the second subpanel are configured to pivot about the folding edge relative to one another; and
a flexible drive shaft having first, second, and third segments, wherein the first segment is fixed at a first angle to the second segment, wherein the third segment is fixed at a second angle to the second segment and the third segment is opposite the first segment, wherein the first segment is positioned on the first subpanel side of the fold line, and wherein the second segment and the third segment are positioned on the second subpanel side of the fold line.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A foldable article comprising:
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a first subpanel and a second subpanel, each of the first subpanel and the second subpanel includes a folding edge, each folding edge is positioned adjacent to the other such that the first subpanel and the second subpanel are configured to pivot about the folding edge relative to one another; and a flexible drive shaft having first, second, and third segments, wherein the first segment is fixed at a first angle to the second segment, wherein the third segment is fixed at a second angle to the second segment and the third segment is opposite the first segment, wherein the first segment is positioned on the first subpanel side of the fold line, and wherein the second segment and the third segment are positioned on the second subpanel side of the fold line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A foldable article comprising:
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a first subpanel and a second subpanel, each of the first subpanel and the second subpanel includes a folding edge, each folding edge is positioned adjacent to the other such that the first subpanel and the second subpanel are configured to pivot about the folding edge relative to one another; and a drive shaft comprised of a flexible material, the drive shaft having a first segment fixed at an angle to a second segment and a driven portion fixed at an angle to the second segment opposite the first segment, the first segment coupled to the first subpanel, at least one of the second segment or the driven portion coupled to the second subpanel, wherein the drive shaft transfers mechanical motion from the first segment to the driven portion in response to relative movement between the first subpanel and the second subpanel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification