Annular support device with pivotal segments
First Claim
1. A continuous annular device which may be twisted into an infinite variety of configurations, comprising:
- a plurality of serially connected rigid segments having a first end pivotally secured to one of the two adjacent segments, and a second end pivotally secured to the other one of the two adjacent segment, permitting each segments to be twisted relative to the two adjacent segments causing the annular device to assume any one of an infinite number of configurations, each configuration having a continuous center line therearound;
a first end face on the first end of each segment, which end face is normal to the center line of the annular device defining a first interface plane for each segment, the first end of each segment forming a first interface with the cooperating end of the one of the two adjacent segments along the first interface plane with a pivot axis therethrough normal to the first interface plane;
a second end face on the second end of each segment, which end face is normal to the center line of the annular device defining a second interface plane for each segment, the second end of each segment forming a second interface with the cooperating end of the other one of the two adjacent segments along the first interface plane with a pivot axis therethrough normal to the first interface plane;
a first engagement means on the first end face of each segment; and
a second engagement means on the second end face of each segment for engaging the first engagement means on the other one of the two adjacent segments for securing the plurality of segments together;
the first engagement means is a cylindrical central extension means extending from the first end face;
the second engagement means is a cylindrical central channel means extending into the second end face for pivotally engaging the extension means on the other one of the two adjacent segments,the extension means has an outward extending radial engagement means for engaging the channel means to pivotally secure the adjacent segments together;
the channel means has an outwardly extending radial surface for engaging the radial engagement means on the extension means;
the center axis of the cylindrical extension means is coincident with the center axis of the cooperating cylindrical channel means on the one adjacent segment forming a common pivot axis;
the continuous center line around the annular device is a line of radial symmetry around the annular device;
the coincident center axes are also coincident with the center line of radial symmetry at the interface plane between adjacent segments; and
both the first end face and the second end face on each segment have a central depression with a raised circumferential rim.
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Abstract
An annular support device is formed by a series of identical torus segments with adjacent segments connected end-to-end in a continuous loop. One end face of each segment has a central extension, and the other end face has a central channel for receiving the extension of the adjacent torus segment. The extension-channel interface between adjacent segments defines a twisting axis permitting each segment to be twisted through 360 degrees relative to the other segments. The support device may be twisted into an infinite variety of decorative and useful configurations. Each end face has a raised peripheral rim which abuts with an identical cooperating peripheral rim on the opposed face of the adjacent segment. The rims are circular and define a common interface plane perpendicular to the twist axis therebetween. The torus curve causes the twist axis at each end of a segment to be non-aligned, and prevents individual segments from being twisted relative to both adjacent segments simultaneously. The non-alignment locks each segment in place, and can be displaced only as part of a larger group of segments. The random orientations of the other twisting axis tend to oppose displacement of the segments causing the annular device to retain the present configuration. The twist axis through each extension-channel interface passes through the center of the opposed circular rims. The torus surface of each segment is flush and continuous with the torus surface of the adjacent segments.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A continuous annular device which may be twisted into an infinite variety of configurations, comprising:
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a plurality of serially connected rigid segments having a first end pivotally secured to one of the two adjacent segments, and a second end pivotally secured to the other one of the two adjacent segment, permitting each segments to be twisted relative to the two adjacent segments causing the annular device to assume any one of an infinite number of configurations, each configuration having a continuous center line therearound; a first end face on the first end of each segment, which end face is normal to the center line of the annular device defining a first interface plane for each segment, the first end of each segment forming a first interface with the cooperating end of the one of the two adjacent segments along the first interface plane with a pivot axis therethrough normal to the first interface plane; a second end face on the second end of each segment, which end face is normal to the center line of the annular device defining a second interface plane for each segment, the second end of each segment forming a second interface with the cooperating end of the other one of the two adjacent segments along the first interface plane with a pivot axis therethrough normal to the first interface plane; a first engagement means on the first end face of each segment; and a second engagement means on the second end face of each segment for engaging the first engagement means on the other one of the two adjacent segments for securing the plurality of segments together; the first engagement means is a cylindrical central extension means extending from the first end face; the second engagement means is a cylindrical central channel means extending into the second end face for pivotally engaging the extension means on the other one of the two adjacent segments, the extension means has an outward extending radial engagement means for engaging the channel means to pivotally secure the adjacent segments together; the channel means has an outwardly extending radial surface for engaging the radial engagement means on the extension means; the center axis of the cylindrical extension means is coincident with the center axis of the cooperating cylindrical channel means on the one adjacent segment forming a common pivot axis; the continuous center line around the annular device is a line of radial symmetry around the annular device; the coincident center axes are also coincident with the center line of radial symmetry at the interface plane between adjacent segments; and both the first end face and the second end face on each segment have a central depression with a raised circumferential rim. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification