Blow molded articles and method of making

• US 6,102,156 A
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Confer Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Confer Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lipniarski, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Curtis A.
• Application Number:
  US09/115,046
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 49/381, 16/257, 16/260, 16/222, 16/225, 16/303, 16/312, 16/314, 16/315, 16/317, 425/525, 211/189, 182/118, 182/152
• US Class Current: 182/118
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/0045 Perforating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/009 after shaping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/041 using an accumulator head
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/20 of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/50 having cutting or deflashing means
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/745 Ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/025 Stairways having stringers E04F11/035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/1043 with an upper layer of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/0218 mainly of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/144 Means for facilitating access, e.g. step units or slides invalid-lifting devices for swimming pools A61G7/1005
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/28 multi-part with movable supporting struts formed as ladders E06C1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/38 Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/006 Devices for preventing access
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/08 Special construction of longitudinal members, or rungs or other treads
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/081 Rungs or other treads comprising anti-slip features
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/42 Ladder feet; Supports therefor for scaffold elements E04G5/02

Abstract

A gate hingedly connected to a staircase. The gate hinge is blow-molded integrally with the gate body. A mounting post has on one portion a hinge pin for receiving the gate hinge, and the other portion has a pair of parallel resilient sheets for receiving an edge portion of the staircase. Two staircases are attached back-to-back by vertical flanges each of which is offset from a vertical center plane of the respective back wall portion and has a vertical surface which is co-planar with the vertical center plane. The corners of the staircase are individually height adjustable by internally threaded portions which receive threaded rods. The internal threads are formed as part of the blow-molding process. A hole to the interior of the staircase or other article is formed as part of the blow-molding process.

Claims

1. A gate comprising

a body portion and at least one hinge molded integrally therewith;

wherein the body portion has a first edge portion to which the hinge is attached, a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, and a protruding portion extending from the second edge portion which is receivable in at least one indent when the gate is in a closed position to support the gate in the closed position;

wherein the hinge includes a living hinge portion connecting first and second hinge halves that wrap around a hinge pin to allow the gate to rotate between a closed position and an open position;

the hinge includes means to bias the gate in the closed position; and

wherein the gate, the first and second hinge halves, and the living hinge are blow-molded.

2. The gate of claim 1 wherein said means to secure the gate in the closed position includes a helically-shaped lower surface on the hinge for mating with a helically-shaped upper bearing surface for effecting self-closing of the gate, wherein the helically-shaped surfaces are blow-molded.