The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 08, 1997
Jeffrey A Hallsten, Sacramento, CA (US);
Hallsten Corporation, Sacramento, CA (US);
Abstract
A deck structure is assembled of a plurality of modular panels including one or more hinged, openable access panels. The panels, comprised of extruded deck planks and framing channels are interconnected at edges. At each access panel a gear hinge connects the panel with the adjacent fixed panel, through the width of the panels. Hinge gears are integrally formed on edges of a hinged plank and a fixed plank of the adjacent hinged and fixed panels, with a keeper member holding the gears enmeshed during opening and closing of the panel. In a preferred embodiment a gas tight seal is formed when the access panel is closed. The gear hinge comprising the hinged and fixed planks is the same width as other planks in the deck structure thereby allowing interchangeability and modularity in building the deck structure and allowing the hinge to be placed anywhere in the deck structure. An articulated, sliding cover using similar gear hinge components is also disclosed.