Binding structure for multiple small and thin pipes

{
  "publication_number": "US5943903A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Binding structure for multiple small and thin pipes",
  "abstract": "A binding structure for multiple pipes includes a plurality of disks with holes to receive the pipes. The holes are offset on alternating disks so that the pipes are securely held between the multiple disks. Latching pins are used to fix the disks in position after the desired placement of the pipes is achieved.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A binding structure for multiple pipes comprising: a pipe group formed from said multiple pipes, a disk group to receive said pipe group, and a plurality of latching pins; wherein said disk group includes at least three disks, each said disk includes a plurality of pipe holes, a number of said pipe holes is equal to a number of said pipes in said pipe group, each said disk further includes a plurality of latching pin holes to receive said latching pins; such that said disks are placed at an area on said pipe group, said pipes are received in said pipe holes, and said latching pins are inserted into said latching pin holes to secure said disks in position, pipe holes in alternating disks are positioned at varying distances from centers of said disks so that said pipe holes are slightly offset from one said disk to a next said disk so that said pipes are securely held therein.",
    "2. The binding structure for multiple pipes as stated in claim 1, wherein: a number of said pipe holes of each of said disks of said disk group equals a number of said pipes forming said pipe group.",
    "3. The binding structure for multiple pipes as stated in claim 1, wherein: distances from said pipe holes of said disks to centers of said disks vary on alternating disks so that said pipe holes on alternating disks are offset so that said pipes are bound therein.",
    "4. The binding structure for multiple pipes as stated in claim 1, wherein: each of said latching pins has a central through hole and a toothed slot on a wall thereof so that when one of said latching pins bears a force, the force is absorbed by a plurality of surfaces of said toothed slot on said latching pin."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention is related to a simple binding structure for multiple small and thin pipes, and especially to a simple binding multiple structure for small and thin pipes used in handicraft. Both straight and bent pipes can be bound together. A group of concentrically arrayed disks are each provided with a plurality of holes. The holes on a given disk are slightly deviated relative to those on the neighboring disks in order to tightly bind the pipes extending through these holes.\n\n2. Description of the Prior Art\n\nConventional larger and thicker pipes have greater strength as compared to smaller and thinner pipes. This increases the degree of difficulty in manipulating the pipes. Accordingly, it is easier to use smaller and thinner pipes for handicraft.\n\nHowever, the smaller and thinner pipes are subject to deformation when they are worked. To overcome this problem, the standard techniques used require forging or molding with a machine. But working with a machine is against the premise of the handicraft art, i.e., the pipes are to be worked or modelled by hand. Moreover, processing with a machine creates an article of a predetermined shape. When a machine is used in the handicraft art, the process is complex process with higher cost, and is unable to be easily modified.\n\nSingle smaller and thinner pipes are not easily worked by the handicraft art. A plurality of pipes are more difficult. For example, it is very difficult to use a plurality of flexible pipes to form an imitation cane chair or cane desk or the like when working by hand.",
  "cpc": [
    "B21D 3/00",
    "B21D 7/00",
    "Y10T 29/49616"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B21D 3/00",
    "B21D 7/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Shao-Chien Tseng"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-02-28",
  "publication_date": "1999-08-31",
  "grant_date": "1999-08-31",
  "priority_date": "1998-02-28",
  "application_number": "US-3277298-A",
  "family_id": "21866729",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US3101027A",
    "DE1280631B",
    "US3415516A",
    "US3877690A",
    "SU776849A1",
    "US4202085A"
  ]
}