Connecting apparatus

Patent 4637193 Issued on January 20, 1987. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 15, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1019778

2060548

2149844

2948409

3552056

3901613

3914060

Beam suspension system
Patent #: 4019298
Issued on: 04/26/1977
Inventor: Johnson, IV

Convertible tube connecting system
Patent #: 4023913
Issued on: 05/17/1977
Inventor: Berkowitz

Kit with male and female elements having deformable gripping means
Patent #: 4044497
Issued on: 08/30/1977
Inventor: Bettens

More ...

Inventor

Lange, Fredric A.

Assignee

Interlock Structures International, Inc.

Application

No. 06/712229 filed on 03/15/1985

US Classes:

52/655.1, Having specific connector, etc.403/171, Polyhedral403/176, Polyhedral403/381Enlarged head in complementary recess, e.g., dovetail, etc.

Examiners

Primary: Kundrat, Andrew V.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell, Welter & Schmidt

International Classes

F16B 3/00 (20060101)
F16B 7/00 (20060101)
F16B 7/22 (20060101)
E04B 1/19 (20060101)
E04H 12/10 (20060101)
E04H 12/00 (20060101)

Abstract

Interconnecting apparatus (10) for a pair of structural members or space frame assemblies is disclosed. Apparatus (10) includes a button (12) attached to an end of one structural member and a receiver (18) attached to the end of another structural member. Receiver (18) includes a cradle (38) with a wall (40) on one side and a lip (42) on the other. Button (12) fits snugly into cradle (38) between wall (40) and lip (42) and is retained there by a locking mechanism, such as clip (24). Interconnect mechanism (10) may be used in a variety of applications including connecting a pair of trusses together and creating a space frame structure.