Method of joining structural members, profile member and structural unit comprising a plurality of profile members

Patent 5410855 Issued on May 2, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 23, 2013. 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

3077703

3411261

3460304

3741593

3760548

Inventors

Assignee

Norsk Hydro a.s.

Application

No. 090167 filed on 07/23/1993

US Classes:

52/747.1, Assembling exposed modules52/271, Joint key between superimposed modules52/592.1, Keys, mortises, or key and mortise on opposed edges or faces52/592.4Having mortise with internal space

Examiners

Primary: Mai, Lanna

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack

Foreign Patent References

1140330 DE. 11/20/1962
2163583 DE. 07/20/1973
2510211 DE. 07/20/1978
3302105 DE 07/20/1983
1438599 GB 06/20/1976

International Class

E04B 001/60

Foreign Application Priority Data

1991-01-31 NO

Abstract

Structural members are extruded with respective abutted edge portions having a transverse cross-sectional configuration complementarily shaped with locking tabs and undercut recesses. The tabs of a first member are interconnected by a unitary transversely extending and inwardly arcuate web. Such web is permanently deformed in a joining process by a deformation tool forcing the outwardly projecting tabs into locking engagement with the second member.