Panel connector
Patent 5657604 Issued on August 19, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date: 
November 27, 2015. 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.
November 27, 2015. 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.Patent References D275324 D361034 3338602 3371454 3469335 3574367 3672710 3701553 Device for assembling sectional for instance metallic bars Elastically-deformed adjustable T-joint InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 579295 filed on 11/27/1995US Classes:52/655.1, Having specific connector, etc.52/653.2, Having tubular member52/656.9, Joint, connector52/731.5, Partition support (e.g., stud, furring, etc.)52/732.2, Having interlocking feature52/736.2, Having attached intersecting member (e.g., cross-arm)52/775, Attaching element received in channel or aperture in frame403/252, Inserted, blind-side-engaging, retaining portion on rod403/255, Inserted into rod403/297Expansible sectionExaminersPrimary: Friedman, Carl D.Assistant: Saladino, Laura A. Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassF16B 007/04AbstractA panel connector (10) is comprised of substantially identical locking bars (12A, 12B) held together in clothes-pin fashion by a resilient rod (14). The body (46) of the connector is received in a channel (86) of one structural member (80A). Jaws (34) formed on the top (18) of each bar (12A, 12B) may be received in a slot (92) of a second structural member (80B) and the jaws thereafter urged apart by a spreader member (70) to grippingly engage the slot (92) and lock the structural members (80A, 80B) together. Camming surfaces (42) of the jaw sections (34) facilitate use of connector (10) over a wide range of wall thicknesses at the slot (92).Other References
Field of SearchJoint, connectorThree-dimensional space-defining Having tubular member Having specific connector, etc. Frame member substantially cylindrical in cross-section Frame member fabricated from thin walled material Partition support (e.g., stud, furring, etc.) Forms hollow enclosure Having interlocking feature Having attached intersecting member (e.g., cross-arm) Attaching means includes cam or wedge Clamped against section by turning cam engaging screw Attaching means pivots or includes pivoting actuating means Attaching means held in position by a spring-type member Attaching element received in channel or aperture in frame Expansible section MEMBER ENDS JOINED BY INSERTED SECTION Three or more radiating members Corner joint Including set screw Inserted, blind-side-engaging, retaining portion on rod Terminal, rod-attached retainer engages distal side Inserted into rod Clamped member Clamping component engages recessed side Rod clamped to hole edge Utilizing internal rod structure FLEXIBLE MEMBER IS JOINT COMPONENT | |
