US 12,297,639 B2 · Articulating support bracket

Abstract

An articulating support bracket for building structures. The articulating support bracket includes supporting cap brackets each having a hollow interior for receiving a structural support member. A connection point disposed on each closed side of the supporting cap brackets that allow the support cap brackets to be connected to each other via a connecting bracket. The connecting bracket formed is formed by a pair of U-shaped members that can be pivotally secured to one another. The connecting or support brackets work by coupling the structural support members together in a way that allows a selectively change angles as needed without having to pre-cut the member or other materials to proper angles before erecting the building structure. The components of the articulating support bracket can be disassembled and reconstructed into the same structure in a different location or reconstructed into a different configuration with ease.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An articulating support bracket, comprising:

a plurality of supporting brackets each having a hollow interior for receiving a structural member therein;
wherein each supporting bracket comprises a pair of opposing first sides perpendicular to a pair of opposing second sides, and at least one open end;
wherein the pair of opposing first sides and the pair of opposing second sides extend directly from opposing edges of the at least one open end;
a connection point disposed on each of the first sides and each of the second sides;
a connecting bracket configured to connect with one or more of the plurality of supporting brackets at the connection point thereof via a fastener;
wherein the connecting bracket comprises a hinge that is configured to pivot a first supporting bracket of a plurality of supporting cap brackets relative to a second bracket of the plurality of supporting cap brackets when both the first and second supporting brackets are connected to the connecting bracket.

3 more elements

A method of constructing a modular framework of a plurality of structural members, the method comprising:

providing an articulated support bracket comprising:
a plurality of supporting cap brackets each having a hollow interior for receiving a structural member therein;
wherein each supporting cap bracket comprises a pair of opposing first sides perpendicular to a pair of opposing second sides, a closed end and an opposing open end;
a connection point disposed on each of the first sides, the second sides and the closed end;
a connecting bracket that forms a hinge and is configured to connect with one or more of a plurality of supporting brackets at the connection point thereof, wherein the connecting bracket comprises a pair of similarly dimensioned U-shaped members each having a sleeve member connected to a pair of opposing tabs, the sleeve member having a cooperating connection point, and the pair of opposing tabs having a bolt connection point;
attaching the connecting bracket to a first supporting cap bracket of the plurality of supporting cap brackets;
inserting an end of a first structural member into the open end of the first supporting cap bracket;
attaching the connecting bracket to a second supporting cap bracket of the plurality of supporting cap brackets;
inserting an end of a second structural member into the open end of the second supporting cap bracket;
rotating the first structural member relative to the second structural member about the connecting bracket until a desired angle between the first and second structural members is obtained.

7 more elements

A method of constructing a modular framework of a plurality of structural members, the method comprising:

providing an articulated support bracket comprising:
a plurality of supporting cap brackets each having a hollow interior for receiving a structural member therein;
wherein each supporting cap bracket comprises a pair of opposing first sides perpendicular to a pair of opposing second sides, a closed end and an opposing open end;
a connection point disposed on each of the first sides, the second sides and the closed end;
a connecting bracket formed by a pair of U-shaped members that form a hinge when secured to one another, wherein the connecting bracket is configured to connect with one or more of a plurality of supporting brackets at the connection point thereof;
attaching the first U-shaped member to a first supporting cap bracket of the plurality of supporting cap brackets;
inserting an end of a first structural member into the open end of the first supporting cap bracket;
attaching the second U-shaped member to a second supporting cap bracket of the plurality of supporting cap brackets;
inserting an end of a second structural member into the open end of the second supporting cap bracket;
connecting the first U-shaped member with the second U-shaped member to form the connecting bracket;
rotating the first structural member relative to the second structural member about the connecting bracket until a desired angle between the first and second structural members is obtained.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Articulating support bracket

Life of this patent

Articulating support bracket

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17