Mechanically Interlocking Frame Assemblies
AssigneeBlanking Systems, Inc.
InventorFrank E. Oetlinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural frame assembly is provided that includes mechanically interlocking components. The frame assembly has rails that interconnect with each other at joints that include brackets that engage the rails and nuts that are held in cavities of the rails that are connected to slots that extend through outer surfaces of the rails. Bolts may extend angularly through bores of the bracket and the slots of the rails to operatively engage a nut being held in the cavity. Tightening the bolts may draw the nut angularly through the cavity in a manner that automatically self-aligns the brackets and rails to establish precise joints.
Claims15
A structural frame assembly comprising:
- a rail having an outer surface, defining a longitudinal axis, and having a slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a cavity that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and connects to the slot;
- a nut that is housed in the cavity;
- and
- a bolt that extends angularly through the slot and engages the nut so that rotating the bolt moves the nut angularly through the cavity.
A structural frame assembly, comprising:
- a rail having an outer surface, defining a longitudinal axis, and having a slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, a cavity that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and connects to the slot, and a pair of abutment walls that are spaced from each other and extend angularly down and away from the outer surface of the rail and toward a middle portion of the cavity;
- and
- a nut that includes a pair of shoulders and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the shoulders, the shoulders of the nut engaging the abutment walls of the rail and at least one of the pair of sidewalls of the nut being spaced from the rail.
A method of connecting a bracket to a rail, comprising:
- inserting a nut into a cavity of a rail;
- engaging the rail with a bracket;
- angularly inserting a bolt through the bracket and engaging the nut with the bolt;
- tightening the bolt;
- drawing the nut angularly through the cavity;
- pivoting the nut in the cavity;
- and
- engaging the rail with the nut at multiple locations that are spaced from each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.