Modular connectors for cylindrical elements
OwnerCalvin Freedmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Thin, flat multi-sided plates in various polygonal shapes are provided with a resilient, upstanding annular flange on one or both of their faces to receive the ends of tubular elements, such as beverage cans. Upstanding pins are formed on one face of the plates, near one end of certain of their sides, and laterally-extending tabs having pin-engaging apertures are hingedly attached to the plates by means of thin, flexible webs formed at the opposite ends of the same sides. Preferably, the webs are designed to displace the tabs in the direction of the pin-carrying face so that adjacent plates are in substantial alignment when their corresponding tabs and pins are interlocked.
Claims15
A connector for use in a construction embodying a plurality of tubular elements fastened together by means of a plurality of such connectors, said connector comprising:
- a substantially planar base plate having a peripheral polygonal edge defining a plurality of adjoining sides;
- a single attachment member hingedly mounted to, and extending laterally outwardly of certain of said sides, adjacent the corresponding end of each of said certain sides, said attachment member comprising a substantially planar tab having an aperture therein;
- connecting means formed on said base plate adjacent the opposite ends of said certain sides, for releasably engaging corresponding attachment members on adjacent ones of said connectors, said connecting means comprising upstanding pins formed on at least one face of said plate in registry with the apertures in said corresponding tabs on adjacent connectors, for insertion into said apertures in releasable frictional engagement therewith;
- and
- a resilient upstanding flange on at least one face of said plate, said flange having an inner wall conforming to and adapted to receive and frictionally retain the end of one of said tubular elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.