Connector
AssigneeB-Line Systems, Inc.
InventorJoseph W. Kowalski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for a channel, the latter having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The connector comprises an elongate connecting member generally U-shaped in cross-section having a pair of side walls. The member is axially inserted inside the channel with the open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel. A cam is mounted in a side wall of the member for movement from a retracted to a locking position in which the cam engages a lip of the channel when the member is inside the channel to force the member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly securing the channel to the member.
Claims22
A connector in combination with a channel having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned lips defining a slot therebetween, said connector comprising,
- an elongate connecting member having a pair of side walls, said member being axially inserted inside the channel with an open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel, and
- cam means mounted in at least one side wall of the member for movement from a retracted position to a locking position in which, with the member inside the channel, the cam means engages a lip of the channel to force the member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly to secure the channel to the member.
A connector for a channel having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned lips defining a slot therebetween, said connector comprising,
- an elongate connecting member having a pair of side walls, said member being adapted to be axially inserted inside the channel with the open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel;
- cam means mounted in at least one side wall of the member for movement from a retracted position to a locking position in which the cam means engages a lip of the channel when the member is inside the channel to force the member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly to secure the channel to the member;
- and
- abutment means on the connecting member for engagement by an end of the channel on insertion of the member inside that end of the channel to prevent further movement of the member into the channel.
A connector for a channel having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned lips defining a slot therebetween, said connector comprising,
- an elongate connecting member having a pair of side walls, said member being adapted to be axially inserted inside the channel with the open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel, and
- cam means journaled in at least one side wall of the member for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the side wall from a retracted position to a locking position in which the cam means engages a lip of the channel when the member is inside the channel to force the member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly to secure the channel to the member,
- said cam means comprising a flat member having part-circular edge means mounted in a notch in said side wall, the latter having mating part-circular edge means.
A connector for a channel having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned lips defining a slot therebetween, said connector comprising:
- an elongate connecting member having a pair of side walls, said member being adapted to be axially inserted inside the channel with an open side of the member toward the channel slot and the side walls of the member adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel;
- and
- elongate cam means rotatably mounted in the side walls of the member and having a radially eccentric camming surface extending axially from one side wall of the member to the other side wall of the member, said cam means being rotatable from a retracted position to a locking position in which said camming surface engages the lips of the channel to force the connecting member toward the web of the channel for engagement therewith thereby rigidly to secure the channel to the member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.