Latching joint coupling
AssigneeWells Aluminum Corporation
InventorEverett Daniels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch coupling includes a male and female member having complementary latching portions, all of which are dimensioned and positioned so as to assure that a first surface, which extends from the edge at which the two exterior surfaces are to meet, engage in their mating position before second surfaces which extend from the first surfaces during the insertion along the longitudinal axis of the male and female member. The complementary latching portions apply continuous mating forces to the first and second surfaces of the complementary shoulders when mated.
Claims21
A coupling for joining exterior surfaces of two structural element along a substantially blind seam line comprising:
- a male means and a female means on an interior surface adjacent a respective edge which are to meet along said line when mated;
- complementary shoulders on said male and female means, each shoulder having a first surface extending from and intersecting a respective edge and a second surface extending from said first surface;
- said female means including a recess extending from its shoulder and having a longitudinal axis and said male means includes a male portion extending from its shoulder and having a longitudinal axis which is parallel to said recesses' longitudinal axis when mating;
- complementary latching means on said male and female means for latching said male and female means together when mated;
- and
- said male and female means and said latching means being dimensioned and positioned to assure that said first surfaces engage in their mating position before said second surfaces during insertion along said longitudinal axis.
A coupling for joining exterior surfaces of two structural elements along a substantially blind seam line comprising:
- a male means and a female means on a interior surface adjacent a respective edge which are to meet along said line when mated;
- complementary shoulders on said male and female means, each shoulder having a first surface extending from and intersecting a respective edge and a second surface extending from said first surface;
- said female means including a recess extending from its shoulder and having a longitudinal axis and said male means includes a male portion extending from its shoulder and having a longitudinal axis which is parallel to said recesses' longitudinal axis when mating;
- and
- complementary latching means on said male and female means for latching said male and female means together and applying continuous mating forces to said first and second surfaces of said complementary shoulders when mated after insertion along said longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.