Interlocking structural members with edge connectors
OwnerWaldemar E. Wittlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A frame system and frame members in which the frame members have a base, a support wall extending from the base adjacent one edge thereof a tongue extending from the support wall parallel to and spaced from the base, a detent or groove between the free end of the tongue and the other edge of the base, a bend or protrusion connected to the base adjacent the one edge, on the other side of said base from said support wall a tubular structure comprising a center channel and a pocket on each side thereof for receiving an angle member. In an assembled frame, the frame members are joined end to end by angle members in the pockets. Hook and loop features fabric secured respectively to the sides of the pockets and display panels permits simple mounting and changing of panels on the assembled frame.
Claims25
A frame member for assembly into a frame and for connecting adjacent frame members comprising:
- an elongated tubular member comprising a base forming one wall thereof, said base extending transversely between edges of said base,
- a support wall integral with said base extending outwardly from said base on one side thereof away from said tubular member, said support wall extending generally parallel to said base edges and positioned between the transverse center of said base and one edge of said base;
- a tongue integrally connected at one end to said support wall and extending to a free end thereof spaced away from said base and positioned between the transverse center of said base and the other edge of said base, said tongue and said base defining a recess therebetween to receive a tongue of a mating frame member;
- at least one detent or groove in said one side of said base positioned between said free end of said tongue and said other edge of said base;
- at least one bead or protrusion connected to said base on said one side thereof at a distance from the transverse center thereof equal to the distance of said detent or groove from said transverse center and extending from said base a distance greater than the distance of the outer surface of the tongue therefrom;
- a plurality of tube walls extending from said base on the other side thereof and at least one end wall spaced from said base and extending between said tube walls and together therewith and with said base defining at least a pair of parallel tubes, one of said tubes dimensioned to receive an angle member therein for attaching frame members together to form a frame.
A frame system for supporting panels and for connecting frames at their adjacent edges, comprising:
- a plurality of frame members, each attached to at least two other frame members, arranged to form a frame, each frame member having at least one panel mounting surface for mounting a panel to and supporting said panel on said frame and at least one of said frame members being an edge connector member, comprising:
- a base extending transversely between edges of said base;
- a support wall integral with said base extending outwardly away from said base on one side thereof, opposite the interior of said frame, said support wall extending generally parallel to said base edges and being positioned between the transverse center of said base and one edge of said base;
- a tongue integrally connected at one end to said support wall and extending from said support wall to a free end thereof spaced away from said base and positioned between the transverse center of said base and the other edge of said base, said tongue and said base defining a recess therebetween to receive a tongue of a mating frame member;
- at least one detent or groove in said one side of said base positioned between said free end of said tongue and said other edge of said base;
- and
- at least one bead or protrusion connected to said base on said one side thereof at a distance from the transverse center of said base equal to the distance of said detent or groove from said transverse center and extending from said base a distance greater than the distance of the outer surface of said tongue therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.