# US 5,345,737 A · System of modular building elements for display fixtures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,345,737 A - Document ID: US5345737A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/901,942 - Filed: 1992-06-22 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1992-06-22 - Inventors: Jim S. Latchinian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5345737A ## CPC - E05D 11/06: Devices for limiting the opening movement of hinges - A47B 57/565: {using screw means} - A47B 96/1466: {with longitudinal grooves} - E05D 5/0238: {with parts engaging profile grooves} - F16B 12/10: using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like (glued F16B12/04; fastening means per se F16B15/00 - F16B47/00) - F16B 12/44: Leg joints; Corner joints - G09F 15/0068: {Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor} - E05Y 2900/13: Type of wing - E05Y 2900/20: for furniture, e.g. cabinets - H02B 1/014: {Corner connections for frameworks} - Y10T 403/343: Unilateral of plane - Y10T 403/4602: Corner joint - Y10T 403/7079: Transverse pin - Y10T 403/7084: Bolt, rivet, or screw - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF - H02B: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A modular system of coordinated, interlocking building elements for display fixtures, which include a variety of extruded metal parts, assembled by means of various connectors that attach to the extrusions by means of set screws or snap-ins and provide a framework for holding glass panels, shelves, brackets, light fixtures and the like. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular system of mutually cooperating building elements comprising an angle connector having at least two elongated arms, each arm having an external cross-sectional profile and a long dimension, said arms having a common junction, each arm having at least one recess with an inward facing edge facing said junction wherein said edge is disposed transversely to the long dimension of said arm; at least one set screw having a conical end surface; at least one extrusion having a closed channel for receiving one of said arms; and at least one threaded hole in said channel for receiving said set screw, said threaded hole aligned with said inward facing edge so that said conical end surface of said set screw offsetly engages said inward facing edge for urging said extrusion in direction to said junction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Modular system according to claim 1, wherein said extrusions have mitre-cut inward facing ends for matching each other at said junction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Modular system according to claim 1, wherein said extrusion has at least one open channel facing away from said closed channel for receiving other ones of the building elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, wherein said open channel includes a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each having at least one groove therein for receiving another building element, said other building element having longitudinal strips receivable in said grooves. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Modular system according to claim 4, including a universal connector having a prismatic shape, and at least two pairs of said longitudinal strips slidably receivable in matching grooves in mutually facing open channels of adjacent parallel building elements for joining said parallel building elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Modular system according to claim 4 including an extrusion having a single open channel having two outward facing strips receivable in respective grooves of said pair of parallel longitudinal walls of an adjoining element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Modular building system according to claim 6, including at least one further open channel connected with and parallel with said single open channel for receiving at least one utility element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Modular building system according to claim 7, wherein said utility element is a light fixture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) Modular building system according to claim 3, wherein the open channel has one pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall of said pair of longitudinal walls for slidably receiving another one of the building elements having longitudinal strips each matching a respective longitudinal groove in each longitudinal wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, including a building element having a plurality of open channels each having a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall of said pair of walls for receiving another one of the building elements, said other building element having longitudinal strips matching a respective longitudinal groove in each longitudinal wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, wherein said extrusion includes at least one open channel having a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall for receiving another one of the building elements, said other building element having longitudinal strips each matching a respective longitudinal groove in each longitudinal wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) Modular system according to claim 9 wherein one of said channels includes two parallel right angle longitudinal walls disposed at a 90.degree. angle with each other, forming a right angle channel, each wall having a longitudinal groove in adjoining sides of said right angle walls, and a shelf support having a prismatic body with a right angle edge matching said right angle channel, said right angle edge having longitudinal strips receivable in said longitudinal grooves in said right angle channel, a threaded mounting hole perpendicular to said right angle edge through said prismatic body, and a mounting screw receivable in said mounting hole for securing said shelf support to said 90.degree. channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, including a decorative insert strip receivable in said open channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) Modular system according to claim 11, wherein said insert strip has a longitudinal side flange extending away from said insert strip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) Modular system according to claim 6, wherein said extrusion having an open channel includes a longitudinal door stop flange, and a spring-loaded ball door stop disposed in said open channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 5) Modular system according to claim 5, including a longitudinal door hinge extension on said prismatic body of the universal connector, said door hinge extension having a longitudinal recess for receiving a hinge pin. ### Claim 17 (depends on 4) Modular system according to claim 4, including a T-connector slidably receivable in said open channel extending perpendicularly thereto, said T-connector having an elongate prismatic body, two transverse strips at one end of said prismatic body, each transverse strip matching a respective groove in said longitudinal walls; a threaded longitudinal hole in said prismatic body; a mounting screw receivable in said threaded hole for mounting said prismatic body perpendicularly in said open channel; said prismatic body having at least one recess with an inward facing edge facing said open channel, a further extrusion having a closed channel for receiving said prismatic body; a set screw with a conical end; at least one further threaded hole in said further extrusion for receiving said set screw, said further threaded hole aligned with said inward facing edge so that said conical surface of said set screw offsetly engages said inward facing edge for urging said further extrusion in direction to said open channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 5) Modular system according to claim 5, wherein said parallel building elements include at least one sliding door bottom track, and at least one sliding door top track for receiving at least one sliding door; a roller assembly attached to a bottom edge of said door; and at least one rail in said sliding door bottom track for slidably supporting said roller assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) Modular system according to claim 16 including at last one of the universal connectors for attaching said top track to a top extrusion, and at least one other of the universal connectors for attaching said bottom track to a bottom extrusion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) Modular system according to claim 17 including an extruded partition column disposed between said top and bottom extrusion, and one of the universal connectors for attaching each end of said column extrusion to a respective top and bottom extrusion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Modular system according to claim 1, including a plurality of corner connectors each with two legs, a plurality of frame extrusions each having at least one open channel for receiving a respective leg of said corner connectors, for forming a wall mounting transparency box. ### Claim 22 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, wherein said open channel includes a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each having at least one groove therein for receiving another building element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 3) Modular building system according to claim 3, including at least one further open channel connected with and parallel with said single open channel for receiving at least one utility element. ### Claim 24 (depends on 3) Modular building system according to claim 3, wherein the open channel has one pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall of said pair of longitudinal walls for slidably receiving another one of the building elements. ### Claim 25 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, including a building element having a plurality of open channels each having a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall of said pair of walls for receiving another one of the building elements. ### Claim 26 (depends on 3) Modular system according to claim 3, wherein said extrusion includes at least one open channel having a pair of parallel longitudinal walls, each wall having a longitudinal groove facing the other wall for receiving another one of the building elements.