Connector for two drywall corner finishing devices
OwnerPaul E. Stiboltinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector and method for connecting two drywall corner finishing devices. The connector connects and/or aligns the two drywall corner finishing devices positioned end to end by being inserted into corresponding openings located in the profile of the drywall corner finishing devices. The side members of the connector are pinched in, reducing the size and shape of the cross-section of the connector so as to fit within the corresponding openings. When released the side members deflect back pressing out against the sidewall of the openings.
Claims16
A connector having a first end and a second end for being received in corresponding openings of multiple devices to be connected,
- each opening having a plurality of sidewalls,
- each sidewall having two edges,
- each sidewall being coupled to another sidewall at each sidewall edge, the connector comprising:
- a cross member having opposite edges and
- a first and a second side member, each flexibly coupled to and extending from opposite edges of said cross member at an angle for forming a cross-section, so that in a relaxed state the size and shape of said cross-section prevents the insertion of the connector into the opening of any of the devices to be connected,
- the two side members being adapted to be deflected with respect to the cross member when a force is applied to the side members, so as to alter the size and shape of the cross-section allowing for insertion of at least one of the first and second ends into the corresponding opening of the devices to be connected, the connector cross member and side members being inwardly curved such that the cross member and side members contact the sidewalls only proximate the sidewall edges when the connector is inserted in the opening, thereby minimizing deflection of the sidewalls due to connector insertion.
A method for connecting multiple devices together, each having corresponding openings,
- each opening having a plurality of sidewalls,
- each sidewall having opposite edges,
- each sidewall being coupled to another sidewall at each sidewall edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a connector having a first end and a second end and including two side members coupled to opposite edges of a cross member,
- the cross member and side members being inwardly curved such that the cross member and side members contact the sidewalls only proximate the sidewall edges when the connector is inserted in the opening, thereby minimizing deflection of the sidewalls due to connector insertion;
- applying a force to the side members of the connector so as to deflect the position of the side members with respect to the cross member;
- inserting the connector into the corresponding openings of the multiple devices;
- and
- removing the force from the side members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.