In-line rail and component system and method for rapid coupling

A component assembly system, comprising:

• at least two components, including a first component having a male end and a second component having a cavity;
• at least two fasteners, including a first fastener attached to the first component and a second fastener attached to the second component,
• wherein
• the first fastener and second fastener are adapted for mutual engagement and for joining the first component to the second component when the male end is inserted into the cavity and the first and second component are rotated relative to one another,
• one or more of the at least two fasteners includes a wedge coupler and is fixed to a respective component at least partially by said wedge coupler, and
• one or more wedge couplers are a star-nut having one or more sets of protrusions about a periphery of the star-nut.

A component assembly system, comprising:

• at least two components, including at least a first component and a second component;
• each component having an interior cavity disposed at one or more ends of the component;
• at least two fasteners, each fastener being fixed to a respective component of the at least two components, and each fastener being positioned in a respective interior cavity of the at least two components;
• wherein
• the first component has a first outer perimeter, a second outer perimeter, and an inner perimeter, the second outer perimeter of the first component being smaller than the first outer perimeter of the first component, and the inner perimeter being defined by a first cavity extending from the second end of the first component to an interior of the first component;
• the second component has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter;
• the second component inner perimeter being defined by a second cavity extending from a first end of the second component to an interior of the second component, the first outer perimeter of the first component being adapted for mating with the outer perimeter of the second component, and the second outer perimeter of the first component being adapted for mating with the inner perimeter of the second component such that the second end of the first component can be inserted into the second component to form a substantially flush outer surface and with little or no space between the second outer perimeter of the first component and the inner perimeter of the second component.

A method of coupling two or more components;

• the method comprising:
• obtaining
• at least two components, including a first component and a second component,
• the first component having a male end, a first cavity at the male end, a first outer perimeter, a second outer perimeter, and an inner perimeter, the second outer perimeter of the first component being smaller than the first outer perimeter of the first component, and the inner perimeter being defined by the first cavity and extending from the male end of the first component to an interior of the first component,
• the second component having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter;
• the second component inner perimeter being defined by a second cavity extending from a first end of the second component to an interior of the second component, the first outer perimeter of the first component being adapted for mating with the outer perimeter of the second component, and the second outer perimeter of the first component being adapted for mating with the inner perimeter of the second component such that the male end of the first component can be inserted into the second component to form a substantially flush outer surface with little or no space between the second outer perimeter of the first component and the inner perimeter of the second component;
• at least two fasteners, including a first fastener mountable in the first cavity and a second fastener mountable in the second cavity, wherein
• the first fastener and second fastener are adapted for mutual engagement and for joining the first component to the second component when the male end is inserted into the second cavity and the first and second component are rotated relative to one another, and following the steps of:
• attaching the first fastener to the first component;
• attaching the second fastener to the second component;
• inserting the male end of the first component into the second cavity;
• and
• rotating the first component and second component relative to one another to engage the fasteners.