Lock joint for fabricated platform assemblies

Claim 1

A platform assembly for use in forming table tops, bench seats, stand platforms and the like without the need of separable fasteners comprising a pair of support channels the respective side flangeS of which along their free longitudinal edges are provided with integral, inwardly disposed, return bent flangelike lips, one of which is spaced from its supporting flange and the other of which is provided at preselected longitudinally spaced intervals with through notches; and at least one platform channel having: a. dependent side flanges spaced and dimensioned to permit forced entry of the opposite ends of said platform channel between said one flange-like lip of the opposing side flange of said pair of support channels when said dependent side flanges are aligned with the through notches of said other flange-like lip of said support channels; and b. a flange connecting web provided adjacent its opposite ends with upstanding button punch protuberances arranged with their curved walls disposed toward said respective web ends and their abutment faces spaced inwardly from the respective web ends a distance equal to the spacing of the free edge of said one flange-like lip from the web of said respective support channels, whereby upon forceful insertion of said platform channel ends into said support channels said button punch protuberances will deflect said one flange-like lip toward its associated supporting flange during insertion and release said one flange-like lip, upon full insertion to dispose said button punch abutment faces beyond the free lip edge, to return toward its initial non-deflected position into opposing relation to said button punch abutment faces thereby interlocking the respective ends of said platform channel ends against axial and lateral relative movement with respect to its associated support channel.