US3791096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling unit for structural elements
Assignee: Christian Holzaepfel KG Mebelfabrik
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Filing: 1972-02-16
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An angular first member is a bracket having two mutually inclined arms one of which can be fastened to a structural element and the other of which extends normal to it and has a free edge with a slot extending inwardly from the free edge and a pair of holes being formed in the region of the free edge at opposite lateral sides of the slot. A spring clip is provided on this other arm overlying the slot having a substantially circular portion which encircles an inner end of the slot and two legs which extend in unbiased condition of the spring clip at 90* angle to the circular portion and whose free ends are received in the holes provided in the other arm, so that the legs are biased towards one another to some extent and their juncture with the circular portion defines a width or gap which is somewhat narrower than the width of the slot. A second member is configurated as a bolt which can be secured to another structural element and whose shaft can be snapped into the circular portion of the spring clip, being retained therein by the legs of the spring clip in the region of their juncture. The shaft has a head which prevents its withdrawal in axial direction from the slot.
Inventors
- 👤 H Epperlein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:20
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7453; E04B2/7457; E04B2/56; E04B2/58; E04B2/60; E04B2/62; E04B2/76; E04B2/78; F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/02; E04B2002/7461; E04B2002/7462; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/69; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44641; Y10T24/44769; Y10T24/44778; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45005; Y10T24/45099; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0801; Y10T292/0814; Y10T292/0817; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/60; Y10T403/602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A coupling unit for detachably coupling two structural elements, comprising an angular first member having two mutually inclined arms, one of said arms being adapted for fastening to one structural element, and the other of said arms having a free edge, a slot extending inwardly therefrom, and a pair of holes in the region of said free edge at opposite sides of said slot; a spring clip on said other arm overlying said slot and having a substantially circular portion overlying an inner end of said slot, said spring clip having a pair of legs extending from said circular portion and angled thereto, and said legs being located at opposite sides of said slot and having free ends received in said holes, said legs being spaced at their juncture with said circular portion by a smaller distance than the width of said slot; and a second member having a shaft with a minimum diameter greater than said distance adapted to be fastened to another structural element and to be received in said slot inwardly of said juncture so as to be clampingly retained in said slot by said spring clip, said shaft having a head for preventing withdrawal of the same axially thereof from said slot, whereby to permit a snap-action type coupling of said one and said other structural elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A coupling unit for detachably coupling two structural elements, comprising an angular first member having two mutually inclined arms, one of said arms being adapted for fastening to one structural element, and the other of said arms having a free edge, a slot extending inwardly therefrom, and a pair of holes in the region of said free edge at opposite sides of said slot; a spring clip on said other arm overlying said slot and having a substantially circular portion overlying an inner end of said slot, said spring clip having a pair of legs extending from said circular portion and angled thereto, and said legs being located at opposite sides of said slot and having free ends received in said holes, said legs being spaced at their juncture with said circular portion by a smaller distance than the width of said slot; and a second member having a shaft with a minimum diameter greater than said distance adapted to be fastened to another structural element and to be received in said slot inwardly of said juncture so as to be clampingly retained in said slot by said spring clip, said shaft having a head for preventing withdrawal of the same axially thereof from said slot, whereby to permit a snap-action type coupling of said one and said other structural elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coupling unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said first member is of sheet metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coupling unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said slot converges from said free edge toward said inner end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coupling unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring clip is of spring wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
230 words
A coupling unit for detachably coupling two structural elements, comprising an angular first member having two mutually inclined arms, one of said arms being adapted for fastening to one structural element, and the other of said arms having a free edge, a slot extending inwardly therefrom, a pair of holes in the region of said free edge at opposite sides of said slot, and recesses; a spring clip on said other arm overlying said slot and having a substantially circular portion overlying an inner end of said slot, said spring clip having a pair of legs extending from said circular portion and angled thereto, and said legs being located at opposite sides of said slot and having free ends received in said holes, said legs being spaced at their junctUre with said circular portion by a smaller distance than the width of said slot; a second member having a shaft with a minimum diameter greater than said distance adapted to be fastened to another structural element and to be received in said slot inwardly of said juncture so as to be clampingly retained in said slot by said spring clip, said shaft having a head for preventing withdrawal of the same axially thereof from said slot; and a strip-shaped spring member extending across said slot intermediate said free edge and said juncture, said spring member being snapped into said recesses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
230 words
A coupling unit for detachably coupling two structural elements, comprising an angular first member having two mutually inclined arms, one of said arms being adapted for fastening to one structural element, and the other of said arms having a free edge, a slot extending inwardly therefrom, a pair of holes in the region of said free edge at opposite sides of said slot, and recesses; a spring clip on said other arm overlying said slot and having a substantially circular portion overlying an inner end of said slot, said spring clip having a pair of legs extending from said circular portion and angled thereto, and said legs being located at opposite sides of said slot and having free ends received in said holes, said legs being spaced at their junctUre with said circular portion by a smaller distance than the width of said slot; a second member having a shaft with a minimum diameter greater than said distance adapted to be fastened to another structural element and to be received in said slot inwardly of said juncture so as to be clampingly retained in said slot by said spring clip, said shaft having a head for preventing withdrawal of the same axially thereof from said slot; and a strip-shaped spring member extending across said slot intermediate said free edge and said juncture, said spring member being snapped into said recesses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A coupling unit as defined in claim 5, said other arm having two edge portions located at opposite sides of said slot and extending along the latter, said recesses being cut-outs in said edge portions; and wherein said spring member straddles said other arm and has two parts each of which extends across said slot and is partially received in one of said cut-outs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |