Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Fastening means for connecting at least two tubular members, forming, thereby, a knock-down, furniture-support construction, said fastening means comprising: a. a connector insert element attached to one of said tubular members and adapted for axial insertion into said other tubular member, said connector insert element including: i. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart wall members, ii. a web portion connecting said spaced-apart wall members and defining therewith a channel, said web portion having a weakening means including a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width therein, said slot extending through the outer edge of said web portion and terminating short of the inner edge thereof; b. a locking means associated with said other tubular member; and c. a spreading-locking element inserted into the longitudinally extending slot of said weakening means, adjacent the inner limit thereof, to spread said walls away from each other and into frictional contact along substantially the longitudinal axis thereof with the inner surface of said other tubular member and to make interlocking engagement with said locking means associated with the other tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Fastening means for connecting at least two tubular members, forming, thereby, a knock-down, furniture-support construction, said fastening means comprising: a. a connector insert element attached to one of said tubular members and adapted for axial insertion into said other tubular member, said connector insert element including: i. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart wall members, ii. a web portion connecting said spaced-apart wall members and defining therewith a channel, said web portion having a weakening means including a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width therein, said slot extending through the outer edge of said web portion and terminating short of the inner edge thereof; b. a locking means associated with said other tubular member; and c. a spreading-locking element inserted into the longitudinally extending slot of said weakening means, adjacent the inner limit thereof, to spread said walls away from each other and into frictional contact along substantially the longitudinal axis thereof with the inner surface of said other tubular member and to make interlocking engagement with said locking means associated with the other tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking means includes a curved surface defining an opening through the wall of said other tubular member, which opening is adapted to overlay said longitudinally extending slot at a point substantially adjacent to the inner limit thereof when said connector element is axially inserted into said other tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spreading-locking element is a self-tapping screw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus of claim 3, wherein the curved surface is beveled downwardly to form a countersunk opening and the corresponding surface of said self-tapping fastener element is beveled upwardly for interlocking engagement with said countersunk opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus of claim 4, wherein the other tubular member has a longitudinally extending slot extending inwardly from the outer edge thereof to and connecting with said countersunk opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the other tubular member has: a. an annular-depression-forming lip in the surface thereof, concentric with said opening and forms said locking means therewith; and b. a longitudinally extending slot extending inwardly from the outer edge thereof to and connecting with said opening.