Readily releasable clamped spline joint

Claim 2

A panel assembly comprising, two structural panels each having a peripheral edge abutting a peripheral edge of the other panel, means on each panel defining a groove extending on a corresponding peripheral edge of a respective panel, the grooves being disposed opposed to each other and in communication with each other, an elongated connecting member inserted in the two grooves releasably connecting said two structural panels in juxtapoxed relationship, said connecting member having in cross section a web disposed between the two panels outwardly of the grooves and two pairs of resilient tongues extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides of the web, means extending laterally from said web between the panels, each pair of said tongues having the tongues spaced from each other and opposed to each other, each pair of said tongues being made of a deformable material and disposed in a respective one of said grooves fitting snugly therein, said tongues having sufficient flexibility and memory to deform inwardly toward each other when being inserted into their respective grooves and to press outwardly against the inner boundaries of the corresponding groove when disposed therein and sufficient rigidity to releasably hold the panels in assembly.

Claim 3

A panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein each pair of said tongues has the tongues substantially normal to the web and are integral therewith.

Claim 4

A panel assembly according to claim 2, in which a tongue of each pair of tongues has a lateral protuberance thereon releasably locking the panels in juxtaposed relationship, each groove of each panel having a recess in communication therewith corresponding in cross section to a respective protuberance on the tongues receiving a respective protuberance for releasably locking said structural panels in juxtaposed relation.

Claim 5

For use in constructing a panel structure, at least two structural panels having a peripheral edge for abutting a peripheral edge of the other panel, means on each panel defining a groove extending on a corresponding peripheral edge of a respective panel, said grooves being disposed opposed to each other and in communication with each other when the two panels are assembled with said peripheral edges thereof abutting, an elongated connecting member insertable other than axially into the two grooves for releasably connecting the two panels juxtaposed along said peripheral edges thereof, said connecting member hAving in cross section a web disposed between the two panels outwardly of the grooves and two pairs of deformable tongues extending laterally from the web substantially normal thereto, said web having a lateral extension disposed between the panels and extending outwardly of an upper edge of the panels, said tongues of each pair being spaced from each other and opposed to each other, each tongue being made of a material for deforming toward each other when inserted lengthwise in a corresponding groove and having memory to restore itself to press outwardly against the inner boundaries of the corresponding groove and sufficient rigidity to releasably hold the panels in assembly when said panels are juxtaposed with said connecting member connecting them in assembled relationship.

Claim 6

For use in constructing a panel structure, at least two structural panels having a peripheral edge for abutting a peripheral edge of the other panel, means on each panel defining a groove extending on a corresponding peripheral edge of a respective panel, said grooves being disposed opposed to each other and in communication with each other when the two panels are assembled with said peripheral edges thereof abutting, an elongated connecting member insertable other than axially into the two grooves for releasably connecting the two panels juxtaposed along said peripheral edges thereof, said connecting member hAving in cross section a web disposed between the two panels outwardly of the grooves and two pairs of deformable tongues extending laterally from the web substantially normal thereto, said web having a lateral extension disposed between the panels and extending outwardly of an upper edge of the panels, said tongues of each pair being spaced from each other and opposed to each other, each tongue being made of a material for deforming toward each other when inserted lengthwise in a corresponding groove and having memory to restore itself to press outwardly against the inner boundaries of the corresponding groove and sufficient rigidity to releasably hold the panels in assembly when said panels are juxtaposed with said connecting member connecting them in assembled relationship.

Claim 7

For use in constructing a panel structure according to claim 4, in which a tongue of each pair of tongues has a lateral protuberance thereon for releasably locking the panels in assembled relationship, each groove of each panel having a lateral recess in communication therewith corresponding in cross section to a respective protuberance on said tongues for receiving said respective protuberance for releasably locking said structural panels in said assembled relationship.

Claim 8

For use in constructing a panel structure according to claim 4, in which said lateral extension of said web comprises a through opening having an edge below the level of said upper edge of the panel in a free condition, and a wedge inserted into said opening bearing against the upper edge of said panels and held in said opening, whereby the connecting member forcibly, releasably holds said panels in assembled relationship.