US3874133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems for interconnecting plates
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-09
•
Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1992-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for interconnecting plates, panels or the like to one another includes a plurality of interconnecting elements which are inserted into slots formed in the plates or panels and a main coupling with which the interconnecting elements are mated to join the plates or panels. Preferably, the interconnecting elements have flanges thereon, which engage opposite sides of the plates adjacent to the edges of the slots. The flanges are joined by web portions which extend therebetween. The main couplings have portions extending either therefrom or therein which slide into openings in the interconnecting elements which extend between the web portions. In order to achieve a snug fit between these projecting portions and the interconnecting elements, the projecting portions either dove-tail into the interconnecting elements, or engage with slots with ribs extending between the web portions of the interconnecting elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Aurelius Xaveri Silvius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/10; F16B12/12; F16B12/125; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S403/00; Y10S403/13; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/57; Y10T403/5761; Y10T403/5766; Y10T403/5773
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for interconnecting relatively thin sheets to one another and to relatively thick panels and for interconnecting relatively thick panels to one another and to relatively thin sheets, comprising: interconnecting means for fitting into slidable engagement with the relatively thick panels; flange means extending from said interconnecting means for overlying opposite sides of the relatively thick panels to effect a tight fit between the panels and the interconnecting means; and coupling means having a plurality of slot means therein, said coupling means slidably receiving said interconnecting means to secure the relatively thick panels to the coupling means, said slot means having a width approximating the thickness of the thin sheets and extending in the coupling means for receiving the thin sheets and retaining the thin sheets on the coupling means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for interconnecting relatively thin sheets to one another and to relatively thick panels and for interconnecting relatively thick panels to one another and to relatively thin sheets, comprising: interconnecting means for fitting into slidable engagement with the relatively thick panels; flange means extending from said interconnecting means for overlying opposite sides of the relatively thick panels to effect a tight fit between the panels and the interconnecting means; and coupling means having a plurality of slot means therein, said coupling means slidably receiving said interconnecting means to secure the relatively thick panels to the coupling means, said slot means having a width approximating the thickness of the thin sheets and extending in the coupling means for receiving the thin sheets and retaining the thin sheets on the coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slot means is receIved in said interconnecting means to retain the relatively thick panels on said coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the interconnecting means has a rib which extends thereacross having a thickness that approximates said slot means and which is received in said slot means when said coupling is received by said interconnecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of said slot means disposed at 90* intervals in said coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said coupling means has a central portion and four arms projecting therefrom, each of which contains one of said slot means and each of which is received by one of said interconnecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the interconnecting means has webs which extend between said flanges and which converge toward one another to form a slot, and wherein the arms have surfaces thereon which converge toward one another to approximate the convergence of the webs, so that the arms dove-tail into engagement with the slots formed by the converging webs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interconnecting elements are formed into two halves having projecting portions extending therefrom, and wherein the coupling means has openings extending therethrough into which the projecting portions of the interconnecting elements fit when the interconnecting elements are mounted on the coupling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein shim means are secured to the flange means projecting from said interconnecting means to allow relatively thick panels to be retained on said coupling means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for interconnecting panels of various thicknesses, comprising: interconnecting elements having oppositely facing flanges extending therefrom for engaging opposite sides of the panels and webs extending between the flanges to connect the flanges together; coupling means having arms extending therefrom for nesting with said interconnecting means by sliding between said oppositely disposed flanges; and slot means extending in each of said arm means for receiving relatively thin panels therein to connect the relatively thin panels to the panels engaged by said interconnecting means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for interconnecting panels of various thicknesses, comprising: interconnecting elements having oppositely facing flanges extending therefrom for engaging opposite sides of the panels and webs extending between the flanges to connect the flanges together; coupling means having arms extending therefrom for nesting with said interconnecting means by sliding between said oppositely disposed flanges; and slot means extending in each of said arm means for receiving relatively thin panels therein to connect the relatively thin panels to the panels engaged by said interconnecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each arm means has an aperture extending therethrough which registers with said slot means and receives a pin therethrough to rigidify said arm means when said arm means is nested with said interconnecting means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for interconnecting relatively thick panels to relatively thin sheets, comprising: interconnecting means having pairs of upper and lower flange portions projecting outwardly therefrom for engaging opposite surfaces of the thick panels; a pair of web portions for connecting the upper and lower flanges to one another; a rib portion extending between the web portions; and coupling means having a plurality of slots therein for receiving the rib means therebetween and for receiving relatively thin panels therein.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for interconnecting relatively thick panels to relatively thin sheets, comprising: interconnecting means having pairs of upper and lower flange portions projecting outwardly therefrom for engaging opposite surfaces of the thick panels; a pair of web portions for connecting the upper and lower flanges to one another; a rib portion extending between the web portions; and coupling means having a plurality of slots therein for receiving the rib means therebetween and for receiving relatively thin panels therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the slot means are disposed at 90* intervals in said coupling means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |