Abstract Disclosed herein is a system in which a number of structural members are used to form compound structures, particularly structures for furnishings, wherein there is a first connector essentially consisting of a central tubular body with a prismatic or cylindrical surface provided with at least one slot of a given length, open at one end and extending upwards along the median plane on each face of the said surface and of a number of crossed fins protruding from the top and from the bottom of the said central body, the intersection line of the said fins coinciding with the axis of the said central body; a second connector identical to the first, except for the fact that the said central body is sealed at the top by a flat surface; a bar having in the proximity of both of its ends, a slot, open at one end, which fits into one of the said slots in the central body of the connector; a tube of a section identical to that of the central body of the connector; the said fins being designed to slide into the said tube and to attach themselves firmly thereto, so that it be possible to rapidly form structures without the use of locking means and to very quickly vary the arrangement of the structural members used for the formation of any given structure in order to form another structure differing therefrom.
In a structure of the type including tubes, rails, and means for connecting tubes and rails, the improvement which comprises: at least one of said means for connecting comprising an axially symmetric central body portion and a plurality of intersecting fins extending axially from said central body portion and having a common line of intersection coaxial with said central body portion, a lateral side of said central body portion having therethrough at least one slot extending parallel to the line of intersection of said fins to an edge defining an end of said central body portion; said rails having slotted end portions for engaging with the slot through the lateral surface of said central body portion; and said tubes having hollow end portions dimensioned to receive and grip the axially extending fins to maintain the fins engaged therewith, and having end portions with lateral surfaces complementary to the lateral surface of said central body portion, whereby the lateral surfaces of a central body portion and a tube in which the axially extending fins of the central body portion have been inserted are flush.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a structure of the type including tubes, rails, and means for connecting tubes and rails, the improvement which comprises: at least one of said means for connecting comprising an axially symmetric central body portion and a plurality of intersecting fins extending axially from said central body portion and having a common line of intersection coaxial with said central body portion, a lateral side of said central body portion having therethrough at least one slot extending parallel to the line of intersection of said fins to an edge defining an end of said central body portion; said rails having slotted end portions for engaging with the slot through the lateral surface of said central body portion; and said tubes having hollow end portions dimensioned to receive and grip the axially extending fins to maintain the fins engaged therewith, and having end portions with lateral surfaces complementary to the lateral surface of said central body portion, whereby the lateral surfaces of a central body portion and a tube in which the axially extending fins of the central body portion have been inserted are flush.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a structure according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins extend axially from body ends of said central body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a structure according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins extend axially from one end of said central body portion, and an end of said central body portion opposite said one end terminates at a flat surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a structure according to claim 1, wherein said central body portion includes a pair of opposed internal walls extending inwardly from the longitudinally extending edges of the slot through the lateral side of the central body portion for a distance greater than the thickness of the lateral side.