Pan structure

Claim 2

A pan shaped structure having at least one structural member attached thereto comprising: a. a planar surface the periphery of which is defined by a plurality of angularly related edges; b. a marginal flange at each edge of said planar surface, said marginal flanges extending normally from said planar surface with extending edges and disposed to form an angular corner junction between each adjacent pair of said marginal flanges; c. a plurality of corner tabs unitary with said planar surface and with said marginal flanges with a different one of said corner tabs at each of the angular corner junctions, each of said corner tabs folded diagonally into engagement with its respective one of the corner junctions and angularly into engagement with the pair of said marginal flanges which form that corner junction, each of said corner tabs having an angular flap portion extending beyond its respective one of the corner junctions; d. at least one corner post having an angular transverse cross section, said corner post normal to said planar surface and having one of its ends adjacent one of said corner junctions, said end having a slot formed therein longitudinally of said post to provide a pair of angularly related flaps which engage said pair of marginal flanges at locations set back from the corner junction formed thereby, said corner post in engagement with the angular flap portion of the one of said corner tabs to which it is adjacent; and e. means for fixedly attaching said pair of flaps to the engaged marginal flanges and for attaching said corner post to the engaged angular flap portion of said corner tab.

Claim 3

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corner tabs are disposed to engage the outwardly facing surfaces of said marginal flanges.

Claim 4

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corner tabs are disposed to engage the inwardly facing surfaces of said marginal flanges.

Claim 5

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot formed in said corner post terminates in an angular edge transverse to the length of said corner post and said pair of angularly related flaps of said corner post are offset from the main portion thereof an amount equal to the thickness of said marginal flanges whereby said angular edge is located on the extending edges of said marginal flanges adjacent the corner junction formed thereby.

Claim 6

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot formed in said corner post has a width dimension which is at least as large as the width dimension of said corner tabs.

Claim 7

A pan structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angular flap portion of said corner tab is offset from the main portion thereof for engaging said corner post.

Claim 8

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. the slot formed in said corner post terminates in an angular edge transverse to the length of said corner post; b. said pair of angularly related flaps of said corner post are offset from the main portion thereof an amount substantially equal to the thickness of said marginal flange to form a ledge between each of said flaps and the main portion of said corner post, said ledges aligned with said angular edge; and c. said ledges and said angular edge being positioned on the extending edges of said marginal flanges adjacent the angular corner junction formed thereby.

Claim 9

A pan shaped structure having at least one structural member attached thereto comprising: a. a planar surface the periphery of which is defined by a plurality of angularly related edges; b. a marginal flange at each edge of said planar surface and extending normally from said planar surface, said marginal flanges having extending edges and forming an angular corner junction between each adjacent pair of said marginal flanges; c. a plurality of corner tabs unitary with said planar surface and with said marginal flanges with a different one of said corner tabs at each of said corner junctions, each of said corner tabs folded diagonally into engagement with its respective one of said corner junctions and angularly into engagement with ones of said marginal flanges which form that corner junction, each of said corner tabs having an angular flap portion extending beyond its respective one of said corner junctions; d. a panel member extending normally from said planar surface and having at least one side flange which extends therefrom at an angle substantially equal to the angular relationship of said corner junctions, said panel having a slot therein which extends from one edge thereof along the junction between said panel and said side flange to provide a pair of angularly related extending flaps for engaging an adjacent pair of said marginal flanges at locations set back from the corner junction formed thereby, said panel in engagement with the angular flap portion of the one of said corner tabs located at the corner junction; and e. means for fixedly attaching said pair of flaps to their respectively engaged ones of said pair of marginal flanges and for attaching said panel to the engaged flap portion of said corner tab.

Claim 10

A pan shaped structure having at least one structural member attached thereto comprising: a. a planar surface the periphery of which is defined by a plurality of angularly related edges; b. a marginal flange at each edge of said planar surface and extending normally from said planar surface, said marginal flanges having extending edges and forming an angular corner junction between each adjacent pair of said marginal flanges; c. a plurality of corner tabs unitary with said planar surface and with said marginal flanges with a different one of said corner tabs at each of said corner junctions, each of said corner tabs folded diagonally into engagement with its respective one of said corner junctions and angularly into engagement with ones of said marginal flanges which form that corner junction, each of said corner tabs having an angular flap portion extending beyond its respective one of said corner junctions; d. a panel member extending normally from said planar surface and having at least one side flange which extends therefrom at an angle substantially equal to the angular relationship of said corner junctions, said panel having a slot therein which extends from one edge thereof along the junction between said panel and said side flange to provide a pair of angularly related extending flaps for engaging an adjacent pair of said marginal flanges at locations set back from the corner junction formed thereby, said panel in engagement with the angular flap portion of the one of said corner tabs located at the corner junction; and e. means for fixedly attaching said pair of flaps to their respectively engaged ones of said pair of marginal flanges and for attaching said panel to the engaged flap portion of said corner tab.

Claim 11

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said corner tabs are folded to engage the outwardly facing surfaces of said marginal flanges.

Claim 12

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said corner tabs are folded to engage the inwardly facing surfaces of said marginal flanges.

Claim 13

A pan shaped structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein: a. the slot formed in said panel member terminates in an angular edge; b. said pair of angularly related flaps of said panel and said side flange being offset from the main portions thereof an amount substantially equal to the thickness of said marginal flanges to form a ledge between said panel and its respective one of said flaps and another ledge between said side flange and its respective one of said flaps, said ledges aligned with said angular edge; and c. said ledges and said angular edge being positioned on the extending edges of said marginal flanges adjacent the corner junction formed thereby.