Patent US4348127A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4348127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Connector for extruded sections such as picture frame members
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-07-24
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Granted: 1982-09-07
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Expires: 2001-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A spring steel connector for extruded metal lengths such as picture frame members has, in addition to locking tines, a tine projecting in the opposite direction to permit release of the connector.
Inventors
- 👤 George O. Hays, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:55
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/06; A47G1/10; A47G1/101; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
The improvement in a corner key for a picture frame assembly of the type having extruded metal frame sections, each section having front and rear flanges connected by a wall portion and defining a channel for reception of the edge portions of material being framed, at least the rear flange having a slot rearwardly opening and of T-shaped cross-section, said corner key comprising: a spring steel member having first and second legs extending at right angles to one another and slideable into said slot, each leg having a tab formed therein, said tab extending along the principal axis of said leg, having its free end toward the juncture of said legs, and terminating in three tines, said tab being bent at a small angle relative to the plane of said legs, the two lateral tines being bent further in the same direction as said tab and the center tine being bent in the opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
The improvement in a corner key for a picture frame assembly of the type having extruded metal frame sections, each section having front and rear flanges connected by a wall portion and defining a channel for reception of the edge portions of material being framed, at least the rear flange having a slot rearwardly opening and of T-shaped cross-section, said corner key comprising: a spring steel member having first and second legs extending at right angles to one another and slideable into said slot, each leg having a tab formed therein, said tab extending along the principal axis of said leg, having its free end toward the juncture of said legs, and terminating in three tines, said tab being bent at a small angle relative to the plane of said legs, the two lateral tines being bent further in the same direction as said tab and the center tine being bent in the opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
The improvement in a connector for joining extruded metal sections each having an open-sided slot of T-shape configuration, said connector comprising: a spring steel member having first and second leg portions extending from a common juncture and slideable into said slot, each leg having a tab formed therein, said tab extending along the principal axis of the leg, having its free end toward said juncture of said legs, and terminating in three tines, said tab being bent at a small angle relative to the plane of said legs, the two lateral tines being bent further in the same direction as said tab and the center tine being bent in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The improvement in a connector for joining extruded metal sections each having an open-sided slot of T-shape configuration, said connector comprising: a spring steel member having first and second leg portions extending from a common juncture and slideable into said slot, each leg having a tab formed therein, said tab extending along the principal axis of the leg, having its free end toward said juncture of said legs, and terminating in three tines, said tab being bent at a small angle relative to the plane of said legs, the two lateral tines being bent further in the same direction as said tab and the center tine being bent in the opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said first and second legs extend in opposite directions from said juncture, forming a straight-line connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said first and second legs extend at right angles to one another from said juncture, forming a right-angle connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2078744A
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US2293615A
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US3191243A
Cited
US3534490A
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US3955298A
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US4095361A
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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) | 1985-09-06 | 1986-03-08 | 1986-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-06 | 1990-03-08 | 1990-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-06 | 1994-03-08 | 1994-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |