Panel joining method apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for use in joining panel A to panel B to form a corner joint, each panel being of selected thickness between opposed panel surfaces and having edges therearound, panel B having a recess of selected width cut in the edge to be joined, the recess being intermediate the opposed panel surfaces, the apparatus comprising: an elongated structural reinforcing and joining member configured in cross-section by a thin, rectangular base portion having planar inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being adaptable to be bonded to one surface of panel A, and having opposed paralleled edges; an end portion integrally extending from one edge of said base portion and perpendicular to said base portion inner surface, the end portion having an inner and outer planar surface and having opposed paralleled edges, the first of such edges being in coincidence with one edge at said base portion, the inner surface adaptable to being bonded to an edge of panel A, the second edge being spaced from said base portion inner surface a distance substantial the thickness of said panel A; and an integral T portion extending from said base portion outer surface and in a plane parallel the plane of said end portion, the thickness of the T portion being less than the thickness of panel B and slightly less than the width of said recess formed in the edge of panel B, the plane of said T portion drawn intermediate its thickness being offset from the plane of the outer surface of said end portion by an amount equal about 1/2 of the thickness of panel B.

Claim 5

An apparatus for use in joining panel A to panel B to form a T joint, each panel being of selected thickness between opposed panel surface and having edges therearound, panel B having a recess in one edge, and in which the plane of panel B perpendicularly intersects the plane of panel A, comprising: an elongated structural reinforcing and joining member configured in cross-section of material of relatively thin and uniform thickness by: a U-shaped T portion having integral opposed, parallel leg portions and an integral end portion closing one edge of both opposed leg portions, the leg portions having inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces of said leg portions being spaced apart a width slightly less than the width of the recess in panel B and the T portion being adaptable to be received and bonded in said recess in said panel B; and opposed co-planar base portions integrally extending from said T portion leg portions, the base portions extending in opposite directions and being in a plane perpendicular the plane of said T portion, the base portions being adapted to bonding to a planar surface of panel A.

Claim 6

An apparatus for use in joining panel A to panel B to form a T joint, each panel being of selected thickness between opposed panel surface and having edges therearound, panel B having a recess in one edge, and in which the plane of panel B perpendicularly intersects the plane of panel A, comprising: an elongated structural reinforcing and joining member configured in cross-section of material of relatively thin and uniform thickness by: a U-shaped T portion having integral opposed, parallel leg portions and an integral end portion closing one edge of both opposed leg portions, the leg portions having inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces of said leg portions being spaced apart a width slightly less than the width of the recess in panel B and the T portion being adaptable to be received and bonded in said recess in said panel B; and opposed co-planar base portions integrally extending from said T portion leg portions, the base portions extending in opposite directions and being in a plane perpendicular the plane of said T portion, the base portions being adapted to bonding to a planar surface of panel A.