Joints and connections – Rod end to transverse side of member – Corner joint
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-28
2003-02-11
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3677)
Joints and connections
Rod end to transverse side of member
Corner joint
C248S224800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06517276
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to connection for two plates, and particularly to simple connection for two orthogonal plates.
2. Prior Art
In modem manufacturing, more and more orthogonal plates are being required to be joined together. Oftentimes, two orthogonal plates are joined by means of screws, rivets, staking, spot welding and so on. Two orthogonal plates are also often joined by means of other kinds of connectors.
FIG. 5
shows a conventional connector for a pair of orthogonal first and second plates
1
,
2
. The connector comprises a male connector
12
and a female connector
22
. The male connector
12
comprises a hollow first protrusion
14
defining a screw hole
15
. The male connector
12
is secured on the first plate
1
by means of screws (not labeled). The female connector
22
comprises a hollow second protrusion
24
for receiving the first protrusion
14
. A spring tab
26
extends from one edge of the second protrusion
24
. The tab
26
defines a through hole
27
corresponding to the screw hole
15
. The female connector
22
is secured on the second plate
2
by means of screws (not labeled). In assembly of the first and second plates
1
,
2
, the first protrusion
14
of the male connector
12
is received in the second protrusion
24
of the female connector
22
. A bolt
3
is then extended through the through hole
27
of the female connector
22
to engage in the screw hole
15
of the male connector
12
.
The male and female connectors
12
,
22
must first be secured on the first and second plates
1
,
2
by means of screws. This requires a tool, and is unduly complicated and time-consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can readily and securely join two orthogonal plates together.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for joining two orthogonal plates which does not require use of any tools.
To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a first plate and a second plate perpendicular to the first plate. The first plate comprises a base and a flange extending perpendicularly upwardly from one edge of the base. The base defines a pair of rectangular cutouts at such edge. The flange defines a pair of rectangular openings in communication with the corresponding cutouts, and a locking slot between the openings. A pair of shoulders is formed in the first plate on opposite sides of each cutout. The second plate forms a pair of protrusions, and a pair of hooks between the protrusions. Each protrusion defines a pair of horizontal grooves, and a pair of vertical grooves for facilitating deformation of the protrusion. Two pairs of slits are defined in a rearmost periphery of each protrusion, in communication with the corresponding grooves. In joining the first and second plates together, the horizontal grooves receive the corresponding shoulders. The slits engagingly receive corresponding edges of the flange adjacent the corresponding openings, and the hooks engage with the flange in the locking slot.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed embodiment of the present invention with attached drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4448321 (1984-05-01), Hanlet
patent: 4479737 (1984-10-01), Bergh et al.
patent: 5508902 (1996-04-01), Shoemaker
patent: 6135666 (2000-10-01), Kelly et al.
patent: 3741533 (1989-06-01), None
Brittain James R.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
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