Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Enlarged head in complementary recess – e.g. – dovetail – etc.
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-01
2001-06-26
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Enlarged head in complementary recess, e.g., dovetail, etc.
C403S170000, C403S217000, C312S245000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250843
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a trim assembly for interfacing with a flanged support post. In particular, the invention relates to a trim assembly that removably attaches to flanged support posts of modular storage units.
The trim assembly includes trim members having longitudinally oriented flanges for slidably engaging a slot formed in the flanged support posts.
The trim assembly of the present invention is designed for use with flanged support posts of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,650, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in
FIG. 8
, a support post
20
is generally comprised of an interior post
73
and a plurality of radially extending flanges
75
. The interior post is preferably tubular in shape, with a circular cross-section and interior
77
and exterior
79
wall surfaces. The flanges
75
preferably extend along the entire longitudinal length of the interior post. In addition, the flanges
75
, or dove tails, are preferably spaced equidistant from each other around the periphery of the interior post
73
to create a symmetrical support post.
As best seen in
FIG. 8
, each flange has a first portion
21
which extends radially from the interior post
73
. At the terminal end of each first portion is transversely disposed a second portion
23
. The second portions are formed with arcuate outer surfaces
25
, that together outline a circumference that is concentric with the interior
77
and exterior
79
wall surfaces of the interior post
73
. Together, the first portion
21
and second portion
23
can be described as forming a T-shaped structure extending radially from the interior post
73
. A slot
27
is formed between adjacent flanges
75
. Because of the arcuate shape of the exterior wall surface
79
and the T-shaped flanges
75
, the slots can be described as substantially concave, with the side portions thereof each forming opposing C-shaped wall surfaces defined by the inner sides of adjacent T-shaped flanges
75
. The flanges
75
can also include horizontal grooves
29
on their outer surfaces
25
, as shown in FIG.
7
.
The flanged support posts
20
are part of a platform system used in constructing the modular units. In an open structure type of modular unit, the flanged support posts
20
can be used to form, for example, a shelving system. In an enclosed structure type modular unit, the flanged support posts
20
are used with an array of top, bottom and side panels to form, for example, a cart or cabinet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modular storage units in the form of enclosed or open structures are well known in the art.
In one type of enclosed storage unit disclosed in the '650 patent, flanged corner support posts
20
, as described above, receive vertical edges of side panels into the slots
27
formed by the flanges
75
to form a storage assembly. In a storage assembly of this type, linear trim pieces extending the length of the flanged support posts
20
can be inserted into exposed slots
27
of the support posts
20
not receiving the side panels. These trim pieces have arcuate outer surfaces that, when inserted into the slots
27
, form a substantially continuous outer face with the arcuate outer surfaces of the T-shaped flanges
75
of the support posts
20
.
However, further improvements in modular storage units are desired. For example, it would be desirable to provide a trim assembly that enhances the use of such modular storage units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of this invention to provide a trim assembly for interfacing with a flanged support post.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a trim assembly that removably attaches to a flanged support post.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a trim assembly for interconnecting separate flanged support posts.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a trim assembly for spacing a flanged support post from a wall or other vertically oriented structure.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a trim assembly for use with at least one flanged support post comprises a first trim member engagable with the flanged support post, and a second trim member engagable with the first trim member.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a trim assembly for use with flanged support posts of platform assemblies, wherein the flanges of the flanged support posts form vertically oriented slots, comprises a first trim member having a first flanged portion. The first flanged portion is engagable with one flanged support post and the trim assembly operates to connect flanged support posts from separate platform assemblies.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a trim assembly for use with flanged support posts of platform assemblies, wherein the flanges of the flanged support posts form vertically oriented slots, comprises a first trim member and a second trim member. The first trim member comprises a first flanged portion engagable with one flanged support post. The second trim member comprises a straight edge along its vertical length. The first trim member is engagable with the second trim member.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a trim assembly for use with a flanged support post comprises a first trim member including a first flanged portion. The first trim member is engagable with the flanged support post and the trim assembly operates to interface the flanged support post with a wall.
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patent: 4968105 (1990-11-01), Schaars
patent: 5039177 (1991-08-01), Newell et al.
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patent: 5466057 (1995-11-01), Blankenburg
patent: 5647650 (1997-07-01), Daugherty et al.
patent: 5651630 (1997-07-01), Nomura
patent: 5673983 (1997-10-01), Carlson et al.
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patent: 5791806 (1998-08-01), Giehl
patent: 5960599 (1999-10-01), Schmidt et al.
Carlson Bradley J.
Johnson Eric C.
Olson Jeffrey C.
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Metro Industries Inc.
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