Joints And Connectors Patents (Class 312/140)
  • Patent number: 5234267
    Abstract: A hutch (10) of a preferred form is shown including a top (14) and bottom (16) initially held in a spaced relation by their sandwiching between collars (35) and nuts (36, 37) fixed on and threaded on, respectively, the ends of vertical rods (32) extending through apertures (34) formed in the top (14) and bottom (16). The upper and lower edges of first and second glass ends (18) and first and second, glass, front sides (22) are slideably captured in groves (28, 30) formed in the top (14) and the bottom (16). Bolts (38) threaded in the top (14) abut with the upper edges of the ends (18) and sides (22) to compressively capture the ends (18) and sides (22) between the grooves (28, 30) and to tension the vertical rods (32). A back (20) including a mirrored face (26) is secured to the top (14) and bottom ( 16) to provide diagonal support of the frame. Glass shelves (40) are supported by independent shelf supports (42) adjustably and slideably positioned on the vertical tension rods (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jericho P. Pauer, Jane Pronschinske
  • Patent number: 5213403
    Abstract: Corner fastener for the inside end of the runner rail of drawer guides. The corner fastener can be attached to the drawer where the drawer back and drawer side meet, and has clips projecting downward below the drawer bottom to snap onto the associated end of the runner rail. The fastener has a surface which can be laid flat against the drawer back, and it has a flange projecting at right angles between the end face of the drawer back and the confronting area of the drawer side. The flange is provided with means for fastening both to the end face of the drawer back and to the confronting area of the drawer side. These fastening means are constituted for example by studs which can be pressed into associated bores in the end face of the drawer back and in the drawer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG Mobelbeschlagfabrik
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5096317
    Abstract: A cover apparatus including a transparent housing overlying a computer keyboard, wherein the cover apparatus includes a plurality of forward and rear side walls defining rows of openings, wherein each row of openings is arranged overlying rows of computer keys. The openings are provided with cover housings to selectively cover individual or the plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys of the computer keyboard is positioned within the openings to provide selective covering thereof to minimize inadvertent pressing of such keys in usage of the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Kerin L. Phillippe
  • Patent number: 5083844
    Abstract: A modular showcase has at least one corner unit and at least two straight units coupled thereto. Additional straight units and/or corner units can be coupled thereto in an end to end fashion to form numerous different showcase arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Union Construcciones
    Inventors: George Gruenberg, Francisco Bruce
  • Patent number: 5022719
    Abstract: A merchandise showcase including transparent side and top windows and illumination means for a display portion of the showcase. A frame for mounting the windows is fabricated from roll-formed stainless steel with very little welding. Frame corner posts are frictionally and adhesively held within a channel in a top frame member by a wedge member inserted into the channel along with a top portion of the corner posts. Side window retention means firmly but flexibly grasp the edge portions of each side window and thereby utilize the windows as structural members to add strength to the showcase. The illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a down-feed tube for shielding the electrical feed wires. The tube is joined to the fixture only by the wires extending through both to allow the illumination assembly to be compactly folded for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 5004303
    Abstract: A portable display case having front, rear, top and first and second side members with a quickly fitted middle shelf adapted to be easily set up and retained together as a display case in a recess on top of a base and to be quickly dismantled and placed within a tote bag for transport and storage and, in a second embodiment where said display case's base includes a storage compartment, for storage and transport of all the members of said display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Joseph Conway
  • Patent number: 5003741
    Abstract: A multi-purpose frame structure has basic frame members consisting on the one hand of an octagonal tube and on the other hand of a connector. The octagonal tube is provided on its outer sides with dovetail slots and on its inside with opposed longitudinal engaging surfaces. The connector is in the form of a support with orthogonally disposed legs that can be received in the octagonal tube, each leg having a series of transverse projections which engage the surface projections inside of the tube. A frame may be made up from a number of the tubes and connectors and numerous other fittings may be provided which fit in the dovetail slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Kuo-Huei Yeh
  • Patent number: 4988008
    Abstract: A supporting framework for a control cabinet is configured of side frames and cross-beams. The side frames are made of whereby profile elements having a rectangular cross-sectional. The cross-beams possess a square cross-sectional shape that is beveled on one side, and includes two sections at right angles to each other and dimensioned to be of a length corresponding to the longer rectangular side of the cross-sectional shape of the side frame element. The supporting framework is both stable and inexpensive. The cabinets can be attached to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Blum, Hans-Michael Groh, Willi Kuster, Ludwig Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4968105
    Abstract: A composite section for manufacturing a case, in particular a show-case, is described. Two identical, generally L-shaped glass panel receiving sections (13, 13') are placed in mirror-symmetrical relationship with the apices away from one another. The legs of the L have flanged edges (16, 17) defining an angle of at least 90.degree.. The sections (13, 13') are interconnected by two cross-sectionally substantially C-shaped frame sections (18, 19) each engaging with two opposite flanged edges (16, 16'; 17, 17') of the two glass panel receiving sections (13, 13') and adapted to be pressed away from one another by means of pressure elements (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: SDB Industries B.Y.
    Inventor: Petrus T. J. Schaars
  • Patent number: 4948204
    Abstract: A display cabinet includes spaced top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced side walls and four corner elements which are received on the top and bottoms walls and the side walls for securing them in an assembled position wherein they cooperate to define a substantially rectangular structure. The display cabinet also includes an inner cross wall which extends between the side walls and the top and bottom walls for supporting items for display and front and rear walls which are hingeably attached to the side walls so as to function as doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: International Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Kilmartin, III
  • Patent number: 4948203
    Abstract: A merchandise showcase including transparent side and top windows and illumination means for a display portion of the showcase. A frame for mounting the windows is fabricated from roll-formed stainless steel with very little welding. Frame corner posts are frictionally and adhesively held within a channel in a top frame member by a wedge member inserted into the channel along with a top portion of the corner posts. Side window retention means firmly but flexibly grasp the edge portions of each side window and thereby utilize the windows as structural members to add strength to the showcase. The illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a down-feed tube for shielding the electrical feed wires. The tube is joined to the fixture only by the wires extending through both to allow the illumination assembly to be compactly folded for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4923163
    Abstract: A fixing device 30 is provided for securing two members, one of which is formed with a groove, together in a predetermined angular relationship. The device includes two limbs 32,34 having respective free ends 36,46 located at the same end 49 of the device, the limbs being arranged to act as levers which, when pushed towards each other at a predetermined position, cause the free ends 36,46 to move apart to engage walls of the groove. The device 30 also advantageously includes a necked slot 50 for receiving, for example, a screw, for securement to the one planar surface, which necked slot co-operates with the screw such that the screw will push the limbs together in order to effect said engagement as the screw secures the device to the ungrooved member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Titus Tool Company Limited
    Inventor: David N. Harley
  • Patent number: 4865402
    Abstract: The merchandise display showcase composed of standard parts and having a base part (1, 2), corner columns (3) and glass walls (8) is equipped, between the base part and a cover plate (7), with a crossmember element (4) for stabilizing the corner columns (3). The corner columns (3) composed of a core tube and of a sectional guide bar surrounding this for the mounting of the glass walls (8) are fastened, at the bottom, at prepositioned assembly locations in the base part (1, 2) and carry, on their top side, a plate-shaped cover means (7) interconnected releasably via a connecting element present partially on the core tube and partially on a cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Protoned B.V.
    Inventor: Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 4840440
    Abstract: A corner construction method and apparatus is disclosed including an extrusion construction for mating with and joining a pair of side panels. The extrusion includes a plurality of surface sections defined in cross-section by at least one elongate rib section, squared corners positioned at one end of the rib section, a pair of external leg sections at the other end of the rib section and a pair of internal leg sections parallel to the external leg sections and located along the rib section substantially midway between the squared corners and the external leg sections. A normal projection of each internal leg section onto the adjacent external leg sections ends substantially halfway along the length of the external leg section and apertures are provided for passing screws through the portion of the external leg section beyond that normal projection. The internal leg sections are substantially half agains as thick as the external leg sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: Monrow Dieter
  • Patent number: 4807948
    Abstract: A cupboard, more particularly a bathroom cupboard, contains a housing consisting of at least two profiled parts which are joined together in a corner-area at an angle of less than 180.degree.. The purpose of the invention is to make it possible to build the cupboard at low production and assembly costs and without the use of corner connections. The profiled parts consist of a single initially straight profiled rail in which, for the purpose of producing the relevant corner-area, a cut is made from the outside. Located in the vicinity of the inside of the corner-area is a continuous strap which joins the profiled parts together, a clamping element being inserted into the gap obtained upon bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Heinz G. Baus
  • Patent number: 4747644
    Abstract: A portable display stand comprising a base member plate provided with a mounting plate so that wheels may be mounted in an operational or stored position on the base member with the base member also being provided with a support system. A plurality of sidewall panels are provided and are hingedly connected together so that they may be moved to an operational position and supported on the support system or moved to a storage position. A top member plate is provided and has a channel system for receiving a portion of the sidewall panels to be supported thereby. A carrying case is provided and has walls defining a cavity for holding the base member plate with the wheels in a stored position, the plurality of sidewall panels in a stored position and the top member plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventors: Stanley A. Gallery, Daniel J. Gallery, Deborah A. Gallery
  • Patent number: 4744612
    Abstract: An improved fastener (10) is provided for releasably coupling a side panel member (16) having opposing internal and external surfaces (26 and 28) to a display panel member (18). The improved fastener (10) may be inserted into through openings (24) in side panel members (16) from internal a display system (14) or external thereto. Improved fastener (10) is formed in generally one-piece molded formation and includes a base portion (30), a fastener central portion (32), and a pair of longitudinally extending upper and lower arm members (34 and 36) respectively. The improved fastener (10) includes a chamfered surface (40) for the base portion (30) as well as a chamfered lower section (44) for the central portion (32) which allows insert of improved fastener (10) in a reversible longitudinal direction (12) when taken with respect to the side panel member (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Russell William, Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell K. Winter, Thomas D. Harvey, Nedim Savas, Richard S. Kain
  • Patent number: 4735468
    Abstract: A mounting socket installed in a compartment having spaced apart side walls with socket muonting holes and the side walls are spaced apart a greater distance at the front of the compartment relative to the back of the compartment. The socket is adapted to receive a horizontally extending support device and has a body with a first open end, a closed second end and an intermediate section therebetween. The body has an internal cavity extending along its central axis from the first end to the second end. The cavity has a horizontally oriented first portion adapted to receive a horizontally extending support device and has a first stop located in the intermediate section and a horizontally oriented second portion adapted to receive the horizontally extending support device and has a second stop located in the intermediate section with the second stop being spaced from the open end a distance less than the first stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benson T. Taylor, Jr., John K. Besore
  • Patent number: 4731973
    Abstract: A profiled member for clamping plate-like elements, including a slot that accommodates the edge of a plate-like element. A clamping strip having a wedge-shaped cross-section is disposed in this slot, and the clamping strip is pressed against the plate-like element via pressure screws. The clamping strip is disposed in an enlarged slot portion that is provided with a guide surface for guiding the wedge-shaped clamping strip. So that the clamping action is particularly reliable, secure, and easy to operate, it is proposed that the direction of abutment or impact of the pressure agent that acts upon the clamping strip extend essentially parallel to the guide surface, and that the wedge point of the wedge-shaped clamping strip face the base of the slot. In the enlarged slot portion, the guide surface is disposed at a greater and greater distance from the plate-like element as one proceeds in the direction toward the opening of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Gebruder Vieler GmbH
    Inventor: Bruno Stenemann
  • Patent number: 4702638
    Abstract: Inexpensive, knock-down, furniture constructions, assembled with mating, molded, plastic shells for corners and elbows are disclosed for use in furniture pieces for use by children. The furniture constructions include panel members of inexpensive sheet material. Each corner connector is formed of two mating shells, that are each molded of plastic and which are shaped to provide internally thereof pairs of telescoping pins and sleeves, which frictionally hold the shells assembled after the pair of shells are pressed together. Each corner connector provides at least two socket means, each for receiving a wooden rail with a channel along its length. The panel members are positioned in and held by the channels of a pair of rails. A pin or sleeve provided on at least one of the corner connectors extends through an aperture provided in each panel member, to effect a holding of the panel member in its proper intended position relative to the plastic mating shells and to the channeled rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: American Toy & Furniture Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Zalesak
  • Patent number: 4693524
    Abstract: The present invention discloses component elements for building any desired furniture structure comprising vertical columns having orifices for receipt of fasteners, such as screws and horizontal support members that are connected to the vertical columns. The horizontal supports have a body portion with orifices that communicate with the column orifices for passage of a fastener therethrough. The horizontal supports also have at least one support end portion projecting from the body portion and a rib projecting from the support member generally perpendicular to the body and the end portions. Other horizontal support embodiments are shown, suitable for constructing shelves or display cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Inventor: Vicente N. Navarro
  • Patent number: 4691970
    Abstract: The dustproof cabinet disclosed features a lattice framework in which a plurality of members are interconnected via their ends in sets of three, at least, by way of modular joints which, together with the members, create frames around the external openings of the lattice; each opening is then enclosed closed by a dustproof panel. The joints exhibit ribs or channels which, together with similar ribs or channels incorporated into the members, provide each frame with the mounting for a seal that occupies the entire periphery of the relative frame and offers a frontal abutment to the panel covering the relative opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Armando Neri
  • Patent number: 4691486
    Abstract: A multiple pane glass assembly having at least one pane that is electrically heatable. The glass panes of the assembly are disposed in closely spaced, side-by-side relation with a spacer interposed between adjacent panes. The spacers include a plurality of hollow tubular members disposed near the peripheral edges of the panes with adjacent ends of the tubular members connected by corner key elements. Electrical lead wires extending from an interior electrically heatable surface of one of the panes are directed through respective apertures or passageways in the corner key elements, into the end of a respective tubular member connected to the corner key element, and through the tubular spacer members to a common egress location. The corner key elements are adapted to retain desiccant material in at least some of the tubular members, which together with sealant applied about the periphery of the assembly, enables an air-tight sustantially vapor-free condition to be maintained in the space between panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventors: Frank Niekrasz, Andrew Menke
  • Patent number: 4683634
    Abstract: A window spacer assembly is disclosed having tubular members interconnected by corner pieces. The corner pieces are provided with flexible fingers which create an interference fit with the tubular member ends and resist forces which tend to pull the assembly apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: Richard D. Cole
  • Patent number: 4678359
    Abstract: A device comprising a frame composed of lengths of tubing and coupling pieces interconnecting the same, coupling piece and coupling piece parts for the same, each coupling piece having a cubical body provided on each outer face with a recess with undercut engaging rims for receiving a base part of an arm connected with a tubing and having complementary engaging rims in a manner such that the arm is fixed in place at least in the direction transverse of the outer face. The edge of the body is equal to the thickness of the tubings, the body consists of two identical parts having a square head face, each part having complementary connecting means for joining a body part by a base face to the base face of the other body part in a direction transverse of the head face, while each side face has a recess which is accessible only from the base face for the base part of the arm and which forms, together with a corresponding recess in the other body part, the recess for receiving the base part of an arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: Keen, Egbert
  • Patent number: 4660903
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case with front, top and side panels of multi-windowpane construction. Each panel is designed to provide high visibility of the merchandise on display. The panels are easily connected together. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the display case is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 4653652
    Abstract: A construction system comprising a construction member and a locking connector, the construction member has in opposite faces two pairs of external grooves. The first pair of grooves has a cross-sectional shape which is a major segment of a circle, and the second pair of grooves has a substantially rectangular cross-section. The openings or slots leading to the grooves are of equal length, and the diameter of the first pair of grooves is substantially equal to the width of the second pair of grooves, with the width of adjacent faces of the construction member being in the ratio of 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Frank Avati
  • Patent number: 4650261
    Abstract: A molded fastener (10) is provided for releasably coupling a side panel member (16) to a display panel member (18) in generally planar orthogonal relationship. The side panel (16) includes a through opening (20) through which the fastener (10) is partially inserted. The fastener (10) includes a one-piece formation having a base portion (26) with a diameter greater than the diameter of the side panel member through opening (20). The base portion (26) extends to a central portion (30) of the fastener and has a diameter substantially equal to the panel member through opening (20). A pair of longitudinally extending arm members (32 and 34) are secured to the central portion (30) of the fastener (10) and are adapted to clampingly engage the display member (18) on opposing surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Russell William, Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell K. Winter, Thomas D. Harvey, Nedim Savas, Richard S. Kain
  • Patent number: 4643319
    Abstract: This invention relates to a framework for a switchboard cabinet, comprising at least twelve interlocking frame sections of an identical hollow rectangular structure, in which the hollow rectangular structure has rows of holes and forms an outer corner at the junction of two perpendicular side sections. Opposite the outer corner, the hollow rectangular structure has two side sections, each extending parallel to an opposite side forming the outer corner. The outer corners of all frame sections are aligned correspondingly and face the interior of the framework. Due to the special construction and arrangement of the frame sections, a framework is produced which is expandable with positive sealing on all sides, and in which interconnecting transverse struts, support rails, structural elements and the like, may be installed on all frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Debus, Hans-Georg Koch, Jurgen Zachrai, Helmut Butergerds
  • Patent number: 4636105
    Abstract: Corner pieces for frames are used for joining together frame sides situated adjacent the corner piece. The frame sides are tubular or profile-shaped and adapted in their inner cavity to receive legs which are angularly arranged on the corner piece and interconnected by means of an intermediate part. Each leg consists of two parallel shanks and each shank is shaped so as to be complementary to the cavity of the frame side profile engaging the respective shank so that the shank can be inserted guidingly and with a certain friction in the cavity of the profile. The corner piece is composed of two identical corner parts interconnected by fastening means, the legs and the intermediate part of the corner piece having, on one hand, a first symmetry plane coinciding with the frame plane and, on the other hand, a second symmetry plane or bisector plane bisecting the angle between the legs of the corner piece. The second plane is perpendicular to the first symmetry plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Gert A. Johansson
  • Patent number: 4632473
    Abstract: An improved cabinet assembly for quick and easy assembly into various configurations. The assembly is characterized in one embodiment, by a unique joint where three framework members meet. A vertical post is equipped with vertically spaced slots. A first crossbar has prongs at one end which are snugly received in the slots, and, upon vertical movement of the crossbar, lock the crossbar to the post. A second crossbar joins the first crossbar and vertical post at mutually perpendicular angles, and is equipped with two pins which are snugly received in holes in the post. When both crossbars are in position, a bolt is inserted through the post and into the end of the second crossbar where it is secured. The bolt engages an edge of one of the prongs of the first crossbar, preventing vertical movement of the crossbar to retain it in the locked position. In another embodiment, the assembly is characterized by a drawer slide which has prongs at each end receivable in the facing slots of two parallel vertical posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: R. C. Smith Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4621879
    Abstract: One corner connecting element (5), in the form of a rail, is present at each corner of a box-like structure having four side walls (3) and one bottom or rear wall (2). With longitudinal grooves (8), the rail engages bent-over edge portions (13) of the walls of the structure. The corner connecting elements (5) are preferably realized in two parts (6,7) in the longitudinal direction, the parts being held together by screws (12). Since the outside of the connecting rail (5) is embodied in the shape of one-quarter of a circle, the corners of the structure are rounded. The fabrication of such structures, such as bathroom cabinets and the like, is simplified as a result, because welded connections can be dispensed with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: W. Schneider & Co. AG Metallwarenfabrik
    Inventor: Walter Schneider
  • Patent number: 4621877
    Abstract: The present arrangement enables first and second section, or first second and third sections, of a housing device to be secured together without the necessity of a plurality of screws, or winged nuts, or clamps, or the like. In a preferred embodiment two side walls are formed with grooved edges. Each of the groove edges has its outer wall placed in abutment with a different associated resilient gasket and between the resilient gaskets there is located an extension member of a third wall. The grooved edges have an inverted U-shaped compression strip forced thereinto and the compression strip in turn forces the outer walls of the grooved edges toward the resilient gaskets which in turn are squeezed against the extension member thereby locking the three walls together rapidly. The removal of the compression strip enables the side walls to be free and hence separatable to enable the user to work on items inside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald B. Boudreau, Charles F. Termini
  • Patent number: 4618120
    Abstract: A portable lectern is formed from a plurality of pieces joined at their edges by right angle joining strips to form a base. The lectern has a top adapted to hold notes and the like. The top is held in place by fasteners. A shaped corner piece is used to hold the lower corners of the pieces which form the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Jervis J. Wattles
  • Patent number: 4613999
    Abstract: A waterbed pedestal frame is provided with exterior flat side panels having connector joints on their interior surfaces. A pair of central panels can interconnect a pair of side panels and a plurality of flat, rectangular connector boards can be positioned to space these central panels. Connector posts are provided on the central panel for supporting the weight of the waterbed. The frame can be assembled without additional fasteners by afixing the side panels into a square configuration and interconnecting them with the central panels and the connector members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Eduardo G. Franco
    Inventors: Eduardo G. Franco, James E. Trimmer
  • Patent number: 4595245
    Abstract: A fastening device for adjustably fastening a front plate to a drawer includes holding parts arranged at the left and right sides of the front plate and engageable by means of screws into supporting parts secured to respective guide rails of the drawer. Flaps are pivotally mounted on the supporting parts and extend vertically to the front plate. Upper ends of the supporting parts are connected to the flaps by means of the screws. When the flaps are pivoted, the inclination of the front plate thereby is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Erich Rock, Josef Brunner
  • Patent number: 4589710
    Abstract: A device fastens front plates of drawers such that adjustment of the position of the front plate is possible. At each side of the drawer is provided a supporting member engaged with a holding member which is fastened to the front plate. To facilitate lateral adjustment of the front plate, the lower side of the holding member at only one side of the drawer is provided with an adjusting screw for the lateral adjustment of the front plate, while the holding member on the other side is laterally free and has a stop flap for limiting the vertical adjustment of the front plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Erich Rock, Josef Brunner
  • Patent number: 4577916
    Abstract: The application discloses an assembly of fasteners used to assemble parts of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventors: Emile Seigneur, Philippe Paillart
  • Patent number: 4556148
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a rack for displaying articles and comprising an assembly of horizontally and vertically oriented profiled bars, each provided with longitudinal grooves within which displaceable clamping elements can be clamped. These clamping elements may be rack inserts or serve as supports for such inserts. Grooves of adjacent vertical bars open toward each other for receiving wall-like elements. Also, other grooves of the vertical bars open into the interior area of the rack. Profiled bars which meet at corners are connected to each other by plug elements which plug into the bars and are hidden by the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventor: Ernst Koller
  • Patent number: 4545490
    Abstract: An assembly rack having: a plurality of steel angles each having its two sides bent into L-shaped guide edges which define a guide groove, and provided with a series of holes in each side, and a plurality of slightly L-shaped joint members of sheet metal having a guide groove on each side and provided with screw holes one in each side of the guide groove. The guide edges of the steel angles are engaged in the grooves of the joint members and the two extended portions of the joint members are fitted into the guide grooves of the angles. Vertical and horizontal steel angles thus joined by the joint members are fastened to the joint members by bolts, and the horizontal angles can be positioned at different locations along the vertical steel angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Hsiao, Huey-Der Cheng
  • Patent number: 4515280
    Abstract: The coupling device for securing adjacent boards to construct a display case is molded from a plastic material and made in such a way, that a pair of plate members are spaced from each other to define a groove for receiving a corner of the board therein. The pair of plate members are connected by a pair of triangular prismatic portions extending on two adjacent sides thereof and with the two adjacent sides formed into a right angle, the groove is positioned opposite to the two adjacent sides. Along the longitudinal direction of the triangular prismatic portion a slot or a rod is alternatively provided, and a connecting member is provided with at least two complementary parts thereon for mating with the rods or the slots of at least two other triangular prismatic portions of two adjacent coupling devices, so as to connect the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: Roung-Hwang Sheu
  • Patent number: 4509806
    Abstract: According to the invention, each corner post includes an exterior section having the general shape of an angle iron, the intersecting sides of which are intended to comprise the corresponding corner of the furniture, and an interior section substantially receiving the plane bisecting the corner as a plane of symmetry, the interior section including at least one tubular element capable of receiving at each of its ends a self-tapping screw or some other means for the fixation, at the lower end, of a shoe or foot with the possible interposition of a lower partition pierced by the screw and, at the upper end, of the top of a piece of furniture or of a cap covering the tip of the corner, while at least one of the sections, either exterior or interior, is provided with detent means preventing the lateral displacement of the partitions forming the corresponding angle of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Dudouyt
  • Patent number: 4503780
    Abstract: A furniture construction such as a table is made using a method for attaching a closed loop stretchable edging to a rigid rim of the table. The method includes stretching the edging with an apparatus having a plurality of dog plates that extend outwardly from a common axis to a size greater than the perimeter of the rim. The rim of the table is then positioned within the interior of the stretched closed loop edging. The dog plates are then retracted, permitting the edging to retract and elastically engage the rim. The edging preferably includes a flexible upper lip that is pulled back to permit a table top panel to be positioned under the lip. When the lip is allowed to retract, the lip engages the edge portion of the table top panel, securing the table top panel to the rim of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Homecrest Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Arthur A. Apissomian
  • Patent number: 4493425
    Abstract: A rack assembly apparatus assembled by fitting panels and transverse beams to connection members, said apparatus characterized in that panel fitting plates consisting of two parallel panel fitting support plates are formed at the base of each of said connection members so as to project vertically from both surfaces and to define a panel fitting groove between said panel fitting support plates, an engaging protuberance is formed at the bottom of each of said panel fitting grooves, a transverse fitting groove is defined along the outer surface of said panel fitting plate, an engaging protuberance is also formed at the bottom of said transverse beam fitting groove, said panel and said transverse beam are equipped with engaging notches, respectively, said panel is fitted into said panel fitting groove of said connection member while said transverse beam is fitted into said transverse beam fitting groove, said engaging notches of said panel and said transverse beam are engaged with said protuberances of said conne
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Inventor: Tsukasa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4470647
    Abstract: A set of identical connectors are secured to a plurality of rectangular panels to form a tubular or box-like storage unit with the connectors forming parallel longitudinal edges thereof. The connectors each have a longitudinal T-shaped rib and a T-shaped, longitudinal recess, capable of slideably receiving the rib of an adjacent storage unit, so that a plurality of units may be arranged and stacked to form a self sustaining structure from which one or more storage units may be slideably removed without disturbance to the remaining structure and units. In one embodiment a connector and a panel are formed integrally as a one-piece unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Mark L. Bishoff
    Inventors: Mark L. Bishoff, George Nelson, Daniel J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4468067
    Abstract: A display case with a locking mechanism for securing display case components together comprising a first member including hook means, a second frame member including hook means adapted to interlock with the first member's hook means, and means for biasing the second member's hook means into engagement with the first member's hook means, so the first member's and the second member's hook means interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Rock Leasing, Inc.
    Inventor: Claire L. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4462646
    Abstract: An enclosure structure including a cabinet having an insulative wall defining an internal space selectively closed by a closure member hingedly mounted to the cabinet. The end of the insulating space in the wall is closed by a cooperating breaker collar, inner liner, and outer shell flange structure arranged to be free of protuberant portions for nonbinding, wiping movement of the closure gasket thereagainst in the selective positioning of the closure member between open and closed positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell flange includes a turned distal portion projecting downward with respect to the insulating space and the breaker collar includes a distal connecting portion embracing the turned distal portion of the flange to provide a positive connection of the breaker collar to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: George J. Fleck
  • Patent number: 4444321
    Abstract: A bracket structure for supporting a horizontal or vertical sheet-like member and adapted for attachment to a supporting apertured panel having a first U-shaped clip with two opposing spaced flat side walls joined by an integral end wall. A stem extends outwardly of the end wall which has a cylindrical slotted neck to define flexible spaced bifurcations. When the bifurcations are pressed together they define a round head which may enter an aperture in the supporting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: William Carlstrom
  • Patent number: 4438993
    Abstract: A hinge comprising a first elongated hinge member defining an elongated socket and a second hinge member adapted to be positionable in a first angular position wherein at least a portion of the second hinge member is slidably insertable into the socket and slidably removable from the socket and a second angular position at an acute angle to the first angular position and wherein the second hinge member is restrained against removal from the socket. The first hinge member includes a supporting surface and a restraining member spaced from the supporting surface in opposed relation thereto and projecting toward the supporting surface. The restraining member includes a rodlike bearing surface facing the supporting surface, and the rodlike bearing surface and the supporting surface define the socket therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: DCI Marketing
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Rabas
  • Patent number: RE32435
    Abstract: A bracket structure for supporting a horizontal or vertical sheet-like member and adapted for attachment to a supporting apertured panel having a first U-shaped clip with two opposing spaced flat side walls joined by an integral end wall. A stem extends outwardly of the end wall which has a cylindrical slotted neck to define flexible spaced bifurcations. When the bifurcations are pressed together they define a round head which may enter an aperture in the supporting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Lyle/Carlstrom Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William Carlstrom