Abstract: A corner joint for locking in place the upright and horizontal rail members of a modular assembly is disclosed. The rail members are interconnected to form an open frame defining box-like modules for supporting shelving, side wall members, doors, and such like components. The corner joint positively locks the rail members in place and includes similarly shaped forks formed at the end sections of the horizontal rail members and a fork formed at an end section of the upright rail member. The tynes of the forks of the horizontal rail members are provided with slots on the opposite side faces thereof. The tynes of the forks of one horizontal rail member snugly and securely receive in the slots thereof the inside surfaces of a mating fork of another horizontal member. The inside surfaces of the tynes of the upright member are snugly and securely received in the slots of the tynes of the one horizontal rail member.

Abstract: A frame structure for an electronic or electrical cabinet is disclosed including structural members which comprise a substantially closed square shaped tube wherein two walls of the tube substantially adjacently meet but turn outwardly into two flanges. The structural members may be attached together to form corner structures for a frame by either welding or modular means. In a modular arrangement, a block-shaped corner member having block-shaped protrusions is used to hold three structural members in a rigid corner arrangement. In a welded arrangement, three structural members are intersectingly connected with the flanges formed to mutually abut such that welding the flanges of one structural member to one of the flanges of each of the other structural members is all that is necessary to hold the three structural members in a rigid corner arrangement.

Abstract: A metal frame structure of the type employing two chords (11) extending in generally the same longitudinal direction and having a plurality of webs (12) extending in zig-zag configuration between the chords (11). The webs (12) are secured to the chords (11) at a plurality of frame joints (13). At each frame joint adjacent webs have opposed flattened end portions (22) which extend in overlapping relation along the inner sides of a respective chord (11) and are secured to the chord by transversely spaced fasteners (14).

Abstract: A frame structure for an electronic or electrical cabinet is disclosed including structural members which comprise a substantially closed square shaped tube wherein two walls of the tube substantially adjacently meet but turn outwardly into two flanges. The structural members may be attached together to form corner structures for a frame by either welding or modular means. In a modular arrangement, a block-shaped corner member having block-shaped protrusions is used to hold three structural members in a rigid corner arrangement. In a welded arrangement, three structural members are intersectingly connected with the flanges formed to mutually abut such that welding the flanges of one structural member to one of the flanges of each of the other structural members is all that is necessary to hold the three structural members in a rigid corner arrangement.

Abstract: A beam joint for connecting the ends of two wooden beams, the beam ends having overlapping matching tongues for connecting them together and providing angular mating surfaces for strengthening the joint, the joint being capable of being supported by a post; a mortise can be formed in the joint for receiving a tenon on the post.

Abstract: When joining tubular steel lattice members in a space structure, which is built up over box-shaped modules, and where the members (1,5) are joined in the corners of the box-shaped modules under formation of lattice nodes (4), elliptical assembling devices (6,12) are used. The elliptical assembling devices consist of two elliptical plate pieces (7,8) which are placed at right angles to each other with a mutual minor axis. The devices lie with their side backing to member ends, which are cut into plane sections at an angle of 45.degree. with the member axis.

Abstract: A wine rack has no fasteners or adhesives at the three-dimensional joints, but rather the joints are all formed so that the three intersecting cross pieces interlock in such a way that a tight joint construction occurs strictly by virtue of the way the members are cut in the joint region, and the way in which the members are interlocked. The interlocking and connecting of cubic cells provides a rigid structure capable of accepting loads in any direction and allowing the rack to be mounted in any orientation, with single point wall mounting possible wherein the rack can withstand full loading with no distortion. The modular cell configuration is adapted to the construction of lattice beams and other arrangements besides wine racks.

Abstract: A fastener for joining together a plurality of panel members at their corners provides tight, aligned joinder between the panels, yet can be rapidly disconnected to facilitate the transportation of the panels. The fastener includes a central hub portion against which the corner portions of the panels to be joined together abut in mating relationship; the corner portions of such panels being preformed to the shape of the fastener central portion to enable such mating engagement. Extending from one end of the central portion is an overlapping member which fits flush against one surface of the panels to be joined while extending from the opposite end of the central portion is a second member which is in opposing relationship to the opposite surface of such panels. Clamping members attached to the second member have arms which extend towards each other at convergent angles.

Abstract: An elongated structural member is erected with one or more similarly formed members. The ends are formed with a pair of angularly disposed chamfers each at a predetermined angle with the longitudinal axis, and having a tenon projection and a corresponding mortise. The tenon and mortise are disposed relative to each other in a respective one of said chambers, at right angles to each other, such that on joining said elements the tenons of one element fit within the mortise of the other element and the chamfered ends abut each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for constructing and disassembling a triangular prism-form truss structure in spaced are disclosed. The apparatus includes a triangular prism-form construction fixture and three feed units disposed about the fixture for feeding the triangular frame elements that form the basic unit of the structure, or for removing the elements from the structure. The construction method, essentially automatic, comprises feeding frame elements to the fixture from the feed units in sequence. Fixture forward and backward movement along the fixture longitudinal axis, before and after element feeding, effects fastening of the frame elements to one another. Shifting of completed truss structure sections relative to the fixture is accomplished by periodic axial movement of the fixture. The disassembly method essentially comprises the reverse sequence of the steps of the construction method.

Abstract: The rack for storing nuclear fuel elements is provided with a plurality of joints for laterally supporting the upstanding tubes. Each joint is formed by a bar welded to the corner of a square tube in which a fuel element is to be contained. Each bar is, in turn, laterally contacted and secured to the adjacent bar by a tightening means. In one embodiment, the connecting bars are disposed in side-by-side relation with the tightening means including a horizontally disposed nut and bolt unit. In another embodiment, the bars are in the form of square bars which are shaped to accommodate a vertical bolt and nut assembly. In this embodiment, annular members having conical surfaces are received in mating grooves at the ends of the bars so as to draw the bars together during tightening of the nut and bolt unit. In a third embodiment, four square bars are drawn together via two U-shaped members horizontally disposed bolts.

Abstract: Faced with the necessity to establish a mechanical connection between the components of a supporting structure, a great many techniques and devices have been developed. This invention adds to the existing repertory a joint where a plurality of elongated members, positioned in a circular configuration, is held together by a link which embraces them all at once, thus eliminating the need for separate fastening devices on each and every single member. The elongated members protrude from the joint at predetermined angles projecting towards adjacent joints in a predetermined distance, thereby defining in shape and size entire structures. The joints may be secured against rotation and shifting, individually by means of pins or keys, or collectively by fitting trigonal, tetragonal or pentagonal panels between a corresponding number of joints.

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.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a joint consisting of three serially-interconnectable members each including a cut-away section; the volumes defined by the cut-away sections of the first and second are equal and L-shaped. These two members, once assembled, define a cut-away section, the volume of which is rectangular. The volume of the cut-away section of the third member which serves to interlock the three pieces together equals the sum of the said L-shaped volume and the rectangular volume. One application of the joint of the present invention is in furniture support structures such as tables, shelves or the like.

Abstract: A bracket 13 for use at a node point in a framework between two horizontal members 11, 11' and vertical member 12, said bracket comprising a first channel member 19 having a base 20 and two upstanding side walls 23, 25, the longitudinal axis of which is aligned with the axis of said two horizontal members, said channel member 19 being provided with means defining two transverse partition walls 27, 28 defining a space within the first channel member intermediate the ends thereof for accommodating the base of the substantially vertical member 12, and defining spaces between the partition walls and the ends of the channel to accommodate the ends of the horizontal members, a further element 14 being provided for mounting said channel member 19 on a sub-structure 1.

Abstract: An article of furniture including an elongated member and a telescoping assembly receiving and securing an end of the elongated member. The telescoping assembly includes first and second axially aligned collars, for drawing the first and second collars toward one another to secure the elongated member end therebetween, structure for drawing the member end toward the axis of the collars, and a tubular member extending between the first and second collars and through which the elongated member extends to support the elongated member against significant twisting with respect to the telescoping assembly.

Abstract: Connectors for joining struts used to form geodesic domes have first and second sets of semicylindrical portions located alternately on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the connector. In the assembled joint, the first and second sets of adjacent connectors are interleaved and secured by pins or bolts forming hinge-like interconnections.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a dismantable joint arrangement comprising three pairs of spaced-apart parallel members, which are arranged relative to one another such that the members of each pair cross the members of the other pairs in abutting engagement therewith and any one pair of members has a respective second pair of members interposed therebetween and a respective third pair of members adjoined thereto and interposed between the members of the respective second pair. At least two dowell-type coupling elements are associated with each pair for positioning the members thereof against those interposed therebetween. The coupling elements are removably inserted in corresponding holes formed at the crossings of the members and are slidably frictionally engaged in the holes so as to be retained therein by frictional force while being slidably removable by the application of manual force.

Abstract: A key for use with knock-down shelving units which can be fixedly assembled with the vertical posts of the unit before they're hoisted into vertical position and enables easy assembly of the horizontal beams therewith. The key includes a vertical shank with a pair of hooks projecting outwardly from the shank intermediate its ends and then upwardly in the form of a hook projection. The lower side of each hook adjacent the shank is provided with a downwardly opening notch which will wedgingly lock with the walls of the vertical post at the lower end of the slots therein. The lower side of each hook slopes downwardly from the shank to assist in assembly of the key with the vertical posts.

Abstract: A three-way finger joint for joining three structural elements comprising at least five layers of interlocking fingers and slots. The top and bottom finger elements on one member are identical to each other and to the corresponding elements on the other members. The middle layers comprise a fully interlocking arrangement of fingers and slots, in which a long finger on each member mates with corresponding slots on the other two. The long finger may be formed or cut off to be flush with the joint surface. The joint thus formed is strong, rigid and aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: This invention relates to clamps of the kind for releasably connecting a plurality of rods or other elongate members at predetermined angles to each other.According to this invention a clamp of the above kind comprises two half portions and securing means for mutually securing said half portions, each half portion comprising an inner face with a central region on which central region an annular collar 18 is disposed and through which collar a hole 17 for said means is provided and a plurality of lobes 14, 15, 16 extending from said central region said lobes being provided with lands 8 which cooperate in use of the clamp with respective elongate members.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for joining a plurality of struts at a vertex, such as the vertex of a geodesic or a space frame structure. A plurality of strut supports are provided, each strut support including a pair of substantially parallel spaced side plates for receiving and securing one of the struts, with a longitudinal face of the strut aligned with a pair of the longitudinal edges of the side plates. Each strut support also includes a clamp between the side plates, the clamp having a generally rectangular base plate mounted across the side plates in substantially perpendicular relationship to said longitudinal edges of the side plates, such that an end face of the strut can abut against the base plate of the clamp. The clamp also has a pair of generally parallel flanges extending away from the strut at an oblique angle with respect to the flange base plate. The clamps of each of a plurality of strut supports are joined at a tubular hub member that is typically cylindrical or polygonal.

Abstract: A device in which wall elements are jointed together by corner joints to form house walls, partitions, frames, boxes, etc. The wall elements are formed identical, and the wall elements (1,2, FIG. 9) preferably at both ends having a recess determined by an edge surface of the wall element and a projection. The projection, in the transverse direction of the wall element, has the same width as the length of the edge surface. The projections have two sides. One side is provided with a guide groove extending in the transverse direction of the wall element for receiving an edge surface of another wall element. On the other side the projections are provided with a support groove also extending in the transverse direction of the wall element for engaging with a corner post.

Abstract: Elongated width, depth and vertical posts of a structural metal frame are joined in mutually perpendicular relationship at the frame corners by a gusset sub-assembly consisting of a right angle brace reinforced by a gusset plate. The posts are each of C-shaped cross-section to provide a coextensive slot flanked by flanges having preformed therein corresponding hole patterns utilized by self-tapping screws to secure the gusset sub-assembly thereto. Integral fingers bent back from the terminations of the brace penetrate the slots to resiliently engage the width and depth posts and impart tension to the corner assembly joint.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: A space frame formed from a first set of beams and joints in a first plane and a second set of beams and joints in a second plane, the joints in the two planes being interconnected by diagonal tubular struts. Each strut has two shafts at opposite ends which are received, respectively, in apertures in a joint in the first plane and a joint in the second plane. Each shaft has a fastening member coupled thereto for maintaining the shaft in the aperture. Each shaft extends along the longitudinal axis of the associated tubular strut.

Abstract: A joint for connecting tubular beams comprising two caps receiving deformed end portions of the beams therebetween. Each cap has a tapering tubular portion in contact with the end portions, each end portion having first and second outwardly diverging opposed faces and third and fourth inwardly converging opposed faces. The outer perimeter of the end portion is greater than the perimeter of an opening defined on the top and bottom by the two caps and on the sides by adjacent beams, so each end portion is highly resistant to forces tending to pull it from between the caps and must be mechanically deformed before it will be pulled through the opening.

Abstract: A wind propelled craft adapted for movement over water or ice having an equilateral tetrahedral frame comprising three substantially equidistantly spaced support members adapted to engage and be supported on the surface of the water, four substantially rigid spars connected together at a juncture and extending radially outward therefrom such that they are separated from each other by equal angles, and a plurality of equilength stays connected between each of the spars and the other spars at points on the spars substantially equidistant from the juncture so as to form with the spars a frame of substantially equilateral tetrahedral shape. Three of the spars extend laterally and downwardly from the juncture and are connected to the support members by stays with the fourth spar extending upwardly from the juncture. A pair of triangular mainsails are connected to respective pairs of stays extending downwardly from the vertical spar in such a manner that they are capable of being raised and lowered.

Abstract: A jointing member for a frame system has three bores therein with the axis of the bores mutually perpendicular and with two of the bores lying in the same plane. The bores are so interconnected within the member that tightening securing means, such as a set screw, for an elongate member inserted in one of the bores pushes that elongate member sideways to cause it to bind against elongate members inserted into the other two bores to secure them therein also. Preferably the jointing member is of cuboid shape and the elongate members are of square or circular section.

Abstract: An overhead track assembly for an amusement-park ride has a plurality of bases adapted to rest on the ground and each supporting an upright post having an upper end forming a support surface and having a pin projecting upwardly from this support surface. A plurality of track sections each include a central hollow beam having one end formed with an upper eye and another end formed with a lower eye, a pair of generally parallel rails flanking the beam and adapted to guide a car longitudinally along the beam, and transverse members interconnecting these rails and the beam rigidly. The track sections are secured to the upper ends of the posts with the pins at these upper ends extending upwardly through the lower eye of one respective beam and through the upper eye of another respective beam.

Abstract: A set of wooden members assembly comprises a plurality of elongated pillar members having a number of grooves provided on the peripheral surface thereof for receiving the tongues of spar members, each of the grooves being provided with a through hole therein for receiving a screw bolt; a plurality of first elongated spar members having a bushing provided therein separately; and a plurality of second elongated spar members each having a radial through hole provided at an end thereof. One may easily assemble these members to form a certain object by inserting a screw bolt from outside of the through hole of the pillar member through the radial through hole of the second spar member to engage with the bushing provided within the first spar member.

Abstract: A joint unit which provides a cluster of up to six ball-and-socket joints. The balls of the ball-and-socket joints are arranged as, or as part of, a substantially close-packed cluster, and a binder supports the balls in position and provides a socket for each ball.The joint unit provides multiple ball-and-socket joints concentrated into a small volume, and is useful for many different applications, but especially for making crystallographic, geometric or molecular models.

Abstract: A corner bracket for the purpose of joining building walls of wood construction at right angles to one another and having a saddle to receive and effect a joining of an upwardly inclined roof hip rafter at 45.degree. relative to the walls.

Abstract: Three elongate members such as rods or tubes forming mutually perpendicular uprights transoms and ledgers in a scaffolding structure are interconnected by engagement of a bracket carried at one end of a first (horizontal) member in a socket provided in a second (upright) member, a third horizontal member being engaged between the end and the second member and retained in position by a wedge element. The wedge element is jammed in position by tightening a clamping nut, and use may be made of standard pipes such as scaffolding tubes.

Abstract: An assembling component for rigidly interlocking with one or more identical components, to lock plates and the like together including a base and a hook-shaped member integral with the base and having an outer side and an inner side with the hook-shaped member shaped such that a portion along the outer side is congruent with a portion of the inner side of a second identical assembling component when the base is bearing against the base of the identical assembling component and the hook-shaped members are interlocking.

Abstract: The corner-joint or the angular joint of oblong elements formed of a glueable material preferably wood is provided. A block is inserted in the corner and a joining surface of the block and the elements to be joined is provided with intermeshing tongues and grooves preferably of the finger-type form in their longitudinal direction a segment of a circle about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the joint elements. The matching fingers are glued together. The joint of this invention may be used for instance in a lattice girder and especially in frames for furniture. Further by a simple provision it will be possible to obtain a three-dimensional joint by adding a third element extending in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said two elements.

Abstract: A corner structure for a load supporting frame having a pair of horizontal side members with mitered end portions attached in end abutting relationship. The end portions are inserted in slots longitudinally extending from the upper end of an upright tubular leg. A pair of planar wedge members having a cooperating longitudinal slot and tab respectively are connected to define a predetermined angular relationship corresponding to the angle subtended by the side member end portions. In an alternate embodiment, a single, relatively wide slot longitudinally extends from the upper end of the upright tubular leg and a planar wedge member and an angle wedge member are connected to define the predetermined angular relationship. The attached wedge members are inserted between the side member end portions and the inner wall of the tubular leg to retain each end portion in the slot.

Abstract: A joint structure for connecting together shelves in a modular shelf assembly includes first and second, coplanar, abutting shelves. A hole is formed through the shelves with one-half of the hole being formed in each shelf so as to complete the hole when the shelves are abutting each other. The shelves are sandwiched between first and second vertically extending supports which are connected together by fastening means extending through the hole in the shelves. Formed in the upper side of the shelves is an annular recess concentric with the hole and having an inverted cup-shaped bottom surface. An annular boss is formed on the end of the upper support and includes a cup-shaped end surface sized to fit within the recess.

Abstract: A shelf assembly comprises flat base panels, side panels and back panels adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure. The base panel has connecting ledges extending from one edge of the base panel to the center line thereof. The front faces of adjacent connecting ledges have, respectively, complementary pegs and holes. The lateral surfaces of adjacent connecting ledges are provided with complementary pegs and oblong holes to permit sliding engagement thereof. The side faces of the connecting ledges and the back portions of the base panels are provided with holes to receive pegs extending from the back and side panels. Sliding engagement of corresponding connecting ledges cooperates with the peg and hole connections to provide a statically stable, torsion resistant assembly without the use of additional mechanical fastening devices.

Abstract: Wall panels and connectors for holding the panels together at their opposite ends to provide walls and partitions for buildings, storage bins and other walled structures. Similar panels have parallel inner and outer side walls, upper and lower edge walls and opposite end elements, the upper and lower edge walls having abutting engagement with the lower and upper edge walls respectively of other panels in stacked engagement to form a wall. Connectors engage the end elements of different panels disposed at a common level to hold the panels in engagement with each other at their ends.

Abstract: A weld fabricated steel saddle bracket having an elongated angle member with a portion thereof adapted to abut the side of the top wall plate of a building and another portion thereof adapted to lie on the top of the top wall plate and two identical right angle members having horizontal portions welded to the top portion of the elongated angle member so that the side edges thereof are in planar alignment with the side portion of the elongated member and the ends thereof lie flush with the ends of the elongated member, and the two identical right angle members having vertical portions projecting upwardly in parallel spaced apart relationship from the top surface of the top wall plate to form a saddle to receive the cross tie members and roof rafters of the building.