Abstract: A recessed light fixture for a burial casket that provides a source of illumination to light decorative art work installed in the lid; at the same time it provides softly diffused light for a more pleasing illumination of the interior of the casket. The unit fits inside the concave area of the lid of the standard burial casket and requires no design changes. It is constructed of light weight rigid insulation. The housing is described in two forms; a modular unit with alternate methods of joining the walls; novel corner fittings (24), (26), (28) (30) and brackets (20) (22) attached by clips (32); self retaining "single half-blind dovetail" joints (76) or adhesive surfaces (74). It is also described as a single molded unit (78) formed of insulating material. The fixture has a powered light source (36), a reflector (84) and integral reflective surfaces (82).

Abstract: On a side face of a corner bracket are formed a common insertion hole for a bolt, a stepped portion having a contact face and a contact edge which come to contact with a side wall of a strut and a side board of a shelf board, a strut projected portion engageable with an engaging hole defined in the side wall of the strut, and a board projected portion engageable with an engaging hole defined in the side board of the shelf board. The stepped portions are formed so as to extend entirely over a lower portion of the side face and to project outward. The side face of the corner bracket extends outside a line connecting between the strut projected portion and the board connecting portion formed thereon. Accordingly, the corner bracket is capable of reinforcing effectively a joint portion of the shelf board and the strut in a simple construction, and of preventing effectively an undesirable shaking of this joint portion.

Abstract: An intermediate rail to post connection including a sheet metal connector for attaching a wood intermediate rail to a wood post is disclosed. The sheet metal connector is preferably formed with a base member, an integral seat member and a post engaging flange. Preferably four fasteners which may be either screws or nails are inserted through suitable openings in the sheet metal connector. Two of the fasteners pierce the sheet metal connector, the intermediate rail and the post in such a way as to be in double shear. The other two fasteners are inserted through the sheet metal connector directly into the wood post. The sheet metal connector is placed on the underside of the intermediate rail and all fasteners are therefor inserted from the underside of the intermediate rail.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for securing first and second panel components in side-by-side abutting relationship. Each of the panel components include opposite side surfaces and edge surfaces therebetween, the fastening assembly including a system for joining the panel components one to the other in which an elongated open channel extends from an edge surface and into the face of one of the side surfaces of the first panel component. An elongated fastening element is disposed within a bore in a surface of the second panel component and is adapted for insertion into the channel, the channel being closed by an insert so that the elongated fastening element is covered by the insert when the panel components are brought into abutting relationship and joined by the elongated fastening element.

Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding. The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge. The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members. The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.

Abstract: A hip corner plate connection in which a single element sheet metal hip corner plate connector is used to connect a hip rafter most commonly occurring in wood frame buildings having a stick-framed roof of either dimensional lumber or plywood I-rafters to the top plates of the supporting walls. The sheet metal hip corner plate connector includes base members which attach to the single or double top plates of the framed wall, and flanges which attach to the hip rafter.

Abstract: A hip ridge connection in a building structure in which two hip rafters are connected to a ridge member by a sheet metal hip ridge connector having a base which is in registration with the end face of the ridge member and has flanges fastened to the side faces of the ridge member, and two seat members holding the two hip members in selectable sloping relation to the ridge member. The same sheet metal hip ridge connector may also be used to connect two hip rafters to a wall or the face of two common rafters. Modified forms of the sheet metal hip ridge connector may be used to connect 2x or 4x dimensional lumber hip rafters to 2x or 4x dimensional ridge members. One sheet metal hip ridge connector is slope adjustable in the field up to a 12/12 pitch for the hip rafters.

Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding. The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge. The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members. The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.

Abstract: A storage locker constructed of recyclable thermoplastic that utilizes insertion tabs and sockets molded into the sides, top, bottom, front and side panels for permanent interlocking without the need of conventional fasteners. The storage locker is assembled on site by inserting the tabs of the appropriate panel into the socket receptacles of an adjoining panel. Assembly of a basic locker requires snap attachment of the side walls to the top and bottom panel. A front frame, preassembly with a hinged door panel, is snap attached to the structure to complete the assembly wherein the structure is available for mounting directly to a wall. For a stand alone locker assembly, a perforated rear panel is available for attachment to the rear of the locker by use of locker pins. The rear panel provides aeration and allows various hook placement for hanging items. Shelves are available in either fixed or adjustable disposition.

Abstract: A connector having a horizontal channel member and a vertical channel member connected to the horizontal channel member. The vertical member has a lengthwise hole formed therein for receiving a screw. The vertical channel member is connected at a midpoint of the horizontal channel member such that the vertical channel member and the horizontal channel member form a T-shape protrusion. The vertical and the horizontal channel member are attached to a backplate which circumscribes the members. The connector is inserting into a T-shaped channel in a perimeter edge of a second sheet of composite material. A hole formed in a first sheet is positioned over the hole in the connector and a screw is driven into both holes firmly attaching the first sheet to the second sheet.

Abstract: Self-locking panels connectable in a closed polygon in which each panel has opposing connecting edges and end edges with a plurality of first locking elements (1) spaced along one connecting edge and corresponding first locking element receivers (20) spaced along the other connecting edges to connect adjacent panels to prevent their separation in first and second directions orthogonal to their line of connection. Each panel also has a first backstop (30) along one connecting edge and a first backstop receiver (40) along the other connecting edge to prevent displacement of the connecting edge of one of the adjacent connected panels in the second direction. Further, each panel has a second locking element (50) adjacent one of the connecting edges and corresponding second locking element receiver (60) adjacent the other connecting edge to connect adjacent panels to prevent their relative displacement in a direction parallel to the line of connection.

Abstract: A modular system of coordinated, interlocking building elements for display fixtures, which include a variety of extruded metal parts, assembled by means of various connectors that attach to the extrusions by means of set screws or snap-ins and provide a framework for holding glass panels, shelves, brackets, light fixtures and the like.

Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding. The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge. The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members. The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.

Abstract: A hinge connection for joining a heavy carrying wood member such as a glulam and a carried wood member having different depth dimensions including a metal hinge connector having side members disposed on opposite sides of the carrying and carried wood members joined at a lower portion by a seat member and at upper portions by a top flange member. The hinge connection is particularly suited for structures subject to earthquakes, hurricanes and other cataclysmic events which subject the structure to uplift and lateral forces in addition to the specified gravity load design forces.

Abstract: A column and beam joint system is used to make possible the construction of a large tower such as an electrical transmission tower, which has at least three and probably four corner legs or columns which are interconnected and supported by a lattice structure of cross members. The columns have specialized channels extending substantially their full lengths and the cross members have specialized locking ends which lock into retaining structure defined in the channels, permitting braces to be inserted and locked in place at any selected point along the channel. A technique for connecting a cross member brace between a column and another cross member is also disclosed. All of the principle parts of the tower are pultruded composites which are either used in their longitudinally extended form or sectioned as required by the application.

Abstract: A corner brace which can support an inner cabinet shelf during shipping of the cabinet, and serves to secure a cabinet top in place, is disclosed. The brace is comprised of an angle member having a pair of arm members oriented substantially perpendicularly to one another. The arm members have a flat planar top edge portion oriented substantially parallel with one another. A shelf member interconnects each of the arm member front portions at a position spaced beneath the arm member top edge portions, the shelf member having a bottom portion and a flat planar top portion oriented parallel with the arm member top edge portions. The shelf member has an outer edge portion interconnecting the arm members, and also has an opening formed therein between the top portion and the bottom portion. An elongate reinforcing rib member is connected to the shelf member bottom portion adjacent the outer edge portion, the rib member interconnecting and extending continuously between the arm members.

Abstract: A wedgelock laminated joint is an integral building connection allowing the rapid, accurate, secure jointing of a structural joist with a vertical post. A lock notch is mated by sliding a joist beam tongue through a central receptacle within a post beam until tightly mated, and then secured by placing a wedge into a keyway, which is an upper portion of the post receptacle, and tapping it snugly into the wedge keyway. This creates a sturdy nail free fastening of the floor joist and vertical wall post, easily fastened or unfastened, held fast only by the wedge which is finally secured with a set screw after all the desired number of rib sections are erected, trued and horizontally connected.

Abstract: In a heddle frame with detachable corner connections each heddle support has a horizontal projection extending into a cavity of the frame stave and is clamped in place with the use of set screws. The frame stave is constructed of stable longitudinal bands and very thin side walls interconnected as by welding. A rigid insert is inserted at opposite ends of the hollow frame stave, the insert comprising spaced, parallel and longitudinal extending support blocks lying parallel to the longitudinal bands of the frame stave, and reinforcing walls connected to the support blocks, the walls having a wall thickness about 3 to 6 times greater than that of the thin side walls of the frame stave.

Abstract: An edge joint particularly adapted for use in boat construction and furniture construction due to its high strength and aesthetically pleasing appearance due to the elimination of external structural reinforcements such as chine logs and hardened fillets. The high strength non-reinforced edge joint comprises two bilaminated plywood panels positioned together at an angle between about 60.degree.-170.degree.. Each panel defines a V-shaped groove along one side thereof so that one leg of each of the grooves is in contact with a corresponding leg of the other groove and the second legs of the grooves are spaced-apart so as to form an open cavity at the juncture of the panel. A cementitious material fills the cavity so as to form the edge joint as well as the protected outer corner thereof.

Abstract: A motor car structure is built up from flat panels joined together, each panel comprising two mutually parallel spaced apart structural skins braced with respect to each other by a core of expanded material united to both skins. Each joint between two panels comprises a series of integral projections formed on a first panel by cutting the panel to a required shape and recesses in the second panel corresponding to the projections. The projections are inserted and bonded into the recesses by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: An edge of a first piece of wood is secured in a groove formed in a second piece by a joining strip of U-section with a base and a pair of sides projecting from outer edges of the base. The strip is adapted to fit over the edge of the first piece and into the groove of the second piece and is formed with inner teeth projecting inward from the sides of the strip so that the teeth poke into the first piece of wood and outer teeth projecting outward from the strip so that the outer teeth poke into the second piece of wood.

Abstract: A two-part fastening device for fastening two panels together is provided with a rotatable drum (16) with at least one camming surface and a pin (10) with a head (14) formed to engage with the camming surface. The pin (10) is secured in one panel to be fastened and the rotatable drum positioned in the other panel. The head (14) of the pin is passed into the drum member which is then rotated so that the camming surface acts to pull the head of the pin inwardly, thus drawing the two panels together. The head (14) of the pin is provided with protrusions (22) which cooperate with the rotatable drum so that locking engagement of the fastening device can be achieved.

Abstract: A fence frame is disclosed that preferably comprises galvanized steel posts that provide an accessible flat surface or surfaces parallel with the surface of the transverse railings and through which are applied holding bolts for securing the post to adjoining ends of railing sections. The posts include at least one strengthening vertical bend. One post structure employs a tubular post support joined to the fence railing sections using a tubing-clamp-and-rail-hanger combination that allows the tubing surface to be firmly held by a piece that integrally has suitable flat-sided structures for attaching to the adjacent railing sections. Corner posts employing the same basic structure as the in-line posts or specifically designed posts are provided. The fence frame comprised of posts and railings are suitable for receiving a fence covering made up of aluminum sheet panels, plastic panels, wood pickets, plastic pickets, metal rods or other coverings of choice.

Abstract: A joint-and-beam platform structure is disclosed, which is dismountably built by coupling resin-coated metal beams or members with synthetic-resin joints having hollow sleeves into which ends of the beams are inserted to form a square or rectangular framework. Each joint comprise a pair of first and second sleeves, formed to extend at predetermined angles with each other, each of a cross-section largely shaped like the alphabet "B" to fittingly but removably receive therein a tubular beam of a similarly B-shaped cross-section. The tubular beams are each provided with screw holes in the middle of their curved circumferences to receive screws through aligned screw holes formed in the associated hollow sleeves of the joint.

Abstract: A device for fixing panels for constructing a piece of furniture, a bookcase, or a cupboard, comprises a first element which engages with a first panel, a second element which engages with a second panel designed to be assembled essentially perpendicular to the first panel, and a third element which engages with each the first and second elements, and a pulling device for acting on the third element so that when the two panels are assembled, the first and second elements are pulled toward each other. The third element is a high-tensile wire.

Abstract: A movable barrier capable of disassembly comprises a plurality of rails having at least one hollow at each edges thereof, a pair of stiles having holes formed at the positions of facing to the hollows of the plurality of rails, and means for combining the plurality of rails and the pair of stiles. Since the movable barrier according to the present invention can be disassembled and reassembled, transportation to a desired place is convenient. Further, broken or otherwise damaged portions of the movable barrier can be easily replaced or repaired.

Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding.The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge.The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members.The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.

Abstract: A built-up furniture unit formed by joining a plurality of housing panels to one another, at least one of each joined pair of the housing panels being formed into a hollw doublewalled construction by blow molding a thermoplastic resin. The housing panels are joined to one another by the interposition of a plurality of reinforcing members and a plurality of bolts threadingly engages with the reinforcing members, respectively, and/or by the interposition of plural pairs of interposing members and a plurality of connector members both being connected to one another by means of bolts.

Abstract: A framing system is disclosed made of frame members and joint members. The frame members are of U-section and the ends are inserted into and imprisoned in the open ends of the joint members which are L-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped, X-shaped or Y-shaped. The joint members are paired polystyrene mouldings which close together with a friction fit but which can be prised apart with a screwdriver. Assembled frames can be interconnected by link members inserted into the joint members. The linkage permits the construction of folding frames and boxes. Pictureframing, panelling, shopfitting and special exhibit work are disclosed.

Abstract: An article of furniture is provided which is readily assembleable with a minimum of parts and tools, and yet provides a neat, finished appearance. The furniture article includes at least one rigid elongate connector bracket interposed between at least one side panel and a top panel, the connector bracket including separate portions which fixedly secure the side panel to the top panel. The top panel and side panel form a groove-like seam therebetween which the connector bracket covers to provide a neat finished appearance. In one embodiment, the furniture article includes snap-lock.

Abstract: This clamping device is intended for releasably connecting two profiled parts (1,19). One of the profiled parts (1) is arranged so that an insert core (2) can be inserted and fixed in it. The core (2) has an axially movable bolt (7) having an end portion which comprises a projection (21) intended to be introduced in a slot of a second profiled part (19) in order to exert a force against an area of a portion of said second profiled part (19) partially covering said opening. A screw received in a threaded bush (4) engages the bolt (7) by means of a system of sliding surfaces (14,15) in order to displace the bolt axially. The bolt (7) has supporting means (27,28) for pivotally supporting holding pieces (17,17'). Said holding pieces and the interior walls of the insert core (2) have a second system of sliding surfaces (24,26) which owing to the axial movement of the bolt (7) cause a deviation of the holding pieces (17) having in its free end area said projection (21) intended to exert said force.

Abstract: This invention relates to a profiled strip adapted to be used for making the join between two surface coverings making therebetween a determined re-entrant angle, wherein this profiled strip comprises: two bearing sole plates which are made of a hard, semi-rigid material, which are each adapted to be placed below one of the surface coverings and which each present an extension extending in a direction offset angularly by substantially 90.degree.; and a connecting bridge which connects the extensions, which is made of a supple material and which maintains the bearing sole plates angularly offset with respect to the re-entrant angle.One application of the invention is the production of a profiled strip for joining the tiles of two vertical walls.

Abstract: An improved system for making notch on notch joints and the like wherein the members to be joined have notches formed across a portion of their width. Each member includes a longitudinal extension beyond the notch and these extensions cooperate to form a joint which has a flush exterior and yet is substantially as strong as a conventional notched joint. One configuration allows the same joint members to be employed to form inline, right-angled and T-shaped joints.

Abstract: A fence rail section has a metal bracket for attaching a rail to a post. The bracket is symmetrical and sized to conform to the maximum and minimum cross-sectional dimensions of the rail. Extending from the base portion of the bracket are a pair of L-shaped ears and a rectangular tab which cooperate to define a socket to receive an end of the rail either laterally or longitudinally. Exposed-post fences are readily erected using these brackets.

Abstract: A two-dimensional mounting structure for an industrial robot or robot manipulator on a carriage with a lifting post and a manipulator connected to the post, the mounting structure includes longitudinal rail carriers, transverse connectors and a movable rail, carriages are connected to the movable rail which runs on the longitudinal carriers, the carriage for the robot runs on the movable rail; the improvement includes essentially similarly constructed end elements, first ones of the end elements connecting the ends of the longitudinal carriers to ends of the transverse connectors, others of the end elements connecting respective two ends of the movable rail to carriage means by means of which the transverse rail carrier runs on the longitudinal carrier; each end element comprises a basic configuration that includes two flat plates and a shaft in the bores with aligned bores, a connecting plate interconnecting the two plates from which they extend in downward direction, for connection to a transverse connector

Abstract: An improved connection for a rack system joining together first and second elongated structural members in transverse relationship. The first member has a plurality of longitudinally spaced aligning holes, each of which include an inside bearing surface, while the second member consists of at least one fastening hole and one load bearing wedge action seating lug. The seating lug is spaced from the fastening hole a distance equal to the longitudinal spacing between aligning holes in the first member. The seating lug is adapted to extend within one of the aligning holes in the first member to position another aligning hole in registry with the fastening hole in the second member. A bolt or other fastener means is then protruded through the fastening hole and the other aligning hole. A cam means on the seating lug engages the inside bearing surface of one of the aligning holes moving the first and second members into side-by-side contact when the fastener is tightened.

Abstract: A connector for securing a wood railing to a wood post by fasteners which are in shear in relaton to all forces imposed upon the railing. The connector is a single piece sheet metal member formed in a generally triangular cross section with openings provided for the insertion of the fasteners. The connector is placed on the underside of the railing to eliminate all top nailing or driving of screws through the top side of the rail.

Abstract: A securing device is provided which comprises a fastening element and a tightening member, the device being suitable for fastening furniture panels together. Features are incorporated in the fastening element which improve the quality of the joint which can be achieved between two panels. These include forming helically extending ribs on the leading end of the fastening element which enable it to be pushed into a bore in a member to be fastened, while turning it through a small angle to provide some resistance to axial forces tending to pull the fastening element out. Other features are fins which act to stop the insertion of the fastening element at a predetermined depth and which engage with the second panel to inhibit rotation of the fastening element, the fins being arranged in such a way that they disappear into the second panel allowing the two panels to come into full contact with one another when the joint is secured.

Abstract: A display case having a framework and a plurality of panels forming an enclosure for the displaying of merchandise is provided with a light fixture for highlighting the merchandise therein. The light fixture is positively mounted to the framework through fasteners which are accessed from the interior of the enclosure. Furthermore, the panels are mounted upon extruded supports which reduce manufacturing costs and ease reinstallation of the panels.

Abstract: A corner connector connects two sections to one another, which sections are at right angles to one another and have C-shaped attaching portions. The sections have two section legs and two webs projecting inwards two at a time from the section legs. The corner connector consists of two angle plates, two wedge rails, four screws and associated parallelogram nuts. The plates each have two grooves, which accommodate the webs in a form-fitting manner, and wedge surfaces on the opposite sides. The nuts grip behind the webs. The plates are spread by the wedge rails clamped against the nuts by the screws. High bending and tensile strength of the joint is achieved by this design.

Abstract: An angle joint piece for the joining together of two frame battens in a sliding door that runs on rolls at an angle of 90.degree.. The angle joint piece is fitted against the face of the frame battens that is parallel to the door plane. The face of the angle joint piece that is fitted against the frame battens is provided with at least two projections (6, 6'), which can be pressed into longitudinal grooves provided in the frame battens to be joined together.

Abstract: A device for securing furniture panels at right angles to each other includes a holding member including a plug portion which is positioned in a recess in a major surface of the first panel. The plug has a front wall which is exposed at one edge of the panel and positioned substantially flush with the panel edge. A chamber extends perpendicular to the edge of the panel through the full length of the plug from a first opening in the front wall to a second opening opposite the front wall. The chamber retains a screw within the body of the plug. A top wall of the plug is exposed at the major surface of the panel and has an opening extending into the body portion of the plug to enable tighening of a screw to engage a second, substantially perpendicular, second panel and draw the second panel toward the edge of the first panel. The screw can be inserted either through the top opening or through an opening opposite the front wall of the plug prior to insertion of the plug into the panel recess.

Abstract: A three dimensional shelf assembly is provided with three planar components and two tubular components. The planar and tubular shelf components can be manufactured and shipped before being assembled into three dimensional shelves, thereby avoiding the expense of shipping three dimensonal shelves.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a hooked member to a post after engagement of the hooked member with the post. The hooked member has vertically aligned upper and lower hooks. A deformable locking tab is formed atop the lower hook, beneath a recessed web portion of the hooked member. The locking tab has top, rear and front edges. A locking arm projects forwardly from the front edge. A first notch is cut in the top edge; and, a second notch is cut in the recessed web portion, adjacent the first notch. A levering implement such as a screwdriver can be fitted between the notches and used to pry the locking tab away from the locked position if it is desired to remove the hooked member from the post.

Abstract: An extruded node is disclosed comprising a longitudinally extending substantially hollow core and at least one longitudinally extending, hollow flange, extending outwardly of and integral with a longitudinally extending side portion of the core. This invention also provides a joined structure wherein at least one longitudinally extending lineal member has a hollow peripheral portion defined by walls having inside surfaces adapted to mate with outside surfaces of a mating hollow flange of the extruded node. In this joined structure the peripheral portion of the lineal member is inserted over the hollow flange of the node to an extent that the outer peripheral surface of the lineal member surrounds the integral wall of the node and the outside surfaces of the sidewalls of the hollow flange and the inside surfaces of the lineal member mate along substantially the entire length and around substantially the entire perimeter of the flange.

Abstract: A fixing plate for concealed devices used for wall-mounting an item of wall furniture comprises on at least one side a box section having pairs of holes for fixing screws which are aligned on an axis which intersects at least one wall of the furniture item in a non-perpendicular manner. Preferably, said plate comprises respective triangular box sections on its opposing vertical sides and on its upper horizontal side, said holes being provided at the base and vertex of the triangle respectively.

Abstract: Two free-standing tubular columns (1, 2) having slots (3), parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, for locating extension arms or supporting arrangements are connected to one another according to the modular construction principle by means of a cross connection (4). The cross connection (4) of two connecting tubes (5, 6) contain, at their ends, one attachment housing (8) each, in which, on the one hand, these two connecting tubes (5, 6) are held and, on the other hand, a clamping bracket (13) having catch projections (16) is accommodated. The catch projections (16) are intended for engaging into the slots (3) of the tubular columns (1, 2). Each attachment housing (8) is provided at the front face with a surface contour complementary to the outer contour of the colunm, and a clamping screw (17) preloading the clamping bracket (13) against the attachment housing brings about an applied-pressure connection between the attachment housings (8) and the tubular columns (1, 2).

Abstract: The modular system comprises plural components adapted to be joined to each other by supporting and retaining members and to be mounted on stands at any desired level above ground.It is intended to further develop the modular system such that its versatility in respect of the provision and adaptation of working-place equipment is substantially improved, while at the same time the number of basic elements necessary for assembly is reduced. This is achieved in that each retaining member forms at least one multi-part combinable nodal-point body having at least one through-bore, the plane or planes of division of said body extending through said through-bores, and in that each supporting member is rod-like or a plate-like structural body adapted to be inserted into the bipartite through-bore of the nodal-point body and to be securely joined thereto by clampingly joining the individual parts of the nodal-point body.

Abstract: An extruded node is disclosed comprising a longitudinally extending substantially hollow core and at least one longitudinally extending, hollow flange, extending outwardly of and integral with a longitudinally extending side portion of the core. This invention also provides a joined structure wherein at least one longitudinally extending lineal member has a hollow peripheral portion defined by walls having inside surfaces adapted to mate with outside surfaces of a mating hollow flange of the extruded node. In this joined structure the peripheral portion of the lineal member is inserted over the hollow flange of the node to an extent that the outer peripheral surface of the lineal member surrounds the integral wall of the node and the outside surfaces of the sidewalls of the hollow flange and the inside surfaces of the lineal member mate along substantially the entire length and around substantially the entire perimeter of the flange.

Abstract: A device for securing furniture panels at right angles to each other includes a holding member including a plug portion which is positioned in a recess in a major surface of a first panel. The plug has a front wall which is exposed at one edge of the panel and positioned substantially flush with the panel edge. A chamber extends perpendicular to the edge of the panel through the full length of the plug from a first opening in the front wall to a second opening opposite the front wall. The chamber retains a screw within the body of the plug. A top wall of the plug is exposed at the major surface of the panel and has an opening extending into the body portion of the plug to enable tightening of a screw to engage a second, substantially perpendicular, second panel and draw the second panel toward the edge of the first panel. The screw can be inserted either through the top opening or through an opening opposite the front wall of the plug prior to insertion of the plug into the panel recess.