Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system in which a number of structural members are used to form compound structures, particularly structures for furnishings, wherein there is a first connector essentially consisting of a central tubular body with a prismatic or cylindrical surface provided with at least one slot of a given length, open at one end and extending upwards along the median plane on each face of the said surface and of a number of crossed fins protruding from the top and from the bottom of the said central body, the intersection line of the said fins coinciding with the axis of the said central body; a second connector identical to the first, except for the fact that the said central body is sealed at the top by a flat surface; a bar having in the proximity of both of its ends, a slot, open at one end, which fits into one of the said slots in the central body of the connector; a tube of a section identical to that of the central body of the connector; the said fins being designed to slide into the said tube

Abstract: A furniture joint for joining hollow-ended structural sections of modular furniture and especially the highly finished elements employed in the steel-and-glass-look type of furniture. This type of furniture requires a continuity of surface appearances having mirror-like attributes. The joining of the hollow-ended sections which advantageously may be cut from available lengths of mirrorized plastic tubing is accomplished by the use of a splined collar of elastomeric material and connector spuds which fit in the annular spaces between the connector arms and the tubing. The splines of the collar are adapted to be torsionally distorted ("squeegeed") during assembly. This distortion of the splines prevents the joint from inadvertently coming apart under the axial strain that the furniture joint may be expected to carry in normal use. However, the joint may be disassembled and the elements reused if rotational twisting is employed together with a pulling effort.