Abstract: A simple joint is disclosed for detachably connecting structural members. The connection is made with a resilient T-shaped tongue on a first member which can be engaged in a T-shaped slot on a second member. The tongue is engaged in the slot by rotating it about its axis. Rotation of the tongue causes the end of the tongue to be drawn into the slot by wedging action between the tongue and sloped inner surfaces of the slot. The first and second members are held tightly together by tension which is developed in the tongue as the tongue is drawn into the slot. The invention is well adapted for use in many fields which require parts to be detachably connected to one another such as constructing panel display systems, building modular cabinets or shelving units and building modular furniture.

Abstract: A nose guide including a fastening mechanism for attaching the nose guide to a harness frame on a weaving loom. The fastening mechanism includes a pair of elongated straps and a pair of bosses carried on the inner surfaces of the straps which are provided to fit within elongated complimentary recesses provided in the straps. Fasteners extend through the bosses for securing the opposed straps together for attaching the nose guide to a slat of the harness frame.

Abstract: An elongate unitary wall framing clip and a wall spacing assembly comprising the clip in combination with a stud member are provided for forming a multilayer wall assembly. The multilayer wall assembly includes a base layer comprising plural backing panels and a secondary layer comprising plural secondary panels, with the base and secondary layers being spaced apart by plural stud members. The clip includes an elongate web portion having proximate and distal edges and first and second side surfaces. An elongate full flange portion joins the web distal edge and extends beyond each of the web first and second side surfaces. An elongate half flange portion joins the web proximate edge and extends beyond the first side surface of the web. A first channel for receiving an edge of a first backing panel of the base layer is formed by the cooperation of the web portion first side surface and the half and full portions extending therebeyond.

Abstract: A dado joint is provided between first and second members and includes at least one elongated groove formed in the first member of a constant width and constantly varying depth in the likeness of a shallow, smoothly curving sine wave. The second member includes a marginal edge tongue of constant thickness for mating with and snug reception within the groove, the tongue including a sine wave likeness longitudinal contour corresponding to the aforementioned sine wave and being seated and secured in the groove.

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: A wall assembly includes a wall frame which is made from a U-shaped support channel in which one end of a wall stud may be releasably engaged by a ratchet engagement formed between the channel and the stud. The ratchet engagement is defined by ratchet teeth provided on the side walls of the channel and splines provided on the sides of the wall stud which splines are shaped to releasably engage the grooves between adjacent teeth. In addition, a door unit is used in the wall assembly which includes a peripheral pocket around the side jambs and top header of the door unit to allow the wallboard to be inserted into this pocket. Fasteners can then be used to secure the wallboard to the flange which defines the peripheral pocket such that the wallboard is connected directly to the door unit, thus obviating the need for side studs secured to the side jambs of the door unit.

Abstract: A handlebar, particularly for cycles, such as, for example, bicycles, is of the type including formations for supporting the cyclist's elbows. The support formations are mounted on the rear ends of side elements of the handlebar which project rearwardly and outwardly from the main cross member of the handlebar which is intended to be connected to the steering column. When the cyclist grips the front ends of the handlebar, he can thus rest his elbows in the formations, keeping his elbows spaced apart in a position generally to the rear of the cross member of the handlebar. The preferred application of the handlebar is to sports cycles.

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 corner connector (10) for connecting adjacent first and second spacer sections (20, 22), to form an insulated panel spacer frame includes a first arm (12) joined by a flexible joint (15) to a second arm (14). The second arm includes a recess (44) adjacent the joint, and a deformable projection (46) projecting from an edge of the open face of the recess inwardly toward the bottom of the recess. The first arm includes a securement projection (38) protruding from adjacent the joint (15) that is receivable within the recess of the second arm alongside the deformable projection. The deformable projection is deformed by the securement projection and exerts a compressive force on the securement projection to releasably secure the first and second arms in a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A frame structure for a baby's crib, comprising a plurality of channels bars at the four sides thereof at the bottom as well as at the top, a plurality of mounting bars around the four sides thereof at the bottom as well as at the top and respectively fastened inside said channel bars, a plurality of locking caps and connectors at the four corners for securing said channel bars and said mounting bars in position, and a plurality of balusters vertically disposed around the four sides thereof and retained between those mounting bars at the top and those mounting bars at the bottom. The mounting bars each have a plurality of egg-shaped blind holes and a plurality of egg-shaped notched holes made thereon at the top and alternatively arranged in a line into which the balusters are fastened and prohibited from rotary motion.

Abstract: An interlocking joint for joining two panels together has curved jigsaw shaped indents and protrusions on edges of both panels that fit together and cannot pull apart. The indents and protrusions are cut by a router with a straight sided cutter. A template is provided for guiding a bushing on a cutter shaft of a router and the template takes into account the bushing having a larger diameter than the cutter. There is also a jig provided that has fingers that are asembled to cut out the interlocking joint with a router.

Abstract: The invention concerns a joining element made of metal, to connect the end face of a first beam to a second beam running crosswise to this first beam, or to another structural component, wherein the first beam's end section, which is to be connected to the second beam, is provided with an essentially centered vertical slot running in the longitudinal direction of the first beam from its end face that is to be connected, and with several drill holes in each of which a rod-shaped fastening means extending essentially across the width of the first beam, such as a dowel pin or the like, is disposed or is to be disposed, with at least one connecting flange protruding from the connecting surface of the second beam in the longitudinal of the first beam and to be attached to the second beam with a holding flange, the dimensions of which connecting flange essentially match the corresponding dimensions of the slot, and which connecting flange is provided with receiving openings each of which is able to accept one rod-s

Abstract: An electronic equipment rack including a horizontal frame member and a vertical frame member is braced against earthquake damage by means of a metal gusset having a first leg fitting against the horizontal frame member to extend along part of that horizontal frame member, a second leg fitting against the vertical frame member for a first part of that second leg to extend along part of that vertical frame member, a third leg spaced from and extending in parallel to a second part of the second leg, and a fourth leg extending between the second and third legs to abut against another part of the vertical frame member. Solid metal is carried from the vertical frame member to the horizontal frame member by intimately connecting the gusset to the vertical and horizontal frame members.

Abstract: A corner connection fitting (1) for a frame is disclosed. The corner connection fitting (1) interconnects front frame members (18) to base frame members (13). The front frame members (18) are rotatable to an outer, open position so as to allow the picture (21) to be easily inserted or adjusted within the frame assembly.

Abstract: The improved joinery system provides a concealed means for connecting two or more wooden members at a variety of angles.Each connection consists of a short tenon on one member being inserted into a shallow mortise in the second member and having a bolt passing through one member into the second member where it threads into an anchor nut. The anchor nut is a metal rod with one or more threaded holes for bolt insertion. The anchor nut is held in place within the member in correct alignment by means of a pressed in sleeve through which the bolt passes when inserted to complete the connection. Wooden plugs may be used to fill anchor nut and bolt counterbores to fully conceal fastening hardware.A Belleville disc springs may be used btween bolt head and flat washer to maintain joint tightness during wood shrinkage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a furniture assembly having first and second components joined at right angles. The interior face of one of the components defines a groove which extends parallel to the line of intersection of the components. The groove serves as a "pilot hole" for fasteners which secure one or more brackets to each component. In one embodiment, the bracket includes perpendicular legs. An outwardly extending tongue is defined by one of the legs and is received in the groove. Gussets extend between the legs on opposite sides of the bracket.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting a pair of end-to-end abutting tubular structural members which are commonly used in the construction of handrails and the like, which includes a pair of interengageable inserts, and each of which is disposed within one of the tubular members and designed to interengage with the other insert at a point adjacent to where the pair of tubular members meet. Each connector insert includes a plurality of free-end leg portions which interengage in an alternate overlapping relation with the leg portions of the other insert so as to provide a strong support at the joint between the abutting ends of the tubular members. The overlapping surfaces of the interengageable inserts may be further bonded together so as to prevent the same from becoming separated, and each tubular member may also be bonded at least to the respective insert into which it is inserted, thereby securely adhering the respective tubular members in a closely abutting relationship.

Abstract: A joint structure is disclosed for retaining the peripheral edge of a panel member, as is commonly found in sheet metal cabinets and the like. The joint structure includes an elongate member or extrusion having first and second, spaced-apart transverse flanges, the second flange including a base portion and an outer portion extending toward the first flange to form a C-shaped slot between the flanges. The peripheral edge of the panel is located in the C-shaped slot bearing against both flanges, and a threaded fastener is mounted in one of the flanges disposed at an angle to bear against the panel edge portion and urge same into the slot and releasably retain the edge portion therein.

Abstract: Assembly apparatus for the connection of two roof beams at the level of the ridge, for providing frames and structures, comprises two cast members (1, 1') identical to each other, each being disposed fixedly partially in the interior of the upper end of each roof beam (2, 2'). The cast member (1) is disposed head to tail with respect to the cast member (1') and the two members (1, 1') each have a protruding portion (3, 3') spaced a substantial distance from a recess (4, 4'). The protruding portion (3, 3') of each member (1, 1') engages in the recess (4', 4) of the other member (1, 1') to provide two connections (3, 4' and 3', 4) between the beams (2, 2'), these connections being disposed closely adjacent respective ends of the beams (2, 2') and coacting to ensure the assembly and securement of the roof beams (2, 2') by mere insertion.

Abstract: A modular elevator cab construction is provided for assembly onto a platform of an elevator cage substantially from within the area of the cab. A rear wall panel, two side wall panels and front wall structures are assembled by simple complementary interengaging hanger devices on the backside of the adjacent walls for assembling the walls in proper right-angular juxtaposition.

Abstract: A new system of waterbed frame and component construction which enables pedestals, frames and padded caps to be put together to form any size waterbed. A pedestal is provided which is extendable by means of inserting extension pieces using special connecting joints in the front and back boards. The insertion of such extension pieces in the front and back boards converts a super single size waterbed pedestal to a Queen or King size bed. Similarly, specially designed padded caps and extension pieces makes the end rail padded cap adjustable to fit any size of waterbed. Furthermore, the same concept of extension pieces is used to form the frame as well. Thus, this new system of waterbed component construction reduces the cost and problems of shipping and inventory involved with prior waterbed frame construction.

Abstract: A cover rail corner connection for connecting rod fittings is given a construction which ensures the three dimensional unity of two fitting components extending approximately at right angle to one another during the carrying out of the impact operations at the wing or frame of a window. A double hook 21 having an approximately C-shaped cross sectional configuration at the end of the one cover rail 5 carries a projection (31) for this purpose at each of the mutually facing ends of its side flanks 27, each projection facing away from the cover rail 5 which carries it. The edge of each projection 31 facing the limit tang 28 of the double hook 21 has a spacing from the limit tank 28 which corresponds to the thickness of the other cover rail, which carries an approximately T-shaped double hook 20. The projections 31 form effective stops in opposition to the limit tang 28 which supportingly undercut the end of the cover rail 4 carrying the approximately T-shaped double hook 20 at its transverse edges 24.

Abstract: A building support structure that includes at least one elongated stud having a planer web and rectangular flanges joined to opposing longitudinal edges of the web with the bottom wall of each flange being co-planar with the web, a right angle bracket, each leg of which contains a pair of parallel slots passing downwardly from the top edge of the leg at equal distance to divide the leg into a center section having a width that is about equal to the width of the web and two end sections each having a width that is about equal to the inside width of each flange, the top portion of each end section being turned inwardly at an angle greater than 90 degrees to form a locking tab that has an interference fit with the inside section of each flange. One leg of the bracket is connected to the end of the stud by sliding the center section of the leg over the bottom surface of the web and the locking tab into opposing flanges of the stud whereby the stud is prevented from pulling out of the bracket.

Abstract: A seating unit comprising a main support having a pair of spaced apart side supports connected by transverse cross beams and a seat subassembly, including an internal frame with back cushion and seat cushion support portions secured on the main support by a concealed mounting means. The concealed mounting means is characterized by a pair of spaced apart upper tenon mounting mortises located internally on the main support. A pair of spaced apart upper tenons are secured on the back cushion support portion and located to be positioned in the upper mortises when the seating unit is in an assembly condition. A pair of spaced apart lower tenon mounting mortises are located internally on the main support. A pair of spaced apart lower tenons are secured on the seat cushion support portion and located to be positioned on the lower tenon mounting mortises when the seating unit is it in an assembled condition. Concealed threaded fastening devices are used to secure each of the tenons in its respective mortise.

Abstract: An access panel employing an expanded metal panel having its peripheral edges seated in framing strips of U-shaped cross section is assembled by the use of a pair of opposed corner plates of a relatively soft, non-metallic material formed with recesses which enclosingly receive and orient the end portions of framing strips at each corner of the panel. Fastening members, such as rivets or nut and bolt units, fixedly clamp the opposed corner plates against the opposite sides of the panel-framing strip assembly.

Abstract: A corner piece for use in a spacer tube assembly includes a pair of arms each adapted to enter into and engage within an end portion of a respective spacer tube; hinge means defining a hinge axis and permitting said arms to be pivoted into a generally right angle relationship with each other; and friction means on each of said arms adapted to come into close contacting relation with each other as said arms are pivoted toward said right angle relationship to frictionally retain said arms in said generally right angle relationship.

Abstract: A mortise and tenon joint including a set of self-locking plates placed in each of two juxtaposed structural members of a beam system for effectively creating, when the beams are positioned together, a strong self-locking joint between the two beams.

Abstract: In a window frame assembly having hollow frame members, a joint interconnecting the ends of two adjacent frame members is described. The joint includes a rabbeted miter cut and an anti rack and twist component. These features act synergistically to align and firmly joint adjacent frame members.

Abstract: A joint for joining two elongate members transversely to each other, comprising a first member, second member, right angle bracket and threaded bolt. The bracket is fixed to the first member and projects from the end face which is to be accommodated within a complementary recess provided on the second member. A transverse hole is provided in the recess extending between opposite side faces of the member, and axially registers with a threaded hole in the end projection of the bracket and a groove in a longitudinal recess on the first member. The bolt clampingly engages the second member to the bracket with the bolt shank further engaging the surfaces of the hole, groove and the terminal end of a protrusion of the bracket. The projection and the recess operate to oppose rotational movement of the first member about its longitudinal axis relative to the second member.

Abstract: A storage rack with moveable lifting jacks. The rack includes horizontally extending members joined but spaced apart by a pair of upper and a pair of lower cross members. Two upright posts extend above the horizontally extending support members and are secured in place by the cross members. A powered lifting jack and a follower lifting jack each include tongues insertable between the horizontally extending support members at the opposite ends of the rack. The tongues are biased between the upper and lower cross members preventing the pivotal motion of the tongues which are mounted to wheels rotatably mounted to frames having hydraulic cylinder motors mounted thereatop. Piston rods are extendable from the hydraulic cylinder motors and are attached to the tongues to apply lifting force in an upward direction along an axis extending through the wheel axis of rotation applying lifting force to the opposite ends of the rack.

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.

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: A joint for use in building construction which is dependent upon beams made of wood, metal or related materials. The beams may be box beams or I-beams. In each case, the beams are made up of webs and flanges. The flanges may be of wood and of various different shapes. The joints are formed by cutting away the flanges and webs as necessary so that the beams will fit together in a continuous manner, that is, with the flanges and webs continuing without interruption across the joint. The joints can then be fixed together using conventional means such as nails, screws, adhesives and the like.

Abstract: A corner joint between mitered jambs of a door frame, with claws provided in the miter region of the jamb ends. The claws are designed as tongues cut out of the jambs. The tongues are provided with abutment elements which engage behind the respective adjacent jambs. Further, the tongues and their abutment elements are offset relative to each other and so dimensioned that in assembled state, they engage and snugly fit between the tongues of the other jamb. The manufacture and assemblage of the frame jambs is thereby considerably simplified.

Abstract: A joint connects an arm to a shaft. A split collar which clamps onto the shaft has a radial passage which registers with the transverse passage through the shaft and an end of the arm engages through the two passages. The split collar is clamped tightly onto the shaft and against the arm externally of the shaft.

Abstract: Stretcher bars are provided, each having face and rear mitered sections and a tongue therebetween, the tongue cooperating with a mitered section to define a slot. At least one tongue section of each stretcher bar defines a bevel on a portion thereof remote from the side defining the slot to facilitate ready entry of the tongue sections into slots of mating stretcher bars in non-interfering relationship with the tongue and miter sections of mating bars.

Abstract: A nestable roof vent for use on the roofs of grain bins and other structures where circulation of air within the structure is required. The vent includes a bird screen sized to extend across the interior of the vent housing that is secured to a flange over the opening in the bin roof so as to be free from binding contact with the vent housing. Accordingly, should the screen become clogged with husks or leaves, the screen will bend about the flange to release any pressure build-up before structural damage to the structure can occur. A locking seam, capable of being made along the curved edge of a piece of sheet metal, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structural joint and method of making the joint wherein an end portion of each of a plurality of tubes is partially flattened into an elongated, oval annular shape of a cross sectional contour that the flattened ends of the tubes can be telescopically nested within one another, the tubes are arranged to have their axes coplanar to intersect at the joint node with the tube flattened ends in a telescopically, mutually nesting relationship to each other, a splice plate extending into the interior of the nested array of flattened tube ends and having upper and lower surfaces in an underlying, closely adjoining relation to interior surfaces of each of the tube flattened end portions, and fastening means tightly clamping together the nesting, flattened tube ends and splice plate contained therewithin.

Abstract: A building structure including a plurality of horizontally disposed hollow tubular structural members stacked to form walls joined at a corner, a method of constructing the same, and a wall member, and end connector for a wall member, utilized therein. In one form of the invention, wall members are formed of hollow metal tubes each having affixed to at least one end an end connector having a notch for interlocking with a like end connector of at least one intersecting, abutting wall member.

Abstract: A substantially rigid structural joint can be assembled from an assembly made up of a pair of separate joinery parts. Each joinery part is preferably in the form of a rigid rectangular-shaped, sheet metal strip. One joinery part has a bracing member connected to and extending outwardly from one of its longitudinal sides in an orthogonal relationship. The bracing member also extends toward and along one of the longitudinal sides of the other joinery part when the latter is placed in an erected condition with the one joinery part. In such condition, they extend in orthogonal relationship to one another and have end portions which form a corner therebetween. Interengagable male and female elements on end portions of the joinery parts adjacent the corner are mated together when the parts are placed in their erected condition.

Abstract: A strap for attaching together wooden members having faces disposed in different planes. The strap includes a first connecting plate disposed in a first plane, the first connecting plate having a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally from a surface of the first connecting plate which teeth are adapted to be embedded in the face of a wooden member; a second connecting plate disposed in a second plane which is not parallel to the first plane, the second connecting plate having a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally from a surface of the second connecting plate which teeth are adapted to be embedded in the face of another wooden member; a connecting strip having first and second ends and an intermediate section, the first end being joined to the first plate and the second end being joined to the second plate; and the first and second plates each having a common centerline which passes through the connecting strap.

Abstract: A sheet metal bedrail for mounting within a cutout portion formed in the legs of the headboard of a bed. The bedrail is formed of thin gauge sheet metal having a longitudinally and vertically extending central web portion and longitudinally extending beads at the upper and lower marginal edges of the web. A plastic end cap having a pair of spaced legs mounted perpendicularly to a plate is adapted to engage the bedrail so that the legs extend within the spaced beads. Aligning mounting bores are formed in the beads of the bedrail and legs of the end cap which receive bolts adapted to mount the bedrail within the cutout portion of the headboard legs.

Abstract: A concrete serpentine noise barrier formed by a series of vertically disposed concrete panels that are placed in end to end abutment. Each adjacent pair of panels is provided with a socket-like joint that allows the panels to be angularly adjusted in assembly.

Abstract: A corner angle assembly for a structure, such as a duct work, has first and second angle pieces inserted through the respective openings in triangularly-shaped connecting flanges spot-welded to the respective walls of the structure. A first piece is inserted into its respective flange and has a contact portion extending beyond the opening in the flange. This contact portion has a groove for slidably receiving the second angle piece. The second angle piece has an upwardly-extending edge engaging the first piece for limiting the degree of insertion of the second piece. The first piece has a protruding portion bent over a beveled edge on the second piece for precluding the withdrawal of the second piece. Cooperating aligned holes in the extending portions of the respective pieces facilitate the passage of bolts or other suitable securing means.

Abstract: A multiple tenon joint for wooden frames in particular for solid wood strut constructions such as are usual in tables, chairs and furniture frames.Owing to the generally small dimensioning of wooden components, the known joint constructions are not sufficiently stable. This problem is solved by the use of machined square multiple tenons which are pressed into round cylindrical multiple bores and are glued, the glue flowing back in open segments between the tenon and bore walls. The bores are smaller in diameter than the diagonal dimension of the tenons.

Abstract: Apparatus for interlocking the ends of first and second channel-shaped wall sections, comprising a substantially perpendicular first tongue integral with and extending inwardly from the end of the first wall section, with a slot at the juncture therebetween. A substantially perpendicular second tongue is integral with and extends inwardly from the second wall section. The second tongue is dimensioned for insertion through the aforesaid slot, and it has a detent arranged to cooperate in mechanical engagement with the first tongue, as long as the second tongue is operatively positioned beneath and in parallel relationship to the first wall section. A third tongue on the first wall section holds the second tongue in its operative position.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a casing cell or the like, which may form the housing of an air-conditioning appliance serves to attach a plurality of wall members to respective adjacent wall members by means of joining elements of the tongue and groove type for enabling a detachable fitting, the adjacent wall members abutting with abutting faces inclined to the main surface of each wall member, wherein the tongue type elements positively engage the groove type elements provided in at least one of the abutting faces and defining an undercut edge for the tongue elements, and two of the wall members of the casing cell which are arranged opposite and rigidly connected to each other and receive the other moveable wall members by insertion in a rectilinear direction essentially perpendicular to an opening face defined between the rigidly connected wall members, at least one of the joining elements being resiliently deformable.

Abstract: The assembly node is formed from flat elements connected together; at least one first flat element comprises a slit situated in the middle of its width, said slit being orientated in the longitudinal direction of the flat element, and at least a second flat element is engaged in this slit and passes therethrough. The first flat element extends in the longitudinal direction of the slit on each side of the second flat element; the first flat element comprises means for securing bars on each side of the second flat element in the longitudinal direction of the slit so that the transmission of forces by the first flat element on each side of the center of the node is effected essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit, through continuity of the material forming the first flat element.

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.