U.S. patent application number 10/165225 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for mechanical joint including an angle bracket connector.
Invention is credited to Henriott, Jay M..
Application Number | 20030001470 10/165225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25053677 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030001470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henriott, Jay M. |
January 2, 2003 |
Mechanical joint including an angle bracket connector
Abstract
A mechanical joint for joining a pair of structural components.
The mechanical joint includes a bracket having a pair of legs, and
a recess formed in at least one of the structural components. The
recess accommodates a first leg of the bracket, with the first leg
of the bracket being thereby concealed by the structural
components.
Inventors: |
Henriott, Jay M.; (Jasper,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & DANIELS
111 E. WAYNE STREET
SUITE 800
FORT WAYNE
IN
46802
|
Family ID: |
25053677 |
Appl. No.: |
10/165225 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10165225 |
Jun 7, 2002 |
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09758926 |
Jan 11, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/257.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 47/042 20130101;
Y10T 403/73 20150115; F16B 2200/406 20180801; F16B 12/46
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/257.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 043/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mechanical joint comprising: a first structural component
having a face; a bracket having a pair of legs, a first one of said
legs secured to said face of said first structural component; and a
second structural component having an end and a face, said face of
said second structural component including a face bore formed
therein, said end of said second structural component abutting said
face of said first structural component, said face bore receiving
said first leg of said bracket.
2. The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein said face bore
comprises a substantially circular bore having a longitudinal axis
perpendicular to said face of said second structural component.
3. The mechanical joint of claim 2, wherein said longitudinal axis
of said face bore is spaced from said second structural
component.
4. The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein a second one of said
legs of said bracket substantially covers said face bore, said face
of said second structural component resting atop said second leg of
said bracket.
5. The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein said face bore and said
first leg of said bracket have cooperating geometry means for
substantially prohibiting rotation of said bracket.
6. The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein said first leg of said
bracket comprises a polygonal form having a side abutting an
interior wall of said face bore, said abutting relationship of said
side and said interior wall substantially preventing rotation of
said bracket.
7. The mechanical joint of claim 6, wherein said side of said
bracket includes a bevel, said bevel having a radius of curvature
substantially the same as a radius of curvature of said face
bore.
8. An item of furniture having a mechanical joint affixing abutting
structural components, said item of furniture comprising: a first
structural component and a second structural component, said second
structural component having an end abutting a face of said first
structural component; and a bracket having a pair of legs disposed
at an angle to each other, said bracket joining said first and said
second structural components, a first one of said legs of said
bracket disposed between said end of said second structural
component and said face of said first structural component, said
first one of said legs affixed to said face of said first
structural component, said second structural component having a
face including a face bore formed therein, said face bore
intersecting said end of said second structural component and
receiving said first leg of said bracket.
9. The item of furniture called for in claim 8, wherein said face
bore comprises a substantially circular bore having a longitudinal
axis perpendicular to said face of said second structural
component.
10. The item of furniture called for in claim 9, wherein said
longitudinal axis of said face bore is spaced from said second
structural component.
11. The item of furniture called for in claim 8, wherein a second
one of said legs of said bracket substantially covers said face
bore, said face of said second structural component resting atop
said second leg of said bracket.
12. The item of furniture called for in claim 8, wherein said face
bore and said first leg of said bracket have cooperating geometry
means for substantially prohibiting rotation of said bracket.
13. The item of furniture called for in claim 8, wherein said first
leg of said bracket comprises a polygonal form having a side
abutting an interior wall of said face bore, said abutting
relationship of said side and said interior wall substantially
preventing rotation of said bracket.
14. The mechanical joint of claim 13, wherein said side of said
bracket includes a bevel, said bevel having a radius of curvature
substantially the same as a radius of curvature of said face
bore.
15. A method of constructing an item of furniture, comprising:
providing a first structural component and a second structural
component, said first structural component having a face, said
second structural component having a face and an end; providing a
bracket having a first leg and a second leg; securing said first
leg to said face of said first structural component; forming a face
bore in said face of said second structural component; and abutting
said end of said second structural component with said face of said
first structural component such that said first leg of said bracket
is contained within said face bore and said second structural
component rests atop said second leg of said bracket.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming step comprises
forming a face bore in said face of said second structural
component having a greatest width measured along said end of said
second structural component, said greatest width of said face bore
measuring less than a width of said second leg of said bracket.
17. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: securing
said second leg of said bracket to said face of said second
structural component.
18. The method of claim 9, further comprising: forming a recess in
said face of said second structural component; and positioning said
second leg of said bracket in said recess.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/758,926, filed Jan. 11, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a mechanical joint, and,
more particularly to an improved angle bracket for joining a pair
of structural components, e.g., panels used in the construction of
various items of furniture including, e.g., tables, chairs,
shelving, and cabinets.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, mechanical joints are widely used to construct
items of furniture formed, at least in part, from abutting
structural components. Such items of furniture, include, e.g.,
tables, chairs, shelving units, and cabinets. Many different types
of fasteners are commonly used in constructions where abutting
structural components are secured to one another. For example,
L-shaped brackets, wooden cleats, mortise and tenon combinations,
and dowel pins can be utilized to affix abutting components used to
form items of furniture.
[0006] One example of a fastener used to secure abutting structural
components of, e.g., a cabinet or table is an elongated, metal
L-shaped bracket. These fasteners are designed to rest atop and be
affixed to the outer surfaces of abutting components. A plurality
of apertures are drilled through each leg of the L-shaped bracket
through which fasteners, such as screws, are placed. In use, a
first leg of the bracket is fixed to a first one of the structural
components, the second of the structural components is positioned
adjacent to the first component, and the second leg of the bracket
is fixed to the second structural component. This type of fastener
can be relatively large. The size and the orientation (i.e., with
each leg exposed and resting atop a structural component) of these
brackets makes them visible and, therefore, not aesthetically
pleasing.
[0007] Other mechanical joints used in the construction of
furniture, and, particularly, shelving include wooden cleats.
Wooden cleats typically comprise an elongate piece of wood having a
square or rectangular cross section. In use, the cleat is placed in
the joint formed by adjacent structural components and is affixed
to each of the structural components. A plurality of fasteners are
utilized to secure the wooden cleat to the first component. The
second component (commonly a shelf) is positioned atop the wooden
cleat. Fasteners can be utilized to secure the second structural
component in position atop the wooden cleat. These types of joints
are most often used when supporting a shelf, however, they may be
used in the construction of other items of furniture including
chairs and tables. These types of mechanical joints are relatively
large in size, and are entirely exposed in use, and, therefore, are
not aesthetically pleasing.
[0008] Additional forms of mechanical joints utilized in the
construction of items of furniture include tongue and groove joints
as well as mortise and tenon combinations. A tongue and groove
joint includes one structural component having a groove and a
second structural component having a tongue extending a similar
length as the groove. The tongue is of similar shape to that of the
groove and is interference fit therein to effect affixation of the
components. Similar to the tongue and groove joint is a mortise and
tenon combination. A mortise, which is a rectangular aperture, is
provided in one component, while a tenon, which is a rectangular
projection, is provided on the second component. The tenon is
interference fit into the mortise to provide a secure link between
the components. Both tongue and groove, and mortise and tenon
joints require significant, and somewhat difficult machining
producing tight tolerances to enable a good interference fit. The
complicated machining of these types of fasteners increases both
the time and expense of manufacturing.
[0009] Another fastener used in the construction of furniture is a
dowel pin. A plurality of apertures are drilled into each
structural component to be secured, so that the apertures in one
component align with the apertures in the second component. The
tolerance of both the size and the spacing of the apertures must be
extremely tight so that the dowel pins may be interference fit into
the apertures and so that the mating apertures will properly align.
The exacting machining required by dowel pins increases both the
time and cost of manufacturing.
[0010] It is desired to provide a mechanical joint for use in
furniture which is simple, durable, relatively low in cost,
substantially hidden in use, and universal in application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides an angle bracket connector
for use in joining a pair of structural components used, e.g., to
construct furniture components. The bracket has two legs, one for
engaging each of the components to be joined. In one exemplary
embodiment, one leg is longer than the other. In another exemplary
embodiment, one leg has a rounded end, while the other leg has a
square end. In certain embodiments, both ends of the angle bracket
have rounded ends.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, a recess is formed in one of
the structural components, and is sized to accommodate a leg of the
bracket. In one exemplary embodiment, the geometries of the recess
and the bracket itself cooperate to prevent rotation of the
bracket. In use, one leg of the bracket is positioned in the
recess, with the other leg protruding therefrom for support of the
second structural component. The recess is positioned such that
when the structural components are placed in abutting relationship,
the recess, and, thus, the leg positioned therein, is hidden from
view by the end of the second structural component. For the
purposes of this document, "abutting" is meant to encompass
situations in which the components are actually touching as well as
situations where the components are in close proximity.
[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, a leg of the bracket is
secured to a face of one of the structural components. In this
embodiment, the second structural component includes a recess sized
to accommodate the leg of the angle bracket secured to the first
structural component. In use, the second structural component is
positioned such that when the structural components are placed in
abutting relationship, the recess accommodates the leg of the angle
bracket connector secured to the first structural component. In
this way, the second structural component removes from view the leg
of the angle bracket connector secured to the first structural
component.
[0014] The invention, in one form thereof, comprises a mechanical
joint including a first structural component having a face, a
bracket having a pair of legs, with a first one of the legs of the
bracket secured to the face of the first structural component, and
a second structural component having an end and a face, with the
face of the second structural component including a face bore
formed therein, and the end of the second structural component
abutting the face of the first structural component, with the face
bore receiving the first leg of the bracket.
[0015] The invention, in another form thereof, comprises an item of
furniture having a mechanical joint affixing abutting structural
components. The item of furniture of this form of the present
invention comprises a first structural component and a second
structural component, with the second structural component having
an end abutting a face of the first structural component; and a
bracket having a pair of legs disposed at an angle to each other,
the bracket joining the first and the second structural components,
a first one of the legs of the bracket disposed between the end of
the second structural component and the face of the first
structural component, the first one of the legs of the bracket is
affixed to the face of the first structural component and the
second structural component has a face including a face bore
intersecting the end of the second structural component and
receiving the first leg of the bracket.
[0016] The invention, in a further form thereof, comprises a method
of constructing an item of furniture. The method of this form of
the current invention includes the steps of: providing a first
structural component and a second structural component, the first
structural component having a face, the second structural component
having a face and an end; providing a bracket having a first leg
and a second leg; securing the first leg to the face of the first
structural component; forming a face bore in the face of the second
structural component; and abutting the end of the second structural
component with the face of the first structural component such that
the first leg of the bracket is contained within the face bore and
the second structural component rests atop the second leg of the
bracket.
[0017] An advantage of the present invention is that the bracket is
substantially hidden from view and yet is relatively strong.
[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that it is
simple in construction.
[0019] A further advantage of the present invention is that it is
universal in application in that it may be used in the construction
of any type of structure having abutting components including,
e.g., tables, chairs, shelving, and cabinets.
[0020] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is
relatively low in cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a item of furniture
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1A is a partial perspective view of a joint formed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 1B is a sectional view thereof;
[0025] FIG. 1C is a partial perspective view of an alternative
embodiment joint formed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 1D is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment
joint illustrated in FIG. 1C;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one end component of a
first embodiment item of furniture constructed in accordance with
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the other end component
of a first embodiment item of furniture constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the back component of
a first embodiment item of furniture constructed in accordance with
the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a bottom elevational view of both the top and the
bottom components of a first embodiment item of furniture
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a first
embodiment mechanical joint in accordance with the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a structural
component having an oblong recess therein;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a structural
component having a rounded recess therein;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an angle bracket
connector in accordance with the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a top elevational thereof;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a bottom elevational view thereof;
[0037] FIG. 12 is an end elevational view thereof;
[0038] FIG. 13 is the fragmentary view of FIG. 7 illustrating one
leg of the bracket disposed in the oblong recess;
[0039] FIG. 14 is the fragmentary view of FIG. 8 illustrating a
second leg of the bracket disposed in the rounded recess;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a
second embodiment mechanical joint in accordance with the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary axial elevational view of a
structural component having a face bore formed therein; and
[0042] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary radial elevational view of the
structural component illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0043] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, and such
exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, furniture 20 is constructed from a
plurality of structural components including panels such as end or
side panels 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3), back panel 26 (FIG. 4), and top and
bottom panels 28 (FIG. 5). Furniture 20, can be, e.g., a television
stand. Top and bottom panels 28 share the same construction, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. Referring to FIGS. 6, and 9-12,
brackets 30 are designed to secure adjacent structural components
to one another to construct furniture 20 (FIG. 1). Each end panel
24 is fixed to back panel 26, and top and bottom panels 28 are
disposed between end panels 24, being secured at each end to end
panels 24 by brackets 30.
[0045] Furniture constructed utilizing the mechanical joint of the
current invention can include many types of furnishing for a home
or office, including, e.g., a desk, a bookcase, a television stand,
cabinets, or the like. When constructing this type of furniture,
structural components are placed in abutting relationship, with an
end of one structural component, such as end 32 of back panel 26,
abutting a surface of another structural component, such as surface
34 of end panel 24 (FIG. 1). The abutting relationship between
structural components of furniture 20 allows at least a portion of
brackets 30 to be hidden from view as will be discussed herein
below.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, end panels 24, back panel
26, as well as top and bottom panels 28 include a plurality of
recesses 38, 44. Recesses 44 of end panels 24 are positioned along
the edge of end panels 24 and, in use, align with a number of
recesses 38 in back panel 26 as well as a number of recesses 38 in
top and bottom panels 28. This allows one leg of brackets 30 to be
received in recess 44 in end panel 24 and the second leg of
brackets 30 to be received in recesses 38 in back panel 26 and
top/bottom panels 28.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-8, 13 and 14, two different types
of recesses (38, 44) are formed in the structural components, each
type having a different shape. First recess 38 is machined, e.g.,
into back component 26 (FIG. 4) and includes rounded end 40 at one
end intersecting side walls 42 extending to the opposite end
thereof. The end of recess 38 opposite rounded end 40 is open.
Second recess 44 has an oblong or generally elliptical shape.
Second recess 44 includes a pair of rounded ends 46, one at either
end thereof, with side walls 48 extending therebetween.
[0048] Recesses 44 are disposed in the structural components of
furniture 20 in either a substantially vertical or a substantially
horizontal orientation depending upon the orientation of the
structural components to be joined thereto. For example, recesses
44 along back side 70 of end panels 24 are disposed substantially
vertically, while recesses 44 positioned generally along the upper
and lower edges of panels 24 are disposed substantially
horizontally. Generally, recesses 44 are oriented similar to the
structural component to be affixed thereto via bracket 30. Since
furniture 20 includes only horizontally and vertically oriented
structural components, only horizontally and vertically oriented
recesses are required. In items of furniture having structural
components oriented other than horizontally or vertically, recesses
44 would be positioned accordingly. Recesses 38 and 44 are provided
with pre-drilled apertures 49 for affixation of bracket 30 (FIGS.
6-8). In one exemplary, apertures 49 in recesses 38 are positioned
slightly off center (on the order of 0.5 mm toward rounded end 40)
with respect to the mating recess in bracket 30. The off center
position of apertures 49 in recess 38 draws the relevant structural
components together.
[0049] Furniture 20 is constructed such that abutting structural
components are positioned with an end of a first structural
component covering an oblong recess formed in a face of a second
structural component. With particular reference to furniture 20
illustrated in FIG. 2, ends 32 (FIG. 4) of back panel 26 abut end
panels 24 such that back panel 26 covers oblong recesses 44
positioned along back side 70 of end panels 24. Similarly, ends 72
of top and bottom panels 28 abut end panels 24 such that top and
bottom panels 28 cover oblong recesses 44 positioned generally
along the top and bottom edges of end panels 24, respectively.
Recesses 38 and 44 are positioned on adjacent structural components
so as to align with one another, allowing affixation of brackets 30
thereto. Recesses 38 and 44 have a depth allowing the structural
components they are formed in to be placed in abutting
relationship. For example, with bracket 30 disposed in recesses 38
and 44, and back panel 26 abuts end panel 24 so as to cover recess
44, and the leg of bracket 30 contained in recess 44 so that this
leg of bracket 30 is hidden from view. As illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 4, recesses 38 are formed in surface 35 which comprises the
forward face of back panel 26. Recesses 38 are thusly positioned
for illustrative purposes only. In use, recesses 38 could be formed
in the back face (not shown) of back panel 26 so that bracket 30
would be entirely concealed from view. Recess 38 is not essential
for hiding the leg of bracket 30 contained in recess 44 and,
therefore, may be excluded.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, bracket 30 is illustrated prior to
affixation to end panel 24 and panel 28. Recess 44 is machined into
end panel 24 and receives square leg 50 of bracket 30. Similarly,
recess 38 is machined into panel 28 for receiving rounded leg 52 of
bracket 30. In use, square leg 50 is secured within oblong recess
44 in end panel 24, and panel 28 is thereafter positioned in
abutting relationship to end panel 24 such that rounded leg 52 of
bracket 30 is received within recess 38 of panel 28. In one
exemplary embodiment, rounded leg 52 of bracket 30 is affixed to
panel 28 via fastener 64. It is further contemplated by the present
invention to provide a bracket 30 for securing a generally
horizontal structural component, wherein the rounded leg of the
bracket is without an aperture to accommodate fastener 64. When
assembled, end 72 of panel 28 covers oblong recess 44 and square
leg 50 of bracket 30, thus concealing square leg 50 of bracket 30
from view. In use, rounded leg 52 of bracket 30 is substantially
flush with aperture 38 as well as surface 33 of panel 28. FIGS. 1A
and 1B illustrate bracket 30 secured to panel 28 and end panel
24.
[0051] The current invention further contemplates a construction in
which recess 38 extends into end 72 of panel 28 such that when
bracket 30 is placed therein, bracket 30 is flush with end 72 and
surface 33 of panel 28. In such an embodiment, recess 44 in end
panel 24 would be unnecessary. In such an embodiment, bracket 30
would be affixed to surface 34 of end panel 24 with panel 28 being
placed in abutting relationship with end panel 24 such that bracket
30 is received in recess 38.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, bracket 30 is, in one exemplary
embodiment, constructed from steel and includes legs 50, 52.
Generally, bracket 30 is constructed from material having
sufficient strength to maintain the structural integrity of the
furniture which it is used to form and to support the items which
the furniture is made to support (e.g., a television on a
television stand). Bracket 30 is L-shaped having square leg 50
disposed approximately perpendicularly from rounded leg 52. As
indicated supra, both legs 50, 52 can be square, or round.
Referring to FIG. 9, the angle .THETA. between legs 50 and 52 of
bracket 30 is illustrated as being approximately 90.degree.,
however, .THETA. may be at any acute or obtuse angle necessary to
position a pair of structural components as desired. As is known in
the art, such a construction would require a mitered end on one of
the structured components to be joined, so that the structural
components could be placed in abutting relationship. As shown in
FIGS. 9-12, legs 50 and 52 are each provided with aperture 62
through which fastener 64 (FIG. 6), such as a screw or the like,
may be placed. Chamfer 66 accommodates the head of fastener 64 so
that fastener 64 is flush with the leg of bracket 30 which it is
utilized to secure.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, legs 50 and 52 of bracket 30
are shown disposed in recesses 44 and 38, respectively. Recess 38
is machined to substantially the same size and shape of leg 52.
Square leg 50 is disposed in oblong recess 44 such that each of the
pair of oppositely disposed flat edges 68 of bracket 30 are
parallel to side walls 48 of recess 44 so that rotation of bracket
30 is thereby limited. In one exemplary embodiment, recess 44 is
dimensioned such that square leg 50 fits snugly between side walls
48 so that rotation of bracket 30 about fastener 64 in leg 50 is
prohibited. In alternative embodiments, the distance between side
walls 48 will be such that slight rotation of leg 50 will be
allowed. However, it is preferred that recess 44 is constructed
such that rotation of leg 50 and consequently bracket 30 is
substantially prohibited. Recess 44 is machined to have an oblong,
or generally elliptical shape, with rounded ends 46, since a square
recess is more difficult to machine. However, recess 44 may be of
any shape which prevents rotation of bracket 30 while being sized
for concealment by an abutting structural component. Furthermore,
leg 50 can be any non-rounded (e.g., polygonal) shape that will
cooperate with the geometry of recess 44 to substantially prohibit
rotation of bracket 30.
[0054] Bracket 30 is substantially universal in application.
Brackets 30 may used to secure any first and second structural
components together to produce a portion of a item of furniture,
such as furniture 20. Brackets 30 may be used to secure an end
panel to a back panel, a top panel to an end panel, or a bottom
panel to a back panel, for example. While being substantially
universal in application, and relatively strong, brackets 30 are at
least partially (and, many times, completely) hidden from view in
any of the mentioned orientations to provide an aesthetically
pleasing item of furniture.
[0055] FIGS. 1C, 1D, and 15-17 illustrate a second embodiment
mechanical joint in accordance with the present invention. FIGS.
1C, 1D, and 15-17 illustrate a mechanical joint formed between end
panel 24' and panel 28'. The second embodiment mechanical joint
illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 1D, and 15-17 can be utilized to secure
any two adjacent structural components as described above with
respect to the first embodiment mechanical joint disclosed herein.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, bracket 30' is secured to surface 34' of
end panel 24' via fastener 64. Fastener 64 traverses aperture 62'
in first leg 50' of bracket 30' to secure bracket 30' to end panel
24'. As fastener 64 transverses aperture 62' in first leg 50' of
bracket 30', chamfer 66' accommodates the head of fastener 64 so
that fastener 64 is flush with first leg 50' when affixation of
bracket 30' to surface 34' of end panel 24' is complete.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 15, face 33' of panel 28' includes
face bore 37 formed therein. Generally, face bore 37 is bored into
face 33' of panel 28' with a bit. For the purposes of this
document, "face bore" generally describes a substantially circular
aperture formed by a bit having an axis of rotation substantially
perpendicular to the face of the structural element in which the
face bore is being formed. The boring operation utilized to form
face bore 37 is generally easier to perform than the routing
operations required to form recesses 38, 44 described above. FIGS.
16 and 17 illustrate face bore 37 in detail. As illustrated, face
bore 37 comprises a rounded recess formed in face 33' of panel 28'.
In one exemplary embodiment, face bore 37 is formed with the center
line or longitudinal axis of the bit displaced from the end of
panel 28'.
[0057] Face bore 37 is sized to accommodate first leg 50' of
bracket 30' on formation of a mechanical joint in accordance with
the second embodiment of the present invention. This arrangement is
illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D. The sides of leg 50' of bracket 30'
are, in one exemplary embodiment, beveled. In this exemplary
embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bevel of the sides of
leg 50' of bracket 30' substantially equals the radius of curvature
of face bore 37. With this in mind, face bore 37 can form an
interference fit with leg 50' of bracket 30' positioned therein.
Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment, second leg 52' of
bracket 30' has a width greater than the width of first leg 50' of
bracket 30' to better cover face bore 37 on formation of a
mechanical joint in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0058] In construction, bracket 30' is secured to surface 34' of
end panel 24' via fastener 64, and panel 28' is thereafter placed
in abutting relationship with end panel 24', with face bore 37
accommodating first leg 50' of fastener 30'. In one embodiment, a
second fastener (64) may be utilized to secure second leg 52' of
bracket 30' to panel 28'. Furthermore, panel 28' may include a
second recess similar to recess 38 depicted in FIG. 6 and described
supra to accommodate second leg 52' of bracket 30'. As illustrated
in FIG. 15, end panel 24', and panel 28' may be provided with
pre-drilled apertures 49 to facilitate affixation of bracket 30'
thereto via fastener 64. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, when the
mechanical joint of the second embodiment mechanical joint of the
present invention is complete, face bore 37 is hidden from
view.
[0059] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
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