U.S. patent number 3,862,523 [Application Number 05/375,493] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-28 for panel construction for displays.
Invention is credited to Robert F. Eaton.
United States Patent |
3,862,523 |
Eaton |
January 28, 1975 |
PANEL CONSTRUCTION FOR DISPLAYS
Abstract
Two similar channel members, each adapted to be assembled within
an edge groove of a display panel are releasably splined together
by a spline engaged within each channel member at inner and outer
locations. Each channel member also provides a race for an
electrical wire, and means for making electrical contact with the
wire and also for supporting auxiliary equipment. Each spline
provides a cross arm for closing the channel mouth of the channel
member and for cooperating with the channel sides and retaining
means of the channel member for positively interlocking therewith
and eliminating lost motion between the interconnected parts.
Inventors: |
Eaton; Robert F. (Bridgeview,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
23481108 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/375,493 |
Filed: |
July 2, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/27; 174/481;
52/802.1; 40/605; 160/231.2; 174/97; 174/101; 211/195; 439/393;
439/411; 52/220.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
15/0006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
15/00 (20060101); G09f 015/00 (); E04b
001/343 () |
Field of
Search: |
;174/48,68R,68C,7R,7C,72C,95,97,101 ;40/125H ;49/488,489,501
;52/220,586,623,624,27,28,38 ;138/108,115-117
;160/40,135,183,199,229R,231R,231A,232,351 ;339/20,21R,22R,23,97R
;211/178R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
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1,178,086 |
|
Dec 1958 |
|
FR |
|
1,409,853 |
|
Jul 1965 |
|
FR |
|
1,276,153 |
|
Aug 1968 |
|
DT |
|
Primary Examiner: Askin; Laramie E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Taylor; Jay C.
Claims
I claim:
1. In combination, a channel member comprising a channel base and
transversely spaced channel sides defining an outwardly opening
channel, retaining means comprising inner and outer locating means
carried by said channel member, said inner locating means defining
an outwardly opening inner locating slit extending longitudinally
within said channel adjacent the base thereof, said outer locating
means defining an outwardly opening outer retaining slit extending
longitudinally of said channel and opening thereinto at a location
spaced outwardly from said inner locating slit, an insert extending
longitudinally of said channel, said insert having a neck extending
through said outer retaining slit, said insert having a spade
portion extending inwardly from said neck into said inner locating
slit, said neck and spade portion being located within said outer
and inner slits respectively by engagement respectively with said
outer and inner locating means, said spade portion enlarging to a
greater transverse dimension than said outer retaining slit to
provide shoulder means located inwardly of the latter slit, and
said outer locating means having an edge defining an edge of said
outer retaining slit and overlying said shoulder means outwardly
thereof.
2. In the combination according to claim 1, the inner end of said
spade being closely adjacent said channel base.
3. In the combination according to claim 1, said insert having a
transverse portion located outwardly of said retaining slit and
extending transversely from said neck, and said edge of said outer
retaining means being confined between said shoulder means and
transverse portion.
4. In the combination according to claim 3, said outer locating
means comprising a projection having said edge and converging
toward said channel base in the direction transversely from said
edge.
5. In the combination according to claim 4, said projection
diverging outwardly from one channel side and being resiliently
yieldable to enable passage of said spade portion through said
retaining slit.
6. In the combination according to claim 5, means to facilitate
insertion of said spade portion through said retaining slit
comprising an inclined cam surface of said spade portion.
7. In the combination according to claim 1, a second insert similar
to the first specified insert and arranged in mirror relationship
therewith, a connecting web extending between and connecting the
first and second inserts to complete a spline for joining said
channel member with a similar second channel member.
8. In the combination according to claim 7, a second channel member
similar to the first named channel member and engaged with said
second insert in confronting relationship with the first named
channel member, the confronting outer edges of the channel sides of
said first and second channel members being in abutment.
9. In the combination according to claim 7, a second channel member
engaged with said second insert in confronting relationship with
the first named channel member, the confronting outer edges of the
channel sides of said first and second channel members being spaced
a predetermined distance.
10. In the combination according to claim 9, an accessory device
confined between said first and second channel members and
extending transversely therefrom through the space between said
confronting edges.
11. In the combination according to claim 9, retention means
secured between said first and second channel members, and bracket
means extending between said channel members from the exterior
thereof through the space between said confronting edges and
releasably secured to said retention means.
12. In the combination according to claim 7, a second channel
member similar to the first mentioned channel member and engaged
with said second insert in confronting relationship with the first
channel member, each insert having a transverse portion outward of
the associated retaining slit and extending transversely from the
neck of the associated insert to adjacent a channel side of the
associated channel member, said connecting web extending from each
transverse portion in opposition to the associated neck.
13. In the combination according to claim 1, said insert having a
transverse portion located outwardly of said retaining slit and
extending transversely from said neck into proximity with one of
said channel sides.
14. In the combination according to claim 1, said retaining slit
being located between said channel sides, and said insert having
transverse portions located outwardly of said retaining slit and
extending transversely from said neck in opposite directions into
proximity with said channel sides.
15. In the combination according to claim 1, said outer locating
means including a retaining projection of one channel side of said
member extending toward the other channel side, said projection
being spaced from said channel base and defining said edge of said
outer retaining slit.
16. In the combination according to claim 1, said inner locating
means comprising a pair of transversely spaced locating projections
extending longitudinally of said channel and into the latter from
said channel base.
17. In the combination according to claim 16, said retaining slit
overlying said locating slit along the longitudinal mid-plane of
said channel, said outer locating means comprising a projection
having said edge and converging toward said channel base in the
direction transversely from said edge, said insert having a
transverse portion located outwardly of said retaining slit and
extending transversely from said neck, and said edge of said outer
retaining means being confined between said shoulder means and
transverse portion.
18. In the combination according to claim 1, said outer locating
means comprising a pair of retaining projections extending
longitudinally of said member from the opposite sides thereof
respectively at locations spaced from said base and converging
outwardly toward each other to said retaining slit, said channel
member comprising comparatively rigid form sustaining material
resiliently yieldable to enable passage of the shoulder means of
said spade through said retaining slit.
19. In the combination according to claim 18, said insert having
transverse portions located outwardly of said retaining slit and
extending transversely from said neck in opposite directions toward
said channel sides, the outer ends of said retaining projections
being confined between said shoulder means and transverse portions
at opposite sides of said retaining slit.
20. In combination, a channel member having a channel base
transversely spacing a pair of channel sides to define an outwardly
opening channel, a pair of retaining projections of said channel
member converging outwardly from said channel sides respectively
and terminating in edges extending longitudinally of said channel
member to define therebetween a retaining slit opening into said
channel, a spline extending longitudinally of said channel member
comprising a transverse portion within said channel and closing the
same, a neck of said spline of reduced transverse dimension with
respect to said transverse portion and extending inward therefrom
snugly through said retaining slit, and a spade portion extending
inward from the inner end of said neck, said spade portion having
transversely thickened shoulder portions providing a pair of
grooves between said transverse and shoulder portions and opening
transversely in opposite directions, the edges of said retaining
projections defining said retaining slit being engaged within said
grooves respectively in interlocking relationship between said
transverse and shoulder portions.
21. In the combination according to claim 20, said channel member
being resiliently yieldable for passage of said shoulder portions
through said retaining slit for releasably engaging said edges of
said retaining projections within said grooves.
22. In the combination according to claim 20, said channel member
having a pair of locating projections extending into the channel
thereof from the channel base and defining a locating slit adjacent
the channel base, and said spade portion having an inner edge
extending snugly into said locating slit.
23. In the combination according to claim 22, said spline having a
second set of elements comprising a transverse portion, neck and
spade portion in mirror arrangement with respect to the first named
set of these elements, a web of said spline connecting the
transverse portions of said first and second sets of elements, and
a second channel member similar to the first named channel member
releasably engaged with said second set of spline elements.
24. In the combination according to claim 22, a panel having an
edgewise opening groove within an edge thereof, the cross sectional
interior shape of the sides of the latter groove mating with the
cross sectional exterior shape of the sides of said channel member,
said channel member being confined within said edgewise opening
groove, an adhesive securing said channel member within the latter
groove, the base of the latter groove having a central portion
underlying the channel base of said member, and a pair of recesses
at opposite sides of said central portion, said recesses being
dimensioned to receive excess adhesive extruded thereinto in a
fluid condition during assembly of said channel member within said
edgewise opening groove.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for displaying visual or
auditory information, for example, and in particular to
improvements in display panels and means for interconnecting in
various arrangements such panels or channel molding members of the
general type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,235,040, 3,314,551,
3,361,189, 3,403,720, 3,460,282, and 3,592,289, which patents are
incorporated herein by way of reference to facilitate complete
understanding of the structure, mode of operation, and scope of the
present invention.
Important objects of the present invention are to provide
improvements over the numerous display panels and means for
interconnecting the same known to the art to achieve simplicities
and economies in the fabrication and assembly of such display
panels and also to provide improved means for releasably and
positively securing such panels together in edge-to-edge
relationship.
Other objects are to provide improvements in a channel member
useful either by itself or as an integral edge for a display panel
for supporting concealed low power electrical wiring and various
useful light weight accessories such as headphones, electrical
switches, light fixtures and various other fixtures or brackets
such as a literature rack, coat hangers, etc.
Another object is to provide improvements in a spline cooperable
with channel members of the character described for releasably
securing two such members together, preferably by snap-action,
whereby the spline and channel members may be repeatedly used in
numerous arrangements and applications.
Other objects of this invention will appear in the following
description and appended claims, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein
like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary transverse section through the edge of a
display panel, illustrating the present invention embodying a
flexible spline for providing a strap hinge between two similar
panels.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a modification to
provide a finished edge for the display panel of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views similar to FIG. 1, showing
additional modifications and applications of the invention separate
from the panel.
FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view showing an application of the
invention for supporting auxiliary equipment and electric
wiring.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows
substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6, showing the elements
in assembled position.
FIG. 8 is a progressive assembly view showing another modification
of the invention in sectional views A, B, and C similar to FIG.
1.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views similar to FIG. 1 showing still
other modifications.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out
in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology
or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description
and not of limitation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an edge of a
laminated panel 10 suitable for display purposes is illustrated
comprising a central core 11, which may comprise a lightweight
foamed plastic, by way of example, bonded between a pair of tough
lateral sheets or skin layers 12, which may comprise any suitable
sheet material such as a vinyl plastic or a material comparable to
MASONITE, FIBERGLAS or the like. The adhesive bond between the core
11 and sheets 12 may comprise a suitable thermosetting resin, which
may be comparatively inelastic. The outer edge of the core 11 is
formed with a central locating abutment 13 extending the length of
the edge of the panel 10 and spacing a pair of grooves 14 also
extending the length of the panel edge to effect a W-shaped cross
section.
The sheets 12 extend edgewise of the core 11 to provide a channel
therebetween for receiving a channel member or molding 15 extending
the length of the panel edge. The member 15 has a channel base 16
seated on the abutment 13 and parallel channel sides 17 bonded to
the sheets 12 by a suitable adhesive which enables flexing of the
bonded-together channel sides 17 and sheets 12, as described
below.
In fabrication of the structure described thus far, after the core
11 is bonded between the sheets 12 as illustrated and prior to
insertion of the member 15 between the sheets 12, the confronting
surfaces of the latter and the lateral surfaces of the channel
sides 17 if desired are coated with adhesive in a fluid condition.
The channel member 15 is then inserted between the sheets 12 until
it seats on the abutment 13 as shown. During this process, excess
adhesive 18 will be forced into the grooves 14 provided for this
purpose rather than outwardly of the panel edge. Thus seating of
the channel base 16 on the locating abutment 13 is assured, a
uniform panel edge is achieved, and clean-up of excess glue is
minimized. The sheets 12 of the assembled panel structure may then
be clamped to the channel sides 17 until the adhesive cures or
dries.
A pair of spline locating projections 19 extend into the outwardly
opening channel 20 of the molding or member 15 to define a small
outwardly opening locating channel 21. The latter extends
lengthwise of the channel 20 and is preferably centered on the
latter's mid-plane of symmetry to receive and locate therein the
tapered leading edge 22 of the spade 23 of an insert or spline 24.
Converging outwardly from opposite channel sides 17 are a pair of
retaining projections 25 which define a retaining slit 26 extending
longitudinally of the channel 20 and overlying the locating channel
21. The outer edges of the projections 25 are preferably rounded
and are releasably confined within transversely opening retaining
channels or grooves 27 defined by a transverse projection or cross
arm 28 of the spline 24 and transversely extending shoulders 29
(See FIG. 3) at the outer portion of the spade 23. The cross arm 28
and shoulders 29 are thus spaced by a transversely reduced neck
portion of the spline 24 snugly engaged at opposite sides by the
outer edges of the retaining projections 25.
Outwardly of the cross arm 28, the spline comprises a connecting
portion or web 30 which joins the above described set of panel
interlocking structures, including the cross arm 28 and spade 23,
with a second similar set of panel interlocking structures in
mirror relationship. The web 30 may space the two cross arms 28 any
desired distance so as to confine similar members 15 closely
together in edge-to-edge relationship, as by means of web 30a in
FIG. 3, or in spaced relationship as by means of web 30b in FIG. 4.
Also the spline 24 may be of comparatively rigid or flexible
material. In the latter instance, the thickness of the web 30 may
be reduced at 31 adjacent each of the cross arms 28 to facilitate
flexing, especially where it is desired to utilize the spline 24 as
a 360.degree. strap hinge. A right angle bend is shown in the
phantom position, FIG. 1.
The channel or molding member 15 as illustrated may also comprise
one or more races for retaining an electrical conducting wire 32.
Thus extending outwardly from each projection 25 adjacent the
proximate channel side 17 and inclined toward the latter is an
outwardly converging spur 33 which terminates adjacent an assembled
cross arm 28 at a location spaced from the proximate side 17 by a
slit preferably of smaller transverse dimension than the wire 32.
The wire 32 may be inserted lengthwise into one end of the race 34
provided between each spur 33 and channel side 17, but preferably
the sidewalls of the race 34 are sufficiently yieldable resiliently
to enable insertion of the wire 32 through the restricted slit
opening of the race 34, whereupon the race sidewalls return to
their undeformed condition shown to snugly retain the wire 32 in
place adjacent the side 17 to facilitate handling of the member 15
prior to assembly of the spline 24. When the spline 24 is finally
assembled with the channel member 15 as described below, the cross
arm 28 closely overlies and closes the slit opening for the race 34
to conceal and positively confine the wire 32.
Preferably all of the above described elements of the member 15 and
spline 24 extend longitudinally as illustrated in FIG. 6, so that
their cross sections as shown are uniform along their lengths.
Accordingly both the spline 24 and member 15 may be manufactured
from metal or plastic materials by conventional extrusion processes
to provide integral structures respectively. The spline 24 may be
inserted lengthwise into the end of the channel of the member 15,
particularly if it is desired to fabricate these members of very
rigid materials. Preferably the projections 25 and channel sides
17, with the panel sheets 12 bonded thereto, are sufficiently
resilient to spring transversely to enable edgewise insertion of
the tapered spade 23 through the retaining slit 26. In this regard,
the converging sides of the spade 23 are smooth low friction
inclined planes to facilitate opening of the slit 26 by cam action
for passage of the shoulders 29, whereupon the projections 25 snap
resiliently into the grooves 27 and interlock with the spline 24.
Also the angle of convergence of the projections 25 cooperates with
the converging wedge-like surfaces of the spade 23 to provide
additional leverage for springing the projections 25 toward the
channel sides 17 upon insertion of the spade 23, enabling the use
of appreciably rigid resilient material for the member 15 and also
reducing the amount of yielding that would otherwise be required
for the sides 17.
In the assembled position, the leading edge 22 of the spade 23 is
closely adjacent the channel base 16 and is confined closely within
the locating channel 21, and the lateral edges of the cross arm 28
terminate closely adjacent the sides 17 to minimize play or lost
motion in any direction between the interlocked parts. By virtue of
engaging the spline 24 at both the inner and outer regions of the
spade 23, torsional movement of the spline 24 within the channel 20
is also minimized. The spline 24 may be disassembled from channel
member 15 when desired, but it is apparent from the structure
shown, including the leverage to facilitate assembly afforded by
the tapered spade 23, and the comparatively small leverage afforded
by the shoulders 29 for disassembly, that the latter operation
requires considerably more force than the former.
In the assembled position, the cross arm 28 may be located below
the outer edges of the sides 17 to provide a space within the
channel outwardly of the cross arm 28 for an electrical terminal
block or retainer for auxiliary equipment as described in reference
to FIGS. 6 and 7, or the outer surface of the cross arm 28 may be
flush with the outer edges of the channel sides 17 as in FIG. 2 to
provide a finished edge for the panel 10. In that instance, the web
30 is omitted.
The channel member or molding 15 may be employed with or without a
panel 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the member 15 separate from the panel
10, wherein spline 24 is preferably comparatively rigid. In FIG. 4
a two-part rectangular wrap-around hanger 35 of form sustaining
resilient material is illustrated, each part 35 being identical
with the other but arranged in reverse relationship with respect to
the other. Accordingly the parts 35 may be formed as a single
element by extrusion molding, whereupon the extruded element may be
cut to desired lengths in pairs to provide the two-part
wrap-around. Each wrap-around part 35 comprises a long side 36
adapted to extend along and beyond the coplanar exterior surfaces
of two members 15 joined edgewise with a space 37 between the
proximate edges of their channel sides 17.
Each side 36 at one end diverges at a small angle from the adjacent
channel side 17 to provide a triangular space 38 extending
longitudinally of the members 15, whereby the side 36 at said one
end may be forced toward the adjacent channel side 17 to facilitate
assembly and disassembly of the two wrap-around pieces, as
described below. Each side 36 also extends at said one end beyond
the adjacent channel base 16 and partially around the latter at an
integral inturned flange 39, which terminates at an integral
outturned hook 40. The latter is provided with a lateral cam
surface 41 which undercuts the outer surface 42 of the hook 40 at a
small angle to the mid-plane of symmetry of the member 15. The
surface 41 intersects a cam surface 43 of the flange 39 at an acute
angle. The surface 43 converges to the outer or lateral surface 36a
of the side 36, which surface 36a may be parallel to the channel
sides 17. The side 36 is of uniform thickness except at the region
of the triangular space 38.
Each wrap-around part of the hanger 35 also comprises a short side
44 extending integrally from the side 36 and at right angles
thereto along the channel base 16. The short side 44 of each hanger
part 35 extends flush with the surface 42 of the other hanger part
35 and terminates in a wedge shaped hook 45 mating with and closely
interfitting within the triangular groove formed by the
intersecting surfaces 41 and 43 of the other hanger part 35. The
sides 36 and 44 cooperate to complete a snug rectangular enclosure
for the assembled channel members 15 and spline 24.
The inter-engaging hooks 40 and 45 are readily -separable by
depressing the adjacent portion of the side 36 toward the adjacent
member 15, thereby to close the space 38 and cause the hook 40 to
separate from the hook 45. In the same movement as the cam surface
43 moves inwardly toward the member 15, the hooks 40 and 45 will be
cammed out of interengagement with each other, enabling the end of
the corresponding short side 44 to be separated completely from the
hook 40.
The interlocking hooks 40 and 45 complete a thickened corner. The
adjacent corner 46 at the juncture between the long and short sides
36 and 44 is similarly thickened to reinforce the juncture and to
provide a space 47 between the channel base 16 and short side 44
for the head of a screw 48 for attaching the hanger 35 to an
external support 49, which may be a ceiling, wall, railing, or the
like. In this regard, a small drill locating groove 50 is provided
in the exterior surfaces of the sides 36 and 44 at their
mid-regions to facilitate locating and drilling a hole 51 for the
screw 48. Thus the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be
secured laterally or at the bottom to an external support 49, as
well as at the top as shown. Also either long side 36 may be
drilled to provide an opening 52, phantom view, FIG. 4, for
insertion of an auxiliary bracket or electrical leads for the wires
32, as described below in regard to FIGS. 6 and 7.
The wrap-around 35 illustrated in FIG. 4 is an intermittant support
usually less than 1 inch long and used as a wrap-around and
mounting device, a number of such hangers 35 being spaced
longitudinally along the combined channels 15. The wrap-around is
used also where a portion of the entire spline assembly is omitted
for a short longitudinal distance to allow insertion of a terminal
block, illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein hole 52 in the wrap-around
allows passage of the wire cord 63 in FIG. 6. The channels 15 in
FIG. 6 may pass continuously above and below the terminal block,
whereas portions of the spline 24 may be eliminated intermittently.
The wrap-around reinforces the void where the spline assembly is
omitted.
FIG. 5 shows a modified integral channel member 15a comprising a
resiliently flexible and compressible plastic body suitable for
extending along curved walls or for providing a sharply curved
juncture between the ends of two comparatively straight assemblies
of the type shown in FIG. 4. In this instance, because of the
readily deformable resilient material of the member 15a, a pocket
26a may be formed in the body of the member 15a to conform closely
to the shape of the spade 23. The retaining projections 25a
interfit closely within the grooves 27 and resiliently yield
laterally to enable insertion of the spade 23. A hanger 35 is
preferably employed at the endwise juncture between channel members
15 and 15a.
The wires 32 extend within races 34a comprising outwardly opening
grooves within the body of the member 15a. Spurs comparable to the
spurs 33 are not shown in FIG. 6, although they could be provided
integrally with the body of member 15a if desired. In other
respects the structural concept and function of the members 15a are
the same as described above in regard to FIGS. 1-4. The double
wires 32 shown in each race 34a may represent two twisted-together
wire ends where the wire 32 of the next endwise adjacent channel
member 15 is electrically connected by soldering or otherwise with
the wire 32 of the channel member 15a.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a terminal block 53 adapted to fit between
confronting channel members 15 spaced by a web 30b of the type
illustrated in FIG. 4. The block 53 may comprise a tough rigid
integral dielectric plastic and has a central platform 54 spacing a
pair of tunnels 55 integral in turn with end platforms 56, each
having raised edge flanges 57 and 58 at their inner and outer edges
respectively.
A section of the spline 24 may be removed to accommodate the
terminal block 53 between the confronting channel members 15. The
block 53 may be secured either in the positive shown, upside-down
or reversed end for end by means of screws 59 extending through
holes 60 in the platforms 54 and 56 and confined snugly within the
retaining slit 26, FIG. 7. The wrap-around 35 may then be employed
if desired around the members 15 at the region thereof where the
spline 24 is removed to assure that the members 15 will be securely
held in their confronting relationship, especially if the members
15 are subject to load, as for example, where an auxiliary bracket
61 is also retained by the block 53.
The bracket 61 may comprise a pair of parallel rod arms 61a adapted
to fit snugly within the tunnels 55 respectively and to extend
laterally through the space 37 to an intermediate bracket portion
of any suitable shape, as indicated schematically by the dotted
portion 61b, for holding auxiliary equipment such as a headphone,
microphone, or other device. The rod arms 61a project to the ends
of the tunnels 55 opposite the bracket 61b and are welded to a
cross rod 61c to prevent removal of the arms 61a lengthwise from
the tunnels 55. Portions 62 of the tunnels 55 are removed to
provide a seat for the cross rod 61c.
The terminal block 53 also provides means for connecting the wires
32 with a source of electrical power or cable 63 which typically
may comprise a pair of insulated electrical leads 64 and 65 and an
anchor wire 66 insulated from the leads 64 and 65. The leads 64 and
65 extend in opposite directions across the tunnels 55 through
notches 67 therein and are secured to the upper surfaces of
electrical contact plates 68 by the end screws 59 which extend
through holes 60 in the platforms 56. Each contact member 68 has a
plate portion that fits flush with one of the platforms 56 closely
between the flanges 57 and 58, a screw hole 69 aligned with the
associated screw hole 60, and a depending knife edge 70 that
extends through the slit opening into the underlying race 34
proximate a channel side 17, FIG. 7, and cuts through the
insulation of the wire 32 to complete an electrical connection
therewith. The anchor wire 66 is non-electrical and is secured to
the central platform 54 by the central screw 59 to prevent an
accidental pull on the cable 63 from interfering with the
electrical connections.
In practice, prior to securing the two channel members 15 together
in FIG. 6, the bracket arms 61a will be fitted into the tunnels 55
from the undersides of the latter. The assembly of terminal block
53 and bracket 61 is then secured by the screws 59 to the
appropriate member 15 at any location along its length, FIG. 7, and
the leads 64 and 65 are connected to the contact plates 68 at the
same time. Thereafter the second member 15 is splined to the first
member 15 as illustrated in FIG. 4 for example.
In the preceding descriptions of FIGS. 1-7, unless the spline 24 is
inserted endwise into the end of the channel member 15, it is
presumed that the channel sides 17 and projections 25 will yield to
enable the spade 23 to be snapped edgewise into the member 15. In
FIG. 8, a resiliently deformable tubular spade 23b is illustrated
which may be inserted into a comparatively rigid or unyieldable
channel member 15b. The latter is otherwise similar in operation
and structure to the channel member 15 and has the channel base
16b, sides 17b, locating projections 19b and channel 21b, and
retaining projections 25b. The spade 23b extends integrally from
the inner end of the neck or web 30 which may be the same as the
web of FIG. 1. From the neck 30, the tubular sides of the spade 23b
diverge symmetrically at 27b to shoulders 29b, and thence converge
symmetrically to a leading or inner edge. In FIG. 8, each of the
inwardly converging sides of the spade 23b terminates at its
leading edge in a rounded reinforcing bead 22b, the two beads 22b
being separate and capable of rolling sliding engagement with each
other to facilitate collapse and elongation of the spade 23b when
it is forced between the comparatively unyielding projections
25b.
The diverging sides 27b are preferably thinner than the sides of
the spade 23b that converge to the beads 22b, so that as the spade
23b is forced between the projections 25b, the sides 27b will yield
as indicated in FIG. 8B. Once the shoulders 29b pass the
projections 25b, FIG. 8C, the spade 23b will return to its
undeformed shape and the beads 22b will be confined within the
locating channel 21b. The reduced leverage afforded by the large
angle of divergence of the sides 27b, as compared to the shallow
angle of convergence between the shoulders 29b and beads 22b, will
then resist withdrawal. In consequence greater force will be
required to separate the spade 23b from the channel member 15b than
is required to snap the spade 23b into its assembled position.
A similar arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 9. The converging
sides of the tubular spade 23c at the leading edge 22c are joined
integrally, and a cross arm 28c comparable to the cross arm 28 is
illustrated. Also in FIG. 9, the lateral edges of the channel sides
17c are serrated to provide a physical interlock with the adhesive
18c that bonds the sides 17c to the skin layers 12 of the panel 10.
In other respects, the structure and operation of the spline shown
in FIG. 9 are similar to the structure and operation described in
reference to FIG. 8. As the leading edge 22c enters between the
projections 25c, the sides of the hollow spade 23c deform and
elongate to allow passage of the shoulder portions 29c. Thereafter
the spade 23c returns resiliently to its undeformed shape as
illustrated and the leading edge 22c will be confined within the
locating channel 21c.
The preferred structure described above is symmetrical with respect
to a mid-plane. However, it is within the scope of the invention,
particularly where a narrow channel structure or panel is employed,
to utilize an asymmetric channel and spline. In FIG. 10, a channel
member 15d has a channel base 16d and sides 17d, but only a single
retaining projection 25d and locating projection 19d. The
projection 25d extends from one channel side 17d in the manner of
one of the projections 25 described above and is spaced from the
opposite channel side 17d to provide the retaining slit 26d. The
latter overlies a locating channel 21d between the projection 19d
and said opposite side 17d. The spline 24d comprises only half of
the spline 24, as illustrated in FIG. 10, and thus provides a
single neck groove 27d, cross arm 28d, shoulder 29d, and spur 33d.
These parts function as described in regard to FIG. 1 and similar
remarks apply to the FIG. 10 structure as in FIG. 1.
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