Readily Assemblable Structural Components

Abstract

A system for readily assembling components including profile bars and T-shaped connecting members into structural units comprises a profiled bar having a uniform cross section over its length, said cross section including groove means for receiving the leg portion of a T-shaped connector member, which groove means are formed by a channel portion including a web, two legs extending from the web, and a pair of flanges extending from the legs toward each other, and slot means for receiving a crossbar portion of the T-shaped connector including branches which extend from the said channel portion towards one side of the channel, a second pair of flanges extending from the branches toward each other along a line spaced outwardly from the channel portion to points spaced from each other to define a slot on the side of the bar which is wider than the thickness of the leg portion of the T-shaped connector and less than the length of the crossbar portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to structural components which may be readily assembled into various structural units, and more particularly to such a system using at least two profile bars and a connector member.

2. Description of the prior art

Various systems are known in which individual components are designed to be assembled together to form structural units, such as scaffolding, shelves, furniture, etc., but such known systems are subject to various disadvantages including excessive manufacturing expense, difficulty of assembling, and lack of rigidity of the assembled devices. For example, one type of system uses profiled bars connected by means of connector members. The connecting members grip the inner sides of the profiled members and have approximately U-shaped parts which are screwed into the bars to which they are connected. Such connector members may have four or more parts and are expensive to manufacture, require considerable precision, and have their greatest disadvantage in that they may become loosened in use. Furthermore, they are limited in the number of uses to which they may be applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the objects of the present invention are the provisions of structural components which may be readily assemblable into structural units, which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, whose bars may be connected not only at right angles to each other but also at other angles, whose bars when connected form relatively rigid structural components and which may be used for the construction of a wide variety of structural units.

Briefly stated, these and other objects are accomplished by the provision of components including a flat connecting member and a bar member containing a groove for reception of this flat connecting member. The bar may be advantageously formed from metal with a square cross-sectional periphery and having a groove for the reception of the connecting member formed in its center, and having slots for the reception of the crossbar of the connecting member formed on the side of the bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of one type of a bar according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of another type of bar which may be used according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of one type of connector member which may be used according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of another type of connector member which may be used according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of bars according to the present invention coupled together by the connector illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of bars according to the present invention coupled together by the connector members illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective of still another form of connector which may be used to couple bars in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 9 showing the parts which form the connector separated from each other.

FIG. 11 is a side view of still another form of connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view taken from another direction of the connector of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating bars according to the present invention coupled together by the use of the connector illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken through two profile bars which may be coupled together to form a hinged structure according to another modification of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken through a profiled bar according to still another modification of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken through a profile member according to still another modification, which bar contains an integral angular member for receiving holders for reception of shelves or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a cross-sectional view through a profiled, or structural, bar according to the present invention which has a square surrounding periphery. In the center of this bar a groove 1 is formed for the reception of connector members such as shown in FIGS. 3 or 4. These connecting members have a leg portion whose cross section is generally similar to that of groove 1 but slightly smaller so that longitudinal movement of the connector within the groove is possible. The groove 1 is formed by a generally channel-shaped central portion which in turn is formed with a web 3 of fairly thick dimensions, and legs 4 which extend from one side of web 3. A pair of flanges 2 extend from the legs 4 toward each other. Branches 6 extend diagonally from each of the four corners of the central channel portion. These branches 6 are at angles of 90.degree. relative to each other. A second pair of flanges 5 extend from the ends of branches 6 on each of the four sides of the central channel portion. The ends of each pair of flanges 5 on any side terminate at points spaced from each other by a distance which is greater than the thickness and width of the leg portions 8 of the connector members 6 but is less than the length of the crossbar portions 7 and 7' of the connector members.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through a bar generally similar to that of FIG. 1, but which has two groove members for the reception of connector members formed on opposite sides of the web.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective of one type of connector member. This member is formed as a flat bar by stamping or the like and has leg portions 8 and crossbar portions 7 formed therein. The surface 9 on the underside of the crossbar portion 7 is appropriately formed to increase friction between the connector and the profiled bar when the members are assembled together. Such friction-increasing means may be serrations or the like. Threaded holes 10 are formed in the leg portion 8 for the reception of studbolts 12 having conical tips 13 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The connector member illustrated in FIG. 4 is generally similar to that of FIG. 3 and has a body portion 8' formed by stamping. However, the crossbar portion is a pin 7' which extends through and is secured to the body portion 8' .

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate profiled bars according to the present invention connected to each other at an angle other than perpendicular. A connecting member as in FIG. 4 is used to connect the elements. Its leg portion 8' is inserted in the central groove 1 of a bar 14 which is then placed in engagement with the flanges 5 of another bar 15. The body portion 8 fits through the slot between the flanges 5 and the pin 7' engages the underside of these flanges. Threaded studbolts 12 having conical tips 13 engaging within holes 16 in the web 3 of bar 14 pull pin 7' into tight engagement with the flanges 5 when they are tightened. Some deformation of the flange inner surfaces may occur if pin 7' is allowed to form a depression. This depression will tend to prevent undesired relative movement.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another pair of coupled bars 17 and 17' according to the present invention in which the bars are arranged perpendicular to each other. Here the crossbar connector as in FIG. 3 is used. Tightening of the studbolts 12 can draw the friction-increasing means tightly into the material of the flanges 5 so as to reduce the danger of displacement of the parts relative to each other.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate still another form of the invention in which a connector member 21 is formed of two component parts 22, 23. Each has a flat body formed by stamping or the like including a flat relatively thick body portion 24 and a flat somewhat thinner tongue portion 26. The tongue 26 of member 23 carries a lug 27 which fits within a corresponding opening 28 in the tongue 26 of member 22. Threaded openings 29 are provided in each of the members 22, 23 for the reception of the studbolts 12 previously described. The connector 21 is used to couple profiled bars such as 30, 31 according to the present invention which are joined end to end at any desired angle. The members 22, 23 are each inserted in a groove 1 and the studbolts 12 are tightened to draw the members into tight engagement.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a somewhat similar connector member formed of elements 32, 33. Element 33 is formed with a pair of hinge knuckles 34, 35 and element 32 is formed with a single knuckle 36 which fits between the knuckles 34 and 35. The knuckles carry aligned openings 37 in which is fitted a pintle pin 38.

FIG. 14 illustrates still another form of the invention which may be used in the formation of furniture, for example, desks, lecterns or retail display cases in which it is desirable to include a hinged member. Here elements 42, 43 according to the present invention have their uniform cross section appropriately modified to serve as frame members for such furniture. The cross section includes groove means 1' formed from a web 3' , legs 4', branches 6' and pairs of flanges 2' and 5' whose similarity to the corresponding elements of the bars illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be readily apparent by inspection of FIG. 16. In addition, member 42 has a cross section including a spacer portion 44 and a circular portion 45 positioned at the end of a downwardly extending limb 47. The cross section of member 43 is formed with region 48 having the shape of an arcuate sector of a ring appropriately shaped to receive circular portion 45. Arcuate sector of portion 48 extends through an angle slightly greater than 180.degree.. An axially extending groove 46 is formed in the circular region 45. This groove permits a slight distortion of the circular region in order to permit it to be forced into the ring sector 48, after which it returns to its original, circular shape and is held within the ring.

FIG. 15 illustrates still another modification of the invention. Here the flanges 5" of a member generally similar to that disclosed in FIG. 1 are formed with integral ribs 50 on their inner surfaces. When a connector member is pulled into engagement with the flanges 5" by tightening of the conical tipped studbolts 12 the ribs 50 are deformed since the metal from which they are formed is ductile. As a result a depression is formed in these ribs which thereafter retards displacement of one bar relative to the other.

FIG. 16 illustrates still another form of profiled bar according to the present invention. This bar may be used when it is desired to connect holders to the sides of the bar for supporting shelves, for example, glass plates in the construction of retail display cases. This bar is generally similar to that illustrated in FIG. 15 but has angular members formed integrally with two of the branch members 6" . These angular members include leg portions 51 and 52 which are connected to each of the branch portions and are arranged at 90.degree. angles to each other. A pair of flanges 54 extends from each of the leg portions 51, 52 in directions generally parallel to the other leg. Shelf-holding members 56 are provided each of which carries grooves 57 for the reception of flanges 54 and transversely extending arms 58 for the support of shelves. A setscrew 59 is threaded through an opening 60 in holder 56 and may be tightened to engage the interior of the legs 51 and 52. Holder members of various shapes, for example, that of the member 62 illustrated in FIG. 16 may be provided depending on the needs of the object to be supported.

It will be readily apparent that there have been provided structural elements which may be readily assembled to form a wide variety of devices, for example, furniture, shelves, racks, temporary partition walls for use in buildings, display cases, scaffolding, supports for various apparatus, and even small portable buildings such as garden houses, kiosks and bus shelters, and which structural elements are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which will be readily rigid when connected in use.

It will be understood that the above description of the present application is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations.

Claims

I claim:

1. An integral structural bar for use as part of an easily assembled structural set comprising a longitudinally extending profiled bar having a generally rectangular cross section and defining a centrally located, longitudinally extending rectangular channel portion and an outer generally rectangular peripheral portion, said channel portion being formed by a planar web portion and a pair of legs extending normally from one side of said web, one leg from along each longitudinal web edge; a pair of flanges spaced from said web and extending toward each other, one from each of the opposed faces of said legs, in spaced, coplanar and parallel relation, thereby forming an opening between their opposed edges, the flanges, legs and web defining a first T-shaped slot therebetween, the generally rectangular peripheral portion of said bar being formed by two pairs of arms extending substantially radially outwardly from the corners of the central channel, each arm having a V-shaped member at its outer end, the V-shaped members defining the corners of a rectangle, the edges of adjacent flanges of the V-shaped members being spaced apart and parallel and forming an opening therebetween; each pair of adjacent arms, flanges and that portion of the central channel intercepted by the inner ends of the arms defining a second T-shaped slot spaced radially outwardly of said first T-shaped slot whereby a group of slots is formed around said central slot defined by said channel portion, the proportions and arrangement of the various parts of the bar being such that both the first and at least three of the second group of T-shaped slots may be used simultaneously at the same longitudinal point on the profiled bar.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the branches forming the said second T-shaped slot means extend from the channel portion at angles of 90.degree. to each other.

3. A structural unit as in claim 1 including a first and a second structural bar, a T-bar connecting member having a flat leg portion of cross-sectional dimensions similar to but slightly smaller than the said first T-shaped slot fitted in said channel portion of the first bar and a crossbar portion fitted in the said second T-shaped slot of the second bar, and interengaging means for coupling the said leg portion of the connecting member to the said first bar.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which a rib of ductile material extends inwardly from each of the flanges of said V-shaped members toward the channel portion whereby the said ductile ribs may be deformed by portions of the connecting member.

5. A structural unit as in claim 3 in which the crossbar portion of the connecting member is formed of a pin secured to a flat leg portion.

6. A structural unit as in claim 1 in which there are a plurality of said structural bars, and a connecting member formed of two flat members, pivot means for connecting the flat members for pivotal movement relative to each other, one of the flat members being mounted in the channel portion of one bar and the other flat member being mounted in the channel portion of the other bar and interengaging means for coupling the said flat members to the webs of the associated groove means.

7. The structural unit as defined in claim 3, wherein said interengaging means comprises a threaded member having a tapered end, said leg portion of the connecting member having a threaded opening receiving said threaded member and said web portion of said second bar having an opening eccentric to said threaded opening and engaged on one side by said tapered end of said threaded member, said first T-shaped slot of said second bar holding said leg portion of the connecting member captive adjacent said web portion of the second bar.

8. The structural unit as defined in claim 7, wherein said connector member is formed of substantially flat stock, said crossbar portion comprising lateral projections at either side of said body at one end thereof.

9. The structure of claim 8 including friction increasing means on the under side of the crossbar portion of the connecting member.

10. An integral structural bar for use as part of an easily assembled structural set comprising a longitudinally extending profiled bar having a generally rectangular cross section and defining a pair of centrally located, longitudinally extending rectangular channel portions and an outer generally rectangular peripheral portion, said channel portion being formed by a planar web portion and a pair of legs extending normally from one side of said web and a separate pair of legs extending normally from the other side of said web, one leg from along each longitudinal web edge; a pair of flanges spaced from said web and extending toward each other, one from each of the opposed faces of said legs, in spaced coplanar and parallel relation, thereby forming an opening between their opposed edges, the flanges, legs and web defining a pair of first T-shaped slots therebetween, the generally rectangular peripheral portion of said bar being formed by two pairs of arms extending substantially radially outwardly from the corners of the central channels, each arm having a V-shaped member at its outer end, the V-shaped members defining the corners of a rectangle, the edges of adjacent flanges of the V-shaped members being spaced apart and parallel and forming an opening therebetween; each pair of adjacent arms, flanges and that portion of the central channels intercepted by the inner ends of the arms defining a second T-shaped slot spaced radially outwardly of said first T-shaped slots whereby a group of slots is formed around said central slots defined by said channel portions, the proportions and arrangement of the various parts of the bar being such that both the first and at least three of the second group of T-shaped slots may be used simultaneously at the same longitudinal point on the profiled bar.