Modular panel assembly
US5970675A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B5/0052
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A connector attaches panel elements such as wall panels, shelves, columns and the like to assemble modular structures. The connector frictionally engages the surfaces of elongated channels at the edge of the panels to be joined. The connector includes a contoured base section complementary with the channel of a first panel, to which the connector can optionally be screwed. A deformable cam section is carried on an intermediate section for receipt in the channel of the second panel. The cam section preferably has opposite cantilever arms which engage flanges of the anchor channels and the arms are tapered to deform inwardly of the channel for friction and inwardly from the joint so as to draw the panels together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.