IE43552B1 - Structural joints - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is concerned with structural joints, particularly structural joints for light weight structural members, such as wall panels, office partition panels and ceiling panels.

According to the invention, there is provided a structural joint between first and second structural members, in which the first structural member has a cross section defining a channel having a longitudinal axis and an open side and in which the second structural member has a longitudinal axis at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel, an end of said second member including a plate having opposite surfaces in said channel facing longitudinally of said channel, at least one pair of resilient tabs being provided on a wall of said channel, said tabs having first ends fixed with respect to said wall and second ends within said channel spaced apart longitudinally with respect to said channel so as to receive said opposite surfaces of said plate therebetween during assembly, and thereby releasably restrain displacement of said second member longitudinally of, said first member after assembly, the first and second ends of the or at least one 'pair of resilient tabs being spaced apart longitudinally with respect to said channel such that at least one tab of the or each such pair of tabs is adapted to be displaced laterally of said channel by said plate during assembly so as to permit movement of said plate into position between said second ends of the or each pair of tabs, the joint also having interengaging means on said plate and on one or more of said walls to restrain separation of said members in the direction outwardly of the open side of said channel after assembly.

In a structural joint according to the invention, the end of the second member can be readily and securely snap-locked into place relative to the first member and readily separated from the first member when desired.

The channel in the first member is preferably defined by opposed sidewalls extending along the side edges of an intermediate wall, the sidewalls being provided with inwardly-projecting flanges, which flanges define the interengaging means on the walls of the channel and engage with the interengaging means on the plate.

The end of the second member preferably has notched side edges, which notches receive the above-mentioned flanges. In assembly of such a joint, the end of the second member is inserted into the channel at an angle with respect to the axis thereof and then twisted to interengage the notches and flanges. The twisting can simultaneously cause the end of the second member to be located between the second ends of the or each pair of tabs, or such location can be achieved by longitudinal sliding of the end of the second member in the channel.

The resilient tabs which receive the plate therebetween may be integral with or fixed to the channel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the end of the - 4 -second structural member may be defined by a detachable extension plate assembly which is longitudinally slidable relative to the second member and is adapted, when extended, to be received in the channel of the first member. Such an extension plate assembly is preferably provided with notches or notch defining components cooperable with flanges on the channel sidewalls so as to interengage the second member with the channel against separation in the direction outwardly of the channel, and provides for the second structural member to be interengaged with the channel against displacement longitudinally thereof.

The use of an extension plate assembly as described above, facilitates supplying the corresponding structural member in indeterminate lengths, which can be cut to desired lengths and then provided with an extension plate at one or both ends thereof immediately before forming the joint. This advantageously avoids cutting or otherwise finishing the ends of one structural member, for example, during manufacture thereof, facilitates construction of a structural joint in accordance with dimensional requirements or changes encountered during construction.

By providing for the extension plates to be slid25 able relative to the corresponding structural member, the latter member can be initially positioned between fixed components of the structure without having to cant the member in order to position the opposite ends thereof in the channels of the fixed member. The extension plates can be initially retracted relative to the ends of the member and the latter positioned between fixed -13 S 5 2 members in the desired relative angular orientation.

The extension plates can then be extended into the channels of the fixed members and locked in place.

In the following description, reference will be made to preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an example of a structural joint according to the present invention? FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is a plan view, partially in section, of another example of a structural joint according to the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 4? FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the components of one of the structural members of another example of a structural joint according to the invention? FIGURE 8 is an elevation view, partially in section, showing an example of a structural joint according to the invention, in which the components illustrated in FIGURE 7 are shown in partly assembled relationship between fixed structural members; FIGURE 9 is a side elevation view similar to FIGURE 8 and showing the structural components in a second position thereof prior to completion of the a 2 joint; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of yet another example of a structural joint according to the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the components of still another example of a structural joint according to the present invention; and FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the components of a further example of a structural joint structure according to the present invention.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIGURES 1-3 illustrate a structural joint between the side of a first structural member 10 and the end of a second structural member 12. Members 10 and 12 prefer15 ably are of a light weight material such as aluminium or a suitable plastics material. Member 10 is an I-. beam having a web 14 which, together with a pair of sidewalls 16 and 18, defines a channel having a longitudinal axis 20 and an open side facing the end of member 12. In this embodiment, sidewalls 16 and 18 are provided with longitudinally extending flanges 22 and 24, respectively, projecting inwardly of the channel. Flanges 22 and 24 are in opposed generally coplanar relationship and, in the embodiment shown, are slightly spaced from the outer edges of sidewalls 16 and 18 toward web 14.

Web 14 is provided with opposed pairs of tabs 26 and 28 which are preferably struck from the material of web 14. Accordingly, each of the tabs 26 has an end 26a integral with web 14 and tabs 28 likewise have ends 28a integral with web 14. Tabs 26 and 28 have corres7 Λ ·· ti Κ *' <4 Ο «} W Μ ponding opposed ends 26b and 28b longitudinally spaced apart for the purpose set forth hereinafter. Tab ends 26b and 28b extend into the channel and are spaced above the plane of the surface of web 14.

The second structural member 12 is in the form of an I-beam having a web 30 and sidewalls 32 and 34. Ibeams 10 and 12 have the same dimension between the sidewalls thereof, and portions of sidewalls 32 and 34 of member 12 are removed from the end of the latter member adjacent member 10. This provides sidewalls 32 and 34 with end edges 32a and 34a, respectively, and provides for the end of web 30 to be in the form of an extension plate 30a disposed in the channel defined by web 14 and sidewalls 16 and 18 of member 10. Preferably, edges 32a and 34a abut against the outer edges of the corresponding sidewalls 16 and 18 of member 10, and the terminal end of extension plate 30a abuts against the corresponding surface of web 14 of member 10 Extension plate 30a is of a width generally corresponding to the distance between the inner surfaces of sidewalls 16 and 18 of member 10. The opposite side edges of extension plate 30a are provided with notches 36 and 38 respectively receiving longitudinal flanges 22 and 24 on member 10. Moreover, ends 26b and 28b of tabs 26 and 28 are longitudinally spaced apart to receive the extension plate 30a therebetween when the components are in assembled relationship.

Assembly of members 10 and 12 is achieved as follows. Extension plate 30a is introduced into the channel of member 10 at a location spaced to one side of tabs 26 and 28 with the plane of web 30 at an angle 3 5 5 3 - Β to the channel as shown by broken lines 40 in FIGURE 2. This provides for extension plate 30a to pass flanges 22 and 24. When extension plate 30 abuts web 14 of member 10, notches 36 and 38 are in alignment with flanges 22 and 24. Member 12 is then twisted to the position illustrated by broken lines 42 in FIGURE 2 for flanges 22 and 24 to enter notches 36 and 38. Member 12 is then displaced relative to member 10 from the broken line position 42 tp the assembled position in which extension plate 30a is disposed between tabs 26 and 28. In so displacing member 12, it will be appreciated that the right hand tabs 26 and 28 are depressed toward web 14 until extension plate 30a passes the corresponding ends 26b and 28b. At this time, the latter ends spring outwardly into the channel and extension plate 30a is captured between the opposed pairs of tabs. Accordingly the tabs position member 12 longitudinally of member 10 and the bottom edges of the notches define shoulders underlying the flanges to prevent displacement of member 12 outwardly of the open side of the channel member 10. Members 10 and 12 can be readily separated by depressing a pair of the tabs 26 and 28 on one side of extension plate 30a, sliding member 12 longitudinally of member 10 to a position such as that illustrated by broken line 42 in FIGURE 2, and then twisting member 12 to achieve disengagement between flanges 22 and 24 and notches 36 and 38 to free member 12 for withdrawal from the channel.

A second example of a structural joint according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGURES 4—6. In this embodiment, the joint is made from a first UΊ 3 5 5 2 - 9 shaped sheet metal channel member 50 and a second Ushaped channel member 52. Channel member 50 includes an intermediate wall 54 and sidewalls 56 and 58 extending along the opposite side edges of the intermediate wall. Sidewalls 56 and 58 terminate at their upper edges in longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges 56a and 58a, respectively. Sidewall 56 is provided with an opposed pair of spring metal tabs 60, and sidewall 58 is provided with an opposed pair of similar spring metal tabs 62. Tabs 60 and 62 are preferably defined by spring metal plates having first ends riveted or otherwise attached to the corresponding sidewall and opposed second ends longitudinally spaced apart and displaced inwardly of the channel from the plane of the corresponding sidewall.

Channel member 52 includes an intermediate wall 64 and sidewalls 66 and 68 extending along the opposite side edges of intermediate wall 64. The ends of sidewalls 66 and 68 adjacent member 50 are cut-off to provide end edges 66a and 68a overlying sidewall flanges 56a and 58a of member 50, and to provide for the end of intermediate wall 64 to be in the form of an extension plate 64a disposed within channel member 50. The inner end of extension plate 64a terminates at the intermediate wall 54 of member 50 and the side edges of plate 64a are provided with notches 70 and 72 adapted to receive flanges 56a and 58a, respectively. Plate 64a is of a width generally corresponding to the distance between the inner surface of walls 56 and 58 of member 50.

Assembly of members 50 and 52 in the embodiment of „13 5^2 - 10 FIGURES 4-6 is as follows. Extension plate 64a of member 52 is introduced into the channel member 50 between and diagonally of tabs 60 and 62 as shown by broken line 74 in FIGURE 4. This positions notches 70 and 72 in align5 ment with flanges 56a and 58a, and member 52 is then twisted relative to member 50 to snaplock plate 64a in position between the opposed pairs of tabs 60 and 62 and to position flanges 56a and 58a in the corresponding recess in plate 64a. It will be appreciated that the free ends of spring tabs 60 and 62 are of a length to accommodate the diagonal positioning and twisting motion by which such interengagement is achieved. When so assembled, tabs 60 and 62 longitudinally position member 52 relative to member 50, and flanges 56a and 58a interengage notches 70 and 72 to hold member 52 against separation from member 50 outwardly with respect to the open side of the channel.

A modification of the extension plate for the end of the second member to be inserted into the channel of the first member is illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. The second member shown in FIGURE 7 would, when assembled with a first member as described above, provide a joint structure corresponding to that of FIGURES 1 to 3 or of FIGURES 4 to 6. The components shown in FIGURE 7 include an I-beam 80 having a web 82, sidewalls 34 and extending along the opposite sides of the web, and longitudinally extending flanges 88 and 90 projecting inwardly of the sidewalls. The assembly further includes an extension plate 92 which is interengageable with the end of member 80. Extension plate 92 includes an intermediate wall 94 having an outer end 94a and an inner end - 11 94b. End 94b is provided with flanges 96 and 98 extending upwardly along the opposite sides of wall 94.

The inner end of extension plate 92 is adapted to be received in the end of member 80 and conforms with the contour of the latter member as defined by web 82, sidewalls 84 and 86 and flanges 88 and 90. Intermediate wall 94 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 100 therethrough, and web 82 of member 80 is provided with an aperture 102 which may be threaded to receive the threaded shank of a headed fastener 104. When plate member 92 is disposed in the end of member 80, fastener 104 extends through slot 100 and into threaded engagement with aperture 102. Accordingly, plate member 92 is longitudinally slidable relative to member 80 and is adapted to be locked in a desired position relative thereto by means of fastener 104. Outer end 94a of plate member 92 is provided with notches 106 and 108 in the opposite side edges thereof similar to and for the purpose described hereinabove in connection with notches 36 and 38 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, or notches 70 and 72 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 4-6.

As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, the assembly of FIGURE 7 may be used to advantage in constructing a joint between a member 80 and a pair of structural members fixed in spaced apart relationship and including channels opening toward one another. The latter structural members may, for example, be I-beams similar to structural member 10 described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3. Accordingly, in FIGURES 8 and 9 the fixed structural components are depicted as I-beams of the structure shown in FIGURES 1-3, and like 3 ΰ 5 3 - 12 numerals are employed in FIGURES S and 9 with regard to the structure thereof.

As seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, the opposite ends of member 80 are provided with extension plates 92.

Initially, fasteners 104 are loosened so that plates 92 can be retracted into the corresponding end of member 80. This facilitates moving member 80 into position between two fixed structural members 10 as shown in FIGURE 8.

With member 80 so positioned, extension plates 92 are moved to the extended positions thereof for ends 94a to enter the corresponding channels of members 10 in an orientation which enables ends 94a to pass flanges 22 and 24 of members 10 as described hereinabove with regard to the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3. This positions notches 106 and 108 in alignment with flanges 22 and 24, and member 80 is then twisted for the planes of ends 94a to extend transverse to the axes of the channels of members . This twisting provides for flanges 22 and 24 to be received in notches 106 and 108 of extension plates 92.

The opposite ends of channel member 80 are then displaced longitudinally of the corresponding structural member 10 to move ends 94a of the plates into snap-locked engagement between tabs 26 and 28 of the corresponding structural members 10. Fasteners 104 are then tightened to complete the joint assembly.

While it is preferred to provide for extension plate menibers 92 to be longitudinally slidable relative to member 80, it will be appreciated that the extension plates could be provided with an aperture as opposed to a longitudinal slot. Such an aperture would be aligned with aperture 102 in member 80 when the plate member is *2 ώ h £, /2 in the extended position thereof. Moreover, while fastener 104 is described as being threaded by engagement with web 82, the fastener can, for example, be a rivet interengaging the extension plate and web for relative longitudinal displacement therebetween. Moreover, while flanges 96 and 98 stabilize the extension plate relative to member 80, it will be appreciated that these flanges are not necessary and can be omitted if desired as can the ribs 88 and 90 of member SO (when fastener 104 can restrain separation of the members after assembly).

Referring now to FIGURE 10 of the drawings, there is illustrated a further example of a joint structure according to the present invention. In this structure, the first structural member 110 is a sheet metal channel member having an intermediate wall 112 and side walls 114 and 116 extending upwardly from the intermediate wall 112 and terminating in inwardly directed flanges 114a and 116arespectively. The second structural member 118 is in the form of a sheet metal channel having an intermediate wall 120 and side walls 122 and 124. The end of member 118 to be interengaged with member 110 is provided with an extension plate assembly 126 which includes a first sheet metal member 128 having an intermediate wall 130 overlying channel wall 120, and side walls 132 and 134 respectively overlying the inner surfaces of side walls 122 and 124 of member 118. Side walls 132 and 134 of plate member 128 have bottom edges 132a and 134a overlying flanges 114a and 116a of member 110, and intermediate wall 130 has an extension plate 130a received in channel member 110. Extension plate 130a ύ 3 5 ο - 14 has notches 136 and 138 in the opposite side edges thereof to receive channel flanges 114a and 116a, respectively.

Extension plate assembly 126 further includes a second plate member 140 including an intermediate wall 142 overlying intermediate wall 130 of plate member 128, and side walls 144 and 146 respectively overlying the inner surfaces of side walls 132 and 134 of plate member 128. Side walls 144 and 146 of plate member 140 have bottom edges 144a and 146a overlying flanges 114a and 116a of member 110, and the bottom edges are provided with corresponding projections 148 each having a slit or notch 150 therein for the purpose set forth hereinafter. Flanges 114a and 116a of member 110 are provided with openings 152 therethrough to receive the correspond ing projections 148.

Side walls 114 and 116 of member 110 are provided with opposed pairs of tabs 154 which receive the side edges of plate extension 130a therebetween. In the embodiment shown, tabs 154 are spring fingers riveted or otherwise attached to walls 114 and 116 and corresponding structurally to spring fingers 60 shown in FIGURES 4-6.

Plate members 128 and 140 are longitudinally slid25 able relative to one another and to intermediate wall 120 of channel member 118. For this purpose, intermediate walls 130 and 142 of plate members 128 and 140 are provided respectively with aligned slots therethrough only the slot 158 in plate member 142 being shown in the drawing , and a headed fastener 160 extends through the latter slots and is suitably inter15 f- ** ηu «j ο ο 2 engaged with intermediate wall 120 of member 118 at a location above the bottom edge 120a thereof. Fastener 160 can be threadedly interengaged with intermediate wall 120 of member 118 or, alternatively, can be in the form of a rivet extending through an opening therefor in intermediate wall 120 and having a head engaging the outer surface of the latter wall, whereby plate members 128 and 142 are longitudinally slidable relative to member 118 and are interengaged therewith against separation outwardly with respect to intermediate wall 120. Walls 130 and 142 of plate members 128 and 140 can be provided with corresponding tabs 130b and 142a to facilitate displacement thereof relative to member 118.

To achieve assembly of the structural members shown in FIGURE 10, plate member 140 is withdrawn longitudinally into channel member 118, and plate member 126 is displaced for extension plate 130a to project from end edge 120a of member 118. Member 118 is then positioned with extension plate 130a at an angle to the axis of channel member 110 and the latter plate is inserted into the channel member. Member 118 is then twisted to the position shown in FIGURE 10, whereby notches 136 and 138 receive flanges 114a and 116a of member 110 and fingers 154 receive extension plate 130a therebetween. Plate member 140 is then displaced downwardly for projections 148 to extend into the corresponding openings 152 in the flanges of member 110. When the plates are so positioned, the lower edges of notches 136 and 138 define shoulders underlying flanges 114a and 116a to prevent displacement of member 118 in the direction outwardly of channel member 110. Further, 4 ai a 3 spring fingers 154 capture extension plate 130a to restrain longitudinal displacement, and projections 148 engage openings 152 to supplement the holding function of fingers 154. Notches or slits 150 in projections 148 advantageously provide for the lower ends of the projections to be longitudinally spread into tight engagement with the longitudinally opposite ends of openings 152, thus to minimize any free play of member 118 relative to member 110. It will be appreciated that the function of plate member 142 and projection 148 can be used in connection with a structural member having an integral extension plate, such as extension plate 30a shown in FIGURES 1-3 or plate 64a shown in FIGURES 4-6.

Another example of an extension plate for a joint structure according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE II. In this embodiment, the second structural member of a joint assembly is illustrated as being in the form of an I-beam 160 having a web 162 and flanges 164 and 166. An extension plate assembly 168 is associa20 ted with member 160 for longitudinal displacement relative to the end' thereof and is in the form of a channel member having an intermediate wall 170 overlying web 162 and side walls 172 and 174 overlying the inner surface of the corresponding portions of flanges 164 and 166. Intermediate wall 170 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 176, and a fastener 178 extends through slot 176 and is interconnected with web 162 such that extension plate assembly 168 is longitudinally slidable into and out of the end of member 160.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 11, the second structural member is adapted to be releasably interengaged with a first structural member which is shown 135SS - 17 ir, the form of a U-shaped channel 180 having an intermediate wall 182 and side walls 184 and 186. Side walls 184 and 186 are provided with inwardly projecting flanges 184a and 136a, respectively, and with longitudinally spaced apart opposed pairs of tabs 188 and 190. The latter tabs can be integral with the channel side walls as shown, or can be separate therefrom and suitably attached thereto. Moreover, as will become apparent hereinafter it is not necessary in this embodiment that the tabs be resilient and displaceable relative to the walls. intermediate wall 170 of extension plate assembly 168 includes an extension plate 170a adapted to be received in channel member 180. Extension plate 170a supports a pair of fingers 192 and 194. Finger 192 is pivotally attached to extension plate 170a by means of a pivot pin 196, and finger 194 is similarly attached to plate portion 170a for pivotal movement relative thereto by means of a pivot pin 198. Pivot pins 196 and 198 are disposed adjacent the outermost end of extension plate 170a and adjacent the opposite sides thereof, and the pins are perpendicular to the plane of extension plate 170a, whereby the fingers are pivotable laterally inwardly and outwardly relative to the plate portion. An arcuate wire spring 200 has its opposite ends suitably interengaged with fingers 192 and 194 and serves to maintain the fingers in a predetermined laterally spaced orientation relative to one another.

Fingers 192 and 194 have corresponding lateral side edges 192a and 194a and corresponding end edges 192b and 194b facing the end of member 160. Further, extension plate 170a has a lateral dimension no grea4 3 5 u S - 18 ter than the lateral distance between flanges 184a and 186a of channel member 180. Edges 192a and 192b of finger 192 and edges 194a and 194b of finger 194 normally extend laterally outwardly of the corresponding lateral side edge of extension plate 170a. Fingers 192 and 194 further include lateral side edges 192c and 194c extending downwardly and inwardly from edges 192a and 194a, respectively, to provide cam edges by which the fingers are displaced during assembly, as set forth below.

Structural members 160 and 180 are adapted to be interengaged by positioning extension plate assembly 168 in the extended position thereof relative to member 160, and then pushing the extension plate assembly into channel member 180 with extension plate 170a transverse to the axis of member 180. During such movement, edges 192c and 194c of the fingers engage channel flanges 184a and 186a, respectively, whereby the fingers are cammed inwardly of extension plate 170a. When the upper edges 192b and 194b of the fingers pass beneath channel flanges 184a and 186a, the fingers are biased outwardly by spring 200 to engage beneath these channel flanges. Moreover, by initially aligning fingers 192 and 194 with the corresponding tabs 188 and 190 on side walls 184 and 186, edges 192a and 194a of the fingers enter the space between the corresponding pair of tabs, whereby members 160 and 180 are interengaged without requiring any further displacement of member 160 relative to member 180. However, it will be appreciated that extension plate assembly 168 can be introduced into the channel of member 180 to one side or the other of the tabs and then displaced longitudinally of member 180 to achieve displacement of fingers 192 and 194 into the space between the corresponding tabs. Upper edges 192b and 194b of the fingers define shoulders underlying flanges 184a and 186a of member 180 to restrain separation of member 160 from channel member 180 in the direction outwardly of the channel.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a modification of the spring finger structure of the extension plate assembly shown in FIGURE 11. Accordingly, like numerals are employed in FIGURE 12 to designate components identical to those shown in FIGURE 11. In FIGURE 12, spring fingers 202 and 204 are pivotally mounted on intermediate wall 170 of the extension plate assembly by means of a common pivot pin 206 located laterally centrally of intermediate wall 170 and longitudinally inwardly of extension plate 170a. Each finger 202 and 204 has an end opposite pin 206 disposed adjacent the outer end edge of extension plate 170a. Further, each finger is provided with a corresponding camming edge 202a and 204a, side edges 202b and 204b extending generally parallel to the side edges of extension plate 170a and spaced laterally outwardly therefrom, and inner end edges 202c and 204c extending inwardly from the corres25 ponding side edge toward extension plate 170a. An arcuate leaf spring member 208 has its opposite ends suitably interconnected with fingers 202 and 204 to maintain the latter in a predetermined relatively spread disposition.

Assembly of members 160 and 180 in the embodiment of FIGURE 12 is similar to that described hereinabove vfl 5 Ο Τί in connection with FIGURE 11. In this respect, displace ment of extension plate assembly 168 into channel member 180 results in engagement of finger edges 202a and 204= v/ith flanges 184a and I86a of member 180, whereby fingers 202 and 204 are displaced laterally inwardly relative to plate portion 170a against the bias of spring 208. When finger edges 2o2c and 204c pass beneath flanges 184a and 186a spring 208 biases the fingers laterally outwardly whereby the latter edges engage beneath the channel side walls and finger edges 202b and 2o4b are received between the corresponding tabs 188 and 190.

It will be appreciated that the structural members in the embodiments of FIGURES 11 and 12 are readily separable by displacing the spring fingers laterally inwardly relative to the extension plate portion and then withdrawing member 160 from channel member 180. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the spring finger arrangements shown in FIGURES 11 and 12 can be employed in connection with an end plate extension integral with the corresponding structural member, such as extension plates 30a and 64a of the embodiments of FIGURES 1-3 and 4-6, respectively. In connection with such a modification, extension plates 30a and 64a would be narrowed laterally to a dimension no greater than the distance between the channel flanges on the member into which the plate extends.

The cross-sectional dimensions of the structural members herein shown will of course vary depending on the end use of the assembled joint. The joints find particular utility in connection with constructing •1 ο u 5 2 frames for wall panels or the like whereby, for example, the channels of the structural members might have a width of about 1 to 2 inches and a depth of about 1 to I-· 1/2 inches. When the structural members form intersecting channels, such as provided by the I-beams illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, a frame of such members can provide a continuous channel adapted to receive the peripheral edges of a wall panel or the like. In such a frame structure, the longitudinal flanges projecting inwardly of the channel from the opposite sidewalls thereof advantageously provide for interlocking the panel edges relative to the corresponding structural member.

Many frame structure designs can be constructed using the joint assembly of the present invention and, while the structural members are illustrated as being disposed at right angles to one another, it will be appreciated that the angular relationship between the structural members can be readily varied.

It will be seen from the embodiments of the present invention herein illustrated and deseribed that a structural joint is provided which facilitates readily interconnecting a pair of structural members in end to side relationship. Most often, the structural members will be of a light weight metal such as extended aluminium, or of sheet metal construction; however, it is contemplated that the structural components could be produced from suitable plastics material depending on the end use of the asseirtbly constructed therefrom.

Further, while the second member of the assemblies herein illustrated and described are shown as being an I-beam or U-shaped channel component, it will be appreciated ii 3 that the second member could be of cross-sectional configuration other than those illustrated. In this respect, for example, the second member could be a square or rectangular tube and one wall of the tube could ex5 tend or be provided with a plate assembly adapted to extend longitudinally beyond the other walls to define the end extension received in the channel of the first member. Still further, it will be appreciated that the opposed tabs could be provided other than in opposed pairs on the intermediate wall or sidewalls of the channel as shown herein. In this respect, for example, two of the tabs could be provided in the sidewalls facing in a common direction and a third tab could be provided on the bottom wall facing in the opposite direction so that the end of the second member would be received between the opposed tabs. Moreover, where spring biased locking fingers are employed in connection with the extension plate assembly, it will be appreciated that the tabs could be provided on the intermediate wall of the channel member to receive the free end of the plate portion on which the fingers are mounted. Further, while the flanges or ribs on the channel member are shown as being longitudinally coextensive with the channel side walls, it will be appreciated that the desired interengagement achieved therewith can be obtained with longitudinally short flanges positioned to be received in the notches or to interengage with the spring fingers of the extension plate assemblies.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS ΣΙ. A structural joint between first and second structural members, in which the first structural member has a cross section defining a channel having a longitudinal axis and an open side and in which the second structural member has a longitudinal axis at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel, an end of said second member including a plate having opposite surfaces in said channel facing longitudinally of said channel, at least one pair of resilient tabs being provided on a wall of said channel, said tabs having first ends fixed with respect to said wall and second ends within said channel spaced apart longitudinally with respect to said channel so as tc receive said opposite surfaces of said plate therebetween during assembly, and thereby releasably restrain displacement of said second member longitudinally of said first member after assembly, the first and second ends of the or at least one pair of resilient tabs being spaced apart longitudinally with respect te said channel such that at least one tab of the or each such pair of tabs is adapted to be displaced laterally of said channel by said plate during assembly so as to permit movement of said plate into position between said second ends of the or each pair of tabs, the joint also having interengaging means on said plate and on one or more of said walls to restrain separation of said members in the direction outwardly of the open side of said channel after assembly.

2. A structural joint according to claim 1, in which said channel is defined by opposed sidewalls extending along the side edges of an intermediate wall. - 24 the sidewalls having flanges projecting inwardly of said channel, which flanges define said interengaging means on said walls and engage said interengaging means on said plate. 5 3. A structural joint according to claim 2, in which a first pair of said tabs are on one of said opposed sidewalls and a second pair of said tabs are on the other of said- sidewalls, said first and second pairs being located between said flanges and said 10 intermediate wall. 4. A structural joint according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which said second member includes sidewalls extending along the side edges of an intermediate wall, said plate including a mounting portion overlying said 15 intermediate wall of said second member, and interengaging means on the latter intermediate wall and on said mounting portion. 5. A structural joint according to claim 4, in which said interengaging means on said intermediate 20 wall of said second member and on said mounting portion of said plate are adapted for said plate to slide longitudinally of said second member. 6. A structural joint according to any of claims 2 and 3 or4 when dependent on claims 2 and 3 in which said 25 interengaging means on said plate includes notches in said plate receiving said flanges therein. 7. A structural joint according to any of claims 2 and 3 or 4 when dependent on claims 2 and 3 in which said plate has side edges and said interengaging 30 means on said plate is a pair of pivotally mounted fingers, each adapted for pivotal movement ίΐ 3 β Ώ i* - 25 laterally inwardly and outwardly of a corresponding one of said side edges. 8. A structural joint according to claim 7, which includes means for resiliently biasing each of 5 said fingers laterally outwardly of the corresponding side edge. 9. A structural joint according to claim 2 or

3. , which includes a second plate on said second member, said second plate having sidewalls parallel to each of 10 said sidewalls of said first member, each said sidewall of said second plate having an end edge facing the corresponding flange on said sidewalls of said first member, each said flange having an opening therethrough, and each said sidewall on said second plate having a 15 projection thereon extending from said edge thereof through said opening to prevent displacement of said second member longitudinally of said channel. 10. A structural joint according to claim 9, in which said second plate is slidable longitudinally 20 of said second member, an interengaging means on said second plate and on said second member slidably interconnecting said second plate with said second member. 11. A structural joint according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said first plate has side edges notched to 25 receive said flanges on said first member. 12. A structural joint according to any of claims 1 to 11, in which said resilient tabs are struck from the material of said wall of said channel. 13. A structural joint according to any of 30 claims 1 to 11, in which said resilient tabs are spring - 26 metal fingers mounted on said walls of said channel. 14. A structural joint, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures

4. To 6, Figures 7 to 9, Figure 10, Figure 11

5. Or Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.