US20050258120A1

US20050258120A1 - Connector for cabinet or shelf structure

Info

Publication number: US20050258120A1
Application number: US10/850,575
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Keppel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-20
Filing date: 2004-05-20
Publication date: 2005-11-24

Abstract

Connectors for coupling a first portion of a cabinet or shelf structure to one or more second portions of the cabinet or shelf structure may include an acceptor and one or more inserts. The acceptor may be coupled to the first portion of the structure. Each insert may be coupled to one of the second portions of the structure. The acceptor and/or the insert(s) may be elongated to provide support and/or reinforcement to the structure. The acceptor may include an opening with a recess. The insert(s) may include a protrusion complementary in shape to the recess. The acceptor may be coupled to the insert(s) to substantially perpendicularly couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion(s) of the structure. A fastener may be used to couple the acceptor to the insert(s). The connector may allow for assembly and disassembly of the structure.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to connectors for cabinet or shelf structures. A connector may be used to couple a first portion of a cabinet or shelf structure substantially perpendicularly to one or more second portions of the cabinet or shelf structure. The connector may provide support and/or reinforcement for portions of the cabinet or shelf structure. The connector may allow disassembly and/or reassembly of the cabinet or shelf structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Connectors have been used to couple panels of a structure together. For example, panels of cabinets and shelves may be coupled with L-shaped brackets screwed to the panels. L-shaped brackets screwed to the panels offer limited reinforcement of a structure and may not allow efficient assembly/disassembly of the structure. Other connectors include a pin or stud inserted in a prepared hole in a furniture sidewall and removably inserted in a holding piece in a second furniture component at right angles to the furniture sidewall so that the pin supports the weight of the second component. U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,353 to Busse, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes a connector that allows detachable connecting of two structural parts that abut perpendicularly to each other. Structures with unreinforced panels (e.g., frameless cabinets) may require more support and/or reinforcement than connectors generally known in the art provide.

SUMMARY

A cabinet or shelf structure may include a first portion of the structure and one or more second portions of the structure. A connector may couple the first portion of the structure to one or more second portions of the structure. The connector may include an acceptor and one or more inserts. In some embodiments, the connector may include a fastener. An acceptor may be coupled to the first portion of the structure. In some embodiments, an acceptor may include a tapered portion. An insert may be coupled to the second portion of the structure. In some embodiments, an insert may include a tapered portion. In certain embodiments, a tapered portion of an acceptor and a tapered portion of an insert may couple such that the acceptor and the insert can couple a first portion of a structure to a second portion of the structure. In an embodiment, a fastener may couple an acceptor to one or more inserts.
A method of coupling a first portion of a cabinet or shelf structure to a second portion of the cabinet or shelf structure may include coupling an acceptor to the first portion of the structure and coupling an insert to the second portion of the structure. In some embodiments, an acceptor and an insert may include tapered portions. In certain embodiments, a tapered portion of an acceptor may be coupled to a tapered portion of an insert to couple a first portion of a structure to a second portion of the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an embodiment of members of a T connector.
FIG. 2 depicts an end view of an embodiment of an insert.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled T connector.
FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a T connector coupled to edges of portions of a structure.
FIG. 5 depicts a top view of an embodiment of members of an L connector.
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled L connector.
FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an embodiment an L connector coupled to edges of portions of a structure.
FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an embodiment of members of an X connector.
FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a fastener for an X connector.
FIG. 10 depicts a side view of an embodiment of an insert of an X connector.
FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled X connector.
FIG. 12 depicts a top view of an embodiment of an X connector coupled to edges of portions of a structure.
FIG. 13 depicts a front view of an embodiment of a structure coupled with connectors.
FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a structure coupled with connectors.
FIG. 15 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a connector coupled to edges of portions of a structure.
FIG. 16 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a connector coupled to edges of portions of a structure.
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A connector for a cabinet or shelf structure may provide support and/or reinforcement for portions of the structure. As used herein, “cabinet or shelf structure,” or “structure,” refers to a structure with two or more portions connected substantially perpendicularly. A structure may include, but is not limited to, a case or a cupboard with one or more shelves and/or doors (e.g., a bookcase, a utility shelf, an entertainment center, a closet, a kitchen cabinet, a storage cabinet, a trunk, a locker). A structure may include furniture constructed of wood or any other material. In some embodiments, a structure may have a frame. In certain embodiments, a structure may be frameless. As used herein, a “portion” of a structure may include any stationary part of the structure. For example, a portion of a structure may include, but is not limited to, a horizontal portion, a vertical portion, a back, a side, or a shelf. Portions of a structure may be made from naturally occurring or synthetic materials including, but not limited to one or more woods, metals, polymers, composites, and/or laminates. In some embodiments, a structure may be made of molded plastic panels.
A connector for a structure may include two or more members. For example, a connector for a structure may include two members. Members of a connector may be made from materials including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, and composites. In some embodiments, a connector may include an acceptor and an insert. The acceptor may be coupled to a first portion of a structure. The insert may be coupled to a second portion of the structure. As used herein, “coupled” refers to directly joined (e.g., touching) or indirectly joined (e.g., joined with one or more at least partially intervening elements). “Coupling a first member to a second member” may be used interchangeably with “coupling a second member to a first member.” As used herein, two elements that are “joined” are held together with or without a joining member. As used herein, “coupling” includes reversibly, removably, and/or detachably coupling, as well as joining, connecting, fastening, fixing, securing, and attaching. In some embodiments, all or part of a connector (e.g., an acceptor and/or an insert) may be fabricated in one or more molded plastic portions (e.g., panels) of a structure.
In an embodiment, an acceptor and/or an insert may be positioned in a recess (e.g., a groove) in a first portion and/or a second portion of a structure, respectively. In some embodiments, the acceptor may be designed to receive a portion of the insert. For example, the acceptor may include an opening (e.g., a recess) to receive a protrusion of an insert. An opening of an acceptor may be tapered. A tapered cross-sectional shape of the acceptor opening may include, but is not limited to, irregular (e.g., keyed) shapes and regular shapes such as square, rectangular, triangular, and circular (e.g., an opening with a conical shape) shapes. A protrusion of an insert may have a tapered shape that couples with (e.g., mates with, is complementary to) the opening of the acceptor. Coupling of the insert and the acceptor may couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure. In some embodiments, a connector for a structure may include a fastener designed to couple an insert to an acceptor of the connector. In certain embodiments, a fastener designed to couple an acceptor to an insert may be a threaded fastener.
In an embodiment, portions of a structure may be shipped to a destination and assembled on site with one or more connectors to form the structure. For example, frameless cabinets may be assembled in a kitchen in which the cabinets are to be installed. In some embodiments, a connector may be used to couple portions of a structure to form a corner (e.g., an exterior corner) of the structure. For example, one or more “L” connectors may be used to secure a horizontal portion of a structure (e.g., a top) to a vertical portion of a structure (e.g., a side) of a structure such that the portions of the structure form a substantially 90° angle relative to each other. In some embodiments, a “T” connector may be used to secure a horizontal portion of a structure (e.g., a shelf) to a vertical portion of a structure (e.g., a side) such that the portions of the structure form a substantially 90° angle relative to each other. In certain embodiments, an “X” connector may be used to secure two horizontal portions of a structure to a vertical portion of a structure such that the horizontal portions of the structure form substantially 90° angles relative to the vertical portion of the structure. As used herein, “vertical” and “horizontal” may be used interchangeably. For example, a horizontal portion of a structure may become a vertical portion of a structure by turning the structure by 90°.
In some embodiments, portions of a structure may be prepared (e.g., grooves may be formed in the portions) to allow coupling of acceptors and inserts to the portions of the structure. The acceptors and inserts may be coupled to the portions of the structure before the structure is assembled. The acceptors and inserts may be coupled to each other to couple (e.g., secure) the portions of the structure. In certain embodiments, portions of a structure may be clamped in position before grooves are formed in the portions. After the grooves are formed, connectors may be placed in the grooves to couple the portions of the structure. In some embodiments, acceptors and inserts may be placed (e.g., fastened) in the grooves and then coupled. In some embodiments, acceptors and inserts may be coupled and then placed (e.g., fastened) in the grooves. In certain embodiments, trim may be coupled to the structure to conceal the connectors from view and enhance the appearance of the structure. In certain embodiments, one or more plugs may be inserted in one or more openings in a portion of a structure to conceal a portion of a connector (e.g., a head of a fastener) from view.
FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an embodiment of members of T connector 100. T connector 100 may be designed to secure a horizontal portion of a structure (e.g., a shelf, a horizontal divider, a top, a base) to a vertical portion of a structure (e.g., a side, a vertical divider). T connector 100 may include acceptor 102, insert 104, and fastener 106. Fastener 106 may be of any size and/or length suitable to couple acceptor 102 to insert 104. For example, fastener 106 may be 1 cm, 1.25 cm, 1.5 cm, 1.75 cm, or 2 cm in length. Acceptor 102 and insert 104 may be elongated to provide support and/or reinforcement to a structure. In some embodiments, a length of acceptor 102 may be from about 10 cm to about 30 cm. For example, a length of acceptor 102 may be about 15 cm. In some embodiments, a length of insert 104 may be from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. For example, a length of insert 104 may be about 10 cm. A transverse cross section of acceptor 102 and insert 104 may be substantially square with sides of, for example, about 1 cm to about 3 cm. Lengths and/or thicknesses of acceptor 102 and insert 104 may be chosen to provide desired support and/or reinforcement for a chosen structure. Greater lengths and/or thicknesses may provide additional support and/or reinforcement to a structure (e.g., a frameless cabinet). In some embodiments, one or more ends of acceptor 102 and/or insert 104 may be curved and/or rounded.
Acceptor 102 and/or insert 104 may include openings 108. Openings 108 may allow acceptor 102 and/or insert 104 to be coupled (e.g., fastened) to a portion of a structure. Acceptor 102 may include opening 110. Opening 110 may include recess 112. In some embodiments, recess 112 of opening 110 may be sized and/or shaped to receive protrusion 114 of insert 104. In some embodiments, recess 112 may be tapered. In some embodiments, protrusion 114 may be tapered. A size and/or shape of protrusion 114 may be complementary to a size and/or a shape of recess 112 of opening 110. In some embodiments, protrusion 114 may mate with recess 112 of opening 110. Fastener 106 may be inserted through opening 110 of acceptor 102 and into opening 116 of insert 104 to couple the acceptor to the insert. In-some embodiments, opening 116 may be a threaded opening and fastener 106 may be a threaded fastener.
FIG. 2 depicts an end view of an embodiment of insert 104 with protrusion 114 and opening 116. Protrusion 114 may be of any desired cross-sectional shape and/or size to allow coupling of insert 104 with recess 112 of acceptor 102. As shown in FIG. 2, protrusion 114 may have a substantially square cross section. A substantially square cross section may promote stability of coupling between insert 104 and acceptor 102. A substantially square cross section may inhibit rotation of insert 104 relative to acceptor 102. Protrusion 114 may be complementary to recess 112 of opening 110. In some embodiments, protrusion 114 may fit snugly in recess 112 to enhance stability of T connector 100.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of assembled T connector 100 including acceptor 102 and insert 104 coupled with fastener 106. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of acceptor 102 and insert 104 positioned in grooves 118 and coupled to first portion 120 and second portion 122 of structure 124 with fasteners 126 positioned through openings 108. Grooves 118 may be formed in edges of first portion 120 and second portion 122. In some embodiments, grooves 118 may have a width of about 0.5 cm to about 2.5 cm. For example, groove 118 may have a width of about 1.25 cm. Grooves 118 may be sized such that acceptor 102 and insert 104 fit snugly in the grooves. Acceptor 102 may be coupled to insert 104 with fastener 106. In some embodiments, opening 128 may be formed in first portion 120 to allow passage of fastener 106 through the first portion, through opening 110 of acceptor 102, and into opening 116 of insert 104.
FIG. 5 depicts a top view of members of L connector 130. L connector 130 may be designed to secure a vertical portion of a structure (e.g., a side) to a horizontal portion of the structure (e.g., a top, a bottom). L connector 130 may include acceptor 132, insert 104, and fastener 106. In some embodiments, a length of acceptor 132 may be from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. For example, a length of acceptor 132 may be about 10 cm. In some embodiments, a length of insert 104 may be from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. For example, a length of insert 104 may be about 10 cm. Lengths and/or thicknesses of acceptor 132 and insert 104 may be chosen to provide desired support and/or reinforcement for a chosen structure. Greater lengths and/or thicknesses may provide additional support and/or reinforcement to a structure (e.g., a frameless cabinet).
Acceptor 132 and/or insert 104 may include openings 108. Openings 108 may allow acceptor 132 and/or insert 104 to be coupled to a portion of a structure. Acceptor 132 may include opening 110. Opening 110 may include recess 112. In some embodiments, recess 112 of opening 110 may be sized and/or shaped to receive protrusion 114 of insert 104. In some embodiments, recess 112 may be tapered. In some embodiments, protrusion 114 may be tapered. A size and/or shape of protrusion 114 may be complementary to a size and/or a shape of recess 112 of opening 110. In some embodiments, protrusion 114 may mate with recess 112 of opening 110. Fastener 106 may be inserted through opening 110 of acceptor 102 and into opening 116 of insert 104 to couple the acceptor to the insert. In some embodiments, opening 116 may be a threaded opening and fastener 106 may be a threaded fastener.
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of acceptor 132 and insert 104 coupled with fastener 106 to form L connector 130. FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an embodiment of acceptor 132 and insert 104 positioned in groove 118 and coupled to first and second portions 120, 122 of structure 124 with fasteners 126 positioned through openings 108. Acceptor 132 may be coupled to insert 104 with fastener 106. In some embodiments, opening 128 may be formed in first portion 120 to allow passage of fastener 106 through the first portion, through opening 110 of acceptor 132, and into opening 116 of insert 104.
FIG. 8 depicts a top view of members of X connector 134. X connector 134 may include acceptor 136 and inserts 138. Acceptor 136 and/or inserts 138 may include openings 108 to allow the acceptor and/or the inserts to be coupled to a portion of a structure. Acceptor 136 may include opening 140. Fastener 142, depicted in FIG. 9, may be fastened in opening 140 to couple one or more inserts 138 to acceptor 136. In some embodiments, at least a portion of opening 140 may be threaded.
Fastener 142 may be a flared hood bolt, as depicted in FIG. 9. Fastener 142 may include circular ridge 144. A shape, size, and/or curvature of ridge 144 may be complementary to a shape, size, and/or curvature of recesses 146 of inserts 138 and recesses 148 of acceptor 136 (depicted in FIG. 8). Ridge 144 of fastener 142 may couple to recesses 146 to draw protrusions 150 of inserts 138 toward recesses 152 of acceptor 136. Tightening fastener 142 to acceptor 136 may force ridge 144 into recesses 146, 148 and tighten (e.g., clamp) inserts 138 to the acceptor (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the acceptor) when the fastener is coupled to the acceptor. FIG. 10 depicts a side view of insert 138 with openings 108, protrusion 150, and recess 146.
FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of acceptor 136 and inserts 138 assembled with fastener 142 to form X connector 134. FIG. 12 depicts a top view of an embodiment of X connector 134 positioned in groove 118 and coupled to first portion 120 and second portions 122 of structure 124 with fasteners 126. Fastener 142 may couple inserts 138 to acceptor 136.
A structure may be assembled using one or more T connectors, one or more L connectors and/or one or more X connectors. In an embodiment, some T connectors, L connectors, and X connectors may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, acceptors and inserts may be coupled to portions of a structure before the acceptors are coupled to the inserts. In certain embodiments, portions of a structure may be held together (e.g., clamped) in a desired position while grooves are formed in edges of the portions and assembled connectors are coupled to the structure.
FIG. 13 depicts a front view of an embodiment of structure 124 with base 154, top 156, sides 158, and horizontal divider 160 coupled with 4 T connectors 100 (2 in the front and 2 in the back, connecting sides 158 with horizontal divider 160) and 8 L connectors 130 (4 in the front and 4 in the back, connecting sides 158 to base 154 and top 156). In an embodiment, horizontal divider 160 may be a shelf. In some embodiments, a portion of structure 124 (e.g., horizontal divider 160) may fit in a groove in another portion of the structure (e.g., side 158) for added stability. FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of structure 124 with base 154, top 156, sides 158, and horizontal dividers 160 coupled with T connectors 100 (e.g., 4 in the front and 4 in the back, connecting sides 158 to horizontal dividers 160 and connecting base 154 and top 156 to vertical divider 162), L connectors 130 (e.g., 4 in the front and 4 in the back, connecting sides 158 to base 154 and top 156), and X connectors 134 (e.g., 1 in the front and one in the back, connecting horizontal dividers 160 with vertical divider 162).
In some embodiments, a fastener used to couple an acceptor to an insert may be concealed from view with a plug that fits in an opening of a portion of a structure. FIG. 15 depicts a top view of an embodiment of acceptor 102. Plug 164 may be positioned in opening 128 of first portion 120 to conceal fastener 106 from view. In certain embodiments, an acceptor of a connector (e.g., an L connector) may be advantageously positioned (e.g., in an edge of a top and/or a base of a structure, as depicted in FIG. 7) such that openings 128 for fasteners 106 are located in the top and/or base and are therefore not readily visible. In an embodiment, plug 164 may be formed of the same material as first portion 120. In some embodiments, plug 164 may be formed from a different material than first portion 120. Plug 164 may be, for example, a plastic plug, a metal plug, wooden plug, or a paper plug. Plug 164 may be coupled to an opening in a portion of a structure with, for example, an adhesive. In certain embodiments, plug 164 may be an adhesive-backed sticker.
In some embodiments, connectors used to couple portions of a structure may be covered with trim to conceal the connectors from view following assembly of the structure. FIG. 16 depicts a side view of first portion 120 of a structure with acceptor 102 coupled to the portion. Trim 166 may be coupled (e.g., adhered) to an edge of first portion 120 to conceal the top of acceptor 102 and fasteners 126 from view. Trim 166 may match or contrast with material of first portion 120. A second portion of the structure may be positioned in groove 118 such that a protrusion of an insert coupled to the second portion couples with recess 112 of acceptor 102.
In this patent, certain U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials (e.g., articles) have been incorporated by reference. The text of such U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is, however, only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such text and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, then any such conflicting text in such incorporated by reference U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is specifically not incorporated by reference in this patent.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cabinet or shelf structure, comprising:

a first portion of the structure;

a second portion of the structure;

an acceptor coupled to the first portion of the structure, wherein the acceptor comprises a tapered portion;

an insert coupled to the second portion of the structure, wherein the insert comprises a tapered portion;

wherein the tapered portion of the acceptor is configured to couple to the tapered portion of the insert such that the acceptor and the insert can couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure.

2. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the cabinet or shelf structure is a frameless cabinet.

3. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, further comprising a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to couple the acceptor to the insert.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the structure comprises a groove, and wherein the acceptor is positioned in the groove.

7. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the structure comprises a groove, and wherein the insert is positioned in the groove.

8. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises a protrusion.

9. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises an end portion of the insert.

10. (canceled)

11. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises a threaded opening configured to receive a fastener.

12. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the acceptor comprises an opening configured to receive the tapered portion of the insert, and configured to receive a fastener such that the fastener, when inserted into the opening of the acceptor and an opening of the insert, can couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure.

13. The cabinet or shelf structure of claim 1, wherein the acceptor comprises at least one acceptor opening configured to allow a fastener to pass through such acceptor opening and couple the acceptor to the first portion of the structure, and the insert comprises at least one insert opening configured to allow a fastener to pass through such insert opening and couple the insert to the second portion of the structure.

14. (canceled)

15. A connector for a cabinet or shelf structure, comprising:

an acceptor configured to be coupled to a first portion of the structure, wherein the acceptor comprises a tapered portion;

an insert configured to be coupled to a second portion of the structure, wherein the insert comprises a tapered portion; and

wherein the tapered portion of the acceptor and the tapered portion of the insert are configured to couple such that the acceptor and the insert can couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure.

16-18. (canceled)

19. The connector of claim 15, further comprising a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to couple the acceptor to the insert.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. The connector of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises a protrusion.

23. The connector of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises an end portion of the insert.

24. The connector of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises an opening configured to receive a fastener.

25. The connector of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the insert comprises a threaded opening configured to receive a fastener.

26. The connector of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the acceptor comprises an opening configured to receive the tapered portion of the insert, and configured to receive a fastener such that the fastener, when inserted into the opening of the acceptor and an opening of the insert, can couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure.

27. (canceled)

28. The connector of claim 15, wherein the acceptor comprises at least one acceptor opening configured to allow a fastener to pass through such acceptor opening and couple the acceptor to the first portion of the structure, and the insert comprises at least one insert opening configured to allow a fastener to pass through such insert opening and couple the insert to the second portion of the structure.

29. A connector for a cabinet or shelf structure, comprising:

one or more inserts, each of the inserts configured to be coupled to one of one or more second portions of the structure, and wherein each insert comprises a tapered portion; and

wherein the tapered portion of the acceptor and the tapered portion of each insert are configured to couple such that the acceptor and each insert can couple the first portion of the structure to one of the second portions of the structure.

30-42. (canceled)

43. A method of coupling a first portion of a cabinet or shelf structure to a second portion of the cabinet or shelf structure, comprising:

coupling an acceptor to the first portion of the structure, wherein the acceptor comprises a tapered portion;

coupling an insert to the second portion of the structure, wherein the insert comprises a tapered portion; and

coupling the tapered portion of the acceptor to the tapered portion of the insert to couple the first portion of the structure to the second portion of the structure.

44-52. (canceled)