United States Patent 119]
`Jones
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,493,172
`Jan. 15, 1985
`
`[54] CONNECTOR SYSTEM
`
`3,762,116 10/1973 Anderson ............................ .. 52/282
`
`[76] Inventor:
`
`.
`
`Brlan D. Jones, 6 YOrktOn R1861,
`Mangere Bridge, Auckland, New
`Zealand
`[21] Appl- No" 408,899
`[22] Filed;
`Aug‘ 17, 1982
`
`_
`
`[51] Int. Cl.3 ............................................. .. A47G 5/00
`[52] US. Cl. ...................................... .. 52/220; 52/282;
`52/738; 52/239; 52/726
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 52/282, 238, 239, 738,
`52/36 220 726 160/135
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`1,221,205 4/1917 Moore ................................. .. 52/239
`3,049,195 8/1962 Leat .... ..
`3,333,379 8/1967 Harris .................................. .. 52/364
`
`. . , .. 52/738
`
`3,841,042 10/1974 Siegal . . t , . . . .
`
`52/239
`3,987,838 10/1976 LaGue
`. . . .. 52/239
`4,021,973 5/1977 Hegg . . . . . .
`4,388,786 6/1983 Gassler ................................ .. 52/282
`Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh
`Assistant Examiner—Kathryn Ford
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Holman & Stern
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Of?ce Pamno“ panels are mounted on Cylmdncal con‘
`nector posts. The posts have tongues or grooves run
`ning along parts or all of their length which match with
`corresponding grooves or tongues or locking pieces
`readily affixed to or integral with the edges of the pan
`els to hold the panels securely in place.
`
`8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
`1
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`2
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`3 8 6
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`24
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`25
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`ALLSTEEL INC.
`Exhibit 1011, Page 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent Jan. 15,1985
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`Sheet 1 of2
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`4,493,172
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`20
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`Exhibit 1011, Page 2
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`Exhibit 1011, Page 3
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`1
`
`CONNECTOR SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a connector system which
`has been designed particularly for use in connecting
`panels together to provide partitions or screens. These
`partitions or screens are of particular use in of?ces, for
`example, where it is often desired to subdivide a large
`?oor area into smaller bays and offices. However, the
`connector system can be used for connecting articles
`other than panels and can be used in the manufacture of
`a knock-down type furniture. It is an object of the pres
`ent invention to provide a connector system whereby
`articles can be inter-connected either without the use of
`tools or with the use of tools, such as screwdrivers
`which are commonly available and in its preferred
`forms the system can be used by unskilled persons.
`
`5
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`20
`The present invention consists in a combination of
`interconnecting extruded members comprising a con
`necting member having a periphery which is substan
`tially circular in cross section and having a plurality of
`integral connecting means formed in or on said periph
`ery and an engaging member having an engagement
`means, one of the connecting means or the engaging
`means comprising a locking groove running lengthwise
`along one member and the other of the connecting
`means or the engaging means comprising a locking
`tongue running lengthwise along the other member, the
`groove and the tongue inter-locking to prevent with
`drawal expect by sliding the members relative to each
`other in a direction parallel to their lengths.
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`35
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`45
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`4,493,172
`2
`engaging member 2 the preferred cross sectional shape
`of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. These are extruded
`from a suitable material which is preferably aluminium
`or an aluminium alloy but which could be some other
`metal or a plastics material instead and the extrusions
`are cut to length as required.
`The connecting member has a plurality of connecting
`means and the engaging member has at least one engag
`ing means. One of the connecting means or the engag
`ing means comprises a locking groove running length
`wise along the appropriate member and the other con
`necting means or the engaging means comprises a lock
`ing tongue running lengthwise along the other member.
`By sliding the two members relative to each other in a
`direction parallel to their lengths, a groove and a tongue
`can be made to inter-lock to prevent withdrawal except
`by reversing the sliding motion. It is a feature of the
`invention that the one or more engaging means of the
`engaging member can be inter-locked with any one or
`more of the connecting means of the connecting mem
`ber, this feature providing the invention with consider
`able versatility which is of advantage in the preferred
`application to partitioning. In the preferred form of the
`invention the connecting means of the connecting mem
`ber comprises the locking groove, there being a plural
`ity of these locking grooves about the periphery of the
`connecting member, the grooves running lengthwise
`along the connecting member, and in this case the en
`gaging means of the engaging member comprises one or
`more locking tongues running lengthwise along the
`engaging member. However, in an alternative form of
`the invention the connecting means of the connecting
`member comprises the locking tongue, there being a
`plurality of these tongues about the periphery of the
`connecting member, the tongues running lengthwise
`along the connecting member, and in this particular
`case the engaging means of the engaging member com
`prise one or more locking grooves running lengthwise
`along the engaging member.
`A preferred engaging member, as illustrated in FIGS.
`1 and 6, is substantially channel shaped, having a base 3
`and two projecting and inwardly converging arms or
`walls 4 which do not touch but which have expanded
`free ends providing the locking tongues 5, these being
`substantially circular in cross sectional shape and de
`signed to interlock with two of the locking grooves of
`the connecting member. Each of the walls of the engag
`ing member makes an angle of 60° with respect to the
`base. Adjacent the intersection of the walls 4 with the
`base 3 there is a thickened region designed to reinforce
`the engaging member to prevent fracture at this point.
`The engaging member is provided with at least one
`securing portion which has a hollow interior which is
`substantially circular in cross section over at least the
`major part of its circumference. Preferably two secur
`ing portions are provided, one in each of the thickened
`regions, by substantially circular securing grooves 6.
`The securing grooves provide sites for fastenings such
`as self-tapping screws if it is desired to attach an article,
`such as an end cap, to an end of an engaging member.
`For the usual attachment of an engaging member to an
`article, holes (not shown) are drilled through the base 3
`for fastenings such as screws. To enable the holes to be
`drilled accurately in the centre of the base a drilling
`groove Sis provided on the interior. It is preferable that
`the drilling groove is formed between two small ribs
`raised from the base, as illustrated in FIG. 6, so that the
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The invention will now be described in detail with
`reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view through a pre
`ferred engaging member;
`FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view through the
`preferred connecting member;
`FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view through an inter
`mediate member;
`FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing an assembly of a
`panel having an engaging member attached at one edge
`this engaging member inter-connected with two short
`lengths of connecting member which are mounted on a
`length of the intermediate member;
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a length of the
`connecting member having an adjustable pressure pad;
`FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing an alterna
`tive preferred engaging member inter-connected with a
`connecting member;
`FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative
`form of engaging member;
`FIG. 8 is a cross sectioal view illustrating alternative
`forms of connecting member; and
`Hg. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the preferred
`form of connecting member with further alternative
`forms of the engaging member.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`According to the preferred form of the invention a
`connector system comprises two basic components
`these being a connecting member 1, the preferred cross
`sectional shape of which is shown in FIG. 2, and an
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`Exhibit 1011, Page 4
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`4,493,172
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`provision of the drilling groove does not result in any
`connected in a greater or lesser number of angular dis
`weakening of the base of the engaging member.
`positions relative to each other than is the case with that
`The periphery of the preferred connecting member
`preferred form of the invention so far described.
`For joining two panels together each panel 12 has an
`(FIG. 2) is substantially circular in cross section. The
`engaging member attached to an edge. The connecting
`preferred connecting member has a hollow interior 7
`member used can have a length substantially equal to
`which is also preferably circular in cross section. A
`plurality of locking grooves 9 are uniformly and sym
`the length of an engaging member and an end plate or
`metrically spaced about the periphery of the connecting
`cap 15 having a diameter substantially equal to the di
`member, the grooves being of substantially circular
`ameter of the connecting member can be attached to
`cross section. Each of the locking grooves is capable of
`each end of the connecting member to prevent the con
`necting member and engaging members from being
`receiving in an inter-locking arrangement one of the
`locking tongues of the engaging member, but because of
`detached unless the cap is ?rst removed. However, the
`the shape of the locking tongues and the locking
`preferred connecting member, because of its shape. 15 a
`relatively expensive extrusion and to reduce the length
`grooves, which have narrowed neck openings, the con
`of connecting member required an elongated intermedi
`necting member and the engaging member can only be
`inter-connected by sliding the members relative to each
`ate member 10 is provided which allows the engaging
`member to interconnect with short lengths of connect
`other in a direction parallel to their lengths. For the
`preferred engaging member described the connecting
`ing member which are mounted on the intermediate
`member has twelve locking grooves, these being lo
`member which passes through the hollow interiors of
`cated at 30° angular dispositions about the periphery of
`each of the lengths of connecting member. The interme
`the connecting member. The locking grooves are also
`diate member is preferably an extrusion having a size
`and shape which makes it less expensive to extrude than
`suitable for use as locating sites for fastenings such as
`the connecting member. The periphery of the interme
`screws, in the same manner as the securing grooves 6 of
`the engaging member, this feature enabling an end cap
`diate member conforms in shape to that of the hollow
`interior of the connecting member and is therefore pref
`or plate or the like to be attached to the end of a con
`necting member.
`erably circular in cross section.
`The preferred cross sectional shape of the intermedi
`When the engaging member is inter-connected with a
`connecting member the tongues of the engaging mem
`ate member is illustrated in FIG. 3. This intermediate
`ber occupy two of the locking grooves of the connect
`member has a hollow interior 17 and is provided on its
`ing member, these grooves, because of the spacing and
`interior with at least one securing portion itself having
`the angular arrangement of the walls of the engaging
`a hollow interior which is circular in cross section over
`member and the spacing and the angular disposition of
`at least a major part of its circumference. The securing
`portion 11 comprises two projecting lips extending
`the locking grooves of the connecting member, being
`separated by another of the locking grooves as is best
`from the interior of the hollow along the length of the
`illustrated in FIG. 6. The remaining locking grooves of
`intermediate member so that it has a similar shape to
`the connecting member are available for inter-locking
`that of a securing groove 6 of an engaging member and
`with the tongues of a second engaging member, this
`can perform a similar function. There are preferably
`engaging member being capable of being positioned in
`four securing portions 11 equally spaced about the inter
`nal periphery of the intermediate member.
`any one of a number of angular dispositions relative to
`that engaging member ?rst attached. Normally the
`The use of an intermediate member 10 in conjunction
`with two short lengths 13 and 14 of connecting member
`engaging member would ?rst be attached to an article
`such as a panel 12 before being inter-connected with the
`is illustrated in FIG. 4. A single length of engaging
`connecting member. Thus, by use of this invention two
`member is attached to an edge of a panel 12 and is inter
`connected with the two lengths of connecting member
`panels can be connected together by means of an engag
`ing member attached to each and a connecting member
`located at the upper and lower ends of the intermediate
`45
`and the panels can be arranged at 180° relative to each
`member. The length of the intermediate member is
`substantially equal to or is slightly less than the length of
`other, that is in a straight line, or instead the panels can
`the engaging member. In the assembly of the members
`be arranged at 90° or 120° or 150° relative to each other.
`More than two panels can be similarly connected if
`connecting member 14 is secured to the bottom end of
`desired, for example, four panels can be connected to
`the intermediate member by a fastening such as a rivet.
`the one connecting member these panels being arranged
`screw, or pin 19. A cap 15 is attached to the connecting
`at 90° with respect to each adjacent panel. Hence use of
`member and the lower ends of the tongues of the engag
`this invention provides a useful and versatile connector
`ing member rest on this cap which blocks the ends of
`system for partitioning. Because the engaging member
`the locking grooves. Because the connecting member
`has two locking tongues, each of which inter-locks with
`14 is relatively short in length only a short sliding move
`the connecting member, a relatively rigid connection is
`ment is required to inter-connect the lower end of the
`provided. The rigidity of the connection can be im
`engaging member with this connecting member. The
`proved by providing a flange 16 on each of the walls of
`connecting member 13 is then slid onto the intermediate
`the engaging member adjacent the locking tongue, as
`and engaging members at their upper ends, this connect
`illustrated in FIG. 6, which when the engaging member
`ing member 13 also having a cap 15 attached to retain
`and connecting member are inter-connected butts
`the connecting member at the upper end of the assem
`against the periphery of the connecting member. In
`bly. Therefore, to dismantle any partitioning connect
`modi?cations of the invention the engaging member
`ing member 13 can simply be slid from the intermediate
`can have only one locking tongue, or alternatively can
`and engaging members and the engaging member slid
`have more than two locking tongues. Similarly, the
`from the connecting member 14. The caps 15 can be
`connecting member can have a greater or lesser number
`provided with screw holes which align with the secur
`of locking grooves and the engaging member can be
`ing portions of the intermediate member into which self
`suitably shaped so that any two or more articles can be
`tapping screws can be screwed to attach the caps to the
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`Exhibit 1011, Page 5
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`connecting members. The top and bottom ends of the
`engaging member can be cropped sufficiently as at 20 to
`allow the caps to sit flush with the ends of the engaging
`member. Panels of different heights can be connected
`together using the same system. Where a shorter panel
`is being used with a longer panel, a third short length of
`connecting member can be mounted on the intermedi
`ate member, being positioned at the top end of the
`shorter panel and held in position by a pin or screw
`attached to the intermediate member and passing either
`through or below this third connecting member.
`However, if the connecting member and the engag
`ing member which are to be inter-connected are both
`relatively long the engaging member can be provided
`with locking tongues at only intervals along its length
`and the connecting member can be provided with lock
`ing grooves also along only a portion of its length, the
`construction and arrangement being such that the two
`members can be engaged or disengaged by relative
`lengthwise or axial sliding movement over only a por
`tion of their lengths.
`In a modi?cation of the invention the hollow interior
`of a connecting member can be threaded at one or both
`ends or can be threaded along its length. In this case a
`male threaded member can be screwed into the
`threaded hollow interior of the connecting member. It
`is preferred that the male threaded member is an end
`closing device 21 or cap as illustrated in FIG. 5. This
`provides an alternative method of attaching end caps to
`that method illustrated in FIG. 4, though the end caps
`could instead be secured in position by an adhesive. The
`end closing device or cap can have a threaded hole
`passing through it in an axial direction and a threaded
`shaft 22 which screws into the threaded hole, the shaft
`bearing a pressure pad 23 at its outer end, the construc
`tion and arrangement being such that the distance be
`tween the pressure pad and the connecting member to
`which the end closing device is attached can be varied.
`This is of value in adjusting the height of partitions for
`example, in which case the pressure pad functions as a
`foot.
`The above describes the preferred form of the inven
`tion and indicates some possible modi?cations but other
`modi?cations can be made without departing from the
`scope of the invention as de?ned in the claims. Some of
`45
`these possible modi?cations are illustrated in FIGS. 6 to
`9 of the accompanying drawings. For example, as illus
`trated in FIG. 7, the base 3 of the substantially channel
`shaped engaging member is provided with an out
`wardly opening dovetail slot 24 which runs lengthwise
`along the engaging member. The dovetail slot can be
`formed in the base of the engaging member as shown in
`FIG. 7 or alternatively can be formed, as illustrated in
`FIG. 6, in a separate channel shaped member 25 which
`is attachable to the engaging member by any suitable
`means. The dovetail slot can be used to connect the
`engaging member to another article by means of a dove
`tail shaped connector or the slot can be used for glazing,
`receiving the edge of a sheet of glass together with
`glazing beads for example.
`In FIG. 7 the engaging member has a dovetail slot 24
`formed in the base 3 of the engaging member and on the
`interior of the base there is a pair of projecting lips 26
`de?ning a captive groove 27 which can be used for
`locating an electrical cable 40. The walls of the engag
`ing member of FIG. 7 each have a side portion 29 ex
`tending at right angles from the base before the walls
`converge, the side portions having apertures formed in
`
`6
`them. These apertures can be holes or slots 30 and can
`be used for the attachment of brackets or other articles
`if required. The view through the apertures from one
`side of the engaging member to the other is blocked by
`the lips 26 of the captive groove.
`With reference to FIG. 8 the engaging member can
`be provided with portions which de?ne two opposed
`slots 31 and these can also be used to receive the edges
`of panels or sheets of material if desired. FIG. 8 also
`illustrates an alternative form of connecting member,
`the locking grooves being substantially T shaped in
`cross section.
`In FIG. 9 three modi?cations of the engaging mem
`ber are shown inter-connected with the preferred form
`of connecting member. Engaging members 32 and 33
`each have an elongated channel shaped portion 34 com
`prising a base and two walls projecting at right angles
`from the base. The channel shaped portion, in use, re
`ceives the edge of a panel to which the engaging mem
`ber is attached. On the opposite side of the base there
`are one or more locking tongues, the engaging members
`32 and 33 each having two locking tongues. The spac
`ing and angular disposition of these locking tongues are
`such that these interlock with two adjacent locking
`grooves of the connecting member. Also illustrated in
`FIG. 9 is an engaging member 35 which has a base and
`a central ?ange 36 or bayonet projecting at right angles
`from the base, and on the opposite side of the base there
`is a single locking tongue though a greater number of
`locking tongues can be provided if desired. The ?ange
`36, in use, can be located in a slot provided in the edge
`of a planar member or panel to which the engaging
`member is to be attached.
`These various modi?cations described above add to
`the versatility of the connector system. A further fea
`ture of the connector system, where the intermediate
`member is used, is that it is possible for panels or other
`articles which are inter-connected to be pivotal relative
`to each other, the connecting members, when not actu
`ally attached to the intermediate member, functioning
`as a hinge.
`We claim:
`1. A combination of inter-connecting extruded mem
`bers comprising:
`short lengths of connecting members each having a
`hollow interior, a periphery which is substantially
`circular in cross-section and a plurality of integral
`connecting means formed on said periphery;
`an engaging member having engaging means;
`each connecting means comprising a locking groove
`running lengthwise along said connecting member,
`and each engaging means comprising a locking
`tongue running lengthwise along said engaging
`member, said groove and tongue inter-locking to
`prevent withdrawal except by sliding said members
`relative to each other in a direction parallel to their
`lengths; and
`an extruded elongate intermediate member passing
`through the hollows of each of the lengths of con
`necting member and on which said lengths of con
`necting member are mounted, said engaging mem
`ber inter-connecting with each of the lengths of
`connecting member, said intermediate member
`having a hollow interior provided with at least one
`securing portion, each securing portion comprising
`two projecting lips extending from the interior of
`the hollow of the intermediate member along the
`length of the intermediate member and which is
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`4,493,172
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`5. A combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein a
`circular in cross section over at least a major part
`male threaded member which screws into the hollow
`of its circumference.
`interior has a threaded hole passing though it in an axial
`2. A combination of inter-connecting extruded mem
`bers comprising:
`direction, and the combination includes a threaded shaft
`which screws into the threaded hole, the shaft bearing a
`a connecting member having a periphery which is 5
`pressure pad at an end, the constructions and arrange
`substantially circular in cross section and a plural
`ment being such that the distance between the pressure
`ity of integral locking grooves about and formed
`pad and the connecting member can be varied.
`on said periphery, grooves running lengthwise
`along said connecting member; and
`6. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
`base of the substantially channel shaped engaging mem
`an engaging member having two locking tongues
`running lengthwise along the engaging member
`ber is provided with an outwardly opening dovetail slot
`running lengthwise along the engaging member.
`and interlocking with two of said locking grooves
`7. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
`to prevent withdrawal except by sliding said mem
`walls of the substantially channel shaped engaging
`bers relative to each other in a direction parallel to
`member have side portions extending at right angles
`their lengths, said engaging member being substan- l5
`from the base before converging, the side portions hav
`tially channel shaped having a base and two pro
`ing apertures in them.
`jecting and inwardly converging walls which do
`not touch, the walls having the locking tongues at
`8. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
`engaging member is provided with said locking tongues
`their free ends, and
`at only intervals along its length and wherein the con
`a pair of projecting lips on the interior of said base
`necting member is provided with said locking grooves
`de?ning a captive groove receiving an electrical
`along only a portion of its length, the construction and
`cable.
`arrangement being such that the two members can be
`3. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
`engaged or disengaged by relative lengthwise or axial
`connecting member has a hollow interior.
`sliding movement over only a portion of their lengths.
`4. A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
`hollow interior is threaded.
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`Exhibit 1011, Page 7