Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6250039
-
Patent Number
6,250,039
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, February 22, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 26, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Varner; Steve
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 109
- 052 646
- 040 604
- 403 72
- 403 301
- 403 309
- 403 318
- 403 319
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A channel bar assembly is provided for use with a modular display system. The modular display system can have a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs. The channel bar assembly includes a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end, and a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar. The hub connector is connected to one of the plurality of hubs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to modular display systems, and in particular, to a channel bar assembly that can be used to support displays or other materials to the face or front of a modular display system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modular display systems are commonly used at trade shows or exhibitions to display or exhibit photographs, promotional material, product samples, messages and other communication media. A conventional modular display system typically includes display frames that are provided in the form of tubings, panels that are typically made of a strong durable fabric material, and lighting assessories. The tubings, fabric and lighting are usually provided in separate pieces that are packed and stored in a storage case for transportation to the site of the trade show or exhibit. These components are then assembled at the site to create the display system.
Convenience is a very important factor in the use of modular display systems. The convenience factor relates not only to ease of storage and transportation, but also to assembly and disassembly of the modular display system. While many modular display systems are designed so that the display frames are easily and conveniently set up and taken down, the fabric panels can be more troublesome. In most modular display systems, vertical channel bars are attached to the display frame along each of the vertical rows of rods to support or attach the fabric panels. In the past, these channel bars had been provided in the form of individual sections that needed to be assembled and disassembled separately. Providing separate individual pieces suffers from several drawbacks. First, the provision of separate individual pieces will increase the number of separate parts that need to accompany the modular display system. Second, each individual piece needs to be correctly oriented before attaching it to the display frame, which requires more time to install the channel bars.
To address these drawbacks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,205 to Wichman discloses another type of channel bar in
FIGS. 10 and 11
, where the sections are hinged together so that the channel bar can be attached as a unit or folded for storage. Keyslots are provided on the sections for releasably engaging the knobs on the hubs of the display frame. Unfortunately, the hinged channel bars in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,205 suffer from the drawback that releasable engagement between the knobs and keyslots can be easily detached.
Thus, there still remains a need for channel bars that are easy to install and to dis-assemble, and which provide stable support for heavy fabric panels.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a channel bar assembly for use with a modular display system. The modular display system can have a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs. The channel bar assembly according to the present invention includes a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end, and a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar. The hub connector is connected to one of the plurality of hubs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a modular display system showing a plurality of channel bar assemblies according to the present invention in use therewith.
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of one channel bar assembly of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is an exploded view of a section of the channel bar assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 4
is a front plan view of the hub connector of the channel bar assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 5
illustrates how the hub connector of
FIG. 4
is used to connect a hub of the modular display system.
FIG. 6
is an exploded front sectional view illustrating how a light fixture is attached to the top of the channel bar assembly of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 7
is an exploded rear sectional view of the light fixture and the channel bar assembly of
FIG. 6
, illustrating how a hub of the modular display system is connected to the top of the channel bar assembly.
FIG. 8
is an exploded rear sectional view illustrating how a hub of the modular display system is connected to the bottom of the channel bar assembly of FIG.
2
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, mechanisms and methods are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
The channel bar assembly according to the present invention provides a row of channel bars that can both be hinged and folded. A plurality of hub connectors are provided to connect the channel bar assembly to the hubs of the modular display system, and to connect adjacent channel bars. The channel bars may be hinged about the hub connectors to be folded into a stack of channel bars that facilitate convenient storage.
FIG. 1
illustrates a plurality of channel bar assemblies
20
of the present invention in use with a modular display system
22
. Each channel bar assembly
20
has one row of channel bars
24
a
,
24
b
,
24
c
and hub connectors
26
a
,
26
b
that are aligned along a row of the hubs
28
of the modular display system
22
. A plurality of channel bar assemblies
20
are provided to extend across the entire modular display system
22
.
The modular display system
22
comprises a display frame that has a plurality of foldable crossing legs
30
that are connected to hubs
28
. The legs
30
can be formed from tubular members. Each hub
28
has a peg
32
that is used to secure the hub connectors
26
(as described below). A variety of different embodiments for the legs
30
and the hubs
28
are well-known in the art, and are not described in greater detail herein. The only requirement for the present invention is that each hub
28
be provided with a peg
32
.
Each channel bar assembly
20
is illustrated in greater detail in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. The channel bar assembly
20
can have an upper channel bar
24
a
, a first hub connector
26
a
, an intermediate channel bar
24
b
, a second hub connector
26
b
, and a lower channel bar
24
c
. The first hub connector
26
a
has a first anchor
34
a
that connects the upper channel bar
24
a
, and a second anchor
36
a
that connects the intermediate channel bar
24
b
, and the second hub connector
26
b
has a first anchor
34
b
that connects the intermediate channel bar
24
b
and second anchor
36
b
that connects the lower channel bar
24
c
. A light or top anchor
37
is secured to the top of the upper channel bar
24
a
for retaining a conventional light fixture
38
and for securing a hub
28
(as described in connection with
FIGS. 6 and 7
below), and a base anchor
40
is secured to the bottom of the lower channel bar
24
c
for securing another hub
28
(as described in connection with
FIG. 8
below).
Each channel bar
24
a
-
24
c
can be a generally rectangular or U-shaped piece having a hollow interior and opposing openings
44
and
46
at each opposing end. A slot
48
is provided near each opening
44
,
46
and is adapted to receive a detent rib
50
from an anchor
34
or
36
.
FIGS. 3 and 4
illustrate the hub connector
26
a
, although the other hub connector
26
b
can be identical in structure and operation. The hub connector
26
a
has a knuckle housing
52
, a spring release locker piece
54
that is adapted to be fitted inside the housing
52
, and a first anchor
34
a
and a second anchor
36
a
that are connected to the housing
52
by a looped flexible connector
56
in the manner described below. The looped flexible connector
56
can an elastic or non-elastic cord or rope or similar connector.
The housing
52
is generally rectangular and has a hollow interior that communicates with a left elongated opening
60
. An arcuate wall
64
extends along the right side
66
of the housing
52
. Two stopper pillars
68
and
70
(shown in phantom in
FIG. 4
) are positioned inside the hollow interior of the housing
52
. A central circular opening
72
extends through the housing
52
. The housing
52
has an elongated upper opening
74
and an elongated lower opening
76
.
The spring release locker piece
54
has a generally four sided configuration, with an arcuate band
80
extending longitudinally along and away from the left side
82
of the locker piece
54
. A flexible tongue
84
extends at a longitudinal angle along a portion of the right side
86
of the locker piece
54
. Two opposing flexible grips
88
and
90
extend longitudinally along a portion of the top side
92
and the bottom side
94
, respectively, of the locker piece
54
. Each flexible grip
88
and
90
can have a hooked end
96
that extends away from the locker piece
54
. Each hooked end
96
has an angled surface
100
and a stop surface
102
extending from the angled surface
100
. The band
80
, tongue
84
and grips
88
and
90
can be made or molded from the same material as the locker piece
54
. A central circular opening
98
extends through the locker piece
54
. A first bore or channel
58
extends from the top side
92
to the bottom side
94
adjacent the left side
82
, and a second bore or channel
62
extends from the top side
92
to the bottom side
94
adjacent the right side
86
.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the locker piece
54
can be inserted into the housing
52
via the left elongated opening
60
of the housing
52
, and movably retained in the housing
52
. The right side
86
of the locker piece
54
is inserted first, and the angled surfaces
100
of the grips
88
and
90
will slide against the stopper pillars
68
and
70
, respectively, pushing the grips
88
and
90
inwardly towards the top side
92
and bottom side
94
, respectively, of the locker piece
54
. When the hooked ends
96
of the grips
88
and
90
pass the stopper pillars
68
and
70
, respectively, the grips
88
and
90
will be biased away from the top side
92
and bottom side
94
, respectively, to lock or secure the locker piece
54
in place inside the housing
52
.
FIG. 4
shows the locker piece
54
locked in place inside the housing
52
, with the stop surfaces
102
of the grips
88
and
90
abutting the pillars
68
and
70
, respectively, to prevent the locker piece
54
from being pulled out of the housing
52
via the left elongated opening
60
. The tongue
84
is biased against the arcuate wall
64
to bias the locker piece
54
in the direction of the left elongated opening
60
, so as to secure the locker piece
54
inside the housing
52
(which occurs because the stopper pillars
68
,
70
limit the movement of the locker piece
54
in the direction of the left elongated opening
60
). In addition, the opening
72
of the housing
52
is normally mis-aligned with the opening
98
of the locker piece
54
to form an eyelet-shaped combined opening as shown in FIG.
4
. If desired, the locker piece
54
can be removed from the housing
52
by removing the cord
56
from the housing
52
and locker piece
54
, using an instrument to simultaneously push the grips
88
and
90
inwardly towards towards the top side
92
and bottom side
94
, respectively, to clear the stopper pillars
68
and
70
, and then pulling the locker piece
54
out of the housing
52
. The instrument can access the grips
88
and
90
via the upper and lower openings
74
and
76
, respectively.
A first end of the cord
56
is secured inside the anchor
34
a
, with the second end of the cord
56
extending from one opening
120
of the male extension
116
of anchor
34
a
and through the elongated upper opening
74
of the housing
52
. The cord
56
extends through the second bore
62
of the locker piece
54
and the elongated lower opening
76
of the housing
52
into an opening
120
in the male extension
116
of the anchor
36
a
. The second end of the cord
56
is then looped inside the anchor
36
a
to exit another opening
122
in the male extension
116
of the anchor
36
a
to extend back through the lower opening
76
, the first bore
58
, the upper opening
74
and an opening
122
in the male extension
116
of anchor
34
a
. The two ends of the cord
56
are crimped so that the cord
56
forms a loop.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, each anchor
34
and
36
can have the same structure and operation, so only the anchor
36
a
will be described in greater detail. The anchor
36
a
can be a rectangular piece having a hollow interior. The anchor
36
a
is preferably sized and configured so that it can slide into an opening
44
or
46
of any channel bar
24
. In this regard, the anchor
36
a
is preferably slightly smaller than the channel bars
24
, and has the same rectangular configuration to fit inside a channel bar
24
. The body
106
of the anchor
36
a
has a detent
108
cut from a portion thereof, with a detent rib
50
provided on the detent
108
. Thus, the anchor
36
a
can be secured to a channel bar
24
by sliding the outer end
110
of the anchor
36
a
into the opening
44
or
46
, with the rib
50
causing the cut detent
108
to be pushed inwardly until the rib
50
reaches the slot
48
, where the rib
50
will be seated in the slot
48
to lock the anchor
36
a
in place inside the channel bar
24
. To separate the anchor
36
a
from the channel bar
24
, the detent rib
50
is pushed inwardly to disengage the connection, and the anchor
36
a
pulled out of the channel bar
24
. The opposing inner end
112
of the anchor
36
a
has a cap
114
with a male extension
116
that is sized and configured to be inserted into, and to fit inside, either the upper opening
74
or the lower opening
76
of the housing
52
.
Each hub connector
26
can be assembled in the following manner, as described in connection with hub connector
26
a
and
FIGS. 3-5
. First, referring to
FIG. 3
, the locker piece
54
is inserted into and secured inside the housing
52
according to the method described above in connection with FIG.
4
. The cord
56
is then threaded through the male extensions
116
of the anchors
34
a
and
36
a
, the housing
52
and the locker piece
54
in the manner described above to create a looped cord
56
. The two anchors
34
a
and
36
a
are then secured to their adjacent channel bars
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively. This can be accomplished by sliding the outer ends
110
of the anchors
34
a
and
36
a
into the openings
46
and
44
, respectively, of the channel bars
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively, until the detent ribs
50
on each anchor
34
a
and
36
a
are secured in the slots of the channel bars
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively. Finally, the caps
114
of the anchors
34
a
and
36
a
are then inserted through the elongated openings
74
and
76
, respectively, of the housing
52
, to reach the configuration shown in FIG.
5
.
Referring now to
FIG. 5
, each hub
28
has a peg
32
. The peg
32
has a main body
126
that is secured to the hub
28
, and has a shaft
128
extending from the body
126
and terminating at an enlarged but tapered end
130
. The enlarged end
130
can be inserted through the openings
72
and
98
of the housing
52
and the locker piece
54
, respectively, with the shaft
128
retained inside the housing
52
and the enlarged end
130
extending from the housing
52
to support the fabric panels. In particular, referring to
FIG. 4
, the openings
72
and
98
are normally mis-aligned. Since both openings
72
and
98
are sized to be larger than the enlarged end
130
, the enlarged end
130
can pass through the openings
72
and
98
when they are aligned. The openings
72
and
98
can be aligned by pushing the band
80
, such as using two fingers to grip the band
80
and the arcuate wall
64
as shown in FIG.
5
. Specifically, pushing the band
80
will push the locker piece
54
inwardly (with the tongue
84
biasing the locker piece
54
against the arcuate wall
64
), causing the opening
98
to slide in the direction of the right side
66
of the housing
52
until the openings
72
and
98
are aligned. Thus, the orientation of the combined opening formed by the openings
72
and
98
can be changed from a generally circular combined opening (when aligned) to an eyelet-shaped combined opening (when mis-aligned). When the band
80
is released, the locker piece
54
will be biased back into the position shown in
FIG. 4
, where the openings
72
and
98
are mis-aligned. The mis-aligned openings
72
and
98
(i.e., the eyelet opening) will grip the shaft
128
of the peg
32
, but the resulting opening will be small enough to prevent the enlarged end
130
from being withdrawn through the openings
72
and
98
.
To disconnect the hub connector
26
a
from the hub
28
, the user merely pushes the band
80
again to align the openings
72
and
98
, and then withdraws the enlarged end
130
through the openings
72
and
98
.
FIGS. 2
,
6
and
7
illustrate how the top of the channel bar
24
a
is connected to the top-most hub
28
, and how the light fixture
38
is coupled to the channel bar
24
a
. A light or top anchor
37
is inserted into the top opening
140
of the channel bar
24
a
in a similar manner as the anchors
34
a
and
36
a
being inserted into the channel bars
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively. The anchor
37
can also be a rectangular piece having a hollow interior, and is preferably sized and configured so that it can slide into the top opening
140
of the channel bar
24
a
. In this regard, the anchor
37
is preferably slightly smaller than the channel bar
24
a
, and has the same rectangular configuration to fit inside a channel bar
24
a
. The body of the anchor
37
also has a detent cut from a portion thereof, similar to the anchors
34
a
and
36
a
, and operates in the same way to secure itself to the inside of the channel bar
24
a
. The anchor
37
has two openings
142
that are aligned with two openings
144
on the channel bar
24
a
for receiving two pegs
146
. The pegs
146
are used to support the fabric panels. The rear side of the anchor
37
has a slot
148
into which the top hub
28
can be inserted (see
FIG. 7
) in a manner that is well-known in the art. The light fixture
38
has a vertical section or bracket
150
that can be inserted through the top opening
152
of the anchor
37
for retention therein (see FIG.
6
).
FIGS. 2 and 8
illustrates how the bottom of the channel bar
24
c
is connected to the bottom-most hub
28
. A base anchor
40
, which can have a structure similar to that of the light anchor
37
, is inserted into the bottom opening
156
of the channel bar
24
c
in the same manner as the anchor
37
. The rear side of the anchor
40
also has a slot
158
into which the bottom hub
28
can be inserted in a manner that is well-known in the art.
The entire channel bar assembly
20
can be assembled in the following manner. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the top of the upper channel bar
24
a
is first secured to the top-most hub
28
in the manner described in
FIGS. 6 and 7
. Next, the bottom of the lower channel bar
24
c
is secured to the bottom-most hub
28
in the manner described in FIG.
8
. Then, the two hub connectors
26
a
and
26
b
are secured to the two intermediate hubs
28
in the manner described in connection with
FIGS. 3-5
. The light fixture
38
can then be mounted to the light anchor
37
. Thus, the assembly of each channel bar assembly
20
is simple and convenient.
To dis-assemble the assembly
20
, the hub connectors
26
a
,
26
b
are first separated from the intermediate hubs (according to the method described in
FIGS. 3-5
above), and then the anchors
37
and
40
are separated from the top and bottom hubs, respectively.
In addition, the storage of each channel bar assembly
20
is also simple and convenient. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the anchors
34
,
36
,
37
and
40
can be kept inside each respective channel bar
24
for storage, and each cap
114
can be separated from its corresponding housing
52
. Each channel bar
24
can then be folded about the hinges defined by the cord
56
on either side of the housing
52
to form a stack of channel bars
24
for storage. In other words, each hinge is defined by the portion of the cord
56
that extends between either the upper or lower opening
74
or
76
of the housing
52
and the cap
114
of the adjacent anchor
34
or
36
. As a result, the two hinges are defined by portions of the cord
56
that extend between the housing
52
and an adjacent anchor
34
or
36
, as shown in FIG.
3
.
As an alternative, the single looped cord
56
can be replaced by four separate cords, with two separate cords extending between the housing
52
and the anchor
34
a
to form one hinge, and the other two cords extending between the housing
52
and the other anchor
36
a
to form another hinge.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments and alternatives described above are non-limiting examples only, and that certain modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
- 1. A channel bar assembly, including:a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, wherein the hub connector includes a first flexible connector coupling the first end of the hub connector to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second flexible connector coupling the second end of the hub connector to the first end of the second channel bar.
- 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the hub connector includes a first flexible connector coupling the first end of the hub connector to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second flexible connector coupling the second end of the hub connector to the first end of the second channel bar.
- 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the hub connector has a first anchor that is directly secured to the second end of the first channel bar, and which is coupled to the hub connector by the first flexible connector, and wherein the second end of the hub connector has a second anchor that is directly secured to the first end of the second channel bar, and which is coupled to the hub connector by the second flexible connector.
- 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second anchors has a cap that is fitted inside a housing of the hub connector.
- 5. A channel bar assembly, including:a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, wherein the hub connector has an opening that can be changed in orientation from a smaller orientation to a larger orientation.
- 6. A channel bar assembly, including:a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, wherein the hub connector further includes a housing and a locker piece that is movably retained inside the housing, with the housing having a first opening and the locker piece having a second opening, wherein the first and second openings are normally mis-aligned, but are aligned when the position of the locker piece within the housing is adjusted.
- 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing has a first elongated side opening through which the locker piece can be inserted.
- 8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the locker piece has a first side, and includes a flexible tongue extending along a portion of the first side.
- 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the housing has an elongated side opening through which the locker piece can be inserted, and an opposing arcuate wall, wherein the flexible tongue is positioned adjacent the arcuate wall of the housing when the locker piece is positioned inside the housing.
- 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible connectors comprise a looped cord extending from the first channel bar through the hub connector and to the second channel bar.
- 11. A modular display system, including:(a) a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs; and (b) a channel bar assembly, including: (i) a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and (ii) a hub connector that is separate from the plurality of hubs and which includes a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, the hub connector being connected to one of the plurality of hubs.
- 12. A modular display system, including:(a) a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs; and (b) a channel bar assembly, including: (i) a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and (ii) a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, the hub connector being connected to one of the plurality of hubs, wherein the hub connector includes a first flexible connector coupling the first end of the hub connector to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second flexible connector coupling the second end of the hub connector to the first end of the second channel bar.
- 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first end of the hub connector has a first anchor that is directly secured to the second end of the first channel bar, and which is coupled to the hub connector by the first flexible connector, and wherein the second end of the hub connector has a second anchor that is directly secured to the first end of the second channel bar, and which is coupled to the hub connector by the second flexible connector.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second anchors has a cap that is fitted inside a housing of the hub connector.
- 15. A modular display system, including:(a) a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs; and (b) a channel bar assembly, including: (i) a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and (ii) a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, the hub connector being connected to one of the plurality of hubs, wherein the hub connector has an opening that can be changed in orientation from a smaller orientation to a larger orientation, and wherein one of the hubs has a peg that extends through the opening when the opening is in the larger orientation, and that is secured to the hub connector when the opening is in the smaller orientation.
- 16. A modular display system, including:(a) a display frame that is made up of a plurality of legs that are coupled to a plurality of hubs; and (b) a channel bar assembly, including: (i) a first channel bar and a second channel bar, each channel bar having a first end and a second end; and (ii) a hub connector having a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the first channel bar, and a second end hingedly coupled to the first end of the second channel bar, the hub connector being connected to one of the plurality of hubs, wherein the hub connector further includes a housing and a locker piece that is movably retained inside the housing, with the housing having a first opening and the locker piece having a second opening, wherein the first and second openings are normally mis-aligned, but are aligned when the position of the locker piece within the housing is adjusted, and wherein one of the hubs has a peg that extends through the first and second openings when the first and second openings are aligned, and that is secured to the housing when the first and second openings are mis-aligned.
- 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the housing has a first elongated side opening through which the locker piece can be inserted.
- 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the locker piece has a first sides, and includes a flexible tongue extending along a portion of the first side.
- 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the housing has a first elongated side opening through which the locker piece can be inserted, and an opposing arcuate wall, wherein the flexible tongue is positioned adjacent the arcuate wall of the housing when the locker piece is positioned inside the housing.
- 20. The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second flexible connectors comprise a looped cord extending from the first channel bar through the hub connector and to the second channel bar.
US Referenced Citations (28)