Patent Application
20230103559
Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for connectors for a framing system. More specifically, embodiments are related to unitary connectors for a framing system, wherein each of the unitary connectors include pairs of flanges that extend in parallel away from a base.
Framing is the fitting together of pieces to give structural support and shape. Framing systems can use a wide variety of materials. There are many different types of applications and styles of framing.
Slot framing utilizes straight sections of extruded bars to create custom building projects. The extruded bars have recessions that accept hardware for creating joints or mounting components like hinges, connects, support plates, etc. The profiles of the extrusions within the bars allow for movement of connectors within the recessions for optimum positioning while ensuring a secure fit without welding.
However, current connectors are typically only configured to be inserted into a single recession of an extruded bar. This requires multiple connectors or parts to be used when forming a corner of a frame. Furthermore, the multiple connectors or parts necessary to form a corner utilizing conventional methods creates multiple, and weaker stress points, at each connection.
Accordingly, needs exist for systems and methods for unitary connectors for a framing system, wherein each of the unitary connectors include multiple pairs of flanges that extend in parallel away from a base. Further, each of the pairs of flanges may be positioned at an angle orthogonal to other pairs of flanges, wherein a length of each of the flanges is longer than their width and a length of the base.
Embodiments described herein disclose unitary connectors for a framing system. The unitary connectors may be formed of a single piece of extruded metal, and may be configured to form the boundaries of a framing system. In alternate embodiments, the connectors may be formed of a base that is configured to receive multiple extruded flanges Each of the connectors may be configured to receive multiple pairs extruded bars, wherein each of the pairs extruded bars extend in different directions that are orthogonal to each other. Each of the connectors may include a base and at least two pairs of flanges.
The base may be a solid piece of metal, such as aluminum. In embodiments, the base may be square or rectangular cube in shape with rounded corners. The base may include a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face are positioned orthogonal to each other. The base may also include pairs of receiving orifices on at least one face of the base. In embodiments, each of the faces of the baes may include a pair of receiving orifices. Each of the receiving orifices may be oblong, oval, etc. in shape and be configured to receive a proximal end of a flange.
Each of the pairs of flanges may include a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange may have first faces that are aligned with a face of the base and may have second faces that extend away from the face of the base. In embodiments, the length of each of the flanges may be longer that than a height, width, or length associated with the base. The length of each of the flanges may allow the flanges to be extended into extruded metal. In embodiments, a proximal end of each of the flanges may be extruded to have an oblong, oval, etc. shape. The proximal end of each of the flanges is configured to be press fitted into a corresponding receiving orifice to couple the flanges with the base. The shape of the flanges and the receiving orifices may be selected to increase the surface area between the two, which may add stability to the framing system. In embodiments, a length, height, and width of the proximal ends of the flanges may be shorter than the length, height, and width of the body of the flanges, wherein the length of the proximal ends of the flanges may be less than half of a width of the base.
The first flange and the second flange may be symmetrical flanges that extend in parallel away from the base. The first flange and the second flange may be mirrored images of each other about a plane positioned between the first flange and the second flange. By having multiple flanges extend away from the base in parallel with each other the connector may be coupled to upper and lower surfaces of extruded metal.
The first flange and the second flange may include an inner profile, outer profile, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The outer profile of the first flange and the second flange may have elevated projections with vertical sidewalls and a v-shaped indention, wherein the indention extends along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding flange. In embodiments, the v-shaped indention may be vertically offset from the proximal end of the flange.
The inner profile of the flanges may include a planer sidewall positioned between two tapered sidewalls.
The first orifices of the flanges may be configured to be aligned with each other, such that a coupling mechanism, screw, shaft, bolt, etc. may be inserted through both first orifices. Similarly, the second orifices of the flanges may be configured to be aligned with each other, such that a second coupling mechanism may be inserted through both second orifices.
In embodiments the first pair of flanges and the second pair of flanges may be positioned orthogonal to each other, and be positioned on different faces of the base. This may assist in forming a corner, 90 degree angle, edge, boundary of a frame. In embodiments, the inner flanges of the pair of flanges may form a right angle along with the base . In other embodiments, the first pair of flange sand the second flanges may form a 180 degree connector.
These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the followingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.
Base 110 may be a solid piece of material, such as metal, plastics, etc. Base 110 may be square or rectangular in shape with rounded corners. The base 110 may include a first face 112 and a second face 114, wherein first face 112 and second face 114 are positioned orthogonal to each other. In embodiments, each of the faces 112, 114, etc. of base 110 may be planar faces. In other embodiments, first face 112 and second face 114 may not be positioned orthogonal to each other and may be positioned at any desired angle from each other. For example, first face 112 and second face 114 may be positioned on opposite faces of base 110.
First pair of flanges 115 and second pair of flanges 140 may be positioned on different faces of base 110. First pair of flanges 115 and second pair of flanges 140 may extend in directions that are orthogonal to each other. In other embodiments, first pair of flanges 115 and second pair of flanges 140 may extend in parallel to each other. This may enable each of the pairs of flanges 115, 140, etc. to receive different extruded bars to form the frame, platform, structure.
Each pair of flanges 115, 140 may include a first flange 120 and a second flange 130. First flange 120 and second flange 130 may be configured to extend away from a face of base 110 to a location remote from the face of base 110. In embodiments, the lengths of first flange 120 and second flange 130 may be substantially longer than a length, width, and height of base 110. This may enable substantial contact between the extruded bar (not shown) and first flange 120 and second flange 130. First flange 120 and second flange 130 may be symmetrical flanges, which are mirrored over a plane positioned between first flange 120 and second flange 130.
First flange 120 may include an inner profile 124, outer profile 122, first orifice 126, and second orifice 128. Inner profile 124 may include a planer sidewall positioned between two tapered sidewalls. Outer profile 122 may have elevated projections with vertical sidewalls and a v-shaped indention, wherein the indention extends along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding flange. In embodiments, outer profile 122 may be offset 117 from an edge of first face 112. This may allow the extruded bar to be positioned directly adjacent to first face 112. Additionally, this may allow the extruded bars to form the internal and external boundaries of the frame, without portions of connector 110 extended into an external surface of the frame.
Second flange 130 may include an inner profile 134, outer profile 132, first orifice 136, and second orifice 138. Inner profile 134 may include a planer sidewall positioned between two tapered sidewalls. Outer profile 132 may have elevated projections with vertical sidewalls and a v-shaped indention, wherein the indention extends along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding flange. In embodiments, outer profile 132 may be offset from an edge of first face 112. This may allow the extruded bar to be positioned directly adjacent to first face 112. In embodiments the outer profiles 122, 132 may face away from each other. This may increase the surface area of contact points between the flanges and the extruded bars away from the plane extending between flanges 120, 130, which may enable the flanges 120, 130 to be more susceptible to bend inward rather than outward.
First orifices 126, 136 may be configured to be aligned with each other, such that coupling mechanisms, screws, shafts, bolt, etc. may be inserted through both first orifices 126, 136, which may couple the extruded bar to the flanges at opposite locations. Similarly, the second orifices 128, 138 of the flanges may be configured to be aligned with each other, such that a second coupling mechanism may be inserted through both second orifices 128, 138. In embodiments, a first distance from first face 112 to first orifice 126 may be smaller than a second distance from first orifice 126 to second orifice 128. This may decrease the amount of forces applied between the flanges 120, 130 and base 110.
As depicted in
Furthermore, coupling mechanisms 232, 234 may be configured to be inserted into orifices 126, 128, respectively. This may limit the lateral movement of extruded bar 210. After inserting the coupling mechanisms 232, 234 through the orifices 126, 128, the coupling mechanisms 232, 234 may apply compressive forces towards the plane between the pairs of flanges.
At operation 310, a first extruded bar may be positioned over a first pair of flanges, wherein the first extruded bar may be positioned flush against a first face of a base of the connector.
At operation 320, a second extruded bar may be positioned over a second pair of flanges, wherein the second extruded bar may be positioned flush against a second face of the base of the connector. In embodiments, the first face and the second face of the base may be positioned in planes that are orthogonal to each other.
At operation 330, the first extruded bar may be coupled with the first pair of flanges via screws of other coupling mechanisms.
At operation 340, the second extruded bar may be coupled with the second pair of flanges via screws of other coupling mechanisms. In embodiments, the second pair of flanges may extend from a different face of the base than the first pair of flanges.
At operation 350, these steps may be repeated for other corners and edges to form a frame.
As depicted in
As depicted in the FIGURES, flange 600 may include a v-shaped cutout on the outer profile 610, and an oblong 810 shaped proximal end 620. Proximal end 620 may be configured to be press fit into a corresponding orifice on a face of base 620.
As depicted in
Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or express definitions of any term or terms with which they are utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being described with respect to one particular embodiment and as being illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms. Language designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to: “for example,” “for instance,” “e.g.,” and “in one embodiment.”
References throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present embodiments. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63252824 | Oct 2021 | US |
