Frame system with releasable couplers

Abstract

Structure and method for assembling a structural frame for use in erecting temporary or permanent structures, which structural frame has a first component having at least one auxiliary elongated web section with an elongated entrance channel opening for allowing insertion into the hollow interior of a coupler component to which is attached a second component. The channel opening defines a wider gap portion through which a coupler component is inserted, and a narrower gap portion that secures the coupler therein attaching the coupler component to an end of the second component. The first and second components are firmly, yet removable, secured together by first inserting the first wider section of the coupler through the wider gap section of the entrance channel opening of the first component, and then sliding the coupler along the hollow interior of the first component until the wider section is located at and within the narrower gap section of the entrance channel opening of the first component.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to structural frame systems, especially those consisting of extruded-aluminum rails or rail-elements and post or post-elements connected together to form a structure, such as a booth, shelving, display, and the like. [0002] Hitherto-known structural frame systems have consisted of particular types of frame members, such as posts and rails, which are joinable together by various means including clips, screws, or joiners to create frames for supporting other members, such as panels. A first such prior-art method has been used for supporting shelf panels, and comprises posts and rails where the posts may contain a series of relatively large holes or slots along their face by which rails containing protruding tabs at their ends are attached. In this method, a shelf-frame is constructed by joining the rails to the posts via the tabs being downwardly receivable within the holes or slots. This method is limited to the use of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The structural frame system according to the present invention comprises first elongated, rectangular cross-sectioned components or post elements, and second elongated, rectangular cross-sectioned components or rail elements that are releasably joined or connected to the first components. The first and second elongated components are capable of supporting other members, such as panels, and the like. The first and second components are releasably connected together by means of separate joining means or couplers being capable of securely and releasably joining at least one first elongated component and at least one second elongated component.

Problems solved by technology

This method is limited to the use of thin-wall materials, since the tabs, holes or slots are formed by processes such as stamping.

Structural components compatible with these processes are typically thin-walled angle-sections, which are, structurally, less efficient than sections such as rectangular hollow sections.

The assembled frame components are relatively limited in load-carrying capacity, and lack relative strength and stability.

In addition, the completed frame is unsightly due to the exposed joining elements as well as vacant holes.

This second prior-art method is limited in that the posts and rails may be joinable only by utilizing connectors which can be slid inside the ends of both sections.

Consequently, a rail may not easily be joined into or removed from an already constructed frame.

This method also lacks versatility and is cumbersome.

This method is cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble, and the position of the rail along the post may need to be determined at each and every connection.

This method also has unsightly exposed screws and requires special tools to assemble.

In addition, owing to the use of a single bolt, the rail often lacks resistance to high torsion, and, since the end of the rail forcibly abuts against the face of the post surface to create a friction grip, marring may occur.

Also, a rail may not be easily added or removed from a completed frame, since rails have depth in the longitudinal direction of posts.

This method may be equally cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble.

This method also employs exposed unsightly grub-screws, and requires tools to assemble.

Also, since the end of the rail forcibly abuts against the face of the post to create a friction grip surface, marring of the post surface is possible, and, also, a rail is not easily added or removed from a completed frame since rails have depth in the longitudinal direction of posts.

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