Structural joints

Claim 2

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends of lesser cross section than the remainder of said other elements, said terminal ends being engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, means to inhibit relative movement of the said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion being limited by abutment of said terminal ends with said plug, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion and tightly fitting into the abutting end of said passage.

Claim 3

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, and means to inhibit relative movement of the said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion being limited by abutment of said terminal ends with said plug, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion and tightly fitting into the abutting end of said passage, said projection comprising a relatively thin externally threaded extension and a stud member having an internally threaded end cavity threaded on said extension, the inner edge of each of said terminal ends having a radially inwardly directed tab tightly engaged between the face of the plug and the inner end of the stud member.

Claim 4

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, and means to inhibit relative movement of the said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion being limited by abutment of said terminal ends with said plug, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion and tightly fitting into the abutting end of said passage, said projection comprising a relatively thin externally threaded extension and a stud member having an internally threaded end cavity threaded on said extension, the inner edge of each of said terminal ends having a radially inwardly directed tab tightly engaged between the face of the plug and the inner end of the stud member.

Claim 5

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, and means to inhibit relative movement of the said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion being limited by abutment of said terminal ends with said plug, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug element having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion, said projection terminating in an enlarged ball to provide a shoulder, each of said terminal ends having an inwardly extending spring finger engaging under said shoulder whereby longitudinal removal of said terminal ends from the tubular end portion is inhibited.

Claim 6

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, and means to inhibit relative movement of the said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion being limited by abutment of said terminal ends with said plug, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug element having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion, said projection terminating in an enlarged ball to provide a shoulder, each of said terminal ends having an inwardly extending spring finger engaging under said shoulder whereby longitudinal removal of said terminal ends from the tubular end portion is inhibited.

Claim 7

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral wall surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion having slots opening into the end thereof, each of said terminal ends having a radially outwardly extending detent on the outer peripheral wall surface thereof at a distance from the inner edge thereof, said detents being positioned in said slots, whereby the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion is limited and relative rotational movement of the parts is inhibited.

Claim 8

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral wall surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion having slots opening into the end thereof, each of said terminal ends having a radially outwardly extending detent on the outer peripheral wall surface thereof at a distance from the inner edge thereof, said detents being positioned in said slots, whereby the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion is limited and relative rotational movement of the parts is inhibited.

Claim 9

A structural joint according to claim 4 wherein at least some of said detents have enlarged head portions, said enlarged head portions engaging externally of said slots.

Claim 10

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, each of said terminal ends having additional material internally of said sidewalls and said outer wall to stiffen and strengthen the terminal end.

Claim 11

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, each of said terminal ends having additional material internally of said sidewalls and said outer wall to stiffen and strengthen the terminal end.

Claim 12

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, and means to inhibit relative movement of said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug element having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion, said projection terminating in an enlarged ball to provide a shoulder, each of said terminal ends having an inwardly extending spring finger engaging under said shoulder whereby longitudinal removal of said terminal ends from the tubular end portion is inhibited.

Claim 13

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, and means to inhibit relative movement of said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising a plug positioned internally of the tubular end portion, the composite cross section of said terminal ends including a central through passage, said plug element having a projection extending toward the open end of said tubular end portion, said projection terminating in an enlarged ball to provide a shoulder, each of said terminal ends having an inwardly extending spring finger engaging under said shoulder whereby longitudinal removal of said terminal ends from the tubular end portion is inhibited.

Claim 14

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the foRm of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, and means to inhibit relative movement of said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising at least one aperture through the wall of said tubular end portion, at least one of said terminal ends having a radially disposed passageway therethrough at a distance from the inserted end thereof, and a threaded male fastener extending through said aperture and said passageway in threaded relationship therewith and engaging the other terminal end portions to press said portions against the inner wall of said tubular end portion.

Claim 15

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the foRm of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, and means to inhibit relative movement of said terminal ends relative to said tubular end portion, said means comprising at least one aperture through the wall of said tubular end portion, at least one of said terminal ends having a radially disposed passageway therethrough at a distance from the inserted end thereof, and a threaded male fastener extending through said aperture and said passageway in threaded relationship therewith and engaging the other terminal end portions to press said portions against the inner wall of said tubular end portion.

Claim 16

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, said tubular end portion having longitudinal slots in the end thereof, each of said terminal ends having a radially outwardly extending detent on the outer wall thereof at a distance from the inner edge thereof, said detents being positioned in said slots, whereby the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion is limited and relative rotational movement of the parts is inhibited.

Claim 17

A structural joint comprising a first element and a plurality of other elements adapted to be connected therewith, said first element having a tubular end portion, said plurality of other elements having terminal ends engaged within said tubular end portion, said terminal ends having a composite cross section with peripheral surfaces in engagement with the internal surface of said tubular end portion, said tubular end portion being of circular internal cross section and there being three of said terminal ends; said terminal ends each being of tubular construction and having an external configuration reduced to a substantially 120* partial cylindrical sector having radial sidewalls, and an outer wall in the form of a section of a cylinder of a radius to fit the inner wall of said tubular end portion snugly, said tubular end portion having longitudinal slots in the end thereof, each of said terminal ends having a radially outwardly extending detent on the outer wall thereof at a distance from the inner edge thereof, said detents being positioned in said slots, whereby the degree of insertion of said terminal ends into said tubular end portion is limited and relative rotational movement of the parts is inhibited.

Claim 18

A structural joint according to claim 9, wherein said ends are tubular and wherein at least some of said detents have enlarged head portions, said enlarged head portions engaging externally of said slots.

Claim 19

A structural joint according to claim 10, wherein one of said detents is a thumbscrew, said thumbscrew having a shank which extends through the terminal end to which it is affixed, said shank extending through said last mentioned terminal end and into engagement with the inner edges of the two other terminal end portions to provide an expansive force urging said terminal end portions into tight engagement with the inner wall of said tubular end portion to inhibit relative movement of the parts.