Frame connector structure

Claim 2

Apparatus connecting a tubular frame element having a generally rectangular cross-section to another structural element comprising: gripping means, made of a material harder than said tubular element, adapted to be connected to said structural element and extending into said tubular frame element engaging at least two of the corners of said frame element, said gripping means including: compressible means rigidly locking said frame element including a plurality of generally planar, interconnected arms which diverge in mutually orthogonal directions to engage all four corners of said tubular frame element; each of the arms having a plurality of relatively elongated, resilient teeth formed therein at the radially outer end of each arm for biting into the material of said frame element to prevent removal of said connector structure therefrom, opposite sides of said teeth being parallel and positioned at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said connector structure, the apices of said teeth pointing toward said structural element.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the outer end of each of said teeth is rotated through an angle of approximately 90* so as to be perpendicular to its respective arm, thereby increasing the flexibility of the arm.

Claim 4

For use with a tubular frame element having a generally rectangular cross-section, the combination therewith of: elongated gripping means made of a material harder than said frame element and having one end adapted to be affixed to a support with its opposite end free for insertion into said tubular frame element, said gripping means including spaced, generally planar, interconnected arms extending from a common support, said gripping means defining four corners corresponding to the inside corners of said tubular frame element for engagement therewith; at least one side of said gripping means forming with the corresponding side of said frame element, a hollow space; the distal end of each arm having a series of longitudinally spaced relatively elongated, resilient teeth formed therein and positioned at an acute angle relative to the length of said gripping means, the teeth being normally slanted in a direction outwardly of the tubular frame element and the teeth being flexibly bent rearwardly upon engagement with the corresponding inside corners of said frame element and the teeth being resilient to maintain contact with said corners, the teeth biting into the frame element for forming a rigid connection between the frame element and said gripping means.

Claim 5

For use with a tubular frame element having a generally rectangular cross-section, the combination therewith of: elongated gripping means made of a material harder than said frame element and having one end adapted to be affixed to a support with its opposite end free for insertion into said tubular frame element, said gripping means including spaced, generally planar, interconnected arms extending from a common support, said gripping means defining four corners corresponding to the inside corners of said tubular frame element for engagement therewith; at least one side of said gripping means forming with the corresponding side of said frame element, a hollow space; the distal end of each arm having a series of longitudinally spaced relatively elongated, resilient teeth formed therein and positioned at an acute angle relative to the length of said gripping means, the teeth being normally slanted in a direction outwardly of the tubular frame element and the teeth being flexibly bent rearwardly upon engagement with the corresponding inside corners of said frame element and the teeth being resilient to maintain contact with said corners, the teeth biting into the frame element for forming a rigid connection between the frame element and said gripping means.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gripping means further comprises: first and second planar members, each of said planar members having a central portion and first and second outer portions on either side of said central portion, said outer portions being positioned at an angle of 45* relative to said central portion, on the same side thereof, the central portions of said first and second members being connected together whereby said outer portions extend in mutually orthogonal directions to engage the corners of said frame element.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said compressible means comprises: a plurality of teeth positioned at the radially outer end of each of said arms for biting into the material of said frame element to prevent removal of said connector structure therefrom.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein opposite sides of said teeth are parallel and positioned at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said connector structure, the apices of said teeth pointing toward said structural element.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the outer end of each of said teeth is rotated through an angle of approximately 90* so as to be perpendicular to its respective arm.

Claim 10

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said hollow space is sufficient in size to receive hooks of shelf supports projecting through slots in the said corresponding frame element side.

Claim 11

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said arms project in mutually orthogonal directions.

Claim 12

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which the arms of said gripping means are dimensioned to engage only the inside corners of said frame element.

Claim 13

The combination as set forth in claim 10 in which said arms project substantially in mutual orthogonal directions.

Claim 14

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said teeth have substantially parallel side edges.

Claim 15

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said tubular frame element is square.

Claim 16

The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which the teeth are individually rotated, the end edges of said teeth extending at an angle of substantially 45* to each of the frame element sides forming the corresponding corner.