Easy to assemble members

• US 6,152,552 A
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Silvis, Gary, Snoke, Steven R., Howland, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US09/528,677
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 312/257.1, 312/263, 312/265.5, 312/111, 312/902, 312/140, 312/265.6, 312/264, 220/4.28, 220/690, 29/513
• US Class Current: 312/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/0075 Flat or flat-like panels connected without frames for panels mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/042
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/02 made of metal only
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/12 with storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/00 Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; nail dispensers B25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/028 by sliding extraction from within a common frame
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/467 Locking bars secured in front of the drawers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/38 using snap-action elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 312/902 Carrying case

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector device for joining two pieces of sheet metal. The present invention also provides a method of assembly utilizing said connector device. The connection comprises a catch within a tab extending from a wall of the container that locks into a receiving opening on a top wall or floor panel.

Claims

1. A method of joining two pieces of sheet metal, comprising:

providing at least one upper tab integral with at least one of said pieces of sheet metal wherein said upper tab is offset from a surface of said sheet metal, said upper tab having a proximal edge and a distal end;

providing an upper catch integral with said upper tab along a proximal edge of said upper catch, said proximal edge of said upper catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said upper tab and said distal end of said upper tab, said upper catch extending from said proximal edge of said upper catch to a distal end of said upper catch, said distal end of said upper catch located between said proximal edge of said upper catch and said proximal edge of said upper tab, said upper catch being bent along said proximal edge of said upper catch, such that said distal end of said upper catch is biased towards said surface of said sheet metal piece;

providing at least one lower tab integral with at least one of said pieces of sheet metal, wherein said lower tab is offset from a surface of said sheet metal piece said lower tab having a proximal edge and a distal end; and

a lower catch integral with said lower tab along a proximal edge of said lower catch, said proximal edge of said lower catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said lower tab and said distal end of said lower tab, said lower catch extending from said proximal edge of said lower catch to a distal end of said lower catch, said distal end of said lower catch located between said proximal edge of said lower catch and said proximal edge of said lower tab, said lower catch being bent along said proximal edge of said lower catch, such that said distal end of said lower catch is biased towards said surface of said sheet metal piece.