Joint apparatus and method, and clamping device for securing joint

• US 6,692,808 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: B & P Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: B & P Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Bristow, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Alexander S.
• Application Number:
  US10/114,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20020146530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 428/58, 428/61, 403/DIG.12, 403/DIG.13, 403/408.1, 525/841, 525/821, 525/822
• US Class Current: 428/61
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/125 using mortise and tenon joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/28 for metal furniture parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/192 Sheets or webs coplanar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/197 with noncoplanar reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface

Abstract

A joint apparatus for joining two objects together with end faces in face-to-face engagement includes first and second flat plates for attachment to faces of the respective objects adjacent the end face. Each plate has a first side edge for facing the first side edge of the other plate when secured to the respective object, and the first side edges each have at least one tongue and recess positioned for alignment with the recess and tongue of the other plate, respectively. The plates are positioned on the respective objects such that the tongues project out from the end face of the object and engage in the recess of the other plate when the end faces are abutted, in a zipper-like fashion. The plates may be temporarily clamped together while the tongues are secured to the face of the opposing object, thereby forming the joint.

Claims

1. A joint apparatus for joining two objects with adjacent end faces of the objects in face-to-face engagement, comprising:

a first elongate, generally flat plate for securing to a face of a first object adjacent an end face to be joined;

a second elongate, generally flat plate for securing to a face of a second object adjacent an end face to be joined;

each plate having a side edge for facing the side edge of the other plate when the plates are secured to the respective objects, each side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the first plate when the plates are secured to the objects and the end faces of the objects are placed together; and

first securing means for securing the first and second plates to the respective first and second objects; and

second securing means for securing each tongue of the first plate to the second object and each tongue of the second plate to the first object.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second securing means comprise mechanical fasteners.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mechanical fasteners comprise screws.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second securing means comprise adhesive.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first securing means comprises a series of spaced suction cups for securing the first plate to the first object and the second plate to the second object, respectively.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including clamping means for releasably securing the two plates together with each tongue engaged with an opposing recess.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the clamping means comprises at least one first clamping member mounted in the first plate facing outwardly from said side edge, and at least one second clamping member mounted in the second plate facing outwardly from said side edge for alignment with respective first clamping member, the first clamping member being releasably engageable with the second clamping member to form an adjustable length clamp, whereby the clamping members can be adjusted to reduce the length of the clamp and thereby draw the two plates towards one another.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each side edge has a fastener receiving indent located between the adjacent tongue and recess for alignment with a corresponding fastener receiving indent in the side edge of the other plate, and each first and second clamping member is mounted in a respective pair of aligned fastener receiving indents.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including at least one releasable clamping device for releasably securing the first plate to the second plate.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein each plate has at least one upwardly directed tab for alignment with a corresponding tab in the other plate, each tab having an opening, and the clamping device extending through the aligned tabs.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping device comprises a bolt extending through the aligned tabs and a nut adjustably mounted on the bolt.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the releasable clamping devices comprise sash-lock type fasteners.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the releasable clamping device comprises a bolt having a head and a shaft having a free end and a threaded portion extending along at least part of the length of the shaft from its free end, a first clamping jaw threadably engaged on the threaded portion of the shaft, and a second clamping jaw slidably engaged on the shaft between the first shoe and head of the bolt, each clamping jaw having an inner, substantially flat face facing the other jaw and extending transverse to the shaft, the inner face having a lower edge, and an inturned lip extending along the lower edge of each inner face facing and aligned with the inturned lip of the other inner face, for engagement under a respective plate.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each plate has at least one indent for receiving the lip of a respective clamping jaw as the bolt is tightened to draw the two clamping jaws together.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein each plate has at least one opening having an edge with an undercut ledge comprising said indent for engagement by the lip of a respective clamping jaw.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each clamping jaw has an opening through which the shaft extends, the spacing between the opening and the lip being such that the bolt is spaced above the plates when the lips are engaged under the respective plates.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each plate has a thickness of the order of 0.5 inches.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each plate has a thickness of the order of 0.05 to 0.3 inches.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each plate is a stamped metal plate.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each plate is a transparent plastic plate.

21. A joint apparatus for joining two objects with adjacent end faces of the objects in face-to-face engagement, comprising:

a first generally flat plate for securing to a face of a first object adjacent an end face to be joined;

a second generally flat plate for securing to a face of a second object adjacent an end face to be joined;

each plate having a first side edge for facing the first side edge of the other plate when the plates are secured to the respective objects;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the first plate when the plates are secured to the objects and the end faces of the objects are placed together; and

at least one first releasable fastener device on the first plate and at least one second releasable fastener device on the second plate for releasable mating engagement with the first fastener device when the tongues and recesses are engaged for releasably securing the first plate to the second plate.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first and second fastener devices are permanently secured to the respective plates.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fastener devices are releasable mounted on the respective plates.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein each plate has at least one fastener receiving opening for alignment with the fastener receiving opening on the other plate when the tongues and recesses are engaged, and the first and second fastener devices are engaged through the respective openings.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, including a slidable mounting assembly associated with each plate for slidably mounting the plate on the, respective object for movement between a retracted position in which the tongues do not project beyond the side face of the object to be joined and an extended position in which the tongues project outwardly from the side face for engagement in the recesses in the other plate.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein each plate comprises an elongate, generally rectangular, planar member having a second side edge opposite the first side edge and opposite end edges.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein each plate has a thickness in the range from 0.05 inches to 0.75 inches.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plates are of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, wood-based materials, resin-based solid surfacing materials, plastic, and metal.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein each plate has first fastener receiving openings for receiving fasteners for securing the plate to the respective object to be joined.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and second plates have second fastener receiving openings in the tongues for receiving fasteners for securing the plates to the second and first objects, respectively, when the tongues are received in the opposing recesses.

31. A joint apparatus for joining two objects with adjacent end faces of the objects in face-to-face engagement, comprising:

a first generally flat plate for securing to a face of a first object adjacent an end face to be joined;

a second generally flat plate for securing to a face of a second object adjacent an end face to be joined;

each plate having a first side edge for facing the first side edge of the other plate when the plates are secured to the respective objects;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate being positioned for mating engagement in the recess in the first plate when the plates are secured to the objects and the end faces of the objects are placed together; and

a releasable clamping device for releasably securing the first plate to the second plate when the tongues and recesses are engaged;

the releasable clamping device comprising a bolt having a head and a shaft and a threaded portion extending along at least part of the length of the shaft, a first clamping jaw threadably engaged on the threaded portion of the shaft, and a second clamping jaw slidably engaged on the shaft between the first clamping jaw and head of the shaft, each clamping jaw having an inner, substantially flat face facing the other jaw and extending transverse to the shaft, the inner face having a lower edge, and an inturned lip extending along the lower edge of each inner face facing and aligned with the inturned lip of the other inner face, for engagement under a respective plate.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein each plate has at least one fastener receiving opening for alignment with the fastener receiving opening in the other plate when the tongues and recesses are engaged, each opening having a fastener engagement edge, and the first and second clamping jaws engage under respective fastener engagement edges while the bolt is tightened to draw the two plates together.

33. A joint assembly;

comprising;

a first object to be joined, the object having a flat face having a perpendicular end face;

a second object to be joined, the second object having a flat face with a perpendicular end face abutting face-to-face with the end face of the first object;

a first generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the first object adjacent the end face to be joined, the plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

a second generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the second object adjacent the end face to be joined, the second plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly protecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate extending into the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate extending into the recess in the first plate;

a fastener apparatus holding the plates and objects together, the fastener apparatus comprising at least one releasable fastener device releasably securing the first plate to the second plate; and

the fastener device comprising a sash-lock fastener mechanism having a first part mounted on the first plate and a second part mounted on the second plate.

34. A joint assembly;

comprising;

a first object to be joined, the object having a flat face having a perpendicular end face;

a second object to be joined, the second object having a flat face with a perpendicular end face abutting face-to-face with the end face of the first object;

a first generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the first object adjacent the end face to be joined, the plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

a second generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the second object adjacent the end face to be joined, the second plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate extending into the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate extending into the recess in the first plate; and

a fastener apparatus holding the plates and objects together;

the fastener apparatus comprising a first securing means securing the tongue of the first plate to the flat face of the second object and a second securing means securing the tongue of the second plate to the flat face of the first object.

35. The assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the first and second securing means comprise adhesive.

36. The assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the first and second securing means comprise mechanical fasteners.

37. The assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the objects comprise banquet tables having table tops with upper and lower flat faces, and the plates are mounted on the lower faces of the table tops adjacent said end faces.

38. A joint assembly;

comprising;

a first object to be joined, the object having a flat face having a perpendicular end face;

a second object to be joined, the second object having a flat face with a perpendicular end face abutting face-to-face with the end face of the first object;

a first generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the first object adjacent the end face to be joined, the plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

a second generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the second object adjacent the end face to be joined, the second plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate extending into the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate extending into the recess in the first plate; and

a fastener apparatus holding the plates and objects together;

each object having a slide mounting device on said flat face and each plate is slidably mounted on the slide mounting device for movement between an extended position in which the tongues project outwardly from said end face and a retracted position in which the tongues are retracted inwardly from said end face and concealed.

39. A joint assembly, comprising:

a first object to be joined, the object having a flat face having a perpendicular end face;

a second object to be joined, the second object having a flat face with a perpendicular end face abutting face-to-face with the end face of the first object;

a first generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the first object adjacent the end face to be joined, the plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

a second generally flat plate secured to the flat face of the second object adjacent the end face to be joined, the second plate having a first side edge adjacent the end face;

each first side edge having at least one inwardly directed recess and one outwardly projecting tongue, the tongue in the first plate extending into the recess in the second plate and the tongue in the second plate extending into the recess in the first plate;

a fastener apparatus holding the plates and objects together; and

a clamping device for releasably securing the plates together with the tongues engaged in the recesses while the tongue of the first plate is secured to the flat face of the second object and the tongue of the second plate is secured to the flat face of the first object.

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein each plate has an engagement edge and the clamping device comprises a pair of clamping jaws each having an inturned rim for engagement under the engagement edge of a respective plate, and an adjustable clamping mechanism connecting the jaws together, the clamping mechanism being adjustable to draw the jaws towards one another and releasably secure them together in an inwardly adjusted position.

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein the adjustable clamping mechanism is spaced above the plates when the jaws are engaged under the respective engagement edges.

42. The apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein the adjustable clamping mechanism comprises a bolt having a head and an at least partially threaded shaft extending from the head, a first one of the jaws having a threaded opening threadably engaged on the shaft and the other jaw having an opening slidably engaged over the shaft between the first jaw and head.