Modular structures and connector assembly apparatus

• US 7,007,903 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carol Sue Turner
• Original Assignee: Jerry Randall Turner
• Inventors: Turner, Jerry Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US10/403,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20040098943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 248/220.21, 248/223.41, 248/300, 248/220.22, 248/224.51, 248/224.61, 248/475.1
• US Class Current: 248/220.21
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/06 with separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/00 Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs scaffolds, shutterings E04G; structures specially adapted for buildings for special purposes, general layout of buildings, e.g. modular co-ordination, E04H
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/003 Balconies; Decks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2628 Interlocking connectors, e.g. with hooks or dovetails, added to the elongated wooden members
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2632 with dovetail-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/18 of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials of plastic-bound fibres or chips E04F13/16 or with an outer layer of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials; plastic tiles E04F13/0864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/10 of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard , or with a top layer of other materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2203/04 comprising a plurality of internal elongated cavities arranged in substantially parallel rows
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2290/023 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/20 using clamps, clips, wedges, sliding bolts, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular, knock down structure construction system illustrated by three structures, each having connecting portions detachably secured to one another by Trapezoidal Quick Slide Connector Assemblies, also disclosed, that enable a user to erect, without tools, a pre-designed structure.

Additionally disclosed is a manufacturing apparatus for accurately and efficiently mounting connector assemblies on structural parts for later assembly.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connecter component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connecter component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position,

the female connector component vanes being shorter than the male connector component vanes, such that when the male connecter component is fully inserted into the female connecter component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate.

2. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position,

the female connector component vanes offset toward the bottom of their connector face and the male vane being offset toward the top of their connector face, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate and the bottom ends of the female vanes extend beyond the bottom ends of the male vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the male base plate.

3. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load being outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

4. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

the female connector component vanes being shorter than the male connector component vanes, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

5. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

the female connector component vanes offset toward the bottom of their connector face and the male vane being offset toward the top of their connector face, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate and the bottom ends of the female vanes extend beyond the bottom ends of the male vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the male base plate,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

6. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

7. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position,

the female connector component vanes being shorter than the male connector component vanes, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components.

8. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load being inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position,

the female connector component vanes offset toward the bottom of their connector face and the male vane being offset toward the top of their connector face, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate and the bottom ends of the female vanes extend beyond the bottom ends of the male vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the male base plate,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components.

9. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components.

10. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

the female connector component vanes being shorter than the male connector component vanes, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

11. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

the female connector component vanes offset toward the bottom of their connector face and the male vane being offset toward the top of their connector face, such that when the male connector component is fully inserted into the female connector component, the top ends of the male vanes extend beyond the top ends of the female vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the female base plate and the bottom ends of the female vanes extend beyond the bottom ends of the male vanes, to rest, thereby, on the face of the male base plate,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

12. A connector assembly for connecting a first structural part to a second structural part;

said connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

a first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and a second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

the male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

the female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

the male connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

the female connector vanes separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

the female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

wherein the male and female connector components incorporate a width-web reinforcement, bifurcating the connector vanes of one or more connector components,

wherein alignment tabs are situated on the female and male ledges,

the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

13. A method of manufacturing solid structures, comprising the steps of;

(a) providing one or more connector assemblies for connecting a first structural part for a structure to a second structural part;

(b) each connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each component comprising substantially rigid material,

(c) each first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and each second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

(d) each male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

(e) each female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

(f) the vanes for each male connector separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

(g) the vanes for each female connector separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

(h) each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

(i) each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

(j) each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

(k) each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

(l) each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

(m) each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

(n) each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

(o) each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

(p) each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

(q) each female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

(r) the load being outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

(s) the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

(t) dimension control radii being employed at the corners of the joints where the female or male ledges Join the male or female sills, wherein the curvature radius of this joint is essentially equal to the thickness of the material from which the male or female connector components are fabricated and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

14. A method of manufacturing solid structures, comprising the steps of;

(a) providing one or more connector assemblies for connecting a first structural part for a structure to a second structural part;

(b) each connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each component comprising substantially rigid material,

(c) each first male connector component rigidly mounted on said first structural part, and each second female connector component rigidly mounted on said second structural part,

(d) each male connector component comprising a base plate having, a male front face, a male back face, a male top edge, a male bottom edge, two male side edges, and two longitudinal male connector vanes,

(e) each female connector component comprising a base plate having, a female front face, a back face, a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and two longitudinal female connector vanes,

(f) the vanes for each male connector separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top edge of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom edge of their base plate, boundaries of the male vanes defining a trapezoidal shape, essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of a trapezoid,

(g) the vanes for each female connector separated along their length such that the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the top of their base plate extend farther apart than the inner surfaces at the ends of the vanes nearest the bottom of their base plate, the inner surfaces of the vanes defining a trapezoidal shape essentially comprising two sides and the four corner points of the trapezoid,

(h) each male vane comprising a male sill and male ledge,

(i) each female vane comprising a female sill and a female ledge,

(j) each male sill including a load bearing outer face,

(k) each female sill including a front edge, and a load bearing inner surface,

(l) each male ledge including a load bearing outer edge and a load bearing inner face,

(m) each female ledge comprising an inner edge and a load bearing inner face,

(n) each male sill extending forward from the face of the male base plate to the male ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the male ledge,

(o) each female sill extending from the face of the female base plate to the female ledge, rigidly connecting the two and supporting the female ledge,

(p) each male ledge extending outwardly from the male sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the front face of the male base plate,

(q) each female ledge extending inwardly from the front edge of the female sill in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of front face of the female base plate,

(r) the load bearing outer edges of the male ledges, and the associated load bearing outer surfaces of the male sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the interior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the female connector component,

(s) the load bearing inner edges of the female ledges, and the associated load bearing inner surfaces of the female sills, dimensioned and angled in such a way as to precisely conform to the exterior essentially trapezoidal dimensions and angles of the male connector component,

(t) alignment tabs being situated on the female and male ledges,

(u) the alignment tabs on the female connector component situated at the bottom ends of the female ledges and curved backward toward the face of the female base plate, and

(v) the alignment tab on the male connector component situated at the top ends of the male base plate and by which the mated male and female ledges are held rigidly and precisely in position.

15. A method of manufacturing kits for building solid structures wherein the means of mounting male and female connector assemblies on their associated first and second structural parts, respectively, comprises the steps of;

(a) providing one or more connector assemblies for connecting a first structural part for a structure to a second structural part for a structure,

(b) each connector assembly comprising a first male connector component and a second female connector component, each comprising substantially rigid material,

(c) a first male connector component to be rigidly mounted, in the manufacturing process, on said first structural part, and a second female connector component to be rigidly mounted, in the manufacturing process, on said second structural part,

(d) providing a mounting apparatus, said mounting apparatus comprising male or female connector components being spaced apart in an orientation and relationship that substantially matches the orientation and relationship required of selected female or male connector components when properly positioned on the structural parts to be connected,

(e) installing male and female connector components on the associated first and second structural parts by means of said mounting apparatus through the steps of;

(f) mating to each male or female connector component of the mounting apparatus, a corresponding female or male connector component, for the purpose of mounting said corresponding component on a selected structural part,

(g) pressing said corresponding connector components, while mated to the mounting apparatus, into place on the selected structural parts where they are to be installed,

(h) affixing the corresponding connector components to the said selected structural parts,

(i) unmating the mounting apparatus from the, now mounted connector components, leaving the mounted connector components in place on their respective structural parts.