IP Library Granted Patent US 12,680,295
Granted Patent B2
US 12,680,295 · App. 18/533,494 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Connector with a receiving fin

Inventor: Pauline Nicola Rudge (Glen Ellen, CA)
E04B1/388E04B1/2604E04B1/5831E04B2001/2616E04B2001/266E04B2001/5868
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,680,295
App. No.
18/533,494
Filed
Dec 8, 2023
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3635
USPC
52/271
Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector comprising: a body with at least one guide for receiving an edge of a sheet of material and at least two sockets for each receiving an end of a length of material. Each socket opens in a different direction. There is at least one slot extending axially along a wall of each socket a to permit a tool to be inserted through the slot to engage with the elongate length of material and at least one hole through the wall of each socket for passage of a securing means to prevent axial movement of the elongate length of material.

Claims (22)

1 . A connector consisting of:

a body having at least one guide projecting outwardly therefrom configured to receive an edge of a sheet of a first material and at least two sockets each having an opening configured to receive an end of a length of a second material, each socket opening in a different direction; and

at least one elongated slot extending axially along a first wall of each socket configured to permit a tool to be inserted through the at least one slot to engage the second material, and at least one hole extending through a second wall of each socket configured to receive a securing means that prevents axial movement of the length of the second material.

2 . A connector comprising:

a body with at least one guide projecting outwardly therefrom configured to receive an edge of a sheet of a first material and at least two sockets each having an opening configured to receive an end of a length of a second material, each socket opening in a different direction and having at least one rib extending axially along an inner surface thereof; and

at least one elongated slot extending axially along a first wall of each socket configured to permit a tool to be inserted through the at least one slot to engage the second material, and at least one hole extending through a second wall of each socket configured to receive a securing means that prevents axial movement of the length of the second material.

3 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein the at least one guide is at least two parallel sections that define one or more channels for holding the edge of the first material.

4 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein the at least one guide has at least one aperture for receiving the securing means.

5 . The connector according to claim 2 formed as a single part.

6 . The connector according to claim 2 formed from a synthetic plastics or a recycled synthetic plastics.

7 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein the at least two sockets project at different angles from the body.

8 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein the body has at least one articulated joint to adjust an angle between the at least two sockets.

9 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is rectangular.

10 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is square.

11 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is round.

12 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein the opening of each of the at least two sockets is tapered.

13 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein each rib includes a varying depth.

14 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein each of the at least two sockets or the body includes a stopper plate to limit entry of the end of the second material into each socket.

15 . The connector according to claim 2 wherein each of the at least two sockets or the body includes a stopper ridge to limit entry of the end of the second material into each socket.

16 . The connector according to claim 8 wherein the at least one articulated joint has a locking means to lock the angle between the at least two sockets.

17 . The connector according to claim 8 wherein the at least one articulated joint has two contacting surfaces that each have a raised surface, a lowered surface, and a tightening means to bring the two contacting surfaces together so that the two contacting surfaces engage and cannot articulate with respect to each other.

18 . A kit of parts including at least two said connectors according to claim 2 , at least one said first material, and at least one said second material.

Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250188736A1 · Jun 12, 2025
References Cited (42)
US 3495857A · Hawke et al. · 1970 [cited by applicant]
US 4398841A · Kojima et al. · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 4885883A · Wright · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4910939A · Cavanagh · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5435110A · Stol et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 7883296B2 · Meyer · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 8627632B2 · Werner · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 11174630B2 · Bowron · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 11828056B2 · Styrc et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20060193687A1 · Ghosh · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20100054869A1 · Meyer · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 20110286121A1 · Werner et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20180135295A1 · Bowron · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20220034079A1 · Styrc · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20250188736A1 · Rudge · 2025 [cited by applicant]
DE 2453917A1 · 1974 [cited by applicant]
EP 0591127A1 · 1994 [cited by applicant]
EP 1395714A1 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
EP 1511668A1 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
EP 1896669A1 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
EP 3585209A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
FR 2470892 · 1979 [cited by applicant]
GB 871309 · 1958 [cited by applicant]
GB 910183A · 1962 [cited by applicant]
GB 2118587A · 1983 [cited by applicant]
GB 8706830 · 1987 [cited by applicant]
GB 2182112A · 1987 [cited by applicant]
GB 8523360A · 1987 [cited by applicant]
GB 9018315 · 1990 [cited by applicant]
GB 9609087 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
GB 9901076 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
GB 2395207A · 2002 [cited by applicant]
GB 201413531 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
GB 2619138A · 2023 [cited by applicant]
KR 20130134591A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
KR 20130134691A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 02095153A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
WO 2004013426A1 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO 2006078642A2 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO 2016178637A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018152624A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
Written Opinion of International Searching Authority dated Feb. 5, 2025, for PCT/US2024/058855. [cited by applicant]