Structural couplings
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to structural couplings for forming of a variety of structures such as floor and wall panels for buildings and internal structures such as hand rails. The structural coupling comprises a structural component or components ( 1 ) provided with coupling leg formations ( 2 ) and locking flanges (F) and a channel section ( 8 ) which interconnect one with the other by means of a snap fit engagement ( 12 ) of the leg formations ( 2 ) of the structural component ( 1 ) with the channel section ( 8 ). This has considerable advantages over the prior art where nuts and bolts were needed to fasten the components together. The use of a common channel section which can be engaged by snap fit action provides an elegant and non-limited method of joining structural components together rather than in a direct fashion as with prior systems.
1. A structural coupling device coupling together structures containing opposing, coupling leg formations provided at their end portions, said device comprising:
a wall strut constructed to define coupling slots adapted to accommodate the coupling leg formations;
a separate channel section containing leg portions which extend into said coupling slots for engagement with the coupling leg formations; and
a snap fitting element operatively and directly engaging said wall strut and said channel section, whereby the coupling leg formations are coupled together.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said wall strut includes outer side walls and inner leg wall formations which define said coupling slots on opposite sides of said wall strut.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said inner leg wall formations include locking ribs, said channel section includes a projecting locking formation, and said snap fitting element is adapted to engage said locking ribs with said projecting locking formation.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said projecting locking formation is formed on an inside surface of a channel base member which connects said leg portions.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said projecting locking formation includes an embossment which provides channel recesses in said channel base member.
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein when said leg portions of said channel section extend into said coupling slots, said channel base member and the coupled structures lie in the same plane.
7. The device of claim 5 , wherein said inner leg wall formations form locking flanges which terminate in said locking ribs, and said snap fitting element is provided with flexible barbs to provide snap fit engagement between said locking ribs and said channel recesses of said channel base member.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the end portions of said leg formations include recesses for accommodating sealing gaskets.