Connector and connector assembly
A connector and connector assembly are disclosed. The connector may have a body with a first U-shaped surface defining a first axis, a second U-shaped surface defining a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis, a first fastener that penetrates a wall of the first U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the first U-shaped structure, and a second fastener that penetrates a wall of the second U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the second U-shaped structure. The connector assembly may have one or more rods secured within one or more connector bodies by one or more fasteners.
1. A connector, comprising:
a body having:
a first U-shaped structure defining a first axis; and
a second U-shaped structure defining a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis;
a first fastener that penetrates an outer side wall of the first U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the first U-shaped structure; and
a second fastener that penetrates an outer side wall of the second U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the second U-shaped structure, wherein
the first U-shaped structure and the second U-shaped structure are formed to share an integrally formed inner wall,
a length of the first U-shaped structure is equal to a height of the second U-shaped structure, and
each of the first U-shaped structure and the second U-shaped structure have a respective outer bottom wall, the outer bottom wall of the first U-shaped structure being formed in a plane with an axial open end of the second U-shaped structure, and the outer bottom wall of the second U-shaped structure being formed in a plane with an axial open end of the first U-shaped structure.
2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second U-shaped structures are configured to have a flat, curved, or polygonal shape.
3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners are threaded.
4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners are thumb screws.
5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.
6. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the outside wall of the first U-shaped structure has one or more holes for one or more fasteners, and the outside wall of the second U-shaped structure has one or more holes for one or more fasteners.
7. A connector assembly, comprising:
one or more rods secured within one or more connector bodies according to claim 1 by one or more fasteners.
8. The connector assembly in claim 7 , wherein the assembly is configured to form an open framework.
9. The connector assembly in claim 7 , wherein the rods have one or more recesses to receive and secure the fasteners.
10. The connector assembly in claim 7 , wherein the rods have one or more holes to receive and secure the fasteners.
11. A connector, comprising:
a body having:
a first U-shaped structure defining a first axis; and
a second U-shaped structure defining a second axis that is in a plane that is parallel to a plane of the first axis, and that is offset by a predetermined angle from the first axis;
a first fastener that penetrates an outer wall of the first U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the first U-shaped structure; and
a second fastener that penetrates an outer wall of the second U-shaped structure and is configured to clamp a rod within the second U-shaped structure, wherein
the first U-shaped structure and the second U-shaped structure are formed to share an integrally formed inner wall,
a length of the first U-shaped structure is equal to a height of the second U-shaped structure, and
each of the first U-shaped structure and the second U-shaped structure have a respective outer bottom wall, the outer bottom wall of the first U-shaped structure being formed in a plane with an axial open end of the second U-shaped structure, and the outer bottom wall of the second U-shaped structure being formed in a plane with an axial open end of the first U-shaped structure.
12. The connector of claim 11 , wherein each of the planes is parallel to internal side walls of its respective U-shaped structure, and wherein each of the planes bisects its respective U-shaped structure through the open end of the U-shaped structure.
13. The connector of claim 11 , wherein each of the predetermined angles is 90 degrees.
14. The connector of claim 11 , wherein each of the predetermined angles is selected from the group consisting of 30, 45, 60 degrees.