MOLDED CONNECTION JOINT AND/OR HINGE
A system that facilitates an interlocked joint without the need for a locking pin is provided. The system includes a first member having multiple first fingers extending in an outward direction from a side of the first member and multiple first openings defined between each of the first fingers. The system further includes a second member having multiple second fingers extending in an outward direction from a side of the second member and multiple second openings defined between each of the second fingers. When the first member mates with the second member the first fingers are aligned with and engage the second openings and the second fingers are aligned with and engage the first openings such that the first member and the second member are interlocked and inseparable in a tensile direction.
1 . A system that facilitates an interlocked joint comprising:
a first member having a plurality of first fingers extending in an outward direction from a side of the first member and a plurality of first openings defined between each of the plurality of first fingers;
a second member having a plurality of second fingers extending in an outward direction from a side of the second member and a plurality of second openings defined between each of the plurality of second fingers;
wherein when the first member mates with the second member the plurality of first fingers are aligned with and engage the plurality of second openings and the plurality of second fingers are aligned with and engage the plurality of first openings such that the first member and the second member are interlocked and inseparable in a tensile direction.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein when the first member and the second member are rotated with respect to each other to a predetermined angle the first member and the second member are interlocked and inseparable in any direction.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first fingers and the plurality of second fingers have a trapezoidal shape, and wherein the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings have a shape configured to receive to the plurality of second fingers and the plurality of first fingers respectively.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first fingers have a circular cross section and include a first hole defined in the longitudinal direction, wherein the plurality of second fingers have a circular cross section and include a second hole defined in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first hole and the second hole are aligned when the first member mates with the second member.
5 . The system of claim 4 further comprising a pin, wherein when the first member mates with the second member, the pin is inserted through the first hole defined in each of the plurality of first fingers and the second hole defined in each of the plurality of second fingers.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first fingers extend in an outward direction from a side or an edge of the first member, thus forming the plurality of first openings, and wherein the plurality of second fingers extend in an outward direction from the second member, thus forming the plurality of second openings.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the first member and the second member are manufactured of plastic, metal or wood.
8 . An interlocking joint hinge assembly comprising:
a first part having a plurality of first fingers and a plurality of first openings;
a second part having a plurality of second fingers and a plurality of second openings,
wherein when the first part mates with the second part the first fingers align with the second openings and the second fingers align with the first openings, and
wherein when the first part and second part are rotated with respect to each other to a predetermined angle the first part and the second part are interlocked and inseparable in any direction.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first fingers and the plurality of second fingers have a trapezoidal shape, and wherein the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings have a shape configured to receive to the plurality of second fingers and the plurality of first fingers respectively.
10 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first fingers have a circular cross section and include a first hole defined in the longitudinal direction, wherein the plurality of second fingers have a circular cross section and include a second hole defined in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first hole and the second hole are aligned when the first part mates with the second part.
11 . The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a pin, wherein when the first part mates with the second part, the pin is inserted through the first hole defined in each of the plurality of first fingers and the second hole defined in each of the plurality of second fingers.
12 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first part includes a first plate and the second part includes a second plate.
13 . The assembly of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first fingers extend in an outward direction from an edge of the first plate, thus forming the plurality of first openings, and wherein the plurality of second fingers extend in an outward direction from an edge of the second plate, thus forming the plurality of second openings.
14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first part and the second part are manufactured of plastic, metal or wood.
15 . A method of interlocking two members comprising:
providing a first member having a plurality of first fingers and a plurality of first openings and a second member having a plurality of second fingers and a plurality of second openings;
placing the first part adjacent to the second part such that the plurality of first fingers align with the plurality of second openings and the plurality of second fingers align with the plurality of first openings;
pushing the first part and the second part together such that the plurality of first openings receive the plurality of second fingers and the plurality of second openings receive the plurality of first fingers; and
rotating the first part and the second part with respect to each other to a predetermined angle.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein prior to rotating the first part and the second part with respect to each other to a predetermined angle, the method further comprising inserting a pin through a first hole defined in the plurality of first fingers and a second hole defined in the plurality of second fingers.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first fingers and the plurality of second fingers have a trapezoidal shape and a circular cross section.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first part includes a first plate and the second part includes a second plate.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of first fingers extend in an outward direction from an edge of the first plate, thus forming the first openings, and wherein the plurality of second fingers extend in an outward direction from an edge of the second plate, thus forming the second openings.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees.