Mechanically interlocking frame assemblies

摘要

A structural frame assembly is provided that includes mechanically interlocking components. The frame assembly has rails that interconnect with each other at joints that include brackets that engage the rails and nuts that are held in cavities of the rails that are connected to slots that extend through outer surfaces of the rails. Bolts may extend angularly through bores of the bracket and the slots of the rails to operatively engage a nut being held in the cavity. Tightening the bolts may draw the nut angularly through the cavity in a manner that automatically self-aligns the brackets and rails to establish precise joints.

主权项

1. A structural frame assembly comprising:
a rail having an outer surface, defining a longitudinal axis, and having a slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a cavity that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and connects to the slot; a nut that is housed in the cavity; a structural element engageable with the outer surface of the rail, the structural element having a passageway extending therethrough at a non-orthogonal angle; and a bolt that extends angularly through the passageway in the structural element and into the slot in the rail, the bolt engageable with the nut so that rotating the bolt moves the nut angularly through the cavity;wherein the rail further includes an outer abutment wall that defines at least a portion of a periphery the slot and an inner abutment wall that is connected to the outer abutment wall and that defines at least a portion of a periphery of the cavity, and an edge defined at a location of connection between the outer and inner abutment walls, the edge defining a pivot point about which the nut can pivot when the nut engages the edge while moving angularly through the cavity.