Patent ID: 9352875
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: B65D

Claim Text:
1. A connector element, comprising: a body portion formed by a substantially planar first abutment surface, a substantially planar second abutment surface, and a corner surface, wherein said first abutment surface extends to a first terminating edge, wherein said second abutment surface extends to a first terminating edge, wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another, and wherein said corner surface extends between said first terminating edge of said first abutment surface and said first terminating edge of said second abutment surface; wherein a first portion of said first abutment surface extends from a substantially planar lower deck panel support surface to a substantially planar upper deck panel support surface and wherein a second portion of said first abutment surface extends from said lower deck panel support surface above said upper deck panel support surface; wherein a first portion of said second abutment surface extends from said lower deck panel support surface to said upper deck panel support surface and wherein a second portion of said second abutment surface extends from said lower deck panel support surface above said upper deck panel support surface; a first deck panel corner abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a first terminating edge of said upper deck panel support surface between said first portion of said first abutment surface and said second portion of said first abutment surface; a second deck panel corner abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a second terminating edge of said upper deck panel support surface between said first portion of said second abutment surface and said second portion of said second abutment surface; wherein said first deck panel corner abutment surface and said second deck panel corner abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; one or more rail element protrusions extend perpendicular to said first abutment surface; one or more rail element protrusions extend perpendicular to said second abutment surface; an upper slat support surface that extends substantially parallel to said upper deck panel support surface; one or more upper slat protrusions that extend parallel to said upper slat support surface, between said upper deck panel support surface and said upper slat support surface, wherein said one or more upper slat protrusions also extend perpendicular to said first abutment surface and parallel to said one or more rail element protrusions extending from said first abutment surface; one or more upper slat protrusions that extend parallel to said upper slat support surface, between said upper deck panel support surface and said upper slat support surface, wherein said one or more upper slat protrusions also extend perpendicular to said second abutment surface and parallel to said one or more rail element protrusions extending from said second abutment surface; at least one first deflectable flexible finger, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said first abutment surface, and wherein said at least one first deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger; and at least one second deflectable flexible finger, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said second abutment surface, and wherein said at least one second deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger.