Patent ID: 9546675
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A47B,E04B,F16B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A connector for use in displays of the kind which include a display frame formed of a plurality of beams which are joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three-dimensional shape and which have display panels releasably secured to the beams, said connector comprising: a male part secured to a beam such that the male part and the beam are rotationally and axially fixed relative to one another, the male part comprising a first side having a bearing face, a stem rotationally and axially fixed to and projecting directly from the bearing face, a head comprising four noses which project laterally from the stem, and a second side opposite the first side with projections that locate within an open end of the beam on opposite sides of a central web thereof, the stem comprising an axial bore through its center which receives a fastening element engaged in an axial channel in the central web of the beam; and a female part having a wall with an inner face and an outer bearing face, the wall containing an aperture which permits the head of the male part to pass through the aperture and rotatably receives the stem with the bearing face of the male part in contact with the outer bearing face of the wall, the inner face of each wall being profiled to engage the noses when the male part is rotated within the aperture, and the outer bearing face of the wall being disposed outside of the aperture; wherein the aperture of the female part is of cruciform shape and the inner face of the wall or each nose is profiled to provide progressive tightening and alignment and to engage said noses with said inner face of the wall when the beam to which is secured said male part is rotated in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, the male part passing through the aperture in a first orientation and the progressive tightening occurring as the male part is rotated from the first orientation to an engaged orientation.