Patent ID: 6152552
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A47B,B25H,E05B,F16B,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of joining two pieces of sheet metal, comprising:providing at least one upper tab integral with at least one of said pieces of sheet metal wherein said upper tab is offset from a surface of said sheet metal, said upper tab having a proximal edge and a distal end;providing an upper catch integral with said upper tab along a proximal edge of said upper catch, said proximal edge of said upper catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said upper tab and said distal end of said upper tab, said upper catch extending from said proximal edge of said upper catch to a distal end of said upper catch, said distal end of said upper catch located between said proximal edge of said upper catch and said proximal edge of said upper tab, said upper catch being bent along said proximal edge of said upper catch, such that said distal end of said upper catch is biased towards said surface of said sheet metal piece;providing at least one lower tab integral with at least one of said pieces of sheet metal, wherein said lower tab is offset from a surface of said sheet metal piece said lower tab having a proximal edge and a distal end; anda lower catch integral with said lower tab along a proximal edge of said lower catch, said proximal edge of said lower catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said lower tab and said distal end of said lower tab, said lower catch extending from said proximal edge of said lower catch to a distal end of said lower catch, said distal end of said lower catch located between said proximal edge of said lower catch and said proximal edge of said lower tab, said lower catch being bent along said proximal edge of said lower catch, such that said distal end of said lower catch is biased towards said surface of said sheet metal piece.