Abstract:
A connector, freely insertable and removable to and from T-slots of aluminum profile extrusions after assembly of a frame constructed from a two profile extrusions is provided. The connector is orientable for retention in the slot, but no other retaining fasteners are required between a connector and a profile extrusion. The connectors provide points of support for objects to be mounted on a framework constructed from a plurality of extrusions. The supported objects in turn brace the accessories in the T-slots by locking the rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the profile extrusion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to aluminum profile extrusions and more particularly to an accessory positionable in T-slots of such profile extrusions to provide points of support for objects to be mounted on a frame constructed from a plurality of profile extrusions. The supported objects in turn brace the accessories in the T-slots.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Structures built from modular framing systems based on aluminum alloy structural framing members (commonly termed “profiles” or “profile extrusions”) are lighter and more easily assembled than similar structures made from steel tubes. Ease of assembly and the absence of any need for welding, with consequential labor savings, is an important market place advantage of aluminum profiles over steel tubes. A feature of profile extrusions that confers these advantages is T-slot channels which run lengthwise along the profile extrusions and are open to the exterior faces of the extrusions. Aluminum profile extrusions can be fabricated with a T-slot because aluminum has a lower melting temperature than steel has allowing aluminum to be readily extruded at workable temperatures.  
           [0005]    T-slots allow the quick and easy introduction of a wide variety of attachment accessories which may be oriented to cooperate with the interior surfaces of the T-slot for positioning and locking, often without mechanical modification of the framing member. However, most such devices have required insertion to the T-slot from an open end of the aluminum profile. If it has been desired to mount an object on a framework the connectors to be used to support the object must be placed in the T-slots before assembly of the framework is completed, or, if later modification of the framework is desired to incorporate the object, partial disassembly of the framework has been required.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    According to the invention there is provided a connector for mounting objects on a frame constructed from extrusion profiles having T-slot channels. The connector includes several folds which allow the connector to be oriented for easy insertion to and removal from the T-slot channel of an aluminum profile extrusions, even after assembly of a frame. When oriented for retention in a T-slot, the connector requires no other retaining fasteners between the connector and the profile extrusion to attach the connector to the extrusion. The connectors provide points of support for external objects to be mounted on a frame. The supported objects in turn lock the accessories in the T-slots by holding the rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the T-slots.  
           [0007]    Additional effects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description that follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of mounting connector positioned on a profile extrusion.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting connector of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the mounting connector.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the mounting connector;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an end view of a profile extrusion illustrating positioning of a mounting connector.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a side view of a framework constructed from profile extrusions, the mounting connectors and a supported object.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a front view of a framework constructed from profile extrusions, the mounting connectors and a supported object. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a mounting connector  10  is illustrated with an aluminum alloy extrusion profile  12 . Extrusion profile  12  has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is an elongated member incorporating four T-slot channels  14 , which run in parallel to the direction of elongation of profile  12 . Each T-slot channel  14  has a slit  16  centered in and opening out on to a major exterior face  18  of the extrusion profile  12 . Slits  16  are defined by lips  20  which form part of the major exterior faces  18 . Connector  10  is retained in a T-slot  14  upon insertion and rotation to a position which brings mounting plate  22  to a position perpendicular to the major surface  18  adjacent the respective T-slot.  
         [0017]    FIGS.  2 - 4  present connector  10  from several viewpoints. Connector  10  is made from a single piece of material, preferably a single piece of forged aluminum alloy. Connector  10  is shaped as an open W with one extended outside leg corresponding to mounting plate  22 . The four segments of connector  10  are mutually perpendicular with respect to adjacent segments. Mounting plate  22  is relatively long compared to the other segments of the connector  10  and in the preferred embodiment is intended to extend orthogonally from a major face  18  of a profile extrusion  12  in use. Mounting plate  22  is upstanding from one end of a seat section  24 . Bored into mounting plate  22  are threaded holes  46 , which provide a mating point for fasteners used to attache an object to a connector  10 . The number of holes  46  depends upon the application although one or two holes are typical.  
         [0018]    Projecting downwardly from the end of seat section  24  distal to the mounting plate  22  is a plug section  26 . Projecting from the bottom end of plug section  26  in a direction opposite to seat section  24  is a retaining flange  28 . The terms “upward” and “downward” here do not refer to the eventual orientations of the connector  10  segments as employed, but only to the relative positions of the elements as depicted in the drawings. Plug section  26  and retaining flange  28  form a key section  37  which, in one rotational orientation of the connector with respect to a T-slot channel  14  may be inserted into or removed from the channel, yet in another orientation be restrained from perpendicular removal from the same channel.  
         [0019]    The relative downward oriented surface of seat section  24  and the adjacent orthogonal exterior surface of the plug section  26  form an L-shaped saddle  30 . Further down along plug section  26  from saddle  30  is a beveled surface  32 , which cuts a 45 degree angle to the adjacent surfaces. Across plug section  26  from the lower arm of saddle  30  is on part of an L-shaped latch surface  36 . The interaction of the described segments and surfaces with a T-slot channel  14  is described below with reference to FIG. 5.  
         [0020]    Referring now to FIG. 5, two connectors  10  are illustrated, each inserted into a T-slot channel  14  of a profile extrusion  12  and each having a different rotational orientation with respect to the channel. One connector  10  is oriented to bring the mounting plate  22  orthogonal to a major surface  18  of the profile extrusion  12 . In this orientation flange  28  is brought up against an interior face of lip  20  forming a portion of the interior of T-slot channel  14 . In this position the interaction of flange  28  and lip  20  prevent connector  10  from being pulled directly out of the channel, perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the channel. A connector  10  can be slid in a direction parallel to the channel and out an open of a profile  12  end, if available. Plug section  26  of connector  10  is sufficiently wide to substantially eliminate spacing between the plug section  26  and lips  20 . This restricts the freedom of movement of connector  10  perpendicular to, but in the plane of, the T-slot channel  14  in which the connector is positioned.  
         [0021]    The second connector  10  is rotated, as is required for directly removing the connector from a T-slot channel  14  or inserting the connector to the channel, without moving the connector through an open end of the profile extrusion  12 . Beveled section  32  cuts about a 45 degree angle with respect to adjacent surfaces, an angle selected to result in the insertable end of connector  10  presenting a minimum profile to the slit defined by opposed lips  20 . With the connector  10  presenting a minimum profile, the connector can be moved into and out of engagement with a T-slot channel  14 . Locking or unlocking engagement is done by rotation of the connector  10 , which occurs on a pivot on face  36  of latch section  34 , which is on the opposite face of connector  10  from saddle section  30 .  
         [0022]    The sections and surfaces of connector  10  interact with T-slot channels  14  to retain the connector in a T-slot channel or to allow the connector to be inserted to or withdrawn from a T-slot channel upon rotation of the connector. Connector  10  accordingly is sized to fit a particular size of aluminum profile extrusion. When engaged in a T-slot channel  14 , L-shaped saddle section  30  nestles against an outward surface and an adjacent lining surface of a slit formed by one lip  20 . The L-shaped latch section  34  nestles against the opposed lip  20 , but against an interior surface. Plug section  36  substantially fills the gap between the lips  20 .  
         [0023]    The preferred use for connectors  10  is in groups, as part of a structure or frame constructed from a two or more profile extrusions  12 . Typically, no fasteners are used to hold connectors  10  in a T-slot channel  14 . Rather, the connectors are braced in position by interconnection to other connectors  10 , where there is at least one connector  10  mounted orthogonally with respect to one or more other connectors  10 . In some applications any external brace for a connector  10  may suffice however.  
         [0024]    Referring to FIGS.  6 - 7  an exemplary framework  42  constructed from a board  38 , two connectors  10  and two mutually perpendicular profile extrusions  12  is illustrated. Profile extrusions  12  are held in a fixed positional relationship one with respect to the other, typically by employing one or more well-known fasteners or connectors (not shown). FIGS. 6 and 7 differ from one another only in that connectors  10  in the first figure provide two attachment points for a board while those in the second figure have only one. Board  38  is a planer element, supported from two connectors  10 , one of which is mounted on each profile extrusion  12 . The connectors  10  are positioned in coplaner T-slot channels  14  in a way to position mounting plates  22  in the same plane. Fasteners  40  then attach board  38  to mounting plates  22 . Board  22  provides a link between two mutually orthogonal connectors  10  preventing the connectors from being rotated in their respective T-slot channels  14  and from being moved in the direction of elongation of the T-slot channels. In this way the connectors  10  are braced and become part of the overall framework  42  without any additional hardware fastener interacting between a connector and a profile extrusion  12 . Other uses of the connectors  10  are conceivable where the connectors are not perpendicular to one another. Any structure which fixes the rotational position of a connector  10  in a T-slot channel  14  may be sufficient in an application. For example, a pair of profiles  12  may be laid in parallel, with connectors positioned across a gap between the profiles. A member connecting the profiles  12  could then support the rotational position of the profiles in their respective T-slot channels  14 .  
         [0025]    The connector provides mounting hardware for frameworks constructed from aluminum profile extrusions which can be added, or removed, to the framework using a minimum of mounting hardware and can be installed after assembly of the framework.  
         [0026]    While the invention is shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.