Joint of a supporting frame

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a joint (10) of a supporting frame, which includes a basic unit (12) to connecting with one to six connecting units (11) at a related side plate (111). The connecting unit (11) can connect with related crossbeams (20) to assembling a supporting frame; wherein each connecting unit has provided with a folded elastic plate (112) at both ends with a related groove (113) therebetween to engage with an end of the crossbeam (20). The basic unit (12) is cubic and has one side opening, which can be sealed by a door (13) to form a complete cubic hollow unit. By use of the basic unit engaging with desired connecting units, it provides the joints with various configurations, which can be used at any position in a supporting frame.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional supporting frame is assembled by a plurality of joints and supporting rods to become a frame, which can be formed with various configurations. It is known that the joint must be made with different shape for connecting with one rod, two rods, three rods, four rods, five rods, or six rods at a different position in a cubic frame similar to a supporting frame shown in figure 7. Since many various joints are necessary for assembling a supporting frame, the manufactured cost will be high and the assembly will be more difficult as well as trouble. Moreover, if one certain joint is lacked, another can not replace it and the supporting frame could not be completed. US 4,562,681 discloses a web section for a space frame having a node member attached to each end of the web member. A nodal section of the space frame is made up of four web sections which interconnects the chords of the space frame. Each node member is one quarter of the nodal section. In view of the above problems, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved structure of the joint of a supporting frame to overcome prior known drawbacks, wherein the joint allows easy manufacture of the frame in various configurations in a stable manner. This is achieve by a joint having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Now the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a joint and a connecting crossbeam according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connecting unit of the joint according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of figure 2 in another direction. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a basic unit of the joint according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of figure 4 sealed with a door. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a conversing unit with a special angle of the joint according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a supporting frame according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to figures 1 to 5, a joint (10) of the present invention is comprised of a basic unit (12) and one or more connecting unit (11). As shown in figures 2 and 3, the connecting unit (11) being L-shape has provided with an inner folded elastic plate (112) at both ends with a related groove (113) therebetween. The plate (112) and both sides of the unit (11) are provided with a related aperture (114). Two holes (115) are formed on a side plate (111) of the connecting unit (11). Referring to figure 4, the basic unit (12) is cubic and hollow without one side. The other five side plates (121) are formed with five holes (122) thereon. Each opening end of the side plate (121) is provided with a groove (123). Accompanying with figure 1, it can be understood that the assembly of the joint (10) will be completed by connecting the side plate (111) of the unit (11) with one side plate (121) of the basic unit (12) with two screws (30) penetrated into the holes (115) on the plate (111) and a central hole (122) and one selected hole (122) on the side plate (121) of the basic unit (12). A door (13) having five holes (132) thereon is provided to seal the opening of the basic unit (12) after other connecting units (11) are screwed up by a related nut in the cubic unit. A long screw (31) is provided for passing through the central hole of the door (13) and the related hole of the connecting unit at both sides to complete a joint (10). By use of the design of this invention, a basic unit (12) can engage with one to six connecting unit (11) that provides various configuration of the joint for desired use in assembling a supporting frame when it connects with related crossbeam (20). Each crossbeam (20) provided with an end hole (201) can be engaged within the groove (113) of the unit (11) and fixed by another screw (30) penetrated the aperture (114) and the hole (201). Referring to figure 6, it can be seen that a conversing unit (14) is provided with a special angle, which can be 15 degree, 30 degree, and so on. It has two connecting plates with five holes (142) thereon relating to the holes (122) on the basic unit (12) and a side plate (141). The connecting unit (11) is capable of being connected with the conversing unit (14) in a similar way as with the basic unit (12). Each conversing unit (14) is then connected with the basic unit (12) by screwing up. Due to an inclined direction provided by the conversing unit, a different configuration of supporting frame is provided. The supporting frame can be a cubic configuration with top inclined rack or any other desired structure. Of course, a circular plate (15) with connecting units thereon can be provided when the frame is going to stand as shown in figure 7. The present invention makes use of a joint, which can be manufactured easily to form various configurations to connect with one to six crossbeams and complete a cubic frame and/or an inclined rack. Thus it has excellent practical value in the field.

Claims: A joint (10) of a supporting frame comprising: a basic unit (12) being cubic, made integrally in one piece and having an opening formed on a side; at least one connecting unit (11) connecting a related side plate (121) of the basic unit (12), wherein the related side plate (121) is adapted for a related crossbeam (20), the connecting unit (11) includes a folded elastic plate (112) extending from each end thereof, and a related groove (113) formed therebetween to clamp with an end of the related crossbeam (20); and a door (13) enclosing the basic unit (12). The joint (10) of supporting frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting unit (11) has a side plate (111) with two apertures (115) formed therein, and the side plate (121) has five holes (122) formed therein and two screws (30) penetrating through the apertures (115) to a related hole (122) of the basic unit (12) for connection between the connecting unit (11) and the basic unit (12). The joint (10) of supporting frame as claimed in claim 1, further including a conversing unit (14) having two end plates connecting the basic unit (12) and the connecting unit (11) respectively, and an inclined angle sandwiches between the two end plates, whereby the crossbeam (20) is capable of connection to the connecting unit (11) in an inclined-rack manner.

Inventors: JUNG CHAN SHIH, JUNG, CHAN SHIH
Applicants: JUNG CHAN SHIH, JUNG, CHAN SHIH
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F16B7
IPC codes: E04B1, F16B7