Patent ID: 7766576

Claim:
An agricultural implement frame comprising: a first frame tube of rectangular cross section; a second frame tube of rectangular cross section; the first and second frame tubes each having lengths and opposed side walls connected at corners by upper and lower walls; and a self-fixturing permanent connection located at a joint location between the first and second frame tubes, the permanent connection including a weldable connector insertible between the first and second frame tubes along the lengths of the tubes inwardly of ends of the tubes and having an upwardly directed channel with planar upright walls having uppermost edges terminating adjacent the first frame tube side walls adjacent central locations on the side walls of the first frame tube between the upper and lower walls of the first frame tube, wherein the planar upright walls contact and are parallel to the side walls of the first frame tube, the weldable connector including a downwardly open channel, the upwardly directed channel conforming generally to the shape of a lower portion of first frame tube, and the downwardly opening channel conforming generally to the shape of an upper portion of the second frame tube, wherein the connector functions as a fixture to locate the first and second frame tubes relative to each other during assembly, wherein the first frame tube is welded at the central locations to the uppermost edges and is substantially devoid of welds adjacent the corners for welding access and distribution of frame tube load and stress.