Patent ID: 7497531

Claim:
A modular counter assembly comprising: a shell for supporting and containing customized components, said shell being comprised of a metal framework having a plurality of removably attached lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports, and side panels that are removably attached at the lower edge to the shell and framework by means of a plurality of metal connecting clips; wherein said shell and framework comprise a plurality of modules removably attached to each other by means of angled splices; wherein said shell and framework additionally are capable of supporting countertops and side panels; and wherein the metal connecting clips are comprised of one piece in the form of a rectangular box with one face open, with open slots at each corner of the open face extending down to the opposite closed side of said box and specifically sized to be inserted onto the lower perimeter rails of said framework, and with one long face extending above the plane of the open face, then curving outward at a 90-degree angle away from said box, and terminating with a small tab portion that curves upward at a 90-degree angle toward the plane of said closed face.