Patent Document

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of my application Ser. No. 08/941,927, filed Oct. 1, 1997 is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,920, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a universal connector system, and more particularly to arrangements for connecting modular panels, surfaces or partitions together and more particularly to arrangements for connecting such partitions or surfaces of modular panels together. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Sectional panels and modular walls are the frequent source of a modem office facility today. Such modular panels are assembled with included hardware, requiring assembly skill and patience, in the all too frequently arduous task of finding the pieces and putting them all together. 
     Desks, floors and modular panel assemblies all desperately need a system for connecting, aligning and arranging those assemblies in a neat and orderly fashion, permitting rapid assembly and disassembly as necessary. 
     It is an object of the present invention, to provide an improved universal connector system for walls, desks, work surfaces or floor components which require no special tools, skills or left/right-handed components. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the time and complexity involved required to assemble modular components for floors, walls, desks or like work surfaces. 
     It is a further object of the present invention, to provide a desk, modular panel and work-surface assembly arrangement utilizing a universal connector arrangement which may be pre-attached to that modular component and assembled without tools, extra parts or special assembly equipment required, which tools and extra parts are often misplaced or lost prior to assembly of such components. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a modular component assembly arrangement utilizing a universal connector arrangement as part of that modular component. Such an assembly arrangement is intended to permit alignment, securement, and disassembly of modular components without the need of numerous parts, assembly training or extended periods of time for accomplishing these tasks. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a tensile connector arrangement assembly for joining and aligning a plurality of modular components together. Those modular components may comprise portions of a free-standing desk and return, modular wall panels, or work-surfaces such as tables or floor surfaces. Applications include modular components which require quick and easy assembly for the end user or require repeated re-configuration. 
     Each tensile connector arrangement assembly includes an elongated connecting rod and a first-end joint which is disposed generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod itself, and a second-end having a locking joint disposed generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod shaft. The connecting rod is shown in the aforementioned co-pending application, and in an improved embodiment, has an opening in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the connecting rod to facilitate securement or release of the rod from a corner block to which it is attached. The opening may comprise a slit or a round opening to permit the entry of a tool therein to permit pivoting movement of the connecting rod about its first-end, which first-end pivots in a hinge in a second corner block attached to a further modular panel or the like, which hinged relationship is described in my aforementioned co-pending patent application. 
     The corner block for receiving the tensile connecting rod is generally similar to that of the aforementioned co-pending application, having a generally L-shaped base with a locating hole and a locating pin disposed on its outer face, and a pair of mounting holes on an upper surface to permit the mounting block to be attached to a modular panel or the like. The improved corner block of the present invention has a pair of upstanding guides arranged perpendicular to the uppermost surface, and generally parallel to a pair of pivot hinges disposed therebetween. The upstanding guides permit electrical wires to be arranged between the guides and the pivot hinges in a safe and secure manner. The improved corner block has a groove arranged in each of its side faces parallel to the upper surface, so as to permit a topcap to be slid and secured therewith. A drilled and tapped hole is arranged through the groove on each side of the improved corner block, and on which to mount a base plate. A ramp is arranged in the uppermost surface of the corner block along one side edge to permit the insertion of a flat screwdriver to help dislodge a tensile connecting rod from engagement with the cammed locking detents of the locking fingers. 
     In an embodiment where the corner block may be utilized along the lowermost side of a modular panel, desk component or wall assembly, a tapped hole may be arranged through the generally horizontally disposed planar surface to permit a leg to be threadably received therein, to permit adjustment of height of that particular panel. The upstanding guides may have a tapped and drilled hole therethrough, for attaching electrical or baseplates thereon. 
     The present invention also includes a modified corner block arrangement (a transition block) when one panel is to be attached and securely aligned to a further panel, and the first panel is somewhat shorter or lower than the second panel. The transition corner block may generally include an L-shaped corner block similar to that shown in FIGS. 6 A, B, and C of the aforementioned co-pending application. The transition connector corner block has a pair of locking fingers which extend upwardly from its location on the corner of a lower first panel, upon which is mounted an elongated high-low connector. The high-low connector has a lower knuckle joint with a pair of slots extending through that knuckle joint to mate with the locking fingers on the lowermost transition connector corner block. A second transition connector corner block is mounted on the upper end of the elongated high low connector. The high-low connector is pivotably secured to the lowermost transition connector corner block and brought into alignment with a tensile rod pivotably engaged to the pivot hinges of a full corner block mounted on the uppermost corner of an adjacent panel to which the shorter panel is attached. Upon pivoting engagement of the knuckle joint with the blocking fingers of the lowermost transition connector corner block, the connector rod is arranged to be pivoted into locking engagement with the cammed locking detents on the locking fingers of the upper transition connector corner block on the uppermost end of the high low connector. 
     A further embodiment contemplated for the present invention for connecting a lower or shorter panel to a taller or higher panel is disclosed wherein a full connector corner block has a track connector arranged therewith. The track connector comprises a generally triangularly shaped web of sheet material having a tapered end having an interlockable symmetric shaft extending generally transversely therefrom. The triangular web of planar material has a broad end having a plurality of fingers arranged angularly thereto. The shaft of the track connector at its narrow end, is arranged to mate with the semicircular engaging portions of the pivot hinges on the transition block to which it is attached. A pair of track connectors are arranged from each side of the corner block, each of these shafts of the pivot connectors having an interlocking bar and receiving ramp for engaging the opposing barb of its adjacent track connector. A plurality of fingers extend from the wide end of the web of the track connector and are arranged so as to engage slots on an accessory track on the adjacent larger panel to which the shorter panel is to be attached. These accessory tracks, as described on the taller panel, are common in the art for supporting shelves or accessories. 
     The invention further contemplates an elongated wall mount connector having a transition connector corner block arranged at each end thereof. The elongated wall mount connector has a plurality of bores therethrough to permit securement to a permanent wall by a plurality of screws or the like. The attachment of a panel onto the elongated wall mount connector and thus to the permanent wall, is accomplished by a pivotable tensile rod arranged with an upper and a lower full corner block described in the aforementioned co-pending patent application and hereinbelow. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the tensile rod arrangement, a wallplate may be arranged for attachment to a wall or permanent wall or the like. That waliplate has a plurality of mounting holes or attachment to that wall by screw bolts or the like. That wallplate may also have an alignment pin and an alignment hole for receiving a corresponding alignment pin and an alignment hole on a full corner block to be attached thereto. The tensile rod comprises, in this embodiment, a pair of flexible tension arms extending from the wallplate, each tension arm having a locking pin extending transversely at its distal most end, toward one another. Each pin has a chamfer to permit a corner block to be inserted thereagainst, the locking and alignment pin of the wallplate engaging the alignment hole of the corner block, the locking pins on the flexible tension arms snapping into and being received by the curvilinear surfaces of the pivot hinges on the corner block. Further embodiments of the tensile connecting rod include a wallplate having the mounting holes and alignment pin thereon, as in the aforementioned embodiment, with a single rigid internal tensile arm extending transversely therefrom. The rigid arm has a removable or a spring loaded pin thereon, which removable or spring loaded pin engages the hinge portion of the pivot hinges on a full connector block pressed thereagainst. 
     The invention also includes a modular panel having tensile connector arrangements arranged at each corner thereof, which panel may itself be foldable, by having the perimeter of the panels being comprised of elongated rigid frame arms which are connected to one another by a hinge. Fabric may be arranged between the frame arms, to stretch into place once the frame arms are fully pivoted into their orthogonal orientation, when that panel is to be attached to a wall or a further panel. 
     The corner block may be arranged as a planar form, and not L-shaped in side elevational view. In this planar embodiment, an alignment hole and an alignment pin are arranged on the abutting edge of each corner block. The block has a pair of holes for mounting onto a bottom of a work surface or planar panel, without having a side portion to extend over one edge of the panel. The planar block has a tensile connecting rod pivotably secured to the pivot hinges of each block, only one of those tensile connecting rods needing to be pivotably swung into engagement with the locking fingers of its adjacent connecting block. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the tensile rod, that tensile rod may be comprised of parallel elongated plates having round shafts connecting the ends of those plates therebetween. An elastic bushing maybe arranged around each of the round rods at each end of the tensile shaft to provide a certain resiliency to the tensile connecting rod when it is engaged between a pair of mounting blocks. That tensile rod between the round rods of each end thereof, may be comprised of a rigid rod having threads of opposite hand at each end thereof, similar to that as may be found in a turnbuckle. A rotating cam may be arranged at each end of the tensile connecting rod, in yet a still further embodiment thereof, which cams are supported on the ends of the tensile rod by tightenable adjustment means theretrough. The cammed arrangement on each end of the connecting rod permits adjustment of tension to compression of that rod, as necessary. 
     In a further view of the planar form of the connecting block, that planar block has pair of parallel side edges having a wing extending from each side thereof to permit the wings to be mounted in a slot in a work surface without the utilization of screws. That transition block also has an alignment pin at its front edge thereof and an alignment slot, thereadjacent, each to receive their respective alignment slot and alignment pin of an adjacent planar transition block. The planar transition block may be attached also to the work surface through counter sunk mounting holes, for receipt of screws therethrough. The connecting block of this embodiment has a pair of upstanding locking fingers with cammed locking detents thereon as in the aforementioned embodiments. This transition block includes a pair of side arms extending generally parallel to the locking fingers, the side arms being flexible so as to allow the hinge end or the lock end of a tensile connecting rod to snap between a retaining boss on the distal most ends of each side arm. The retaining boss fits into a recess on either the hinge or the locking end of a connecting rod arranged between two of the connecting blocks. A small boss is also arranged adjacent to the retaining boss, the boss fitting into a slot on the side of a tensile connecting rod, to maintain that tension rod into a fixed position when it is not in use or flipped against a work surface. The tensile connecting rod for this embodiment comprises an elongated shaft having a round short shaft by which the tensile connecting rod locks and or pivots when mated with the appropriate transition blocks. The shafts have a chamber or depressed radius so as to receive the boss from the flexible arms on the transition blocks. A radial groove is arranged at two locations on the pivot end of the tensile connecting rod, and a radial groove is arranged at one location on the locking end of that tensile connecting rod. Those grooves are arranged to receive the small boss when the tensile connecting rod is in its locked or unlocked position so as to help hold it in place. An L-shaped lever extends off of the rounded shaft on the locking end of the tensile connecting rod, to permit the tensile rod to be manually engaged or disengaged on or under a work surface to which the transition blocks are attached. 
     Thus it has been shown a novel and unique arrangement for securely aligning and connecting a plurality of modular components together or towards a pre-existing wall or structure. The tensile connector arrangement assembly includes a pair of transition blocks, one on each panel or wall surface, one each arranged to pivotably hold a tensile connecting rod, the other arranged to receive and securely lock that tensile connecting from the first transition block. Each of the transition blocks have a pin and detent arrangement to permit proper alignment between the respective transition blocks and thus the panels or wall surfaces being connected. 
     The invention thus comprises a modular panel arrangement for the assembly of a first panel to a second modular panel or a portion of a wall, comprising: a modular panel of generally rectilinear configuration, having at least one edge thereon; a first corner block attached to the edge of the panel; an elongated tensile rod pivotally attached to a pivot hinge of the first corner block, the rod having a lug disposed transversely across at least one end of the rod; and a second corner block attached to the second panel or portion of the wall, the second block having at least one cammed locking finger on a base thereof, wherein the tensile rod is swingable about the pivot hinge on the first corner block to permit the lug thereon to engage a cam surface on the second corner block to lockably secure and align the edge of the first modular panel with the second modular panel or wall. The tensile rod comprises an elongated shaft with an opening at one end thereof, the opening arranged to permit a tool to be inserted therein to facilitate unlocking of the lug from the second corner block. An elastic bushing may be arranged about the transverse lug. The elongated shaft of the tensile rod may be threaded on at least one end thereof. The lug may be adjusted with respect to the locking finger by rotating the threaded shaft of the tensile rod. The lug may be a rotatable cam to permit rotative adjustment of the tensile rod with respect to the locking finger. There may be at least one upstanding guide arranged adjacent to pivot hinge to permit management of wires or the like on the corner block. An outer face may be arranged on one end of the corner block, the outer face having a pin locating hole thereon to permit a second block to be properly aligned therewith by a locating pin engaged therewithin. The outer face may have a locating pin thereon to permit the first block to be properly aligned with a second block. The corner block may also comprise an elongated extrusion having an arrangement of cammed fingers on an upper end, and a knuckle joint at a lower end thereof, the knuckle joint engaging an arrangement of cammed fingers so as to engage the elongated extrusion corner block to the first panel. The corner block may include a leg threadedly attached thereto, to permit height adjustment of a first panel to which the first block is attached. The arrangement may include a track connector having a narrow first end with a shaft transversely arranged thereon, and a wide second end with a plurality of engaging fingers extending therefrom. The shaft would be arranged to mate with the pivot hinge on the first corner block and the fingers are arranged to mate with an accessory track attached to the second panel or wall portion. The second corner block may comprise a flat plate with at least one tension arm extending perpendicularly therefrom. The flexible arm may having a pin on its distalmost end for engagement with the pivot hinge on the first corner block. The second corner block may be attached to a portion of a wall. The first modular panel may be comprised of a plurality of rigid frame arms connected by a hinge arrangement at their corners. The frame members may be covered with a flexible fabric, to permit the first panel to be folded into a compact space. The locking finger on the second corner block may have a curved boss which engages a recess on the end of the lug on the tensile rod. The cammed locking finger may be pivotally arranged on the second corner block and be spring loaded on the base to permit the locking finger to move to allow a tensile rod to be readily engaged thereon, with a rigid locking finger arrangement thereadjacent. 
     The invention also includes a method for the joining of a first modular panel to a second modular panel or portion of a wall, comprising the steps of: a method of assembly a modular panel arrangement including a first panel to a second modular panel or a portion of a wall; arranging a modular panel of generally rectilinear configuration, having at least one edge thereon adjacent a second modular panel or portion of a wall; attaching a first corner block attached to the edge of the panel; connecting an elongated tensile rod to a pivot hinge of the first corner block, the rod having a lug disposed transversely across at least on end of the rod; and attaching a second corner block attached to the second panel or portion of the wall, the second block having at least one cammed locking finger on a base thereof, and swinging said tensile rod about the pivot hinge on the first corner block to permit the lug thereon to engage a cam surface on the second corner block to lockably secure and align the edge of the first modular panel with the second modular panel or wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the underside of a freestanding desk and return, connected by a plurality of tensile connector arrangement assemblies; 
     FIG. 1 a  is an enlarged view of the tensile connector arrangements mounted on the desk and return of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a work surface or a floor showing a plurality of modular panels; 
     FIG. 2A is a view taken along the lines  2 A— 2 A in FIG. 2 showing panels attached together by a plurality of tensile connector arrangements; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tensile connecting rod; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a full corner block; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective of a corner block with an adjustable leg arranged therewith; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a high-low connector; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective views of a high-low connector arranged between a pair of panels; 
     FIG. 6B-D are perspective views of transition corner blocks utilized with the high-low connector; 
     FIG. 7 a  is a perspective view of an accessory track connector; 
     FIG. 7 b  is an end view of a pair of accessory track connectors shown in  7   a;    
     FIG. 7 c  is a perspective view of a pair of accessory track connectors attached to a corner block on a modular panel; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wall mount connector having a transition corner block arranged at each end thereof; 
     FIG. 8 a  is a perspective view of an elongated wall mount connector attached to a permanent wall with a modular panel and a tensile connector apparatus attached to thereto; 
     FIG. 9 is a further embodiment of the tensile connector rod arrangement for attachment to a non-modular component; 
     FIG. 9 a  is a perspective view of the tensile connector rod arrangement shown in FIG. 9 and a transition corner block mounted on a modular panel; 
     FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are further embodiments of a tensile connector rod arrangement; 
     FIG. 10 c  is a perspective view of a tensile rod arrangement shown in FIG. 10 a  with a corner block arranged on a modular panel; 
     FIG. 11 shows a modular panel having elongated perimeter portions which are foldable with respect to one another, those elongated portions having the tensile connector arrangement assemblies thereon; 
     FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a corner block and tensile rods between a pair of panels; 
     FIG. 12 a  is an enlarged view of one of the tensile connector arrangements; 
     FIG. 13 is a further embodiment of a rigid connecting rod; 
     FIG. 13 a  is a further embodiment of a tensile connecting rod; 
     FIG. 13 b  is a further embodiment of a tensile connecting rod with a cam thereon; 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B are further embodiments of the connecting block for holding a tensile connecting rod; 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B are views of a further embodiment of a connecting rod; 
     FIGS. 16A and 16B are views of the further embodiments of the transition block and tensile connecting rods; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective representation of an improved embodiment of the corner block shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 18 is perspective representation of a unitary multiple side corner block; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective of the block shown in FIG. 18, with a pair of connecting rods arranged therewith; and 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a plurality of panels joined at their corners by a plurality of multiple side corner blocks connecting those panels. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1 a , there is shown a tensile connector arrangement assembly  10  for joining and aligning a plurality of modular components  12  together. Those modular components  12  may comprise portions of a free-standing desk and return, as shown in FIG. 1, modular wall panels  14 , or work-surfaces such as tables or floor surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. 
     Each tensile connector arrangement assembly  10  includes an elongated connecting rod  16  and a first-end joint  18  which is disposed generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod  16  itself. A second-end having a locking joint  20  disposed generally transversely to the longitudinal axis “L” of the connecting rod shaft  16 , may be seen in an exemplary preferred embodiment in FIG.  3 . In a preferred embodiment however, as is presently shown in FIG. 3, the rod  16  has an opening  22  in alignment with the longitudinal axis “L” of the shaft of the connecting rod  16  to facilitate securement or release of the rod from a corner block to which it is attached. The opening  22  may comprise a slit or a round opening to permit the entry of a tool therein to permit pivoting movement of the connecting rod  16  about its first-end joint  18 , which first-end joint  18  pivots in a hinge  40  in a second corner block attached to a further modular panel or the like, with a preferred improved embodiment of the present invention being now shown in FIG.  4 . 
     The corner block  24  of the present invention, for receiving the tensile connecting rod  16 , is an improvement over that of the aforementioned co-pending application, having a generally L-shaped base  26  with a locating hole  28  and a locating pin  30  disposed on its outer face  32 , and a pair of mounting holes  34  on an upper surface  36  to permit the mounting block  24  to be attached to a modular panel  14  or the like. The improved corner block  24  of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, has a pair of upstanding guides  38  arranged perpendicular to the uppermost surface  36 , and generally parallel to a pair of pivot hinges  40 . The pivot hinges  40  are arranged to receive the first end joint  18  of a tensile rod  16  therebetween. The upstanding guides  38  permit electrical wires, not shown, to be arranged and safely contained between the guides  38  and the pivot hinges  40  in a safe and secure manner. The improved corner block  24  has a groove  42  arranged in each of its side faces  44  parallel to the upper surface  36 , so as to permit a top cap (not shown for clarity) to be slid and secured therewith. A drilled and tapped hole  46  may be arranged through the groove on each side face  44  of the improved corner block  24 , on which to mount a base plate (also not shown for clarity). A ramp  48  is arranged in the uppermost surface  36  of the improved corner block  24  along at least one side edge, as may be seen in FIG. 4, to permit the insertion of a flat screwdriver to help pry up and dislodge a tensile connecting rod  16  from its engagement with the cammed locking detents  50  of the locking fingers which hold the locking joints  18  or  20 . 
     In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the improved corner block  24  may be utilized along the lowermost side of a modular panel, desk component or wall assembly (not shown), and a tapped hole  54  may be arranged through the generally horizontally disposed planar surface  36  to permit a threaded leg  56  to be threadably received therein, to permit adjustment of height of that particular panel to which the improved corner block  24  is attached. The upstanding guides  38  may also have a tapped and drilled hole  58  therethrough, for attaching electrical or baseplates thereon. 
     The present invention also includes a modified hi-lo corner block arrangement  60  (an elongated transition block), as shown in FIG. 6, utilized when one panel is to be attached and securely aligned to a further panel, and the first panel is somewhat shorter or lower than the second panel, as may be seen in FIG.  6 A. The hi-lo connector block  60  may be connected to a standard corner block  24  or may generally include an L-shaped corner block  62  similar to that shown in FIGS. 6B,  6 C and  6 D on an upper end thereof, and a knuckle joint  63  on a lower end thereof, arranged to engage a corner block therewithin. Each transition corner block  62  is comprised of a first face  64  and a second face  66  perpendicular thereto, having only finger portions  68  extending therefrom. One embodiment contemplates mounting holes for screws immediately adjacent the finger portions  68  (not shown herein for clarity). The transition connector corner block  62  locking fingers  68  upon which is mounted the elongated high-low connector  60 . The high-low connector  60  has the lower knuckle joint  63  with a pair of slots  70  extending through that knuckle joint  63  to mate with the locking fingers  68  on the lowermost transition connector corner block  24 . A second transition connector corner block  62  is mounted on the upper end of the elongated high low connector  60  as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. The high-low connector  60  is pivotably secured to the lowermost transition connector corner block  24  and brought into alignment with a tensile rod  16  which pivotably engaged to the pivot hinges  40  of a full corner block  24  mounted on the uppermost corner of an adjacent panel  14  to which the shorter panel  14 ′ is to be attached. Upon pivoting engagement of the knuckle joint  63  with the locking fingers  68  of the lowermost connector corner block  24 , the connector rod  16  is arranged to be pivoted into locking engagement with the cammed locking detents  50  on the locking fingers  52  of the upper transition connector corner block  62  on the uppermost end of the high low connector  60  to thus connect the panels  14  and  14 ′ together. 
     A further preferred embodiment contemplated for the present invention for connecting a lower or shorter panel to a taller or higher panel is disclosed wherein a full connector corner block  24 , as may be seen in FIG. 7 c , has a track connector  78  arranged therewith. The track connector  78  comprises a generally triangularly shaped web of sheet material having a tapered end  80  having an interlockable symmetric shaft  82  extending generally transversely therefrom, as may be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The triangular web of planar material has a broad end  84  having a plurality of fingers  86  arranged angularly thereto. The shaft  82  of the track connector  78  at its narrow end  80  is arranged to mate with the semicircular engaging portions  92  of the pivot hinges on the transition block  24  to which it is attached. A pair of track connectors  78  are arranged from each side of the corner block  24 , each of the shafts  82  of the track connectors  78  having an interlocking barb  94  and receiving ramp  96  for engaging the opposing barb of its adjacent track connector, as shown in FIG. 7 c . The plurality of fingers  86  extending from the wide end  84  of the web of the track connector  78  are arranged so as to engage slots  98  on an accessory track  100  on the adjacent larger panel  102  to which the shorter panel  104  is to be attached. These accessory tracks  100 , as described and as shown in FIG. 7 c  on the taller panel, are common in the art for supporting shelves or accessories. 
     The invention further contemplates an elongated wall mount connector  110  having a transition connector corner block  62  arranged at each end thereof, as may be seen in FIG.  8 . The elongated wall mount connector  110  has a plurality of bores  112  therethrough to permit securement to a permanent wall  114  by a plurality of screws or the like. The attachment of a panel  116  onto the elongated wall mount connector  110  and thus to the permanent wall  114  is accomplished by a pivotable tensile rod  16  shown in FIG. 3, arranged with an upper and a lower full corner block  24  shown in FIG.  4  and described in the aforementioned co-pending patent application and hereinbelow, and as is shown in FIG. 8 a.    
     In yet a further preferred embodiment of the tensile rod arrangement shown in FIG. 9, a wallplate  120  may be arranged for attachment to a wall or permanent wall or the like. That wallplate  120  has a plurality of mounting holes  122  for attachment to that wall by screw bolts or the like. That wallplate  120  may also have an alignment pin  124  and an alignment hole  126  for receiving a corresponding alignment pin  30  and an alignment hole  28  on a full corner block  24  (as seen in FIG. 4) to be attached thereto. The wallplate  120  comprises, as shown in this embodiment in FIG. 9, a pair of flexible tension arms  130  extending from the wallplate  120 , each tension arm  130  having a locking pin  132  extending transversely at its distal most end, toward one another. Each pin  132  has a chamfer  134  to permit a corner block  24  to be inserted thereagainst, the locking and alignment pin  124  of the wallplate  120  engaging the alignment hole  28  of the corner block  24 , the locking pins  132  on the flexible tension arms  130  snapping into and being received by the curvilinear surfaces  92  of the pivot hinges  40  on the corner block  24 , as exemplified in FIG.  9 A. Further embodiments of the preferred tensile connecting rod include a wallplate  136  having the mounting holes  138  and alignment pin hole  140  thereon, as in the aforementioned embodiment, with a single rigid internal tensile arm  142  extending transversely therefrom, as shown in figure 10 a . The rigid arm has a spring loaded pin  144  (as may be seen in figure 10A) or a removable pin  146  (as may be seen in figure 10B) thereon, which removable or spring loaded pin  146  or  144  engages the curved hinge portion  92  of the pivot hinges  40  on a full connector block  24  pressed thereagainst, as represented in figure  10 C. 
     The invention also includes a modular panel  150 , as shown in FIG. 1, having a tensile connector assembly  10  arranged at each corner thereof, which panel  150  may itself be foldable, by having the perimeter of the panels being comprised of elongated rigid frame arms  152  which are connected to one another by a hinge  154 . Fabric  156  may be arranged between the frame arms  152 , to stretch into place once the frame arms  152  are fully pivoted into their orthogonal orientation, when that panel  150  is to be attached to a wall or a further panel. 
     The corner block of the present invention may be arranged as a planar form having a flat base block  158 , as may be seen in FIGS. 12 and 12 a , (and not L-shaped in side elevational view, as shown in FIG.  4 ). In this planar embodiment, an alignment hole  160  and an alignment pin  162  are arranged on the abutting edge of each corner block. The block  158  has a pair of holes  164  for mounting onto a bottom of a work surface or planar panel  166 , without having a side portion to extend over one edge of the panel. The planar block  158  has a tensile connecting rod  170  pivotably secured to the pivot hinges  172  of each block, only one of those tensile connecting rods  170  needing to be pivotably swung into engagement with the locking fingers  174  of its adjacent connecting block  158 . 
     In yet a further preferred embodiment of the tensile rod, as shown in FIG. 13, a tensile rod  176  may be comprised of parallel elongated plates  178  having round shafts  180  connecting the ends of those plates  178  therebetween. An elastic bushing  182  may be arranged around each of the round rods  180  at each end of the tensile shaft  178  to provide a certain resiliency to the tensile connecting rod  178  when it is engaged between a pair of mounting blocks  24  or  158 . That tensile rod  184  between the round rods  186  of each end thereof, in a yet further embodiment as shown in FIG. 13 a , may be comprised of a rigid rod having threads  190  of opposite hand at each end thereof, similar to that as may be found in a turnbuckle. A rotating cam  194  may be arranged at each end of the tensile connecting rod  196 , in yet a still further embodiment thereof, as shown in FIG. 13 b , which cams  194  are supported on the ends of the tensile rod  196  by tightenable adjustment means  198  therethrough. The cammed arrangement  194  on each end of the connecting rod  196  permits adjustment of tension to compression of that rod  196 , as necessary. 
     In a further view of the planar form of the connecting block, that planar block  200  has pair of parallel side edges  202  having a wing  204  extending from each side thereof, as shown in FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b , to permit the wings  204  to be mounted in a slot in a work surface (not shown) without the utilization of screws. That transition block  200  also has an alignment pin  206  at its front edge thereof and an alignment slot  208 , thereadjacent, each to receive their respective alignment slot and alignment pin of an adjacent planar transition block. The planar transition block  200  may be attached also to the work surface through countersunk mounting holes  210 , for receipt of screws therethrough. The connecting block  200  of this embodiment has a pair of upstanding locking fingers  220  with no locking detents  222  thereon, in this embodiment. This transition block  200  includes a pair of side arms  212  extending generally parallel to the locking fingers  220 , the side arms  212  being flexible so as to allow the hinge end  230  or the lock end  232  of a tensile connecting rod  234  shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B to snap between a retaining boss  214  on the distal most ends of each side arm  212 . The retaining boss  214  fits into a recess  236  on either the hinge end  230  or the locking end  232  of a connecting rod  234  arranged between two of the connecting blocks  200 . A small boss  240  is also arranged adjacent to the retaining boss  214 , the small boss  240  fitting into a slot  242  on the side of the tensile connecting rod  234  to maintain that tension rod  234  into a fixed position when it is not in use or flipped against a work surface. The tensile connecting rod  234  for this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. The recesses  236  have a depressed radius so as to receive the boss  214  from the flexible arms  202  on the transition blocks  200 , as shown assembled in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The radial groove  242  is arranged at two locations on the pivot end  230  of the tensile connecting rod  234 , and a radial groove  242  is arranged at one location on the locking end  232  of that tensile connecting rod  234 . Those grooves  242  are arranged to receive the small boss  240  (shown in FIG. 14B) when the tensile connecting rod  234  is in its locked or unlocked position so as to help hold it in place. An L-shaped lever  244  extends off of the rounded shaft on the locking end  232  of the tensile connecting rod  234 , to permit the tensile rod  234  to be manually engaged or disengaged on or under a work surface to which the transition blocks  200  are attached. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the corner block  250  is shown in FIG. 17, wherein a base  252  and edge  254  are arranged in a manner similar to the corner block  24  shown in FIG.  4 . In this embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a pair of spring loaded locking fingers  258  are disposed parallel to and adjacent an inner pair of static stress bearing fingers  260  rigidly secured to the base  254 . The spring loaded locking fingers  260  are pivotable about their lowermost edge, in an arc of 90 degrees, towards the edge  254 , as indicated by arrow “Z”. This articulation permits a rigid (non-elastic) tensile rod, not shown, to more readily snap into location to engage the curved cam locking detents  262  on both sets of fingers  258  and  260 . 
     The preferred embodiments represented by FIGS. 18,  19  and  20  shows a multi-sided corner block  300  that is adaptable for connecting a plurality of panels  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  308 . The multi-sided corner block  300  comprises an elongated “L” shaped body as shown in FIG. 18, having a first end  312  and a second end  314 , with a plurality of pivot hinges  310  arranged at each end  312  and  314  thereof. The block  300  has a corner  316  with a double ended locking hinge  318  thereon, providing a cammed locking detent  320  and  322  arranged to receive a locking joint  324  of a connecting rod  326 , as may be seen in FIG.  20 . In this manner, one of the connecting rods  326  on a first block  300  attached to a first end  312  thereof may be connected to a set of second hinges  322  on a second block, and a further connecting rod  326  on the first block  300  may be connected to a set of first hinges  320  on yet a further block  300 . Alternately, a pair of connecting rods  326  may be arranged in parallel to reinforce one another and help hold a pair of thick panels in alignment. The block  300  has a plurality of bolt holes  328 , alignment pins  330  and alignment pin receiving holes  332 , as may be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19. The multi-sided block  300  thus permits greater stability between attached panels  302  and  308 , and an adaptability by virtue of multiple functional ends  312  and  314 , each end having its own hinges  310  and locking fingers  318  and cam surfaces  320  and  322  respectively, in a manner not shown or taught in the art. 
     Thus it has been shown an improved arrangement for securely aligning, connecting and releasing a plurality of modular components together or onto a pre-existing wall or structure. The tensile connector arrangement assembly includes a pair of transition blocks, one on each panel or wall surface, one each arranged to pivotably hold a tensile connecting rod, the other arranged to receive and securely lock that tensile connecting from the first transition block. Each of the transition blocks have a pin and detent arrangement to permit proper alignment between the respective transition blocks and thus the panels or wall surfaces being connected.

Technology Category: 0