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A modular system includes a first panel having a first channel and a second panel having a second channel. A first coupler is mounted in the first channel, and a second coupler is mounted in the second channel. Each coupler includes a middle portion extending from the base and having an edge rounded

A modular system includes a first panel having a first channel and a second panel having a second channel. A first coupler is mounted in the first channel, and a second coupler is mounted in the second channel. Each coupler includes a middle portion extending from the base and having an edge rounded at least locally to a thickened end of the edge. The middle portion has a length extending beyond the first channel in which the coupler is mounted and into the second channel when the first panel is abutted with the second panel. The couplers are mounted in opposing fashion to cause interference among the thickened ends when the panels are abutted.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A coupler for joining two panels, comprising:a base formed to mount to a channel of a panel; a middle portion extending from the base and having an edge rounded at least locally to a thickened end of the edge; the middle portion having a length to extend beyond a panel channel in which the couple

1. A coupler for joining two panels, comprising:a base formed to mount to a channel of a panel; a middle portion extending from the base and having an edge rounded at least locally to a thickened end of the edge; the middle portion having a length to extend beyond a panel channel in which the coupler is mounted and into an abutting channel panel; and the middle portion and the rounded edge sized to cause interference with a similar connector mounted in opposing fashion in the abutting channel panel, the thickened end forming a lip to engage a lip of the abutting channel. 2. The coupler of claim 1 further comprising:a flat formed below the lip of the thickened end, the flat formed to receive the lip of the abutting channel. 3. The coupler of claim 1, the middle portion further comprising a flat area along a top section of the middle portion.4. A panel lock comprising:a panel lock base; a panel lock side coupled to the panel lock base by way of a flexible hinge portion, the hinge formed to flex in a direction dial urges the panel lock side perpendicular to the panel lock base and against a side of a channel when the panel lock base is against a bottom of the channel; and the panel lock side including a tab substantially perpendicular to the panel lock side. 5. The panel lock of claim 4 further comprising:the panel lock base and panel lock side molded as a single piece. 6. The panel lock of claim 4 further comprising:a cutout to facilitate flexing of the hinge portion. 7. A modular system comprising:a first panel comprising a first channel; a second panel comprising a second channel; a first coupler mounted in the first channel, and a second coupler mounted in the second channel, each coupler comprising a middle portion extending from the base and having an edge rounded at least locally to a thickened end of the edge, the middle portion having a length to extend beyond the first channel in which the coupler is mounted and into the second channel when the first panel is abutted with the second panel; the couplers mounted in opposing fashion to cause interference among the thickened ends when the panels are abutted. 8. The modular system of claim 7, each channel comprising an end having a notch and a lip, each lip tapered such that the tab of a panel lock may slide along the lip and snap into the notch.9. The modular system of claim 7 further comprising:a first panel lock mounted at a top of the first channel; a second panel lock mounted in opposing fashion to the first at a top of the second channel; each panel lock comprising a base; a side coupled to the base by way of a hinge portion; and the side including a notch sized to extend beyond the channel in which the panel lock is mounted and into a notch in the lip of an abutting channel.