Interlock panel, panel assembly, and method for shipping
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
E04B-005/02
E04C-002/40
E04F-015/02
E04F-015/10
E04B-002/02
E04C-002/38
E04B-002/00
E04F-013/07
E04F-013/08
E04H-017/16
출원번호
US-0324944
(2014-07-07)
등록번호
US-9790685
(2017-10-17)
발명자
/ 주소
Brandt, Jeffrey R.
Burt, Kevin T.
출원인 / 주소
BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC.
대리인 / 주소
Standley Law Group LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
A panel comprised of at least one connector that facilitates connection with an adjacent panel. An exemplary embodiment of a panel may be comprised of a female connector and a male connector such that the male connector may be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar pane
A panel comprised of at least one connector that facilitates connection with an adjacent panel. An exemplary embodiment of a panel may be comprised of a female connector and a male connector such that the male connector may be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel. The female connector may include a ridge, and the male connector may include a flange. An exemplary embodiment of a panel assembly may be formed when a male connector of one panel is inserted in a female connector of another panel such that the flange of the male connector slides over the ridge of the female connector to interlock the panels.
대표청구항▼
1. A panel comprising: a female connector; anda male connector adapted to be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel to interconnect said panels, said male connector comprising: a first prong comprising a first side portion having a first proximal portion that is s
1. A panel comprising: a female connector; anda male connector adapted to be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel to interconnect said panels, said male connector comprising: a first prong comprising a first side portion having a first proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a first recessed channel having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said first prong, said first recessed channel relative to and adjoining said first proximal portion such that said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said first recessed channel portion; anda second prong comprising a second side portion having a second proximal portion and a second recessed channel relative to and adjoining said second proximal portion;wherein said first proximal portion is spaced a first distance from said second proximal portion, said first recessed channel is spaced a second distance from said second recessed channel, and said first distance is greater than said second distance; andwherein said first recessed channel is configured to receive a first portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second recessed channel is configured to receive a second portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel to facilitate interconnection of said panels. 2. The panel of claim 1 wherein said second proximal portion is substantially parallel to said second recessed channel. 3. The panel of claim 1 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid female connector comprises a first ridge. 4. The panel of claim 3 wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel such that said first recessed channel of said male connector is adapted to receive said first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 5. The panel of claim 3 wherein said male connector and said female connector are sufficiently flexible such that said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to lock said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 6. The panel of claim 1 wherein said female connector further comprises: a first ridge;a first wall from which said first ridge protrudes;a second wall opposite said first wall; anda second ridge protruding from said second wall. 7. The panel of claim 6 wherein said first ridge is opposite said second ridge. 8. The panel of claim 6 wherein said male connector further comprises: a first flange that extends from said first side portion of said first prong; anda second flange that extends from said second side portion of said second prong;wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a second ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to assist with locking said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 9. The panel of claim 8 wherein said male connector further comprises: a channel formed between said first prong and said second prong;wherein said first prong and said second prong are adapted to flex toward each other when said first flange and said second flange are pushed beyond or slid over said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in said insertion direction. 10. The panel of claim 8 wherein: said first flange extends from a tip of said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid second flange extends from a tip of said second side portion of said second prong. 11. The panel of claim 8 wherein said male connector is adapted to slide relative to said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction in order to unlock said panels. 12. The panel of claim 1 wherein said first side portion is substantially parallel to said second side portion. 13. The panel of claim 1 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid first recessed channel is immediately adjacent said first flange of said male connector. 14. A panel comprising: a female connector; anda male connector adapted to be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel to interconnect said panels, said male connector comprising: a first prong comprising a first side portion having a first proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a first recessed channel having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said first prong, said first recessed channel relative to and adjoining said first proximal portion such that said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said first recessed channel portion; anda second prong comprising a second side portion having a second proximal portion and a second recessed channel relative to and adjoining said second proximal portion, said second side portion of said second prong substantially parallel to said first side portion of said first prong;wherein said first proximal portion is spaced a first distance from said second proximal portion, said first recessed channel is spaced a second distance from said second recessed channel, and said first distance is greater than said second distance; andwherein said first recessed channel is configured to receive a first portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second recessed channel is configured to receive a second portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel to facilitate interconnection of said panels. 15. The panel of claim 14 wherein: said female connector comprises: a first ridge on a first wall; anda second ridge on a second wall;said male connector comprises: a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; anda second flange extending from said second side portion of said second prong;wherein said first flange and said second flange of said male connector are adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge and a second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel such that said first recessed channel and said second recessed channel of said male connector are adapted to receive said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 16. The panel of claim 15 wherein: said first flange extends from a tip of said first prong of said male connector; andsaid second flange extends from a tip of said second prong of said male connector. 17. The panel of claim 15 wherein: said first recessed channel is immediately adjacent said first flange of said male connector; andsaid second recessed channel is immediately adjacent said second flange of said male connector. 18. The panel of claim 14 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid female connector comprises a first ridge. 19. The panel of claim 18 wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel such that said first recessed channel of said male connector is adapted to receive said first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 20. The panel of claim 18 wherein said male connector and said female connector are sufficiently flexible such that said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to lock said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 21. The panel of claim 14 wherein said female connector further comprises: a first ridge;a first wall from which said first ridge protrudes;a second wall opposite said first wall; anda second ridge protruding from said second wall. 22. The panel of claim 21 wherein said first ridge is opposite said second ridge. 23. The panel of claim 21 wherein said male connector further comprises: a first flange that extends from said first side portion of said first prong; anda second flange that extends from said second side portion of said second prong;wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a second ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to assist with locking said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 24. The panel of claim 23 wherein said male connector further comprises: a channel formed between said first prong and said second prong;wherein said first prong and said second prong are adapted to flex toward each other when said first flange and said second flange are pushed beyond or slid over said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in said insertion direction. 25. The panel of claim 23 wherein: said first flange extends from a tip of said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid second flange extends from a tip of said second side portion of said second prong. 26. The panel of claim 23 wherein said male connector is adapted to slide relative to said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction in order to unlock said panels. 27. The panel of claim 14 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid first recessed channel is immediately adjacent said first flange of said male connector. 28. A panel comprising: a female connector; anda male connector adapted to be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel to interconnect said panels, said male connector comprising: a first prong comprising a first side portion having a first proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a first recessed portion having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said first prong, said first recessed portion relative to and adjoining said first proximal portion; anda second prong comprising a second side portion having a second proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a second recessed portion having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said second prong, said second recessed portion relative to and adjoining said second proximal portion;wherein said first proximal portion is spaced a first distance from said second proximal portion, said first recessed portion is spaced a second distance from said second recessed portion, and said first distance is greater than said second distance;wherein said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said second proximal portion and said portion of said first recessed portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said second recessed portion; andwherein said first recessed portion is configured to receive a first portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second recessed portion is configured to receive a second portion of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel to facilitate interconnection of said panels. 29. The panel of claim 28 wherein: said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said first recessed portion; andsaid second proximal portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said second recessed portion. 30. The panel of claim 28 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid female connector comprises a first ridge. 31. The panel of claim 30 wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel such that said first recessed portion of said male connector is adapted to be adjacent said first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 32. The panel of claim 30 wherein said male connector and said female connector are sufficiently flexible such that said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to lock said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 33. The panel of claim 28 wherein said female connector further comprises: a first ridge;a first wall from which said first ridge protrudes;a second wall opposite said first wall; anda second ridge protruding from said second wall. 34. The panel of claim 33 wherein said first ridge is opposite said second ridge. 35. The panel of claim 33 wherein said male connector further comprises: a first flange that extends from said first side portion of said first prong; anda second flange that extends from said second side portion of said second prong;wherein said first flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel and said second flange of said male connector is adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a second ridge of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to assist with locking said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 36. The panel of claim 35 wherein said male connector further comprises: a portion formed between said first prong and said second prong;wherein said first prong and said second prong are adapted to flex toward each other when said first flange and said second flange are pushed beyond or slid over said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in said insertion direction. 37. The panel of claim 35 wherein: said first flange extends from a tip of said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid second flange extends from a tip of said second side portion of said second prong. 38. The panel of claim 35 wherein said male connector is adapted to slide relative to said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction in order to unlock said panels. 39. The panel of claim 28 wherein: said male connector further comprises a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; andsaid first recessed portion is immediately adjacent said first flange of said male connector. 40. A panel comprising: a female connector comprising: a first wall;a second wall opposite said first wall;a first ridge protruding from said first wall; anda second ridge protruding from said second wall; anda male connector adapted to be inserted in a female connector of an adjacent, substantially similar panel, said male connector comprising: a first prong comprising a first side portion having a first proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a first recessed portion having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said first prong, said first recessed portion relative to and adjoining said first proximal portion;a second prong comprising a second side portion having a second proximal portion that is straight and extends distally away from a point of attachment to said panel and a second recessed portion having a portion that is straight and extends distally along said second prong, said second recessed portion relative to and adjoining said second proximal portion;a first flange extending from said first side portion of said first prong; anda second flange extending from said second side portion of said second prong;wherein said first proximal portion is spaced a first distance from said second proximal portion, said first recessed portion is spaced a second distance from said second recessed portion, and said first distance is greater than said second distance;wherein said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said second proximal portion and said portion of said first recessed portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said second recessed portion;wherein said first wall of said female connector is substantially parallel to said first proximal portion of said male connector;wherein said second wall of said female connector is substantially parallel to said second proximal portion of said male connector; andwherein said first flange and said second flange of said male connector are adapted to be pushed beyond or slid over a first ridge and a second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel such that said first recessed portion and said second recessed portion of said male connector are adapted to receive and be adjacent said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 41. The panel of claim 40 wherein: said first proximal portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said first recessed portion; andsaid second proximal portion is substantially parallel to said portion of said second recessed portion. 42. The panel of claim 40 wherein said second side portion of said second prong is substantially parallel to said first side portion of said first prong. 43. The panel of claim 40 wherein said male connector further comprises: a portion formed between said first prong and said second prong;wherein said first prong and said second prong are adapted to flex toward each other when said first flange and said second flange are pushed beyond or slid over said first ridge and said second ridge, respectively, of said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel when said male connector is inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel. 44. The panel of claim 40 wherein: said first flange extends from a tip of said first prong of said male connector; andsaid second flange extends from a tip of said second prong of said male connector. 45. The panel of claim 44 wherein: said first recessed portion is immediately adjacent said first flange; andsaid second recessed portion is immediately adjacent said second flange. 46. The panel of claim 40 wherein said male connector and said female connector are sufficiently flexible such that said male connector is adapted to be inserted in said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in an insertion direction to lock said panels together in a press fit such that said male connector is adapted to resist being withdrawn from said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction opposite said insertion direction. 47. The panel of claim 46 wherein said male connector is adapted to slide relative to said female connector of said adjacent, substantially similar panel in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction in order to unlock said panels. 48. The panel of claim 40 wherein: said first ridge is remote from a first leading edge of said female connector; andsaid second ridge is remote from a second leading edge of said female connector. 49. The panel of claim 40 wherein said first ridge is opposite said second ridge.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Meyerson Steven C., Construction panel and method.
Pugliesi-Conti Jerome (25 bis rue Franklin Saint-Cloud FRX) Girardiere Christian (25 bis rue Franklin 75116 Paris FRX), Snap-fit device for joining two parts together.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.