The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 30, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1996
Charles E Gunter, Mooresville, NC (US);
ABT, Inc., Troutman, NC (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for connecting and aligning frame member sections of a trench with a connector is disclosed according to the present invention. The connector may include horizontal and vertical panel sections each defining a pair of openings therein. Protrusions extending from the ends of the adjacent frame member sections are inserted into the openings to securely connect the frame member sections together. The frame member sections may have a protrusion on both horizontal and vertical legs thereof and the connector may include a peripheral edge portion defining an edge of each of the openings and further defining a gap in the body portion. The gap allows the protrusion to be inserted in the opening. The peripheral edge portion may include a resilient end segment and a guide surface defined thereby for guiding the protrusion into the opening. The peripheral edge portion may also include a side segment defining a guide edge adjacent to the gap which is tapered to help guide the protrusion into the opening. A hinge member may also be provided between the horizontal and vertical panel sections to increase the resiliency of the connector.