Method for assembling structural components and related attachment apparatus

Abstract

A manufacturing assembly includes a frame that is formed by at least one first structural component secured to one end of at least one box beam. A first attachment plate is attached to the first structural component, the attachment plate having a plurality of tongues while a second attachment plate is attached to the end of the at least one box beam. The second attachment plate includes a plurality of grooves for receiving the tongues of the first attachment plate so as to permit locking interconnection therebetween.

1 . A freestanding display comprising: 
 a frame formed by a pair of vertically disposed legs secured to opposing ends of at least one horizontally disposed box beam member, a first attachment plate secured to the exterior of one of said vertically disposed legs, said first attachment plate including a plurality of tongues, and a second attachment plate secured to an open end of said at least one box beam member, said second attachment plate including a plurality of grooves for receiving said tongues of said first attachment plate to provide interconnection therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . A display as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment plates are secured to said at least one box beam member and said at least one leg by means of fasteners.  
   
   
       3 . A display as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each of said attachment plates include slots for receiving the heads of the fasteners of an opposing attachment plate, enabling said plates to be placed in intimate contact with one another.  
   
   
       4 . A display as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second attachment plates comprises multiple interconnecting planar sections.  
   
   
       5 . A display as recited in  claim 1 , including means for securing said first and second attachment plates together once a tongue and groove engagement has been enabled.  
   
   
       6 . A display as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said first and second attachment plates include a series of holes adjacent an edge thereof for receiving fasteners to secure said first and second attachment plates after said tongue and groove connection has been enabled.  
   
   
       7 . A display as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said fasteners securing said first and second attachment plates are further engaged with one of said at least one box beam member and said at least one leg.  
   
   
       8 . A manufacturing assembly comprising: 
 a pair of attachment plates for use in interconnecting at least two structural components, said pair of attachment plates comprising:    a first attachment plate and a second attachment plate, each of said plates having means for securing said plate to a structural component of a manufacturing assembly, wherein one of said attachment plates includes a plurality of tongues for engaging a corresponding number of grooves provided in the other of said attachment plates to provide interconnection when each of said plates are first secured to corresponding structural components.    
   
   
       9 . A manufacturing assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said means for securing said attachment plates includes fasteners attached through holes provided in said plate to a said structural component, said attachment plates further including means for receiving the heads of fasteners of an opposing attachment plate to permit intimate contact therebetween.  
   
   
       10 . A manufacturing assembly as recited in  claim 8 , including means for securing said first and said second attachment plates together once a tongue and groove interconnection has been enabled.  
   
   
       11 . A manufacturing assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said first and second attachment plates is made from at least two interconnecting planar members.  
   
   
       12 . A manufacturing assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said structural components are assembled orthogonally to one another in said manufacturing assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A method for assembling structural components, the method including the steps of: 
 securing a first attachment plate to a first structural component, said first attachment plate including a plurality of tongues;    securing a second attachment plate to a second structural component, said second attachment plate including a plurality of grooves;    aligning the grooves of said second attachment plate with the tongues of said first attachment plate and sliding said tongues into the grooves to provide an interconnecting fit therebetween.    
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , including the additional step of securing said first and said second attachment plates together once said tongues have engaged the grooves.  
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said structural components are box beams.  
   
   
       16 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said structural components are orthogonally oriented relative to one another.  
   
   
       17 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said securing steps include the additional steps of: 
 using fasteners to secure said first attachment plate to said first structural component;    using fasteners to secure said second attachment plate to said second structural component;    aligning the heads of the fasteners with slots provided on each of the opposing attachment plates to permit said plates to be placed in intimate contact.