Panel connector and panel assembly using same

Abstract

A panel connector has a central elongated structural member and two pairs of flanges projecting generally outward from the central elongated structural member and toward one another. The flanges hold corresponding flanges from panels. The panel connector may also have two spines attached thereto with the flanges attached to the spines. The central elongated structural member mats have differing configurations.

1 . A panel connector comprising: 
 a central elongated structural member having an outer surface and a length;    a first pair of flanges extending away from a first portion of the outer surface of the central elongated structural member, each of the flanges in the first pair of flanges projecting generally outwardly from the central elongated structural member and projecting inwardly toward one another at a predetermined angle relative to the central elongated member; and    a second pair of flanges extending away from a second portion of the outer surface of the central elongated structural member, each of the flanges in the second pair of flanges projecting generally outwardly from the central elongated structural member and projecting inwardly toward one another at a predetermined angle relative to the central elongated member.    
   
   
       2 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein the predetermined angle is less than 70°.  
   
   
       3 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein the predetermined angle is about 40°.  
   
   
       4 . The panel connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the central elongated structural member is generally annular in cross section.  
   
   
       5 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein the central elongated structural member has a cross section that is selected from the group including generally C-shaped, generally U-shaped, generally rectangular, generally square, and generally I-shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second pairs of flanges extend at least 80% of the length of the central elongated structural member.  
   
   
       7 . The panel connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the central elongated structural member has an opening extending therealong to receive electrical and optical cabling.  
   
   
       8 . The panel connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the flanges are directly attached to the central elongated structural member.  
   
   
       9 . The panel connector according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated spine attached to each of the first and second portions of the outer surface of the central elongated structural member and each elongated spine having one pair of the flanges attached thereto.  
   
   
       10 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second portions of the external surface of the central elongated structural member are generally flat.  
   
   
       11 . The panel connector according to  claim 1  wherein each of the flanges in the first and second pairs have a first portion and a second portion, the First portion adjacent to and extending generally away from the central elongated structural member and the second portion connected to the first portion aid extending generally inward toward the other of the pair of flanges.  
   
   
       12 . The panel connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the central elongated member together with the first and second pairs of flanges provide structural support to panels in a panel assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A panel assembly comprising: 
 at least two panels, each of the at least two panels having a first outer covering and a second outer covering spaced from one another, each of the first and second outer coverings having flanges along opposing sides and projecting inward toward each other and backward toward the panel; and    at least one panel connector, the at least one panel connector comprising a central elongated structural member and two pair of flanges extending outwardly from the central elongated structural member, each flange in each of the pair of flanges engaging one flange from each of two of the at least two panels to secure the at least two panels to one another.    
   
   
       14 . The panel assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the panels have a height and the panel connector extends at least 80% of the height of the panels.  
   
   
       15 . The panel assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the panel assembly is used as a portion of a structure selected from structures that includes a wall, a roof, a floor, and a fence.