Attachment device

Abstract

An attachment device for connection to a construction member with at least one connection slot or recess is disclosed. Contact ends of two connection members of the device are inserted into the recess separately and then moved into an opposing or back-to-back relationship in the recess. At least one of the connection members has a contact end that is angularly offset from its body. The intersection between the body and contact end defines a pivot point. Once the connection members are placed in the recess, bodies of the connection members outside of the recess are disposed towards each other. The angularly offset contact end pivots about the pivot point moving the contact ends in the recess apart pressing contact surfaces against interior sidewalls of the recess. The outward pressure of the contact surfaces with the interior sidewalls locks the two connection members into place in connection recess.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment device comprising:
 a rail having a recess along a portion of its length, said recess having first and second surfaces that are at least partially opposing;   first and second connection members each having:
 a generally planar body section having a bottom surface and a top surface; and 
 a contact end section having a lower surface disposed at an angle relative to a bottom reference plane defined by said bottom surface, wherein said contact end section includes an upper contact surface that extends above top reference plane defined by said top surface; 
   wherein when said contact end sections of said connection members are disposed in an opposing relationship in said recess and said bottom surfaces of said first and second connection members are juxtaposed, said contact surfaces apply an expansive force between said first and second surfaces of said recess.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each planar body section further comprises:
 an aperture extending through said body section between said bottom surface and a top surface.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a bolt, wherein said bolt is disposed through said apertures of said connection members and compresses said bottom surfaces together, when said contact ends of said connection members are disposed in said recess.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said contact surface is parallel to said bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second surfaces of said recess are parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each said contact surface is a textured surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each connection member further comprises:
 a second end section, wherein at least a portion of said second end section is recessed from said bottom reference plane.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein when said first and second connection members are in said opposing relationship and said bottom surfaces are juxtaposed, said recessed ends collectively define a clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second connection members are physically identical. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first connection member comprises a first body section with a generally planar first bottom surface and a first end section disposed at a first angle relative to said first bottom surface; and   said second connection member comprises a second body section with a generally planar second bottom surface and a second end section disposed at a second angle relative to said second bottom surface.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second angles are different. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, when said contact ends are disposed in said recess and said bottom surfaces are juxtaposed, a distance between said contact surfaces is greater than a corresponding distance between said first and second surfaces of said recess prior to application of said expansive force. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said recess has at least one lip extending from one of said first and second surfaces toward a centerline axis of said recess. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said contact end of at least one of said connection members has a groove adapted to engage said lip. 
     
     
         15 . A method for engaging an attachment device within a recess of a rail member, where the recess has a first side surface and a second side surface that are at least partially opposing, comprising:
 inserting a first contact end of a first connection member into the recess, wherein said first contact end is disposed at an angle to a generally planar bottom surface of a body section of said first connection member;   inserting a second contact end of a second connection member into the recess, wherein said second contact end is disposed at an angle to a generally planar bottom surface of a body section of said second connection member;   at least partially aligning the first and second contact ends in the recess, wherein said bottom surfaces of said connection members are facing one another and wherein a first contact surface of said first contact end faces the first side surface of the recess and a second contact surface of the second contact end faces the second side surface of the recess;   compressing said bottom surfaces said first and second connection members toward one another, wherein said first and second contact surfaces of said first and second contact ends expand outward and contacting said first and second sides surfaces of said recess and apply an expansive force there between.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein compressing comprises tightening a bolt extending though said body sections. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 clamping an element between free ends of said connection members, wherein said free ends are on opposite sides of said body sections from said contact ends.   
     
     
         18 . An attachment device comprising:
 a rail having a recess along a portion of its length, said recess having first and second surfaces that are at least partially opposing;   a first connection member having a first body section with a generally planar first bottom surface and a first end section disposed at a first angle relative to said first bottom surface;   a second connection member having a second body section with a generally planar second bottom surface and a second end section disposed at a second angle relative to said second bottom surface;   said first and second end sections having first and second contact surfaces, respectively, wherein said first and second contact surfaces are adapted to contact said first and second surfaces of said recess, respectively;   wherein when said first and second contact ends of said connection members are disposed in an opposing relationship in said recess and said bottom surfaces of said first and second body sections are juxtaposed, said first and second contact surfaces apply an outward force between said first and second surfaces of said recess.