Structural assembly and method of assembling the same

Abstract

A structural assembly comprises a first extruded component having a length and a constant cross section. The cross section defines a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a wall of the first extruded component. An aperture extends through the wall between the first and second cavities. Second and third extruded components have respective lengths and constant cross sections. A first connector is positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component and extends into the second extruded component. A second connector is positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component and extends into the third extruded component. A fastener extends through the first connector, the aperture, and the second connector and is configured to secure the first and second connectors to the first extruded component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural assembly comprising:
 a first extruded component having a length and a constant cross section, the cross section defining a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a wall of the first extruded component, an aperture extending through the wall between the first and second cavities;   a second extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;   a third extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;   a first connector positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component, the first connector extending into the second extruded component;   a second connector positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component, the second connector extending into the third extruded component;   a fastener extending through the first connector, the aperture, and the second connector and configured to secure the first and second connectors to the first extruded component.   
     
     
         2 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second, and third extruded components extend orthogonally relative to one another along their respective lengths. 
     
     
         3 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second and third extruded components are collinear with one another along their respective lengths, and wherein the length of each of the second and third extruded components extends perpendicular to the length of the first extruded component. 
     
     
         4 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a first fastener, the structural assembly further comprising a second fastener extending through the first connector and the second extruded component to secure the first connector to the second extruded component, and a third fastener extending through the second connector and the third extruded component to secure the second connector to the third extruded component. 
     
     
         5 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wall is a first wall and the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the cross section of the first extruded component further comprises a third cavity separated from the second cavity by a second wall of the first extruded component, and wherein a second aperture extends through the second wall between the second and third cavities, the structural assembly further comprising:
 a fourth extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;   a third connector positioned within the third cavity of the first extruded component, the third connector extending into the fourth extruded component;   wherein the fastener extends through the first connector, the first aperture, the second connector, the second aperture, and the third connector, and   wherein the fastener is configured to secure the first, second, and third connectors to the first extruded component.   
     
     
         6 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the fourth extruded component extends parallel to the second extruded component along its length. 
     
     
         7 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener is a first fastener, the structural assembly further comprising a second fastener extending through the first connector and the second extruded component to secure the first connector to the second extruded component, a third fastener extending through the second connector and the third extruded component to secure the second connector to the third extruded component, and a fourth fastener extending through the third connector and the fourth extruded component to secure the third connector to the fourth extruded component. 
     
     
         8 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener sequentially extends through the first connector, the first aperture, the second connector, the second aperture, and the third connector. 
     
     
         10 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the cross section of the first extruded component is identical to the cross section of the second, third, and fourth extruded components. 
     
     
         11 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each one of the first, second, and third connectors is identical. 
     
     
         12 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second connectors includes a first leg and a second leg extending perpendicular to the first leg, wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the first connector and the first leg of the second connector. 
     
     
         13 . The structural assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first leg of the first connector is positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component and the second leg of the first connector extends into the second extruded component, and wherein the first leg of the second connector is positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component and the second leg of the second connector extends into the third extruded component. 
     
     
         14 . The structural assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second leg extends from the first leg in a lengthwise direction, wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the first connector, parallel to the lengthwise direction of the second leg of the first connector, and wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the second connector, perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the second leg of the second connector. 
     
     
         15 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second connectors is a laminated bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The structural assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the fastener extends through a slot in the first connector and an aperture in the second connector. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a structural assembly, the method comprising:
 positioning a first leg of a first connector within a first cavity of a first extruded component;   positioning a first leg of a second connector within a second cavity of the first extruded component;   extending a fastener through the first and second connectors, thereby fixing the connectors relative to the first extruded component;   positioning a second extruded component over a second leg of the first connector;   positioning a third extruded component over a second leg of the second connector;   fastening the second extruded component to the second leg of the first connector; and   fastening the third extruded component to the second leg of the second connector,   wherein the first extruded component includes a constant cross section extending in a lengthwise direction, and   wherein positioning the second and third metal components over the second legs of the respective first and second connectors includes moving the second and third extruded components in the lengthwise direction of the first extruded component onto the respective legs of the first and second connectors.   
     
     
         18 . An extruded component having a constant cross section along a length of the extruded component, the extruded component comprising:
 a first wall;   a second wall;   a first cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first wall;   a second cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first and second walls;   a third cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the second wall;   a first fastener aperture in the first wall; and   a second fastener aperture in the second wall, the second fastener aperture aligned with the first fastener aperture;   wherein an axis defined by the first and second fastener apertures extends through the first, second, and third cavities.   
     
     
         19 . The extruded component of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first, second, and third cavities includes a peripheral opening extending the length of the extruded component. 
     
     
         20 . The extruded component of  claim 19 , wherein each of the peripheral openings has a width perpendicular to the length of the extruded component, the width of each of the peripheral openings being substantially equal. 
     
     
         21 . The extruded component of  claim 19 , further comprising a panel support notch located at a corner of the extruded component.