Corner Element with Tang Fixation

Abstract

A connector element having a body portion having a substantially planar first abutment surface, a substantially planar second abutment surface, and a corner surface extending between a terminating edge of the first abutment surface and a terminating edge of the second abutment surface, wherein the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; one or more protrusions extending perpendicular to the first abutment surface; one or more protrusions extending perpendicular to the second abutment surface; at least one first deflectable flexible finger extending from the first abutment surface; and at least one second deflectable flexible finger extending from the second abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of each deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to a respective abutment surface, and wherein each deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends to form a camming surface and a shoulder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector element, comprising:
 a body portion having a substantially planar first abutment surface, a substantially planar second abutment surface, and a corner surface, wherein said first abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a first terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said second abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a second terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said corner surface extends between a terminating edge of said first abutment surface to a terminating edge of said second abutment surface, wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another, wherein an upper portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar lower corner element surface, and wherein an upper portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said lower corner element surface;   one or more protrusions extending perpendicular to said first abutment surface;   one or more protrusions extending perpendicular to said second abutment surface, wherein each of said protrusions has a substantially square cross-sectional profile;   at least one first deflectable flexible finger extending from said first abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said first abutment surface, and wherein said at least one first deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, to form a camming surface and a shoulder; and   at least one second deflectable flexible finger extending from said second abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said second abutment surface, and wherein said at least one second deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, to form a camming surface and a shoulder.   
     
     
         2 . The connector element of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper corner element surface extends substantially parallel to said lower corner element surface. 
     
     
         3 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said corner surface defines a curved surface. 
     
     
         4 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said connector element is formed of a polymeric material, a metal, wood, or a composite material. 
     
     
         5 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said camming surface extends substantially perpendicularly from said primary surface. 
     
     
         6 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said connector element is formed as an integral unit. 
     
     
         7 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface each extend substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of said upper corner element surface. 
     
     
         8 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface each extend substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of said lower corner element surface. 
     
     
         9 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said main body portion of said connector element includes an at least partially hollow interior portion, defined substantially between said upper corner element surface and said lower corner element surface, wherein one or more ribs are formed within a hollow portion of said interior portion. 
     
     
         10 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein one or more first abutment recesses are formed in an area of said first abutment surface and wherein one or more second abutment recesses are formed in an area of said second abutment surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein two protrusions extend from said first abutment surface and two protrusions extend from said second abutment surface. 
     
     
         12 . A connector element, comprising:
 a body portion having a substantially planar first abutment surface, a substantially planar second abutment surface, and a corner surface, wherein said first abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a first terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said second abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a second terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said corner surface extends between a terminating edge of said first abutment surface to a terminating edge of said second abutment surface to define a curved surface, wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another, wherein an upper portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar lower corner element surface, and wherein an upper portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said lower corner element surface;   two protrusions extending perpendicular to said first abutment surface;   two protrusions extending perpendicular to said second abutment surface, wherein each of said protrusions has a substantially square cross-sectional profile;   at least one first deflectable flexible finger extending from said first abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said first abutment surface, and wherein said at least one first deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger; and   at least one second deflectable flexible finger extending from said second abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said second abutment surface, and wherein said at least one second deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger.   
     
     
         13 . The connector element of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper corner element surface extends substantially parallel to said lower corner element surface. 
     
     
         14 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said connector element is formed of a polymeric material, a metal, wood, or a composite material. 
     
     
         15 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein a camming surface extends substantially perpendicularly from said primary surface. 
     
     
         16 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said connector element is formed as an integral unit. 
     
     
         17 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface each extend substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of said upper corner element surface. 
     
     
         18 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface each extend substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of said lower corner element surface. 
     
     
         19 . The connector element of  claim 1 , wherein one or more first abutment recesses are formed in an area of said first abutment surface and wherein one or more second abutment recesses are formed in an area of said second abutment surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . A connector element support assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of connector elements, each of said connector elements comprising a body portion having a substantially planar first abutment surface, a substantially planar second abutment surface, and a corner surface, wherein said first abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a first terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said second abutment surface extends substantially perpendicularly from a second terminating edge of said corner surface, wherein said corner surface extends between a terminating edge of said first abutment surface to a terminating edge of said second abutment surface, wherein said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another, wherein an upper portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said first abutment surface terminates at a substantially planar lower corner element surface, and wherein an upper portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said upper corner element surface and a lower portion of said second abutment surface terminates at said lower corner element surface;   two protrusions extending perpendicular to said first abutment surface;   two protrusions extending perpendicular to said second abutment surface, wherein each of said protrusions has a substantially square cross-sectional profile;   at least one first deflectable flexible finger extending from said first abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said first abutment surface, and wherein said at least one first deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger, to form a camming surface and a shoulder;   at least one second deflectable flexible finger extending from said second abutment surface, wherein at least a portion of a primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger extends substantially perpendicular to said second abutment surface, and wherein said at least one second deflectable flexible finger comprises a tang that extends, proximate a tip of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, beyond said primary surface of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger, to form a camming surface and a shoulder;   at least two header elements, wherein each header element includes an upper horizontal header element bar and a lower horizontal header element bar joined by two or more vertical header element bars, wherein each of said horizontal header element bars includes a header element recess within a portion of each terminal end of said horizontal header element bars, wherein each of said header element recesses is a substantially square cross-sectional recess such that at least one of said protrusions is alignable with and at least partially positionable within at least a portion of a mating one of said header element recesses, and wherein said vertical header element bars are positioned proximate said terminal ends of said horizontal header element bars so as to be engaged by at least a portion of said shoulder of at least one of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger or said shoulder of at least one of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger; and   at least two rail elements, wherein each rail element includes an upper horizontal rail element bar and a lower horizontal rail element bar joined by two or more vertical rail element bars, wherein each of said horizontal rail element bars includes a rail element recess within a portion of each terminal end of said horizontal rail element bars, wherein each of said rail element recesses is a substantially square cross-sectional recess such that at least one of said protrusions is alignable with and at least partially positionable within at least a portion of a mating one of said rail element recesses, and wherein said vertical rail element bars are positioned proximate said terminal ends of said horizontal rail element bars so as to be engaged by at least a portion of said shoulder of at least one of said at least one first deflectable flexible finger or said shoulder of at least one of said at least one second deflectable flexible finger.