Corner Bracket

A means of quickly and economically constructing a work bench or table or any cubic or rectangular structure of any desired size and of readily obtainable material was required. Methods used in the prior arts require expensive, accurate and time-consuming joinery or multiple gusset plates or struts, all requiring expensive and time consuming jig fixtures for accurate assembly and alignment. Hence the conception and developement of this invention.

This device is fabricated from a one piece stamped and punched blank and bent into the form of a perfect geometrical figure; e.g., a cube; and specifically a section disecting one corner of said cube, to the two diagonally opposite corners, thus forming a complete corner. This shape conforms to the kinetic laws of direct force or motion; which law states that if all direct force or motion is totally constrained in all six possible directions, perfect immobility or rigidity obtains. This device conforms to this concept by virtue of the three right angle folds, which form a perfectly square corner, and in practice, this rigidity is limited only by the strength of the material from which it is made.

FIG. 1 is an inside view looking straight into the corner of the completed bracket, showing all the features contained in this design, and with one member installed.

FIG. 2 is a view looking vertically down on the stamped and punched blank; showing the removed sector and lip for welding, and with one member installed.

FIG. 3 shows an inside end-on view into the horizontal corner with a member installed and illustrating the function of the aligning and retaining projection.

FIG. 4 is an over all view of a completed structure utilizing this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one of many practical and functional uses of the present invention. In this case, four brackets (FIG. 1) are required to construct this work bench or table using cheap and easily obtained short ends or cut-offs of standard lumber e.g. 2.times.4s, one for each leg. Members 8 are inserted vertically in each bracket (FIG. 1) whence each projection 2 guides the member 8 flat against the panel of the bracket (FIG. 1) and also applies pressure to retain member 8 in place; a front member 7 is then inserted into left horizontal corner of bracket and left leg assembly where again projection 2 guides and retains said member. The remaining end of front member 7 is inserted into horizontal corner of the right bracket and leg assembly (FIGS. 1 and 8). The right-hand end member 1 is then inserted into the remaining corner of the right bracket and leg assembly. Continuing around to the left-hand end, member 1 is finally inserted into the remaining corner of the first bracket and leg assembly resulting in a free-standing framework. The whole assembly is then placed on a firm level surface and the various members are snugged up tight into all corners and flush against the side panels of the brackets (FIG. 1). Pilot holes are then drilled into the various members through holes 11 and then screws 6 or other appropriate fasteners are inserted and driven home; the assembly now being complete. A top 9 of any suitable material completes the structure. All members 1 & 7 & 8 are pre-cut to the correct size for the desired dimentions. The blank forming FIG. 1 could best be stamped, punched and creased at one time then folded across line A--A of FIG. 2 and then across line B--B of FIG. 2 forming the three right angles of bracket FIG. 1. The lip 5 in FIG. 2 is then spot-welded or otherwise fastened, externally to the mating panel as in FIG. 3.