A node element for a furniture system having a three-dimensional load-bearing tubular structure comprises a plurality of connection points for the mechanical fastening of two or more tubes. It further comprises two regions which are electrically insulated from each other and which are arranged such that two electrical polarities can be coaxially tapped at the connection points for the tubes.

A furniture frame structural system with interlocking members includes a first face frame, a second face frame, and a plurality of frame members. At least one joining feature for each frame member allows the frame members to arrange into a skeletal configuration as the joining feature includes a male interlocking portion and a female interlocking portion. More specifically, the male interlocking portion for each frame member is engaged with the female interlocking portion of an adjacent member from the frame members. Resultantly, the frame members complete the skeletal configuration. The first face frame and the second face frame are then oppositely mounted to the skeletal configuration completing the basic frame structure. Additional components such as post-tensioned fasteners, inner liners, outer panels held in side rails, a top, legs, and baseboard can be optionally integrated with the basic frame structure to improve the functionality and appearance of the resulting furniture.

In one example, we describe a method and system for structural basic units and their connectivity devices, apparatuses, or systems. These can be used for games for kids or for instructional purposes for math and chemistry or physics modeling. In another application, it can be used for the real-life situations, e.g., to build strong usable structures for storage, housing, and bridges, using the fundamental bricks and modules or connectors shown here, e.g., in a large size or scale. In another application, we can put glue or cement or concrete or mortar or construction material or other adhesive, as solid or liquid or tape or fluid, between the bricks or fundamental units or pieces or joints, for better adhesion. Other variations, systems, and features are also discussed here.

The present invention relates broadly to a rail joint assembly and relates particularly, although not exclusively, to a play apparatus incorporating said joint assembly and a method for constructing a play apparatus comprising a framework structure of interconnected rail members and a plurality of said joint assemblies. The play apparatus comprises a framework structure including interconnected rail members and a plurality of joint assemblies each arranged to interconnect at least a pair of the rail members to construct the framework structure. Each of the joint assemblies includes a structural hub configured for detachable connection to an end of one of the rail members and a joint housing mounted about the structural hub and including one or more bracket anchorages for securement of one or more panel brackets to which a panel of the play apparatus is removably mounted.

A kit for forming a garden structure, includes connecting bodies and connecting joints. The connecting bodies include a first connecting body having a first open end, a second connecting body having a second open end, and a third connecting body extending between a third open end and a fourth open end. The connecting joints include a first connecting joint and a second connecting joint. The first connecting joint includes a first base, a first extending body dimensioned to fit with the first open end of the first connecting body and a second extending body dimensioned to fit within the third open end of the third connecting body. The second connecting joint include a second base, a third extending body dimensioned to fit within the second open end of the second connecting body, and a fourth extending body dimensioned to fit within the fourth open end of the third connecting body.

An erectable canopy framework comprising a base frame and a roof frame. The roof frame is operative to support a canopy above the base frame and is removably mountable to the base frame. The base frame includes a plurality of upright support members, a plurality of cross members, each interconnecting adjacent upright support members, and a plurality of mounts disposed on the upright support members. Each mount includes a mount opening and each cross member includes a scissor assembly to permit movement of the base frame between expanded and a collapsed states. The mounts are operative to fasten the cross members to the upright support members. The roof frame includes a plurality of rafters each connectable to a corresponding mount opening. The framework comprises a plurality of rafter fittings each adapted for insertion into a corresponding mount opening and connectable to a corresponding rafter.

A modular, faceted-component node system for uniting adjacent ends of elongate frame elements at selectively different types of frame-element-junction nodes in a frame structure including (a) a first type faceted node component adapted for attachments to it of ends of plural, elongate frame elements, operable as a singularity to form in a frame structure a first-type frame-element-junction node, and a second type faceted node component for joining, and cooperating with, different pluralities of the first-type node component to form, selectively with such component pluralities, in a frame structure a plurality of different, second-type frame-element-junction nodesthe first and second type node components including, respectively, concave and convex, angularly faceted surface regions that are complementary to one another, and that accommodate facet-to-facet, matching-facet-coextensive, selective joinder of the two component types.

Resilient and dynamic member systems are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a central node and a plurality of connector elements. The connector elements may include first and second end portions configured to be coupled to the central node. The connector elements may further include resilient portions between the first and second end portions.

A locking arrangement for connecting and interlocking rods at a node within a framework includes connection rods and a central node bearing to be engaged from different directions by each of the connection rods at respective mounting ports through plugging each connection rod onto a respective mounting port. The central node bearing is configured with at least one locking element at each mounting port to be actuated between a locked state, in which the at least one locking element resides in an outward position and the respective connection rod plugged onto the respective mounting port is clutched to the central node bearing by the at least one locking element, and an unlocked locked state, in which the at least one locking element resides in an inward position and the respective connection rod is released from the central node bearing.