JOINT FOR ABOVE GROUND POOL FRAME

Abstract

An above ground frame pool (10) includes a frame assembly (20) and a liner (40) supported by the frame assembly (20). The frame assembly (20) includes a plurality of horizontal pipes (22), a plurality of vertical pipes (24), and a plurality of T-shaped joints (30). The joints (30) may lack mechanical fasteners with adjacent pipes or corresponding apertures. The joints (30) may be one-piece or multi-piece structures. Such joints (30) maybe water-resistant and convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and store.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

1. A joint for an above ground pool having a frame assembly including a first horizontal frame, a second horizontal frame, and a vertical frame, the joint comprising: a first horizontal portion having a hollow end that receives a narrowing end of the first horizontal frame; a second horizontal portion having a hollow end that receives a narrowing end of the second horizontal frame; and a vertical portion positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, the vertical portion being configured to mate with the vertical frame; wherein the hollow ends of the first and the second horizontal portions narrow inwardly at a radial step to receive the corresponding narrowing ends.

2. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first and second horizontal portions form an included angle of less than 180 degrees.

3. The joint of claim 1, wherein: the vertical portion includes a hollow end that receives a narrowing end of the vertical frame, the hollow end of the vertical portion having an inner elliptical cross-section.

4. The joint of claim 1, wherein the joint is made of plastic.

5. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal portion, the second horizontal portion, and the vertical portion are integrally molded together to form a one-piece structure.

6. An above ground pool comprising: a frame assembly comprising: a first horizontal frame that narrows at a first end; a second horizontal frame that narrows at a second end; a vertical frame; and a T-shaped joint coupled to the first horizontal frame, the second horizontal frame, and the vertical frame; and a liner supported by the frame assembly; wherein the T-shaped joint includes a first horizontal portion with a hollow end that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the first end, a second horizontal portion with a hollow end that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the second end, and a vertical portion configured to mate with the vertical frame.

7. The pool of claim 6, wherein the liner includes: an upper sleeve configured to receive the first and second horizontal frames, the upper sleeve defining a first horizontal area; and a side wall that defines a water cavity, the water cavity having a second horizontal area smaller than the first horizontal area.

8. The pool of claim 6, wherein the liner includes: an upper sleeve configured to receive the first and second horizontal frames; and a side wall that defines a water cavity, the side wall being located radially inward of the upper sleeve.

9. The pool of claim 6, wherein: the first horizontal frame, the second horizontal frame, and the vertical frame are made of metal; and the joint is made of plastic.

10. The pool of claim 6, wherein the joint is a one-piece structure.

11. A method of assembling an above ground pool comprising the steps of: assembling a frame assembly including a plurality of T-shaped joints, the assembling step comprising coupling each joint to a first horizontal frame that narrows at a first end and a second horizontal frame that narrows at a second end and to a vertical frame; positioning a lower end of the vertical frame on a support surface; and supporting a liner on the frame assembly; wherein each joint includes a first horizontal portion with a hollow end that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive a first end of a horizontal frame, a second horizontal portion with hollow end that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive a second end of a horizontal frame, and a vertical portion with a hollow end that mates with an upper end of a vertical frame.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the supporting step comprises: inserting the first and second horizontal frames in an upper sleeve of the liner; and positioning a side wall of the liner radially inward of the upper sleeve.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the first horizontal portion of each joint has a substantially continuous outer wall surrounding the first end of the first horizontal frame; the second horizontal portion of each joint has a substantially continuous outer wall surrounding the second end of the second horizontal frame; and the vertical portion is positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, the vertical portion having a continuous outer wall surrounding the upper end of the vertical frame.

14. A frame assembly for an above ground pool, comprising: a first horizontal pipe; a second horizontal pipe; a vertical pipe; a joint comprising: a first horizontal portion having a first open end to receive a first end of the first horizontal pipe and an outer wall configured to surround the first end of the first horizontal pipe and having a first outer perimeter hole in the outer wall spaced apart from the first open end of the first horizontal portion; a second horizontal portion having a second open end to receive a second end of the second horizontal pipe and an outer wall configured to surround the second end of the second horizontal pipe; and a vertical portion extending from the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion; and a coupling assembly disposed substantially within the first horizontal portion, the coupling assembly comprising: a seat; and a lock moveably disposed in the seat between a radially outward position extending through the first outer perimeter hole of the first horizontal portion and a first outer perimeter hole in the first end of the first horizontal pipe to couple the first horizontal portion and the first end of the first horizontal pipe and a radially inward position to permit separation of the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe.

15. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the coupling assembly further comprises a spring positioned between a first end of the lock and a first end of the seat to bias the lock away from the first end of the seat toward the radially outward position.

16. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the lock is movable within the seat between the radially outward position and the radially inward position along a movement axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe are coupled to one another.

17. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat includes a side wall to guide the lock as the lock moves between the radially outward position and the radially inward position.

18. The frame assembly of claim 17, wherein the seat further includes a post located at a first end of the seat and the coupling assembly further comprises a spring disposed over the post, the spring being positioned to bias the lock toward the radially outward position.

19. The frame assembly of claim 17, wherein the side wall extends perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe are coupled to one another.

20. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat is positioned within both the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when the lock is in the radially outward position.

21. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat is positioned within both the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when the lock is in the radially inward position.

22. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the first outer perimeter hole of the first horizontal portion is positioned on a lower side of the first horizontal portion and the first outer perimeter hole in the first end of the first horizontal pipe is positioned on a lower side of the first end of the first horizontal pipe.

23. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein a gap is provided between a portion of the seat and the first outer perimeter hole, the first end of the horizontal pipe being positioned in the gap.

24. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion form an angle of between 120 degrees and 180 degrees.

25. An above ground frame pool, comprising: a frame assembly including a plurality of horizontal pipes, each horizontal pipe including a first end having a first opening on a side of the horizontal pipe and a second end including a second opening on the side of the horizontal pipe; a plurality of vertical pipes; a plurality of joints, each of the plurality of joints including: a first horizontal portion including a first open end sized to receive a first end of a first one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and a first opening on a lower side of the first horizontal portion; a second horizontal portion including a second open end sized to receive a second end of a second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and a second opening on a lower side of the second horizontal portion; and a vertical portion including an open end sized to receive a portion of a first one of the plurality of vertical pipes; and a plurality of coupling assemblies, each coupling assembly including a seat, a lock moveably disposed in the seat, and a spring, each coupling assembly is located within one of (a) both the first open end of the first horizontal portion and the first end of the first one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and (b) both the second open end of the second horizontal portion and the second end of the second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes, such that an end of the lock of the coupling assembly extends into one of (a) both the first opening on the lower side of the first horizontal portion and the first opening on the side of the first one of the plurality of horizontal pipes to couple the first one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and the first horizontal portion and (b) both the second opening on the lower side of the second horizontal portion and the second opening on the side of the second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes to couple the second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and the second horizontal portion; and a liner supported by the frame assembly, the liner including a bottom wall, a side wall, and an upper sleeve which receives the plurality of horizontal pipes and includes a plurality of openings corresponding to positions of the plurality of joints, the bottom wall and the side wall cooperating to define a water cavity.

26. The above ground frame pool of claim 25, wherein the side wall of the liner includes a water inlet and a water outlet to enable fluid communication between the water cavity and one of an external water filtration system and an external heating system.

27. The above ground frame pool of claim 25, wherein the plurality of horizontal pipes and the plurality of joints define a frame perimeter and the side wall defines a pool perimeter, the pool perimeter being within the frame perimeter.

28. A method of assembling an above ground frame pool, comprising the steps of: introducing a vertical pipe into a vertical open end of a joint body, the joint body having a T-shape; introducing a horizontal pipe into an open end of a horizontal portion of the joint body; moving a lock radially inward in a seat; continuing to advance the horizontal pipe into the open end of the horizontal portion of the joint body while the lock is moved radially inward relative to the seat; and releasing the lock to permit the lock to move radially outward relative to the seat and into an outer perimeter hole in a lower side of an outer wall of the horizontal portion of the joint body.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of placing the horizontal pipe through an upper sleeve formed in a liner of the above ground frame pool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of an above ground frame pool including a frame assembly and a liner, the frame assembly including a plurality of horizontal pipes, a plurality of vertical pipes, and a plurality of T-shaped joints;

[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pool of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the pool of FIG. 2 showing an exemplary one-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure coupled to the adjacent horizontal pipes and the adjacent vertical pipe;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary two-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the T-shaped joint of FIG. 4 coupled to adjacent pipes;

[0030] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first coupling assembly between the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

[0031] FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the first coupling assembly of FIG. 6;

[0032] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second coupling assembly between the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

[0033] FIG. 9 is an assembled cross-sectional view of a third coupling assembly between the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another exemplary two-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary three-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure; and

[0036] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary four-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure.

[0037] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an above ground frame pool 10 is shown including a frame assembly 20 and a liner 40. The frame assembly 20 may be constructed of a rigid plastic, metal, another suitable corrosion-resistant material, or combinations thereof, and the liner 40 may be constructed of a flexible plastic or another suitable waterproof material. The illustrative pool 10 is circular in shape, but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the pool 10 to be elliptical in shape, rectangular in shape, or other shapes.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrative frame assembly 20 includes a plurality of horizontal frames or pipes 22 positioned along the perimeter of the pool 10 and a plurality of vertical frames or pipes 24 extending vertically downward to support the horizontal pipes 22 above the ground. Because the illustrative pool 10 is circular in shape, the horizontal pipes 22 are arranged in a ring-shape and positioned along the circumference of the pool 10, but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the horizontal pipes 22 to be arranged in other shapes to form pools 10 of different shapes. In certain embodiments, the pipes 22, 24 are constructed of metal.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the illustrative frame assembly 20 also includes a plurality of T-shaped joints 30 (hereinafter, “T-joints”) connecting adjacent horizontal pipes 22 and vertical pipes 24. The T-joint is substantially hollow and is configured to receive the adjacent horizontal pipes 22 and vertical pipes 24. Each T-joint 30 includes a first horizontal portion 32A with a first hollow end 33A that receives a first end 26A of an adjacent first horizontal pipe 22A, a second horizontal portion 32B with a second hollow end 33B that receives a second end 26B of an adjacent second horizontal pipe 22B, and a vertical portion 34 with a hollow end 35 that receives an upper end 28A of an adjacent vertical pipe 24. The lower end 28B of the vertical pipe 24 rests on the ground or another supporting surface. The first and second horizontal portions 32A, 32B of each T-joint 30 are bent radially inward relative to the vertical portion 34 of the T-joint 30 to form an included angle a measuring less than 180 degrees, such as an obtuse angle (i.e., between 90 degrees and 180 degrees) or a right angle (i.e., 90 degrees).

[0041] Referring still to FIG. 3, adjacent components of the frame assembly 20 may have complimentary cross-sectional profiles. In one embodiment, the inner cross-sectional profile of each T-joint 30 matches the outer cross-sectional profiles of the adjacent horizontal pipes 22A, 22B and vertical pipe 24. In FIG. 3, for example, the inner circular cross-sections of the cylindrical horizontal portions 32A, 32B match the outer circular cross-sections of the cylindrical horizontal pipes 22A, 22B, and the inner elliptical cross-section of the vertical portion 34 matches the outer elliptical cross-section of the vertical pipe 24. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for some or all of these components to be circular in cross-section (See, for example, FIG. 6), elliptical in cross-section, rectangular in cross-section, or other shapes.

[0042] Also, adjacent components of the frame assembly 20 may have complimentary profiles over their lengths. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, portions 32A, 32B, 34 of each T-joint 30 may narrow inwardly to match the narrowing ends 26A, 26B, 28A of the respective pipes 22A, 22B, 24. See also, for example. FIG. 7.

[0043] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the liner 40 is supported by the frame assembly 20. The illustrative liner 40 includes a side wall or sheet 42, a bottom wall or sheet 44, and an upper circumferential sleeve 46 configured to receive the horizontal pipes 22A, 22B of the frame assembly 20. The upper sleeve 46 may include openings 47 corresponding to the T-joints 30 to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the T-joints 30. The side wall 42 and bottom wall 44 of the liner 40 cooperate to define a water cavity 48. The side wall 42 may also include a water inlet 50 and a water outlet 52 to enable fluid communication between the water cavity 48 and an external water filtration and/or heating system (not shown).

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame assembly 20 may be held together via friction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners (e.g., latches, bolts). These friction-fit connections may benefit from tensile forces acting on the frame assembly 20 from the water in the water cavity 48. In certain embodiments, the side wall 42 of the liner 40 may be located radially inward of the upper sleeve 46 of the liner 40, such that the horizontal area enclosed by the side wall 42 (i.e., the diameter of the water cavity 48) is smaller than the horizontal area enclosed by the horizontal pipes 22A, 22B in the upper sleeve 46. In this arrangement, the water may generate tensile forces upon the frame assembly 20, thereby pulling the T-joints 30 radially inward and enhancing the friction-fit connections with the horizontal pipes 22A, 22B and vertical pipes 24. As a result, and as shown in FIG. 3, the T-joint 30 may have a continuous outer wall 38 that surrounds the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B, 24, without any mechanical fasteners or corresponding apertures in the wall 38. Thus, the only openings into the T-joint 30 may be the hollow ends 33A, 33B, 35 that receive the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B, 24, respectively. Similarly, the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B, 24 may have continuous outer walls without any mechanical fasteners or corresponding apertures in the walls, other than the hollow ends that are received within the T-joint 30. The absence of mechanical fasteners may simplify the manufacturing, assembly, and disassembly of the frame assembly 20. The absence of mechanical fasteners and corresponding apertures may also improve the water-resistance of the frame assembly 20.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the T-joint 30 is a one-piece, integrally molded part. In other words, the first horizontal portion 32A, the second horizontal portion 32B, and the vertical portion 34 are integrally molded together (e.g., injection molded) to form the one-piece T-joint 30. In other embodiments that follow, the T-joint is a multi-piece assembly including two or more detachable pieces. The individual pieces may be constructed, assembled, and repaired in a modular manner.

[0046] Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, a two-piece T-joint 130 is provided including pieces 160, 162. The two-piece T-joint 130 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is similar to the above-described one-piece T-joint 30, with like reference numerals identifying like elements, except as described herein. The horizontal portions 132A, 132B together constitute the first piece 160 of the T-joint 130, and the vertical portion 134 constitutes the second piece 162 of the T-joint 130, with a horizontal seam 164 formed between the pieces 160, 162. The first piece 160 includes a first inner seat (not shown) disposed midway between the horizontal portions 132A, 132B, and the second piece 162 includes a second inner seat 163 disposed within the vertical portion 134. One or more fasteners 166 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple the first inner seat (not shown) of the first piece 160 to the second inner seat 163 of the second piece 162 along the seam 164.

[0047] The T-joint 130 may be assembled via friction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 130 may be mechanically fastened or otherwise coupled to the adjacent pipes 122A, 122B. 124 using corresponding coupling assemblies. Various coupling assemblies are shown and described below with respect to FIGS. 6-9. These coupling assemblies may be rearranged, interchanged, and/or combined, notwithstanding the particular embodiments shown and described below.

[0048] Referring initially to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first coupling assembly 170 is shown for coupling each portion 132A, 132B, 134 of the T-joint 130 to the corresponding pipe 122A, 122B, 124. The coupling assembly 170 includes a cantilevered locking arm 172 on the corresponding portion 132A, 132B, 134 of the T-joint 130, wherein the locking arm 172 is partially surrounded by a slit 173 in the T-joint 130. The locking arm 172 includes a locking protrusion 174 at one end and is cantilevered from the T-joint 130 at the opposite end. The coupling assembly 170 also includes an elongate groove 176 with a locking recess 178 (FIG. 7) in the corresponding pipe 122A, 122B, 124. When connecting the T-joint 130 to each pipe 122A, 122B, 124, the corresponding locking arm 172 is guided through the aligned groove 176 until the locking protrusion 174 aligns with and snaps radially into the locking recess 178 (FIG. 7). When disconnecting the T-joint 130 from each pipe 122A, 122B, 124, the corresponding locking arm 172 is pulled radially outward to release the locking protrusion 174 from the locking recess 178, and then the locking arm 172 is guided out through the corresponding groove 176.

[0049] As noted above, adjacent components of the frame assembly 120 may have complimentary profiles over their lengths. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the second horizontal portion 132B of the T-joint 130 narrows inwardly at step 136 to accommodate the narrowing end 126B of the adjacent horizontal pipe 122B.

[0050] Referring next to FIG. 8, a second coupling assembly 180′ is shown for coupling each horizontal portion 132A′, 132B′ of the T-joint 130′ to the corresponding horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′. The second coupling assembly 180′ includes an outer through hole 182′ in the corresponding horizontal portion 132A′, 132B′ of the T-joint 130′ and an inner through hole 184′ in the corresponding horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′. The second coupling assembly 180′ also includes an optional ring or washer 183′ surrounding the hole 182′ in the T-joint 130′. The second coupling assembly 180′ further includes a locking pin 186′ having cantilevered locking arms 188′ at its lower end, the locking arms 188′ being separated by a slit 189′ in the pin 186′. When connecting the T-joint 130′ to each horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′, the corresponding pin 186′ is inserted through the optional ring 183′ and through the aligned holes 182′, 184′ until the locking arms 188′ of the pin 186′ exit and separate beneath the T-joint 130′. When disconnecting the T-joint 130′ from each horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′, the locking arms 188′ of the corresponding pin 186′ are pressed together, and the pin 186′ is lifted out of the aligned holes 182′, 184′. The vertical portion 134′ of the T-joint 130′ may be coupled to the vertical pipe 124′ using the above-described first coupling assembly 170′ or another suitable coupling assembly.

[0051] Referring next to FIG. 9, a third coupling assembly 190″ is shown for coupling the horizontal portion 132B″ of the T-joint 130″ to the corresponding horizontal pipe 122B″. The third coupling assembly 190″ includes an outer hole 192″ in the horizontal portion 132B″ of the T-joint 130″ and an inner hole 194″ in the horizontal pipe 122B″. The third coupling assembly 190″ also includes a seat 196″ formed within the horizontal pipe 122B″, a lock 198″ moveably disposed in the seat 196″, and a spring 199″ that biases the lock 198″ radially outward. When connecting the T-joint 130″ to the horizontal pipe 122B″, the lock 198″ is pressed radially inward until the holes 192″, 194″ align and the lock 198″ springs radially outward through the aligned holes 192″, 194″. When disconnecting the T-joint 130″ from the horizontal pipe 122B″, the lock 198″ is again pressed radially inward until the horizontal pipe 122B″ and the lock 198″ are separated from the T-joint 130″. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the other portions of the T-joint 130″ may use the same third coupling assembly 190″ or another suitable coupling assembly.

[0052] Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, another two-piece T-joint 230 is provided including pieces 260, 262. The two-piece T-joint 230 of FIG. 10 is similar to the above-described T-joints 30, 130, with like reference numerals identifying like elements, except as described herein. The first horizontal portion 232A constitutes the first piece 260 of the T-joint 230, and the second horizontal portion 232B and the vertical portion 234 together constitute the second piece 262 of the T-joint 230, with a vertical seam 264 formed between the pieces 260, 262. The first piece 260 includes a first inner seat (not shown), and the second piece 262 includes a second inner seat 263 disposed midway between the horizontal portions 232A, 232B. One or more fasteners 266 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple the first inner seat (not shown) of the first piece 260 to the second inner seat 263 of the second piece 262 along the seam 264. The T-joint 230 may be assembled via friction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 230 may include one or more coupling assemblies (e.g., coupling assemblies 170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS. 6-9).

[0053] Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11, a three-piece T-joint 330 is provided including pieces 360, 362, 368. The three-piece T-joint 330 of FIG. 11 is similar to the above-described T-joints 30, 130, 230, with like reference numerals identifying like elements, except as described herein. The first horizontal portion 332A constitutes the first piece 360 of the T-joint 330, the second horizontal portion 332B constitutes the second piece 362 of the T-joint 330, and the vertical portion 334 constitutes the third piece 368 of the T-joint 330. The illustrative third piece 368 includes front and rear triangular-shaped extension walls 369 that extend upwardly to support and partially surround the first and second pieces 360, 362. Each piece 360, 362, 368, includes an inner seat (not shown). One or more horizontal fasteners 366 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple the first and second pieces 360, 362, together, and one or more vertical fasteners 367 are provided to removably couple the third piece 368 to one or both of the first and second pieces 360, 362. The T-joint 330 may be assembled via friction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 330 may include one or more coupling assemblies (e.g., coupling assemblies 170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS. 6-9).

[0054] Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12, a four-piece T-joint 430 is provided including pieces 460, 462, 468, and 470. The four-piece T-joint 430 of FIG. 12 is similar to the above-described T-joints 30, 130, 230, 330, with like reference numerals identifying like elements, except as described herein. The first horizontal portion 432A constitutes the first piece 460 of the T-joint 430, the second horizontal portion 432B constitutes the second piece 462 of the T-joint 430, the vertical portion 434 constitutes the third piece 468 of the T-joint 430, and an intermediate seat constitutes the fourth piece 470 of the T-joint 430. The illustrative third piece 468 includes front and rear triangular-shaped extension walls 469 that extend upwardly to support and partially surround the fourth piece 470. One or more horizontal fasteners 466 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple the first and second pieces 460, 462, to the intermediate fourth piece 470, and one or more vertical fasteners 467 are provided to removably couple the third piece 468 to the intermediate fourth piece 470. The T-joint 430 may be assembled via friction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 430 may include one or more coupling assemblies (e.g., coupling assemblies 170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS. 6-9).

[0055] While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.