T-SLOT CONNECTION INSERT APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

Abstract

T-slot connection insert apparatuses comprise a first connector tab having a first connection aperture therein and a second connector tab having a second connection aperture therein, wherein the first connector tab and the second connector tab are connected together via a bridging span.

Claims

1. A T-slot connection insert apparatus comprising: a first tab comprising a first threaded aperture on a front surface therein; a second tab comprising a second threaded aperture on a front surface therein; and a bridging span between the first tab and the second tab, wherein the bridging span is connected to the first tab via a first connection pin and the second tab is connected to the bridging span via a second connection pin.

2. The T-slot connection insert apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second connection pins comprise spring-loaded ball plungers on rear surfaces therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art T-Slot frame piece.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art T-slot frame.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates prior art T-slot connector nuts.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art T-slot connector nut disposed within a T-slot on a frame piece.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a prior art piece of equipment, namely a motor, mounted to a T-slot frame piece via T-slot connector nuts.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a front side of a T-slot connection insert apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear side of a T-slot connection insert apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a T-slot framing piece comprising a T-slot connection insert apparatus disposed within a T-slot thereof in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates a prior art mounting bracket.

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrate a prior art mounting bracket connected to a T-slot connection insert apparatus disposed within a T-slot of a T-slot framing piece.

[0031] FIG. 11 illustrates a T-slot connection insert apparatus in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates a T-slot connection insert apparatus in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates a side profile view of a T-slot connection insert apparatus in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention relates to T-slot connection insert apparatuses. Specifically, typical T-slot aluminum frame pieces include one or more slots contained within the frame pieces to hold one or more connectors that may be positioned to allow components to be connected thereto. The present invention provides a T-slot connection insert apparatus comprising a first connector tab having a first connection aperture therein and a second connector tab having a second connection aperture therein, wherein the first connector tab and the second connector tab are connected together via a bridging span.

[0035] Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, a T-slot connection insert apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The T-slot connection insert apparatus comprises a first tab 12 and a second tab 14 connected on opposite ends of a bridging span 16 via first and second connectors 18, 20, respectively. As illustrated, a first threaded aperture 22 may be disposed within the first tab 12 and a second threaded aperture 24 may be disposed in the second tab 14. The first and second threaded apertures may receive threaded bolts for holding attachable items in place on a T-slot frame piece when disposed within a T-slot thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0036] The first tab 12 and the second tab 14 may be made from metal, plastic, composite materials, or any other material apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The first and second connectors 18, 20 may be disposed through the first and second tabs 12, 14 and hold the first and second tabs 12, 14 to opposite ends of the bridging span 16. Likewise, the bridging span 16 may be made from any material, such as metal, plastic, composite materials or the like, as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10. On a bottom surface of the first and second tabs 12, 14, respectively, may be first and second spring-loaded ball plungers 26, 28 that may be held in place and spring back when pressed. The ball plungers may provide tension against a bottom of a T-slot in which the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10 is placed.

[0038] When disposed within a T-slot 40 of a T-slot framing piece 42, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10 holds the tabs 12, 14 apart from each other so that the first and second threaded apertures 22, 24 are held in place a distance D from one another. By holding the first and second tabs 12, 14 apart from each other so that the first and second threaded apertures 22, 24 are held in place a distance D from each other, a workpiece may be connected thereto having connection apertures that match the distance D so that the workpiece may be connected to the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10 and, more specifically, the first and second threaded apertures 22, 24 disposed within first and second tabs 12, 14 thereof.

[0039] Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a workpiece 50 that may be utilized with the present invention. More specifically, workpiece 50 may be a mount for mounting a piece of equipment, such as a motor mount or other like mount for mounting equipment thereto. The workpiece 50 may have a first connection aperture 52 and a second connection aperture 54 that are set the distance D apart from one another. Thus, workpiece 50 may be held to the T-slot framing piece 42 via connection to the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10 by bolts 56, 58, respectively, through first and second connection apertures 52, 54 and into first and second threaded apertures 22, 24 within first and second tabs 12, 14, respectively of the T-slot connection insert apparatus 10.

[0040] Therefore, workpiece 50 may be easily connected to the first and second tabs 12, 14 because the first and second tabs 12, 14 are held in place via bridging span 16. A user need not attempt to align both the first tab 12 and the second tab 14 independently of one another, and may have the first and second threaded apertures 22, 24 perfectly aligned with each other within the T-slot 40 of the framing piece 42.

[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates a T-slot connection insert apparatus 60 in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The T-slot connection insert apparatus 60 may have a plurality of tabs 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, connected in series via a plurality of bridging spans 72, 74, 76, 78 disposed therebetween. Specifically, bridging span 72 may span between first and second tabs 62, 64, respectively; bridging span 74 may span between second and third tabs 64, 66, respectively; bridging span 76 may span between third and fourth tabs 66, 68, respectively; and bridging span 78 may span between fourth and fifth tabs 68, 70, respectively.

[0042] Second, third and fourth tabs 64, 66, 68, respectively, may have first and second connectors 80, 82 therein for connecting to respective bridging spans, and thus may be connected to the respective bridging spans at two locations on the second, third and fourth tabs 64, 66, 68, respectively. First tab 62 and fifth tab 70 may be end tabs, only have 1 connector 84 therein for connecting to a respective bridging span. Each of the tabs 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 may have a threaded aperture 86 therein for connecting a workpiece thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of ball plungers may be disposed on a bottom surface thereof to allow the T-slot connection insert apparatus 60 to be removably held in place within a T-slot of a T-slot framing piece.

[0043] Thus, the tabs and bridging spans may operate together to provide discrete connection points as needed for the workpiece. To accomplish this, the bridging spans 72, 74, 76, 78 may be of various lengths as needed to provide the threaded apertures in desired locations within a T-slot of a T-slot framing piece to connect to the workpiece.

[0044] FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention of a T-slot connection insert apparatus 100 comprising a first tab 102 and a second tab 104 held in place relative to each other via bridging span 106. Connectors 108, 110 may connect the first and second tabs 102, 104 to opposite ends of the bridging span 106. Instead of a single threaded aperture in each of the first and second tabs 102, 104, there may be a plurality of threaded apertures 112a, 112b, 112c and 114a, 114b, 114c, disposed in the first and second tabs 102, 104. The plurality of threaded apertures 112a, 112b, 112c, 114a, 114b, 114c may provide many possibilities for connecting workpieces thereto. As noted above, a plurality of ball plungers (not shown) may extend from the T-slot connection insert apparatus 100 to hold the T-slot connection insert apparatus 100 in place within a T-slot of a framing piece.

[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the T-slot connection insert apparatus 100, illustrating an extended platform 116 that may extend from the T-slot connection insert apparatus 100 to allow the T-slot connection insert apparatus 100 to provide a surface flush or nearly flush with the surface of a T-slot framing piece. The extended platform 116 may be any height, and may therefore make it easier to connect various workpieces to the threaded apertures therein.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, a user may be provided the various pieces, and may construct a T-slot connection insert apparatus that is sized properly to fit connection apertures within a workpiece, as desired. The bridging span connecting first and second tabs may be cut to size to ensure that the threaded apertures within the first and second tabs precisely line up with connection apertures within the workpieces, as needed.

[0047] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to the invention are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.