Connector and system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements

Abstract

A connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements each having a groove therein, comprising a support, at least one split tongue extending from the support, the split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging steps located in the groove. During insertion the sub-tongues are flexed toward each other and remain in a partially restored configuration. This, combined with the angled catches, reduces the space between the abutting construction elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements each having a groove therein, comprising:
 a support;   at least one split tongue extending from said support, said split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging steps located in said groove;   
       wherein said sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of said split tongue into said groove, said sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, said partially restored configuration and said angled catches combining to reduce the space between said abutting construction elements. 
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of said abutting construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by a common joint of said abutting construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted into an edge of said abutting construction elements in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by said common joint. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein said support includes at least one vertical support strut configured to support a top surface of said abutting construction elements after insertion into said groove. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 5 , comprising two split tongues extend from said support in opposite directions. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of said abutting construction elements. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , comprising a plurality of said split tongues extending from said support in a common direction. 
     
     
         11 . A system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements, comprising:
 a first and second construction elements each having therein a groove containing steps;   a connector comprising:   a support;   at least one split tongue extending from said support, said split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging said steps of said first and second construction elements;   
       wherein said sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of said split tongue into said groove, said sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, said partially restored configuration and said angled catches combining to reduce the space between said first and second construction elements. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of said first and second construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by a common joint of said first and second construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line, and wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted into an edge of said first or second construction elements in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by said common joint. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said support includes at least one vertical support strut configured to support a top surface of said first and second construction elements after insertion into said groove. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , comprising a channel between said groove and said edge for receiving a portion of said support. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising two split tongues extend from said support in opposite directions. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of said first and second construction elements. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , comprising a plurality of said split tongues extending from said support in a common direction. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said groove comprises a tapered portion such that said groove is at its narrowest at said steps. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said groove of at least one of said first and second construction elements is formed into an auxiliary groove containing member adapted to be integrated into said at least one of said first and second construction elements. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said groove comprises a tapered portion such that said groove is at its narrowest at said steps.