System for providing a hidden fastener design for containers

Abstract

A system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers resulting in a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish, improving product appearance, reducing water intrusion points, and reducing maintenance cost is provided. The hidden fastener system embodies primary structural members, each having a small cavity extending along its length, wherein the cavity is defined by spaced apart exterior and interior portions, and wherein the interior portions provide a connection for hidden fasteners to the other structural members and container components. Corner facia, curved and rectangular, provide interior portions for using hidden fasteners to connect to the other structural members and container components. The system also embodies a method for joining the hidden fasteners from the inside of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible, comprising:
 a structural member comprising:
 at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; 
 a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and 
 a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural member further comprises a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the return leg. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural member further comprises a T-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the structural member further comprises a L-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a curved facia providing an arcuate outward facing portion extending between two non-outward facing portions, wherein one of the two non-outward facing portions provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a rectangular facia providing an outward facing portion perpendicularly joined to a non-outward facing portion, wherein the non-outward facing portion provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a Z-shaped member having at least a first leg and a second leg orthogonally related, wherein the first and second legs operatively interface said one of the two non-outward facing portions and the return leg respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a Z-shaped member having at least a first leg and a second leg orthogonally related, wherein the first and second legs operatively interface the non-outward facing portion and the return leg respectively. 
     
     
         9 . A system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible, comprising:
 a plurality of structural members, each structural member comprising:
 at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; 
 a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and 
 a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto; 
   wherein the plurality of structural members includes bottom horizontal, front vertical and rear vertical members further comprising a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of their respective return legs,   wherein the plurality of structural members includes a top horizontal member further comprising a T-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity,   wherein the bottom horizontal member further comprises a L-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity;   a curved facia providing an arcuate outward facing portion extending between two non-outward facing portions, wherein one of the two non-outward facing portions provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the front vertical member; and   a rectangular facia providing an outward facing portion perpendicularly joined to a non-outward facing portion, wherein the non-outward facing portion provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the rear vertical member,   wherein the plurality of structural members is connected to form at least one rectangular framework for the container.