V-shaped coupling system

Abstract

This application describes a coupling mechanism designed to facilitate attachment of cantilevered components to a stable frame. It is contemplated that embodiments of the inventive subject matter can be implemented to couple such accessories as shelves and trays to modular carts where the cart features a single vertical frame from which the accessories must be attached. Embodiments feature a male coupler and a female coupler, where the male coupler has a v-shaped extrusion and the female coupler has a complementary v-shaped intrusion into which the male extrusion fits upon coupling the two together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling system, comprising:
 a male coupler comprising a protrusion having a first surface, a left angled edge, and a right angled edge forming a first v-shape having a first v-shape angle formed between the left angled edge and the right angled edge;   wherein the protrusion is wider at a top portion of the male coupler than at a bottom portion of the male coupler;   a female coupler comprising a recess having a second surface, t a second left angled edge, and a second right angled edge forming a second v-shape having a second v-shape angle formed between the second left angled edge and the second right angled edge;   wherein the first v-shape angle is the same as the second v-shape angle;   wherein the recess is wider at a top portion of the female coupler than at a bottom portion of the female coupler;   wherein the recess further comprises a third angled surface and a fourth angled surface, wherein the third and fourth angled surfaces form a third v-shape angle that is wider than the second v-shape angle, and wherein the third v-shape angle is less than 180 degrees; and   wherein the recess is configured to receive the protrusion.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein a first acute angle exists between the first surface and a third surface extending from the left angled edge, and a second acute angle exists between the first surface and a fourth surface extending from the right angled edge. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling system of  claim 2 , wherein a third acute angle exists between the second surface and a fifth surface extending from the second left angled edge, and a fourth acute angle exists between the second surface and a sixth surface extending from the second right angled edge. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein, upon coupling the male coupler to the female coupler, the first surface is parallel to the second surface. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein, upon coupling the male coupler to the female coupler, the first surface contacts the second surface. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the male coupler further comprises through-holes to facilitate affixing one or more accessories to the male coupler. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the female coupler is coupled with at least one clamp. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one clamp is configured to tighten around a stem. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the male coupler further comprises a hole in the top portion of the male coupler;   the female coupler further comprises a pin protruding through the top portion of the female coupler that is actuated by a component on an opposite side of the female coupler from the pin; and   wherein the hole is sized and dimensioned to receive the pin such that the pin holds the male coupler and the female coupler in place relative to one another upon actuating the pin while the male coupler is coupled with the female coupler.   
     
     
         10 . A coupling system, comprising:
 a female coupler comprising a recess having a first surface, a first left angled edge, and a first right angled edge forming a first v-shape having a first v-shape angle formed between the first left angled edge and the first right angled edge;   wherein the recess is wider at a top portion of the female coupler than at a bottom portion of the female coupler; and   wherein the recess further comprises a third angled surface and a fourth angled surface at the top portion of the female coupler, wherein the third and fourth angled surfaces form a second v-shape angle that is wider than the first v-shape angle, and wherein the second v-shape angle is less than 180 degrees.   
     
     
         11 . The coupling system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a male coupler having a protrusion having a second surface, a second left angled edge, and a second right angled edge forming a third v-shape having a third v-shape angle formed between the second left angled edge and the second right angled edge;   wherein the protrusion is wider at a top portion of the male coupler than at a bottom portion of the male coupler;   wherein the first v-shape angle is the same as the third v-shape angle; and   wherein the protrusion of the male coupler is configured to couple with the recess of the female coupler.   
     
     
         12 . The coupling system of  claim 11 , wherein a first acute angle exists between the second surface and a third surface extending from the second left angled edge, and a second acute angle exists between the second surface and a fourth surface extending from the second right angled edge. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling system of  claim 12 , wherein a third acute angle exists between the first surface and a fifth surface extending from the first left angled edge, and a fourth acute angle exists between the first surface and a sixth surface extending from the first right angled edge. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling system of  claim 12 , wherein, upon coupling the male coupler to the female coupler, the first surface is parallel to the second surface. 
     
     
         15 . The coupling system of  claim 12 , wherein, upon coupling the male coupler to the female coupler, the first surface contacts the second surface.