Apparatus for connecting shed panels

Abstract

In one example, an apparatus, which may take the form of a portion of a shed, includes a first structure such as a first panel, a second structure such as a second panel, and a connector configured to releasably connect the first structure and the second structure together. The connector includes a body, an arm that is integral with the body and configured to be removably received in a receptacle cooperatively defined by the first structure and the second structure. The connector further includes a web connecting the arm to the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first structure;   a second structure; and   a connector configured to releasably connect the first structure and the second structure together, and the connector comprises:
 a body; 
 an arm that is integral with the body and is configured to be removably received in a receptacle cooperatively defined by the first structure and the second structure; and 
 a web connecting the arm to the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a first portion connected to a lower surface of the body, and a second portion disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is in a form of a single piece structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a protrusion extending upward from an upper surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the arm of the connector extends downward from a lower surface of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a single solid piece of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the arm of the connector is configured to releasably engage an undercut of one of the first structure and the second structure when the connector is fully engaged with the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first structure and the second structure comprises a respective blow-molded structure. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to reside flush within the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a majority of an upper surface of the connector is flush with adjacent respective surfaces of the first structure and the second structure when the connector is fully received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first structure and the second structure define a protrusion and a recess, respectively, configured and arranged to releasably engage each other. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the protrusion comprises a fist, and the recess comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the protrusion and the recess collectively define a dovetail configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first structure comprises multiple instances of the protrusion disposed along one or more edges of the first structure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the second structure comprises multiple instances of the recess disposed along one or more edges of the second structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the protrusion and the recess comprise respective complementary wedge-shaped configurations. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a recess in communication with the receptacle and configured to accommodate a tool for removal of the connector. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises a portion of a shed. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first structure comprises multiple recesses disposed on a first edge of the first structure, and also comprises multiple protrusions disposed on an opposite second edge of the first structure. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first structure and the second structure each comprise a respective blow-molded shed panel. 
     
     
         21 . A method for creating a feature in a molded part, comprising:
 inflating a parison of melted plastic;   closing a mold about the parison, wherein the mold comprises a static feature arranged for contact with the parison when the mold is closed;   adjusting a position of a moving core, located in the mold, from an extended position to a retracted position;   with the retracted moving core and the static feature, imparting a feature to the plastic; and   moving the moving core from the retracted position to the extended position, and removing the molded part from the mold.   
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the moving core is in the extended position while the parison is being created. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the moving core begins moving into the retracted position as the mold is closing and the parison begins to contact the moving core. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein after the mold is closed, the plastic encloses the moving core and the static feature. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the moving core moves to the extended position as one or more ejectors extend to eject the molded part from the mold. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the moving core moves out of the feature as the mold is opened after creation of the molded part.