Interlocking frame system

Abstract

A frame system is disclosed, including a first elongated body mechanically coupled to a first cylindrical male fitting and a second cylindrical male fitting. A second body is mechanically coupled to a first female fitting and a second female fitting. A third elongated body is mechanically coupled to a third cylindrical male fitting and a fourth cylindrical male fitting. A forth body is mechanically coupled to a third female fitting and a fourth female fitting. The first female fitting of the second body slidably receives the first cylindrical male fitting to fasten the second body to the first elongated body. The second female fitting slidably receives the third cylindrical male fitting to fasten the second body to the third elongated body. The third female fitting slidably receives the fourth cylindrical male fitting to fasten the fourth body to the third elongated body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame system, comprising:
 a first elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a first cylindrical male fitting and a second cylindrical male fitting;   a second body mechanically coupled to at least a first female fitting and a second female fitting;   a third elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a third cylindrical male fitting and a fourth cylindrical male fitting;   a forth body mechanically coupled to at least a third female fitting and a fourth female fitting, wherein   the first female fitting of the second body slidably receives the first cylindrical male fitting the of the first elongated body to fasten the second body to the first elongated body;
 the second female fitting of the second body slidably receives the third cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body to fasten the second body to the third elongated body; 
 the third female fitting of the fourth body slidably receives the fourth cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body to fasten the fourth body to the third elongated body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The frame system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first elongated body has a first longitudinal axis;   the first cylindrical male fitting has a second longitudinal axis;   the second cylindrical male fitting has a third longitudinal axis; and   the first longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and the third longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         3 . The frame system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first retaining ring positioned in a first groove of the first female fitting, wherein the   first retaining ring is constructed to retain the first cylindrical male fitting in the first female fitting.   
     
     
         4 . The frame system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second retaining ring positioned in a second groove of the second female fitting,   wherein the second retaining ring is constructed to retain the third cylindrical male fitting in the second female fitting.   
     
     
         5 . The frame system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third retaining ring positioned in a third groove of the third female fitting, wherein   the third retaining ring is constructed to retain the fourth cylindrical male fitting in the third female fitting.   
     
     
         6 . The frame system of  claim 5 , wherein
 the first retaining ring is a first c-clip;   the second retaining ring is a second c-clip; and   the third retaining ring is a third c-clip.   
     
     
         7 . The frame system of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongated body is mounted to a load-bearing wall. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a furniture item, comprising:
 forming a first elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a first cylindrical male fitting and a second cylindrical male fitting;   forming a second body mechanically coupled to at least a first female fitting and a second female fitting;   forming a third elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a third cylindrical male fitting and a fourth cylindrical male fitting;   forming a fourth body mechanically coupled to at least a third female fitting and a fourth female fitting, wherein:   fastening the second body to the first elongated body by inserting the first cylindrical male fitting of the first elongated body in the first female fitting of the second body so that the first female fitting slidably receives the first cylindrical male fitting;   fastening the second body to the third elongated body by inserting the third cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body in the second female fitting of the second body so that the second female fitting slidably receives the third cylindrical male fitting;   fastening the fourth body to the third elongated body by inserting the fourth cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body in the third female fitting of the fourth body so that the third female fitting slidably receives the fourth cylindrical male fitting; and   mounting a tabletop to the first elongated body and the third elongated body.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first elongated body has a first longitudinal axis;   the first cylindrical male fitting has a second longitudinal axis;   the second cylindrical male fitting has a third longitudinal axis; and   the first longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and the third longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first retaining ring positioned in a first groove of the first female fitting, wherein the   first retaining is constructed to retain the first cylindrical male fitting the first female fitting.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second retaining ring positioned in a second groove of the second female fitting,   wherein the second retaining ring is constructed to retain the third cylindrical male fitting in the second female fitting.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a third retaining ring positioned in a third groove of the third female fitting, wherein   the third retaining ring is constructed to retain the fourth cylindrical male fitting in the third female fitting.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein
 the first retaining ring is a first c-clip;   the second retaining ring is a second c-clip; and   the third retaining ring is a third c-clip.   
     
     
         14 . A method of constructing a building, comprising:
 forming a first elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a first cylindrical male fitting and a second cylindrical male fitting;   forming a second body mechanically coupled to at least a first female fitting and a second female fitting;   forming a third elongated body mechanically coupled to at least a third cylindrical male fitting and a fourth cylindrical male fitting;   forming a fourth body mechanically coupled to at least a third female fitting and a fourth female fitting, wherein:   fastening the second body to the first elongated body by inserting the first cylindrical male fitting of the first elongated body in the first female fitting of the second body so that the first female fitting slidably receives the first cylindrical male fitting;   fastening the second body to the third elongated body by inserting the third cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body in the second female fitting of the second body so that the second female fitting slidably receives the third cylindrical male fitting;   fastening the fourth body to the third elongated body by inserting the fourth cylindrical male fitting of the third elongated body in the third female fitting of the fourth body so that the third female fitting slidably receives the fourth cylindrical male fitting;   forming a concrete foundation; and   mounting the first elongated body and the third elongated body on the concrete foundation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first elongated body has a first longitudinal axis;   the first cylindrical male fitting has a second longitudinal axis;   the second cylindrical male fitting has a third longitudinal axis; and   the first longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and the third longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first retaining ring positioned in a first groove of the first female fitting, wherein the   first retaining is constructed to retain the first cylindrical male fitting the first female fitting.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second retaining ring positioned in a second groove of the second female fitting,   wherein the second retaining ring is constructed to retain the third cylindrical male fitting in the second female fitting.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a third retaining ring positioned in a third groove of the third female fitting, wherein   the third retaining ring is constructed to retain the fourth cylindrical male fitting in the third female fitting.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein
 the first retaining ring is a first c-clip;   the second retaining ring is a second c-clip; and   the third retaining ring is a third c-clip.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first elongated body is mounted to a load-bearing wall.