FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is a structural assembly for a partition in which one or more panel modules is receivable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fences or other partitions (e.g., garden screens, gazebos, and pergolas) may be constructed of various materials. The partition typically includes a support structure, as is well known in the art. The support structure typically is itself supported by posts embedded in the ground, or in concrete which is placed in the ground. Alternatively, the support structure may be supported by other structures, e.g., a building.

[0003] In one known type of fence, boards are attached to the support structure with their sides abutting, for privacy. In other known fences (e.g., picket fences), the boards which are attached to the support structure are spaced apart from each other.

[0004] Construction of the support structure according to known methods is somewhat time-consuming and laborious. In particular, construction of the support structure generally requires some carpentry skills and experience.

[0005] However, skilled tradesmen are generally in high demand, and the costs of their services are relatively high accordingly. Some homeowners have some of the necessary skills, but in general, such skills are gradually becoming less common, resulting in rising labour costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a structural assembly for a partition which is relatively easily assembled to provide any of a number of predetermined configurations. [0007] In its broad aspect, the invention provides a structural assembly for a partition in which one or more panel modules having a preselected panel configuration is receivable. The structural assembly includes one or more rails and one or more stiles adapted to at least partially support the rail. The stile and the rail are adapted to cooperate to at least partially define one or more openings, each opening having a preselected opening configuration for receiving the panel module therein. The structural assembly also includes a keyed tenon plate mounted on the stile, and one or more anchor screws partially positioned in the rail, the anchor screw having a head portion protruding from a surface of the rail when the anchor screw is partially positioned in the rail. The keyed tenon plate includes an engagement portion with a channel therein having an aperture and a slot in communication with each other, the slot being at least partially defined by slot walls extending between the aperture and an end wall of the engagement portion. The head portion is receivable in the aperture and positionable in the channel so that movement of the end wall toward the head portion engages the slot walls with the head portion for subjecting the anchor screw to tension, to secure the rail and the stile together.

[0008] In another aspect, the engagement portion of the keyed tenon plate includes a ramp and an end part, the channel being at least partially located in the ramp and the end wall of the slot being at least partially located in the end part and formed so that, when the head portion is engaged with the slot walls, movement of the end wall toward the head portion subjects the anchor screw to tension.

[0009] In another of its aspects, the invention provides a kit for a structural assembly of a partition in which a plurality of panel modules having preselected panel configurations are receivable. The kit includes a number of rails and a number of stiles adapted to at least partially support the rails respectively. Each stile and each rail are positionable relative to each other to at least partially define one or more openings, each opening having a preselected opening configuration for receiving one or more of the panel modules.

[0010] The kit also includes a number of keyed tenon plates, each keyed tenon plate being attachable to each stile, and a number of anchor screws, each anchor screw being positionable in each said rail. Each anchor screw includes a head portion which protrudes from a surface of the rail, upon the anchor screw being inserted in the rail. Each keyed tenon plate includes an engagement portion with an aperture and a slot therein in communication with each other, the slot being at least partially defined by slot walls extending between the aperture and an end wall of the engagement portion. The head portion is receivable in the aperture and positionable in the channel so that movement of the end wall toward the head portion engages the slot walls with the head portion in the slot to subject the anchor screw to tension, for securing the rail and the stile together.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a securing assembly for securing an upper stile and a lower stile together. The assembly includes an anchor screw having an at least partially threaded body portion and a head portion connected thereto. The anchor screw is substantially defined by a longitudinal axis thereof. The body portion is threadably engaged in the lower stile. The assembly also includes a plate mounted to the upper stile, the plate having a base and an engagement portion supported by the base. The engagement portion includes a channel with an aperture and a slot in communication with each other. The aperture is at least partially defined by an aperture rim, and the slot is at least partially defined by an end wall distal to the aperture and slot walls extending between the aperture and the end wall. The head portion of the anchor screw is receivable in the channel. The slot walls are positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis when the head portion is in the channel so that, after the head portion is received in the aperture, movement of the end wall towards the head portion causes the slot walls to urge the head portion in the axial direction away from the body portion, thereby subjecting the anchor screw to tension.

[0012] In another aspect, the end wall is engageable with the head portion so that the upper and lower stiles are secured in predetermined positions relative to each other.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the anchor screw is at least partially positioned in a rail located between the upper and lower stiles so that the head portion protrudes above an upper surface of the rail, for securing the rail to the upper and lower stiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which: [0015] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a structural assembly of the invention, in an assembled state with panel modules positioned therein to form a partition;

[0016] Fig. 2 A is an exploded isometric view of the partition of Fig. 1 drawn at a smaller scale;

[0017] Fig. 2B is an isometric view of the partition of Fig. 2 A in the assembled state;

[0018] Fig. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a stile of the invention, drawn at a larger scale;

[0019] Fig. 4A is an isometric view of an upper end of the stile of Fig. 3 showing a predrilled hole therein for an anchor screw, drawn at a larger scale;

[0020] Fig. 4B is an exploded isometric view of a lower end of the stile of Fig. 3, showing an embodiment of a keyed tenon plate of the invention in position to be mounted on a body portion of the stile;

[0021] Fig. 4C is a cross-section of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 4B with the head portion of an embodiment of the anchor screw of the invention received in a part of the channel adjacent to an aperture part thereof, drawn at a larger scale;

[0022] Fig. 4D is a cross-section of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 4B with the head portion of the anchor screw received in a part of the channel proximal to an end wall of the keyed tenon plate, and engaging the end wall;

[0023] Fig. 4E is a plan view of the keyed tenon plate of Figs. 4B-4D, drawn at a smaller scale;

[0024] Fig. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of the partition of Fig. 1 in an unassembled state, showing the positioning of an embodiment of an anchor screw of the invention in a rail, drawn at a smaller scale;

[0025] Fig. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of the unassembled partition of Fig. 5, drawn at a smaller scale; [0026] Fig. 7 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the stile of the invention showing the anchor screw with a head portion thereof aligned for reception in an alternate embodiment of a keyed tenon plate of the invention at a lower end of a stile;

[0027] Fig. 8A is an exploded isometric view of the lower end of the stile of Fig. 7;

[0028] Fig. 8B is an exploded isometric view of the stile of Fig. 7 and the anchor screw, drawn at a smaller scale;

[0029] Fig. 8C is an isometric view of the stile of Fig. 8B, with the head portion of the anchor screw positioned in the keyed tenon plate;

[0030] Fig. 8D is an isometric view of the stile of Fig. 8C, partially cut away, in which the head portion of an embodiment of an anchor screw of the invention is received in an aperture, drawn at a larger scale;

[0031] Fig. 8E is an isometric view of the stile of Fig. 8C, partially cut away, in which the head portion is engaged with an end wall;

[0032] Figs. 9A-9E are a number of isometric views of different embodiments of panel elements of the invention, drawn at a smaller scale;

[0033] Fig. 1OA is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of a keyed tenon plate of the invention, drawn at a larger scale;

[0034] Fig. 1OB is an end view of a first end of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 1OA;

[0035] Fig. 1OC is a side view of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 1OA;

[0036] Fig. 1OD is an end view of a second end of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 1OA;

[0037] Fig. 1OE is a plan view of a bottom side of the keyed tenon plate of Fig. 1OA;

[0038] Fig. 1 IA is a side view of an embodiment of a rail of the invention, drawn at a smaller scale; and [0039] Fig. 1 IB is an end view of the rail of Fig. 1 IA.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference is first made to Figs. 1-6, 9A-9E, HA, and HB to describe an embodiment of a structural assembly 20 of the invention. The structural assembly 20 is for a partition 21 (Fig. 1) in which one or more panel modules 22 is receivable, as will be described. Each panel module 22 has a preselected panel configuration. Preferably, the structural assembly 20 includes one or more rails 26 and one or more stiles 28 adapted to at least partially support the rails 26. It is also preferred that each stile 28 and each rail 26 are positioned to at least partially define one or more openings 29 (Fig. 2B) having a preselected opening configuration respectively for receiving one or more of the panel modules 22 therein. In one embodiment, a keyed tenon plate 32 (Fig. 3) is mounted on a lower end 33 of each stile 28, as will also be described. Preferably, the structural assembly 20 also includes one or more anchor screws 34 (Figs. 5, 6) partially positioned in the rail 26. As can be seen in Figs. 6 and 7, each anchor screw 34 includes a head portion 38 protruding from a surface 25 (Figs. 4C, 4D, HA, 1 IB) of the rail 26 when the anchor screw 34 is partially positioned in the rail 26. The keyed tenon plate 32 preferably includes an engagement portion 40 with a channel 41 therein including an aperture 42 and a slot 44 in communication with each other (Figs. 4B- 4E). As can be seen in Fig. 4E, the slot 44 preferably is at least partially defined by slot walls 69 extending between the aperture 42 and an end wall 45 of the engagement portion 40. Preferably, the head portion 38 is receivable in the aperture 42 and positionable in the channel 41, so that movement of the end wall 45 toward the head portion 38 (i.e., in the direction indicated by arrow "M" in Fig. 4C) locates the head portion 38 in the slot 44, to hold the rail 26 and the stile 28 together.

[0041] The anchor screw 34 preferably also includes a body portion 39 to which the head portion 38 is attached. As can be seen in Fig. 5, in one embodiment, the body portion 39 preferably includes conventional screw threads 90 (Fig. 5) for threadably engaging a body 49 of the stile 28, to secure the anchor screw 34 in the stile 28. As can be seen in Figs. 4C and 4D, the anchor screw 34 preferably is at least partially defined by a longitudinal axis 35 thereof, the anchor screw 34 being substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis 35. Preferably, the body portion 39 is also partially received in a predrilled hole 91 in the rail 26 (Figs. 4C, 4D). In one embodiment, the body portion 39 preferably includes a non-threaded part 92 (Fig. 5) which is positionable in the predrilled hole 91, i.e., the body portion 39 preferably does not threadably engage the rail 26.

[0042] The rail 26 is shown in Figs. HA and HB. As can be seen in Fig. HB, the rail includes a lower slot 52 and an upper slot 54. The upper end tenon 50 preferably is receivable in the lower slot 52, and the body 49 also preferably includes a lower end tenon 56 which preferably is receivable in the upper slot 54. Preferably, each body 49 also includes slots 57 along each side thereof, in which side edges of the panel modules 22 are receivable.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, in one embodiment, the structural assembly 20 with the panel modules 22 positioned therein forms the partition 21, which is attached to posts 46. As is known, portions (not shown) of the posts 46 are buried in the ground. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the partition 21 may form structures other than fences.

[0044] Fig. 2A is an exploded isometric view of the partition 21 of Figs. 1 and 2B, i.e., the partition 21 is shown in an unassembled state in Fig. 2A, and in an assembled state in Figs. 1 and 2B. For example, as shown in Fig. 2A, a lowermost rail A is positioned to receive four anchor screws 34. Once the anchor screws 34 are in position in lowermost rail A, a first set B of stiles 28 is mounted on the screws 34 which are positioned in the lowermost rail A. The manner in which the lower ends 33 of the stiles 28 are mounted on the screws 34 are described in more detail below. After the first set of stiles B is secured to the lowermost rail A, lowermost panels C are positioned between the stiles B.

[0045] A second rail D is positioned on top of the stiles B and the panels C. It can be seen from Fig. 2A that rail D is, with respect to rail A, the upper rail. Screws 34 are driven through the rail D and into the upper ends 48 of the stiles C so that the head portions 38 of each screw 34 protrude above the surface 25 of the rail D (not shown in Fig. 2A) by a predetermined distance.

[0046] Positioned above rail D is a second set E of stiles, and a second set of panels

F. Above stiles E and panels F is another rail G. Each of the stiles in set E is secured to the rail D by cooperation of the anchor screws (driven through rail D into stiles B) and keyed tenon plates (not shown in Fig. 2A) mounted on the lower ends 33 of the stiles E. As can be seen in Fig. 2A, although the rail D is an upper rail with respect to rail A, rail D is also a lower rail with respect to rail G. The stiles B are lower stiles relative to the stiles E.

[0047] As can also be seen in Fig. 2A, by way of example, four screws 34 are driven through the rail D and into the body 49 of each stile B, at the upper ends 48 of each of the stiles B respectively. It is preferred that the body 49 of each stile B includes an upper end tenon 50 (Fig. 4A) to fit into the lower slot 52 of rail D (Fig. 5), as will be described. After each screw has been inserted through the rail D and into the upper end of a stile B, the head portion 38 of each screw 34 extends above the surface 25 of the rail D, in the upper slot 54 of the rail D.

[0048] In the partition 21 shown in Fig. 2A, another set H of stiles is positioned above rail G, and another set of panels I is positioned between the stiles H. Another rail J is positioned on top of the stiles H and the panels I. Preferably, the partition 21 additionally includes a cap portion 58 which is positioned in the upper slot of the rail J.

[0049] With respect to the topmost rail J, it is preferred that screws 34 are driven downwardly through the topmost rail J and into the top end of each of the highest stiles H. Preferably, the head portion 38 of each such screw protrudes above the surface 25 of the rail J by a predetermined extent, to provide a plurality of heads onto which clips (not shown) mounted on an underside of the cap portion 58 can be pushed (or otherwise placed) and thereby fastened, to hold the cap portion 58 in position on the rail J. Preferably, the cap portion 58 fits into the upper slot 54 of the rail J.

[0050] If preferred, a bottom trim portion 55 is included in the partition 21 (Figs. 2A,

2B). The bottom trim portion 55 preferably is similar to the top portion 58, to provide a pleasingly finished appearance. It is preferred that the bottom trim portion 55 is at least partially receivable in the lower slot 52 of the lowermost rail A. The bottom trim portion 55 preferably is attached to the rail A by any suitable means. In one embodiment, the screws 34 which are driven through the rail A are also driven into the bottom trim portion 55, to secure the bottom trim portion 55 to the rail A.

[0051] Where posts are used to support the partition, it is preferred that the outermost stiles in the partition 21 are attached to the posts by any suitable means. Preferably, mounting brackets 59 (Figs. 1, 2A, 2B) are fastened to the outermost stiles by any suitable means (e.g., screws), and the mounting brackets are also attached to the posts. However, other arrangements are possible, e.g., the outermost stiles may be secured directly to the posts.

[0052] In one embodiment, the engagement portion 40 of the keyed tenon plate 32 includes a ramp 60 and an end part 62 (Fig. 4B). The engagement portion 40 is positioned on a base 74 of the plate 32. Preferably, the channel 41 is at least partially located in the ramp 60. The end wall 45 of the slot 44 preferably is at least partially located in the end part 62, as will be described.

[0053] The channel 41 includes the aperture 42, the slot 44, and a space 76 between the ramp 60 and the end part 62 and the surface 65 (Figs. 4C, 4D). As can be seen in Fig 4C, after the head portion 38 is received in the aperture 42, the head portion 38 is positioned in the space 76, i.e., the head portion 38 is positioned in the channel 41. In Fig. 4C, the head portion 38 is shown positioned in a part of the channel 41 (i.e., part of the space 76) which is adjacent to the aperture 42, i.e., the head portion 38 is shown as it is positioned after it has been received in the aperture 42. In Fig. 4D, the head portion 38 is shown positioned in a part of the channel 41 which is adjacent to a closed end of the slot 44 (i.e., in which the head portion 38 is engaged with the end wall 45).

[0054] As can be seen in Fig. 4B, the ramp 60 preferably extends between a first end

64 and a second end 66 (Figs. 4C, 4E). Preferably, the first end 64 is spaced apart from the base 74 by a first distance "Lj", and the second end 66 is spaced apart from the base plate 74 by a second distance "L ₂ " (Fig. 4D). As can be seen in Fig. 4D, because Li is greater than L ₂ , the ramp 60 is positioned at a preselected angle relative to the base 74 and is also positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis 35 of the anchor screw 34, when the head portion 38 is positioned in the channel 41.

[0055] The aperture 42 is defined by an aperture rim 68. As can be seen in Fig. 4E, the slot 44 is partially defined by slot walls 69 which extend between the aperture rim 68 and the end wall 45 of the slot 44. The ramp 60 and the end part 62 are formed so that, when the head portion 38 is engaged with slot walls 69 which partially define the slot, movement of the end wall toward the head portion subjects the anchor screw to tension. [0056] It will be understood that, after the anchor screw 34 is positioned in an upper end 48 of a lower-positioned stile (identified as 28L for convenience in Figs. 5 and 6), substantial movement of the anchor screw 34 (either in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis relative to the stile 28L, or in the axial direction) is prevented because the anchor screw 34 is substantially embedded in the stile 28L. As can be seen in Figs. 4C and 4D, an upper stile 28U (i.e., a stile to be positioned immediately above the stile 28L) on which the keyed tenon plate 32 is mounted is, after the head portion 38 is received in the aperture 42 and positioned in the channel 41, moved in a direction (schematically indicated by arrow "M" in Fig. 4C) which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 35 of the anchor screw 34. In this way, with the head portion 38 inserted in the channel 41, the keyed tenon plate 32 is moved relative to the anchor screw 34 so that the slot walls 69 are moved past the head portion 38, engaging the head portion 38 as they are so moved, to subject the anchor screw 34 to gradually increasing tension until the head portion 38 engages the end wall 45.

[0057] Because the ramp 60 is positioned at the predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis 35 of the anchor screw 34 (i.e., when the head portion 38 is in the channel 41), when the head portion 38 engages the slot walls 69 as the end portion 45 is moved toward the head portion 38, the head portion 38 is urged upwardly (i.e., in the direction shown by arrow "X" in Fig. 4D, relative to the body 39 of the anchor screw 34), thereby putting the anchor screw 34 in tension.

[0058] The screw 34 is subjected to tension because its threaded portion is engaged in the stile 28L, thereby preventing axial movement of the anchor screw 34 (i.e., movement thereof substantially parallel to the axis 35) due to the engagement of the head portion 38 by the slot walls 69 as the keyed tenon plate 32 is moved transversely relative to the anchor screw 34. Once the head portion 38 is engaged with the end wall 45, the head portion 38 is substantially locked into that position, due to the tension to which the anchor screw 34 is subjected. Because of such tension, the anchor screw 34 firmly secures the upper and lower stiles in the desired position relative to each other, to provide a stable structure.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 4B, the keyed tenon plate 32 preferably is attached to the end face 65 of the lower end 33 by suitable fasteners 70. As can be seen in Fig. 4B, it is preferred that pre-drilled holes 72 are provided in the lower end tenon 56 for proper location of the fasteners 70, to simplify assembly. Also, and as shown in Fig. 4A, a pre-drilled hole 73 preferably is also provided in the upper end tenon 50 for proper location of the anchor screw 34, to simplify assembly.

[0060] Preferably, prefabricated panel elements 24 are made so as to have a variety of appearances (Figs. 9A-9E). Preferably, the panel elements 24 are substantially the same size, to minimize manufacturing and assembly costs.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0061] In use, a user (not shown) selects the panel elements 24 which the user wishes to include in panel modules 22 in the partition 21 from a variety of prefabricated panel elements. By way of example, a number of panel elements 24 are shown in Figs. 9A-9E. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a large variety of panel element designs are possible.

[0062] The user also preferably arranges the panel elements as desired to form a plurality of panel modules 22. The panel module 22 may consist of a simple panel element 24, as shown in Fig. 2A. However, it will be understood that each panel module may include a preselected number of panel elements, connected in a preselected arrangement (not shown). Each panel module 22 has a preselected panel configuration. For example, in Fig. 2A, each panel module 22 has substantially the same square outer perimeter.

[0063] As described above, the rails and stiles are positioned relative to each other to at least partially define openings with respective preselected opening configurations in which the panel modules 22 are respectively receivable, in an arrangement also determined by the user. The panel openings are selected so that the panel modules to be inserted therein respectively will be receivable therein. The rails preferably are provided in a standard preselected length, and may be cut by the user for a particular partition. As can be seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, the rails preferably are provided in lengths so that they are suitable for positioning above or below a number of panel modules and stiles positioned therebetween. The stiles preferably are provided in lengths suitable for panel modules including one panel element or whole number multiples thereof, if desired. [0064] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiment of the structural assembly shown in Figs. 1, 2A, and 2B is exemplary only. For example, although the partition as illustrated has three generally horizontal rows of panels, with the rows positioned vertically relative to each other, the partition could have any desired height. Also, although the rails shown are sized to accommodate three panels and four stiles, the rails could be made to accommodate other numbers of panels and stiles.

[0065] It will also be understood that the elements of the structural assembly may be provided separately, in the amounts needed by the user to construct the structural assembly having the desired attributes. The desired attributes would, to an extent, be at least partially determined by the panel module(s) 22 chosen by the user. Preferably, the panel elements 24 are provided having one or more substantially uniform sizes, e.g., 16" by 16". Where the elements have more than one size, the panel element's sizes and configurations preferably are compatible with each other. As described above, each panel module preferably includes at least one panel element. Panel elements may be coupled together at their side edges, or at top and bottom edges thereof, to form the panel modules. Posts may be provided in standard lengths, sized to cooperate with stiles to support the partition. The posts may be cut by the user to fit a particular partition.

[0066] Additional embodiments of the invention are disclosed in Figs. 7-8D and 10A-

1OE. In Figs. 7-8D and 10A- 1OE, elements are numbered so as to correspond to like elements shown in Figs. 1-6, 9A-9E, 1 IA, and 1 IB.

[0067] An alternate embodiment of a keyed tenon plate 132 is disclosed in Figs. 7-

8D. As can be seen in Figs. 7 and 8A, the keyed tenon plate 132 includes legs 180 projecting from a base 179 of the keyed tenon plate 132. The keyed tenon plate 132 is formed to fit over an end face 165 of a lower end tenon 156 of a stile 128, so that the base 179 is spaced apart from the end face 165. When the keyed tenon plate 132 is positioned on the lower end tenon 156 (Fig. 8A), the legs 180 are positionable in slots 157 of the stile 128, so that fasteners 170 preferably are drivable into the body 149 substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 189 of the body 149 of the stile 128. This arrangement permits the keyed tenon plate 132 to be attached to the stile 128 without requiring fasteners to be driven into the end face 165 of the lower end tenon 156, i.e., end-on into the grain of the wood which makes up the lower end tenon 156. [0068] In Fig. 8D, the keyed tenon plate 132 is shown in one embodiment of the structural assembly of the invention which is in an assembled condition. As can be seen in Fig. 8D, the anchor screw 134 is driven through the rail 126 to engage an upper end 148 of the stile 128, and ultimately for the body portion 139 to threadably engage the body portion 149 of the lower stile 128. Preferably, the anchor screw 134 is received in a predrilled hole 191 in the rail 126, i.e., the anchor screw 134 preferably is not threadably engaged with the rail 126.

[0069] The screw 134 preferably is threadably engaged with a lower stile (designated

128L in Fig. 8D for clarity). As can be seen in Fig. 8D, the ramp 160 is spaced apart from the end face 165 of a lower end 133 of the upper stile 128U by a distance "Di", at a point adjacent to the aperture which is distal from an end part 162. The end part 162 is spaced apart from the end face 165 by a distance "D ₂ ". D ₂ is substantially less than D ₁ . It can be seen, therefore, that once the head portion 138 is in the channel 141 (i.e., after the head portion 138 is received in the aperture 142), movement of an end wall 145 of the slot 144 toward the head portion 138 results in the slot walls 169 urging the head portion 138 toward the end face 165 (i.e., urging the head portion 138 away from the body portion 139, which is engaged with the lower stile 128L), thereby subjecting the anchor screw 134 to tension, and firmly securing the upper and lower stiles 128U, 128L to the rail 126 positioned therebetween.

[0070] Another alternative embodiment of a keyed tenon plate 232 is shown in Figs.

10A- 1OE. As can be seen in Figs. 1OA, 1OC and 1OE, the keyed tenon plate 232 includes a ramp 260 and an end part 262. The plate 232 also includes a channel 241 including an aperture 242 and a slot 244, the aperture 242 and the slot 244 being in communication with an intermediate portion 282 therebetween. In addition, the plate 232 includes legs 281, 283. Leg 281 extends from the ramp 260, and leg 283 extends from the end part 262. As can be seen in Fig. 1OA, it is preferred that the aperture 242 extends into the leg 281, to a certain extent. This permits the head portion of the anchor screw (not shown in Figs. 10A- 10E) to be readily received in the aperture 242. Preferably, the intermediate portion 282 is defined by angled edges 284, for guiding the head portion into the slot 244 at an open end 286 thereof. As shown in Fig. 1OA, the slot 244 includes a closed end 288 in the end part 262, defined by an end wall 245. [0071] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as described above. The foregoing descriptions are exemplary, and their scope should not be limited to the embodiments referred to therein.