XYZ Corner Piece

File:Metal frame corner bracket.skp

This Sketchup file shows a modular, reusable corner connector with 3 "legs" welded to form the corner of a cube. Square, hollow framing tubes slip over legs and are bolted to them. Proposed for the frame of Lifetrac, power cubes, etc.

The blue circles are holes drilled for bolts; they would go all the way through each leg but I only drew one "end" of each bolt hole. If bolts that go all the way through the tube and the leg will not pull the tube walls down onto the leg tight enough, there are two alternatives: (A) add metal shims, drive the metal tubes onto the legs with a sledge hammer, drill through the shims, and insert through-bolts. (B) use twice as many bolts--but each is just long enough to hold two thicknesses of metal together. You would need to insert a nut or bolt inside the leg and then put a matching bolt or nut on the outside of the tube. To insert these nuts or bolts inside the legs after the tubes are in place, you would need three large holes (shown in red) on the three outside corners of the frame. These red holes have to be big enough to admit a wrench or socket. I'm a Sketchup novice; just illustrating; dimensions not correct; don't know how to put a still "photo" of the item on this page.

Ken Morton

PS: for greater strength, make the legs larger & slip the square tubes inside them. For diagonal bracing, weld in a leg at 45 degrees.