ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 4 -- United States Patent no. 12,320,113, issued on June 3.
"Metal framing self-locking connectors" was invented by Dennis LeBlang (La Quinta, Calif.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "The present invention relates to metal framed wall components with self-locking fixed and sliding connections between support members and crossing connecting members without using fasteners to connect the two crossing metal framing members together. Different variations of the shapes of the connecting members as well as the location and shape of the notches, ledges, tabs and notched-tabs are used between the members at the holes, punch-outs or indentations all determine the self-locking connec...