AU2007201960A1

AU2007201960A1 - Fixing Bracket

Info

Publication number: AU2007201960A1
Application number: AU2007201960A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robyn Clancy
Original assignee: CAPRAL ALUMINIUM Ltd
Current assignee: CAPRAL Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-03
Filing date: 2007-05-02
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-02
Also published as: AU2007201960B2

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): CAPRAL ALUMINIUM LIMITED Invention Title: Fixing Bracket The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2 FIXING BRACKET This invention relates to a fixing bracket and relates particularly but not exclusively to a fixing bracket for fixing extruded elongate metal sections such as extruded aluminium to each other.

Hitherto, aluminium extrusions have been used for producing window frames, door frames, fly screens and the like. Such extrusions have also been used for other purposes such as picture frames. In order that the frame components can be assembled together with one of the extrusions attached to the side of a second extrusion, it has been usual to insert fastening screws from one of the extrusions into the other of the extrusions. Screw receiving channels may be integrally extruded within the channels to facilitate this fastening. Unfortunately, this fastening method does not lend itself to all applications and there is a need for alternative arrangement.

Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing bracket for fixing an end of a first elongate member to a side of a second elongate member, said fixing bracket having a first part which can be fixed to an end of the first elongate member, said first part having a second part which can be fixed to a side of the second elongate member by slide engaging with internal wall surfaces of an open channel that extends along said side of the second elongate member.

Most preferably said first part wherein said first part has at least one aperture to enable a screw to pass there through and to screw fasten into the end of the first elongate member to hold said fixing bracket to the end of the first elongate member.

N \Aeibourn\Cases\Paicnt\7 IOO-71999\P71879 AU\Specis\P7i 879 AL) Specificatio 2007-4-20 doe 24/04/07 3 Most preferably said first part has at least one outwardly extending positioning guide, shaped to extend into and locate between internal wall surfaces of said first elongate member, whereby to position the fixing bracket relative to the end of the first elongate member.

Most preferably said second part carries at least one slide arm for locating within a track provided on internal wall surfaces of the second elongate member.

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, an example of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing frame members interconnected such as in a window frame. Here, there are horizontally extending frame members connected with a vertical frame member. The frame members are formed from extruded aluminium.

Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a fixing bracket according to the example of the preferred embodiment taken from one end.

Figure 3 is an isometric view similar to that in Figure 2, but taken from the opposite end.

Figure 4 is an isometric view, in exploded form, showing how the elongate frame extrusions in Figure 1 can be assembled using the fixing bracket.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown how elongate extrusions can be connected to each other using the example of the preferred embodiment of the fixing bracket.

Here, an outer frame 1 is provided such as a window frame N \MNlelbouwne\Cases'Patenl1000-71999'P71879 AU\Specits\7i 1879 AU Specification 2007-4.20 doc 24/04/07 4 or fly screen frame. The frame has a first elongate extrusion 3 connected to the side of a second elongate extrusion 5. The extrusions are of aluminium. In this case, there are two parallel extending first extrusions 3 and two vertically extending second extrusions 5. Only one of the vertically extending extrusions 5 has been shown in order to not overly complicate the Figure. In this case, the first elongate extrusion 3 is connected at right angles to the side of the second elongate extrusion 5 by a butt joint arrangement. The first extrusion 3 is connected to the second extrusion 5 by a fixing bracket 7 (shown only in minor detail in Figure One such bracket 7 will be at each end of the first extrusions 3.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 there is shown the example of the preferred fixing bracket 7. The fixing bracket 7 has a first part 9 that can be fixed to an end of the first elongate extrusion 3 and a second part 11 that can be fixed to a side of the second elongate extrusion 5 by slide engaging with internal wall surfaces of an open channel 13 that extends along the side of the second extrusion The first part 9 and a body of the second part 11 are made as a unitary structure and may be made from a suitable material such as industrial grade plastics material or a metal such as a die cast metal. In other arrangements, the first part 9 and the second part 11 may be of other suitable materials and may be fabricated from separate pieces. Figures 2 and 3 show that the first part 9 and second part 11 have a generally "top hat" shape profile in side elevation. The finish part 9 is therefore the top of the top hat, and the body of the second part 11 is the free arms of the top hat. Whilst the first part 9 and second part 11 have a generally "top hat" profile, the second part 11 being the free arms to the top hat profile has a greater width than the corresponding width of the N \)tclbourn\Cases\s1ent\71000-7I999\P7 1879 AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specificafion 2007.4-20 doc 24104107 Sfirst part 9. This is most clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 CI and 4.

Thus, in the disposition shown in these Figures, the arms of second part 11 (at the top and bottom of the fixing bracket 7) have a greater width than the corresponding width of the first part 9. The first part 9 includes at NO least one aperture 15 therein to enable a fastening means such as a screw 17 to pass therethrough and to fasten the first part 9 to the end of the first elongate extrusion 3, and to hold the fixing bracket 7 to the end of the first extrusion 3. In the example shown, the first part 9 includes two apertures 15 so that screws 17 can pass through the respective apertures and into screw flute receiving shaped channels 19 formed on the internal faces of the first extrusion 3. This is best shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 also shows the arrangement in transverse cross-sectional view. Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9, show that the first part 9 has at least one outwardly extending positioning guide 21 for positioning the fixing bracket 7 to the first extrusion 3. Here, the positioning guide 21 is shaped to extend into and locate between internal wall surfaces of the first elongate extrusion.

This, in turn, positions the fixing bracket 7 relative to the end of the first elongate extrusion 3. In the example shown, the fixing bracket 7 has two positioning guides 21 that are formed integrally with the first part 9 and the second part 11.

The second part 11 carries at least one slide arm 23 as a part of the second part for locating within the open channel 13 and in a track 25 in the second extrusion In the example shown, the fixing bracket 7 has only one slide arm 23 however, multiple slide arms could be provided if necessary such as by providing one slide arm on one of the arms of the second part 11 and the other slide arm on the other of the arms of the second part 11.

N\-elbourn\Cases\J'atent7 1000-7 199TP7 1879 AI\Specis\P7I 879 AU Specficatlon 2007-4-20 doc 24/04/07 6 The track 25 is provided in the open channel 13 by a pair of laterally extending flanges 27. Figures 8 and 9 best show the arrangement and they also show that the open channel 13 is defined by a pair of laterally extending flanges 29.

The slide arm 23 is fitted to extend across the height of the fixing bracket 7 (having regard to the orientation of the fixing bracket 7 shown throughout the drawings).

Thus, the slide arm 23 extends to span across the arms of the second part 11. Surface corrugations 31 may be provided on the rear face of the slide arm 23 to facilitate gripping arrangements within the track 25, as will be described hereinafter. These surface undulations have been shown only in Figure 3 to aid clarity. The slide arm 23 has two openings 33 therein aligned with the apertures 15. The openings 33 are of a suitable diameter to allow the heads of the screws 17 to pass therethrough if needed. The openings 33 also have a diameter sufficiently large to allow the passage of a screw driver that will engage with the screws 17 and permit fastening of the first part 9 and the second part 11 to the end of the first extrusion 3. The slide arm 23 also has screw threaded apertures 35 for receiving the screw threads of bolts 37 that form screw adjusting means (as will be described hereinafter). The bolts 37 are shown as internally recessed headed bolts suitable for adjustment by means of Alan keys. The bolts may have other head arrangements for adjustment by a screwdriver or the like.

The threaded shafts of the bolts 37 pass through openings 39 in the second part 11.

In use, when the first extrusion 3 is to be fitted to the second extrusion 5, the fixing bracket 7 is first fixed to the end of the first extrusion 3 by locating the positioned guides 21 therein. The screws 17 are then screwed into the channels 19 to fix the first part 9 and N \MNelbourne\Cases\Patcnt\7IOO-71999\P7t879AU\SpecisP71879 AU Specicficaon 2007-4-20 doc 24/04107 7 O second part 11 to the end of the first extrusion 3. The Ci side arm 23 is assembled relative to the second part 11 by lightly engaging the threads of the bolts 37 in the screw threaded apertures 35. The first extrusion 3 with the C 5 first part 9 and second part 11 fitted to the end thereof, is then brought into a position where the slide arm 23 can pass into the track 25 in the second extrusion 5. During INO this process, the first part 9 and the second part 11 pass through the open channel 13. Thus, in this arrangement, 1o the first extrusion 3 is then located relative to the second extrusion 5 by the slide arm 23 locating within the track 25, and unable to be displaced so that the first extrusion 3 can be laterally moved apart from the second extrusion 5. In this arrangement, there can be sliding movement along the track 25 to position the first extrusion 3 relative to the second extrusion 5. Figure 8 shows the arrangement where the fixing bracket 7 has the slide arm 23 located in the track 25 and the first part 9 and the second part 11 located in the open channel 13. It should also be noticed that under this lightly assembled condition, the first extrusion 3 and the second extrusion are displaced slightly. This is represented by numeral 41. The bolts 37 can then be tightened which, in turn, draws the first part 9 and second part 11 towards the track 25. Continued tightening applies tension forces to the assembly and draws the first extrusion 3 hard against the second extrusion 5. This is diagrammatically shown in Figure 9. In Figures 8 and 9, the bolts 37 have been shown cross hatched (which is unconventional drawing practice). This has been done deliberately to show the relative positions of the bolt 37 relative to the slide arm 23. The heads of the bolts 37 can be accessed through the open channel 13.

It should be appreciated that the above arrangement of fixing bracket 7 can provide for a compact and aesthetically pleasing finished frame. Throughout the N\ Welborne\Cases'aten\7 100.7 1 999P 7879 AURSpecisP7 I 879 AU Speciicalwon 2007-4.20 doc 24/04107 8 drawings, it should be appreciated that for clarity a whole frame assembly comprising four extrusions, has not been shown. However, such a frame, such as a frame for window or door or glazing can be assembled using the fixing brackets 7 so that there will be a fixing bracket 7 at each of the respective corners of the frame and so that the fixing brackets 7 will hold the frame in assembled relationship.

Modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of producing fixing brackets 7, particularly, fixing brackets 7 for use with elongate extrusions such as aluminium extrusions. For example, the surface undulations 31 may have teeth, to permit engagement with the edge faces of the material that defines the track 25. In this way, there can be a deformation of the material that defines the track 25 when the bolts 37 are tightened. This will, in turn, assist maintaining the holding of the extrusions in assembled relationship.

In another modification the elongate members may be formed form materials other than extruded metals or plastics.

For example, the elongate members may be formed from roll formed sheet metal, or otherwise molded to the required profile.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

N WeIbournc\CasesT\Jaent7100071999\P71879 AU\SpectsV)7 1879 AU Specication 2007-4-20doc 24/04/07 9

C"\

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

N \Mlebourne\Cases\Palent\71000-71999\P71879 AU\Specis'71879 AU Specifcation 2007.4-20 doc 24/04/07

L

Claims

2. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first part has at least one aperture to enable a screw to pass therethrough and to screw fasten into the end of the first elongate extrusion to hold said fixing bracket to the end of the first elongate member.
3. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first part has at least one outwardly extending positioning guide shaped to extend into and locate between internal wall surfaces of said first elongate member, whereby to position the fixing bracket relative to the end of the first elongate member.
4. A fixing bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second part carries at least one slide arm as a part of said second part for locating within a track provided on internal wall surfaces of the second elongate member. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second part includes screw adjusting means connected between the second part and the at least one slide arm which can be adjusted for changing a spacing between the second part and said at least on slide arm whereby when the second part and the at least one slide arm are adjusted to be relatively apart, the at least one slide N 'Melboume\Cases\.Pacnt\7 i1000-71999T7]879 ALASpeciPJ7I879 AU Specifcation 2007.4.20 doc 24/04/07 11 arm can be located within said track, and so that the adjusting means can then be adjusted to bring the second part and the at least one slide arm relatively closer together and to thereby draw the first elongate member against the second elongate member.
6. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second part is shaped so that the screw adjusting means is accessible for adjustment when the first elongate member is fixed to the second elongate member, via the open channel of the second elongate member.
7. A fixing bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims fixedly holding the first elongate member at right angles to a second elongate member.
8. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 7, being one of four such fixing brackets, each being at a respective corner of a rectangular shaped frame defined by four elongate members, and wherein all four fixing brackets hold the rectangular shaped frame in assembled relationship. N:h\lelbourne\Cases\'atent\71000-71999\P7 1879 AU\Specis\P7 879 AU Specificalion 2007-4-20 doc 24104/07