AU2007201960B2

AU2007201960B2 - Fixing Bracket

Info

Publication number: AU2007201960B2
Application number: AU2007201960A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robyn Clancy
Original assignee: CAPRAL Ltd
Current assignee: CAPRAL Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-03
Filing date: 2007-05-02
Publication date: 2012-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-02
Also published as: AU2007201960A1

Abstract

A fixing bracket 7 is provided for fixing an end of a first elongate extrusion 3 to the side of the second 5 elongate extrusion 5. The fixing bracket 7 has a first part 9 which can be fixed to the end of the first elongate extrusion 3. The first part 9 has a second part 11 that can be fixed to the side of the second elongate extrusion by slide engaging within internal wall surfaces of an open 10 channel that extends along the length of the second extrusion 5. The second part 11 carries a slide arm 23 that slides within a track 25 in the open channel 17 thereby permitting the second part 11 to slide engage with internal wall surfaces in the second extrusion 5. N \Melboum\Cases\Patent\7jO0O-7 I999P71879 AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specification 2007-4-20 doc 24/04/07

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 s 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 io 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 15 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 20 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 25 second elongate member, said fixing bracket having a first part which can be fixed to an end of the first elongate member, said fixing bracket having a second part which can be fixed to a side of the second elongate member by slide engaging with 30 internal wall surfaces of an open channel that extends along said side of the second elongate member, the second part of the bracket carries at least one slide arm that slide engages with internal wall surfaces of the open channel in the second elongate member, and the second part 35 includes screw adjusting means connected between the second part and the at least one slide arm and accessible via the open channel of the second elongate member when 3698928_1 (GHMatters) P71879.AU 19/09/12 -3 the first elongate member is fixed to the second elongate member so that, when the slide arm is in engagement with the second elongate member, the adjustment means can be adjusted to bring the second part and at least one slide 5 arm closer together to thereby draw the first and second elongate members together. Most preferably said first part wherein said first part has at least one aperture to enable a screw to pass there 10 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. Most preferably said first part has at least one outwardly 15 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. 20 Most preferably the at least one slide arm is locatable within a track provided on internal wall surfaces of the second elongate member. In order that the invention can be more clearly 25 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 30 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 35 according to the example of the preferred embodiment taken from one end. 3698928_1 (GHMatiers)P71879.AU 19109/12 - 3A Figure 3 is an isometric view similar to that in Figure 2, but taken from the opposite end. 5 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 10 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 3698928 1 (GHManers) P71879 AU 19/09/12 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 5 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 10 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 1). One such bracket 7 will be at each end of the first extrusions 3. 15 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 20 extrusion 5 by slide engaging with internal wall surfaces of an open channel 13 that extends along the side of the second extrusion 5. The first part 9 and a body of the second part 11 are made 25 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 30 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 35 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 \Me1lbourne\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P7 1879 AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specification 2002.4-20 doc 24104107 - 5 first part 9. This is most clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Thus, in the disposition shown in these Figures, the arms 5 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 least one aperture 15 therein to enable a fastening means such as a screw 17 to pass therethrough and to fasten the 10 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 15 receiving "C" 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 20 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 25 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. 30 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 5. In the example shown, the fixing bracket 7 has only one slide arm 23 however, multiple slide arms could be 35 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 \ ebourn\Cases\J'aten\7 1000-7 1999\P7 1879 AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specificat on 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 5 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). 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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. 30 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 35 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 \Melbourne\Cases\Patcnt\71000-71999\P71879.AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specification 2007-4-20 doc 24/04/07 - 7 second part 11 to the end of the first extrusion 3. The 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 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 this process, the first part 9 and the second part 11 pass through the open channel 13. Thus, in this arrangement, 10 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 15 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 20 should also be noticed that under this lightly assembled condition, the first extrusion 3 and the second extrusion 5 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 25 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 30 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. 35 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 \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\7 1000-71999\P71 879 AU\Specs\P71 879 AU Specificaion 2007-4-20 doc 24/04/07 -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 s 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. 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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 35 common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. N WeIbourne\Cases\Pat ent\7OO0-71999\P71879 AU\Specis\P71879 AU Specification 2007-4-20.doc 24/04/07 -9 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 s "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 \Melbourne\Cases\Palent\71000-71999\P7 1879 AU\Specis\P17879 AU Specification 2007.4-20 doc 24/04/07

Claims

1. A fixing bracket for fixing an end of a first elongate member to a side of a second elongate member, 5 said fixing bracket having a first part which can be fixed to an end of the first elongate member, said fixing bracket 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 10 along said side of the second elongate member, the second part of the bracket carries at least one slide arm that slide engages with internal wall surfaces of the open channel in the second elongate member, and the second part includes screw adjusting means connected between the is second part and the at least one slide arm and accessible via the open channel of the second elongate member when the first elongate member is fixed to the second elongate member so that, when the slide arm is in engagement with the second elongate member, the adjustment means can be 20 adjusted to bring the second part and at least one slide arm closer together to thereby draw the first and second elongate members together.

2. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 25 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. 30

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 35 relative to the end of the first elongate member.

4. A fixing bracket as claimed in any one of the 3698928_ t (GHMatlers) P71879. AU 19/09/12 - 11 preceding claims, wherein said at least one slide arm is locatable within a track provided on internal wall surfaces of the second elongate member.

5 5. 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.

6. A fixing bracket as claimed in claim 5, being one of 10 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. 15

7. A fixing bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 3698928_ 1 (GHMatters) P71879.AU 19109/12