AU2007202919B2

AU2007202919B2 - A Connector

Info

Publication number: AU2007202919B2
Application number: AU2007202919A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joannes Hendricus Jorna
Original assignee: Enviro Framing Systems Int Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Enviro Framing Systems International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-02
Filing date: 2007-06-25
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-02
Also published as: AU2007202919A1

Abstract

A connector (11) for connection to a hollow frame member (12) the connector having at least one projection (17) for receiving a complimentary end of the 5 hollow frame member, the projection having raised portions (19) on an outer surface thereof and the projection is dimensioned relative to the hollow frame member such that force is required to fit the hollow end over the projection and during fitting the hollow end of the frame member is deformed about the projection so as to be internally engaged by the raised portions Sheet I of 7 rj toH Sheet 4 of 7

Description

1 A CONNECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connector for connecting structural 5 frame members, at least one of which frame member is hollow. The present invention is particularly directed towards connectors for use in connecting frame members of furniture. The present invention also relates to a frame system incorporating the connectors of the invention. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described with particular reference to a frame and framing system for furniture. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may have other applications and no limitation is 15 intended thereby. The use of metal frames for furniture, shelving, trolleys, generator frames, cabinets and the like is well known. Stainless steel is a popular material in view of its aesthetic qualities. Stainless steel frame members are 20 typically welded together. To avoid an unsightly appearance at the weld sites, The welds must be buffed and polished. The entire joining process is expensive in terms of labour and transport costs. Aluminium frames are also known. Aluminium frame members may be 25 joined by a number of techniques including welding, screwing, providing external connecting brackets or any combination thereof. Typical connecting brackets are right angle connectors that are fastened by rivets or threaded screws. It will be appreciated that ensuring the correct location and alignment of such connectors requires a certain degree of skill. Failure to properly align 30 frame members can result in a failed product that must be discarded. Other systems rely upon custom designed extrusions that provide interlocking projections and/or recesses. It will be appreciated that providing such custom extrusions may increase material and hence production costs.

2 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative method for joining frame members. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first broad form of the present invention, there is provided a connector for connection to a hollow frame member the connector having at least one projection for receiving a complimentary end of the hollow 10 frame member, the projection having raised portions on an outer surface thereof and the projection is dimensioned relative to the hollow frame member such that force is required to fit the hollow end over the projection and during fitting the hollow end of the frame member is deformed about the projection so as to be internally engaged by the raised portions. 15 The connector of the present invention can connect the ends of one or more hollow frame members to each other. Examples of such applications may be essentially two dimensional structures such as door frames, window frames, barriers, advertising sign frames or the like. 20 The connector may also connect one or more hollow frame members to a support member. In this case, the connector typically includes a collar or sleeve for 25 receiving the support member. The collar or sleeve has a cross section complimentary to the outer surface of the frame member. The collar is typically dimensioned to allow it to be press fitted over the support member. Typically, the internal face of the collar has raised portions that grip or engage the support member when it is press fitted into the collar. 30 The connector may also be used to connect a hollow frame member to a flat surface such as a wall of floor. In this case, the connector may have a base upon which the projection extends. The base may be fixed to the wall or other surface by suitable means such as bolts, screws or the like.

3 The connector has at least one projection for receiving the deformable end of a hollow frame member. The projection is typically of rectangular or square cross section. The projection has a number of raised portions on the 5 outer surface thereof which in use internally engages the end of the hollow frame member. The raised portions may be in any suitable form and may be in the form of multiple teeth, knobs or the like. Preferably, the raised portions are in the form of parallel ribs that run in a directional an angle to the direction in which the end of the frame member is fitted onto the projection. Preferably 10 the ribs have a triangular cross section. The end of the hollow frame member is deformable such that it deformed about the projection during fitment. This deformation results in a very tight fit about the projection and the raised portions "bit" into the inner 15 surface of the hollow frame member. This produces a very tight fit. Generally, no further fixing of the connector to the frame member is required. According to a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a frame assembly having hollow frame members connected by a connector of 20 the invention. The connector of the present invention is preferably formed from extruded aluminium. However, it will be appreciated that the connector may be formed from any suitable material in any suitable manner. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a preferred connector of the present invention in use; 30 Figure 2 is a cross section of the connector shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail of the connector of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a further detail of the connector of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a further detail of the connector of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a further detail of the connector of Figure 2; 4 Figures 7 to 11 show further preferred connectors of the present invention; Figures 12a to 12d show various furniture frames that may be constructed using preferred connectors of the present invention; Figure 13 shows another furniture frame incorporating a preferred connector 5 of the present invention; Figure 14 shows another furniture frame incorporating a preferred connector of the present invention; and Figure 15 shows a generator frame incorporating a preferred connector of the present invention. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a preferred connector 11 of the present invention connecting two hollow frame members 12, 13 to a leg 14 of 15 a for a piece of furniture. The connector 11 is formed from an aluminium extrusion that has been cut to size. The connector 11 has a collar 15 of square cross section. The internal walls of the collar 15 have a series of ribs 16. In use, the ribs 16 grip the outer 20 walls of leg 14. The connector 11 has two projections 17, 18 that extend at right angles to each other. The projections 17, 18 have a series of parallel ribs 19 of triangular shaped cross section. In use, the ends of frame members 12, 13 25 are forced over the ends of projections 17, 18. The height of the projections 17, 18 is slightly more than the corresponding height of the respective frame member. This means that when the frame members are forced over the projections, the end of the frame member deforms or stretches slightly such that the side walls are brought closer together so as to firmly press fit against 30 the projection walls. The ribs 19 "bite" into the inner walls of the frame member, thereby forming a positive engagement.

5 Figure 2 shows a cross section of connector 11. The connector 11 has two shoulders 20, 21. In use, the shoulders meet the ends of the frame members so as to provide a flush surface so as to provide a smooth appearance. Provision of similar shoulders on the other side of the respective 5 projection is not necessary as this part of the connector is not normally visible. The connector 11 has a raised flat section 22 extending from collar 15. This section has a small "v" extruded therein. The section is sized to a thickness such that in use it may receive a screw, bolt or the like and 10 effectively function as a nut. The "v" acts as a drill locator. A detail is shown in Figure 6. Figure 5 shows a further detail. In use, the nut is used to fix the collar into position on a leg. This may be of particular importance when the leg is formed from timber which may shrink over time. One or more screws are fitted in the nut allowing the collar to be tightened about the leg via the 15 screws from time to time. Additional fixation may be desirable when the collar is a loose fit about a leg. The nut may also be used to permanently fix the collar into position on a leg. After press fitting the collar into position on the leg, a hole is drilled 20 though the nut and into the leg. The collar may then be pop riveted onto the leg. Figure 3 shows a detail of the end of a projection. The end has a C shaped cross section 23. This section provides an optional and additional 25 means of securing a hollow frame member to the connector. The C section is dimensioned to receive a self drilling and tapping screw that is inserted after the frame member has been press fitted over the projection. This causes the C section to be forced open slightly proving a firmer grip into the frame member. The screw itself provides an additional locking mechanism. 30 Figures 7 to 10 show further preferred connectors of the present invention. These figures show that the collar may be of any desirable cross section and the connector may have any desirable number of projections.

6 Figure 12 illustrates the versatility of the types of frames that may be constructed using connectors of the invention. Figures 13 to 15 show further frames that may be constructed using 5 preferred connectors of the present invention. It may be appreciated that the connector of the present invention allows different frame to be designed and constructed with ease and versatility. For example, if a four legged rectangular square frame is desired 10 having 40 x 40 mm legs and 50mm H x 25 mm frame members, a connector having a square collar and two projections at 900 would be selected. The next step would be to cut an extruded 40 x 40mm aluminium hollow tube to the desired height for the table leg. The legs are then press 15 fitted into the collars of the connectors. Next a 50mm x 25mm x 2,5mm aluminium hollow tube is cut to the desired table width, taking into account that the connector will add to the overall frame size. The frame members are then press fitted onto the connectors. Typically, for non-square frames the shorter frame members are connected first. 20 The table top may then be fitted to the table frame. Holes may be drilled through the underside of the frame members at desirable locations. The holes are then drilled on the underside to a suitable size that will allow the head of a screw and screw driver head to pass therethrough, typically 25 11.5mm. The screw on the upper side is drilled to about 6.5mm. A screw is then used to secure the table top to the frame member. For ease of manufacture, the frame members may be pre-drilled. The final finish of the frame may be determined by selecting a desired 30 finish on the aluminium frame members. For example, the frame members may be pre-anodized or pre-powder coated in the desired colours in full lengths before cutting to the required lengths.

7 It may be appreciated that the connectors of the present invention allow frame assemblies to be constructed simply and easily without the requirements for welding. The entire frame may be made from aluminium which is considerably lighter than steel. 5 It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention as described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. A connector for connection to a hollow frame member the connector having at least one projection for receiving a complimentary open deformable end of the hollow frame member, the projection having first and second side walls resistant to deformation, raised portions on and one or both of said side walls, wherein the projection is dimensioned relative to the hollow frame member such that force is required to fit the hollow end over the projection in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the projection and during fitting the hollow end of the frame member is stretched about the projection so as to be internally engaged by the raised portions.

2. The connector of claim 1 having at least two projections.

3. The connector of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the raised portions on the connector are parallel ribs aligned in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction in which the hollow frame member is fitted onto the projection.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the ribs are of triangular cross section.

5. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the projection has a rectangular cross section.

6. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the projection is hollow and has the end closed by an end wall.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the end wall includes bevelled upper and lower edges.

8. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 7, further including a collar for receiving a support member.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the collar has raised portions on the internal surface thereof.

10. The connector of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the collar includes a thickened section through which a screw may pass. 9

11. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the projection is hollow and has an internal member having a C cross section that in use may receive a screw.

12. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.

13. A frame assembly including the connector of any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. A frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.

15. A connector assembly comprising a hollow frame member having a deformable open end and the connector of any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A connector assembly, comprising: a hollow frame member having a deformable open end, a projection dimensioned such that force is applied to fit the deformable open end over the projection; an outer surface of the first side wall of the projection having a first plurality of ribs an elongated projection having a first side wall and a second side wall resistant to deformation connected by an end wall configured to resist lateral movement of the first wall and the second wall; an outer surface of the second side wall of the projection having a second plurality of ribs the outer surface of the first side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall each having an orthogonal length perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the projection, the orthogonal length being greater than a length of a first internal surface and a second internal surface of the hollow frame member such that when force is applied to fit the deformable open end over the projection in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated projection, the first and second internal surfaces of the hollow frame member stretch to the orthogonal length of the projection and the first and the second plurality of ribs positively engage the first and second internal surfaces of the hollow frame member, respectively.

17. The connector assembly of claim 16, comprising: a collar having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, the first opening and the second opening each defined by a same distance between a first inner surface of the collar and a second inner surface of the collar; at least one of the first inner 10 surface and the second inner surface including at least one projection extending into the first opening and the second opening; wherein the collar is configured to receive at least one support member at the first opening and at the second opening; and wherein the projection extends from an outer surface of the collar.

18. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the collar includes a plurality of raised portions on at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface configured to grip an outer surface of the at least one support member.

19. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the collar includes a thickened section through which a screw may pass for securing the collar to the support member.

20. A frame assembly, comprising: a support member, at least one hollow frame member and a connector configured to connect the at least one hollow frame member to the support member, wherein the connector includes a collar configured to engage an outer surface of the support member, the collar having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, the first opening and the second opening each defined by a same distance between a first inner surface of the collar and a second inner surface of the collar; at least one elongated projection extending outward from the collar, the at least one projection having a first side wall having a first plurality of ribs and a second side wall having a second plurality of ribs, the first side wall and the second side wall resistant to deformation and connected by an end wall configured to resist lateral movement of the first wall and the second wall and each having an orthogonal length perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the projection, the orthogonal length being greater than a length of corresponding length of a first interior surface and a second interior surface of the hollow frame member such that when force is applied to fit the deformable open end over the projection in a direction along the longitudinal length of the projection, the interior surfaces of the hollow frame stretch to the orthogonal length of the projection and the first and second plurality of ribs positively engage the interior surfaces of the hollow frame member.