AU2015100646A4 - Assembled joint - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembled joint comprising a female elongate component, a male elongate component and a securing element; wherein the female elongate component comprises at least one male component receiving aperture/s and at least one securing element receiving aperture/s being disposed adjacently thereto; wherein the male elongate component comprises at least one first aperture configured to align with the at least one securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component; and wherein by aligning the first aperture of the male elongate component with the at least one securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component and inserting the securing element therein, the female and male elongate components are securable. 112 116 115 117 111 201 203 204 205 202 200 114 118 500 113 Figure 1 rn~t v "N sp \\ \\ -- ---------- -- -------- >0000 r1 V 0 - Y

Description

APPLICANT NAME: - David Stuckey Investments Pty Ltd. AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: "ASSEMBLED JOINT" This invention is described in the following statement:- ASSEMBLED JOINT FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The present invention relates to a female elongate component comprising at least one male elongate component receiving aperture and at least one securing element receiving aperture being adjacently disposed thereto for use in the formation of an assembled joint. In particular, the invention relates to a structure comprising at least one assembled joint/s. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [002] Many different ways are known whereby two or more members of a structure may be joined together. One example includes the use of fastening means, such as a nut and a bolt, to join one or more members together, whereby a bolt is first threaded through an aligned aperture on each member, and then a nut is used to secure said members together. In another example, two members may be joined together by means of using complementary shapes, such as a series of pins and tails (dove tail joint) or grooves. [003] For do-it-yourself assembly of structures, it would be advantageous for a person to be able to assemble a variety of structures of different lengths, heights and/or designs in a safe and easy way. This is particularly important where the person assembling the structure is inexperienced and/or is not guided by an experienced professional. It is therefore a challenge to provide a new type of joint that at least provides one or more of: improving user experience (e.g., ease of assembly); substantially improving the strength and quality of the assembled joint; and decreased manufacturing costs. Further, commonly used fastening means, such as nuts and bolts, as described above, require the use of additional tools to secure members together. In such cases, the time taken for the user to select an appropriate tool to use only to find that the appropriate tool is missing, or to handle all the components single-handedly may be demotivating to the user. Therefore, it would also be advantageous to provide users with a new type of joint that can be assembled quickly without the use of specialised tools. [004] The present invention is directed to a new type of joint and to the incorporation of the joint into a structure. The invention disclosed herein seeks to alleviate any one or more of 2 the disadvantages known in the art, or at least to provide an alternative joint that may be suitable for assembling structures without requiring the use of specialised tools. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005] The present invention relates to a female elongate component comprising at least one male elongate component receiving aperture and at least one securing element receiving aperture being adjacently disposed thereto for use in the formation of an assembled joint and to a structure comprising at least one assembled joint/s. [006] In a first aspect, the at least one male elongate component receiving aperture is a substantially U-shaped channel opening. In this embodiment, the at least one securing element receiving aperture is located adjacently at a suitable angle, and preferably, perpendicularly disposed, to the male elongate component receiving aperture. [007] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the female component comprises a further male component receiving aperture located on the female component at a predetermined distance from the channel opening and along the length on the same length thereof, wherein said further male component receiving aperture is perpendicularly disposed to at least one other securing element receiving aperture located on the female component at a predetermined distance from the at least one securing element receiving aperture and along the length thereof. [008] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the female component further comprises a foot at one end thereof. The foot may contact a floor surface and by adjusting the height of the foot, the female elongate component may be raised above the floor surface. The foot may also be used to protect the end surface of the female elongate component from being damaged during movement of the structure. [009] In a second aspect, the present invention may provide an assembled joint comprising: a female elongate component; a male elongate component; and a securing element, wherein the female elongate component comprises at least one male elongate component receiving aperture and at least one securing element receiving aperture being adjacently 3 disposed thereto; wherein the male elongate component comprises at least one aperture configured to align with the securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component; wherein by aligning the first aperture of the male elongate component with the securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component and inserting the securing element therein, the female and male elongate components are securable. [010] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the at least one male elongate component receiving aperture and the at least one securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component are disposed at a suitable angle, and preferably, perpendicularly, to one another. [011] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the securing element is received in the aligned apertures by friction fit. [012] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the female and male elongate components are substantially tubular. [013] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the female and male elongate components are each a furniture part. [014] In a third aspect, the present invention may provide the use of said at least one assembled joint/s in the assembly of a structure. [015] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the structure is a furniture frame. [016] In one embodiment, the assembled joint can be used in the assembly of furniture parts to form an assembled structure, thereby providing an easy and practical method of assembly without requiring any specialised tools. The assembled structure can also be substantially readily disassembled into the respective furniture parts, by removing the securing element from the aligned apertures, without damaging the joints and/or furniture parts, such that they are ready for later re-use. [017] As used herein, the term "structure" means an arrangement of components joined together in a predetermined relationship. [018] As used herein, the term "assembled joint" means a joint or connection formed between at least two components in a non-permanent arrangement, which joint or connection may 4 be substantially readily assembled or disassembled. [019] As used herein, the terms "secured" or "securable" means a state of being fixed or fastened together. [020] As used herein, the terms "aligned" "align" and "alignment" mean the placement or arrangement of apertures in a substantially straight line, so as to allow a securing element to be received therein or therethrough. [021] As used herein, the term "furniture part" means any type of structural part/s that comprise components of a furniture structure. [022] Also, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be non-restrictive regarding the number of elements or components. Therefore, the words "a" or "an" should be read as including one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural, unless the number is obviously meant to be singular. [023] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art reading the detailed description of the most preferred embodiment described herein. [024] Where the terms "comprise", comprises", "comprising", "include", "includes", "included" or "including" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. [025] Further, any prior art reference or statement provided in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that such art constitutes, or is to be understood as constituting, part of the common general knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [026] In order that the present invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features and wherein: [027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the female and male elongate components and the securing element of the present invention. 5 [028] Figure 2A shows the top view and Figure 2B shows the side view of an assembled structure of one preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1. [029] Figure 3 shows the side view of an end frame used in the assembly of the structure shown in Figure 2B according to the present invention. [030] Figure 4 shows an assembled joint according to the present invention. [031] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an assembled structure according to the present invention showing the end frame and the male elongate components in position. [032] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a disassembled structure according to the present invention showing the two male components being received in both apertures on the female component. [033] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an assembled structure according to the present invention showing the assembled joints. [034] Figure 8 shows an extended array of two assembled structures according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [035] The following description refers to specific embodiments of the present invention and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those specific embodiments. [036] According to one embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1, a female tubular elongate component 100 comprises at least one channel opening 111, which is adapted to receive a tubular male elongate component 200 therein and at least one securing element receiving aperture 112 being perpendicularly disposed to said channel opening 111, which is adapted to align with aperture 203 located at end 201 of male elongate component 200 to receive a securing element 400 therein. The channel opening 111 is a substantially U-shaped opening and the securing element receiving aperture/s is substantially rectangularly-shaped. The female component 100 comprises at least one other substantially rectangularly-shaped male component receiving aperture/s 113 located on the same length of female elongate component 110 as the channel opening 111 and at a predetermined distance away therefrom. The female component 100 comprises at least 6 one other securing element receiving aperture 114 located along the same length as the securing element receiving aperture 112 and at a predetermined distance away therefrom. The female component as shown in Figure 1 optionally includes a foot 500, which may contact a floor surface (not shown) and by adjusting the height of the foot may be used to raise the female elongate component 100 above the floor surface. The foot 500 may also be used to protect the end surface of the female elongate component 100 from being damaged during movement of the structure. [037] As also shown in Figure 1, a male elongate component 200 having aperture 203 located at end 201 thereof is formed with an upper surface 202. In one preferred embodiment, there is a corresponding aperture 204 located on the side of male component 200 opposite to aperture 203. [038] The securing element 400, as shown in Figure 1, is substantially plug-like and is adapted to be inserted into securing element receiving aperture/s 112, 114 of the female elongate component 100 aligned with aperture 203 of male elongate component 200. The securing element 400 can be of any shape and is substantially configured to be received within or through the aligned apertures 112, 203. Examples of suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, cylindrical, square, rectangular, and hexagonal. Preferably, the securing element 400 is rectangularly-shaped, with an external face plate 401 and at least one wall 405, preferably two walls 402, 405, and most preferably four walls. Preferably, a flange 403 is present around the outside edges of the face plate 401, such that the at least one wall 405 of the securing element 400 can be received within or through the aligned apertures 112, 203, whilst allowing the internal face 404 of the face plate 401 to contact the aligned apertures 112, 203 and substantially prevent the face plate 401 from completely entering the aligned apertures 112, 203. Located on the outside surface of the at least one wall 405 of the securing element 400 is at least one protrusion 406. The protusion 406 allows the at least one wall 405 of the securing element 400 to be located inside the aligned apertures 112, 203 and secured therewithin by friction fit. The protrusion 406 can be of any shape, as long as it is suitably adapted to form a friction fit between the protrusion 406 and any portion of the internal wall/s 205 of the aperture 203 of male elongate component 200. The securing element 400 may include grooves (not shown) formed in or on at least one wall/s 402, 405 to increase the friction fit. 7 [039] In other embodiments, the securing element 400 may include a spring (not shown) in the form of a sheet metal configured in a suitable predetermined orientation. In such embodiments, the contours of the suitably oriented sheet metal allow deflection back into its predetermined orientation, when a deforming force is applied to the spring (not shown) upon insertion into the aligned apertures 112, 203. The contours of the spring (not shown) may include contact points, which provide a spring force frictionally holding the securing element 400, via the spring (not shown), held within the aligned apertures 112, 203. [040] In other embodiments, the securing element may be cylindrically shaped and suitably threaded to allow insertion into the aligned apertures by rotation. [041] The securing element 400 may optionally include a handle 407, as shown in Figure 4, on the external front face plate 401 in the form of a protrusion handle or an aperture handle. The protrusion handle 407 allows the securing element 400 to be held at the front face plate 401 for ease of insertion into, or removal from, the aligned apertures 112, 203. Alternatively, the aperture handle 407 may be a slot, which allows a key to be inserted therein. The key (not shown), when rotated, securely holds the securing element 400 and prevents the key from being removed therefrom and when pulled, provides a means by which the securing element 400 may be withdrawn from the aligned apertures 112, 203. [042] As shown in Figure 1, once end 201 of the male elongate component 200 is received in substantially U-shaped opening 111 in female elongate component 100, the upper surface 202 of male elongate component 200 sits flush with the upper edge 116 of open end 115 of the female elongate component 100. Securing element 400 is then inserted into securing element receiving aperture 112 of female component 100 and through aperture 203 of male component 200, whereby female component 100 is secured to male component 200. [043] As shown in Figure 2, the cross-sectional shape of the female elongate component 100 is preferably square. The cross-sectional shape of the male elongate component 200 is preferably rectangular. [044] An end frame 600, as shown in Figure 3, comprises at least two female elongate components 100 fixed in position by at least one brace member 300 connecting the two 8 female components 100. Preferably, two substantially parallel brace members 300, 302 connect the female elongate components 100 located at or between each end of the female elongate components 100 to improve the stability of the end frame 600. [045] In the embodiment shown, an end 301 of a first brace member 300 is located at or substantially near the end 115 of the female elongate component 100 and a second brace member 302 is positioned substantially midway between the ends 115, 118 of female elongate component 100. In one embodiment, the brace members 300, 302 may be permanently fixed. In another embodiment, the brace members 300, 302 may be removably detachable. When the brace member/s 300, 302 is/are permanently fixed, the brace members 300, 302 may be welded or glued to the female elongate component 100 by methods known in the art. Alternatively, the brace member/s 300, 302 may be inserted into the corresponding aperture 117 located on the female elongate component 100, with a lip (not shown) formed at the end of the brace member/s 300, 302 to engage an internal wall (not shown) of the female elongate component 100, thereby substantially preventing the brace members 300, 302 from being easily removed. [046] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 2A showing the top view of a structure which comprises at least two end frames 600 and at least two male elongate components 200, at least four assembled joints are utilised at the corners of the structure. More preferably, the structure comprises at least three male elongate components 200, as shown in Figure 2B. Most preferably, the structure comprises at least four male elongate components 200. Each male elongate component 200 may be used to join two end frames 600 to form a stable, free standing structure. The structure can be any type of furniture frame and preferably, a frame of a desk or table. [047] In embodiments where the end frame 600 is formed from at least one brace member 300 and bound by two female elongate components 100, in the form of a "H", "4n"l , or "H" orientation, such end frame 600 has a planar structure. When an end frame 600 has a planar structure, it may be advantageously stored and/or packed flat, so as to maximize storage volume by allowing the end frames 600 to be nested one on top of the other. [048] As shown in Figure 4, an assembled joint 700 is formed between a female elongate component 100 and male elongate component 200, by the insertion of securing element 9 400 into aligned apertures 112, 203 located on said components 100, 200, respectively. [049] In other embodiments, each end 115, 118 of the female elongate component 100 may comprise a substantially U-shaped opening 111 to receive an end 201 of a male component 200 therein, and once secured by a securing element 400, an assembled joint 700 may be formed at each end 115, 118 of the female elongate component 100. [050] In other embodiments, the first aperture 203 of the male component 200 and the securing element receiving aperture 112 of the female component 100 can independently be of any shape, including, but not limited to, circles, squares, pyramids, pentagons, and hexagons, as long as the cross-sectional shape of securing element 400 is substantially complementary to the shape of securing element receiving aperture/s 112, 114 on the female component 100 and the shape of aperture 203 of the male component 200. [051] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a furniture frame comprising a plurality of female elongate component/s 100, which together form the legs of the furniture frame, wherein a plurality of male elongate components 200 are connected therebetween, wherein the male components 200 serve to brace the legs 100 in position. In this embodiment shown, the top male elongate component 200 comprises one component of a skirt, whilst the bottom male elongate component 200 comprises one component of a box stretcher. It would be understood by the person skilled in the art that the male elongate component 200 can be oriented in different arrangements to form, for example, X-stretchers, H-stretchers and the like, based on the dispositions of the apertures 203 of the male component 200 and apertures 111, 112 of the female component and/or based on the cross-sectional shape of the female elongate component 100. Securing element 400 is inserted into securing element receiving aperture 112 or 114 on female elongate component 100 and through aperture 203 (not shown in this Figure) of male component 200. [052] Figures 6 and 7 show disassembled and assembled structures, respectively, showing how the assembled joints are formed, by inserting securing element 400 into aligned apertures 111, 203 and 113, 203, respectively. [053] Once assembled, such securing allows a planar board (not shown) to be supported by both the female elongate component/s 100 and the male elongate component/s 200 and to be in substantially even contact therewith so as to provide a flat surface. 10 [054] The female elongate components 100 and male elongate components 200 may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or metal. If the elongate components are made of wood, they may be made by wood working techniques known in the art, such as milling and/or turning. If the elongate components are made of plastic, they may be made by plastic forming techniques known in the art, such as blow-moulding, injection moulding, thermoforming and extrusion techniques. If the elongate components are made of metal, they may be made by metal working techniques known in the art. Examples of metal working techniques include, but are not limited to, any one or more of die casting, sand casting, shell casting, drawing, forging, rolling, powder metallurgy, extrusion, milling, and the like. [055] In the most preferred embodiment, the female elongate component 100 comprises at least one set of male component receiving apertures 111, 113 and at least one set of securing element receiving apertures 112, 114 suitably disposed along its length. The female elongate component 100 can in different embodiments include two, three, four, five or six sets of apertures. The number of sets of apertures allows a plurality of structural units to be joined together to form an assembly or array of structural units such as that shown in Figure 8. [056] In embodiments where an assembly or an array of structural units is formed as shown in Figure 8, a particular set of male elongate components 200 connected between two female elongate components 100 may be of a different length to another set of male elongate components 200 connected between the female elongate components 100, depending on the ultimately desired structural unit. [057] In certain other embodiments, the female elongate component/s 100 may not include a brace member 300, such that a planar structure unit is formed when a male elongate component 200 is positioned and connected between them. Such a planar structure unit may be used as a fence or barrier, with the size and length of the fence being dictated by the length of the female elongate component 100 and male elongate component 200, or the number of additional planar structure units successively connected thereto. [058] Other embodiments and uses of this invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the specification and figures of the invention 11 disclosed herein. The specification should be considered as exemplary only, and it is contemplated that the appended claims will cover any other such embodiments or modifications that fall within the scope of the invention disclosed herein. 12

Claims (5)

1. A female elongate component comprising at least one male component receiving aperture and at least one securing element receiving aperture being adjacently disposed to said male component receiving aperture for receiving a securing element therein for use in the formation of an assembled joint.

2. A female elongate component according to Claim 1, wherein one of the male component receiving aperture/s is a substantially U-shaped channel and the at least one securing element receiving aperture/s is perpendicularly disposed to said channel.

3. A female elongate component according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising at least one further male elongate component receiving apertures located at a predetermined distance from the channel along the length of said female component, wherein said at least one further male component receiving aperture is adjacently disposed to at least one other securing element receiving apertures located at a predetermined distance from the at least one securing element receiving apertures along the length of said female component.

4. An assembled joint comprising: a female elongate component; a male elongate component; and a securing element; wherein the female elongate component comprises at least one male component receiving aperture/s and at least one securing element receiving aperture/s being disposed adjacently thereto; wherein the male elongate component comprises at least one first aperture configured to align with the at least one securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component; and wherein by aligning the first aperture of the male elongate component with the at least one securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component and inserting the securing element therein, the female and male elongate components are securable.

5. The joint of claim 4, wherein the first aperture of the male elongate component and the securing element receiving aperture of the female elongate component are 13 perpendicularly disposed to one another. 14