AU720153B2

AU720153B2 - Assembly of extruded frame members

Info

Publication number: AU720153B2
Application number: AU60769/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Edward Don Allen
Original assignee: Birnmont Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ABRA ALUMINIUM Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-07-31
Filing date: 1996-07-29
Publication date: 2000-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-29
Also published as: AU6076996A

Description

I/UU/U11 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: ASSEMBLY OF EXTRUDED FRAME MEMBERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us 1 ASSEMBLY OF EXTRUDED FRAME MEMBERS The present invention relates to the assembly of extruded frame members, and in particular relates to a method and means for joining extruded frame members.

Extruded frame members are commonly used in the manufacture of window and door frames. Commonly the extruded frame members are made from metal such as aluminium or aluminium based alloys. The frame members are extruded in straight lengths, cut according to the required dimensions, and then assembled together to form the frame.

One common means by which extruded frame members for window and door frames are connected together entails the use of mechanical fixing means such as rivets, screws, nuts and bolts and the like. With this form of frame assembly it is necessary to drill or punch one or more holes in the frame members into which the fixing means can be located in order to join the frame members together to form an assembled frame. However, this increases the time to both make and assemble the frame members and results in the cost of manufacture of an assembled frame being higher than desirable.

*It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling extruded frame members which enables the frame members to be 20 quickly and easily joined together and which provides accurate location and locking of the frame members to form an assembled frame.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a connector element for assembling extruded frame members which enables the frame members to be quickly and easily joined together and which provides accurate location and locking of the frame members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame assembled from extruded frame members in which the frame members are quickly and easily joined together without the need for fixing means such as rivets, screws, nuts and bolts and the like, and which is economical to assemble.

To this end the present invention provides a method of connecting a first extruded frame member to a second extruded frame member, said method including using a connector element to connect said first extruded frame member to said second extruded frame member, wherein said connector element includes a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said first extruded frame member, said second arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one lo or more cooperating surfaces of said second extruded frame member, and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member.

o.

The present invention also provides a connector element for connecting a first extruded frame member to a second extruded frame member, said connector including a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more 20 cooperating surfaces of said first extruded frame member, said second arm

*S

including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said second extruded frame member, and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member.

The present invention also provides a frame, such as a window or door frame, said frame including extruded frame members wherein said extruded frame members are connected by a connector element wherein said connector element includes a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections S extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating 3 surfaces of a first extruded frame member, said second arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of a second extruded frame member, and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member.

Preferably the first and second extruded frame members are made from metal. It is also preferable that the connector element be made from lo metal.

Preferably the first arm and the second arm of the connector element are substantially planar. It is also preferable that the first arm and the second arm of the connector element lie in a common plane. In a further preferred form the connector element includes a substantially planar body portion, said 15 body portion including said first arm and said second arm. Preferably the connector element also includes a locating means adapted to locate the connector element in the desired position relative to said first extruded frame member and said second extruded frame member when the connector is S engaged with said frame members. The locating means acts to ensure there 20 is little or no relative movement between the first and second frame members when the frame members are connected by the connector element.

Preferably the locating means extends from the body portion of the connector element and includes a surface which is adapted to abut a surface of either the first or second frame member. It is further preferable that the said surface extends out of the plane of the body portion of the connector and is adapted to abut an end surface of either the said first or second frame member. It is also preferable that the locating means extends from a corner of the body portion of the connector element from which the said first arm and said second arm extend.

Preferably the projections of the said first arm and said second arm are integrally formed in or on the said first and said second arms. It is further R A preferable that the projections are either pressed or stamped from the first and second arms.

The present invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following discussion of a preferred embodiment of the frame members, connector element, and method of assembly thereof. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connector element according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the connector element depicted in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the connector element depicted in figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view of an extruded metal frame member adapted to engage with the connector element of figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of an arm of the connector element located in and engaging with the cooperating surfaces of the extruded metal frame member depicted in figure 4.

0• 15 Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first and second metal frame member joined by the connector element.

Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3, a preferred embodiment of the S connector element 1 according to the present invention is shown. Preferably the connector element 1 is made from metal. The connector element 1 includes a planar body portion 2 including a first arm 3a and second arm 3b extending substantially at right angles to each other such that the body portion 2 is substantially L-shaped. In this way the connector 1 is adapted to 9

S

provide for right angled corner frame connections. However, it should be 9 appreciated that the angle between the first and second arms 3a, 3b may vary so as to provide for corner connections other than right angle.

The depth/thickness dimension of the body portion 2 of the connector element is significantly less than the length dimensions of the arms 3a, 3b so that the body portion of the connector is substantially planar and the arms 3a and 3b each have a respective longitudinal axis. The first and second arms 3a, 3b lie in a common plane.

The arms 3a, 3b of the connector element are provided with a plurality of projections 4 which extend out of the plane of the arms. The connector is preferably made of a suitable metal material and the projections 4 are pressed or punched from the arms of the connector. The projections 4 preferably include an engaging surface or edge 5 which is adapted to engage with a cooperating surface of the extruded metal frame member to which it is connected. Preferably the engaging surface or edge 5 of the projections 4 is either parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the arm on which the g :projection resides.

io The connector 1 also includes a locating means 6 which extends from the body portion 2 of the connector. The locating means extends from the junction of the first and second arms of the connector and includes a surface 7 which is adapted to abut a surface of the extruded frame member to which the connector is fitted. In the embodiment depicted the locating means is adapted such that the surface 7 will abut an end surface of a frame member connected to arm 3a of the connector.

Referring to figure 4, an end view of an extruded metal frame member 8 adapted to engage with the connector element 1 is depicted. The frame member 8 is typically extruded from aluminium or an aluminium alloy in the desired cross sectional form. In order to engage with the connector element 1, the frame member 8 is provided with a recess 9 into which an arm 3a or 3b of the connector element is located. The recess 9 forms a u-shaped channel into which the connector elements slidably engage as can be seen in figures and 6. The recess 9 is defined by walls 10a, 1 Ob. Interior faces 11 a, 11 b of 25 the walls 1 Oa, 1 Ob are adapted to cooperate with the projections 4 of the arm of the connector element. In the embodiment depicted the interior surfaces 11 a, 11 b of the walls 1 Oa, 1 Ob are provided with a series of recesses 12a, ""o6 12b into which the projections 4 of the connector element extend when the Sconnector arm is positioned in recess 9. In the embodiment depicted the surfaces 11 a and 11 b are provided with a saw tooth profile which enables the arm of the connector element to be pressed into the recess, but which prevents the connector arm from being withdrawn from the recess due to the surfaces or edges 5 of the projections 4 contacting the retaining faces 13 of the recesses. The mechanical interaction between the projections 4 and the recesses 12a, 12b of the interior surfaces 11a, 11b of the recess 9 is more clearly depicted in figure 5 which depicts a cross sectional view of an arm 3a of the connector element 1 to which an extruded metal frame member 8 is attached.

Referring to figure 6, a perspective view of a first and second metal 0: o frame member joined by the connector element 1 is depicted. The connector element 1 is shown in solid line whilst the two metal frame members 8a and 8b are shown in broken line.

The arms 3a, 3b of the connector element 1 are located in the respective recesses 9a, 9b of the 2 extruded metal frame members. The mechanical interaction between the projections 4 on the arms 3a, 3b and the interior surfaces of the recesses 9 result in a firm connection of each frame member to an arm of the connector element. The locating means 6 of the connector acts to prevent any movement of the connector element 1 along recess 9a. The surface 7 of the locating means 6 abuts an end surface 14 of the frame member 8a. In this way undesired movement of the connector arm 3a in recess 9a is prevented, thereby in turn preventing longitudinal movement of frame member 8b relative to frame member 8a.

This method of assembly can be repeated for each corner joint to produce an assembled frame.

25 It can therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides a 0 method and means of joining extruded frame members which enables the members to be quickly and easily joined together, and which provides accurate location and locking of the frame members to form an assembled 0 frame. In this way it is possible to economically produce and assemble a metal frame, particularly for a window or door.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a first extruded frame member to a second extruded frame member, said method including using a connector element to connect said first extruded frame member to said second extruded frame member, wherein said connector element includes a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said first extruded frame member, said second arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said second extruded frame member, and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by e.a: a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member. o

2. The method of connecting a first extruded frame member to a second extruded frame member as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first and second extruded frame members are made from metal. 0 oo**

3. A connector element for connecting a first extruded frame member to a *second extruded frame member, said connector element including a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said first extruded frame member, said second arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of said second extruded frame member; and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member. 8

4. The connector element as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the first arm and the second arm of the connector element are substantially planar. The connector element as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the first arm and the second arm of the connector element lie in a common plane.

6. The connector element as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the connector element includes a substantially planar body portion from which extends said first arm and said second arm.

7. The connector element as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the projections of the said first arm and said second arm are integrally formed in or on the said first and said second arms. eq•

8. The connector element as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the projections C o are either pressed or stamped from the first and second arms. eq..

9. A frame including extruded frame members wherein said extruded frame members are connected by a connector element wherein said connector element includes a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a °respective longitudinal axis, said first arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of a first extruded frame member, said second arm including one or more projections extending from the arm and adapted to engage with one or more cooperating surfaces of a second extruded frame member, and wherein at least one of the first and second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member. The frame as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said first and second extruded frame members are made from metal. 9

11. The frame as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the first arm and the second arm of the connector element are substantially planar.

12. The frame as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the first arm and the second arm of the connector element lie in a common plane.

13. The frame as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the connector element includes a substantially planar body portion from which extends said first arm and said second arm.

14. The frame as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the projections of the said first arm and said second arm are integrally formed in or on the said first and said second arms. 0; The frame as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the projections are either pressed or stamped from the first and second arms. °p I 0

16. A connector element for connecting frame members having u-shaped e groove, the connector element including a first and second arm each arm having a respective longitudinal axis, and each arm having a plurality of projecting surfaces, wherein at least some of the projecting surfaces on each arm interact with cooperating surfaces on the respective u-shaped frame a members such that each arm cannot be removed from their frame member in 'a. o the direction that it was inserted, and wherein at least one of the first and t a second arms is engaged with its respective first or second extruded frame member by a relative lateral movement of said arm transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm into the respective extruded frame member.

17. The connector element as claimed in claim 16 wherein the projecting surfaces are oriented in more than one direction.

18. The connector element as claimed in claim 17 wherein the projecting surfaces are oriented to prevent to arms moving laterally with respect to their respective frame members.

19. The connector element as claimed in any of claims 16-18, wherein the arms are formed from substantially flat plates. The connector element as claimed in claim 19 wherein the projections are formed in the plates by stamping the substantially flat plates.

21. The connector as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the plates are made from spring steel. DATED this 6th day of March, 2000. BIRNMONT PTY. LTD. WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA o' P11027AUOORCS/SJM:PCP 0* 0 000 00 0000