EP0233387A1

EP0233387A1 - Assembling joint

Info

Publication number: EP0233387A1
Application number: EP19860300355
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barry Alan Church; Brian Alexander Wintle
Original assignee: Silk Cut Flowers Ltd
Current assignee: Silk Cut Flowers Ltd
Priority date: 1986-01-20
Filing date: 1986-01-20
Publication date: 1987-08-26

Abstract

The joint includes an a plurality of tubes (14) and tube couplings (1), each coupling being provided with at least one socket (1;12 or 13) adapted to be received in an end of a tube, each tube coupling also being provided with at least one support fin (5, 6 or 7) adapted to receive panels etc.

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to erectable structures such as display systems, partitions and other such structures, including toys and playthings.
It is known to provide an erectable structure in the form of lengths of plastics tubes which are interconnected with one another by means of tube couplings. Such tube couplings are provided with socket ends, each adapted to be received within a respected bore of a tube end, such that structures of varying shapes can be erected. One known type of erectable structure is shown in European Patent Application No. 0007065 in which the tube couplings are provided with non-circular apertures, each of which are indexable with a respective circular aperture in the end of a respective tube, the final connection being made by means of a rotatable toggle which is inserted through the non-circular opening in the coupling end and then rotated to lock the tube to the coupling. A special key is used for rotation of the toggle and dis-assembly of the structure can therefore be effected.
The disadvantage of the assembly shown in the aforementioned Patent Application is that it is relatively complex to manufacture and the locking arrangement comprises essentially four types of element, i.e. the tube coupling, tube, toggle and toggle key. It is therefore possible to lose the various parts and, in addition, because of the plurality of such parts assembly and dis-assembly can be relatively time consuming. A further disadvantage of this system is that in order to attach e.g. panels etc. to the structure when erected, it is necessary to utilise clips etc. which grip the tubing but it is often found that this type of attachment when, for example, forming a table top, is not sufficiently rigid and can become deformed or even detached from the structure if a severe load is imposed upon it.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an erectable structure in which the aforementioned disadvantages are obviated.
According to the invention, there is provided an erectable structure including a plurality of tubes and tube couplings, each coupling being provided with at least one socket adapted to be received in an end of a tube, each tube coupling also being provided with at least one support fin adapted to receive e.g. panels etc. to be supported by the erected structure. Conveniently, the or each fin can be detachable from the tube coupling with, for example, a snap or push fit.
The invention thus provides a structure which can be quickly and simply erected or dismantled whilst at the same time also providing a structure in which additional items such as panels, table tops etc. can be safely secured to the support fins, which form part of the couplings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic front view of a triangular tube coupling showing the arrangment by which one end of the tube can be affixed thereto.
The tube coupling shown in the drawing comprises a body portion 1 having three tubes joints 2, 3, 4, each disposed at right angles to each other to form a corner tube coupling.. Extending between each adjacent pair of the tube joints is a respective support fin 5, 6, 7 which serves the double function of providing reinforcement for the coupling whilst at the same time providing a means by which e.g. panels can be secured. Such panels may be provided with pins which are engagable in complementary holes 8, 9, 10 in the fins 5, 6, 7. Each fin 5, 6, or 7 is releasably secured in position on the coupling by a snap- fit of edge portions 5a, 6a, and 7a being received within complementary channels 2a, 3a, and 4a on the coupling.
Extending from each tube joint 2, 3, or 4 is a respective socket 11, 12, 13, each of which is adhesively secured in a respective tube joint. As shown with reference to socket 11, the coupling is engagable with one end of the respective tube 14 which is provided with a circular aperture 15 at or near its end. The aperture 15 is adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped raised portion 16 on a movable tongue 17 in the socket 11. The raised portion 16 is provided with a tapered leading edge 16a such that the tube 14 can be simply push-fitted onto the coupling and locked in place. To disassemble a coupling, it is simply necessary to press the raised portion 16 and axially slide the tube away from the tube joint 3.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment described above is simply one way in which the invention can be carried out and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, instead of providing holes in the or each fin, other forms of connection may be provided, as for example securing a strip of the locking material sold under the Registered Trade Mark VELCRO such that panels etc., also provided with such material can be simply pressed on to the structure. Instead of each fin simply being triangular, various shapes may be adopted instead, as for example a square or quadrant. Also, it will be appreciated that the or each fin may form an integral part of each coupling, instead of being detachable therefrom.
In order to ensure correct alignment of each socket within its respective tube joint, a rib may be provided along at least part of the external surface of each socket, the rib being receivable in a complementary groove on the internal surface of the tube joint. Furthermore, whilst this embodiment of the invention suggests that each socket can be adhesively secured within a respective tube joint of the coupling body it may nevertheless be preferable to e.g. mould the complete coupling in a single operation, in which case the need for separately securing the sockets would be obviated. As an alternative to providing a single tapered leading edge on the raised portion of each tongue, the portion may be tapered on its sides to permit rotation of a respective tube to thereby unlock the tube from the coupling.

Claims

1. An erectable structure including a plurality of tubes and couplings, each coupling being provided with at least one socket adapted to be received in an end of a tube, each tube coupling also being provided with at least one support fin adapted to receive e.g. panels etc. to be supported by the erected structure.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, in which the or each fin is provided with holes adapted to receive connecting members such as pins by which panels etc. may be affixed to the erected structure.

3. A structure according to Claim 1, in which the or each fin is provided with a strip of VELCRO to receive and secure e.g. panels etc., which are also provided with complementary strips of VELCRO.

4. A structure according to any preceding claim, in which the or each fin is detachable from a respective coupling.

5. A structure according to Claim 4, in which the or each fin is detachable by means of a snap or push-fit.

6. A structure according to any preceding claim in which the or each socket is adhesively secured within its respective tube coupling.

7. A coupling according to Claim 6, in which indexing means are provided on a socket to ensure correct alignment of the tongue when inserted into the tube coupling.

8. A structure according to Claim 7, in which the indexing means is in the form of a rib on the external surface of the or each socket, which rib is adapted to be received within a complementary groove in a respective inner part of each tube coupling.

9. A structure according to any preceding claim, in which the connection between each socket and tube is afforded by means of a movable' tongue on the socket having a raised portion which is receivable in a correspondingly shaped aperture in the end of the tube and is releasable by inward movement of the tongue.

10. A structure according to Claim 9, in which the raised portion on each movable tongue on a respective socket is provided with a tapered leading edge, such that a respective tube can be push-fitted and hence releasably secured on the socket.

11. A structure according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the raised portion of each movable tongue is provided with tapered sides such that when assembled, dis-assembly of the structure can be simply effected by rotation of each respective tube and withdrawal thereof from the coupling.