GB2032041A

GB2032041A - Connector for furniture units

Info

Publication number: GB2032041A
Application number: GB7930669A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-09-04
Filing date: 1979-09-04
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: GB2032041B

Abstract

A connector (10) for a furniture unit that has at least two flat members (23, 24/25) to be interconnected at right angles to one another, comprises a resilient member providing a first slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of one of said flat members and a second slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of the other of said flat members. In one form, the connector (10, 10A, 10B) comprises an endless resilient member forming a pair of S- shaped sides (11, 12) to provide a first pair of parallel slots (13/14) which open in opposite directions to one another, the ends of the S-shaped sides being interconnected by transverse parts (15, 16) to provide a second pair of parallel slots (17, 18) which open in opposite directions to one another and extend at right angles to the first pair of slots. Connectors (10, 10A, 10B) according to the invention have been successfully formed from plywood, but may be formed of plastics material, metal tubing, or wire. Alternatively, the connectors (301, 307, 310) Figs. 8-10 not shown may be formed of sheet metal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector for furniture units This invention relates to connectors for furniture units and is particularly applicable to shelving units of the "knock-down" type.

So-called knock-down (K.D.) shelving units, which have been quite well known for a good number of years, are rapidly becoming more popular because of their convenience in storage and transport, for example in mail order and do-ityourself (d.i.y.) sales. One of the difficulties inherent in K.D. shelving units lies in the provision of connectors which can be simply applied to produce a reasonably rigid unit, particularly if it is intended that the unit may subsequently be dismantled in a comparably simple manner.

It is an object of the invention to overcome or reduce the above-mentioned difficulty.

According to the present invention, there is provided a connector for a furniture unit having at least two flat members to be interconnected at right angles to one another, the connector comprising a resilient member providing a first slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of one of said flat members and a second slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of the other of said flat members.

In a preferred form, the connector comprises an endless resilient member forming a pair of generally S-shaped sides to provide a first pair of generally parallel slots which open in opposite directions to one another, the ends of the Sshaped sides being interconnected by transverse parts to provide a second pair of generally parallel slots which open in opposite directions to one another and extend at right angles to said first pair of slots.

Preferably, said endless member is resilient, and each of said slots is shaped to provide inner and outer pairs of pressure points which firmly engage the flat members.

As mentioned above, the invention is particularly applicable to shelving units, for interconnecting flat shelves to flat uprights.

However, the connector can also be used, either singly of in opposed pairs, in other furniture units such as benches or tables having flat sides or legs.

Connectors according to the invention have been successfully formed from plywood, but may be of plastics material, metal tubing, or wire or alternatively of sheet metal.

The S-shaped sides may be of flat form but, in a modification, the connector may be shaped to present a generally oval or spherical shape.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of connector according to the present invention, for a shelving unit; Fig. 2 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig.

1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an early stage in the assembly of the shelving unit; Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the completed shelving unit; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a pair of connectors; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of connector according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 6; and, Figs. 8 to 1 0 are perspective views of three alternative forms of connector.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 is formed in this embodiment from layers of plywood firmly glued together to form an endless member which presents a pair of generally Sshaped sides 11 and 1 2. The sides provide a first pair of generally parallel slots 13/14 which open in opposite directions. The ends of the S-shaped sides are interconnected by transverse parts 1 5 and 1 6 to provide a second pair of aligned slots 1 7/1 8 which open in opposite directions and extend at right angles to the slots 13 and 14.

Referring particularly to Figure 2 which shows a flat member 1 9 positioned in the slot 13, it will be noted that each of the S-shaped sides provides proud parts 20 at the mouths of each slot and the inner end 21 of each slot is rounded to provide effectively tapering faces 22. Thus, when the flat member 1 9 is inserted as a push-fit into the slot 13, the member is gripped at points 20 and 22 to provide firm support for the member. Similar pressure points 20A and 22A are provided by slots 17 and 18.

The connector illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can be employed in the assembly of furniture units for various kinds and one such unit, a shelving unit, is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring firstly to Figure 3, the shelf unit is initially formed from a pair of flat side members 23 and two horizontal shelves 24/25. In assembling the unit, connectors 1 OA and lOB are applied to the sides 23 and then the upper shelf 24 is inserted into the inner slots 1 7/1 8 provided by the connectors 1 OA. The lower shelf 25 is then inserted into the aligned slots provided by the connectors 1 OB.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be noted that further connectors 1 OC and 1 OD are applied to the sides 23. Connectors 1 OC are provided to receive a flat, upstanding base member 26 which rigidifies the shelving unit and connectors 1 OD are provided to act as supports or feet for the unit.

As mentioned above, the sides 23, the shelves 24 and 25, and the base member 26 are so dimensioned in relation to the connectors as to be push-fits into the slots 13/14, 17/18 provided by the connectors.

Figure 5 illustrates a modified form of connector 110 in which the slots 113 and 114, and also the slots 11 7 and 118 are shortened. In this form, the connectors are employed in pairs, as can be seen from the drawing, to interconnect upright flat members 1 23 and a horizontal member 24.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a connector 210 which is functionally the same as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and the corresponding reference numerals are applied. In the form shown in Figures 6 and 7, however, the connector is rounded in front and side elevations and also in plan so as to present an effectively oval or spherical form, and so improve the visual attraction of the article.

In a modification, the connectors, which effectively comprise double-folded endless loops, may be formed of materials other than wood and having a greater or lesser degree of resilience, such as tubular metal, reinforced plastics, or resilient wire, and may be employed primarily in furniture to interconnect elements other than shelves. For example, the connectors may be employed in the assembly of benches, desks or tables.

Figures 8 to 10 show alternative connectors which are formed from sheet metal, and may be used in pairs.

In Figure 8 connector 301 is formed as a single pressing and comprises cheeks 302 which provide a first slot 303 and a returned tongue 304 which, with base 305, provides a second slot 306.

Figure 9 shows a connector 307 similar to 301 but formed in two complementary U-shaped parts 308 and 309.

Connector 310 shown in Figure 10 is again formed as a single pressing which has a shape that is economical to punch from blank plate. The connector 310 has an angled base 311 and two returned tongues 312 which, with the adjacent parts of the base 311, provide slots 313 and 314.

Claims

1. A connector for a furniture unit having at least two flat members to be interconnected at right angles to one another, the connector comprising a resilient member providing a first slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of one of said flat members and a second slot to receive and frictionally hold a section of the other of said flat members.

2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, and comprising an endless resilient member forming a pair of generally S-shaped sides to provide a first pair of generally parallel slots which open in opposite directions to one another, the ends of the S-shaped sides being interconnected by transverse parts to provide a second pair of generally parallel slots which open in opposite directions to one another and extend at right angles to said first pair of slots.

3. A connector as claimed in Claim 2, in which said endless member is resilient, and each of said slots is shaped to provide inner and outer pairs of pressure points which firmly engage the flat members.

4. A connector as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the said S-shaped sides are of flat form.

5. A connector as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, and contoured to present a generally oval or spherical shape.

6. A connector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 and formed of plywood, plastics material, metal tubing or wire.

7. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, and formed of sheet metal.

8. A connector for a furniture unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, Figures 6 and 7, Figure 9, Figure 10 or Figure 11, of the accompanying drawings.

9. A furniture unit in which flat members are interconnected by connectors as claimed in any preceding Claim.

10. A furniture unit as claimed in Claim 9, in which said connectprs are arranged in opposed pairs.

11. A shelving unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. The features as herein described, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.