GB2052003A

GB2052003A - Improvements in or relating to coupling members for assembling two sections

Info

Publication number: GB2052003A
Application number: GB7932756A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Technal International SA
Current assignee: Technal International SA
Priority date: 1979-06-27
Filing date: 1979-09-21
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: AU5945180A; GB2052003B; AU520911B2; FR2465912A1; FR2465912B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling member for assembling two sections in such manner that the one section T bears end-wise against a surface of the other section M which is provided with a groove R comprising inwardly extending flanges. The coupling member 1 comprises a recessed body 2a arranged to be housed in the section T, and a tenon 2b arranged for insertion into the groove R; a second element 3 partially housed in the body 2a comprises a withdrawable stud 6 urged by a spring 7 intended to enter and engage in an aperture P of the section T. Furthermore, displacing means such as set screws bearing against a sloping face 3a of the element 3 render it possible to cause the latter to slide with respect to the first element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to coupling members for assembling two sections The present invention relates to coupling members particularly for assembling two sections in such manner that one bears end-wise against a surface of the other. Such coupling members can be used for example to form securing structures for panels or partitions for the purpose of altering the internal layout of premises.

Assembiing system are known which allow of securing one section against another by means of an end-piece which is inserted into the first section and secured against the second; the known systems of this kind commonly have the disadvantage on the one hand of producing inaccurate assemblies, a definite degree of play commonly remaining between the sections, and on the other hand of taking a long time to be assembled and awkward to manipulate, particularly in that they often require tapped holes to be drilled at very precise locations.

It is an object of the invention to remove or minimise these shortcomings.

It is a further object to minimise the dangers of producing a faulty assembly, and to provide a coupling member which automatically provides an appropriate clamping of the sections against each other.

Accordingly the invention consists in a coupling member for assembling two sections in such manner that one section bears end-wise against a surface of the other section, the latter having a groove with inwardly-extending flanges and comprising a first indeformable element having a body shaped for insertion into the first section and at the front of the said body, a tenon of a crosssection matching that of the groove in the second section, the body of the said element having an open recess at its rear part, a second indeformable element of shaped to be housed at least partially in the recess of the body of the first element and to be guided longitudinally by the said body, this second element comprising a withdrawable stud fitted in an opening of the said element in such manner that it may slide in a transverse direction, this stud being co-ordinated with a spring arranged to cause the same to project with respect to the body of the first element towards the confronting side of the first section to enable the said stud to penetrate and engage in an aperture formed for this purpose in the said side of the first section, means for displacing one element with respect to the other, arranged to cause the second element to slide longitudinally with respect to the first in the direction of the tenon thereof.

As will hereinafter be made clear, the coupling member forms a functional whole which may be placed in position simply and rapidly and which renders it possible to produce an effective assembly, enjoying an excellent mechanical stability.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means of displacing one element with respect to the other comprise a thrust screw which is screwed into a tapped hole formed in the body of the first element and leading into the recess thereof, and a sloping face situated at the front of the second element and so arranged that a pressure exerted by the thrust screw on this face impels the second element in forward direction.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment thereof by way of example and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coupling member which is about to be connected to sections M and T for assembly, Figure 2 illustrates the assembly produced by means of the said coupling member, in axial crosssection, Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are diagrams in axial cross-section illustrating the procedure for producing the assembly, and Figure 4 is a diagram in cross-section along a broken line A-A of the assembly formed.

Referring now to the drawings, the coupling member 1 illustrated by way of example in the figures is intended to allow of forming an assembly between two tubular sections (denoted by letters T and M) so that the first section T bears end-wise against a surface of the second section M; in particular, the section T may comprise a horizontal cross-beam and the section M a vertical upright.

On at least one side, the section M is equipped with a groove having inwardly extending flanges R which, in particular has a cross-section in the form in an inverted dovetail.

On one side of the section T, close to its end, are incorporated on the one hand an aperture P which is to allow the section T to be clamped against the section M, and on the other hand an opening L1 to provide access for an operating key or spanner for the purpose of effecting the clamping of the two sections, and finally and in optional manner, another opening L2 intended to establish a safety lock if required.

The aperture P and the openings L1 and L2 may be formed without special precautions, their positioning not having to be very precise.

The coupling member 1 essentially comprises two indeformable elements 2 and 3, the element 3 being partially housed in the element 2.

The element 2 comprises a body 2a having an appropriate shape for insertion into the hollow core of the section T and, at the front of this body, a tenon or shank 2b having a cross-section in the form of an inverted dovetail matching that of the groove R of the section M. The body 2a of this element comprises a recess opening at its rear part intended to contain and longitudinally locate the front part of the element 3.

In the example, to lighten the element 2, the body 2a thereof is partially cut away at the sides, in upward and downward directions.

Furthermore, this body 2a is traversed by a tapped hole sloping in the forward direction at approximately 450; this hole opens into the recess of the body and contains a thrust screw 4 of the recessed head type in particular.

At the front, the element 2 optionally comprises another tapped hole parallel to the first, passing through the tenon 2b and opening at the front of the latter; this hole contains a thrust screw or set screw 5 intended to produce a safety lock if applicable.

The second element 3 has an appropriate shape for partial insertion into the recess of the body 2a and for slidability therein. At the front, it comprises a face 3a sloping at 450, in alignment with which is situated the extremity of the set screw 4, the axis of this latter being approximately at right angles to the plane of the face 3a.

Furthermore, at its rear part, the element 3 has a withdrawable stud or catch 6 fitted in a transverse aperture of the said element; in the example, this element is divided at its rear part into a high portion 3b carrying the stud 6 and a low portion 3c having a shallow groove.

The stud 6 may slide at right angles to the high portion 3b and is co-ordinated with a spring 7 of conical form which causes it to project beyond this portion 3b which lies substantially flush with the plane of the upper surface of the element 2.

In the embodiment shown, the extremity of lesser diameter of the spring 7 is inserted into a recess formed in the stud, and the extremity of greater diameter of the said spring is engaged in the shallow groove of the lower portion 3c.

Moreover, the stud 6 comprises a butting shoulder 6a situated close to its lower extremity to prevent loss of the stud under the action of the spring 7.

The stud 6 moreover comprises a shoulder 6b delimiting a terminal stub of lesser diameter, arranged to enter and engage in the aperture P made in the section T. The other part of the stud has a greater diameter, than that of the said aperture so that the stud can be immobilised in the section T at the level of its shoulder 6b.

Furthermore, resilient coupling means such as a hollow rubber pad 8, are situated at the front of the recess of the body 2a between the first element 2 and the second element 3; this pad may be engaged in a groove of the element 3 and facilitates placing the coupling member being placed in position by preventing accidental displacements of the element 3 with respect to the element 2 during this operation.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4 diagrammatically depict the method of assembling the sections by means of the coupling member described and provide a clearer grasp of the functions of the different devices of the invention.

In a first stage (Figure 3a) the tenon 2b is inserted into the groove R of the section M and is caused to slide up to the required height; the endpiece is then inserted with its rear part into the section T by a simple thrust on this section parallel to the arrow F shown in Figure 3a; at the beginning of the insertion, a pressure is applied on the stud 6 to depress the same and allow of its passing into the section.

It should be observed that the openings L, and L2 are of lesser width as compared to the stud 6 to prevent the latter from engaging in the said openings upon passing thereover.

At the end of the insertion (Figure 3b), the stud 6 reaches the level of the aperture P and engages therein; a play J remains between the end of the section T and the surface of the section M. An inaccuracy in the positioning of the aperture P does not impede producing the assembly and simply affects the magnitude of the play J.

In a second stage (Figure 3c), the set screw 4 is acted upon via the opening L1 by means of a key; the element 3 is thrust in forward direction and by means of the stud 6 it displaces this section T until its end face comes into abutment against the surface of the section M. An additional action on the set screw 4 then causes the two sections to be clamped against each other and the assembly to be interlocked without play It is possible but not essential to provide a safety lock, by operating the set screw 5 via the opening L2 for the purpose of thrusting the extremity of this screw against the bottom of the groove R.

It will be apparent that the application of the coupling member described is rapid and uncomplicated and does not require any special precautions; inaccuracies in the drilling of the section T do not prevent the assembly from being formed and do not affect its strength or qualities.

Claims

1. A coupling member for assembling two sections in such manner that the one section bears end-wise against a surface of the other section, the latter having a groove with inwardlyextending flanges, and comprising a first indeformable element having a body shaped for insertion into the first section and at the front of the said body, a tenon of a cross-section matching that of the groove in the second section, the body of the said element having an open recess at its rear part, a second indeformable element of shape to be housed at least partially in the recess of the body of the first element and to be guided longitudinally by the said body, this second element comprising a withdrawable stud fitted in and opening of the said element in such manner that it may slide in a transverse direction, this stud being co-ordinated with a spring arranged to cause the same to project with respect to the body of the first element towards the confronting side of the first section to enable the said stud to penetrate and engage in an aperture formed for this purpose in the said side of the first section, means for displacing one element with respect to the other, arranged to cause the second element to slide longitudinally with respect to the first in the direction of the tenon thereof.

2. A coupling member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for displacing one element with respect to the other comprise a set screw which is screwed into a tapped hole in the body of the first element and opening into the recess thereof, and a sloping face situated at the front of the second element and arranged in such manner that a thrust exerted by the set screw on this face thrusts the second element in a forward direction.

3. A coupling member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the face of the second element slopes approximately at 45 .

4. A coupling member as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the set screw is oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that its axis is approximately at right angles to the plane of the sloping face.

5. A coupling member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which comprises, at the front of the recess of the first element, resilient coupling devices between the first and second elements.

6. A coupling member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first element comprises an oblique set screw installed in a tapped hole passing through the tenon of the first element and opening at the front thereof.

7. A coupling member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the withdrawable stud comprises a shoulder delimiting an outer stub of lesser diameter arranged to enter and engage in the aperture of the first section, the other portion of the stud having a greater diameter than that of the said aperture so that the said stud may be immobilised in the section abreast of its shoulder.

8. A coupling member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.