GB2103327A

GB2103327A - Fixing means for hollow elongate members

Info

Publication number: GB2103327A
Application number: GB08123357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Emsley
Original assignee: Monarch Aluminium Ltd
Current assignee: Hydro Building Systems UK Ltd
Priority date: 1981-07-30
Filing date: 1981-07-30
Publication date: 1983-02-16

Abstract

A device for providing a fixture in a hollow elongate member of substantially uniform cross-section, such as an extruded door frame member, comprises a fixing block 15 having means for securing a connecting screw 26 thereto and of a cross-section such that it is a sliding fit within the elongate member to which it is to be applied, the fixing block 15 being formed with outwardly extending projections 19 which are resiliently deflectable so as to snap into corresponding holes 20 in a side wall of the elongate member, when in alignment therewith, and thereby retain the fixing block within said member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fixing means for hollow elongate members The invention relates to fixing means for hollow elongate members and has particular application to the provision of a fixture in the end of a hollow elongate member.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to the construction of frames, for example glazed door frames, formed from box-section aluminium extrusions, and provides means for simply and securely fixing two such box-sections together at right angles to one another. The invention provides a modification of the fixing means described and claimed in Patent Specification No. 1,596,788.

According to the invention means for providing a fixture in a hollow elongate member of substantially uniform cross-section comprises a fixing block having means for securing a connection device thereto and of a cross-section such that it is a sliding fit within the elongate member to which it is to be applied, the fixing block being formed with at least one outwardly extending projection which is resiliently deflectable so as to snap into a corresponding hole in a side wall of the elongate member, when in alignment therewith, and thereby retain the fixing block within said member.

Th connection device preferably comprises a fixing screw.

Preferably there are provided two of said projections on opposite side walls of the fixing block. Preferably also the outer surface of each projection is inclined with respect to its direction of sliding movement along the hollow elongate member, to facilitate insertion of the fixing block into the end of the member by inward deflection of the projections.

Each projection may be formed on an arm which, at one end thereof, is integral with the rest of the fixing block, whereby the projection may be deflected by virtue of the resilience of said arm. In one particular embodiment, the fixing block may be substantially rectangular in cross-section, said arms comprising the opposite end walls of the rectangular cross-section.

In the case where the connection device is a fixing screw, the means for securing the fixing screw to the fixing block may comprise an aperture or bore in the fixing block through which the fixing screw may project to receive a nut. The fixing block may be formed, on one side of the aperture or bore, with a recess shaped to receive and embrace a nut for engagement by said screw.

In any of the above arrangements the fixing block is preferably formed from plastics material.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is transverse cross-sectional view of a joint between two hollow elongate members incorporating means for providing a fixture in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is a view of the fixing block alone, looking from the right of Fig. 1.

The drawings show the invention applied to the construction of a glazed aluminium-framed door, the fixing means being used to connect a rail 10 of the door to a stile 11. The rail 10 and the stile 11 are formed from box-section aluminium extrusions, the rail 10 having upper and lower channels 12 and 13, and the stile having a single channel 14 to receive either individual panes of glass or sealed double-glazed units.

A fixing block 15 in accordance with the invention is inserted into the end of the boxsection rail 10.

The fixing block 25 is moulded in one piece from plastic material and is generally rectangular in cross-section, and is of such dimensions as to be a sliding fit within the rail 10.

The block 15 comprises a base 16, side walls 17 and end walls 18. The end walls 18 are unconnected to the side walls 17 so that they can flex resiliently inwardly and outwardly.

Each end wall 18 is integrally formed with a projection 19 which, in use, engages within a corresponding aperture 20 in a side wall of the rail 10 as shown in Fig. 1. Due to the resilience of the end walls 18 they may be deformed inwardly towards one another to permit the insertion of the block 15 into the end of the rail 10, the outer surface of the projections 19 being inclined, as indicated at 21, to facilitate this insertion of the block into the rail. As the block is pushed along the rail, and the projections 19 come into alignment with the apertures 20, the projections snap into the apertures 20, by virtue of the resilience of the wall 18 of the block, and thus locate the block firmly in position in the end of the rail.

The block 15 is also provided with fixing means comprising a cup-like projection 22 which extends into the interior of the block from the base 16 and is braced by reinforcing flanges 23. The bottom of the interior of the projection 22 is in the form of a hexagonal recess 22a shaped so as to receive and closely embrace a hexagonal nut 24. A tapered bore 25 is formed in the bottom wall of the projection 22 leading from the hexagonal recess 22a.

To secure the stile 11 to the rail 10 a set screw 26 projects through a hole 27 in the adjacent wall of the stile 11, passes through the tapered bore 25 and is in threaded engagement with the nut 24. A larger hole 28 of sufficient diameter to permit the head of the screw 26 to pass therethrough is provided in the opposite wall of the stile 11 in alignment with the hole 27 to permit insertion of the set screw 27 and of a tool whereby the screw 27 may be tightened.

The snap-in arrangement of the fixing block 15 enables the rail 10 and stile 11 to be securely connected together in a rapid and effective manner. It will be appreciated that the fixing means according to the invention may also be used for connecting together other types of hollow elongate members besides hollow door frame members of the kind shown in the drawings.

Claims

1. A device for providing a fixture in a hollow elongate member of substantially uniform cross-section comprising a fixing block having means for securing a connection device thereto and of a cross-section such that it is a sliding fit within the elongate member to which it is to be applied, the fixing block being formed with at least one outwardly extending projection which is resiliently deflectable so that, in use, it may snap into a corresponding hole in a side wall of the elongate member, when in alignment therewith, and thereby retain the fixing block within said member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are provided two of said projections on opposite side walls of the fixing block.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the or each projection is inclined with respect to its direction of sliding movement along the hollow elongate member, to facilitate insertion of the fixing block into the end of the member by inward deflection of the projections.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each projection is formed on an arm which, at one end thereof, is integral with the rest of the fixing block, whereby the projection may be deflected by virtue of the resilience of said arm.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing block is substantially rectangular in cross-section, said arms comprising the opposite end walls of the rectangular cross-section.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, and for use where the connection device is a fixing screw, wherein the means for securing the fixing screw to the fixing block comprise an aperture or bore in the fixing block through which the fixing screw may project to receive a nut.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the fixing block is formed, on one side of the aperture or bore, with a recess shaped to receive and embrace a nut for engagement by said screw.

8. A device according to any of claim 1 to 7, wherein the fixing block is formed from plastics material.

9. A device for providing a fixture in a hollow elongate member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A set of parts for the construction of a rectangular frame, including four hollow elongate members each of substantially uniform cross-section for assembly into a rectangular configuration, and a number of devices according to any of the preceding claims. each device, in use, connecting two of said hollow elongate members together at right angles to one another.