GB2133457A

GB2133457A - Hinge connections

Info

Publication number: GB2133457A
Application number: GB08300736A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Beringer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-12
Filing date: 1983-01-12
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: GB8300736D0

Abstract

An assembly of members, particularly but not exclusively free standing screens or panels 10 which are interconnected by a common connecting element 30. The connection between each member and the element comprises a lobe 32 and a complementary channel 18 which may be so shaped as to permit relative angular displacement of the connecting element and each member so providing a hinged connection. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting element 30 extends along the entire length of the members and has lobes 32 which are interconnected by a web or webs 34. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Screen connections This invention relates to a connection between two or more members more particularly but not exclusively free standing screens or panels and the like, such as are used for example, in open-plan offices or at exhibitions.

It is known to connect such panels together in order to permit adjustment of the relative position thereof but conventional spaced hinges are unsatisfactory in that a gap remains between the hinged panels giving rise to draughts, admitting light or reducing privacy. Continuous hinges, that is to say hinges extending along the full height of the screen, have been used but these tend either to be costly or difficult to disassemble or both.

Also, it may be required to connect a number of panels together at one point in which case special connectors or non-standard panels are required.

In accordance with the present invention I propose connecting each of the members to a common connecting element, the connection between the element and the member comprising a lobe which is received within and retained by a channel. The lobes and/or channels may in general be of any convenient cross-sectional shape but in a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is such as to permit relative angular displacement of the lobe and channel, so providing a hinged connection between the members. Preferably, the lobes and complementary channels are part-cylindrical in cross-section.

The lobe or channel on the connecting element and the complementary channel or lobe on the associated member preferably extends along the entire length of the member concerned.

Alternatively, the channels or lobes may occur at intervals along the length of the said members.

In the preferred embodiment, each member is formed or fitted with a channel extending along the entire length or height of the member concerned, the connecting element having complementary lobes extending longitudinally thereof. It will be understood, however, that the connecting element may be formed with channels or indeed with both channels and lobes, the complementary lobes or channels as appropriate being on the members concerned.

The invention has particular advantages when applied to the connection of free standing screens or panels. Indeed, many of the disadvantages referred to above with reference to the conventional connections between screens and panels can be avoided. For example, the connecting element may be inserted or withdrawn, from one end of the members, in the case of panels or screens from the top thereof, so facilitating assembly and disassembly of panelled constructions.

Furthermore, the elongate connecting element having two or more generally cylindrical lobes interconnected by, for example, a web or webs, bridges completely the gap between the two or more linked members and hence, avoids draughts and other problems described above, arising from the use of spaced hinges.

Another advantage of the present invention is that adjustment of axial position of one member relative to the other is possible to accommodate for example, uneven or even stepped surfaces.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a hinged connection between two panels; and Figure 2 (a) to (c) are cross-sections of connecting elements for joining three, four and six panels, respectively.

Referring now to Figure 1, each of two panels 10 to be hinged together has attached along one edge 1 2 thereof, an extruded aluminium section 14 in which is formed a part cylindrical channel 18, the width of the channel opening being less than the diameter of the part cylindrical surface defined by the walls of the channel. An elongate connecting element 30 having two generally cylindrical lobes 32 interconnected by a web 34, may also be extruded in aluminium or alternatively may be formed from or have applied thereto a surface coating, of a low friction plastics material.

The two panels 10 are connected together by inserting the lobes of the connecting element one into each of the channels from one end thereof. By virtue of the channel opening being, in each case, less than diameter of the associated lobe, the lobe is held captive so that the panels are retained against separation. The lobes are, however, free to turn within the channels 1 8 whereby relative angular displacement of the panels is possible within the limits determined by contact of the iips of the channel openings with the web 34 of the connecting element 30.

This web bridges completely the gap between the two panels so providing a draught-proof hinged connection. At the base of each channel 1 8 and extending longitudinally thereof is a recess 20 serving for the removal of any dust or dirt which might otherwise impede operation of the hinged connection.

Figures 2 (a), (b) and (c) illustrate by way of example three other connecting elements by means of which three, four and six panels may be connected together.

Conveniently, panels or screens are formed or fitted with channels along each vertical edge thereof so facilitating assembly on site, the end panel in a sequence of interconnected panels being conveniently finished by inserting, in the exposed channel, at the free end thereof a cylindrical rod of the same material as the connecting element.

Although, in the above, particular reference has been made to free standing screens and panels, the invention may with advantage, also be applied more generally, for example, to doors, windows, flaps and lids.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising two or more screens or panels or like members inter-connected by a common connecting element, the connection between the element and each member comprising a lobe which is received within and retained by a channel.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the lobes and/or channels is such as to permit relative angular displacement of the lobe within the channel.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lobes and complementary channels are part-circular in cross-section.

4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the lobe or channel on the connecting element and the complementary channel or lobe on the associated member extends along substantially the entire length of the members

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each member is formed or fitted with a channel extending along substantially the entire length or height of the member the connecting element being of substantially the same length as the channel and having complementary lobes extending along the length thereof.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the connecting element has at least two generally cylindrical lobes interconnected by a web or webs.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interconnected members are free standing screens or panels.

8. Interconnected screens or panels constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.