GB2150663A

GB2150663A - Corner joint

Info

Publication number: GB2150663A
Application number: GB08430133A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Huxtable Thayer
Original assignee: AVDON Ltd
Current assignee: AVDON Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-01
Filing date: 1984-11-29
Publication date: 1985-07-03
Also published as: GB8332097D0; GB8430133D0; GB2150663B

Abstract

A corner connector (18) joins hollow frame members (10), and comprises two limbs (20) in respective frame members, each limb having an integral anvil (22) and an associated loose clamping plate (28). A screw (30) passes through the plate (28) and engages the anvil. A margin (34) of the plate (28) engages a shoulder (38) on the respective frame member, so that on operation of the screw (30) via an aperture (42) in the other frame member the plate (28) urges the limb (20) further into the frame member and tightens the corner joint. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Corner joint This invention relates to the formation of joints at the corner produced by abutting frame elements, for example in a window or door.

According to the present invention there is provided a corner connector for hollow frame members, comprising a body having two limbs which extend at an angle to each other so as to project lengthwise along respective frame members, each limb having an anvil element projecting laterally therefrom in the direction away from the other limb, separate clamping elements being located one alongside each anvil element on the side thereof nearer the other limb, each clamping element having a marginal portion which is longitudinally located relative to its respective limb by an abutment acting between the limb and clamping element, the opposite marginal portion of the clamping element being free to abut a shoulder on the respective frame member, which shoulder faces away from the corner joint, each clamping element having a screw passing therethrough so that one end can abut the adjacent anvil element and the other can be exposed in the direction of the corner joint for operation by a tool.

The invention also includes a joint formed between two hollow frame members by means of a corner connector as described.

Preferably each frame member is tubular, and has in a wall in the region of the corner a pair of apertures, a first aperture being arranged to receive a marginal portion of the clamping element which is located within the tube, and provide a said shoulder abutment therefor, and a second aperture being located nearer the corner, and providing access for a tool to the screw of the clamping element which is located in the other tubular frame member.

Preferably the first aperture is also provided with an extension aperture directed lengthwise of the frame member to accommodate the screw when the clamping element is inserted through the first aperture.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a corner joint in the line Il-Il of Fig. 2; and Figure 2 shows a fragmentary perspective view on a corner joint.

Referring to the drawings, a joint is formed between two frame members 10, for example made from extruded aluminium of uPVC. Each frame member is of tubular form, and comprises opposite side walls 12, and inner and outer walls 14, 16 respectively. The frame members are mitred at their ends so as to produce a clean right-angled joint, and are secured together at the joint by a corner connector of the present invention.

The corner connector comprises an integral rigid block 18 having a pair of limbs 20 which project lengthwise into the tubular portions of each of the frame members. Each limb 20 is provided at its end with an anvil element 22 which projects laterally in the direction away from the other limb. The surface of each limb 20 adjacent the anvil element 22 is provided with a recess 24 in which is located a marginal portion 26 of a clamping element 28 in the form of a rigid plate. A screw 30 extends centrally through the plate 28 so that one end can engage the anvil element 22, preferably in a recess 32 formed in the face of the anvil element. The face of the plate 28 remote from the anvil element 22 is rebated in identical fashion along the margin 26 and the opposite margin 34.The marginal portion 34 is received in an opening 36 in the outer wall 16 of the tubular frame member, so that an edge 38 of the opening locates in the rebate along the margin 34 of the plate 28, and provides an abutment therefor. The opening 36 is provided with an extension opening 40 (see Fig.

1) extending towards the corner, and a further opening 42 is provided in the outer wall 16 adjacent the corner so as to be in alignment with the screw 30 in the other frame member.

To assemble the joint, the block 18, without the plates 28 and screws 30, is fitted in place, as shown, as the frame members are brought together in their proper configuration.

Then the plates 28, with the screws 30 attached, are inserted through the openings 36, the opening extensions 40 allowing the screws 30 to pass through, until the marginal portions 26 of the plates are received in the recesses 24. Then the screws 30 are rotated by means of a screwdriver or the like inserted through the openings 42, causing the plates 28 to move towards the corner, and hence the rebates along the marginal portions 34 to engage the abutments 38 and draw the two frame members together in the corner, and thereby clamp them.

As shown in the drawings, it is preferred that the marginal portions 34 of the plates 28 do not project beyond the outer wall 16, so that, if desired, other elements can freely be located and moved over the outside surface of the wall 16. The rotation of the screws 30 causes the plates 28 to tilt about the fulcrum provided by the marginal portions 26, and the openings 42 must be large enough to accommodate this, while still allowing the inserted tool to engage the screw 30. The block 18 is conveniently cut from an extrusion, for example of aluminium, whose cross-section has the form shown in Fig. 1.

1. A corner connector for hollow frame

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Corner joint This invention relates to the formation of joints at the corner produced by abutting frame elements, for example in a window or door. According to the present invention there is provided a corner connector for hollow frame members, comprising a body having two limbs which extend at an angle to each other so as to project lengthwise along respective frame members, each limb having an anvil element projecting laterally therefrom in the direction away from the other limb, separate clamping elements being located one alongside each anvil element on the side thereof nearer the other limb, each clamping element having a marginal portion which is longitudinally located relative to its respective limb by an abutment acting between the limb and clamping element, the opposite marginal portion of the clamping element being free to abut a shoulder on the respective frame member, which shoulder faces away from the corner joint, each clamping element having a screw passing therethrough so that one end can abut the adjacent anvil element and the other can be exposed in the direction of the corner joint for operation by a tool. The invention also includes a joint formed between two hollow frame members by means of a corner connector as described. Preferably each frame member is tubular, and has in a wall in the region of the corner a pair of apertures, a first aperture being arranged to receive a marginal portion of the clamping element which is located within the tube, and provide a said shoulder abutment therefor, and a second aperture being located nearer the corner, and providing access for a tool to the screw of the clamping element which is located in the other tubular frame member. Preferably the first aperture is also provided with an extension aperture directed lengthwise of the frame member to accommodate the screw when the clamping element is inserted through the first aperture. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a corner joint in the line Il-Il of Fig. 2; and Figure 2 shows a fragmentary perspective view on a corner joint. Referring to the drawings, a joint is formed between two frame members 10, for example made from extruded aluminium of uPVC. Each frame member is of tubular form, and comprises opposite side walls 12, and inner and outer walls 14, 16 respectively. The frame members are mitred at their ends so as to produce a clean right-angled joint, and are secured together at the joint by a corner connector of the present invention. The corner connector comprises an integral rigid block 18 having a pair of limbs 20 which project lengthwise into the tubular portions of each of the frame members. Each limb 20 is provided at its end with an anvil element 22 which projects laterally in the direction away from the other limb. The surface of each limb 20 adjacent the anvil element 22 is provided with a recess 24 in which is located a marginal portion 26 of a clamping element 28 in the form of a rigid plate. A screw 30 extends centrally through the plate 28 so that one end can engage the anvil element 22, preferably in a recess 32 formed in the face of the anvil element. The face of the plate 28 remote from the anvil element 22 is rebated in identical fashion along the margin 26 and the opposite margin 34.The marginal portion 34 is received in an opening 36 in the outer wall 16 of the tubular frame member, so that an edge 38 of the opening locates in the rebate along the margin 34 of the plate 28, and provides an abutment therefor. The opening 36 is provided with an extension opening 40 (see Fig. 1) extending towards the corner, and a further opening 42 is provided in the outer wall 16 adjacent the corner so as to be in alignment with the screw 30 in the other frame member. To assemble the joint, the block 18, without the plates 28 and screws 30, is fitted in place, as shown, as the frame members are brought together in their proper configuration. Then the plates 28, with the screws 30 attached, are inserted through the openings 36, the opening extensions 40 allowing the screws 30 to pass through, until the marginal portions 26 of the plates are received in the recesses 24. Then the screws 30 are rotated by means of a screwdriver or the like inserted through the openings 42, causing the plates 28 to move towards the corner, and hence the rebates along the marginal portions 34 to engage the abutments 38 and draw the two frame members together in the corner, and thereby clamp them. As shown in the drawings, it is preferred that the marginal portions 34 of the plates 28 do not project beyond the outer wall 16, so that, if desired, other elements can freely be located and moved over the outside surface of the wall 16. The rotation of the screws 30 causes the plates 28 to tilt about the fulcrum provided by the marginal portions 26, and the openings 42 must be large enough to accommodate this, while still allowing the inserted tool to engage the screw 30. The block 18 is conveniently cut from an extrusion, for example of aluminium, whose cross-section has the form shown in Fig. 1. CLAIMS

1. A corner connector for hollow frame members, comprising a body having two limbs which extend at an angle to each other so as to project lengthwise along respective frame members, each limb having an anvil element projecting laterally therefrom in the direction away from the other limb, separate clamping elements being located one alongside each anvil element on the side thereof nearer the other limb, each clamping element having a marginal portion which is longitudinally located relative to its respective limb by an abutment acting between the limb and clamping element, the opposite marginal portion of the clamping element being free to abut a shoulder on the respective frame member, which shoulder faces away from the corner joint, each clamping element having a screw passing therethrough so that one end can abut the adjacent anvil element and the other end be exposed in the direction of the corner joint for operation by a tool.

2. A corner connector substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

3. A joint formed between two hollow frame members by means of a corner connector of claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A joint according to claim 3 wherein each frame member is tubular, and has in a wall in the region of the corner a pair of apertures, a first aperture being arranged to receive a marginal portion of the clamping element which is located within the tube, and provide a said shoulder abutment therefor, and a second aperture being located nearer the corner, and providing access for a tool to the screw of the clamping element which is located in the other tubular frame member.

5. A joint according to claim 4 wherein the first aperture is also provided with an extension aperture directed lengthwise of the frame member to accommodate the screw when the clamping element is inserted through the first aperture.

6. A joint formed between two hollow frame members, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A window or door frame comprising frame members incorporating corner connectors or joints according to any one of the preceding claims.