GB2173568A

GB2173568A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2173568A
Application number: GB08509460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Hibbert
Original assignee: TECHNICAL AND DESIGN SERVICES
Current assignee: TECHNICAL AND DESIGN SERVICES
Priority date: 1985-04-12
Filing date: 1985-04-12
Publication date: 1986-10-15
Also published as: GB2173568B; IE860710L; IE57296B1; GB8509460D0

Abstract

A connector 12 for forming a mitred corner joint of door or window frames constructed from hollow extruded frame elements 2, 3 of substantially rectangular-section comprises two inserts 13, 13', each of which is secured within the rectangular- section of a respective frame element 2, 3 adjacent to a mitred end thereof, and a screw 14 to connect releasably the inserts 13, 13' and secure the mitred ends of the frame elements 2, 3 together. The mitred ends of the frame elements 2, 3 are aligned and maintained in the required relationship by a rib 21 on one insert 13 against which respective inner webs 6 of the frame elements 2, 3 are located and by a further rib 22 on said insert which slidably engages a rib 23 on the other insert 13'. On tightening the screw 14, the frame elements 2, 3 are drawn together whilst being retained against inwards or outwards sliding movement in the plane P of the joint 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector This invention relates to connectors and in particular to connectors for connecting adjacent mitred ends of two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section to form a mitred corner joint.

The rail and stile members of door and window frames are commonly formed as extrusions or hollow rectangular-section cut to length and the adjacent ends joined to form a rectangular frame of any desired size.

Several methods for joining the adjacent ends of rail and stile members have been proposed previously including the use of both internal devices which are hidden and external devices which are exposed. Internal devices are preferred as providing neater finish and these are known for producing both a butt joint and a mitred joint.

A disadvantage of the butt joint is that the end of one of the frame elements is open allowing the entry of water and debris into the frame section.

Mitred joints are therefore generally preferred as providing a joint in which the ends of both frame elements are closed.

The known internal devices for connecting hollow frame elements include an L-shaped cleat device each limb of which is received within the hollow section of a respective one of the frame elements.

The limbs may be an interference fit within the section, for example formed with deformable burrs or the like to retain the limb in the frame section without the use of screws or the like fasteners.

Alternatively the frame elements may be formed with one or more pre-drilled holes for the insertion of screws to engage tapped holes in the limbs.

A disadvantage of such cleat devices is that it is often difficult to align the ends of the frame elements accurately and to prevent relative movement between the ends of the frame elements in the plane of the joint on assembly. Consequently the ends of the frame elements in the finished joint may be off-set which is both undesirable and unsightly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for forming a mitred corner joint between elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section which overcomes the foregoing disadvantage of the known connectors.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for connecting adjacent mitred ends of two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangularsection to form a mitred corner joint therebetween, the connector comprising two inserts, each insert being adapted to be located and secured within the rectangular section of a respective one of the two frame elements to be connected, and a releasable fastener member for fastening the inserts together to secure the frame elements together, wherein a first of said inserts has abutment means engageable with an inner web of the associated frame element and arranged to project into the section of the other frame element for engagement by an inner web of said other frame to locate said inner webs relative to each other and, each insert has a respective formation, the formations being engageable with each other such that, on assembly, the adjacent ends of the frame elements are located and retained against inwards and outwards sliding movement relative to each other in the plane of the joint.

By the present invention, the mitred ends of two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section are accurately joined together by locating the inner webs relative to each other and maintaining the adjacent ends in the required relationship against inwards or outwards sliding movement relative to each other in the plane of the joint.

Preferably each insert comprises a substantially V-shaped body having a pair of limbs extending normal to each other and terminating at the base in respective co-planar attachment feet for securing the insert to an outer web of the associated frame element. The inserts may be secured by means of one or more screws extending through pre-drilled holes in the outer web of the associated frame element and engaging tapped holes in the attachment feet.

Advantageously the abutment means of said first insert is provided by a rib at the apex of the body which extends transversely with respect to the length of the associated frame element.

Conveniently the engageable formations of said inserts are provided by respective ribs adjacent to the base of the associated body which extend transversely with respect to the length of the associated frame element and are arranged to slidably engage each other.

The second of said inserts is preferably adjustable within the hollow section of the associated frame element to obtain the desired sliding engagement of the base ribs.

Preferably each insert is of a length slightly less than the width of the rectangular-section of the associated frame element and is a sliding fit therein.

The inserts are preferably of metal or alloy but plastics materials may be used depending on strength requirements. Conveniently the inserts are cut to length from an extrusion of the appropriate section. Alternatively the inserts may be cut or machined.

The releasable fastener member preferably comprises a screw which extends through a hole in one insert and engages an aligned tapped hole in the other insert. The aligned holes preferably extend normal to the plane of the joint.

According to a further aspect, the present invention consists in a mitred corner joint system comprising two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section having adjacent ends mitred and connected together by the connector according to the first aspect of the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invented connecter will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:~ FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mitred corner joint incorporating a connector according to the present invention: and FIGURE 2 is a part-sectional view ofthe corner joint shown in Figure 1 in the assembled condition.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a mitred corner joint 1 between two elongate hollow frame elements 2, 3 (part only shown) of substantially rectangular-section, such as rail and stile members of a door orwindowframe. In a typical door orwindowframe of rectangularshape the rails form upper and lower cross members, the stiles form upright side members and there would be four such joints, one at each corner of theframe, connecting adjacent ends of rail and stile members. In addition, there may be one or more intervening mullions extending between the opposed stiles and joined thereto by any suitable means. The assembled frame may be glazed orpanelled in known manner.

The frame elements 2,3 are of simiiarsection, although this is not essential, each comprising front and rearwails 4 and 5 respectively connected by opposed inner and outer webs 6 and 7 respectively.

The outerweb 7 is recessed between the edges ofthe front and rear walls which are formed with opposed inwardly directed lips 8 and 9 respectively to retain a coverstrip (notshown) or the like. Aflange 10 contiguous with the rearwall forms a bead for locating glazing or panelling (not shown) and is provided with longitudinally extending ribs 11 to engage a sealing strip (notshown) in known manner.

The frame elements 2,3 consist of extrusions of metal or alloy ofthe above-described section which are cut to length and the adjacent ends mitred at 450 and connected by a connector 12 to form the corner joint 1. By varying the length of the frame elements any desired size of frame may be produced.

The connector 12 comprises a pair of inserts 13,13' and a releasablefastener member constituted bya screw 14.

Each insert 13,13' comprises a generallyV-shaped body 15,15' having a pair of limbs ~6,16' extending normal to each other and terminating atthe base in respective co-planar attachmentfeet 17,17'.

Each insert 13,13' is locatedwithinthe hollow rectangular section of a respective one oftheframe elements and is secured adjacent to the mitred end thereof by a pair of set screws 1 which extend through pre-drilled holes 19 in the outerweb7 ofthe frame element and engage tapped holes20 in the attachmentfeet 17,17'. The insert bodies 15,15' extend transversely with respect to the length of the frame elements and are of a length slightly lessthan the distance between the front and rearwalls4and5 so as to be a sliding fittherein.

The insert 13 is formed, on that side which, in the assembled condition faces insert 13', with two longitudinal ribs 21,22, one atthe apex ofthe body and the other adjacent to the base of the body. The ribs 21,22 extend transversely to the length of the frame element 2 and normal to the plane P ofthe joint 1 between the frame elements 2,3. In the assembled condition, the ribs 21,22 project into the section ofthe otherframe element 3 to locatethefrontand rear walls 4 and 5 of both frame elements relative to each other. In this way any twisting of the frame elements 2,3 is avoided and the strength and rigidityofthe resultant joint 1 is increased.

In addition,theapex rib 21 engages the innerweb6 oftheframe element 2 on insertion of the insert 13 to position the insert 13 in the box-section oftheframe element 2 and provides a surface against which the innerweb6oftheotherframeelement3abutsinthe assembled condition. In this way the inner webs 6 of both frame elements 2,3 are accurately located relativeto each other on assembly and outwards sliding movement ofthe end of the frame element 3 relative to the end oftheframe element 2 in the plane P ofthe joint 1 as indicated by the arrowAis prevented.

The insert 13' is formed, on that side which, in the assembled condition faces the insert 13, with a longitudinal rib 23 adjacentto the base ofthe body.

The rib 23 extendstransverselyto the length ofthe frame element3 and normal to the plane P ofthe joint 1 between the frame elements 2,3. In the assembled condition, the rib 23 terminates flush to the end surface oftheframe element 3, although this is not essential, and slidably engages the rib 22 on the insert 13 in a direction normal to the plane P ofthe joint 1. In this way inwards sliding movementofthe end ofthe frame element 3 relative to the end ofthe frame element 2 in the plane P of the joint 1 as indicated by the arrow B is prevented.The pre-drilled holes 19 in the outerweb 7 oftheframe element3 are slightly oversize to allow some adjustment in the position ofthe insert 13' to ensure the rib 23 is correctly positioned to slidably engage the rib 22 when the innerwebs 6 of both frame elements 2,3 are accurately located by the rib 21.

The inserts are fastened together to complete the cornerjointbythescrewl4which isinsertedthrough a clearance opening 24 in the frame element 3 and ahole 25 in the insert 13' to engage an aligned tapped hole 26 in the insert 13. The screw head 27 is recessed in the body 15' ofthe insert 13' and the aligned holes 25,26 in the inserts extend normal to the plane P of the joint 1 between the frame elements 2,3. In this way, on tightening the screw 14, the frame elements 2,3 are drawn together evently whilst being retained in the required relationship by the abutment ofthe inner webs 6 againstthe rib 21 and by the sliding engagement of the ribs 22,23.

As will now be appreciated the connector 12 according to the present invention enables the mitred ends oftheframe elements 2,3 to be assembled and joined together with a high degree of accuracy by locating the innerwebs 6 relative to each other and maintaining the adjacent abutting ends of the frame elements 2,3 against relative inwards or outwards sliding movement in the plane P of the joint 1 therebetween.

The inserts may be of metal oralloy,forexample aluminium alloy, or alternatively plastics materials may be used depending on the strength requirements. The inserts may be formed by casting or machining but are preferably cutto length from an extrusion ofthe appropriate section.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment above-described, for example the precise shape of the inserts may be altered as may the materials from which the inserts are formed to suit any particular application.

Also, the inner web of the frame elements may be slotted or apertured to allow drainage in known manner, for example the inner web may be formed by inturned flanges of the front and rear walls to form a continuous central slot extending lengthwise of the frame element.

The frame elements may be of metal or alloy as described or, alternatively, of a suitable plastics material or a metal/plastics composite or an alloy/ plastics composite.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting adjacent mitred ends of two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section to form a mitred corner joint therebetween, the connector comprising two inserts, each insert being adapted to be located and secured within the rectangular section of a respective one of the two frame elements to be connected, and a releasable fastener member for fastening the inserts together to secure the frame elements together, wherein a first of said inserts has abutment means engageable with an inner web of the associated frame element and arranged to project into the section of the other frame element for engagement by an inner web of said other frame element to locate said inner webs relative to each other and, each insert has a respective formation, the formations being engageable with each other such that, on assembly, the adjacent ends of the frame elements are located and retained against inwards and outwards sliding movement relative to each other in the plane of the joint.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the formations are slidably engageable with each other in a direction normal to the plane of the joint.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the formations extend transversely with respect to the length of the frame elements.

4. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the abutment means extends transversely with respect to the length of the frame elements.

5. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastener member extends in a direction normal to the plane of the joint.

6. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each insert comprises a substantially V-shaped body having a pair of limbs extending normal to each other and terminating at the base in respective co-planar attachment feet for securing the insert to an outer web of the associated frame element.

7. A connector according to claim 6 wherein the formations are provided by respective ribs adjacent to the base of the associated body.

8. A connector according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the abutment means is provided by a rib at the apex of the body of said first insert.

9. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each insert is of a length slightly less than the width of the rectangularsection of the associated frame element and is a sliding fit therein.

10. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inserts are of metal, alloy or plastics material.

11. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inserts are cut to length from extrusions of the appropriate section.

12. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastener member comprises a screw.

13. A connector according to claim 12 wherein the screw extends through a hole in one insert and engages an aligned tapped hole in the other insert.

14. A connector according to claim 13 wherein the aligned holes extend normal to the plane of the joint.

15. Aconnector for connecting adjacent mitred ends of two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section to form a mitred corner joint therebetween substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A mitred corner joint system comprising two elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section having adjacent ends mitred and connected together by a connector according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. Aconnectoraccording to claim 16 wherein each insert is secured within the rectangular section of the associated frame element by one or more set screws extending through holes in an outer web of the frame element and engaging tapped holes in the insert.

18. A connector according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the second of sid inserts is adjustable within the section of the associated frame element.

19. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein both frame elements are of similar section.

20. A system according to any one of claims 16 o 19 wherein the inner web of each frame element is slotted or apertured.

21. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the frame elements are of metal, alloy or plastics material or a metal/plastics composite or an alloy/plastics composite.

22. A system' according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the frame elements are cut to length from extrusions of the appropriate section.

23. A mitred corner joint system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A door or window frame constructed from elongate hollow frame elements of substantially rectangular-section connected by the mitred corner joint system according to any one of claims 16 to 23.