GB2182112A - Connection means - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection member for elongate timbers comprises at least two socket members (1, 2, 3) formed as sections of hollow tubing and connected together with their axes perpendicular such that a first socket member (1) is open at both ends and the or each other socket member (2, 3) has one end closed by the wall of said first socket member (1), wherein at least one wall portion of each socket member (1, 2, 3) has a punched out section whereby an axial flange (11) of wall material protrudes inwardly of the socket member (1, 2, 3). Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise connection members having 2, 3 or 4 other socket members connected to said first socket member. Preferably the socket members are of rectangular, and especially square, section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connection means This invention relates to means for connecting together elongate lengths oftimber, especially for use in the production offrameworks and the like for horticultural use.

According to the invention a connection member for elongate timbers comprises at least two socket members formed as sections of hollowtubing and connected together with their axes perpendicular such that a first socket member is open at both ends and the or each other socket members have one end closed by the wall of said first socket member, wherein at least one wall of each socket member has a punched out section whereby an axial flange ofwall material protrudes inwardly of the socket member.

Generally there will be at least two other socket members connected to said first socket member and preferred embodiments ofthe invention comprise connecting members having 2,3 or 4 other socket members arranged symmetrically around said first socket member.

The socket members may comprise sections of hollowtubes of any desired section but preferably they are of rectangular, or especially square, section.

The flanges that protrude into the socket members allowthattimbers of nominal size corresponding to the dimensions of the socket members will be securely received within the socket member since the flanges bite into the timber when it is driven into the socket member. The connecting member of the invention allows simple construction offrameworks and the like for horticultural use, including such structuresasfruitframes,coldorhotframesorany other structure in which it is desired to connect together elongate timbers.

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one form of the invention.

Figure2 shows a side view of the connecting member shown in Figure 1,and Figure 3 shows an end view ofthe connecting member shown in Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings one form of connecting means according to the invention comprises a first socket member 1 comprising a square section tube of dimension such that the length of the section 1 is somewhat greaterthatthe side of the square section.

Two further socket members 2,3 are welded to two adjacentwalls4, 5 respectivelyofsocket 1 such that two opposed walls of each of sockets 2 and 3 lie parallel with and substantially flush with the two sets of opposed walls, respectively of socket 1 and wall 8 of socket 2, wall 9 of socket 3 and open end 10 of socket 1 are substantially coplaner.

In each of two adjacent walls of each of sockets 1,2 and 3 a section ofthe material has been punched out and turned inwardly to leave two inwardly turned flanges 11 extending longitudinally within each socket 1,2,3.

The sockets 1,2,3 will normally be dimensioned to receive a nominal size timber, say 50mm sq. Such timbers, for normal usage, are not cut particularly ac curately and are frequently undersized. When an undersized piece of timber is inserted into a socket 1,2, or 3 of the connecting member ofthe invention the flanges 11 bite into the timber as it is introduced into the socket and hold is firmly in place even though there may be a considerable gap between the inser ted timberand the wall ofthe socket. Should a piece of timber be marginally oversized the excess will nor maliy be trimmed off by contact against the edge of the wall of the socket atthe open end.

Preferably, as shown in the drawings the inturned flanges have a tapered edge 12 towards the end at which timberwill normally be introduced into the socket thereby assisting in the action of the flange 11 in digging into the timber on introduction of the timber into the socket.

Although connecting members have only been specifically described in which two additional sockets 2,3 are connected on two adjacent sides of socket 1, the two sockets 2,3 could also be attached to socket 1 on two opposed sides thereof and/or additional sockets arranged in similar positions to sockets 2 and 3 can be attached on one or both ofthe other sides of socket 1.

1. Aconnection memberforelongatetimbers comprising at least two socket members formed as sections of hollow tubing and connected together with their axes perpendicular such that a first socket member is open at both ends and the or each other socket member has one end closed bythewall of said first socket member, wherein at least one wall portion of each socket member has a punched out section whereby an axial flange ofwall material protrudes inwardly ofthe socket member.

2. Aconnection member according to claim 1, comprising a first socket member and at leasttwo other socket members connected to said first socket member.

3. A connection member according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the socket members are of re ctangular section.

4. A connection member according to claim 3, wherein the socket members are of square section.

5. A connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein axial flanges are formed on two adjacent walls of each socket member.

6. Aconnecting member according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Connection means This invention relates to means for connecting together elongate lengths oftimber, especially for use in the production offrameworks and the like for horticultural use. According to the invention a connection member for elongate timbers comprises at least two socket members formed as sections of hollowtubing and connected together with their axes perpendicular such that a first socket member is open at both ends and the or each other socket members have one end closed by the wall of said first socket member, wherein at least one wall of each socket member has a punched out section whereby an axial flange ofwall material protrudes inwardly of the socket member. Generally there will be at least two other socket members connected to said first socket member and preferred embodiments ofthe invention comprise connecting members having 2,3 or 4 other socket members arranged symmetrically around said first socket member. The socket members may comprise sections of hollowtubes of any desired section but preferably they are of rectangular, or especially square, section. The flanges that protrude into the socket members allowthattimbers of nominal size corresponding to the dimensions of the socket members will be securely received within the socket member since the flanges bite into the timber when it is driven into the socket member. The connecting member of the invention allows simple construction offrameworks and the like for horticultural use, including such structuresasfruitframes,coldorhotframesorany other structure in which it is desired to connect together elongate timbers. The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one form of the invention. Figure2 shows a side view of the connecting member shown in Figure 1,and Figure 3 shows an end view ofthe connecting member shown in Figure 1. As shown in the drawings one form of connecting means according to the invention comprises a first socket member 1 comprising a square section tube of dimension such that the length of the section 1 is somewhat greaterthatthe side of the square section. Two further socket members 2,3 are welded to two adjacentwalls4, 5 respectivelyofsocket 1 such that two opposed walls of each of sockets 2 and 3 lie parallel with and substantially flush with the two sets of opposed walls, respectively of socket 1 and wall 8 of socket 2, wall 9 of socket 3 and open end 10 of socket 1 are substantially coplaner. In each of two adjacent walls of each of sockets 1,2 and 3 a section ofthe material has been punched out and turned inwardly to leave two inwardly turned flanges 11 extending longitudinally within each socket 1,2,3. The sockets 1,2,3 will normally be dimensioned to receive a nominal size timber, say 50mm sq. Such timbers, for normal usage, are not cut particularly ac curately and are frequently undersized. When an undersized piece of timber is inserted into a socket 1,2, or 3 of the connecting member ofthe invention the flanges 11 bite into the timber as it is introduced into the socket and hold is firmly in place even though there may be a considerable gap between the inser ted timberand the wall ofthe socket. Should a piece of timber be marginally oversized the excess will nor maliy be trimmed off by contact against the edge of the wall of the socket atthe open end. Preferably, as shown in the drawings the inturned flanges have a tapered edge 12 towards the end at which timberwill normally be introduced into the socket thereby assisting in the action of the flange 11 in digging into the timber on introduction of the timber into the socket. Although connecting members have only been specifically described in which two additional sockets 2,3 are connected on two adjacent sides of socket 1, the two sockets 2,3 could also be attached to socket 1 on two opposed sides thereof and/or additional sockets arranged in similar positions to sockets 2 and 3 can be attached on one or both ofthe other sides of socket 1. CLAIMS

1. Aconnection memberforelongatetimbers comprising at least two socket members formed as sections of hollow tubing and connected together with their axes perpendicular such that a first socket member is open at both ends and the or each other socket member has one end closed bythewall of said first socket member, wherein at least one wall portion of each socket member has a punched out section whereby an axial flange ofwall material protrudes inwardly ofthe socket member.

2. Aconnection member according to claim 1, comprising a first socket member and at leasttwo other socket members connected to said first socket member.

3. A connection member according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the socket members are of re ctangular section.

4. A connection member according to claim 3, wherein the socket members are of square section.

5. A connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein axial flanges are formed on two adjacent walls of each socket member.

6. Aconnecting member according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.