GB2205142A

GB2205142A - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2205142A
Application number: GB08812848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Anthony Whiting
Original assignee: Home Doors Ltd
Current assignee: Home Doors Ltd
Priority date: 1987-05-29
Filing date: 1988-05-31
Publication date: 1988-11-30
Also published as: GB8812848D0; GB8712664D0

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) comprising a first member attachable to a wall, a second member including a housing (16) attachable to the edge of a pane of glass, and a plurality of connecting members (20) adjustably mountable to the first member by way of a screw (54) passing through a slot (52) and engaging in a channel (22). Each member (20) is also adjustably mountable to the housing (16) by way of screws (54) engaging in a channel (38). <IMAGE>

Description

Connector Assembly The present invention relates to connector assemblies, and particularly but not exclusively'to connector assemblies for use in the construction of shower enclosures.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector assembly for interconnecting two articles comprising a first member attachable to one of the articles and including an attachment structure, a second member attachable to the other of the articles and including an attach mnt portion, and attachment means for adjustably fixing together the first and second members at one of a range of locations on the attachment structure and one of a range of locations on the attachment portion.

Preferably the second member comprises first and second components, the first component including article mounting means and a mounting structure, and the second component including the attachment portion and means for mounting the second component on the mounting structure.

Preferably the attachment structure is substantially linear.

Preferably the mounting structure is substantially linear.

Preferably the first member and the first component of the second member are provided along a substantial length of the one and the other articles respectively.

Preferably the attachment portion is substantially linear.

Preferably, in use the attachment portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the attachment structure and the mounting structure.

Preferably the attachment structure comprises a channel, the attachment portion includes a slot, and the attachment means is of a configuration to pass through the slot and fasten into the channel clamping the attachment portion against the attachment structure. The attachment means may comprise a self tapping screw.

Preferably a plurality of second components of the second member are provided for each first components.

Preferably the connector assembly includes removable cover means.

Preferably the connector assembly provides a sealing join between the articles.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector assembly for attaching together two or more articles comprising a second member for each article and a third member including an attachment structure for each article, the second members, the attachment structures, and the attachment means for adjustably fixing together the second and third members, being as described in any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a connector assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the connector of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a connector assembly according to another aspect of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show part of a connector assembly 10 for mounting the edge of a pane of glass (not shown) against a wall 12. The connector assembly 10 comprises: a first member 14 attachable to the wall; a second member including a first component in the form of a housing 16 which is attachable to the edge of a pane of glass and a plurality of second components in the form of connecting members 20 (only one of which is shown in the drawings) connecting together said first and second members; and a removable cover 18. The first member 14, housing 16 and cover 18, extend the length of the pane of glass.

The first member 14 comprises a length of L-shaped section. A channel 22 is formed along the stem 24 of the L by two strips 26 extending on the same side of the stem 24 as, and substantially parallel to, the cross piece 28 of the L. The free end 30 of the stem 24 curves inwardly to present an end face 32 substantially parallel to the surfaces of the stem 24.

The housing 16 comprises a length of H-shaped section with one of the channels 34 so formed being deeper than the other channel 36. A further shallower channel 38 is formed centrally within and parallel to, the channel 36 by a pair of strips 40. A serrated edge 42 is provided on the inside face of each of the limbs forming the channel 34 adjacent to their free ends.

The cover 18 comprises a strip of material with an inwardly curved edge, the strip being of substantially the same width as the stem 24 of the first member 14. The width of the housing piece 16 is such -that it slidingly fits lengthways between the inwardly curved free ends of the first member 14 and the cover 18 when the member 14 and cover 18 are joined together with the uncurved edge of the cover 18 contacting the free end of the cross piece 28, and the stem 24 and the cover 18 lying substantially parallel to each other. The first member 14 and cover 18 may be releasably connected by a plurality of extensions 44 (partially shown in Fig. 2) of the strips 26, the extensions 44 being of resilient material and having inwardly turned portions 45 on their free ends.Each of the extensions 44 is located to clip onto a respective one of a plurality of projections 46 each having undercut recesses 47, that are formed on the inside face of the cover 18. The extensions 44 clip onto the projections 46 with the portions 45 engaging in the recesses 47.

The connecting members 20 each comprise a channel member 48, being of a size such that the limbs thereof slidably fit between the outer faces of the strips 40 and the inner faces of the channel 36 of the housing 16. A substantially central hole is provided adjacent to each end of the channel member 48. A cross piece 50 is provided extending substantially normally from the channel member 48 between the holes formed therein. A longitudinal slot 52 is provided in the cross piece 50.

In use, the first member 14 is mounted on the wall 12 at a required location by any suitable means. A pane of glass is fitted within the channel 34 of the housing 14 and held in place by the serrated edges 42. Usually a glazing gasket is provided between the pane of glass and the second housing 16.

A plurality of connecting members 20 are fitted to the housing 16. The connecting members 20 are held in place by the insertion of tapering self tapping screws 54 through the holes therein into the channel 38. Upon loosening of the screws 54 the connecting members 20 may be moved lengthways along the housing 16. It is usual with a pane of glass for a shower cubicle to provide three such connecting members 20 for each connector assembly.

The pane of glass, housing 16 and connecting members 20 may be connected to the first member 14 by placing the pane of glass in a required position and orientation, with an outer face of the housing 16 resting against the end face 32 of the first member 14. Tapering self-tapping screws 56 can then be inserted through the slots 52 and into the channel 22. It is to be appreciated that when the screws 56 are fully tightened the connecting members 20 are clamped against the first member 14. When the screws 56 are loosened the pane of glass may be moved relative to the first piece with the slots 52 sliding or rotating about the screws 56.

When the pane of glass is mounted in the required position the cover 18 may be fixed to the first member 14.

This may be done by pushing the cover 18 onto the first member and housing 14,16 such that the projections 46 are pushed between the extensions 44.

Figure 3 shows a connector 110 which operates in a similar manner to the connector 10, for joining two panes of glass. The connector comprises housings 116 and connector members 120 similar to those used in the connector 10, a first member 114 and a cover 118. The first member 114 is of an L-shaped section, with channels 122 formed by strips 126 on the inside faces of the stem 124 and cross piece 128.

The cover 118 is of a corresponding L-shape. Projections 146 are provided on the outside face of the stem of the cover 118 corresponding to extensions 144 on one of the channels 122, to join the first member 114 to the cover 118.

In the above examples the connector members are moulded from a plastics material and the first member, housing and cover are made from lengths of aluminium extrusion.

The above examples thus describe connectors which allow for adjustment in all directions, the connecting members being: slidable on the screws into the channels of the first member; able to be inclined at any angle relative to these screws; locatable anywhere along the length of the housing; and the screws themselves being locatable anywhere along the length of the channels, This adjustment in the connectors allows surfaces to be joined that are not wholly perpendicular to each other, for example the panels of a shower cubicle and an off true bathroom wall.

This connector removes the requirements for holes or slots to be provided in the panes of glass or other panels of a shower cubicle, to permit fixing and adjustment. This connector also reduces significantly the quantity of aluminium required to provide such fixing and adjustment than is conventionally used. The use of the covers renders all the screws invisible thus improving the appearance of the shower cubicle and making cleaning thereof easier.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the connector may be made from different materials. A different method for mounting the cover on the first member may be used. Methods of fixing other than self tapping screws threading into channels may be used. A connector may be made for joining more than two panels or for joining panels that are not to be aligned normally to each other.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for interconnecting two articles comprising a first member attachable to one of the articles and including an attachment structure, a second member attachable to the other of the articles and including an attachment portion, and attachment means for adjustably fixing together the first and second members at one of a range of locations on the attachment structure and one of a range of locations on the attachment portion.

2. A connector assembly for attaching together two or more articles comprising a second member for each article attachable to the article and including an attachment portion and attachment means, and a third member including an attachment structure for each article, the second and third members being adjustably fixable together at one of a range of locations on each attachment structure and at one of a range of locations on each attachment portion by the attachment means.

3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the or each second member comprises first and second components, the first component including article mounting means and a mounting structure, and the second component including the attachment portion and means for- mounting the second component on the mounting structure.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3, in which the or each mounting structure is substantially linear.

5. An assembly according to Claim 3 or 4, in which in use the or each attachment portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the respective attachment structure and mounting structure.

6. An assembly according to any of Claims 3 to 5, in which a plurality of second components of the second member are provided for each first component.

7. An assembly according to any of Claims 3 to 6, when dependent on Claim 1, in which the first member and the first component of the second member are provided along a substantial length of the one and the other articles respectively.

8. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the or each attachment structure is substantially linear.

9. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the or each attachment portion is substantially linear.

10. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the or each attachment structure comprises a channel, the or each attachment portion includes a slot, and the attachment means is of a configuration to pass through the slot and fasten into the channel clamping the respective attachment portion against the respective attachment structure.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10, in which the attachment means comprises a self tapping screw.

12. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the connector assembly includes removable cover means.

13. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the connector assembly provides a sealing join between the articles.

14. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.