GB2225808A

GB2225808A - Connector for panels

Info

Publication number: GB2225808A
Application number: GB8824508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Leslie Burton
Original assignee: BATCHIT Ltd
Current assignee: BATCHIT Ltd
Priority date: 1988-10-19
Filing date: 1988-10-19
Publication date: 1990-06-13
Also published as: GB8824508D0

Abstract

A hinge or other connector for connecting a chipboard panel (415) with a further member (416) includes leaves (410, 411) between which the panel is received. The structure may be as in Fig. 2 in which panels are inserted e.g. between leaves 110, 111 and held by fastening means which pass between aligned holes 113. Alternatively the holder may have flanges 313 and the panel is inserted between leaves 310, 311. <IMAGE>

Description

Title:"Structure and connector for use in the some" Description of Invention From one aspect, the present invention relates to a structure incorporating at least one panel connected with a further member. The invention has heen devised primarily for use in structures incorporating panels which have relatively low tensile strength. Examples of such Danels include panels of chiphoard and other panels comprisinq particles, fibres or chips which are bonded together.

It is common for panels of particles, chips or fibres which are bonded together to have at at least one face a skin which is of higher density than is a core of the panel or than ;s the remainder of the panel. Such panels have fairly good compressive strenqth, for example they resist fairly well deformation of the surface presented by the skin under the action of an impact or other imposed load. The relatively low tensile strenqth of such panels enahles screws which are driven into the panels to be torn from the panels relatively easily. Thus, it is often unsatisfactory to secure butt hinges to such panels by means of screws.

()ne solution which has been proposed to the problem of attaching hinges to chipboard panels is to use hinges having a relatively large body, for example a plastics mouldina, and to machine in the panel a housinq for the body of the hinge so that the load is distributed over a relatively large interface and reliance is not placed solely upon screws to maintain the hinge in assembled relation with the panel. Nevertheless, panels which are connected in this way can be subjected to tensile stress, in use, and it is not unusual for the plast;cs bodies of the hinges to be torn from the panels.

Accordina to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure incorporating at least one panel connected with a further member by a connector wherein the connector includes first and second leaves engaqed with oDposite faces of the panel.

The panel may be clamped between the leaves of the connector so that the panel is subjected to compressive stress and movement of the panel relative to the leaves in a direction along the interface between a leaf and the panel is opposed mainly by friction between the leaves and the panels.

The connector may be a rigid connector for connecting the panel with a further panel or with a frame or other structure on which the panel is to be mounted. Alternatively, the connector may be a hinge. The connector may comprise third and fourth leaves between which a further panel is received.

Examples of connectors and of structures embodying the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a first hinge; FIGURE 2 shows a perspective view of a second hinge, FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of a third hinge, FIGURE 4 shows a part of a structure incorporating a first rigid connector; FIGURE 5 shows a part of a structure incorporating a second rigid connector; and FIGURE 6 shows a fastener for use with the hinges.

The hinge of Figure 1 comprises first and second leaves 10, 11 which are in mutually spaced, face-to-face relotion. The leaves 10 and II are substantially flat and are mutually parallel. The leaves are rigidly connected together by a bridge portion 12 of the hinge. The bridge portion presents towards the gap between the leaves 10 and 11 a face which is perpendicular to the major faces of the leaves.

The leaves 10 and II are spaced apart by a distance corresDonding to the thickness of a panel to which the hinge is to be fitted. When the hinge is fitted to the panel, the leaves are in contact with respective faces of the panel and the bridge port;on 12 of the hinge abuts an edge of the panel. The panel is retained in the qap between the leaves by a plurality of fasteners, each of which extends through an aperture in the leaf I 0, an aperture in the panel and an aligned aperture in the leaf ! 1. Bolts and nuts are the preferred form of fasteners used. Tiqhteninq of the nuts onto the bolts draws the leaves 10 and I i into contact under pressure with the panel so thot the panel is subiected to comDressive stress between the leaves.The leaves grip firmly the panel and movement of the panel relative to the leaves along the surfaces of the leaves is resisted by friction between the panel and the leaves.

The hinge of Figure I further comprises a mounting portion 14 which is connected with the bridge portion 12 by a hinge pin 15. The form of the mounting portion is selected according to the structure on which the hinge is to be mounted. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the mounting portion is of stepped form and comprises a first, flat web 16 extending from the portion 17 which receives the hinge pin, a further web 18 which is at right angles to the web 16 and a flange 19 which is parallel to the web 16 and spaced therefrom by the further web 18. The hinge may be secured at the flange 19 to a structure on which the hinge is to be mounted. In a case where that structure is of steel, the flange 19 may be welded to the structure.

Alternatively, apertures may be formed in the flange 19 to receive suitable fasteners.

When the hinge is in the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, which corresponds to a closed position of a panel supported between the leaves 10 and II, the further web 18 underlies the leaf I I and therefore overlaps with a major face of the panel. Accordingly, when in the closed position, the panel overlaps with the structure on which the hinge is mounted.

The hinge illustrated in Figure 2 includes certain parts which correspond to parts of the hinge hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1. In Figure ?, such corresponding parts are identified by like reference numerals with the prefix ! and the preceding description is deemed to apply, exceDt for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

The hinge shown in Figure 2 is intended to he mounted on a further panel, which may have a thickness equal to that of the panel to be received between the leaves 110 and 111. Accordingly, the mounting portion 114 comprises a pair of leaves 120 and 121 connected together by a bridge portion 122. The leaves 120 and 121 and the bridge portion 122 may be identicol with the leaves 110 and Ill and the bridge portion 112. The bridge portion 122 is connected with the pin-receiving portion 117 by a flat web 116 which, when the hinge is in the position illustrated in Figure 2, which may correspond to the closed position of a panel received between the leaves 110 and Ill, lies adiacent to and parallel to the bridge portion 112. In this configuration of the hinge, the bridge portion 122 lies in face-to-face relation with the leaf 11!. Accordingly, a panel received between the leaves 120 and 121 overlaps with a panel received between the leaves 110 and Ill. I!hen the panels are connected to each other by the hinge of Figure 2, both Danels are gripped between the correspondina pair of leaves, bolts and nuts being used to clamp the leaves in pressure-contoct with the panels.

The hinge of Figure 3 also includes parts corresponding to those hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1. In Figure 3, such corresponding parts are identified by like reference numerals with the prefix 2. The preceding description is deemed to apply to such corresponding parts except for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

The mounting portion 214 of the hinge of Figure 3 comprises a pair of leaves 220 and 221, which may he identical with the leaves 210 and 211 and which are connected together by a bridge portion 222, which may be identical with the bridge portion 212.

The bridge portion 222 is connected with the pin-receiving portion 217 of the hinge by a web 223 which is joined with the bridge portion along a longitudinal centreline of the bridge portion, rather than along the unction between the bridge portion and one of the leaves, as is the case with the web 116 shown in Figure 2. Accordingly, when the hinge is in the configuration of Figure 3, which corresponds to closed positions of the panels, the leaf 211 overlaps with somewhat less than one half of the bridge portion 222 and therefore overlaps with a panel received between the leaves 221 and 220 to a considerobly smaller degree than does a panel received between the leaves 110 and Ill overlap with a panel received with the leaves 120 and 121.

The hinge of Figure 3 comprises a further pair of leaves 230 and 23! which are connected to each other by a bridge portion 232. These leaves and bridge portion are preferably identical with the leaves 210 and 211 and the bridge portion 219. The bridge portion 232 is connected by a further hinge pin 233 with the web 223. The hinge pin 233 lies close to and is parallel to the hinge pin 215.

RAthen the hinge is in the configuration illustrated in Figure 3, the leaf 231 overlaps with the bridge portion 222 to an extent'corresponding to the overlap of the leaf 211 with that bridge portion.

The hinge of Figure 3 is suitable for use in mounting on a fixed panel a pair of panels constituting doors. The fixed panel would be received between the leaves 220 and 221, the doors heing received between the leaves 210 and 211 and the leaves 230 and 231. The leaves are clamped on to the panels by nuts and bolts in the manner hereinbefore described.

The connector illustrated in Figure 4 is a rigid connector, not a hinge.

The connector of Figure 4 comprises a pair of substantially flat leaves 310 and 311 which are disposed in spaced apart, mutually parallel relation. The leaves project in the same direction from one face of a web 312 which has a width considerably greater than the separation between the leaves 310 and 311. Accordingly, the leaves and the web together form a channel for receiving a marginal portion of a panel and the web extends laterally beyond both of the leaves 310 and 311. Apertures 313 are formed in lateral portions of the web to receive screws or other fasteners, whereby the web can be secured to a member on which a panel is to be mounted. If required, apertures may be formed in one or both of the leaves 310 and 311 to receive fasteners for anchoring the panel between the leaves. However, in many situations, such anchoring of the panel will be unnecessary.

It will be appreciated that the member with which there is connected a panel received between the leaves 310 and 311 may itself be a panel.

In Figure 5, there is illustrated a further rigid connector embodying the present invention and incorporated in a structure in accordance with the invention. The connector of Figure 5 comprises first and second, substantially flat leaves 410 and 411 which are disposed in spaced aport, mutually parallel, face-to-face relation. The connector comprises a further pair of substantially flat leaves 412 and 413. These leaves are perpendicular to the leaves 410 and 411 and are disposed in mutually parallel, spaced, faceto-face relation. The leaves 412 and 413 are rigidly connected together by a bridge portion 414 which is perpendicular to these leaves and which may be continuation of the leaf 410. The leaves 410 and 411 are rigidly connected together by the leaf 412 or by a separately formed bridge Dortion which is secured in face-to-face engagement with the leaf 412.

A marginal portion of a panel 415 is received between the leaves 410 and 411 and is preferably a close or interference fit between these leaves. A marginal portion of a further panel 416 is received between the leaves 412 and 413. It will be noted that the panel 415 overlaps a part of the panel 416, an edge of the panel 415 facing towards a major face of the panel 416.

In the leaf 411, there is provided a number of apertures to receive screws or other fasteners, for retaining the panel 415 in assembled relation with the connector. In the example illustrated, the leaf 411 is considerably larqer than is the leaf 410 and overlaps a greater area of the panel 415. The fasteners may extend only through the leaf 411. Alternatively, apertures for receivinq the fasteners could be formed in both of the leaves 410 and 411 to receive nuts and bolts, whereby the leaves can he clamped onto the panel 415 under pressure.

A number of apertures are formed in the leaf 412 to receive fasteners for retaining the panel 416 in assembled relation with the connector. The leaf 413 may be smaller than the leaf 412 and may be imperforete.

Alternatively, the leaf 413 may be somewhat larger than the leaf illustrated in Figure 5 so that aligned apertures can be provided in the leaves 412 and 413 to receive clamping bolts and nuts.

A bolt suitable for use in clamping the leaves of the various fasteners hereinbefore described to panels is illustrated in Figure 6. The bolt has a flat head 510 at one end of a shank 511. An end portion of the shank remote from the head is threaded and a portion of the shank adiacent to the head is knurled or otherwise adapted to grip a panel which embraces the shank. The connector leaves through which the shank 511 is to extend are formed with clearance holes. The panel through which the shank is to extend is formed with an undersized hole which receives the threaded portion of the shank with a sliding fit. The remainder of the shank is an interference fit in the hole in the panel so that, as the shank is driven into the panel, the panel is deformed around the boundary of the hole to establish a tightly embracing relation between the panel and the shank.Accordingly, turning of the bolt in the panel is restrained and the head 510 is not relied upon to prevent turning of the bolt during tightening of a nut on the threaded part of the shank. The unthreaded part of the shank may be knurled or splined.

The connectors hereinbefore described are conveniently formed of steel. The connectors may be fabricated from stamped and pressed components which are welded together. Alternatively, other metals or nonmetallic materials may be used to form the connectors. Extrusions of relatively rigid plastics moterial may be used. Surfaces of the connectors which are exposed in the finished structures may have decorative finishes.

For example, in the case of steel connectors, these may be plated with brass.

/whilst we have illustrated connectors having rectangular leaves and flanges, it will be understood that the shape of these parts may be modified for decorative purposes.

The panels which are assembled with the connectors may be formed of chipboard which may have layers of plastics material bonded to its major faces. Alternatively, the panels may be composed of bonded fibres. It will be noted that reliance is not placed upon the tensile strength of the panels to achieve integrity of the structures. If chipboard screws or the like havinq threads engaged with the panels are used to anchor the panels with respect to the connectors, reliance is not placed upon cooperation between these threads and the material of the panels to maintain the integrity of the structure. The screws merely prevent sliding of the panel between the associated connector leaves.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A structure incorporating at least one panel connected with a further

member by a connector, wherein the connector includes first and second leaves engaged with opposite faces of the panel.
2. A structure according to Claim I wherein the panel comprises particles or chips bonded together.
3. A structure according to Claim I wherein the panel has a skin of higher density at at least one of said faces and a core of lower density.
4. A structure according to any preceding Claim further comprising a fastener acting on both of said leaves to hold the leaves in pressure contact with the panel.
5. A structure according to Claim 4 wherein the fastener extends through a hole in the panel and is an interference fit in that hole.
6. A structure according to any preceding Claim wherein said further member is a further panel and said connector includes third and fourth leaves engaged with oDposite faces of the further panel.
7. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein the connector is a hinge.
8. A structure according to any one of Claims' I to 5 wherein the connector is a rigid component.
9. A structure according to Claim 8 wherein the first and second leaves overlap with both the panel and the further member.
10. A connector for use in a structure according to Claim I and comprising first and second leaves which are substantially flat, parallel to each other and in spaced apart facetbface relation, a bridge portion extending between the leaves and a further portion for attachment to the further member.
11. A connector according to Claim 10 wherein mutually aligned holes are formed in the first and second leaves to receive a fastener.
12. A connector according to Claim 10 which is a hinge.
13. A connector according to Claim 10 wherein one of the first and second leaves is imperforate and at least one aperture is formed in the other leaf.
14. A connector according to Claim 13 wherein said one leaf is smaller than is the other leaf.
!5. A method of connectinq a panel with a further member wherein there is used a connector according to Claim 10, wherein a fastener is inserted through one of said holes in the first leaf, through an aligned, smaller hole in the panel and through the aligned hole in the second leaf and wherein the fastener deforms the panel during insertion to establish a tight fit of the panel on the fastener.
16. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of Figures I to 5 of the accomoanying drawinqs.
17. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawinqs.