GB2257455A - Jointing device. - Google Patents

Jointing device. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2257455A
GB2257455A GB9113869A GB9113869A GB2257455A GB 2257455 A GB2257455 A GB 2257455A GB 9113869 A GB9113869 A GB 9113869A GB 9113869 A GB9113869 A GB 9113869A GB 2257455 A GB2257455 A GB 2257455A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ball
socket
shafts
shaft
diameter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9113869A
Other versions
GB9113869D0 (en
Inventor
Michael John Harborow
David Wooster
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9113869A priority Critical patent/GB2257455A/en
Publication of GB9113869D0 publication Critical patent/GB9113869D0/en
Publication of GB2257455A publication Critical patent/GB2257455A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16BDEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/06Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
    • F16B21/08Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part
    • F16B21/088Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part the stud, pin or spigot being integrally formed with the component to be fastened, e.g. forming part of the sheet, plate or strip
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01FADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/631Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanently deforming when deflected or displaced, e.g. by vehicle impact
    • E01F9/638Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanently deforming when deflected or displaced, e.g. by vehicle impact by connection of stud-and-socket type, e.g. spring-loaded

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

A snap action releasable jointing device has a first shaft 2 with a resilient ball 10 at one end thereof and a second shaft 6 with a socket 12 formed in its core. The socket 12 has a diameter which is substantially the same as that of the ball 10, but the opening 16 to the socket 12 has a lesser diameter. The shafts 2 and 6 may be jointed by forcing the resilient ball 10 into the socket 12 under compression. Preferably the ball is hollow and has slots to enhance its compressibility. The jointing devices of the invention are of use in mounting traffic signposts. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Jointing Device DESCRIPTION Technical Field The invention relates to a jointing device, and particularly to a releasable jointing device with snap action, suitable, for example, for holding together sections of a signpost.
Background Art Traffic, such as motor cars, taxiing aircraft and vehicles of all types, is most commonly directed by signs mounted on signposts. The signposts usually consist of a single section or a number of sections which are fastened together. The posts are rigidly fixed, for instance, to the ground. In the unfortunate event that a vehicle collides with the post, the post will not yield, that is absorb impact forces or break, without opposition or reaction, and as a result damage may be caused not only to the post but also to the colliding vehicle. Damage may be reduced by minimising the breaking strength of the post, although the post may then be liable to breaking unnecessarily, and a broken post still has to be replaced.
The Invention The invention provides a releasable jointing device with snap action, having first and second shafts, a resilient ball at an end of the first shaft, and a socket in the core of the second shaft, which first and second shafts are jointed by forcing the ball into the socket through a socket opening having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ball. The difference between the diameter of the opening and the diameter of the ball determines the force required to release the joint.
The invention can be used for jointing the sections of a signpost. The sign may be mounted on a single vertical post, or may be mounted on a number of vertical posts and supported by further inclined posts.
Each of the shafts is fastened to one of the sections, the shaft preferably being housed in the central hollow core of the post. The joint acts as a focal breaking point in the structure of the post. The joint is strong enough to hold the post sections together, and to ensure that the post can withstand the stresses of everyday effects, such-as wind buffeting, but the joint will release and the sections will break apart when the post is subjected to the force of a colliding vehicle. The yielding of the post minimises damage to the colliding vehicle, and enables the post to be erected immediately following the breakage.
The device is preferably injection moulded from plastics material. The ball may be moulded with a collapsible core so as to be hollow in the finished device.
The ball preferably has a number of slots which enhance the ball's compressibility and flexibility.
A locking mechanism may be provided in order to prevent the shafts rotating relative to one another.
The invention further provides a signpost incorporating a releasable jointing device with snap action.
The Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a releasable locking device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along the line II - II shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 depicts the result of a collision between a motor car and a signpost incorporating a jointing device according to the invention.
Best Mode With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a releasable locking device has a first shaft 2 and a second shaft 6. Integral with a stub shaft 24 at one end 4 of the first shaft 2 is a ball 10 having a hollow interior 18. Cut through the wall of the ball- 10 are slots (two of which are shown) 20a and 20b. The second shaft 6 has a core 8, and in the core 8 there is a spherical socket 12. The core 8 also has a spacing portion 14 which extends between an end 22 of the shaft 6 and an opening 16 to the socket 12.
The first and second shafts 2 and 6 are jointed by forcing the ball 10 into the socket 12. The ball 10 and the socket 12 have substantially the same diameter, but the diameter of the opening 16 is less than the diameter of the ball 10, the socket 12 having a volume in excess of half the volume of a complete sphere.
The ball 10 and the socket 12 can be locked together by snap action. The ball lo, in being made of plastics material, is resilient and therefore compressible. The compressibility of the ball lo is assisted by the slots 20a and 20b which provide increased flexibility for the wall of the ball 10. The ball 10 is compressed as it is forced through the opening 16 until the centre of the ball 10 passes the opening 16, at which point the ball 10 is able to expand to its original volume, thereby locking the ball 10 in the socket 12 and jointing the first and second shafts 2 and 6 together.
The joint can be released by pulling or levering the first and second shafts 2,6 apart. Applying a force which has a component perpendicular to the common axis of the shafts 2,6, produces a moment, with the region at which the shaft ends 4 and 22 meet acting as the pivot point. The resultant force of the moment acts along the common axis of the shafts 2,6 and tends to separate the shafts 2,6. The shafts 2,6 will separate when the resultant force is sufficient to produce the degree of compression of the ball 10 required to enable the ball 10 to pass through the opening 16. The diameter of the opening 16 therefore determines the force that must be exerted in order to release the joint.
With further reference to Figure 3, a signpost 26 has three tubular sectons 261,262 and 263. The sections 261,262 and 263 are jointed together using the device described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The shafts 2 and 6 of each of the devices are housed inside the tubular sections 261,262 and 263. The vehicle 28 has collided with the signpost 26. The force of the colliding vehicle, which is exerted perpendicularly to the common axis of the joint shafts 2,6, produces a moment with a resultant force acting along the common axis of the shafts 2,6 and of sufficient magnitude to separate the shafts 2,6. The separation of the shafts 2,6 causes the signpost sections 261,262 to break apart. The diameter of the opening 16 has been determined so that the sections 261,262 will break apart without substantially reacting to or opposing the force of the colliding vehicle, and consequently the damage to the vehicle is minimised. The signpost can be erected again following the collision by jointing the sections 261, 262 back together.

Claims (5)

1. A snap action releasable jointing device comprising first and second shafts, a resilient ball at the end of the first shaft, and a socket in the core of the second shaft, wherein the first and second shafts are jointed by forcing the ball into the socket through a socket opening having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ball.
2. A device according to claim 1 in which the ball is a hollow ball.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the ball is provided with one or more slots to enhance its compressibility and flexibility.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking mechanism suitable to prevent rotation of the shafts relative to one another.
5. A signpost incorporating a device according to any preceding claim.
GB9113869A 1991-06-27 1991-06-27 Jointing device. Withdrawn GB2257455A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9113869A GB2257455A (en) 1991-06-27 1991-06-27 Jointing device.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9113869A GB2257455A (en) 1991-06-27 1991-06-27 Jointing device.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9113869D0 GB9113869D0 (en) 1991-08-14
GB2257455A true GB2257455A (en) 1993-01-13

Family

ID=10697413

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9113869A Withdrawn GB2257455A (en) 1991-06-27 1991-06-27 Jointing device.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2257455A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2265411A (en) * 1992-03-26 1993-09-29 Swintex Quick release toggle; barrier system
DE4333089A1 (en) * 1993-09-29 1994-02-24 Ltg Lufttechnische Gmbh Mechanical connection between two frame components - uses oversized integral projection of one part to clamp into integral socket in other path.
EP0627356A1 (en) * 1993-06-03 1994-12-07 Ford Motor Company Limited Socket closure arrangement and closure therefor
GB2411435B (en) * 2004-02-26 2007-08-08 Nifco Inc Universal joint component and automotive lamp unit
US20140119863A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2014-05-01 Stephen Hill Reconfigurable partition for compartmentalising a space within a vehicle
CN104014446A (en) * 2014-06-20 2014-09-03 常州普纳电子科技有限公司 Quick suspension device for spraying communication connector
GB2565322A (en) * 2017-08-10 2019-02-13 Atelier Volant Llc Improvements in or relating to organic material
CN110848156A (en) * 2019-11-13 2020-02-28 徐州如轩电气配件有限公司 Dry-type variable air blower and rapid assembly method thereof

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4012155A (en) * 1975-05-02 1977-03-15 Morris Max O Snap lock connector for components such as knock-down furniture components
GB1548456A (en) * 1975-04-11 1979-07-18 France Armed Forces Mechanical coupling devices
US4523780A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-06-18 J.P. Products, Inc. Tube joint

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1548456A (en) * 1975-04-11 1979-07-18 France Armed Forces Mechanical coupling devices
US4012155A (en) * 1975-05-02 1977-03-15 Morris Max O Snap lock connector for components such as knock-down furniture components
US4523780A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-06-18 J.P. Products, Inc. Tube joint

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2265411A (en) * 1992-03-26 1993-09-29 Swintex Quick release toggle; barrier system
EP0627356A1 (en) * 1993-06-03 1994-12-07 Ford Motor Company Limited Socket closure arrangement and closure therefor
DE4333089A1 (en) * 1993-09-29 1994-02-24 Ltg Lufttechnische Gmbh Mechanical connection between two frame components - uses oversized integral projection of one part to clamp into integral socket in other path.
GB2411435B (en) * 2004-02-26 2007-08-08 Nifco Inc Universal joint component and automotive lamp unit
US20140119863A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2014-05-01 Stephen Hill Reconfigurable partition for compartmentalising a space within a vehicle
CN104014446A (en) * 2014-06-20 2014-09-03 常州普纳电子科技有限公司 Quick suspension device for spraying communication connector
GB2565322A (en) * 2017-08-10 2019-02-13 Atelier Volant Llc Improvements in or relating to organic material
GB2565322B (en) * 2017-08-10 2021-12-01 Atelier Volant Llc Coupling for linkages
US11255375B2 (en) 2017-08-10 2022-02-22 Atelier Volant Llc Multi-function joint
CN110848156A (en) * 2019-11-13 2020-02-28 徐州如轩电气配件有限公司 Dry-type variable air blower and rapid assembly method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9113869D0 (en) 1991-08-14

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)