GB2264144A

GB2264144A - Hinge pin type fastener;divans

Info

Publication number: GB2264144A
Application number: GB9302810A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Terence Cottenham
Original assignee: VI SPRING Ltd
Current assignee: VI SPRING Ltd
Priority date: 1992-02-12
Filing date: 1993-02-12
Publication date: 1993-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-12
Also published as: GB9302810D0; GB2264144B; GB9202876D0

Abstract

A fastener 4 for releasably connecting two structures, such as the halves 2, 3 of a split divan, comprises separate members 5, 6 each incorporating a respective hinge 7, 8. The hinges allow the members to be folded away into recess 22 in each respective structure when the fasten or is disconnected. Movement of the hinges also facilitates connection, whereby the castellated edges of the members, which define apertures 15, 16 are interfitted so as to align the apertures prior to inserting a securing pin 17 therethrough. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FASTENERS This invention relates to fasteners and is concerned with fasteners for releasably connecting two structures.

Each structure may comprise a half of a divan base.

Divan bases for two people are traditionally made in one piece but with the facility to fold, in order to ensure ease of access through doorways and up stairways.

Houses currently being built are of smaller size than in the past, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that even divan bases which fold cannot be taken into houses without risk of damage to the divan or to the interior of the house.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a divan base is of two-part form, each part being releasably connected to the other.

The present invention also comprises a fastener for releasably connecting two structures, such as divan parts, the fastener comprising interfitting first and second members each of which comprises a hinge.

The present invention further comprises a fastener for releasably connecting two structures, such as divan parts, the fastener comprising first and second members each comprising a hinge, the first member intended to be attached to one of the two structures and the other member to the other of the two structures, the members each having a castellated edge whereby the members can interfit one with the other, the edges defining apertures which, when interfitting takes place, are aligned with each other, and a pin which can be removably inserted into the aligned apertures, so as to interconnect the two members.

Preferably, on being attached to one of the structures, a member of the fastener is adapted to fold into a recess In the structure by means of the hinge action of a said hinge when the structures are disconnected.

The members may be secured in the folded condition by any suitable means, but preferably the member is adapted to maintain the folded condition by means of friction in the hinge.

The various aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a releasable fastener, Figure 2 is a plan view of the fastener, Figure 3 is an 'exploded' plan view thereof, to a reduced scale, Figure 4 is a view of the joint between two divan base halves showing an end view of the fastener with a part of the fastener which is inside one half of the divan base shown by a cutaway section, and Figure 5 is a cutaway section of a divan base showing an end view of a respective hinged member of the fastener shown in its stowed condition.

With reference to the figures, a divan base 1 (Figure 4) having castors 20 is of two-part form comprising parts 2 and 3 connected to each other by a releasable fastener 4 or, more usually, two releasable fasteners 4.

The fastener 4 comprises first 5 and second 6 hinged members of elongated form when viewed in plan. Each of the members 5, 6 incorporates a hinge, namely piano-type hinges 7 and 8 respectively.

Second member 6 is attached to an inward facing surface of a frame member 21 of divan part 3, and first member 5 ls similarly attached to a frame member of divan part 3. Wood screws are used for this attachment, employing fixing holes 9, 10.

For storage purposes the castors 20 may be removed, the respective parts 2, 3 of the divan base 1 may be separated, and the hinged members 5 and 6 folded back into the space 22 within each frame of the respective divan base parts 2 and 3, as shown with respect to hinged member 6 and base part 3 in Figure 5. This stowed condition prevents damage occurring by portions of the hinged members being exposed when the separated parts are moved.

Piano-type hinges 7 and 8 are tightly assembled and therefore stiff such that hinged members 5 and 6 are retained in the stowed condition by friction.

The members 5, 6 each have a castellated edge whereby the members can interfit one with the other. The castellated edge of member 5 defines apertures 15 and the castellated edge of member to define aperture 16. On assembly of the divan base 1, parts 2 and 3 are positioned on edge next to each other to enable the hinged members 5, 6 of each fastener to be unfolded and the castellated edges interfitted such that the apertures 15 and 16 are vertically aligned with each other. Movement of the hinges assists in the alignment.

A pin 17 is then removably inserted into the aligned apertures 15, 16 so as to interconnect the members 5, 6 in a pivotable manner.

The pin 17 has a handle 18 which enables the pin to be inserted and released with ease. When the pin 17 is in position, the handle 18 can be turned so as to co-operate with an upstanding finger 19, so as to semi-lock the members 5, 6 together.

In a preferred embodiment the upstanding finger 19 is resiliently biased against the handle 18 so as to retain the handle securely.

Once the pin 17 of each fastener is in position, castors 20 are inserted and the divan base is lowered to the floor for use.

Claims

1. A fastener for releasably connecting two structures comprising interfitting first and second members each of which comprises a hinge.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, the first member intended to be attached to one of the two structures and the other member to the other of the two structures, the members each having a castellated edge whereby the members can interfit one with the other, the edges defining apertures which, when interfitting takes place, are aligned with each other, and a pin which can be removably inserted into the aligned apertures, so as to interconnect the two members.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which a said member of the fastener, on being attached to one of the two structures, is adapted to fold into a recess in the structure by means of the hinge action of a said hinge when the structures are disconnected.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3 in which the member is adapted to maintain the folded condition by means of friction in the hinge.

5. A fastener substantially as described herein with respect to the accompanying drawings.

6. A divan base of two-part form, each part being releasably connectable to the other by a fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.