GB2323652A

GB2323652A - Connecting two members together

Info

Publication number: GB2323652A
Application number: GB9706285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Roland William Bozeat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-26
Filing date: 1997-03-26
Publication date: 1998-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-26
Also published as: GB2323652B; GB9706285D0

Abstract

When the T-shaped projection 2 of a first member 1 is passed through a slot in a second member 4, a retainer 9 is engaged on the projection 2 and manually rotated so that the portions 11 of increasing thickness prevent withdrawal of the projection 2 and clamp the members 1,2 together. Integral locking portions 13 prevent unlocking. A separate or hinged cap is provided.

Description

MEANS OF ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a means of assembly between two solid plane surfaces.

Quick assembly or "knockdown" assembly systems are well known and popular means for erecting furniture and other structures. Most such systems require the use of more than one fixing component, the use of tools in the assembly process and can be complex to use. It is against these considerations that the present invention provides a resolution.

According to the present invention there is provided a means of assembly wherein two solid plane surfaces may be joined by introducing a Tee section hook upon the edge of the first of the said solid plane surfaces and a mating slot in the second of the said solid plain surfaces through which the said Tee section hook may be passed to project through the said mating slot such that a one piece retaining device may be positioned over the said projecting Tee section hook which one piece retaining device when rotated introduces an element of itself between the said second solid plain surface and the underside of the said projecting Tee section hook such that the said projecting tee section hook is prevented from passing back through the said second solid plain surface and wherein the action of rotating the said one piece retaining device applies a graduated and increasing pressure as a factor of varying thickness and sections of t he one piece retaining device between the underside of the said projecting Tee section hook and the said second solid plain surface such that free movement between the said projecting Tee section hook and the second solid plain surface is reduced to a minimum and wherein the action of rotating the said one piece retaining device to the end of its available travel activates at least one locking element within the said one piece retaining device such that the said locking element when acting upon the a face side of said projecting Tee section hook prevents the reverse rotation of the said one piece retaining device and wherein the said one piece retaining device resides projecting elements such that rotation of the said one piece retaining device maybe effected manually by a single handed operation of a normally able individual without the use of any separate tools and wherein may be provided a close fitting cap to cover the said retaining device.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.1 shows in perspective the two mating solid surfaces prior to assembly.

Fig. 2 shows in perspective the two solid mating surfaces in their assembled position along with the retaining device prior to assembly on to the Tee section hook.

Fig.3 shows in perspective the two solid plane surfaces in their assembled position with the retaining device in position prior to being activated.

Fig 4 shows in perspective the two solid plane surfaces in their assembled position with the retaining device locked in position.

Referring to the drawings (Fig. 1) the first solid plane surface 1 is equipped with a Tee shaped section hook 2 which can be passed through a close fitting slot 3 positioned in the second solid plane surface 4 so allowing the two solid plane surfaces 1 and 4 to be assembled into position with the optional use of asymmetrically positioned locating upstands S and 6 and relating slots 7 and 8. (Fig.2) The said asymmetry prevents incorrect assembly of the two solid plane surfaces. Once the two solid plane surfaces 1 and 4 are assembled the retaining device 9 can be positioned over the protruding Tee section hook 2 such that the underface of the retaining device 9 is in contact with the top face ofthe second solid plane surface 4 (Fig.3) The action of rotation 14 of the retaining device 9 by manual pressure applied to upstands 10 integral with the retaining device 9 brings the intervening element 11 of the retaining device 9 between the undersurface of the Tee section hook 2 and the top face of the second solid plane surface 4 so preventing the Tee section hook 2 passing back through slot No 3 (Fig.4) The said action of rotation 14 also allows the retaining device 9 to apply a separating pressure between the underside of Tee section hook 2 and the top face of the second solid surface 4 by dint of a local graduated variation of the section ofthe retaining device 9 to point 12 so preventing free movement between the first solid plane surface 1 and the second solid plane surface 4. Also the said rotation 14 of the retaining device 9 to the fullest extent allows the integral locking devices 13 to act upon the outer faces ofthe Tee section hook 2 which action prevents the reverse rotation of the said retaining device 9 so preventing the unlocking of the complete assembly.

Once assembled the retaining device may be covered over by a close fitting cap 15 which is either separate from the retaining device 9 or integral with it and articulated by means of a hinge between the retaining device 9 and the close fitting cap 15.

Claims

According to the present invention there is provided a means of assembly wherein two solid plane surfaces may be joined by introducing a Tee section hook upon the edge of the first of the said solid plane surfaces and a mating slot in the second of the said solid plain surfaces through which the said Tee section hook may be passed to project through the said mating slot such that a one piece retaining device may be positioned over the said projecting Tee section hook which one piece retaining device when rotated introduces an element of itself between the said second solid plain surface and the underside of the said projecting Tee section hook such that the said projecting tee section hook is prevented from passing back through the said second solid plain surface and wherein the action of rotating the said one piece retaining device applies a graduated and increasing pressure as a factor of varying thickness and sections of the one piece retaining device between the underside of the said projecting Tee section hook and the said second solid plain surface such that free movement between the said projecting Tee section hook and the second solid plain surface is reduced to a minimum and wherein the action of rotating the said one piece retaining device to the end of its available travel activates at least one locking element within the said one piece retaining device such that the said locking element when acting upon the a face side of said projecting Tee section hook prevents the reverse rotation of the said one piece retaining device and wherein the said one piece retaining device resides projecting elements such that rotation of the said one piece retaining device maybe effected manually by a single handed operation of a normally able individual without the use of any separate tools and wherein may be provided a close fitting cap to cover the said retaining device.