GB2348924A

GB2348924A - Fastener for two adjacent members, e.g. partition walls

Info

Publication number: GB2348924A
Application number: GB0002907A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Edward Atkinson; Jonathan Roger Laws
Original assignee: ATKINSON DESIGN ASS Ltd
Current assignee: ATKINSON DESIGN ASS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-13
Filing date: 2000-02-10
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-10
Also published as: GB2348924B; NO20000693D0; NO20000693L; NL1014361C2; GB9903181D0; NL1014361A1; GB0002907D0

Abstract

A fastener for fastening two or more members 50, 60 together comprises a fastening component 14 with a central aperture 24 therethrough, clamping members 26a, 26b, and a spindle 16 located through the aperture. Rotation of the spindle 16 causes cams 30a, 30b to frictionally engage the clamping members 26a, 26b to impart rotation to the fastening component 14, whereupon catch members 22a, 22b provided on the periphery of the fastening component 14 engage respective latches 55, 65 provided on the members 50, 60. Further rotation of the spindle 16 in the same direction, causes the cams 30a, 30b to exert a radially outward force to each of the respective clamping members 26a, 26b which in turn causes a pair of flexible resilient lands 27a, 27b to deform and thereby apply a radially inward force to the catch members to clamp the respective engaged latches 55, 65. Release of the fastener is achieved by rotation in the other direction. Alternatively, a mechanical catch or stop is provided on the inner surface of the clamping members 26a, 26b to prevent release of the fastener (figures 13a, 13b, 14).

Description

FASTENER The present invention relates to a fastener for fastening two abutting components together and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fastener for panels used to make up office partitions.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fastener for fastening two or more members together, the fastener comprising a fastening component having a first aperture therethrough, and a spindle located through the first aperture for enabling rotation of the fastening component, the fastening component having at least one catch member for engaging a respective latch provided in or on one of the members by rotation of the spindle, and at least one clamping member for clamping the or each catch member to a respective latch by further rotation of the spindle.

Preferably, the spindle is provided with at least one cam, the or each of which spirals radially outwards from the circumference of the spindle through an angle of up to 180 .

It is also preferable that if the spindle is rotated in a first direction, then the or each cam makes frictional engagement with a respective clamping member, thereby imparting rotational movement from the spindle to the fastening component for engaging the or each catch member with a respective latch.

Conveniently, if the spindle is rotated further in the first direction, after engagement of the or each latch, the or each cam exerts a radially outward force to a respective clamping member which in turn causes at least one resilient land of the fastening component to deform and thereby apply a radially inward force to the or each catch member to clamp a respective engaged latch.

A radial protrusion may extend from the or each cam, the or each protrusion engaging with a respective abutment in the or each clamping member to prevent over-tightening of the or each cam in the first direction.

Preferably, the end of the or each cam terminates in a radial surface, and rotation of the spindle in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relieves the radially outward force exerted by the or each cam on its respective clamping member, and thereby relieves the radially inward force to the or each latch member to release clamping of its respective engaged latch.

It is further preferable that continued rotation of the spindle in the second direction, causes the end of the or each cam to engage a respective stop surface in the or each clamping member, thereby imparting rotational movement from the spindle to the fastening component for releasing the or each catch member from a respective latch.

The fastening component may have two or more catch members for engagement with two or more respective latches, and preferably the fastening component has at least two catch members, the catch members being of different lengths.

The fastener may be made from steel spring steel or plastics and comprise two or more parts.

Each part preferably comprises at least one catch member and at least one clamping member.

Alternatively, the fastening component may be made of four or more parts, at least two of the parts being made from steel spring steel or plastics, and the other parts being made of steel.

For ease of use, the fastening component may be disposed within a frame and be rotatable within and relative to the frame, the frame having an open ended slot in one edge thereof for positionally engaging the frame with a latch.

Alternatively, or in addition to the frame, the fastening component may be disposed between a pair of washers, the washers being co-axial with the spindle and mounted thereon.

The members to be connected may be panels, each panel having a cavity in an edge therefore for receiving at least part of the fastener, and each cavity having a respective latch spaced from the panel edge and extending laterally across the cavity for engagement with the fastener.

Otherwise, one of the members may be a fixture, such as a wall.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a preferred form of the fastener in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 shows part of a housing of the fastener of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a fastening component of the fastener of Fig. ~ Fig. 4 shows a spindle including cams of the fastener of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows an end view of the spindle and cams taken from the left as viewed in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of the spindle mounting of the fastener relative to the fastening component; Figs. 7 to 12 illustrate sequentially the operation of the fastener of Fig. 1; Fig. 13a shows a second embodiment of a fastening component of the fastener of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 13b shows an end view of an alternative form of cams for mounting on the spindle; and Fig. 14 shows an arrangement of the cams of Fig. 13b relative to the fastening component of Fig 13a.

The following description relates to a preferred form of fastener 10 for fastening two generally planar members together. In this embodiment, the members are panels used to make up office partitions and are intended to be fastened together with their edges abutting. The panels can be fastened together one on top of another and/or side by side as required. The panels may have dimensions in the order of several metres in length and height and several centimetres in thickness.

The panels are of the type each having a respective cavity in one or more edges thereof. Within each cavity there is disposed a latch means in the form of a rigidly secured pin, the purpose of which is described below, which extends laterally across the cavity. The pin is spaced from the panel edge by a preset amount for engagement with the fastener 10.

The panels are intended to be fastened together with the cavities in the abutting edges substantially in alignment and forming a space in which the fastener is in use recessed, as described below.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the fastener 10 includes a frame 12. The frame has two preferably identical generally planar plates 20a, 20b, of suitable material such as metal or plastics. The plates 20a, 20b are mounted in parallel spaced apart relationship by means of four rivets 19 located in corners of the plates. A cylindrical spacer 23 is mounted on the shank of each rivet 19, the spacers serving to maintain the plates in parallel spaced relationship when the four rivets are inserted to provide a gap 21 between the plates.

As shown in Fig. 2, circular, axially aligned apertures 18 are provided in the plates 20a, 20b. Each plate 20a, 20b also has an open-ended slot 25 located in one edge thereof, the purpose of which is described below.

Disposed within the gap 21 in the frame 12 and parallel with the plates 20a, 20b is a generally planar fastening component 14 the form of which is shown in Fig. 3. The fastening component 14 is substantially'S'-shaped and has two catch members in the form of generally arcuate tongues 22a, 22b which lie diametrically opposed at respective edge regions of the fastening component. The radial spacing of each tongue from the centre of the fastening component increases from the base of the tongue 22a, 22b to the free end. The tongues 22a, 22b represent the top and bottom hook portions of the'S'. A centre portion 27 from which the tongues extend represents the main body of the'S'.

The tongues 22a, 22b and the centre portion 27 define respective open-ended grooves 23a, 23b therebetween for engagement with the pins of the panels to be fastened together as described later.

The centre portion 27 itself has a central aperture 24 with two diametrically opposed clamping members in the form of tongues 26a, 26b. The clamping members 26a, 26b are flexible or resilient and each extends along an arc into the aperture 24. Each clamping member also has a respective stop surface in the form of a shoulder 29a, 29b at or adjacent the base of the tongue 26a, 26b.

The clamping members 26a, 26b are radially inwardly spaced from the grooves 23a, 23b by respective flexible, resilient lands 27a, 27b, the outer surfaces of which define inner surfaces of the grooves.

As shown in Fig. 4, the spindle 16 has engagement means 28 at each end thereof in the form of hexagonal shaped recess for engagement with an Allen key, by means of which the spindle can be rotated. The spindle 16 has diametrically opposing cam lobes 30a, 30b located intermediate the ends of the spindle, preferably at or adjacent a central portion thereof. As shown in Fig. 5, illustrating an end view of the spindle 16, the radially outer surface of each cam lobe 30a, 30b extends in a spiral through an angle of substantially 180 around the spindle from a minimum radius to a maximum radius.

Referring again to Fig. 1 the spindle 16 extends co-axially through the aligned apertures 18 in the plates 20a, 20b and the aperture 24 in the fastening component 14 positioned between the plates. When assembled, the cam lobes 30a, 30b of the spindle 16 lie in the aperture 24 of the fastening component 14 as shown in Fig. 6 and serve as stops to prevent the spindle from exiting through the apertures 18 in the plates 20a, 20b since their maximum diameter is greater than that of the apertures 18.

The operation of the fastener is now described with reference to Figs. 7-12 of the accompanying drawings. The drawings depict the fastener with its frame 12 represented by a dashed line.

Fig. 7 shows part of an edge 51 of one of two generally planar panels 50 to be secured by the fastener. As described earlier, the panel 50 has a cavity in the edge 51 within which is disposed a laterally extending pin 55 rigidly secured to the panel. The axis of the pin is preferably at right angles to the plane of the panel. The panel 50 also has a preferably arcuate recess 52 in the edge 51 at a midpoint along the length of the cavity, the recess 52 having a maximum depth substantially equal to the radius of the spindle 16.

Referring to Fig. 8, the fastener 10 is pressed into the cavity in the panel 50 such that the pin 55 is engaged in the slot 25 in the plates 20a, 20b of the frame 12. The spindle 16 is thus engaged in the arcuate recess 52 in the edge 51 of the panel 50 which serves as a bearing for the spindle.

Fig. 9 shows part of the edge 61 of a second panel 60 to be secured by the fastener 10 to the first panel 50. The second panel 60 has a cavity in the edge 61, arcuate recess 62 and pin 65 in the same manner as the first panel 50.

The second panel 60 is offered onto the first panel with the cavities and the arcuate recesses 52, 62 substantially in alignment such that the exposed portion of the fastener 10 engages in the cavity of the second panel and the edges 51, 61 of the panels abut (Fig. 10). The arcuate recess 62 engages the spindle 16 such that the recesses 52,62 together act as a bearing for the spindle which protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the panels on both sides thereof. A user then rotates the spindle 16 in a clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 10), also referred to as a first direction using an Allen key. As the spindle rotates, friction between the cam lobes 30a, 30b and the respective clamping members 26a and 26b (substantially at points A and B shown in Fig. 10) causes the fastening component to rotate also, relative to the frame 12 and the panels 50,60 and their respective pins 55, 65.

As the fastening component 14 is rotated by the spindle 16, the pins 55, 65 are received in the grooves 23a, 23b. The spacing of the pins 55,65 and the arcuate extension of the tongues is such that as the pins are received further into the grooves, the tongues bear on the pins to draw the pins, and thus the panels, closer together until the pins abut the ends 33a, 33b of the grooves and the fastening component cannot be rotated further in a clockwise direction (Fig. 11). At this point, the panels 50,60 are tightly held together.

The Allen key is then used to turn the spindle further in a clockwise direction. As the friction at points A and B is overcome, the cam lobes 30a, 30b exert a radially outward force on the clamping members 26a, 26b. Even though the clamping members are resilient, their thickness and therefore rigidity their inhibit deforming in the direction of the force and the cam lobes prevent their deforming radially inwards. The clamping members 26a, 26b are thus locked in position. The radially outward force on the clamping members creates tension forces within the main body 27 of the fastening component which tend to deform the flexible lands 27a, 27b. As a result, the lands and consequently the inner surface of the grooves 23a, 23b, are drawn inwardly. The fastening component is, therefore, effectively compressed in the direction denoted by the arrows so as to exert a clamping force on the pins 55,65 and lock the panels together (Fig.

12). Thus, the fastening component cannot easily be rotated in an anticlockwise direction, for example by vibration, so as to unlock the panels.

Referring now to Figs. 13a, 13b and 14, in an alternative and preferred arrangement, the ends of cam lobes 31a, 31b are provided with radially extending protrusions 32a, 32b. These protrusions, 32a, 32b engage with respective abutments 34a, 34b provided on the clamping members 26a, 26b adjacent the central aperture 24 of the fastening component 14, to prevent over-tightening of the cams in the clockwise or first direction.

In order to unlock the panels 50, 60, an Allen key is used to rotate the spindle in an anticlockwise direction, also referred to as a second direction. As the spindle is rotated, the cam lobes disengage from and release the force on the clamping members 26a, 26b, thus also releasing the tension forces within the main body of the fastening component and the clamping force on the pins 55,65. Further anticlockwise rotation of the spindle causes the end of each cam lobe to engage the respective stop surface 29a, 29b of the clamping member such that the fastening component is also rotated in an anticlockwise direction. This disengages the grooves 23a, 23b from the pins 55,65 and allows the panels 50,60 to be separated.

In a further embodiment of the fastening component 14 (not shown), the fastening component is made of two or more interlinking parts, with each part having at least one catch member 22a, 22b and at least one clamping member 26a, 26b.

In a yet further embodiment of the fastening component 14 (not shown), the fastening component is made of four or more parts, with at least two of the parts being made of spring steel or plastics, and the other parts preferably being made of steel. In this case, each of the steel parts includes at least one catch member 22a, 22b and at least one clamping member 26a, 26b. The steel parts are linked together by springs, which are equivalent to the flexible resilient lands 27a, 27b of the first embodiment described.

The cam lobes 30a, 30b or 3 la, 3 lb need not be integral with the spindle, but may be provided on the circumference of a ring which is of an equal thickness as the fastening component.

In this arrangement, a hexagonal aperture is provided in the centre of the ring for receiving a spindle of hexagonal cross section. Conveniently, the spindle can be provided directly by an Allen key.

In all of the embodiments, the fastening component 14 can be disposed between a pair of washers, the spindle being co-axial with the spindle and mounted thereon. This is of particular use in retaining the cams in alignment with the fastening component if no frame 12 is required, as contemplated below.

Although the fastening component of the present invention is described above as comprising two catch members 22a, 22b, it is possible to have only one catch member. This may be practical where the fastener is permanently secured to a fixing, for example a wall, and it is required to secure a separate panel, such as a partition, to the wall. Equally, more than two catch members may be incorporated on the fastening component to enable more than two panels to be fastened together for example at the junction of four panels. It may be necessary in the above instances to modify the frame of the fastener to permit the use of such fastening components.

Alternatively, the frame may be dispensed with altogether.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to fastening panels together. Any members having a cavity and a latch means fixedly disposed therein, as described above, may be fastened together.

The latch means is not limited to being a pin. Any other form of latch means may conveniently be used. Equally, it need not be the edges of both panels or members which are abutting. For example, the panels may be fastened together with the edge of one panel abutting a face of the other panel in a"T-shaped"or"L-shaped"arrangement. This may be practical for the construction of desks, cabinets or other such furniture.

Whilst annealed spring steel, hardened and tempered is the preferred material, the fastener may be constructed of any suitable material including plastics. Moreover, while the description relates to a fastener which may be unlocked, it is possible to modify the fastener such that it cannot be unlocked. This may be achieved, for example, by incorporating a mechanical catch or stop to the inner surface of the clamping members to prevent anti-clockwise rotation of the spindle. In that case, the fastener would be a permanent fastener for permanently fastening the panels together and the preferred material of the fastening component would be steel.

The bearing means is not limited to arcuate recesses in the panels. Any other suitable bearing means may be used. The engagement means 28 may be provided at one or both ends of the spindle 16 and may be of any suitable form such as a bolt head or screw head. The length of the spindle may be modified such that it protrudes from only one side, or neither side, of the panels when they are fastened together, for example to enable the panels to be laid flat against a wall.

The above description is by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the invention described herein, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fastener for fastening two or more members together, the fastener comprising a fastening component having a first aperture therethrough, and a spindle located through the first aperture for enabling rotation of the fastening component, the fastening component having at least one catch member for engaging a respective latch provided in or on one of the members by rotation of the spindle, and at least one clamping member for clamping the or each catch member to a respective latch by further rotation of the spindle.
2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one cam is provided on the spindle, the or each cam spiralling radially outwards from the circumference of the spindle through an angle of up to 180 .
3. A fastener as claimed in claim 2, in which rotation of the spindle in a first direction causes frictional engagement of the or each cam with a respective clamping member, thereby imparting rotational movement from the spindle to the fastening component for engaging the or each catch member with a respective latch.
4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3, in which further rotation of the spindle in the first direction, after engagement of the or each latch, causes the or each cam to exert a radially outward force to a respective clamping member which in turn causes at least one resilient land of the fastening component to deform and thereby apply a radially inward force to the or each catch member to clamp a respective engaged latch.
5. A fastener as claimed in claim 4, in which a radial protrusion extends from the or each cam, the or each protrusion engaging with a respective abutment in the or each clamping member to prevent over-tightening of the or each cam in the first direction.
6. A fastener as claimed in claim 5, in which the end of the or each cam terminates in a radial surface.
7. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim in which a mechanical catch or stop is provided on the inner surface of the or each clamping member, to prevent rotation of the or each cam and spindle in a second direction, opposite to the first direction to maintain the fastener in an engaged position.
8. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 4,5 or 6, in which rotation of the spindle in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relieves the radially outward force exerted by the or each cam on its respective clamping member, and thereby relieves the radially inward force to the or each latch member to release clamping of its respective engaged latch.
9. A fastener as claimed in claim 8, in which further rotation of the spindle in the second direction, causes the end of the or each cam to engage a respective stop surface in the or each clamping member, thereby imparting rotational movement from the spindle to the fastening component for releasing the or each catch member from a respective latch.
10. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim in which the fastening component has two or more catch members for engagement with two or more respective latches.
11. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim in which the fastening component has at least two catch members, and the catch members are of different lengths.
12. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim in which the fastening component is made of steel, spring steel or plastics.
13. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim in which the fastening component is made of two or more parts.
14. A fastener as claimed in claim 13, in which each part comprises at least one catch member and at least one clamping member.
15. A fastener as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, in which the fastening component is made of four or more parts, at least two of the parts being made of spring steel or plastics, and the other parts being made of steel.
16. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fastening component is disposed within a frame, and is rotatable within and relative to the frame, the frame having an open ended slot in one edge thereof for positionally engaging the frame with a latch.
17. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 in which the fastening component is disposed between a pair of washers, the washers being c-axial with the spindle and mounted thereon.
18. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the members to be connected are panels, each panel having a cavity in an edge therefore for receiving at least part of the fastener, and each cavity having a respective latch spaced from the panel edge and extending laterally across the cavity for engagement with the fastener.
19. A fastener for fastening two or more members together substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.
20. Panels whenever fastened together by a fastener as claimed in claim 1.