GB2365052A

GB2365052A - Connector, e.g. for window sills

Info

Publication number: GB2365052A
Application number: GB0012878A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Roche
Original assignee: BURNDEN GROUP PLC
Current assignee: BURNDEN GROUP PLC
Priority date: 2000-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-26
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-26
Also published as: GB2365052B; GB0012878D0

Abstract

A connector, particularly intended for connecting sections 28 of a window sill adjoining end to end, comprises a body 10 with one or more projections 6 extending therefrom and movable between a first condition during insertion between the sections 28 and a second locking condition. The projections may have triangular end portions 18 normally inclined to the axis of the body 10 and joined to the body by flexible necks 16. On insertion between the sections 28 the necks twist to let the end portions 18 align with the body axis and the gap between the sections. After insertion the end portions 18 return to their inclined orientation to lock the sections. The body may have end flanges 12, 14. An embodiment (Fig 9) is adapted to connect sections meeting at an angle.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A Connector Field of the Invention The present invention relates to connectors for two surfaces having a gap therebetween, in particular, although not exclusively, to connectors for extruded plastic window sills. Background of the Invention Window sills for plastic window systems are generally provided by extruded plastic sill sections. These sill sections are cut to the desired length and connected together to form a sill of the desired shape and dimensions to fit the particular window. The sill sections may be connected by welding. However, this process is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, i connecting devices have been designed for insertion between two sections of sill for connecting the sections together. An example of a known connection device is disclosed in United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB-A-2 287 274. GB- A-2 287 274 discloses a connector comprising a body part having a top part shaped to match the cross-section of the sill and further having pairs of projections extending therefrom, which projections fit between the top and bottom walls of the sill. The projections extend laterally beyond the top part on both sides thereof. In use, the projections of the connector abut against interior surface of the top and bottom walls of the sill

and hold the sill sections together by means of a compression fit.

Whilst the connector of GB-A-2 287 274 removes the requirement to weld the sill sections together, the projections of the connector must be accurately dimensioned and located on the body thereof in order to form the required compression fit in use.

It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an alternative connector.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a connector, comprising a body having one or more projections extending therefrom, a proportion at least of the one or more projections being movable between an insertion condition and a locked condition.

The connector may be used for connecting two surfaces have a gap therebetween. The connector may be used to connect two components of a conservatory. Suitably, the connector is for connecting window sill sections.

Suitably, a proportion at least of the one of more projections is rotatably movable between the insertion condition and the locked condition.

Suitably, each of the one or more projections comprise a first end and a second end.

Suitably, the first end of each projection is secured to the body of the connector. The first end of the projection may be either fixedly or removably secured to the body. Suitably, when secured to the body, the first end of the projection does not move relative to the body. Suitably, the first end of each projection comprises an elongate body. The first end may comprise an elongate rod of any suitable cross-sectional shape. The rod may be of substantially circular, triangular or rectangular shape, for example. The rod may have the same cross-sectional shape along substantially the whole length thereof. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the rod may vary along the length thereof. Suitably, the second end of each projection is not attached to the body of the connector. Suitably, when a i projection is secured to the body, the second end is movable relative to the body. Suitably, the second end of the projection is an extension of the first end thereof. Suitably, the second end of the projection has a substantially sheet-like form. Suitably, the second end of the projection is wider at the end adjacent the first end of the projection than at the end remote the first end of the projection. Suitably, the second end comprises a sheet having a substantially oval, triangular or similar shape.

The one or more projections may be formed separately from the body and retroactively fitted thereto. Alternatively, the projection may be an integral part of the body. Suitably, the body comprises an elongate body. Suitably, the elongate body comprises first and second opposing faces. Suitably, the one or more projections extend substantially perpendicular of the first face of said body. Suitably, the plane in which the sheet-like second end of the one or more projections lie is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the body. Suitably, the plane of the second end of the projection is at an angle of between 0- 90 to the longitudinal axis of the body. Suitably, the second face of the body provides an exterior surface of said connector. Suitably, when in use, the exterior surface provides a cover for the join between two surfaces joined by the connector. The body may comprise a first marginal flange extending from the second surface thereof. Suitably, the first marginal flange extends substantially perpendicular of the second surface. Suitably, the first marginal flange is located at one end of the body. Suitably, the first marginal flange extends across substantially the full width of the body.

In use of a connector comprising a first marginal flange for connecting window sill sections, the marginal flange

suitably extends from the exterior surface of the body for location under a window frame. The first marginal flange advantageously provides more secure location of the sill relative to the window frame. Alternatively, or in addition, to the first marginal flange, the connector may comprise a projection extending from the first surface of the body located at the opposite end of the body to the first marginal flange, if present. In use the projection is located against a front wall of the sill sections to be joined. The force between the projection and the front wall of the sill secures the connector in position. Therefore, the body of the connector can be manufactured to a standard length and the connector can be cut to the required length during use. The connector may comprise a second marginal flange. The second marginal flange may be present in addition to or alternative to the first marginal flange. The second marginal flange suitably extends substantially perpendicular of the first surface of the body. Suitably, the second marginal flange is located at an end of the body. If a first marginal flange is present, the second marginal flange is suitably located at the end remote the first marginal flange. The second marginal flange may extend across the full width of the body. Alternatively, the second marginal flange may extend across only a portion of the width of the body.

In use of a connector comprising a second marginal flange for connecting window sill sections, the connector is suitably arranged such that the second marginal flange is located at the edge of the sill remote the window frame. The second marginal flange then advantageously provides a drip point for water running off the upper surface of the sill. Suitably, the connector comprises a plurality of projections. Suitably, the plurality of projections are longitudinally spaced from one another along the length of the body of the connector. Suitably, the plurality of projections is arranged such that the plane of the second end of all of the projections is at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. Alternatively, the planes of the second end of each of the plurality of projections may be at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The body and the one or more projections may be comprised of the same material. Alternatively the body and the one or more projections may be comprised of different materials. The first end of the one or more projections may be comprised of the same material as the second end thereof. Alternatively, the first end of the one or more projections may be comprised of different material from the second end thereof.

Suitably, the second end at least of the one or more projections comprises an elastically deformable material.

Suitably, the first and second end of the one or more projections comprises an elastically deformable material. Suitable elastically deformable materials include plastics materials, such as, polypropylene or polyethylene. Suitably, the projections are comprised of material having a moment of elasticity which will allow the second end of the projections to twist during insertion between two surfaces from the locked condition to the insertion condition and then revert back to the locked condition following insertion. Advantageously, a connector in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention can be fitted after the two surfaces to be connected, e.g. two sill sections, have been put in place. Use of a connector to join two sill sections in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. Two sill sections to be joined together are put in place with the ends thereof located in an abutting relationship. The second end of the one or more projections is brought into contact with the upper surface of the sill sections at the join between the two abutting ends and a downward pressure is applied to the connector. The downward pressure causes the second end of the one or more projections to pass between the upper surfaces of the abutting sill sections. Pushing the second end of the one or more projections between the upper surfaces of the sill sections imparts a distorting pressure onto the second end

of the one or more projections. This distorting pressure causes the second end to twist relative to the immovable first end of the projection. The twisting movement causes the second end of the projection to rotate into the insertion condition. In the insertion condition the plane of the second end of the projection is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Continued downward pressure on the connector causes the projections to pass between the upper surfaces of the sill sections at the join and into the hollow interior of the sill sections. Once the projections have passes between the abutting upper surfaces of the join, the distorting pressure is released from the second end of the projection and the second end of the projection rotates back to the locked condition. In the locked condition the plane of the second end of the projection is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The downward pressure continues to be applied to the connector until the body thereof contacts the upper surface of the sill sections at the join. Suitably, the length of the first section of the one or more projections is such that once inserted into a join, the body of the connector contacts the exterior surface of the sill sections at substantially the same time as the second end of the projection reverts to the locked condition.

Suitably, the first section of the one or more projections extends from the body by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the upper wall of the sill.

Although use of a connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described above with relation to connection of two sill sections, the same method of use applies equally to connection of any two surfaces having a gap therebetween.

Suitably, the first section of the one or more projections extends at least lmm, preferably at least 2mm and particularly at least 3mm from the body. Suitably, the first section of the one or more projections extends less than 10mm, preferably less than 8mm and particularly less than 5mm from the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which.- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a connector; Figure 2 is plan view of the connector of figure 1 from the direction of arrow A; Figure 3 is a plan view of the connector of figure 1 from the direction of arrow B; Figure 4 is a plan view of the connector of figure 1 from the direction of arrow A in an alternative condition; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the connector of figures 1-4 during insertion;

Figure 6 is of the illustration of figure 5 showing the connector in use; Figure 7 is a plan view of the view of figure 5; Figure 8 is a schematic cross sectional side view of an alternative connector in use, and Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative connector.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Figures 1 to 7 show a connector 2 comprising an elongate body 4 and a plurality of projections 6. The body 4 comprises a first surface 8 providing a lower surface and a second surface 10, providing an upper surface. The projections 6 are integral with the body 4 and extend substantially perpendicular of the lower surface 8.

The connector 2 further comprises a first marginal flange 12 extending from the upper surface 10 and second marginal flange 14 extending from the lower surface 6.

The projections 6 comprise a first end 16, provided by a rod, and a second end 18. The second end 18 of the projections 6 comprises a sheet-like form of substantially triangular shape.

When no pressure is applied to the projections the plane of the second end 18, (shown in Fig 2 by broken line 20), is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the body 4 (shown by broken line 22 on Fig 2). The projections 6 are

in the position shown in Fig 2 when in the locked condition. When a pressure is applied to the projections 6 during insertion of the projections 6 between two abutting sill sections, the second end 18 of each projection 6 twists relative o the first end 16 thereof and the body 4. Figure 4 illustrates the projections 6 in the insertion condition. In the insertion condition the plane of the second end 18 of each projection 6 coincides substantially with the longitudinal axis of the body 4 (as illustrated on Fig 4 be broken line 24). Figure 5 shows the connector 2 during insertion between a first sill section 28 and a second abutting sill section 30 (see Fig 7). The second end 18 of each projection 6 is inserted between a gap 26 (see Fig 7) between the ends of the two abutting sill sections 28, 30. A downward pressure is applied to the upper surface 10 of the body 4 and the projections 6 are forced between the gap 26 in the upper wall 32, 34 of the sill sections 28, 30. The pressure applied to the second ends 18 of the projections 6 during the downwards movement into the gap 26 causes the second end 18 to twist relative to the body 4 into the insertion condition (as illustrated in Fig 4). When the second end 18 of each projection 6 has passed through the gap, the pressure exerted on the second end 18 by the upper walls 32, 34 of the sill sections 28, 30 is removed. Due to the moment of elasticity of the material from which the projection 6 is made, the second ends 18 revert back to their original orientation relative to the

body 4 (as shown in Fig 2). The projections 6 are now in the locked condition.

The length of the first end 16 of the projections 6 is substantially equal to the thickness of the upper walls 32, 34 of the sill sections 28, 30. Therefore, when the projections 6 are in the locked condition, the upper edge of the second end 18 of each projection 6 abuts the under side of the upper walls 32, 34.

Figure 6 further illustrates part of a window frame 36 in position on the window sill. The first marginal flange 12 of the connector 2 fits under the window frame 36, thus providing additional security of the sill relative to the window frame.

The second marginal flange 14 extends over the end wall 38 of the sill section 28, thus providing a drip point for water running off the upper surface 32 of the sill 28.

Figure 7, shows a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 6, illustrating the orientation of the projections 6 in the locked condition in relation to the body 4 of the connector 2. Figure 7 also illustrates the arrangement of the connector 2 relative to the join 26 between the two sill section 28, 30.

Figure 8, shows a cross sectional view of a connector 200 in use joining a first sill section 280 to a second sill section (not shown).

The connector 200 comprises a body 204 having a first inner surface 206 and a second upper surface 208. The

connector 200 further comprises a plurality of projections 210 extending of the first surface 206 The projections 210 comprise a first end 212 and a second end 214. The body 204 further comprises a marginal flange 216. In use of the connector 200, the second ends 214 of the projections 210 are inserted between a gap (not shown) between the first sill section 280 and the second sill section (not shown). A downward pressure is applied to the upper surface 208 of the body 204 and the projections are forced between a gap between the upper walls 218 of the first and second sill sections. The pressure applied to the second ends 214 of the projections 210 during the downwards movement into the gap causes the second end 214 of the projections 210 to twist relative to the body 204 into the insertion condition. When the second ends 214 have passed through the gap in the upper walls 218, the pressure exerted on the second ends 214 is released and they twist back to their original orientation relative to the body. The projection 220 adjacent the front wall 222 of the sill section 280, suitably contacts the front wall 222 when in the locked condition. After insertion into the gap the second end 214 of the projection 220 may revert to its original condition. Alternatively the second end 214 of the projection 220 may remain fully or partially twisted relative to its original position. In either case a force is suitably exerted on the front wall 222 of the sill section 280 by the second end 214 of the projection 220, which force helps to maintain the connector 200 in the desired position

In this embodiment, no first marginal flange is required for location under the window frame 224 in order to secure the connector 200. Figure 9 illustrates an alternative form of connector 100. Rather than comprising a flat elongate body, as per the connector 2 of Figs 1-8, the connector 100 comprises a body 102 having a substantially V-shaped cross-section. The connector 100 comprises a plurality of projections 104, which projections 104 are as described with reference to Figs 1-8. A connector as illustrated in Fig 9 is particularly suitable for joining two sill section that are not in the same plane but are juxtaposed at an angle to one another. The reader's attention is directed to a11 papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of a11 such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A connector, comprising a body having one or more projections extending therefrom, a proportion at least of the one or more projections being movable between an insertion condition and a locked condition.
2. A connector according to claim 1, in which the connector is used for connecting two surfaces having a gap therebetween.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the connector is for connecting two components of a conservatory.
4. A connector according to claim 3, in which the connector is for connecting window sill sections.
5. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which a proportion at least of the one of more projections is rotatably movable between the insertion condition and the locked condition.
6. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which each of the one or more projections comprise a first end and a second end.
7. A connector according to claim 6, in which the first end of each projection is secured to the body of the connector.

<Desc/Clms Page number 17>
8. A connector according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the first end of each projection comprises an elongate body.
9. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the second end of each projection is not attached to the body of the connector.
10. A connector according to claim 9, when dependent on claim 7 directly or indirectly, in which the second end is movable relative to the body.
11. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 10, in which the second end of the projection is an extension of the first end thereof.
12. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 11, in which the second end of the projection has a substantially sheet-like form.
13. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 12, in which the second end of the projection is wider at the end adjacent the first end of the projection than at the end remote the first end of the projection.
14. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the body comprises an elongate body.
15. A connector according to claim 14, in which the elongate body comprises first and second opposing faces.

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16. A connector according to claim 15, in which the one or more projections extend substantially perpendicular of the first face of said body.
17. A connector according to any one of claims 14 to 16, when dependent on claim 12 directly or indirectly, wherein the plane in which the sheet-like second end of the one or more projections lie is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the body.
18. A connector according to claim 17, in which the plane of the second end of the projection is at an angle of between 0-90 to the longitudinal axis of the body.
19. A connector according to any one of claims 15 to 18, in which the second face of the body provides an exterior surface of said connector.
20. A connector according to claim 19, in which in use, i the exterior surface provides a cover for the join between two surfaces joined by the connector.
21. A connector according to any one of claims 15 to 20, in which the body comprises a first marginal flange extending from the second surface thereof.
22. A connector according to claim 21, in which the first marginal flange extends substantially perpendicular of the second surface.
23. A connector according to claim 21 or claim 22, in which the first marginal flange is located at one end of the body.

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24. A connector according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which the first marginal flange extends across substantially the full width of the body.
25. A connector according to any one of claims 21 to 24, in which the connector comprises a projection extending from the first surface of the body located at the opposite end of the body to the first marginal flange.
26. A connector according to any one of claims 14 to 25, in which the connector comprises a second marginal flange, which second marginal flange extends substantially perpendicular of the first face of the body.
27. A connector according to claim 26, in which the second marginal flange is located at an end of the body.
28. A connector according to claim' 26 or claim 27, in which the second marginal flange extends across the full width of the body.
29. A connector according to claim 26 or claim 27, in which the second marginal flange extends across only a portion of the width of the body.
30. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the connector comprises a plurality of projections.
31. A connector according to claim 30, in which the plurality of projections are longitudinally spaced

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from one another along the length of the body of the connector.
32. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 31 or any one of claims 14 to 31 when dependent on claim 6 whether directly or indirectly, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged such that the plane of the second end of all of the projections is at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.
33. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 31 or any one of claims 14 to 31 when dependent on claim 6 whether directly or indirectly, wherein the planes of the second end of each of the plurality of projections may be at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.
34. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 13 or any one of claims 14 to 33 when dependent on claim 6, whether directly or indirectly, wherein the second end at least of the one or more projections comprises an elastically deformable material.
35. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 13 or any one of claims 14 to 33 when dependent on claim 6, whether directly or indirectly, wherein the first and second end of the one or more projections comprises an elastically deformable material.
36. A connector according to claim 34 or claim 35, in which the projections are comprised of material having a moment of elasticity which will allow the second end of the projections to twist during insertion between

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two surfaces from the locked condition to the insertion condition and then revert back to the locked condition following insertion.
37. A connector substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.