GB2397610A

GB2397610A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2397610A
Application number: GB0401609A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Alan Taylor; Robert Hoellrigl
Original assignee: BOWATER WINDOWS Ltd
Current assignee: BOWATER WINDOWS Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2004-01-26
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-26
Also published as: GB0401609D0; GB0301667D0; GB2397610B

Abstract

A connector for connecting together two members 3, 4, each of which has a channel 6 with side walls 8 and inwardly facing lips 9 at its mouth, such that the channels 6 face one another, comprises a shank 11 having a head 12 at each of its two ends. Each head 12 is shaped such that it is relatively wide in a first direction transverse to the shank 11 and relatively narrow in a second direction transverse to the shank 11. Each head 12 can be inserted into one of the channels 6 with the relatively narrow dimension of the head extending between the sidewalls 8 of the channel and ten turned about the axis of the shank 11 so that the relatively wide dimension of the head 12 extends between the sidewalls 8 of the channel 6 and the head 12 engages the sidewalls 8 of the channel 6. The shank 11 may be formed with flats 15 so that it can be turned using a spanner. The angle between the first and second directions may be 90{. One of the heads 12 may be relatively narrow in a third direction transverse to the shank 11, the other head 12 being relatively wide in the third direction. The angles between the first and third directions and between the second and third directions may both be 45{.

Description

23976 1 0

CONNECTOR FOR WINDOW AND OTHER ASSEMBLIES

This invention relates to the construction of window or door assemblies and other structures for buildings such as conservatories.

In particular, the invention is concerned with the joining together of two members which form part of such an assembly or structure and which are provided, respectively, with two channels each having at its mouth two inwardly facing lips extending from the respective sidewalls of the channel and defining a gap between their free edges, the members being joined together with their channels facing one another. Such members are hereinafter referred to as members of the form specified.

The object of the invention is to provide a connector for joining together two such members which is of a relatively simple form and easy to use À.e.

and which eliminates the need for screw fixing as conventionally used for this .: purpose. À À À..

According to the invention there is provided a connector for joining À e. À

together two members of the form specified which comprises a shank provided À . À À with two heads at its respective ends, each head being shaped to provide a portion which is relatively wide in a first transverse direction and a portion which is relatively narrow in a second transverse direction at an angle to the first transverse direction whereby, in use, the respective heads can be inserted into the opposed channels of the two members with the narrower portions of the heads extending between the sidewalls of the channels whereupon the connector can be turned about the axis of the shank to bring the wider portions of the heads into positions extending between and in engagement with the sidewalls of the channels thereby to connect the members together and to hold the connector in position, the shank being formed for engagement by a tool for turning of the connector.

The shank is preferably formed with two opposed flats so that it can be turned by means of a spanner.

Preferably the angle between the said transverse directions is 90 .

Preferably, the narrower portion of the heads is of a width such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of the channels.

Preferably the wider portion of the heads is of a width substantially the same as I. À . the width of the space between the sidewalls of the channels. Most preferably, : the connector is positioned with the wider portion extending across the space À Àe between the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls with a frictional engagement to À e.

À hold the connector in place. À. ÀÀe

The heads of the connector are preferably formed to exert a camming action on the sidewalls of the channels as the connector is turned to engage the wider portions of the heads with the sidewalls.

In an alternative embodiment the connector heads are shaped to provide a portion which relatively wide in a first transverse direction, and a portion which is relatively narrow in a second transverse direction at an angle to the first direction and wherein one head has a portion that is relatively narrow in a third transverse direction at an angle to the first transverse direction and the second transverse direction and the other head has a portion that is relatively wide in said third transverse direction. Most preferably, said relatively narrow portions are of a width such that they can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of one of said channels and said relatively wide portions are of a width substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls of said channel so that when the connector is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place. me

Preferably the angle between said first and second transverse directions I. is 90 . Most preferably the angles between said first and said third transverse direction and between said second and said third transverse directions are both 45. À. e. À. À

À. Preferably, said heads may be generally rectangular in form with the shape of two opposed corner portions being modified to provide either said relatively narrow or relatively wide portion in said third transverse direction as required. Preferably, said generally rectangular heads have a shorter axis and a longer axis, said shorter axis corresponding to said second transverse direction and thereby providing a relatively narrow portion of the head and said longer axis corresponding to said first transverse direction and thereby providing a relatively wide portion of the head.

Preferably one head has opposed corner portions modified to provide straight edges cut at 45 to the shorter and longer axes and the other head has head has opposed corner portions modified to provide curved edges.

Preferably said straight edges are formed such that the width of the head in a direction perpendicular to the edges is such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of one of said channels.

Preferably said curved edges are formed such that the width of the head measured between said curved edges is substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls of said channels so that when the connector is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between the À.

. sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place. Most preferably said curved edges are formed so as to exert a camming action on the side walls of À *.

À^. the channel when the connector is turned. À À

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a horizontal sectional view of part of a window assembly, FIGURE 2 is a view from one side of a preferred form of connector according to the invention for use in an assembly or structure such as the window assembly illustrated in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 is a side view of the connector taken from the opposite side, FIGURE 4 is an end view of the connector of FIGURE 2, FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view of part of an alternative window assembly, FIGURE 6 is a view from one side of a preferred form of connector according to the invention for use in an assembly or structure such as the window assembly illustrated in FIGURE S. FIGURE 7 is a side view of the connector of FIGURE 6 taken from the

-

: opposite side, and À a ens FIGURE 8 is an end view of the connector of FIGURE 6. e

À.. The window assembly of which part is shown in FIGURE 1 comprises two window units 1, 2 each comprising a glazed rectangular frame of a plastics . . material. The two frames are mounted side-by-side and FIGURE 1 shows the adjacent vertical members 3, 4 of the respective frames, the gap between these members being closed at both sides by profiles 5. Each member contains a longitudinal metal reinforcement 3a, 4a.

Each member 3, 4 is formed with a longitudinal channel 6 defined by a base 7 and two spaced parallel sidewalls 8. The side walls are formed at their outer edges with inwardly facing lips 9 which form a gap at the mouth of the channel, the gap being narrower than the space between the sidewalls 8.

According to the invention the two adjacent vertical members 3, 4 of the window units are joined together by a connector 10 of the form shown in detail in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. This connector comprises a shank l l provided at its respective ends with two identical heads 12.

Each head 12 of the connector is shaped as shown in FIGURE 4 to provide a narrower portion 13 which is of a width such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips 9 of one of the channels 6, and a wider portion 14 which is of a width substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls 8 of the channel so that when the connector is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it . contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional e À. engagement to hold the connector in place.

À 15 The shank l l of the connector is formed with two opposed parallel Àe À flats 15 which can be engaged by a spanner in order to turn the connector about its axis.

In use, in order to join the two members 3, 4 together the heads 12 of the connector lO are located in the respective channels with the narrower portion 13 of each head extending across the space between the sidewalls 8 of the relevant channel. The connector may be placed into this position by introducing it into an opening at the side of the members 3, 4 formed by cut- away portions of the sidewalls 8 and then sliding the heads of the connectors into the channels, or by inserting the heads of the connector into the channels through the gaps between the lips 9 of the respective channels.

With the connector in this position, a spanner is then engaged with the shank l l and used to turn the connector through 90 to the position shown in FIGURE 1. This brings the wider portion 14 of each head 12 into a position in which it extends across the space between the sidewalls 8 of the relevant channel, and in this position it engages behind the lips 9 and it is a tight fit between the sidewalls so that the connector lO and hence members 3, 4 are locked in position. As the connector is turned into this position curved edges 16 between the wider and narrower portions of each head 12 exert a camming action on the sidewalls. Àe À À.e

A number of similar connectors positioned at intervals along the À À . À À.

members 3, 4 will usually be used to secure the window units together.

. An alternative form of embodiment of a window assembly using an A.. À.

À À: alternative connector embodiment is shown in FIGURES 5-8. The alternative window assembly comprises two window units 101,102 similar to those shown in FIGURE 1, each comprising a glazed rectangular frame of a plastics material. The two frames are mounted side-by-side and FIGURE 5 shows the adjacent vertical members 103, 104 of the respective frames, the gap between these members being closed at both sides by profiles 105. The profiles 105 are an alternative shape which provides the same function as profiles 5 in FIGURE 1. Each member contains a longitudinal metal reinforcement 103a,104a as with the members in FIGURE 1.

In the same manner as the members in FIGURE 1, each member 103, 104 is formed with a longitudinal channel 106 defined by a base 107 and two spaced parallel sidewalls 108. The side walls are formed at their outer edges with inwardly facing lips 109 which form a gap at the mouth of the channel, the gap being narrower than the space between the sidewalls 108.

According to this embodiment of the invention the two adjacent vertical members 103, 104 of the window units are joined together by a connector 110 of the form shown in detail in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8. This Àe À. connector comprises a shank 111 provided at its respective ends with two heads À À A..

112a, 112b. Àe À À . À .e

A. 1 5 Each head 112a, 112b of the connector is overall of rectangular form with the shape of two opposed corner portions being modified as shown in À. e. À

A: FIGURE 8. The rectangular heads 112a, 112b have a shorter axis 113 (vertical in FIGURE 8) and a longer axis 114 (horizontal in FIGURE 8). The shorter axis 113 provides a narrower portion of the head 112a, 112b and is of a width such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips 109 of one of the channels 106. The longer axis 114 provides a wider portion of the head 112a, 112b and is of a width substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls 108 of the channel so that when the connector is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place.

Head 112a has opposed corner portions modified to provide two straight edges 117 cut at 45 to the shorter and longer axes 113, 114. The edges 1 17 run parallel to one another and are formed such that the width of the head 112a in a direction perpendicular to the edges is such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips 109 of one of the channels 106.

In contrast head 112b has corner portions modified to provide curved edges 116 at two opposed corners of the head 1 1 2b. The curved edges 116 are here À. formed such that the width of the head 112b measured between said curved À.e À À.e edges 116 is substantially the same as the width of the space between the Àe À À À Àe sidewalls 108 of the channel so that when the connector is positioned with this À:.

wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it contacts the Àe À.. sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place.

The shank 111 of the connector is formed with two opposed parallel flats l is which can be engaged by a spanner in order to turn the connector 110 about its axis.

In use, in order to join the two members 103, 104 together the heads 11 2a, 112b of the connector 110 are located in the respective channels with the narrower portion 113 of each head extending across the space between the sidewalls 108 of the relevant channel. The connector 110 may be placed into this position by introducing it into an opening at the side of the members 103, 104 formed by cut-away portions of the sidewalls 108 and then sliding the heads of the connectors into the channels, or by inserting the heads of the connector into the channels through the gaps between the lips 109 of the respective channels.

With the connector 110 in this position, a spanner is then engaged with the shank 111 and used to turn the connector through 45 . This brings head 112b into a position in which it extends across the space between the sidewalls A. . .: 108 of the relevant channel, the curved edges 116 engaging behind the lips 109. À.. À

As the connector is turned into this position curved edges 116 of head 112b Àe À . À À. 15 exert a camming action on the sidewalls. As it is a tight fit between the Àe sidewalls 108 and the curved edges 116 the connector 110 is locked in position À.- À À..e relative to this member. À À.

At the same time, as head 112b has engaged with one member, the straight edges 117 of head 112a extend across the opposite channel 106 of the opposed member. As the width of head 112a between the straight edges 117 is less than the gap between the inwardly facing lips 109 of the channel 108 the connector 110 is free to move relative to this member. In this manner, the 1 1 relative positioning or alignment of the two opposed members 103, 104 can be adjusted or corrected before they are locked in position.

Once the opposed members 103, 104 are at in a desired alignment, a spanner or other suitable implement may be used to engage the shank l 11 and turn the connector through a further 45 . In this position the wider portions 114 of each head 112a, 112b extend across the space between the sidewalls 108 of the respective channels and engage behind lips 109 so that the connector and hence the opposed members 103, 104 are locked in position.

Typically, a number of similar connectors l 10 positioned at intervals along the members 103, 104 will be used to secure the window units together.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example À: e À.

only. In particular, the connector of FIGURES 1-4 may be used with the À.. e members of FIGURES 5-8 and vice versa. À À À À c. A. À A.. Àe 8 À ÀÀe

Claims

1. A connector for joining together two members of the form specified which comprises a shank provided with two heads at its respective ends, each head being shaped to provide a portion which is relatively wide in a first transverse direction and a portion which is relatively narrow in a second transverse direction at an angle to the first transverse direction whereby, in use, the respective heads can be inserted into the opposed channels of the two members with the narrower portions of the heads extending between the sidewalls of the channels whereupon the connector can be turned about the axis of the shank to bring the wider portions of the heads into positions extending between and in engagement with the sidewalls of the channels thereby to connect he : the members together and to hold the connector in position, the shank À. e. À

being formed for engagement by a tool for turning of the connector. À À À.

A. 15

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shank is formed with two opposed flats so that it can be turned by means of a spanner. A-. Àe ÀÀ e

À'

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the angle between the said transverse directions is 90 .

4. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when the connector is positioned with the wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place.

5. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the narrower portion of the heads is of a width such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of the channels.

6. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wider portion of the heads is of a width substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls of the channels.

7. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heads of the connector are formed so as to exert a camming action on the sidewalls of the channels as the connector is turned to engage the wider portions of the heads with the sidewalls.

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8. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector heads are ^ shaped to provide a portion which relatively wide in a first transverse À direction, and a portion which is relatively narrow in a second transverse ^ 15 direction at an angle to the first direction and wherein one head has a '.. portion that is relatively narrow in a third transverse direction at an angle À.

A

to the first transverse direction and the second transverse direction and the other head has a portion that is relatively wide in said third transverse direction.

9. A connector as claimed in claim 8 wherein said relatively narrow portions are of a width such that they can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of one of said channels.

10. A connector as claimed in claim 9 wherein said relatively wide portions are of a width substantially the same as the width of the space between the sidewalls of said channel so that when the connector is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place.

1 1. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the angle between said first and second transverse directions is 90 .

12. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the angles between said first and said third transverse direction and between said second and said third transverse directions are both 45 . À:'. char

À;

13. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said À heads are generally rectangular in form with the shape of two opposed corner portions being modified to provide either said relatively narrow ^.a' or relatively wide portion in said third transverse direction.

14. A connector as claimed in claim 13 wherein said generally rectangular heads have a shorter axis and a longer axis, said shorter axis corresponding to said second transverse direction and thereby providing a relatively narrow portion of the head and said longer axis corresponding to said first transverse direction and thereby providing a 1 5 relatively wide portion of the head.

15. A connector as claimed in claim 14 wherein one head has opposed corner portions modified to provide straight edges cut at 45 to the shorter and longer axes and the other head has head has opposed corner portions modified to provide curved edges.

16. A connector as claimed in claim 15 wherein said straight edges are formed such that the width of the head in a direction perpendicular to the edges is such that it can pass through the gap between the inwardly facing lips of one of said channels.

17. A connector as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said curved edges are formed such that the width of the head measured between said curved edges is substantially the same as the width of the :.

. space between the sidewalls of said channels so that when the connector A. is positioned with this wider portion extending across the space between À .e the sidewalls it contacts the sidewalls which are resiliently deformable, À .. with a frictional engagement to hold the connector in place. À. À À. À Àe

18. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein said curved edges are formed so as to exert a camming action on the side walls of the channel when the connector is turned.