GB2425814A

GB2425814A - Joint arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2425814A
Application number: GB0509332A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Blades
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-06
Filing date: 2005-05-06
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Also published as: GB0509332D0

Abstract

The joint arrangement 50 includes an extrusion 52 for connection at one end to branch away from a rod 54, and a connector 56. A recess 66 is formed in the end of the extrusion 52, between arms 64. The recess 66 can receive the rod 54, part way along the rod 54, to embrace the rod 54 with the arms 64. The connector 56 also has a recess 72 for receiving the rod 54 between arms 70. An opening 80 is formed in one of the arms 70 to receive the end of the branch member 52. When the rod 54 is received in the recess 72, the branch member 52 can be introduced through the opening 80 to embrace the rod 54 with the arms 64. A lock screw 76 is then tightened to lock the three components in this position, thus securing the branch member 52 to the rod 54.

Description

I

Joint Arrangement The present invention relates to joint arrangements. In particular, the invention relates to joint arrangements for attaching a branch member to an elongate member at a position part way along the elongate member.

Joint arrangements are required for forming a variety of structures. For example, anglers create temporary structures for use in supporting fishing rods, poles, nets and other equipment used for fishing. These structures may be complex, reflecting the wide range of equipment used in modern fishing techniques, and therefore including a significant number of joints between frame members, It is desirable to be able to form additional joints to extend the structure when required, but with minimal disruption to the existing structure, for speed and convenience.

The present invention provides a joint arrangement for attaching a branch member to an elongate member at a position part way along the elongate member, comprising: a joint member having arms which define between them a recess for receiving the elongate member, for the arms to embrace the elongate member, an opening in one of the arms through which the branch member may be introduced, to extend between the arms so that the joint member and branch member entrap the elongate member to prevent the elongate member moving transversely to leave the recess, and a locking arrangement operable, in use, to lock the branch member against withdrawal from the opening.

Preferably the branch member has arms which define between them a recess for embracing an elongate member after introduction through the opening. Preferably the opening is an aperture which substantially fully surrounds the branch member after introduction into the opening.

The locking arrangement is preferably releasable. The locking arrangement may include a locking member having a retracted position in which the locking arrangement is released, and an advanced position in which the branch member is locked against withdrawal. The locking member may bear against the branch member or extend into or through the branch member to lock the branch member against withdrawal.

The locking member is preferably further operable, in use, to lock the joint member against lengthwise movement of the elongate member relative to the joint member. The locking arrangement may include a locking member having a retracted position in which the elongate member is free to move lengthwise relative to the joint member, and an advanced position in which lengthwise movement is prevented.

Preferably, the locking arrangement has a single locking member having an advanced position in which the branch member is locked against withdrawal, and the elongate member is locked against lengthwise movement.

Preferably, the locking member extends through an aperture in the branch member to engage the elongate member when in the locking position, thereby locking the branch member against withdrawal and securing the joint member against lengthwise movement along the elongate member.

The or each locking member may be threaded for movement.

The present invention also provides a joint member for use in a joint arrangement as defined above, and a branch member for use in a joint arrangement as defined above.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a previous joint proposal; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic plan views of the arrangement of Fig. 2, at various stages of assembly.

Fig. I illustrates a joint arrangement which has previously been proposed for use in constructing frames for support of angling equipment.

The joint arrangement 10 includes a hollow square-section extrusion 12 to be mounted on an upright rod 14 by means of a connector 16. The rod 14 may, for example, form a leg of a frame, the rest of which is not illustrated for reasons of clarity. The top and bottom faces 18 (as illustrated in Fig. 1) of the extrusion 12 have pairs of aligned holes 20 at various positions along the length of the extrusion. These allow the extrusion 12 to be threaded onto the end 21 of the rod 14, by the rod 14 penetrating the holes 20. However, prior to this, the extrusion 12 is assembled with the connector 16, as noted below.

The side faces 22 of the extrusion 12 also have holes 24, the significance of which will become apparent.

The connector 16 is in the form of a square collar having holes 26 on the top and bottom faces, and having a side face 30 in which a threaded lock screw 32 is mounted, with an oversize head 34 for easy manual manipulation.

The joint arrangement is assembled by first threading the extrusion 12 into the connector 16 until the holes 26 are aligned with the holes 20 chosen for receiving the rod 14. At this stage, the lock screw 32 is in a retracted position to allow the connector 16 to slide freely around the extrusion 12.

With the holes 26, 20 aligned as described, the extrusion 12 can be threaded over the end of the rod 14, with the end of the rod 14 passing through the holes 20 and also through the holes 26. The extrusion 12 and connector 16 are then slid from the end 21 of the rod 14 along the rod 14 until the extrusion 12 is at the required height. The lock screw 32 is then turned to advance through the corresponding hole 24 in the side face 22 to reach an advanced position in which the screw 32 is tightened against the rod 14. After tightening in this manner, the connector 16, and thus the extrusion 12, are locked against further lengthwise movement along the rod 14. The presence of the rod 14 in the holes 20 prevents the extrusion 12 from moving transverse to the rod 14.

If a further extrusion 12 is required on the rod 14, at a lower height, the first extrusion 12 must be removed from the rod 14 (by reversing the sequence described above), the second extrusion 12 is threaded over the end 21 of the rod 14 and secured in position, and the first extrusion 12 is then re- assembled on the rod 14, as described.

Fig. 2 illustrates the components of an embodiment of the joint arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The joint arrangement includes an extrusion 52 for connection at one end to branch away from a rod 54. The arrangement 50 also includes a connector 56.

The extrusion 52 is again hollow and square in section having top and bottom faces 58 in which aligned pairs of holes 59 are formed. Additional holes 60 are formed in the side faces 62. The holes 59, 60 allow the extrusion 52 to be threaded onto the end of the rod 54 by using a connector 16 and in the manner previously described with reference to Fig. 1.

In accordance with the invention, the faces 58 are cut away, in the end region of the extrusion 52, to form arms 64 which define between them a recess 66. The arms 64 and recess 66 allow the end of the extrusion 52 to be offered to the rod 54, part way along the rod 54, to embrace the rod 54 with the arms 64.

The arms 64 have further holes 68 in their side faces 62.

The connector 56 is in the form of a U-shaped collar having two arms which define between them a recess 72 of a size to receive the rod 54, so that the connector 56 can be brought to the rod 54 for the arms 70 to embrace the rod 54 part way along the rod 54.

The arms 70 are connected by a web face 74 which also carries a lock screw 76 which can be turned by means of an enlarged head 78 to advance or retract by means of threaded engagement between the screw 76 and the web 74.

An opening 80 is formed in one of the arms 70 and of sufficient size to receive the end of the branch member 52. It can be understood from Fig. 2 that when the branch member 52 is introduced into the opening 80 to the approximate depth indicated by the broken lines 82, the recesses 66, 72 will be overlapping to define an approximately circular aperture at the top of the arrangement 50. A similar circular aperture arises at the bottom of the arrangement 50.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the manner in which the branch member 52 can be attached to the rod 54 at a position part way along the rod 54, and without requiring access to either end of the rod 54. In the first step, the connector 56 is offered to the rod 54, introducing the rod 54 into the recess 72 until the arms 70 embrace the rod 54. At this stage, the extrusion 52 is remote from the rod 54.

With the connector 56 embracing the rod 54, as described, part of the length of the rod 54 is exposed to the branch member 52, through the opening in the connector 56. Assembly of the joint continues (Fig. 4) by introducing the end of the branch member 52 into the opening 80 so that the arms 64 pass to either side of the rod 54, thus introducing the rod 54 into the recess 66 and allowing the arms 66 to embrace the rod 54. As they do so, the recesses 72, 66 come together, as described above, defining between them an opening which entirely surrounds the rod 54. Further, the hole 68 comes into alignment with the lock screw 76 which can then be turned to advance through the hole 60 to engage the rod 54. This provides two locking effects.

First, the presence of the lock screw 76 in the hole 68 locks the branch member 52 against withdrawal from the opening 80. Thus, the rod 54 is entrapped by the joint arrangement 50, by virtue of the overlapping recesses 66, 72, which completely surround the rod 54. Thus, the extrusion 52 is locked to the rod 54. This locking occurs as soon as the lock screw 76 is tightened sufficiently to engage the extrusion 52 or enter the hole 68.

Further tightening of the screw 76 will result in the screw 76 bearing against the rod 54 to create a second locking effect which secures the connector 56 against movement lengthwise along the rod 54 and thus also secures the branch member 52 against lengthwise movement of the rod 54 relative to the end of the branch member 52.

Consequently, the end of the branch member 52 is now securely attached to the rod 54, against lengthwise movement along the rod 54 or turning about the rod axis, so that the extrusion 52 can then be used as required, for example to support fishing equipment, in the preferred example.

However, it will have been understood from the above description that the attachment formed between the branch member 52 and the rod 54 has been created at the final position along the rod 54. That is, neither component of the joint arrangement 50 has been threaded over the end of the rod 54.

Accordingly, any joints which already exist at other positions along the rod 54 do not need to be dismantled or disturbed in any other way. Thus, not only is the formation of a joint using the arrangement 50 a swift and simple operation, but further time wasting and complexity is avoided by avoiding the need for other joints to be dismantled and re-assembled.

In a preferred example, the rod 54 may be formed of steel, for strength, with the extrusion 52 being formed from aluminium, for lightness, and the connector 56 being formed primarily of a synthetic plastics material, in the interests of cost. Many other choices of material could be made, according to the intended purpose, particularly taking into account production costs, strength etc. The extrusions 52 are illustrated as square in section but could have other forms, including circular section, or channel section.

The opening 80 has been illustrated as a fully-formed aperture which wholly surrounds the extrusion 12, when the joint arrangement is assembled, but could be partly open, for example along one edge. For example, the opening 80 could be open along the edge furthest from the locking screw 76.

This would allow the joint arrangement 50 to be assembled in a different order, with the extrusion 52 being first offered to the rod 54, and the connector 56 then being placed into position over the end of the branch member 52. A different locking arrangement would then be required.

The branch member 52 has been described as having a hole 68 through which the screw 76 extends to engage the rod 54. This secures the arrangement 50 against lengthwise movement along the rod 54. In some circumstances, lengthwise movement may be desirable. Accordingly, the hole 68 may be dispensed with, so that the lock screw is able to engage the extrusion 52, or enter a recess in the extrusion 52, to lock the branch member 52 against withdrawal from the opening 80, but to leave the arrangement free to move lengthwise along the rod 54.

The function of the lock screw 76 is to provide the locking functions described above. This is achieved by advancing from a retracted position to a locking position in which the branch member 52 and/or the rod 54 are engaged. Other mechanisms could be envisaged for advancing and retracting a locking member, such as spring plungers, levers, and over-centre arrangements.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A joint arrangement for attaching a branch member to an elongate member at a position part way along the elongate member, comprising: a joint member having arms which define between them a recess for receiving the elongate member, for the arms to embrace the elongate member, an opening in one of the arms through which the branch member may be introduced, to extend between the arms so that the joint member and branch member entrap the elongate member to prevent the elongate member moving transversely to leave the recess, and a locking arrangement operable, in use, to lock the branch member against withdrawal from the opening.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the branch member has arms which define between them a recess for embracing an elongate member

after introduction through the opening.

3. An arrangement according to claim I or 2, wherein the opening is an aperture which substantially fully surrounds the branch member after

introduction into the opening.

4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking arrangement is releasable.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement includes a locking member having a retracted position in which the locking arrangement is released, and an advanced position in which the branch member is locked against withdrawal.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the locking member bears against the branch member or extends into or through the branch member to lock the branch member against withdrawal.

7. An arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking member is further operable, in use, to lock the joint member against lengthwise movement of the elongate member relative to the joint member.

8. An arrangement according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the locking arrangement includes a locking member having a retracted position in which the elongate member is free to move lengthwise relative to the joint member, and an advanced position in which lengthwise movement is prevented.

9. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking arrangement has a single locking member having an advanced position in which the branch member is locked against withdrawal, and the elongate member is locked against lengthwise movement.

10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the locking member extends through an aperture in the branch member to engage the elongate member when in the locking position, thereby locking the branch member against withdrawal and securing the joint member against lengthwise movement along the elongate member.

11. An arrangement according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the or each locking member is threaded for movement.

12. A joint arrangement substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A joint member for use in a joint arrangement as defined in any of claims 1 to 12, and a branch member for use in the joint arrangement.

14. A joint member substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.