GB2442469A

GB2442469A - Frame assembly with connector engaging receptors on two complementary frame cassettes

Info

Publication number: GB2442469A
Application number: GB0619791A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vince Mifsud
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: GB0619791D0

Abstract

A frame assembly kit comprising two complementary frame cassettes 1, 1', each cassette comprising at least receptor (figure 2, 3) for engaging with a connector 10. The connector 10 comprises a first engagement device 11 for engaging with the receptor on one of the frame cassettes 1 and a second engagement device for engaging with the receptor means on the second frame cassette 1'. The kit optionally includes a frameable object, for example a window, adapted to be located between the two frame cassettes and upon assembly to be retained in fixed relation to the two frame cassettes. A seal (figure 2, 4) may be provided to seal the gap between the cassette and an object, for example a door, within which the frame assembly is to be mounted. A further seal (figure 2, 5) may seal the gap between the cassette 2 and the object that is to be framed. The connector may comprise resilient prongs 11 that engage within an orifice (figure 2, 7) of the receptor.

Description

FRAME ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a frame assembly and a kit for making a frame assembly and in particular to a frame assembly that may be assembled without the need to use tools and which provides a frame which has no visible fixings.

Frames pre-formed as two or more parts which are then connected together in situ are known. Frames include those compnsing two parts of a frame which are connected by screws or other conventional fixings with an object to be framed interposed between the frame parts, for example glass or transparent plastic material are known. Such frames may be used in a wide range of applications for example in doors, windows and other applications and the frame may be designed to be located within an aperture, for example within a door or the frame may define a part of a door itself. o.

IS Typically, the frame comprises two complementary halves with each half having an external surface and an internal surface and being adapted such that upon assembly, the respective internal faces abut and are fixed together such that the assembled frame * )*** presents the external surfaces of both parts. :::::.

In assembling such frames, it is necessary to ensure accurate alignment of the two parts,*** of the frame thereby permitting accurate location for example within a larger object and * also ensuring appropriate alignment of the object to be framed within the frame. Where tools or machinery are employed for assembling and installing the frame, difficulties may arise in ensuring precise and accurate alignment of the parts of the frame which may necessitate the use of further assistance or consume unnecessary time and expense.

A further drawback arises in the use of screws and other fixing means where they are applied from the external surface of the frame. Upon aligning the frame halves, screws are inserted through the first part of the frame from the external side in order to engage with the second half of the frame. This may leave unsightly marks on the external face of the frame or, to avoid having the screw head exposed, plastic caps may be applied, however this may also be aesthetically undesirable.

A screwless window frame assembly is described in US-B-6925767. This assembly includes an integral fastening system and an integral alignment system. Suitably the inter connecting system includes the alignment system. The system includes two frame halves each of which has a mating barb connector that inter fits with another connector on the second half to permanently inter secure the frame halves. The connector includes a male connector half and a female connector half. Preferably the connectors are formed as an integral part of the frame. Examples of the male and female connectors include interengaging lugs or barbs on both connectors We have now devised a frame assembly which reduces or avoids problems associated with the prior art devices and assemblies in that the frame parts may be connected by one or more connecting assembly but each connecting assembly comprises only one connector part having two resilient engaging parts and which connector part is not integral to the frame assembly. The present invention provides a frame assembly kit having two frame halves and a separate connector in order to quickly, reliably and securably connect the two halves.

In a first aspect the invention provides a frame assembly kit comprising two complementary frame cassettes, each cassette comprising at least one receptor means: e:.

for engaging with a connector, at least one connector comprising a first engaging means * for engaging with the receptor means on one of the frame cassettes and second engaging means for engaging with the receptor means on the second frame cassette * * and optionally further comprising a frameable object adapted to be located between the..

two frame cassettes and upon assembly to be retained in fixed relation to the two frame cassettes.

Advantageously the frame assembly kit does not require tools in order to assembly the frame. It is a particular advantage of the invention that the connector be locatable and retained in the receptor means by a apush fit" arrangement that suitably does not require the use of tools either to secure the fixing of the frame cassettes or to provide appropriate alignment of the cassettes. In addition, the avoidance of the use of screws or other fixing means for which access through the external surface of the frame cassette avoids an undesirable finish to the external surface of the cassettes for example by having to employ caps to hide the heads of the screws.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, upon assembly, the frame cassettes are held in fixed relation and the connector is not visible in use. Desirably, there is no externally visible adaptation to the frame required for example application of a cap over an orifice in the external surface so avoiding an undesirable surface features which may render the frame less commercially desirable.

The frame assembly kit upon assembly provides a frame which effectively holds an object between the frame cassettes. In a preferred embodiment the object comprises a transparent sheet, for example glass and transparent plastic material. The frame should grip the object effectively and may also be located itself within a larger object, for

example a door. 9* S

Preferably, one and desirably both frame cassettes comprise seating means such that the frame cassette forms a seal with the object to be framed when assembled. In a * further preferred embodiment, one and preferably both frame cassettes comprise sealing *5*** means to form a seal with a larger object within which the assembled frame is located. In S....

an especially preferred embodiment, both cassettes comprise sealing means for forming * a seal with an object to be framed and sealing means for forming a seal with a larger object within which the frame is located. Desirably the sealing means provides a waterproof seal, especially if the frame is to be exposed to the external elements. : Preferably the sealing means is located around the periphery of the frame cassette. The frame cassette comprises an inside periphery and an outside periphery and preferably the sealing means is located around substantially the full extent of both peripheries.

In a further preferred embodiment the frame assembly kit is employed to provide the frame for a window within an aperture in a door. Suitably at least one and preferably both of the frame cassettes comprises sealing means whereby a seal, preferably a waterproof seal is made between the frame cassettes and the door and the frame cassettes and the window.

Suitably the seal comprises a butyl rubber, preferably extruded rubber or earth and moulded silicone.

Suitably the frame cassettes are connected to each other by means of the connector and a receptor means located on or forming part of each of the cassettes. The frame cassette is securable to the other frame cassette and the dimensions of the connector and the receptor means are such as required to provide the desired spacing between the two frame cassettes and, as desired, to ensure a complete seal between the frame cassette and an object to be framed.

Each frame cassette has an external surface which on assembly provides the external appearance of the frame and an internal surface and the receptor is disposed on the internal surface. In a preferred embodiment the receptor means extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the plane of the frame cassette, whereby it extends towards the other frame cassette on assembly. The receptor means suitably comprises a lug *.

having an orifice adapted to receive the connector, preferably the connector is insertable: into the orifice of the receptor means in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of theframe cassette.

The frame cassette suitably comprises a plurality of receptor means and these are disposed spaced apart around the frame. Preferably the receptor means are located in S...

one or more groups around the frame and within each group, the plurality of receptor * ** means are substantially equidistant from an adjacent receptor means with the aim of..

providing substantially uniform fixing of the two cassettes upon assembly. Desirably, uniform fixing provides a uniform pressure from the frame assembly to the object being framed and to a larger object within which the frame is located.

The receptor means may be made of the same or a different material as the frame cassette but is suitably formed as an integral part of the cassette. Preferably the receptor means comprises an integral injection moulded lug having a generally rectangular cross section in the same plane as the frame cassette and being of such dimensions to receive the resilient engaging means of the connector when flexed during manual assembly of the frame.

In order to provide quick and simple alignment and easy assembly of the frame assembly, the receptor means on both frame cassettes are located in such a position that upon alignment of the frame cassettes, the receptor means on one frame cassette are opposite a receptor means on the other frame cassette and the connector is dimensioned and the resilient engaging means on the connector are arranged so as to link the two receptor means.

The frame cassettes may be produced in any desirable shape and may be for use in any application where framing is required for example in providing glazing in doors, windows and the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame cassettes are substantially identical.

Advantageously, this provides simplification of the manufacturing process by which the frame cassette is produced as a frame assembly may be produced upon use of two identical cassettes. This also reduces the costs of tooling of the manufactunng process.

As desired, the frame cassettes may be mirror images of each other where an asymmetric design is preferred. 15. S S.

The frame cassette may be made from any suitable material but is preferably a plastics material for example PVC, polystyrene, preferably HIPS (high impact polystyrene) and PC/ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) mix, Other strong plastic materials suitable for S...

the construction of frame cassettes known to those skilled in the art may also be employed as desired. Suitably the frame cassette is produced by injection molding of high strength plastics material, suitably in a single piece including at least one receptor means.

Preferably the frame cassette is produced from a plastics material which is stainable or paintable and more preferably is produced directly in a desired colour. This provides the frame cassette in the finished colour at the end of the manufacturing process and obviates the need for further cosmetic treatment. The frame cassettes may be produced with surface embellishment or texture according to desire for example to simulate the appearance of wood or wood grain.

In a preferred embodiment the frame cassette is produced from a material which is resistant to ultra violet and suitable for use in external applications.

Suitably the frame cassette is produced in a process which leaves no visible marks on the external surface of the frame cassette.

The connector comprises first resilient engaging means and second engaging means, respectively for engaging each of the frame cassettes thereby to connect the two cassettes upon assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the frame assembly kit comprises the same number of connectors as pairs of receptor means on the frame cassettes.

The connector suitably comprises a central body and the first and second resilient engaging means at opposite ends of the body. The resilient engaging means suitably comprises means which flex upon manual interaction of the engaging means with the receptor means whereby the engaging means and the receptor means remain in a secured relationship to provide a permanent fixing between the connector and the frame: cassette. The second resilient engagement means may then be manually engaged with * the receptor means on the second cassette frame thereby to fix the two cassette frames I.....

in a fixed pre-determined relationship. :.....

Suitably the resilient engagement means comprises a pair of prongs, preferably in a substantially parallel alignment extending away from the central body of the connector.

The prongs are desirably resiliently moveable in a direction away from the axis of the ** prongs and the central body and moveable relative to each other upon application of stress. Suitably each prong comprises retaining means whereby upon engagement with the receptor means the prongs move relative to each other such that the connector may engage with the receptor means and the prongs are held in a flexed position whereby they are resiliently urged to engage with the receptor means, suitably through the agency of the retaining means engaging with the receptor means.

The resilient engagement means on each end of the connector may be the same or different but are preferably the same so as to simplify manufacture. This also ensures that use of the frame assembly kit is simplified as the user need not take any consideration of handedness".

The connector in use is engaged with a receptor means on one of the frame cassettes and is adapted to be engaged preferably by hand whereby the connector grips the receptor means and does not retract from that location.

The receptor means may extend along the frame cassette, for example presenting a groove to the facing cassette. In the case the dimension of the connector in a direction parallel with the frame cassette may suitably be greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the frame The connector may be made of any material which is sufficiently substantial to provide a robust connector for the purpose of connecting the frame cassettes using the connector.

Preferably, the connector is made of steel of a sufficiently substantial type to be able to securably engage with the receptor means and remain in a fixed stable arrangement.

More desirably, the connector is made of spring steel. * IS * The connector is proportioned and of such dimensions as to adequately engage with the:.**.

two frame cassettes and to hold the cassettes in fixed relation within the application. ****

This invention also provides a frame assembly comprising an assembled frame assembly kit according to the invention as described herein.

The invention further provides an article comprising a frame assembly which comprises an assembled frame assembly kit according to the invention as described herein.

Preferably the article is a door or a window frame.

An illustrative example of the invention is described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a frame cassette: Figure 2 shows a cross section through line A-A in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a receptor means 3 (or 3') in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a connector, Figure 5 shows two cassette frames in cross-section through line A-A assembled with a second cassette frame in cross section and a connector; A cassette frame (1) for use in the invention is shown in Figure 1. The frame has an internal surface (2) and the reverse surface (not shown) is the external surface which may be embellished or finished according to aesthetic requirements. The frame cassette (1) has a plurality of receptor means (3) and (3') which are disposed around the frame cassette (1) such that on assembly with another frame cassette, the two cassettes are aligned and held in a fixed arrangement. The receptor means (2) act to align the two cassettes as well as secure them together. The receptor means (3) are substantially evenly spaced along the frame in a group and the receptor means (3') are also substantially evenly spaced in a separate group around the curved periphery of the frame cassette (1). Sealing means (4) are also provided around the external periphery of cassette (1) and act to seal the gap between the frame cassette (1) and an object, for example a door, within which the frame assembly is to be mounted. Further sealing means (5) are provided around the internal periphery of the frame cassette (1) and act to seal the gap between the frame cassette (1) and the object which is to be framed, for * example glass and a transparent plastics sheet.

S.....

S ***5

The receptor means (3') in Figure 2 has a generally hollow rectangular body (6) with an orifice (7) and an insert (8). The connector may be inserted in the orifice (7) and insert (8) in a sliding manner and is suitably dimensioned so as to provide a snug fit in the body (6) and the resilient engaging means of the connector engage with the internal side ** of the body (6) thereby retaining the connector in the receptor means (3').

In Figure 3, the body (6) is shown with a cavity having an insert (8) or other means to ensure a snug fit between the receptor means (3') and the connector.

Figure 4 shows a preferred connector (9) having a central body (10) and two parallel resilient prongs (11) having retaining means (12) adapted to engage with the inside wall of the body (6) of the receptor means (3) and (3'). The retaining means (12) are shaped such that together they may be readily aligned and enter the orifice (7) of the body (6) with the prongs being flexed together and act to guide the connector 10 into the receptor means (3) and (3'). The retaining means (12) are biased towards and engage with the inside of the body (6) by virtue of the prongs (11) being flexed whereby the connector (10) is firmly secured n a fixed position in the body (6).

Figure 5 shows in cross section A-A a pair of cassette frames (1) and (1') linked with a connector (10).

Figure 6 shows in perspective, a pair of cassette frames (1) and (1') linked with a connector (10). S. * * S * * *. * * * * . * S. * S *.*.

S 0*SS * * *5** **** * * *** * * . ** *

Claims

Claims 1. A frame assembly kit comprising two complementary frame

cassettes, each cassette comprising at least one receptor means for engaging with a connector, at least one connector compnsing a first engaging means for engaging with the receptor means on one of the frame cassettes and second engaging means for engaging with the receptor means on the second frame cassette and optionally further comprising a frameable object adapted to be located between the two frame cassettes and upon assembly to be retained in fixed relation to the two frame cassettes.
2. A frame assembly comprising an assembled frame assembly kit as defined in:. . claim 1. :..:::
3. An article comprising a frame assembly which comprises an assembled frame assembly kit as defined in claim 1. :..*. S...
4. An article according to claim 3 which is a door comprising the frame assembly. a... S* S. S