GB2471992A

GB2471992A - A fixing means

Info

Publication number: GB2471992A
Application number: GB0911508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lucy Norman
Original assignee: Winther Browne & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Winther Browne & Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-02
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Also published as: GB0911508D0

Abstract

A fixing means for removably joining together two or more elements comprises a recess (10) formed in a first element (12) and a protrusion from a second element. The recess (10) and protrusion are shaped so that the protrusion can be inserted into the recess (10) and moved into a locking position whereby the recess (10) and the protrusion form a frictional relationship to hold the first (12) and second elements in a desired position relative to each other.

Description

A fixing means The present invention relates to a fixing means for removably joining together structural elements to form items such as components of furniture.

It is well known to supply furniture as a flat pack comprising multiple elements and fixing means. The furniture is constructed by the customer in their home or premises.

It is also well known to manufacture furniture from medium density fibreboard because the material combines desirable strength, aesthetic and cost attributes.

Previously proposed fixing means comprise a screw and a drilled hole, a bolt and nut or a cam dowel and lock.

Each of these has certain disadvantages. In the situation where it is desirable for the fixing means to be not visible once the components are fastened together, a screw or bolt is not suitable because the end of the screw or bolt is visible from at least one of the outside surface(s) of the assembled item. A cam dowel and lock system can avoid this problem but the lock is a relatively complicated piece of equipment and the skill required to fit the cam dowel and lock together satisfactorily is high.

The present invention aims to solve the above difficulties because the fixing means comes prepared in such a way that the user only requires a basic skill set to assemble the item satisfactorily.

Additionally, fixing means requiring drilling can cause a health hazard because medium density fibreboard can be dangerous if inhaled in the form of dust. Dust can easily be produced by the drilling of a material.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a fixing means for removably joining together two or more elements comprising a recess formed in a first element and a protrusion from a second element wherein the recess and protrusion are shaped so that the protrusion can be inserted into the recess and moved into a locking position whereby the recess and the protrusion form a frictional relationship to hold the first and second elements in a desired position relative to each other.

Advantageously the protrusion comprises a stem section and a head section each of a finite length.

Advantageously the head section of the protrusion has a larger diameter than the stem section.

Preferably the recess is formed with a depth such that it does not penetrate through the first element.

Advantageously the recess comprises a first depth and a second depth wherein the first depth is adjacent the surface of the element and the second depth is at a lower depth within the element.

Preferably the first depth of the recess has a first shape and the second depth has a second shape.

Advantageously the first shape of the recess is at least as wide as the head section of the protrusion at one end and is narrower than the head section of the protrusion and at least as wide as the stem section of the protrusion at the other end.

Advantageously the head section of the protrusion has a substantially uniform diameter.

Preferably the second shape of the recess is at least as wide as the head section substantially throughout its length.

Preferably the depth of the second shape of the recess is substantially the same as the depth of the head section of the protrusion.

Advantageously the total depth of the recess is substantially the same as the combined length of the head section and stem section of protrusion.

Preferably the protrusion is formed by a screw fixed to the second element.

Advantageously the protrusion is fitted with a collar to ensure that the length of the protrusion corresponds to the depth of the recess.

Preferably the recess is formed during the manufacture of the first element.

Advantageously one or both of the first and second elements is formed of medium density fibreboard.

Medium density fibreboard is a popular material for manufacturing furniture but due to its composition can be a health hazard if worked on under non-controlled conditions.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to furniture especially a cover for a household radiator sold in a flat pack comprising elements including the fixing means of the first aspect of the present invention.

An example of a connector according to the present invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la, lb and lc show perspective views of the recess in the first element of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the surface of the first element with the recess formed within it; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a screw which is suitable to be inserted into the second element to form a protrusion from it; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the screw of Figure 3 with a collar in position to set the length of the protrusion from the second element.

Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of an item of furniture constructed using the fixing means of the present invention.

In Figures la, lb and ic a recess 10 is formed in a first element 12. The recess 10 has a first depth 14 and a second depth 16. The first depth 14 is shaped with a part of larger width 18 and a part of narrower width 20.

The second depth 16 has a substantially uniform width substantially the same width as the larger width 18 of the first depth 16. The recess forms a slot into which a protrusion (not shown) can be inserted and within which the protrusion can be moved between an insertion position and a locking position.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that the first depth of the recess forms a keyhole shape in the first element because of the larger width 18 and the narrower width 20. A section taken along line A-A shows that at the larger width 18 end of the recess 10, both the first depth and the second depth have the same profile. A section taken along line B-B shows that at the narrower width 20 end of the recess 10, the second depth has a larger width than the first depth. When a protrusion is inserted into the larger width section 18 and is then moved along the recess to the narrower width section 20 it is prevented from being removed from the recess.

In Figure 3 a screw 22 with a head 24 of substantially uniform diameter is shown. The end 26 and a part of the body 28 are to be inserted into the second element (not shown) in order to for a protrusion from the second element. The head 24 and body 28 of the screw 22 are chosen to match the dimensions of the recess (not shown) in order that the protrusion can be securely but removably held in position by the recess. A collar 30 is shown which can be wrapped around the body 28 of the screw 22 in order to match the length of the protrusion from the second element (not shown) with the depth of the recess.

Figure 4 shows a screw 22 which has had a collar 30 put in position along its body 28 in order that the length of the protrusion from the second element is matched to the depth of the recess. The collar 30 is a substantially tubular shape with a section of increased cross-sectional diameter at one end. The end with a larger diameter fits into a corresponding collar recess formed in the second element (not shown) . The collar prevents the screw from being inserted too deeply into the second element to ensure that the protrusion fits snugly into the recess in the first element.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an item of furniture 32 with elements fixed together using the fixing means as described above. The front part 34 is joined to the side parts 36 and then the top part 38 is joined to the front part 34 and the side parts 36 to form a rigid structure.

The strength of the individual fixing means of each of the front, side and top parts complement each other to achieve a desirable level of rigidity.

The Figures disclosed show one way of putting the present invention into practice. Undisclosed variations will occur to the skilled reader which fall within the scope of the present invention. Their absence from this description in now way implies their exclusion from the scope of protection afforded the present invention.

Claims

Claims: 1. A fixing means for removably joining together two or more elements comprising a recess formed in a first element and a protrusion from a second element wherein the recess and protrusion are shaped so that the protrusion can be inserted into the recess and moved into a locking position whereby the recess and the protrusion form a frictional relationship to hold the first and second elements in a desired position relative to each other.
2. A fixing means according to claim 1, wherein the (0 protrusion comprises a stem section and a head section each of a finite length. C.Jis
3. A fixing means according to claim 2, wherein the head section of the protrusion has a larger diameter than the stem section.
4. A fixing means according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recess is formed with a depth such that it does not penetrate through the first element.
5. A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess comprises a first depth and a second depth -10 -wherein the first depth is adjacent the surface of the element and the second depth is at a lower depth within the element.
6. A fixing means according to claim 5, wherein the first depth of the recess has a first shape and the second depth has a second shape.
7. A fixing means according to claim 6, wherein the first shape of the recess is at least as wide as the head section of the protrusion at one end and is narrower than the head section of the protrusion and at least as wide (0 as the stem section of the protrusion at the other end. c'J

C\J 15
8. A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein the head section of the protrusion has a substantially uniform diameter.
9. A fixing means according to claim 6, wherein the second shape of the recess is at least as wide as the head section substantially throughout its length.
10. A fixing means according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 9, wherein the depth of the second shape of the recess is -11 -substantially the same as the depth of the head section of the protrusion.
11. A fixing means according to claims 2,3 or any one of claims 4 to 10 read appendant to claim 2, wherein the total depth of the recess is substantially the same as the combined length of the head section and stem section of protrusion.
12. A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusion is formed by a screw fixed to the second element. (0
13 A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein C\I 15 the protrusion is fitted with a collar to ensure that the length of the protrusion corresponds to the depth of the recess.
14. A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess is formed during the manufacture of the first element.
15. A fixing means according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the first and second elements is formed of medium density fibreboard.

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16. A piece of furniture using the fixing means described in any of the preceding claims.
17. A piece of furniture according to claim 16 which comprises a household radiator cover provided in an unassembled form or a flat pack.
18. A fixing means substantially as described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings.
19. A radiator cover substantially as described herein and (0 shown in the accompanying drawings. C\J's