GB2503038A

GB2503038A - Connector apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2503038A
Application number: GB201210704A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefan Knox; Chi Shing Chow
Original assignee: BANG CREATIONS ASIA Ltd; BANG CREATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: BANG CREATIONS ASIA Ltd; BANG CREATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-15
Filing date: 2012-06-15
Publication date: 2013-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-15
Also published as: GB2503038B; GB201210704D0

Abstract

Connector apparatus 1 for connecting two or more items together, comprises a clip member 2 and an activation pin 3. The clip member 2 comprises a head 4 provided with an engaging surface on a first side. An aperture 7 extends through the head 4. The activation pin 3 is disposable in the aperture 7 in an activation position in which a portion of the activation pin 3 is proud of the aperture 7 and occupies an activation area adjacent to the first side of the head 4. One or more lock arms 10, 11 extend from said engaging surface and are movable between a standby position and a lock position in which they are biased towards the engaging surface. The one or more lock arms 10, 11 comprise trigger extensions which in the standby position of the one or more lock arms 10, 11 extend radially inwardly into said activation area. Occupation of the activation area by the portion of the activation pin 3 radially outwardly depresses the trigger extensions and moves the one or more lock arms 10, 11 into the lock position.

Description

Connector Apparatus For Connecting Two or More Items Together This invention relates to connector apparatus for connecting two or more items together, for use particularly, but not exclusively, in attaching sheets of card together in model kits.

There exist many kinds of connectors for connecting items together. In terms of sheets of paper or card, these include clips, staples and bindings. Clips, such as paper clips and larger spring loaded clamps attach sheets of paper or card together at the edges thereof, with the body of the clip extending from the top side of the first sheet, around the edges of the sheets, to the bottom side of the last sheet. Staples and the like pierce the sheets of paper or card to attach them together. Bindings come in various forms, including rings, cords and foldable tabs, which pass through punched holes formed in the sheets of paper or card to attach them together.

However, a drawback with most known connecting devices of this type is that they cannot be applied where there is only access to the top side of the first sheet.

Clips can only be used where aligned edges of the sheets are accessible; to fit staples it is necessary to insert the sheets of paper or card into a stapler; and bindings usually require manual access to both sides of the sheets in order to thread the binding through a punched hole.

It is now desired to manufacture model kits comprising sections of card to be connected together to create three dimensional items. In order to achieve this it is desired to arrange the sections thereof in an overlapping configuration, and to connect them together using a connector of some kind. This is a more robust and easy to apply alternative to adhesives or interleaved sections. However, often when the sections of card need to be connected together in this way it is not possible to access the underside of the lower section of card, because other parts of the three dimensional shape prevent it. This precludes the use of clips or staples. Some bindings could theoretically be threaded through punched holes in the overlapping sections, for example a cords with metal rods at each end. However, such devices would not provide a robust and secure connection.

There exist other connecting devices which can secure two items together from one side only, for example nails and screws. However, these usually rely on the material in question being rigid, and capable of supporting such connectors. This is not the case with paper or card.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above described problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention, connector apparatus for connecting two or more items together comprises a clip member and an activation pin, in which the clip member comprises a head provided with an engaging surface on a first side thereof, in which an aperture extends through said head, in which said activation pin is disposable in said aperture in an activation position in which a portion thereof is proud of said aperture and occupies an activation area adjacent to said first side of the head, in which one or more lock arms extend from said engaging surface and are movable between a standby position and a lock position in which they are biased towards said engaging surface, in which the one or more lock arms comprise trigger extensions which in said standby position of the one or more lock arms extend radially inwardly into said activation area, and in which occupation of said activation area by said portion of the activation pin radially outwardly depresses said trigger extensions and moves said one or more lock arms into said lock position.

Thus, the present invention provides a connector with lock arms which can be threaded through aligned punched holes in two or more sheets of paper or card from just one side thereof, and which can be made to connect those sheets together via insertion of the activation pin into the clip member from the same side. The lock arms are biased back towards the engagement surface, and pin the two or more sheets of material therebetween.

It will be appreciated that while this apparatus finds ready application with paper and card, and with the model kits described above in particular, it could also be used in any situation where two or more items need to be connected together, whether both sides thereof can be readily accessed or not. Such items could be of any shape, provided they can be lined up with one another, and they could be any material including plastics materials, metal, fabric, leather, wood and so on. All that is required is for the two or more items to have holes formed in them which can be aligned with one another so the lock arms can be threaded therethrough.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus can comprise securing means adapted to secure said activation pin in said activation position. This prevents the pin from leaving the activation position, which would result in the lock arms being free to move back to their standby position and the two or more items no longer being connected together.

The securing means can be adapted to be non-releasable to provide a permanent connection. However, in an advantageous version of the invention said securing means can be adapted to removably secure said activation pin in said activation position. This allows for the connector apparatus to be undone, and for the two or more items to be released from one another. This would allow a model kit to be dismantled, but also for any other two or more items to be conveniently released from one another again.

Preferably said securing means can comprise a friction fitting between said activation pin and said aperture. This is a simple and expedient mechanism for securing the activation pin in position, which also allows for it to be removed upon the application of a sufficient force. To achieve a friction fitting said activation pin can taper from a second end thereof to a first end thereof.

The difference in orientation between the standby position and the lock position of the one or more lock arms can be appropriate to the application in question. For example, the one or more lock arms could be at an angle of 45 degrees or more to the engaging surface in the lock position, if the lowermost item would be securely engaged by the one or more lock arms in this position. It will be appreciated that the angle achieved is dictated by the configuration of the trigger extensions. These can be such that the one or more lock arms are arranged parallel to the engaging surface in the lock position. To achieve this inner ends of the trigger portions can be flat, and be level with a second end of the aperture, so when the activation pin passes into the activation area the flat surfaces are forced through 90 degrees by the outer surface of the activation pin. However, in such a configuration the lock arms are not biased towards the engaging surface beyond a parallel position.

Therefore, in a preferred construction the inner ends of the trigger extensions can be disposed within said aperture in said standby position of the one or more lock arms. With this configuration the lock arms are biased towards the engaging surface beyond a parallel position. This is suitable where sheets of cardboard are to be pined between the lock arms and the engaging surface.

The activation pin can be removed from the clip member in one of two ways.

In a first embodiment the activation pin can be ejectable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which said first side of the head faces. This is advantageous because ejection of the activation pin is achieved by applying a simple linear ejection force to a second end thereof. However, this arrangement can lead to loss or misplacement of the activation pin.

In the alternative embodiment the activation pin can be withdrawable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which a second side of said head faces. To achieve this said activation pin can comprise a screw thread on an outer surface thereof. This can engage an inner surface of said aperture, and axial rotation of said screw thread in a first direction can force said screw thread into engagement with said inner surface and displace it from said activation position in said direction in which a second side of said head faces.

Preferably, one or more guide arms can extend from said engaging surface, and can comprise guide surfaces which border said activation area and contact said activation pin in its activation position. These guide arms perform a number of functions. Firstly, they ensure that the pin remains central in the activation area, and does not drift to one side. Secondly, they can also combine with the inner surface of the aperture to provide the friction fitting described above. Thirdly, they can also provide a guide for centrally locating the clip member in the aligned holes provided in the items to be connected. This ensures that the one or more lock arms are also centrally located in use and do not drift to one side.

In order to provide a secure fitting, the head can comprises an outer edge, and the one or more lock arms can extend from points on said engaging surface which are inwardly spaced from said outer edge. As such, portions of said engaging surface between said points and said outer edge can engage the topmost item being connected and provide a secure base for the lock arms to be biased against.

The one or more lock arms can extend at any angle from the engaging surface in the standby position, provided they can be threaded through the aligned holes provided in the items to be connected. However, in a preferred construction the one or more lock arms can extend substantially normally from said engaging surface in said standby position.

The one or more lock arms can comprise hinge means about which they rotate to move between said standby position and said lock position. The hinge means can be spaced from said engaging surface by a pre-determined distance.

This pre-determined distance can be application specific. For example, if it is desired to connect two sheets of card together, which are each 1mm thick, then the pre-determined distance can be slightly more than 2mm, so the lock arms are angled towards the engagement surface in the lock position to provide a secure fitting.

Any number of lock arms can be provided, even just one. However, in a preferred construction two lock arms can be provided, which can be arranged opposite one another on either side of said aperture.

It will be appreciated from the above that it is necessary to insert the activation pin into the clip member with some force in order to engage the friction fitting, and also to apply a greater force to remove the activation pin therefrom.

Whilst it is possible to do this manually, in a preferred construction a fitting and removal tool can form a part of the connector apparatus.

Therefore, in a preferred construction the connector apparatus can further comprise an activation gun comprising a body, a mounting socket at a first end of said body, a rod axially movably mounted inside said body, and a trigger operatively engaged with said rod and adapted to axially move said rod from a retracted position to a first extended position in which a portion thereof occupies said mounting socket.

The activation pin can be removably disposable in said mounting socket and can be ejectable therefrom by movement of said rod from said retracted position to said first extended position. Thus, a suitable force can be applied to the activation pin to force it into the aperture of the clip member.

The activation gun can be applied to the clip member in a free manner, but this would make it difficult to correctly align with the clip member, and would require manual loading to provide sufficient support for the application force supplied to the activation pin.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment said body can comprise a head slot at said first end of said body which defines an area overlying said mounting socket, and said head can be removably disposable in said head slot with said aperture axially aligned with said mounting socket. Therefore, the activation gun itself can support the head against the application force supplied to the activation pin. This configuration also avoids the need to manually align the activation gun with the clip member, and the need to manually fit the clip member to the items to be connected.

Instead the activation gun is first loaded with an activation pin and a clip member, and then is manipulated to thread the lock arms now extending out of the first end thereof through the aligned holes of the items to be connected. With the lock arms extending out of the other side of the holes, the trigger is then operated to force the activation pin into the clip member, forcing the lock arms into their lock position to connect the items together. The gun can then be removed from the clip member by manipulating the head slot away from the head.

In the version of the invention in which the activation pin is ejectable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which said first side of the head faces, said rod can be further moveable to a second extended position in which when said head is disposed in said head slot a portion of said rod occupies said activation area, thereby to displace said activation pin from said activation position. Therefore, to disconnect the items the activation gun is manipulated to bring the head slot over the head, and the rod is then placed in the second extended position to force the activation pin out of the other side of the clip member. The activation gun is then withdrawn from the items, taking the clip member with it. As above, by connecting the activation gun and the clip member together in this way, the activation gun provides support for the head against the ejection force applied to the activation pin.

In order to prevent the inadvertent ejection of activation pins from clip members, for example momentarily after they have first been placed in the activation position, means are provided to lock the rod against movement to the second extended position. The rod can comprise a radially outwardly extending tab means, said body can comprise a detent means, and said tab means can abut against said detent means in said first extended position of said rod. The rod can be axially rotatable between a detention position in which said tab means is axially coincident with said detent means, and a release position in which said tab means is axially non-incident with said detent means. The rod can be only moveable to said second extended position when it is placed in its release position.

In order to allow for the rod to be moved in this way it can comprise a button at a second end thereof which is proud of a second end of said body, rotation of which moves said rod between said detention and said release positions, and depression of which moves said rod into said second extended position.

In the alternative version of the invention in which the activation pin comprises a screw thread and is withdrawable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which a second side of said head faces, said activation pin can comprise a slot at a second end thereof, and said rod can comprise a driver means at a first end thereof adapted to co-operate with said slot.

When said head is disposed in said head slot and said rod is in said first extended position said driver means can engage said slot, and said rod can comprise a rotation handle at a second end thereof, rotation of which rotates said driver means.

In either version of the invention the rod can be biased by spring means into said retracted position. This provides a stable and understandable functionality for the user.

In a preferred embodiment said head slot can comprise a pair of parallel sides, and said head can comprise a pair of parallel guide edges adapted to engage said pair of parallel sides in a non-rotational manner when said head is disposed in said head slot. With this configuration the lock arms are always orientated the same way in relation to the activation gun, and are held in that position. This improves the functionality of the apparatus because the user can control how the lock arms will be positioned in relation to the items to be connected via manipulation of the activation gun.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but two embodiments will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of activation pin and clip member parts of a first connector apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clip member part of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the clip member part shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the activation pin and clip member parts of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an activation gun part of the first connector apparatus; Figure 6 is a side view of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 5 in a standby position, and with a side casing of the activation gun part not shown; Figure 7 is a side view of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 6 in an activation position; Figure 8 is a side view of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 6 in an ejection position; Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the activation gun part of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 5, in the detention position of the rod part thereof, and with a side casing of the activation gun part not shown; Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the activation gun part of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figure 9, in the release position of the rod part thereof; Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the first connector apparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 5 in a use position.

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of activation pin and clip member parts of a second connector apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the activation pin and clip member parts of the second connector apparatus as shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view of an activation gun part of the second connector apparatus; Figure 15 is a side view of the activation gun part of the second connector apparatus as shown in Figure 14, in a standby position, and with a side casing of the activation gun part not shown; and, Figure 7 is a side view of the activation gun part of the second connector apparatus as shown in Figure 15, in an activation position.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 connector apparatus 1 for connecting two or more items together comprises a clip member 2 and an activation pin 3. The clip member 2 comprises a head 4 provided with an engaging surface 5 on a first side 6 thereof.

An aperture 7 extends through said head 4. As shown in Figure 4, said activation pin 3 is disposable in said aperture 7 in an activation position in which a portion 8 thereof is proud of said aperture 7 and occupies an activation area, illustrated by hashed box 9, adjacent to said first side 6 of the head 4. One or more lock arms, in the form of arms 10 and 11, extend from said engaging surface 5 and are movable between a standby position, as shown in Figure 3, and a lock position, as shown in Figure 4, in which they are biased towards said engaging surface 5. As is clear from Figure 3, the one or more lock arms (10, 11) comprise trigger extensions 12 and 13 which in said standby position of the one or more lock arms (10, 11) extend radially inwardly into said activation area 9. As is clear from Figure 4, occupation of the activation area 9 by said portion 8 of the activation pin 3 radially outwardly depresses said trigger extensions 12 and 13 and moves said one or more lock arms (10, 11) into said lock position.

The activation pin 3 is a cylindrical component, which comprises a slight taper from a second end 14 thereof to a first end 15 thereof. The clip member 2 comprises the head 4, which is disc-shaped, and which has the aperture 7 passing centrally therethrough. The aperture 7 is cylindrical, and the activation pin 3 is so shaped and sized that a secure, but releasable, friction fit exists between it and the aperture 7 in the activation position shown in Figure 4. Both the activation pin 3 and the clip member 2 are formed from a resilient plastics material.

The head 4 comprises an outer edge 16, and as is clear from the Figures the lock arms 10 and 11 extend from points 17 and 18 respectively on said engaging surfaceS which are inwardly spaced from said outer edge 16. As such, there is an approximately ring-shaped portion 19 of said engaging surface 5 between said points 17 and 18 and said outer edge 16, which can engage the topmost item being connected and provide a secure base for the lock arms to be biased against, as explained further below.

As is clear from Figures 2 and 3, the lock arms 10 and 11 extend normally from said engaging surface 5 in said standby position. As stated above, the clip member 2 is constructed from a resilient plastics material, and the lock arms 10 and 11 comprise hinge means in the form of weak points 20 and 21 respectively, about which they rotate to move between said standby position and said lock position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The weak points 20 and 21 are formed as an integral part of the lock arms 10 and 11 during manufacture thereof, and work as live hinges thereof.

As is also clear from Figures 3 and 4, the weak points 20 and 21 are spaced from the engaging surface 5 by a pre-determined distance, indicated by line 22. This distance 22 is slightly more than the width of two pieces of card 70 and 71 which the connector apparatus 1 is designed to connect together, such that the lock arms 10 and 11 extend out and over the two pieces 70 and 71, and then pin them against the engaging surface 5.

In order to facilitate the greater than 90 degree movement of the lock arms 10 and 11 from the standby position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to the lock position shown in Figure 4, inner ends 23 and 24 of the trigger extensions 12 and 13 respectively are disposed within the aperture 7 in the standby position. It is this feature which leads to the lock arms 10 and 11 being biased towards the engaging surface 5 beyond a parallel position, as shown in Figure 4, effectively because the inner ends 23 and 24 extend below the weak points 20 and 22 where the lock arms and 11 fold outwards.

Two guide arms 25 and 26 extend from said engaging surface 5, and comprise guide surfaces, only one of which 27 is visible, which border said activation area 9 and contact the activation pin 3 in its activation position. The guide surfaces 27 are effectively the end edges of the arms 25 and 26. These guide arms 25 and 26 ensure that the pin 3 remains central in the activation area 9, and does not drift to one side. They also combine with the aperture 7 to provide the friction fitting described above. In addition, they also provide a guide for centrally locating the clip member 2 in the aligned holes 72 and 73 provided in the items 70 and 71 to be connected together, as described further below.

The head 4 has two wasted sections 28 and 29, on the first side 6, which define a pair of parallel guide edges, only one of which 30 is visible.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 10, the connector apparatus 1 further comprises an activation gun 40 comprising a body 41, a mounting socket 42 at a first end 43 of said body 41, a rod 44 axially movably mounted inside said body 41, and a trigger 45 operatively engaged with said rod 44 and adapted to axially move it from a retracted position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, to a first extended position, as shown in Figure 7, in which a portion 46 thereof occupies said mounting socket 42.

The body 41 of the activation gun 40 is formed from two side pieces 47 and 48, which when fitted together as shown in Figure 5 define a handle part 49 and a barrel part 50. The handle part 49 is adapted to be comfortably held in the hand of a user. The trigger 45 is mounted between the two side pieces 47 and 48, and is rotatably secured on pivot 51. The rod 44 is axially movably supported between the two side pieces 47 and 48 inside the barrel part 50 by various moulded fittings. The rod 44 has an activation tab 52 against which the trigger 45 bears in use when it is depressed and rotates about the pivot 51. This serves to axially move the rod 44 to the first extended position. A coil spring 53 is mounted around the rod 44 between the tab 52 and a stop 54 adjacent the first end 43 of the body 41, which biases the rod 44 into its retracted position.

Referring to Figure 5, the body 41 comprises a head slot 55 at said first end 43 thereof, which defines an area 56 overlying said mounting socket 42. As explained further below, the head 4 of the clip member 2 can be removably disposable in the head slot 55 with the aperture 7 axially aligned with the mounting socket 42, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The head slot 55 comprises a pair of parallel sides 57 and 58, which are adapted to co-operate with the parallel guide edges 30 formed on the head 4. This ensures that the clip member 2 can only be disposed in the head slot 55 with the lock arms 10 and 11 arranged vertically in relation to the body 41.

The rod 44 comprises a button 59 at a second end 60 thereof which is proud of a second end 61 of said body 41. It further comprises a radially outwardly extending tab 62, which is best seen in Figures 9 and 10. The body 41 comprises a detent (not visible), and the tab 62 abuts against this detent in the first extended position of the rod 44, as shown in Figure 7. This prevents the rod 44 from moving axially further forward from the first extended position. However, the rod 44 can be axially rotated through 180 degrees between a detention position, as shown in Figure 9, in which the tab 62 is lowermost and is axially coincident with the detent, and therefore abuts against it in the first extended position, and a release position, as shown in Figure 10, in which the tab 62 is uppermost and is axially non-incident with the detent, and can therefore move into a second extended position, as shown in Figure 8. The button 59 carries an arrow 63, which indicates whether it is in its detention position or its release position. As is clear from Figure 8, the tab 52 has a second engagement surface 52a which is further rearward than that which the trigger bears against to move the rod 44 from the retracted position to the first extended position. When the rod 44 is rotated into its release position this lower surface 52a is aligned with the trigger 45, and the trigger 45 can be depressed to act further on the rod 44 to provide further force to move it into its second extended position.

As illustrated by Figure 8, when the clip member 2 is disposed in the head slot 55, if the rod 44 is placed in the second extended position, a first end 64 thereof occupies the activation area 9, thereby to displace the activation pin 3 from its activation position.

In use the connector apparatus 1 operates as follows. The activation pin 3 is first placed in the mounting socket 42, as shown in Figure 6. It can be placed therein through the front opening 65 thereof, or via a side opening 66 formed in side piece 48 visible in Figure 5. The clip member 2 is then placed in the head slot 55, with the guide edges 30 co-operating with the parallel sides 57 and 58, so the lock arms 10 and 11 are vertically aligned, again as shown in Figure 6.

The loaded connector apparatus 2 is then offered up to two items to be connected together, as shown in Figure 11. In this case two sheets of card 70 and 71 overlay one another, with punched holes thereof 72 and 73 aligned with one another. The activation gun 40 is manipulated to thread the lock arms 10 and 11 now extending out of the first end 43 thereof through the aligned holes 72 and 73, until the engaging surface 5 contacts the first sheet 70. The guide arms 25 and 26 ensure that the clip member 2 is centrally aligned in the holes 72 and 73, and is not positioned to one side. The trigger 45 is then depressed, such that it rotates about pivot 51 against the force of the spring 53. The trigger 45 bears against the activation tab 52 of the rod 44, and moves the rod 44 from its retracted position as shown in Figure 6 to its first extended position as shown in Figure 7. This forces the portion 46 adjacent the first end 64 of the rod 44 into the mounting socket 43, which serves to eject the activation pin 3 therefrom, and into the clip member 2.

As the activation pin 3 enters the clip member 2, it travels through the aperture 7, and engages the inner ends 23 and 24 of the trigger extensions 12 and 13 respectively. Further movement of the activation pin 3 forces the inner ends 23 and 24 up and out of the aperture 7, which bends the lock arms 10 and 11 about their weak points 20 and 21. This action continues until the portion 8 of the activation pin 3 occupies the activation area 9, and the lock arms 10 and 11 are in their lock position as shown in Figure 4. The guide surfaces 27 ensure that the activation pin 3 remains central in the activation area 9 during this movement, and does not drift to one side as it engages with the trigger extensions 12 and 13. The activation pin 3 ceases travelling when the tab 62 abuts against the detent, which occurs substantially simultaneously with the maximum rotational position of the trigger 45 within the handle part 49. At this point the tapered shape of the activation pin 3 is frictionally fitted within the aperture 7, and it securely held in position against any extension force applied to the lock arms 10 and 11 by the two sheets of card 70 and 71, which are now pinned between the lock arms 10 and 11 and the engagement surface 5. The two sheets of card 70 and 71 are now securely connected to one another. The trigger 45 is released and the rod 44 is forced back to its retracted position by the spring 53. The activation gun 40 can then be manipulated to remove the head slot 55 from the head 4.

It will be appreciated that when the activation pin 3 is forced into the clip member 2, the activation gun 40 supports the head 4 against the application force being supplied. This force is transmitted from the trigger 45 through manual depression thereof, and is then concentrated at the first end 64 of the rod 44. As such, a relatively low force is imparted by the user, which is then transmitted in concentrated form to the activation pin 3.

It will also be appreciated that by mounting both the activation pin 3 and the clip member 2 in the activation gun 40, there is no need to manually manipulate either part in relation to the other, nor the clip member 2 in relation to the sheets of card 70 and 71, all of which would be awkward if performed by hand. Instead only the activation gun 40 needs to be manipulated, and this is a relatively easy exercise for the user.

A further advantage is achieved through only allowing the head 4 to be aligned in the head slot 55 with the lock arms 10 and 11 vertically aligned. With this configuration the lock arms 10 and 11 are always orientated the same way in relation to the activation gun 40, and are always held in that position. This allows the user to easily control the position of the lock arms 10 and 11 in relation to the sheets of card and 71, which may be of benefit if several connection points are in close proximity to one another, or if a connection point is required where the sheets of card 70 and 71 are held in a bowed position.

To perform another connection action like that described above a further activation pin 3 is placed in the mounting socket 42, and a further clip member 2 is placed in the head slot 55, as before. The activation gun 40 is then applied to a further set of holes in a further two sheets of card (not shown).

To disconnect the two sheets of card 70 and 71 the activation gun 40 is manipulated to bring the head slot 55 over the head 4. This is possible due to the wasted sections 28 and 29 in the head 4, which creates a section thereof proud of the engaging surface 5, and therefore the sheet 70. The button 59 is then rotated to place the rod 44 in its release position, as shown in Figure 10, in which the tab 62 is uppermost, and axially non-incident with the detent. The arrow 63 indicates that this is the case. The button 59 is then depressed to the position shown in Figure 8, to push the rod 44 into its second extended position. In this position the first end 64 of the rod 44 occupies the activation area 9, and therefore forces the activation pin 3 out of the other side of the clip member 2. The trigger 45 can also be depressed to provide further force if required, because the second engagement surface 52a of the tab 52 is now aligned with the trigger 45. The button 59 (and the trigger 45) is then released, and the force of the spring 53 returns the rod 44 to its retracted position.

With the activation pin 3 and the rod 44 removed from the activation area 9 the lock arms 10 and 11 are then free to return to their standby positions. The activation gun is then withdrawn from the sheets of card 70 and 71, which removes the clip member 2 therefrom. The passage of the clip member 2 out from the holes 72 and 73 forces the lock arms 10 and 11 back to their standby positions.

As before, it will be appreciated that when the activation pin 3 is forced from the clip member 2, the activation gun 40 supports the head 4 against the ejection force being supplied. This force is transmitted from the button 59 through manual depression thereof, and is then concentrated at the first end 64 of the rod 44. As such, a relatively low force is imparted by the user, which is then transmitted in concentrated form to the activation pin 3.

As before, it will also be appreciated that by mounting the clip member 2 in the activation gun 40 for this action there is no need to manually manipulate the activation pin 3 or the clip member 2 in relation to the other, nor the clip member 2 in relation to the sheets of card 70 and 71, all of which would be awkward if performed by hand. Instead only the activation gun 40 needs to be manipulated, and this is a relatively easy exercise for the user.

The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of claim 1. In particular, in a second embodiment connector apparatus 100 is very similar to connector apparatus 1 described above, except that the activation pin can be removed from the face of the clip member. Figures 12 to 16 illustrate this embodiment.

In this second embodiment the connector apparatus 100 comprises an activation pin 101 with a screwthread 102, and a slot 103 at a second end 104 thereof. These features facilitate its removal from a second side 105 of the clip member 106, rather than from the first side as in connector apparatus 1 described above. This may be preferred for convenience sake, as the activation pin 101 will not be lost or misplaced so easily when it is removed from the clip member 106. The clip member 106 is the same as clip member 2 in connector apparatus 1 described above, however the activation gun 107 has different features to the activation gun 40. In particular, the rod 108 is only movable between a retracted position, as shown in Figure 15, and an extended position, as shown in Figure 16. It also comprises a driver tab 109 at a first end 110 thereof, which is adapted to co-operate with the slot 103 on the activation pin 101. Further, it comprises a button 111 at a second end 112 thereof, which features a radially offset rotation knob 113. In other respects the activation gun 107 is similar to activation gun 40.

In use the connector apparatus 100 operates in a similar manner to connector apparatus 1 described above. The activation pin 101 is placed in the mounting socket 114, and the clip member 106 is placed in the head slot 115. The loaded connector apparatus 100 is then offered up to two items to be connected together, and the lock arms 116 and 117 passed through the aligned holes. The trigger 118 is then depressed, which moves the rod 108 from its retracted position as shown in Figure 15 to its extended position as shown in Figure 16, which forces the activation pin 101 into the clip member 106. As this occurs the lock arms 116 and 117 are forced into their lock positions, as shown in Figure 13, and the two items are connected together. As the activation pin 101 is forced into the aperture 119, the screw thread 102 thereof is jammed against the inner surface 120 thereof, to provide the secure friction fitting. The activation gun 107 is then manipulated to remove the head slot 115 from the clip member 106.

When the activation pin 101 is placed in the mounting socket 114 it may be disposed in a rotational position such that the driver tab 109 is located in the slot 103. It is not possible to readily adjust the rotational position of the activation pin 101 in the mounting socket 114, but it is possible to adjust the rotational position of the driver tab 109 by rotating the button 111, on order to align these parts such that they engage in this way. However, it is not important for the activation process for the driver tab 109 to be located in the slot 103, as the end position of the activation pin 101 in the aperture 119 is only slightly different in either case.

To disconnect the two items the activation gun 107 is manipulated to bring the head slot 115 over the clip member 106. The trigger 118 is then depressed to move the rod 108 from its retracted position to its extended position. When the rod 108 meets the activation pin 101, the button 111 is rotated by means of the rotation knob 113 until the driver tab 109 is located in the slot 103. The depression of the trigger 118 is then maintained, so the driver tab 109 is held in the slot 103, and the rotation knob 113 is then turned to rotate the activation pin 101. When this occurs the screw thread 102 is forced into the resilient inner surface 120 of the aperture 119, which serves to support the screw thread 102 and transmit the rotational force being applied into an axial movement. The activation pin 101 is rotated to remove it from the clip member 106 in the manner of a screw being removed from a supporting material. Once the activation pin 101 is free of the clip member 106 it is located once again in the mounting socket 114.

With the activation pin 101 removed from the clip member 106 the lock arms 116 and 117 are then free to return to their standby positions. The activation gun 40 is then withdrawn from the items, which removes the clip member 106 therefrom.

The passage of the clip member 106 out from the holes forces the lock arms 116 and 117 back to their standby positions.

In a further alternative embodiment (not shown) the means for securing the activation pin in the clip member are non-releasable to provide a permanent connection.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown), the lock positions of the lock arms are different to as described above, for example the trigger extensions are configured such that the lock arms are only moved to an angle of 45 degrees or more to the engaging surface.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown) further lock arms are provided, for example four lock arms arranged at 90 degrees to one another about the aperture.

In one further embodiment (not shown) a connector apparatus is the same as connector apparatus 100 described above, except that the aperture of the clip member is provided with a moulded screw thread adapted to co-operate with the screw thread on the activation pin. In this embodiment the activation pin is rotated by the button at the end of the rod to move it into the activation position, as well as to remove it therefrom.

Therefore, the present invention provides a connector with lock arms which can be threaded through aligned punched holes in two or more items from just one side thereof, and which can be made to connect those two items together via insertion of the activation pin into the clip member from the same side. The present invention also provides a convenient mechanism for removing the activation pin from the clip member so the items can be disconnected, again all from the one side. This finds particular application in model kits comprising sheets of card to be connected together, but it can also be used in any circumstance in which two items need to be connected together for any purpose.

Claims

Claims 1. Connector apparatus for connecting two or more items together, comprising a clip member and an activation pin, in which the clip member comprises a head provided with an engaging surface on a first side thereof, in which an aperture extends through said head, in which said activation pin is disposable in said aperture in an activation position in which a portion thereof is proud of said aperture and occupies an activation area adjacent to said first side of the head, in which one or more lock arms extend from said engaging surface and are movable between a standby position and a lock position in which they are biased towards said engaging surface, in which the one or more lock arms comprise trigger extensions which in said standby position of the one or more lock arms extend radially inwardly into said activation area, and in which occupation of said activation area by said portion of the activation pin radially outwardly depresses said trigger extensions and moves said one or more lock arms into said lock position.
2. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said apparatus comprises securing means adapted to secure said activation pin in said activation position.
3. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said securing means are adapted to removably secure said activation pin in said activation position.
4. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said securing means comprises a friction fitting between said activation pin and said aperture.
5. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said activation pin tapers from a second end thereof to a first end thereof.
6. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which inner ends of said trigger extensions are disposed within said aperture in said standby position of the one or more lock arms.
7. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which said activation pin is ejectable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which said first side of the head faces.
8. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which said activation pin is withdrawable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which a second side of said head faces.
9. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said activation pin comprises a screw thread on an outer surface thereof, in which in said activation position said screw thread engages an inner surface of said aperture, and in which axial rotation of said screw thread in a first direction forces said screw thread into engagement with said inner surface and displaces it from said activation position in said direction in which a second side of said head faces.
10. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 9 in which one or more guide arms extend from said engaging surface, and comprise guide surfaces which border said activation area and contact said activation pin in its activation position.
11. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which said head comprises an outer edge, in which the one or more lock arms extend from points on said engaging surface which are inwardly spaced from said outer edge.
12. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said one or more lock arms extend substantially normally from said engaging surface in said standby position.
13. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said one or more lock arms comprise hinge means about which they rotate to move between said standby position and said lock position, and in which said hinge means are spaced from said engaging surface by a pre-determined distance.
14. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which two lock arms are provided, which are arranged opposite one another on either side of said aperture.
15. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising an activation gun comprising a body, a mounting socket at a first end of said body, a rod axially movably mounted inside said body, and a trigger operatively engaged with said rod and adapted to axially move said rod from a retracted position to a first extended position in which a portion thereof occupies said mounting socket, in which said activation pin is removably disposable in said mounting socket and is ejectable therefrom by movement of said rod from said retracted position to said first extended position.
16. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which said body comprises a head slot at said first end of said body which defines an area overlying said mounting socket, in which said head is removably disposable in said head slot with said aperture axially aligned with said mounting socket.
17. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said activation pin is ejectable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which said first side of the head faces, in which said rod is further moveable to a second extended position in which when said head is disposed in said head slot a portion of said rod occupies said activation area, thereby to displace said activation pin from said activation position.
18. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said rod comprises a radially outwardly extending tab means, in which said body comprises a detent means, in which said tab means abuts against said detent means in said first extended position of said rod, in which said rod is axially rotatable between a detention position in which said tab means is axially coincident with said detent means, and a release position in which said tab means is axially non-incident with said detent means, and in which said rod is only moveable to said second extended position when it is placed in its release position.
19. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which said rod comprises a button at a second end thereof which is proud of a second end of said body, rotation of which moves said rod between said detention and said release positions, and depression of which moves said rod into said second extended position.
20. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said activation pin is withdrawable from said clip member via displacement from said activation position in a direction in which a second side of said head faces, in which said activation pin comprises a screw thread on an outer surface thereof, in which in said activation position said screw thread engages an inner surface of said aperture, in which axial rotation of said screw thread in a first direction forces said screw thread into engagement with said inner surface and displaces it from said activation position in said direction in which a second side of said head faces, in which said activation pin comprises a slot at a second end thereof, in which said rod comprises a driver means at a first end thereof adapted to co-operate with said slot, in which when said head is disposed in said head slot and said rod is in said first extended position said driver means engages said slot, in which said rod comprises a rotation handle at a second end thereof, rotation of which rotates said driver means.
21. Connector apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20 in which said rod is biased by spring means into said retracted position.
22. Connector apparatus as claimed in any of claims 16 to 21 in which said head slot comprises a pair of parallel sides, in which said head comprises a pair of parallel guide edges adapted to engage said pair of parallel sides in a non-rotational manner when said head is disposed in said head slot.
23. Connector apparatus substantially as described herein, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.