GB2513569A

GB2513569A - A lock assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2513569A
Application number: GB201307687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Lee Goff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-29
Filing date: 2013-04-29
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-29
Also published as: GB201307687D0; WO2014177840A1; GB2513569B

Abstract

An assembly 1 includes a first housing 4 connected to a second housing. The first housing 4 has a path 3 which extends from within the first housing 4 and terminates at an open periphery 5 located at a side of the first housing 4. A finger 2 having a leading portion 2a is moveable along the path 3 between a first position and a second position. A biasing member 6 is arranged within the first housing 4 for biasing the finger 2 into the second position. The finger 2 is projected out of the open periphery 5 at an acute angle to the side of the first housing 4 when the finger 2 is in the second position. The second housing 10 has at least one aperture 11 for receiving the finger 2 within the second housing 10.

Description

I

This Invention relates to. a lock assembly for use to combine a first housing to a second housing, In particular, to form a piece of furniture.

S It is common for furniture to either come pie-assembled or to be provided fri fiat pack to be selfassembled Flat-pack furniture is easier to transport in a conventional vehicle and can be cheaper to purchase in most cases. WhJlst flat pack furniture is becoming ever more intuitive to assemble there is inevitably the need to use screws and other fixing means in combination with specific hand toots to assemble the furniture. This process can be inconvenient and time consuming, especalIy when screws or other fixing means have gone astray or the user does not have the specific hand tpol requited, Further, the assembly instructions for flat pack furniture can be complicated and confusing and there is usually only one way to assemble the furiture, so standard fiat pack furniture irs does not offer any versatility to form, other structures as may be' desirable to the user. In some cases, once the furniture has been assembled together the furniture cannot be disassembled or taken apart very easily.

The protrusion of screws, or other fixing means used to combine two elements of' a piece of furniture together, may also be problematic since they 0 can injure children that come Into close proximity with them. For this reason, it is cotnmon M children's furniture to, either come in a single unit that offers minimal versatility and can be bulky to transport or to contain more complicated component parts for self assembly.

Further, furniture where the screws or other fixing means have become Loose can be dangerous as the piece of furniture can come aped and may cause injury to the child, for example when sat on a chair.

VVhen considering temporary structures, for example gazebos, it can be cumbersome to assemble and disassemble the atnictute and may requite several people to carry out the task. Also, bolts and other fixIng parts can be lost in transit or storage and may become loosened if they experience high loads, for example caused by high winds.

The present Invention is derived from the realisation that there exists the need to provide an improved means of assembling and disassembling furniture and temporary structures. The invention provides a convenient and reliable way to assemble or disassemble structures and offers versatility not currently provided by existing fiat-pack furniture assemblies. The invention is easy to install and maintain and requires minimum effort to connect and disconnect elements thereby omitting the need for hand tools, small pads or complicated instructions, In one embodiment of the invention, all the moving parts are contained, within the housing of the invention itself thereby providing a secure and sate means of fixing objects together. Therefore the present jpventlon and its embodirnentL addresses the above described problems and desires.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lock assembly for connecting a first and second housing including: a first housing having at least one path which extends from within the first housing and teiminates at an open periphery located at a side of the lust housing; at least one finger having a leading portion, the at least one finger being moveable along the at least one path between a first position, and a second position; a biasing member wranged within the first housIng for biasing the at least one finger into the second position; the lock asseml$y further comprising a second, housing which cooperates with the first housing, the second housing having at least one aperture for receiving, the at least one finger within the second housing, wherein the lock assembly Is arranged to project the finger out of the open periphew at an acute angle to the side of the first housing when the finger Is in the second position and further wherein in the second position the leading portion oflhie finger terminates at a position exterior to tho first housing.

Preferably, the at least one finger has a trailing portion and the biasing member is arranged to impart a force to a trailIng end of the trailing portion of'the at least one finger.

Desirably, the side of the first housing is planar.

Preferably, the leading portion. of the finger is terminated within the second housing.

l3enefIciafty the biasing member is positioned within at least a section of the at least one path.

Preferably, the path is a channel located within the first housing.

Preferably, wherein the biasing member is sandwiched between a first end of the channel positioned within the first housing and the traiing end of the finger.

Desirably, the biasing member Is a resilient member; for example a spring.

Beneficially, the at least one. finger is arcuate.

Preferably, the path is correspondingly shaped to the finger.

S In a preferred embodiment, the second housing includes a second path extending inwardly from the apedure.

Preferably, the second path Is correspondingly shaped to the part of the finger which, when in the second position, projects from the first housing.

In a further embodiment, the aperture of the second housing is a perIpherally extending aperture, correspondingly ihaped to a periphery of an end portion of the first housing, preferably wherein the peripheral edge of the aperture of the second housing is coaperable with the outer surface of an end portion of the first housing. Desirably, an end of the first housing comes into contact with an inner wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture.

Alternatively, there is included a first packing means arranged to make contact with the jqner wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture and the end of the first housing.

Beneficially, there is included an actuator for actuating the movement of the at least one finger along the path of the first housing.

Preferably, wherein there is included a slot in at least part of a side wall of the first housing.

Desirably, the actuator is a pin that extends thrnugh the slot from the interior of the first: housing to the exterior of the first housing, preferably wherein the pin extends through a first and second slot arranged on opposing sides of theflrst housing.

Beneficially, the biasing member is fixably secured to the trailing end of the at least one finger.

AlternatIvely, the actuator comprises a slideablé linger plate arranged between the biasing means and the trailing end of the at least: one finger positioned within a finger plate channel which is contained within the first housing, wherein beneficially, the finger plate includes a hole accessible by the user.

Desirably, the actuator is coloured to display a first colour when the finger is arranged In the first position and a second colour when the finger is arranged in the second position.

Preferably, the finger is made of a conductive materialS In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is included a first and second finger spaced apart along one side of the fIrst housing, wherein the first finger and second finger are arranged to be mirror images of eachothet.

Desirably, the first finger and the second finger converge AlternatWely, the first finger and the second linger diverge.

Preferably, there is a first actuator for actuating the first finger and a second actuator for actuating the second fingerS Beneficially, the first actuator is movable along the path of the first finger and the second actuator Is movable along the path. of the aecond flger.

Alternatively, a single actuator Is arranged to actuate the movement of the first finger and the second finger. Preferably, wherein the single actuator is movable from a first position to a second, position within the first housing and causes the first finger to move, along a first path and the second finger to move along a second path within the first housing. Beneficially, the actuator Is Unearly moveable.

In a further embodiment of the invetIon there is provided a furniture arrangement including the abovementioncd lock assembly.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is. provided a temporary structure including the above-mentioned lock assembly Whilst the invention has been disclosed above it' extends to any inventive combInation of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims.

The invention will now be decribed, by way of example only, with reference to the' accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the lock assembly accordk%g to the Invention; Figure 2 is a perspective viev, of a first embodiment of the lock' assembly according to the invention; FigureS is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the lock assembly according to the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a third embodiment of the lock assembly according to the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of a furniture element having two lock assemblies according to the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative arrangement of the third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a side view of a leg portion of a piece of furniture incorporating Iwo lock assempHes according to the embodiment of Figure 5, the table leg S being in a first configuration; and Figum $ is a perspective view of the table leg of Figure / in a second confiquration.

Referring firstly to F pure I there is shown a first embodiment of the locking assembly I where there is included a curved, or arcuate, finger 2 element havino a leading porhon or the end 2a and a trailing portion or end 2b disposed within a ath for example a channel 3, in a first housing 4. The path, or channel 3, has a first end positioned 3a within the first housing 4 and extends from within the first housing to a second end that terminates at an open periphery 5 located at a side of the first housing 4*a, for example a planar side of the first housing. The finger is moveable along the channel 3 of the first housing 4 and the channel is curved to permit movement of the finger 2 between a first position and a second position. In the first position the leading portion 2a of the finger 2 is positioned within the first housing 4. In the second position the leading portion 2a of the finger 2 projects out of the open periphery 5 at an acute angle to the planar edge of the housing 4a, for exam pie so as to terriinate the leading portion 2a of the finger 2 at a position exterior to the first housing 4. The trailing end of the trailing portion 2b of the finger 2 is connected to a biasing member 6, for example a resilient member. The resilient member is a spring, for example a helical spring, which has its lowest energy state when arranged in an estended artangement. A first end of the spring 6a is positioned in contact with the firat end of the channel 3a and Is arranged such that the first end of the channel Sa forms an abutment for the spring. 6 which biases the linger into the second position, which is the locking position. The spring is an'antjed to impart a force to the trailing end of the trailing portion at the finger so as to bias it in the second position. The biasing member 6, e.g spring, is therefore positioned within at least a section of the path 3 of the finger and is sandwotieø between the first end of the channel and the traiflng' end of the finger.

Proximate to the tralfing end 2b of the finger there is included a hole 7 through which an actuator B may be arranged. The actuator S is a pin 8 which passes from a position external to the housing through a side wall of the first housIng 4, through the interior of the first housing 4 and then through the opposing side walls of the first housing 4. The user is able to grip the projecting ends of the pin 8 either side of the housing. The grippable projecting eflds extend through a curved slit 9 whIch is located in opposing skM walls of the housing 4, and which substantially follows the path the finger ía to be moved along inside the housIng 4..

The first housing 4 is an elongate member, and is cooperable with a second housing 10 to enable the connection of the ifrst housing 4 and second housIng 10, In the first embodiment of Figure 1 the flnger 2 is arranged to protrude from a longitudinal side wall of the first housing 4. In use, the user grips each end of the pin positioned either side of the housing 4 and draws, the pin in the direction, of the spring so as to. compress the spring 6 and retract the finger 2 into the first position where the leading potilon 2a is positioned within the first housing 4, i.e. the unlocking po&tion. An end of the first housing is placed through a correspondingly sized receiving aperture 11 located in one side of the second housing 1 Qand the.. pin B is reiased causing the spring 6 to return to ts extended biased position and to project the leading portion 2a of the finger 2 out of the open periphery 5 of the first housing 4 and within the second housing 10, so as to terminate the leading portion of the finger 2a within the second housing I a For the locking assembly 1 to function appropriately it is important to lock each of the translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the first housing 4 into position, by means of the second housing 10 and the finger 2 arranged in the second position. Two of the translational degrees of freedom are locked by means of the edges of the receiving aperture ii through which the first housing 4 is placed. It is necessary tar the receiving aperture Ii of the second housing and the perimeter of the first housing 4 to form a snug fit to enable the relevant locking effect of the degrees of freedom. Therefore, the receiving aperture 11 of the second housing is correspondingly shaped to a periphery of an end portion of the first housing 4 and the inner edge of the peripheraHy extending aperture 11 of the second housing is cooperable with the outer surface of an end portion of the first housing 4 that is to be received. The finger 2 projects at an acute angie to the planar side 4a of the first housing 4 on a longitudinal sidewall of the first housing 4b proximate the end to he received by the second housing 10. The end of the first housing 4 is consequently held captive within the second housing and the first housing 4 extends therefrom, via the receiving aperture 11.

The end of the first housing 4 received by the seeond housing 10 comes into contact with the inner wall 12 of the second housing 10 which opposes the receiving apetture 11. Once the finger 2 is released into the second position the third translational degree of freedom is Looked into position i.e. the first housing cannot be removed from the second housing when the finger 2 is in the locked position, as shown in Figure 2.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 1, packIng elements. 13 pan be arranged between a pqrtion of the inner wafi 120! the second housing which opposes the receiving aperture 11 and the end of the first housing 4 such that the packing element 13 is sandwiched therebetween. The packrng elements. ate fixed to the inner wall 12 and are suitably arranged to allow extension of the fInger 2 withIn the second housing 10.

The rotational degrees offreedoni are also locked by means of the sides of the receiving aperture 11, packers 13 and finger 2 as described above.

In summary, the first, housing 4 can be connected to the second housing by i) retracting the leading portion of the finger 2a within the first housing 4, by means of pullIng the actuator 8 towards the spring 6 and compressing the spring, ii) inserting the relevant end of the first housing 4 Through the receiving aperture 11 of the second housing 10 so as to insert the end of the first housing Into the second housing and ill) releasing the actuator 8 so as to project the leading end of the finger 2 out of the first housIng 4 in the second position which Is the locked position, whereby the finger 2 Is terminated withIn the second housing 10. SImilaily, the first housing 4 can be removed from the second housing 10 by sliding the actuator B along the slit 9 towards the spring B and .1 therefore retracting the finger 2 within the first housing 4 so as to unlock one of the translational degrees of freedom and permit removal the first housing 4 from the second housing 10.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the inverrfion where there is included a first and second finger 2c, 2d spaced apart along one longitudinal side waU of the first housing 4. The first and second finger 2c, 2d are mirror images of eachother and are arranged sucn that the fist and second fingers 2c, 2d extend in different directions, e.g. diverge or converge. The first finger 2c is arranqed within a first channel 3c and the second finger 2.d is arranged within a second channel 3d the first end second fingers 2c, 2d operate as described above, whereby a first actuator 3a actuates the rnovenient of the first finger 2c and a second actuator Oh actuates the movement of the second actuator 2d, in use the first and second fingers 2c, 2d are cooperable with a first and second receiving aperture 11 a, 11 b spaced along the longitudinal side wall of the second housing 10. The spacing between the receiving aperl:ures 1 la, 1 lb corresponds to the distance between the first and second fingers 2c, 2d and the first and second apertures I Ia, 11 h of the second housing 10 are correspondingly shaped to the first and second fingers 2c, 2d. The second housing ID has a first and second receiving channei 14a, 1/b extending inwardly from receiving apertures ii a, ii h respectively. The first and second receiving channels 1$a, 14b are correspondingly shaped to the part of the respective fingers 2c, 2d which, when in the second position, pwject from the first housing 10.

The divergence of the first and second fingers 2c, 2d helps to lock the degrees of freedom into place. Therefore. on&dering the case where the longitudinal surfaces of the first housing 4 and second housing 10 are in contact, the first finger 2c, which projects at a 458 angle to the planar surface 4a of the fIrst housing 4 will entar the first receiving aperture I Ia of the second housing at a first position which differs to the ultimate position of the. first finger at full extension (a second position). Consequent'y, each receiving aperture lIe, 11 b of the second housing 10 needs to be extended to allow for this difference in position, Figure 3 shows that the extended aperture is obtained by drilling the receivIng aperture at a 45 degree angle to the planar side lOs of the second housing 10 such that it is correspondingly angled to the first finger Zc Ic, where the finger exits the housing at a 45* to the planar sfde of the first housing. To provide the most effective locking of each degree of freedom of the first housing 4 the angle of the receIving apertures I Is, tib and receiving channels 14a, 14b 16 are also 450 from the planar surface of the receiving face I Ca of the second housing 10. Alternatively, the angle may vary so as to torrespond to the curve of the finger.

In use, the fingers 2o, 2d are retracted Into the first housing 4 by means of respective actuators Ba, Sb which compress the spring 6 to which the respective fingers are attached as described above for the first embodiment of the Invention. A longitudinal side surface of the first housing 4 is placed in contact with a longitudinal side surface of the second housing 10. and the open peripheries 58, Sb of the first housIng 4 are aligned with the receiving apertures Ii a, 11 b of the second housing 10. The actuators Ba, 8b are released and the sprinqs Sc, t3b return to their biased extended state thereby projecting the fingers 2c, 2d from the Snar surface $a of the first housinq 4 and through the first and second receiving apertures lie, ii b respectively of the second housing 10, thereby securing the first housing 4 to the second housing 10 in a face S mounted arrangement.

Alternatively only one of the fingers e.g.2d needs to be retracted to enable connection of the first housing 4 with the second housing 10. The first finger 2c may remain in the second position and may be placed through the first receiving aperture lie. The second finger 2d may then be retracted to enable alignment of the second finger 2d with the second receiving aperture lift Once the alignment has beef) achieved the second finger 2d is returned to the second position where it projects from the first housing 4. This enables the first finger 2c and first recenvng aperture ii a to aid the subsequent alignment and connection of the second finìger 2d with the second receiving aperturel lb. In a third e.mbothment of the invention as shown in Figure 4, there is provided a lock assembly I having a first finger 2a and a second finger 2b which is actuated by a singe Unear actuating motion applied by the user. The channel of the first housing.4, or path, comprises a recess I Se, a rectanyniar channel lSb and a par or adjacent curved channels 1 5c;1 Sd that are terminated at an open periphery Sc, Sb located at a planar side 4a of the first housing 4 to be connected. The recess I Sc has a first end terminating the channel 15 within the first housing 4 and a second end which leads to the rectangular channel I Sb.

The rectangular channel 15b is positioned between the recess iSa and the first end of the first and second curved channeLs 1 Sc, 1 Sd. The first and second curyed channels I Sc, I Sd are mirror images of eachother and can be diverging or converging. Both the first and second curved channels 15c, lSd fotni a path from the rectangular recess lSb to the external edge 4a of the first housing 4 that is to be connected.

An actuator B in the form of a finger plate is disposed within the rectangular channel I5b and. Is arranged to be liqearly slidabie therein. The flrst housing 4 comprises a slit 9 In a section of the wall to permit access to a finger hole 16 positioned in the finger plate 8 which enables a person to hrietirly slide the finger plate B back and forth within the rectangular channel I Sb by means of their finger. *the flnger plate ISb has a length that is less that the length of the rectangular channel 15b to permit the linear movement.. A apdng 6 is arranged between a first end of the finger plate $ end the first end of' the recess 15a, which is remote from the rectangular channel 18b Two fingers 2c, 2d extend from the second end of the finger plate B and are connected thereto by a fastening pin 17. The first finger 2c and second finger 2d are positioned djacent to eachother and are mirror images of eathother, for example diverging or converging. In a first position the. spring 6 is extended and the finger plate 8 is forced towards the second end of the rectangular channel I fib, which is remote from the recess ISa so as to project the first and second finger out of the first and second OSr! periphery 5a, Sb at the planar side 4a of the first housing 4 to be connected,. The fingers 2c, 2d are arranged tQr project at ati acute angle to the planar edge of the first' housing 4, e.g at a. 45-angle from the planar edge of the tat housing 4 to be connected. To retract the finger elements 2c, Zd the user places their finger through the slit 9 in the first housing 4 and into the finger hole 16. The user then pulls the finger pLate 8 towards the sprina t so as. to compress the spring and to move the fingers 2c, 2d inwardly along their respecflve curved c.hann&s ISo, lbd so as to bring the leading ends of the trat and second fingers 2c, 2d substantially within the walls ct the first housing 4.

S The fingers are permitted to shghtly rotate about the fasianing pin 17 (Le.

between the fastening pin and the side of the first housing to be connected) so as to allow the spadng between the fingers at a position below the fastening pin 17 to be reduced and to permit passage of the fingers 2c, 2d along the curved channels 15c, lSd. Necessadly, part of the leading end of the fingers 2c, 2d enter the rectangular channel 1 Gb. The spring 6 in this embodiment is not connected directiy to the finger elements 2c, 2d, but is connected between the first end of the recess iSa and the finger plate 8, however the spring $ is still responsible for imparting a force to the trailing end of each finger 2c, 2d, albeit via the finger plate 8.

In use, the fingers 2c, 2.d cooperate with receiving apentures 11 a: 1 lb in a second housing 10. The receiving apertures ii a, ii b are airanged correspondingly shaped to the fingers 2c, 2d, therefore the receiving apertures are spaced to permit synchronous entry of the fingers 2c, 2d. In one example, the receiving apertures are provided a 45.-angle to the receiving surface ba of the second housing IC) so as to correspond to the exit angle of the fingers 2c, 2d with respect to the planar side 4a of the first housing 4. Figure 5 shows a first housing 4 having the locking lock assembly of the third embodiment arranged at either end of the first housing 4. This first housing could then be face mounted 1$ to two separate housmg members having rescpecbve cooperabe rceMng apertiues.

In this third embodiment the first housing can be made of two sheets of matera] secured together so as to simplify the manufacture of the lock assembly.

The material of the first housing 4 or second housing 10 for the locking device can be any rigid material ag. plastics, metals or carbon-fibres. A second rigid material can he used for the fingers 2, for example metaL The lock assembly is extremely versatile and aUows the the first housing to be face mounted with the second housinu. as indicated in Figures 3 cr4 or for one end portion to he mounted within the second housing as shown in Figure 1 or 2.

Various modifications to the pdnciples described above would suggest themselves to the skilled person. For example, when using two fingers in the locking devke I the first finger 2c and second finger 2d may not be diverging but may instead be arranged to converge. The fingers need not be cuived, hut may be linear and arranged at acute converging or diverging angles, however the smpiicty ot the arrangement is lost snce more component parts will be required to permit the retraction of linear fingers by, for example, a single finger actuator.

Alternatively, linear portions may he arranged between hinges that enable the linear portions to form a curved arrangement as shown in Figure 6.

It is envisaged that the above-described lock assembly can be used for any temporary structure, for example a gazebo for weddings or structures for military or international aid use, It is also envisaged that the locKing mechanism may not require an actuator 8, for example ft may be desirable to assemble a sate using the lock assembly I that is designed to be taken apart from the Inside only.

it is envisaged that use of metal fingers can be used to conduct electricity to electrical components arranged within the first or second housing, for example LED lights or speaKers.

The first housIng 4 Is shown as a connecting element, but the finger 2 can be arranged In a Perspex® insert to be retrofitted into an element to be connected to another element. Therefore, the Perspei4 block will be considered to be the first housing which can be inserted into a fthther external housing, for example a metal tube.

The part of the channel between the recess ISa and the curved channels 15c, 15d of the third embodiment. (le the finger plate' channel) need not be rectangular and may instead be circular or another shape to accommodate a correspondingly shaped finger plate.

The external portions of the pin a in embodiments I and' 2 can be covered with a plastic or a' textured material to Improve the users grip on the pin.

Alternadvety, the biasing means 6 may be a cable arranged to be shortened or lengthened so as to alter the position of the finger along the channel 11.

WhUst it is shown In' Figures 1 to 8 that the locking device of the invention is to be used in combination with fitting planar' surfaces together. the surfaces need not be planar and may Instead be tg. curved, however the shape of the sides to be qombined must be of a complimentary shape to ensure a secure fit.

The first housing 4 need not be elongate) but may take any desired shape wherein the only restricton is to the length of the path and fingers contained therein.

Thee are many applications for the lock assembly described herelh, especially where it is required to temporarily or permanently lock objects together. The lock assembly is particularly suitable for assembling furniture, In particular children's furniture tlwt requires a fun, safe and versatile design.

Figutes 7 and 8 show the use of the lock assembly in a table leg 18 to be aflached to another element. It is dear that the table legS 18 of figures? and 8 It) can act as a first or second housing since there are included retractable fingers 2 and receiving apertures 11 and channels 14.

Claims

cLAIMS 1. A lock assembly for connecting a first and second housing tnc(uding a first housing having at least one path whIch extends from within the fIrst housing and terminates at an open periphery located at a side of the first housing, at least one finger having a leading portion, the at least one finger being moveable along the at least, one path between a first position arid a second position: a biasing member arranged within the first housing for biasing the finger into the second position; the lock assembly further comprising a second housing which cooperates with the first housing, the second' housing having at least one aperture for receiving the at least one finger within the second housing, wherein the lock assembly is arranged to project the at least one finger out of the open periphery at an acute angle to the side of the first housing' when the at least one finger is in the second position and further wherein in the second position' the leading portion of the at' least one finger terminates at a position exterior to the first housing.
2. A lock assembly according to claim 1., wherein the at least one finger has a trailing portion and the biasing member is arranged to impart a force to a trailing end of the trailing portion of the at least one finger.
3. A lock assembly according t claim I or claim 2, whereIn the side of the first housing is planar.
4. A lock assembly according to claims I to 3, wherein the leading portion of the finger is terminated within the second housing.
5. A lock assembly according to claims I to 4, wherein the biasing member is positioned withih at least a secöon of The at least one paths
6. A lock assembly according to claims I to 5, wherein the path is a channel located within the first housing.
7. A lock assembly according to claimS, wherein the biasing member is sandwiched between a first end of the channel positioned within the fIrst housing and the trailing end of the finger.
8., A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing member is a resilient member 2Q 9. A look assembly according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member Is a spçing.1OA lock assembly according to any preceding claim, whefflin the at least one finger is arcuate, Ii A lock assembly, according to any preceding claim, whereifl the path is crrespondingIy shaped to the finger.12A lock assembly, according to any preceding claim, wherein the second housing includes a second path extending inwardly from the aperture. *1013. A lock assembly, according to claim 12, wherein the second path is correspondingly shaped to the part of the finger with, when in the second position, projects from the first housing.14. A lock assembly according to claims I to 11, wherein the aperture of the second housing Is a peripherally extending aperture, correspondingly shaped to an end portion of the fIrst housing.IS. A lock assembly according to claim 14 wherein the peripheral edge of the aperture of the second housing is cooperabli with the outer surface of an end portion of the first housing.iBA lock assembly according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein an end of the first housing comes into contact with an iner wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture.17. A lock assembly according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein there is included a first packing means arranged to make contact with the nnor wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture and the.end of the first hausnig.ISA lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein there is included an actuator for actuating the movement of the at eas one finger along the path of the first housing, I 9.A lock assembly accorthng to claim 18, wherein there is nciuded a slot in at least part of a side wall of the first housing.20. A look assembly according to claim 10, wherein the actuator is a pin that extends through the slot from the interior of the first housing to the exterior of the first housing.21. A lock assembly according to claim 20, wherein the pin extends through a first and second slot arranged. on opposing sides of the first housing.22.A lock, assembly' according to claim 21, wherein the biasing member is fixably secured to the trailing end of the at least one linger.23.A lock assembly according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the actuator qomprisee a slideable fInger plate arranged between the biasing means and the trailing end of the at least one finget positioned within a finger plate channel which is contained within the' first hovsing'.24. A lock assembly according to claim 23 wherein the finger plate includes a hole accessible by the user.25. A lock assembly according to claIms 18 to 24, wherein the actuator is 15' coloured to display a first colour when the finger is arranged in the fIrst position and a second colour when the finger Is arranged in the secopd'positiofl.2S. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim,, wherein the finger is'made of a conductive material.27. A lock assembly, according' to any, preceding claim, wherein there is Included a first and second finger spaced aped, along one side of the first housing, wherein the first finger and second finger are arranged to be mirror images of eachother.28. A lock assembly according to claim 27, wherein tIie first finger and S the second finger converge.2tA Jock assembly according to claim 27, wherein the first finger and the second finger diverge.30. A lock assernbty azordlng to claims 27 to 29, wherein there is a first actuator for actuating the ftrt finger and a second actuator for actuating the second finger.31 A lock assembly according to claim 30, Wherein the first actuator is movable along the path of the first finger and the second actuator Is movable along the path of the second finger.32.A lock assembly according to claims 27 to 29, whereIn a single actuator is arranged to actuate the mavement of the first finger and the second fInger.3. A lock assembly according to claim 32, whereIn the single actuator ks movable from a first position to a second position within the first housing and causes the first finger to move along a first path and the second finger to move along a second path within the first housing.34.A lock assembly according to claim 33, wherein the actuator is ineady movable.35.A furniture arrangement including the lock assembly of any preceding claim.36. A temporary structure including the lock assembly of any precedIng claim.37/k lock assembly as shown in the accornoanying Figures with reference to the accompanying textIAMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS1. A lock assembly including: a first housing having at least one path which extends from within the first housing and terminates at an open periphery located at a side of the first housing, at least one finger having a leading portion, the at least one finger being moveable along the at least one path between a first position and a second position; a biasing member arranged within the first housing for biasing the finger into the second position; the lock assembly further comprising a second housing which cooperates with the first housing, the second housing having at least * .....* one aperture for receiving the at least one finger within the second : 15 housing, wherein the lock assembly is arranged to project the at least one

S. *S : finger out of the open periphery at an acute angle to the side of the *.* first housing when the at least one finger is in the second position and further wherein in the second position the leading portion of the at least one finger terminates at a position exterior to the first housing.2. A lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one finger has a trailing portion and the biasing member is arranged to impart a force to a trailing end of the trailing portion of the at least one finger.3. A lock assembly according t claim I or claim 2, whereIn the side of the first housing is planar.4. A lock assembly according to claims I to 3, wherein the leading portion of the finger is terminated within the second housing.5. A lock assembly according to claims I to 4, wherein the biasing member is positioned withih at least a secöon of The at least one paths 6. A lock assembly according to claims I to 5, wherein the path is a channel located within the first housing.7. A lock assembly according to claimS, wherein the biasing member is sandwiched between a first end of the channel positioned within the fIrst housing and the trailing end of the finger.8., A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing member is a resilient member
9. A look assembly according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member Is a spçing.1OA lock assembly according to any preceding claim, whefflin the at least one finger is arcuate, Ii A lock assembly, according to any preceding claim, whereifl the path is crrespondingIy shaped to the finger.12A lock assembly, according to any preceding claim, wherein the second housing includes a second path extending inwardly from the aperture. *1013. A lock assembly, according to claim 12, wherein the second path is correspondingly shaped to the part of the finger with, when in the second position, projects from the first housing.14. A lock assembly according to claims I to 11, wherein the aperture of the second housing Is a peripherally extending aperture, correspondingly shaped to an end portion of the fIrst housing.IS. A lock assembly according to claim 14 wherein the peripheral edge of the aperture of the second housing is cooperabli with the outer surface of an end portion of the first housing.iBA lock assembly according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein an end of the first housing comes into contact with an iner wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture.17. A lock assembly according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein there is included a first packing means arranged to make contact with the nnor wall of the second housing which opposes the aperture and the.end of the first hausnig.ISA lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein there is included an actuator for actuating the movement of the at eas one finger along the path of the first housing, I 9.A lock assembly accorthng to claim 18, wherein there is nciuded a slot in at least part of a side wall of the first housing.20. A look assembly according to claim 10, wherein the actuator is a pin that extends through the slot from the interior of the first housing to the exterior of the first housing.21. A lock assembly according to claim 20, wherein the pin extends through a first and second slot arranged. on opposing sides of the first housing.22.A lock, assembly' according to claim 21, wherein the biasing member is fixably secured to the trailing end of the at least one linger.23.A lock assembly according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the actuator qomprisee a slideable fInger plate arranged between the biasing means and the trailing end of the at least one finget positioned within a finger plate channel which is contained within the' first hovsing'.24. A lock assembly according to claim 23 wherein the finger plate includes a hole accessible by the user.25. A lock assembly according to claIms 18 to 24, wherein the actuator is 15' coloured to display a first colour when the finger is arranged in the fIrst position and a second colour when the finger Is arranged in the secopd'positiofl.2S. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim,, wherein the finger is'made of a conductive material.27. A lock assembly, according' to any, preceding claim, wherein there is Included a first and second finger spaced aped, along one side of the first housing, wherein the first finger and second finger are arranged to be mirror images of eachother.28. A lock assembly according to claim 27, wherein tIie first finger and S the second finger converge.2tA Jock assembly according to claim 27, wherein the first finger and the second finger diverge.30. A lock assernbty azordlng to claims 27 to 29, wherein there is a first actuator for actuating the ftrt finger and a second actuator for actuating the second finger.31 A lock assembly according to claim 30, Wherein the first actuator is movable along the path of the first finger and the second actuator Is movable along the path of the second finger.32.A lock assembly according to claims 27 to 29, whereIn a single actuator is arranged to actuate the mavement of the first finger and the second fInger.3. A lock assembly according to claim 32, whereIn the single actuator ks movable from a first position to a second position within the first housing and causes the first finger to move along a first path and the second finger to move along a second path within the first housing.34.A lock assembly according to claim 33, wherein the actuator is ineady movable.35.A furniture arrangement including the lock assembly of any preceding claim.36. A temporary structure including the lock assembly of any precedIng claim.37/k lock assembly as shown in the accornoanying Figures with reference to the accompanying textI