GB2557918A

GB2557918A - Connector for a grid such as a garden trellis

Info

Publication number: GB2557918A
Application number: GB1621461.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rocke Alexander; Adela Fyson Kathrine
Original assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Current assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-16
Filing date: 2016-12-16
Publication date: 2018-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-16
Also published as: GB2557918B; GB201621461D0

Abstract

A connector 4 comprises a base 30 and a cover 10 defining recesses which open at an interface between the base and cover to receive a pair of rods 2, the cover being secured to the base by securing means 50 to clamp the rods in fixed angular relation. The base includes means 60 for fixing to a support surface to support the rods in spaced parallel relation to the support surface, for example, to form a garden trellis. Retaining means (41, 42, 41', 42', figure 9A) may be provided for retaining the rods in the recesses during assembly. Each of the rods may be secured by an individual clamping arrangement (14, 15, figure 8A) so that the connector may be connected to only one of the rods between their points of intersection.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Harrod UK Limited

1-3 Pinbush Road, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk, NR33 7NL, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Alexander Rocke Kathrine Adela Fyson (56) Documents Cited:

EP 2486784 A2 US 5127759 A US 2715537 A (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA01G, F16B, F16L Other: WPI & EPODOC

DE 002903119 A1 US 3834549 A US 20160281754 A1 (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Novagraaf UK

2nd Floor Renown House, 33-34 Bury Street, LONDON, EC3A 5AR, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Connector for a grid such as a garden trellis Abstract Title: Connector for a grid such as a garden trellis (57) A connector 4 comprises a base 30 and a cover 10 defining recesses which open at an interface between the base and cover to receive a pair of rods 2, the cover being secured to the base by securing means 50 to clamp the rods in fixed angular relation. The base includes means 60 for fixing to a support surface to support the rods in spaced parallel relation to the support surface, for example, to form a garden trellis. Retaining means (41, 42, 41', 42', figure 9A) may be provided for retaining the rods in the recesses during assembly. Each of the rods may be secured by an individual clamping arrangement (14,15, figure 8A) so that the connector may be connected to only one of the rods between their points of intersection.

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Connector for a grid such as a garden trellis

This invention relates to connectors for connecting together first and second sets of rods to form a grid, for example, for use as a garden trellis.

In this specification, a grid means a structure formed from first and second sets of rods, the rods of each set arranged in parallel spaced relation, with the first set of rods crossing the second set of rods at a fixed angle, optionally but not necessarily at 90°.

A trellis is a grid made from any suitable elongate elements, herein referred to as rods, typically used to support a climbing plant in a garden.

It would be desirable to be able to assemble a plurality of rods to form a garden trellis while freely selecting the spacing between the rods to suit its intended use position. It would be further desirable to be able to assemble the grid using rods which need not be exactly the same thickness.

However, it may be difficult to hold the rods in position while assembling such a trellis in situ on a wall or fence, particularly if the desired points of intersection of the rods do not align with suitable fixing locations. Equally, it may be difficult to lay out the rods in a regular geometric configuration on an assembly surface and then connect them together and lift the finished trellis into its use position while preserving its configuration, particularly if space is limited or if flexible connectors are used to accommodate rods of varying thickness.

The present invention sets out to provide a connector which facilitates the convenient assembly of a plurality of rods to form a grid which is mechanically stable and geometrically regular while allowing the spacing between the rods to be freely selected, and which can be fixed to a support surface, for example, to form a garden trellis.

Accordingly the present invention provides a connector and a grid comprising a plurality of rods and connectors, as defined in the claims.

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following illustrative embodiment ofthe invention which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope ofthe claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a grid comprising a plurality of rods joined by connectors and fixed in spaced relation to a support surface;

Figs. 2 and 3 show one ofthe connectors in a closed condition, respectively with a spacer, fixing and cover cap (Fig. 2) and with the cover cap removed and the spacer and fixing replaced by a base cap (Fig. 3);

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the connector including the spacer and fixing and the base cap which may be used to replace them;

Figs. 5A and 5B are respectively a front view and a rear view of the cover cap;

Fig. 6 shows the spacer;

Figs. 7A and 7B are respectively a rear view and a front view of the base cap;

Figs. 8A and 8B are respectively a rear view and a front view of the cover;

Figs. 9A and 9B are respectively a front view and a rear view ofthe base;

Figs. 10A and 10B show the cover and base assembled together looking through the first recess, respectively along a direction of the length axis of the first rod (Fig. 10A) and slightly rotated away from the length axis of the first rod (Fig. 10B);

Figs. 11A and 11B show the cover and base assembled together and rotated approximately 90° from the position shown in Fig. 10A to look through the second recess, respectively along a direction of the length axis of the second rod (Fig. 11A) and slightly rotated away from the length axis of the second rod (Fig. 11B);

Figs. 12A and 13A show the connector in the closed condition looking along the length axis ofthe first rod, respectively with a second rod of thickness Tmax and a first rod of thickness Tmax (Fig. 12A), and with a second rod of thickness Tmax and a first rod of thickness Tmin (Fig. 13A); and

Figs. 12B and 13B are longitudinal sections taken in a plane containing the connector axis X3 and the length axis X2 of the second rod 2 through the connector as shown in Figs. 12A and 13A, respectively.

Reference numerals appearing in more than one of the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts in each of them.

Referring to the figures, a grid 3 (Fig. 1) is assembled from a first set of first rods 1, a second set of second rods 2, and a plurality of connectors 4, each connector extending along a connector axis X3. The rods of each set are spaced apart in parallel relation, with the first rods 1 extending at a fixed angle A to the second set of rods. A connector 4 is arranged at each intersection to connect together the respective first rod 1 and second rod 2 so that their respective length axes XI, X2 extend orthogonally to the connector axis X3 and in spaced parallel relation to the planar support surface 5.

It will be understood that the rods of the first set cross the rods of the second set, so that the central length axes XI of the first rods are contained in a first plane parallel with the support surface 5, and the central length axes X2 of the second rods are contained in a second plane parallel with the first plane and spaced apart from the first plane by a distance equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the rods. Accordingly, the fixed angle A is defined as the angle formed between the length axes XI and X2 of the first and second rods when considered in a direction along the connector axis X3.

In the example shown, the rods are solid round steel rods so that the thickness TI of the first rods 1 and the thickness T2 of the second rods 2 corresponds to their respective diameters. The thickness ΤΙ, T2 of each of the plurality of rods lies within a thickness range defined by a maximum thickness Tmax, a minimum thickness Tmin, and a thickness variation dT = Tmax - Tmin. By way of a non-limiting example, suitable for example for use as a garden trellis, Tmin could be about 7mm while Tmax is about 9mm.

Each connector 4 includes a cover 10, a base 30, and a securing means 50 which is operable to secure the cover to the base with an interface side 11 of the cover facing an interface side 31 of the base to clamp the first and second rods 1, 2 between the cover and the base in a closed condition of the connector so that the connector axis X3 passes through the cover and the base, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing means 50 comprises a pair of screws which are inserted through holes 13 in the cover and engage in sockets 33 in the base so that as the screws are tightened, they cause the cover to translate along the connector axis X3 relative to the base through a range of movement from the clamping position shown in Figs. 12A and 12B to the clamping position shown in Figs. 13A and 13B. In the closed condition it can be seen that the second rod 2 is arranged between the first rod 1 and the fixing side 32 of the base, which faces away from its interface side 31 and is spaced apart from its interface side along the connector axis X3.

In the example of Figs. 12A and 12B the rods are both the same thickness, wherein T1 = T2 = Tmax, whereas in the example of Figs. 13A and 13B the rods are of different thicknesses, wherein T1 = Tmin and T2 = Tmax. It can be seen that the range of movement corresponds to the difference between the dimension T1 = DI in Figs. 12A and 12B, wherein Tl=Tmax, and the same dimension T1 = DI in Figs. 13A and 13B wherein T1 = Tmin.

As exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, the first and second rods may be clamped independently by separate clamping means so that they may, but need not, contact each other within the connector. As further explained below, the clamping means which clamps the second rod is arranged to be effective for any thickness T2 of the second rod within the thickness range, irrespective of the thickness T1 of the first rod which alone determines the clamping position of the cover 10 within the range of movement. In alternative embodiments the rods may be arranged in contact with each other and clamped between the cover and the base so that the clamping position is determined by their combined thickness.

Accordingly it will be understood that the securing means 50 advantageously may be operable, for example as shown, to translate the cover 10 along the connector axis X3 relative to the base 30 through a range of movement not less than the thickness variation dT so as to clamp the first and second rods 1, 2 between the cover and the base when the cover is positioned at a clamping position determined by the thickness ΤΙ, T2 of one or both of the rods anywhere within the range of movement.

Advantageously in each case, the clamping action may be simultaneous, so that by operating the securing means to translate the cover 10 to the clamping position both first and second rods are clamped within the connector, providing a quick and simple connection which permits the user by loosening the securing means to adjust the position of the connector simultaneously along the length axis of both rods, for example, to adjust the size ofthe grid.

The base 30 comprises a first recess 34 and a second recess 35. The first recess 34 is configured to receive the first rod 1 to extend through the connector with its length axis XI orthogonal to the connector axis X3 in the closed condition of the connector, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 and Figs. 12A - 13B.

The second recess 35 is configured to receive the second rod 2 to extend through the connector with its length axis X2 orthogonal to the connector axis X3 and at a fixed angle A to the length axis of the first one of the rods in the closed condition of the connector, also best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 and Figs. 12A - 13B.

Each of the first and second recesses 34, 35 opens at the interface side 31 of the base 30 so that each respective rod 1, 2 may be inserted into the respective recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis XI, X2 when the cover 10 is separated from the base 30. This makes it possible for the user to fix the base 30 to the support surface 5 (e.g. a wall) and then insert both rods 1, 2 into the recesses in the base without having to slide them along their length axes, so that the grid may be assembled in situ in a space no larger than its finished dimensions. Alternatively the user may lay the rods out on an assembly surface, e.g. on the ground, and simply push the base 30 over the two rods at their point of intersection (which is to say, translate the rods relative to their length axes, and relative to the connector, in a direction orthogonal to their length axes to enter into the recesses in the base 30).

The cover 10 may include one or, as shown, a pair of first clamp elements 14, which in the illustrated embodiment comprise the opposite walls of a generally cylindrical protrusion extending centrally along the connector axis X3.

The cover 10 may further include one or, as shown, a pair of second clamp elements 15, which may be relatively resiliently deformable in the direction of movement along the connector axis X3 when compared with the first clamp elements 14, which as shown are relatively rigid and immobile in that direction. In the illustrated example, each of the second clamp elements is formed as a U-shaped moulded bar or loop which deforms resiliently under application of a compressive force along the connector axis X3 to accommodate the stacked tolerances of the first and second rod thicknesses ΤΙ, T2, as further explained below.

As shown, the first recess 34 may include a first seat comprising a pair of first seat portions 36, while the second recess 35 may include a second seat comprising a pair of second seat portions 37. Advantageously as illustrated, the securing means 50 may be operable to simultaneously clamp the first rod 1 between the first seat 36, 36 and the first clamp element or elements 14 and the second rod 2 between the second seat 37, 37 and the second clamp element or elements 15.

Further advantageously as illustrated, the seat portions 36, 37 of each pair may be spaced apart along the length axis XI or X2 of the respective rod when received in the recess, and may be shaped, for example including mutually inclined or curved surfaces as shown, to engage a rod 1 or 2 having a curved (e.g. circular) transverse section and so urge the rod to a centred position in the respective seat portion when the rod is clamped between the respective seat and clamp element, as best seen in Figs. 12A 13B.

In the centred position of each of the first and second rods as shown, and when considered in the direction of the connector axis X3, the length axis XI of the first rod is arranged at the fixed angle A to the length axis X2 of the second rod. This enables the user to set the fixed angle A at each intersection when laying out the rods on a support surface, merely by inserting the rods into the connector and clamping them together. Since the plurality of connectors are all alike, a geometrically regular angular relation between the rods may therefore be obtained without the use of measuring instruments.

Advantageously, the connector may be arranged and clamped at any position along the length of the rods, so that the user may then freely select the spacing between the rods, either to be the same between each adjacent pair of rods or different so as to correspond (for example) to an irregular use situation, for example, where it is desired to obtain a more dense planting supported by a closer arrangement of rods on a particular region of the support surface.

In the illustrated example the recesses 34, 35 are configured to define a fixed angle A of

90° so that the rods 1, 2 form an orthogonal grid, although in alternative embodiments the angle A may be selected to form for example a diamond shaped grid.

Advantageously, the connector may be used to clamp together two rods of the same or different thicknesses Tl, T2 within the designed thickness range Tmax to Tmin.

In each of Figs. 12A and 12B and Figs. 13A and 13B the connector 4 is illustrated in the closed condition with the cover 10 positioned in a clamping position so that the first rod 1 having a thickness Tl is clamped between the first seat comprising first seat portions 36 and the first clamp elements 14, and the second rod 2 having a thickness T2 is clamped between the second seat comprising second seat portions 37 and the second clamp elements 15.

It can be seen that in each case, the first seat comprising first seat portions 36 is spaced apart from the first clamp elements 14 in a direction of the connector axis X3 by a first distance DI = Tl, while the second seat comprising second seat portions 37 is spaced apart from the second clamp elements 15 in a direction of the connector axis X3 by a second distance D2 = T2.

In Figs. 12A and 12B the first rod 1 has a thickness Tl = Tmax, whereas in Figs. 13A and 13B the first rod 1 has a thickness Tl = Tmin.

It will be understood therefore that in the example of Figs. 12A and 12B, the first distance DI = Tl = Tmax, whereas in the example of Figs. 13A and 13B, the first distance DI = Tl = Tmin.

In each of Figs. 12A and 12B and Figs. 13A and 13B the second rod 2 has a thickness T2 = Tmax.

It will be understood therefore that in each of Figs. 12A and 12B and Figs. 13A and 13B, the second distance D2 = T2 = Tmax.

Since the clamping position of the cover 10 relative to the base 30 is determined only by the thickness T1 of the first rod 1, it can be seen that the cover 10 is somewhat closer to the base 30 in the clamping position of Figs. 13A and 13B compared with the clamping position in Figs. 12A and 12B.

Accordingly, since the cover is arranged to simultaneously clamp both rods between separate seats and clamping elements, the clamping arrangement (comprising the second clamp elements 15 and second seat portions 37) ofthe second rod is arranged to accommodate the stacked tolerances of both rods.

In the illustrated embodiment this is achieved by providing for each ofthe second clamp elements 15 to be plastically or (as shown) resiliently deformable to provide a range of adjustment dD2 = D2max - D2min between a maximum value ofthe second distance D2max and a minimum value ofthe second distance D2min.

The maximum value ofthe second distance D2max in the maximally compressed condition ofthe second clamp elements 15 corresponds to the distance T2 = Tmax = D2 = D2max as shown in Fig. 13B, wherein the cover 10 is at its closest position to the base 30 and the second rod 2 is of maximal thickness. The same value D2max is obtained in the less compressed condition of Fig. 12B wherein the cover 10 is at a somewhat greater distance from the base 30.

Fig. 11A shows the connector in the closed condition, and in approximately the same clamping position as that shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, but without the first and second rods 1 and 2, so that second clamp elements 15 are in a relaxed condition. In this condition the second distance D2 between the second clamp elements 15 and the second seat portions 37 as shown in Fig. 11A is smaller than that shown in Figs. 12A and

12B.

The minimum value of the second distance D2min is shown in the same figure HA and corresponds to the fully closed clamping position of the cover 10 relative to the base 30, which where the rods are present is obtained when the first rod 1 has a thickness TI = Tmin, as shown in Figs. 13A and 13B.

By comparing Fig. 11A, 12B and 13B it can be understood that the range of resilient adjustment dD2 = D2max - D2min is at least twice the thickness variation dT = Tmax Tmin. In this way the second clamp elements 15 are arranged to accommodate the stacked tolerances of the first and second rod thicknesses ΤΙ, T2 so that when the cover is moved to the clamping position determined by the first rod thickness TI, the second rod 2 is clamped against the second seat portions 37 by the resilient retaining force of the second clamp elements 15.

Since the clamping force applied to the first rod 1 is determined by the axial force applied by the securing means 50 and not by a resilient restoring force, the connectors advantageously may be arranged so that the first rods 1 are vertical and the second rods 2 are horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the resilient restoring force of the second clamp elements 15 is required only to resist displacement of the second rods 2 by sliding along their axial direction.

Advantageously, one or, as exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second recesses 34, 35 may include a retaining means configured to engage the respective rod 1 or 2 when the rod is inserted into the recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis XI or X2 with at least a threshold insertion force, and to release the rod when the rod is removed from the recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis with at least a threshold removal force. The retaining means advantageously retains the rod in the recess against translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis with less than the threshold removal force.

The retaining means makes it possible for the user to clip the rods into the recesses, for example, after fixing the base 30 to the support surface 5, or by clipping the base onto the rods at their point of intersection when the rods are laid out on the ground in the desired configuration. The retaining means then holds the rods in place until the user unclips them by pulling them sideways (i.e. orthogonal to their length axis Xl, X2) out of the recess. In this way the user can lay out the rods and adjust the configuration of the grid, measuring the distance between adjacent rods with a ruler or the like or simply by eye, until a desired configuration is obtained. Alternatively the user can adjust the rods by unclipping and then re-inserting them into the base portions in situ on the support surface until the desired configuration is obtained. The retaining means holds the rods in the connector while the user adjusts the securing means 50 (e.g. by tightening the screws) to fix the rods in the desired configuration. This makes for easy assembly, either on the support surface or on the ground. The finished grid can also be offered up to the support surface (either before or after tightening the securing means) without losing its configuration so as to mark the positions of the connectors on the support surface, and then removed to adjust the positions if they do not correspond to convenient fixing locations.

Conveniently, the grid 3 can thus be assembled by clipping the second rods 2 into the second recesses 35 in a first step, and then clipping the first rods 1 into the first recesses 1 in a second step, and then securing the cover to the base in a third step.

The retaining means of each recess may comprise a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion, the first and second retaining portions being spaced apart along the length axis Xl or X2 of the respective rod when received in the recess. In this case, each retaining portion may be arranged to retain the respective first or second rod 1 or 2 against sliding translation by a displacing force applied along its length axis Xl, X2 in a resisting direction of the retaining portion, but to permit sliding translation of the rod by an equal displacing force applied along its length axis in an opposite, permitting direction ofthe retaining portion. Advantageously, the resisting direction ofthe first retaining portion may be opposite to the resisting direction of the second retaining portion, so that the first and second retaining portions together retain the rod against sliding translation by application of said displacing force in either direction along its length axis XI, X2. When several connectors are arranged along the length of a rod, the combined resistance of each retaining means resists displacement of the rod along its length axis, so that where for example the second rods are retained by elastically deformable clamp elements 15, they may nevertheless be retained by the additional resistance of the retaining means against sliding displacement even in a vertical orientation.

In the illustrated embodiment, each recess is provided with a retaining means comprising a first retaining portion 41, 42 and a second retaining portion 41', 42' as above described, each retaining portion comprising a pair of resiliently biased wings 41, 42, respectively 41', 42' which extend in an oblique direction relative to the length axis XI, X2 of the respective rod. The dimensions and oblique angle of the wings relative to the rod axis and the coefficient of friction of the wings relative to the rods may be selected so that the wings tend to be urged together to grip the rod and resist sliding displacement of the rod along its axis XI or X2 up to a threshold displacing force in a resisting direction R1 (Fig. 9A) but tend to move apart to permit sliding displacement of the rod by a smaller force applied in an opposite direction along its axis.

Of course, the retaining means could be configured other than as illustrated, for example, as simple clips which retain the rod in the recess but provide little (or equal) resistance to sliding in either direction along its axis.

The base 30 further includes a fixing portion 38 which is configured to permit the base to be fixed to a planar support surface 5 (such as a wall or fence) with the connector axis X3 orthogonal to the support surface so that the fixing side 32 of the base faces towards the support surface 5, and its interface side 31 faces away from the support surface, so as to support the first and second rods in spaced parallel relation to the support surface in the closed condition of the connector as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the illustrated embodiment the fixing portion 38 is a hole arranged centrally in the fixing side 32 of the base to receive a suitable fixing 60 such as a screw, which advantageously conceals the fixing after assembly, although any suitable alternative fixing arrangement might be adopted.

The connector 4 may further include a spacer 51 (Fig. 6) which is engageable with the base 30 for spacing the fixing side 32 of the base apart from the support surface 5 when the base is fixed to the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 51 is a cylindrical sleeve which fits in a socket 39 on the fixing side 32 of the base so that the screw 60 passes through the sleeve. The spacer allows the grid to be spaced from the support surface, for example, to act as a garden trellis so that a plant can grow up the trellis around and between the rods.

Advantageously, where (as in the illustrated embodiment) each of the first and second rods 1, 2 is clamped in position between an individual seat and clamp element, it will be understood that the connector can be connected to a single rod without the other rod being present, and is not constrained to use at an intersection between two rods. Accordingly, the connector may be connected to a single one of the rods 1 or 2 between intersection points to provide a fixing position, for example, where the intersection points do not correspond to convenient fixing locations on the support surface. Two or more connectors may also be used to support a single rod in parallel spaced relation to a support surface.

Advantageously as illustrated, the spacer 51 may have a length dimension LI extending along the connector axis X3 in its assembled position (Fig. 2) which is greater than the maximum width of the rods Tmax. By making the spacer with a longer length dimension LI than the maximum width Tmax of the rods, preferably a sufficient length dimension LI to extend beyond the second rods 2 closest to the support surface, it is possible to clamp the connector to a single one of the rods between the points of intersection of the grid so as to fix the grid to a convenient fixing location on the support surface, wherein the single one of the rods need not be one of the second rods 2 closest to the support surface 5 but could also be one of the first rods 1 further from the support surface 5, the spacer extending between the second rods 2 to meet the support surface. Where (as described above) a resiliently deformable clamp element is employed for the second rods 2, the first rods 1 (which are more distant from the support surface) may be clamped with a higher clamping force than the second rods 2, and so this arrangement further advantageously allows the higher clamping force to be applied to support the grid at the fixing location.

The connector may further include a base cap 52 (Figs. 7A, 7B) which is engageable with the base 30 (e.g. in snap-fit relation as illustrated) to cover the fixing side 32 of the base to provide a neat appearance and resist water ingress when the spacer 51 is not engaged with the base and the base is not fixed to a support surface. In this way the connector may be used to connect together the first and second rods at their point of intersection without fixing them to a support surface, so that the grid may be fixed or suspended in any desired position by separate support means, for example, on hooks or wires extending from a wall or ceiling, or on posts or stands to act as a screen or the like.

The front side 12 of the cover 10 faces away from its interface side 11 and is spaced apart from its interface side 11 along the connector axis X3. As exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, the securing means 50 may be exposed at the front side 12 of the cover 10 so that the user can operate it, e.g. using a screwdriver from the front side of the grid.

The connector 4 may further include a cover cap 53 (Figs. 5A, 5B) engageable with the cover (e.g. in snap-fit relation as illustrated) to conceal the securing means 50 at the front side of the cover and resist water ingress in the closed condition of the connector.

Conveniently, each of the base 30 and the cover 10 may consist of a unitary plastics moulding, with any resilient features such as the second clamp element and the wings of the retaining portions being moulded integrally with the relatively more rigid parts, either of the same material or a different material moulded simultaneously or consecutively with the more rigid parts. Any suitable plastics materials may be used as known in the art. Of course, the resiliently or plastically deformable features (or indeed the more rigid parts such as the first clamp element or seats) could alternatively be formed as inserts, e.g. from a harder, softer or more resilient material or a material (e.g. an elastomer) having different friction characteristics from the main body of the base or cover, so as to form an assembly. The caps and spacer can also be plastics mouldings. Of course, aluminium, steel or any other suitable material could alternatively be used for any or all of the components if desired.

In summary, a connector comprises a base and a cover defining recesses which open at an interface between the base and cover to receive a pair of rods, the cover being secured to the base to clamp the rods in fixed angular relation. The base includes means for fixing to a support surface to support the rods in spaced parallel relation to the support surface, for example, to form a garden trellis. Retaining means may be provided for retaining the rods in the recesses during assembly. Each of the rods may be secured by an individual clamping arrangement so that the connector may be connected to only one of the rods between their points of intersection.

In alternative embodiments the rods could be solid or hollow and could have either a circular or non-circular transverse section, with the connector being configured accordingly, and could be made from any suitable natural or synthetic material, for example, bamboo or the like. For rods of a non-circular section the thickness Tl, T2 is taken to be in the direction of the connector axis X3 when the rods are clamped in the closed condition of the connector. It will be understood of course that the connector axis X3 may, but need not be an axis of symmetry or intersect the length axes of the first and second rods.

In alternative embodiments the first and second recesses might be formed in the cover rather than in the base, or alternatively, might be formed, one in the cover and the other in the base, with each recess opening mutatis mutandis at the interface side of its respective part. Optionally, a corresponding recess may also be formed in the other respective part, as also shown in the illustrated embodiment, to accommodate a part of cross-section of the rod that extends from the recess in which the rod is received. In each case, the or each clamp element (if present) is arranged mutatis mutandis in the respective one of the base and cover not including the respective recess in which the rod engaged by that clamp element is (at least partially) received, so that the rod is received between the clamp element and the recess which are arranged respectively on the two parts of the connector.

In alternative embodiments, either or both of the second clamp element or elements and the second seat or second seat portions may be resiliently or plastically deformable to provide a range of adjustment dD2 = D2max - D2min between a maximum value of the second distance D2max and a minimum value of the second distance D2min, wherein (as exemplified by the illustrated embodiment) the range of resilient or plastic adjustment dD2 is at least twice the thickness variation dT = Tmax - Tmin of the rods.

It will be appreciated that by providing separate seats and clamp elements for the first and second rods, the total range of movement of the cover 10 relative to the base 30 required to accommodate any given thickness range dT need be only half that required to clamp both rods, one against the other, between a single clamp element (or set of clamp elements) and a single seat. In alternative embodiments however a clamp element might be provided only for one of the rods, which is arranged to bear against the other one of the rods so as to clamp it between the cover and the base. In this case the range of movement provided by the securing means may still be arranged to clamp the rods at any position determined by their combined thickness TI + T2, although a greater range of movement may be required to accommodate the stacked tolerances of the rods depending on their thickness range dT.

Where a respective one of the recesses or each recess comprises a seat, the seat could define a single or continuous surface rather than a plurality of separated seat portions as shown, in which case it may be elongate along the length axis of the rod so that its axial extremities function as respective seat portions which urge the respective rod into a centred position.

In yet further, less preferred embodiments, the connector might be formed without retaining means, or retaining means might be provided for only one of the two rods.

The retaining means may be any means for engaging and releasably retaining the rods when they are pushed into the recesses, including for example adhesive, magnets, or any retaining element which frictionally engages the rod to apply a holding force to the rod so that the rod is frictionally engaged with the retaining element. Of course, the other features of the connector could also be formed other than as shown in the illustrated embodiment.

Rather than being entirely separate from the base as shown, the cover might be connected via a hinge portion or the like so that it can be separated from the base to allow insertion of the rods into the recesses by bending the hinge portion. In alternative embodiments, any suitable alternative securing means, e.g. one or more threaded fasteners, an integral threaded part of the connector, a ratchet arrangement or any other separate or integral element that can be progressively moved along the connector axis X3 and fixed to secure the cover and base in the clamping position, could be used in place of the screws of the illustrated embodiment.

In yet further alternative embodiments, the connector may include additional recesses, seat portions and clamp elements to accommodate additional rods or to provide alternative angular positions of the rods defining alternative fixed angles A of the grid.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that further adaptations are possible within the scope ofthe claims.

In the claims, reference numerals and letters are provided in parentheses for ease of reference and should not be construed as limiting features.

Claims

1. A connector (4) for connecting together first (1) and second (2) ones of a plurality of rods in a grid (3), each rod having a length axis (XI, X2); the connector including:

a cover (10), a base (30), a first recess (34), a second recess (35), and a securing means (50);

the securing means being operable to secure the cover to the base with an interface side (11) ofthe cover facing an interface side (31) ofthe base to clamp the first and second rods between the cover and the base in a closed condition ofthe connector, wherein in the closed condition the connector extends along a connector axis (X3) passing through the cover and the base;

the first recess (34) being configured to receive the first one ofthe rods (1) to extend through the connector with its length axis (XI) orthogonal to the connector axis (X3) in the closed condition ofthe connector;

the second recess (35) being configured to receive the second one of the rods (2) to extend through the connector with its length axis (X2) orthogonal to the connector axis (X3) and at a fixed angle (A) to the length axis of the first one of the rods in the closed condition ofthe connector;

each ofthe first and second recesses opening at the interface side ofthe base or the cover so that each respective rod may be inserted into the respective recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis when the cover is separated from the base;

the base including:

a fixing side (32) facing away from its interface side and spaced apart from its interface side along the connector axis, and a fixing portion (38) configured to permit the base to be fixed to a planar support surface (5) with the connector axis orthogonal to the support surface so that its fixing side faces towards the support surface and its interface side faces away from the support surface, so as to support the first and second rods in spaced parallel relation to the support surface in the closed condition of the connector.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second recesses is arranged in the base and opens at the interface side of the base.

3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein a respective one of the base and the cover includes at least one first clamp element (14), and the first recess (34) is arranged in the other respective one of the base and the cover not including the first clamp element; and a respective one of the base and the cover includes at least one second clamp element (15), and the second recess (35) is arranged in the other respective one of the base and the cover not including the second clamp element;

the first recess (34) including a first seat (36); the second recess (35) including a second seat (37);

the securing means (50) being operable to simultaneously clamp the first rod (1) between the first seat (36) and the first clamp element (14) and the second rod (2) between the second seat (37) and the second clamp element (15).

4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the first seat includes a pair of first seat portions (36) and the second seat includes a pair of second seat portions (37), the seat portions of each pair being spaced apart along the length axis (XI, X2) of the respective rod when received in the recess (34, 35); and each of the first and second seat portions is shaped to engage a rod (1, 2) having a curved transverse section and urge the rod to a centred position in the respective seat portion when the rod is clamped between the respective seat and clamp element, and in the centred position of each of the first and second rods the length axis (XI) of the first rod (1) is arranged at said fixed angle (A) to the length axis (X2) of the second rod (2).

5. A connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of rods (1, 2) has a thickness (ΤΙ, T2) lying within a thickness range defined by a maximum thickness Tmax, a minimum thickness Tmin, and a thickness variation dT = Tmax -Tmin; and the securing means (50) is operable to translate the cover (10) along the connector axis (X3) relative to the base (30) through a range of movement not less than the thickness variation dT so as to clamp the first and second rods (1, 2) between the cover and the base when the cover is positioned at a clamping position determined by the thickness of one or both of the rods anywhere within the range of movement.

6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein when the cover (10) is positioned in a clamping position to clamp the first one of the rods (1) having the maximum thickness Tmax between the first seat (36) and the first clamp element (14) in the closed condition ofthe connector:

the first seat (36) is spaced apart from the first clamp element (14) in a direction ofthe connector axis (X3) by a first distance DI = Tmax, and the second seat (37) is spaced apart from the second clamp element (15) in a direction ofthe connector axis (X3) by a second distance D2; and at least one ofthe second seat and the second clamp element is resiliently or plastically deformable to provide a range of adjustment dD2 = D2max - D2min between a maximum value of the second distance D2max and a minimum value of the second distance D2min; and the range of adjustment dD2 is at least twice the thickness variation dT.

7. A connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second recesses (34, 35) includes a retaining means (41, 42, 4Γ, 42') configured:

to engage the respective rod (1, 2) when the rod is inserted into the recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis (XI, X2) with at least a threshold insertion force, and to release the rod when the rod is removed from the recess by translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis with at least a threshold removal force, and to retain the rod in the recess against translation in a direction orthogonal to its length axis with less than the threshold removal force.

8. A connector according to claim 7, wherein the retaining means comprises a first retaining portion (41, 42) and a second retaining portion (41', 42'), the first and second retaining portions being spaced apart along the length axis (XI, X2) of the respective rod (1, 2) when received in the recess (34, 35); and each retaining portion is arranged to retain the respective rod against sliding translation by a displacing force applied along its length axis (XI, X2) in a resisting direction (Rl) of the retaining portion, but to permit sliding translation of the rod by an equal displacing force applied along its length axis (XI, X2) in an opposite, permitting direction ofthe retaining portion; and the resisting direction (Rl) ofthe first retaining portion (41, 42) is opposite to the resisting direction ofthe second retaining portion (41', 42'), so that the first and second retaining portions together retain the rod (1, 2) against sliding translation by application of said displacing force in either direction along its length axis (XI, X2).

9. A connector according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein each of the first and second recesses (34. 35) includes a said retaining means.

10. A connector according to claim 1, further including a spacer (51) engageable with the base (30) for spacing the fixing side (32) of the base apart from the support surface (5) when the base is fixed to the support surface.

11. A connector according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of rods (1, 2) has a thickness (ΤΙ, T2) lying within a thickness range defined by a maximum thickness Tmax and a minimum thickness Tmin, and the spacer has a length dimension (LI) greater than Tmax along the connector axis (X3).

12. A connector according to claim 10, wherein the connector (4) further includes a base cap (52) engageable with the base to cover the fixing side (32) of the base when the spacer (51) is not engaged with the base and the base is not fixed to the support surface (5).

13. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover (10) includes a front side (12) facing away from its interface side (11) and spaced apart from its interface side along the connector axis (X3); and the securing means (50) is exposed at the front side (12) of the cover; and the connector (4) further includes a cover cap (53) engageable with the cover (10) to conceal the securing means (50) at the front side of the cover in the closed condition of the connector.

14. A connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the base (30) and the cover (10) consists of a unitary plastics moulding.

15. A grid (3) comprising a first set of rods (1) and a second set of rods (2), the rods of each set being spaced apart in parallel relation, the first set of rods extending at a fixed angle (A) to the second set of rods, and a plurality of connectors (4) according to claim 1, each connector connecting together a respective one of the rods (1) of the first set and a respective one of the rods (2) of the second set.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1621461.1