GB2565380A

GB2565380A - Connection arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2565380A
Application number: GB1717627.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ford Shore Robert
Original assignee: SURE RETAIL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: SURE RETAIL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-09
Filing date: 2017-10-26
Publication date: 2019-02-13
Also published as: GB201712761D0; GB201717627D0

Abstract

A connection arrangement includes a first part on, for instance, a first wall of an arrangement and a second part mounted, for instance, on a second wall of the arrangement to perpendicularly mount the first and second walls together. The first part includes a male member 26 (see figure 9). A keyhole shape opening 48 is provided on the second part. A locking member 56 is slidably mounted on the second part and includes a keyhole opening, but which is oppositely aligned relative to the opening 48. The male member 26 can be moved through the wide parts of the openings when aligned, but when the openings are not aligned the male member 26 will be locked in position extending through the openings.

Description

Connection Arrangement

This invention concerns a connection arrangement, and particularly but not exclusively a connection arrangement for joining two components, such as parts of furniture or fittings.

On many products, it is required to provide an arrangement to join two parts of the product. One such application is joining together two elongate parts, often perpendicularly to each other, for example in furniture, such as walls of a wardrobe, cupboard or similar. Also it may be required to joint parts of fittings, usable for instance to display items in a retail environment or elsewhere. A number of existing arrangements are used including for instance a plurality of nuts and bolts, screws or other fittings, spaced along the length of the connection. A not insignificant amount of labour is required to assemble such arrangements, requiring manual input at the spaced locations along the length of the connection. This can lead to a significant amount of work and particularly for instance when assembling an item of furniture or a fitting which may include a number of such connections, for instance at each corner and spaced therebetween.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a connection arrangement, the arrangement including a first part with a male member and a second part with a receiving member including an opening to receive the first part male member to connect the first and second parts, the second part also including a locking member which is slidably movable relative to the receiving member between an unlocked position permitting insertion of the first part male member into the receiving member opening, and a locked position restraining withdrawal of the first part male member from the receiving member opening.

The first part male member may include a proximal link part leading to a distal larger head part.

The receiving member opening may have a portion at one end of reduced width leading to a portion at the other end of increased width. The portion of reduced width may be such that the link part of the first part male member can extend therethrough but the head part of the first part male member is too large to extend therethrough. The increased width portion may be such that the head part of the first part male member can extend therethrough.

The locking member may have an opening, which opening is alignable with the receiving member opening, to receive the first part male member. The locking member opening may have a portion at one end of reduced width, leading to a portion at the other end of increased width. The portion of reduced width may be such that the link part of the first part male member can extend therethrough but the head part of the first part male member is too large to extend therethrough. The increased width portion may be such that the head part of the first part male member can extend therethrough.

The receiving member opening and locking member opening may have opposite orientations, such that the respective reduced width portions and increased width portions are at opposite ends thereof.

The arrangement may be configured such that in the unlocked position the portions of increased width in the receiving member and locked locking member are aligned, but in the locked position. The portions of increased width of the receiving member and locking member are not aligned.

The arrangement may be configured such that in a fully connected configuration the link part of the first part male member extends through portions of reduced width of both the receiving member opening and locking member opening.

The receiving member opening and/or locking member opening may have a keyhole profile. A neck may be provided between the reduced width and increased width portions of the receiving member opening and/or locking member opening, such that the first part male member link part can positively locate in the portion of reduced width.

The head part of the first part male member may have an inclined portion leading to the link part, such that as the locking member is moved to the locked position and the link portion is moved into the reduced width portion of the locking member opening, the first and second parts of the arrangement are urged together.

The inclined portion may be inclined at between 120° and 150° relative to the link part, and more particularly may be inclined at an angle of between 130° and 140° relative to the link part.

Aside from the inclined portion, the head part of the first part male member may have a rounded profile.

The arrangement may include a plurality of spaced first part male members and corresponding receiving member openings, with a single locking member.

The locking member may have a plurality of openings corresponding to the receiving member openings.

The arrangement may include formations with which the locking member is slidably engageable, and a channel may be provided along which the locking member is slidbly movable.

The channel may be provided by the receiving member, with the receiving member opening or openings provided in a wall of the channel.

The first part may include a channel, with the channel locating a base part of the male member, and the link part extending out of the channel through an opening therein.

The arrangement may be configured to in use extend vertically, with the locking member movable downwardly to the locked position.

Unlocked restraining means may be provided for restraining the locking member in the unlocked position. The unlocked restraining means may include one or more frangible connections between the locking member and receiving member, or extendible across the receiving member.

The unlocked restraining means may include stop members temporarily locatable extending through the increased width portions of the receiving member opening and locking member opening.

Markings may be provided on the locking member to indicate the unlocked position.

Locked restraining means may be provided for restraining the locking member in the locked position.

The locked restraining means may include closure members extendible across an end of the receiving member channel to prevent movement of the locking member therealong.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a connection arrangement according to the invention in use in a disconnected condition;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but in a connected condition;

Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views from different angles of the arrangement of Fig. 1 in a disconnected configuration.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 1 in a connected condition;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 1 in a disconnected configuration as part of a component;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the component of Fig. 6 with a plurality of arrangements according to Fig. 1 all connected;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a component of the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the component of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further component of the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of part of the component of Fig. 10 in cooperation with a further component of the arrangement of Fig. 1, in an unlocked condition;

Fig. 12 is a similar view to Fig. 11 but with the arrangement in a locked condition;

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of part of the components of Fig. 11 in an unlocked condition;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of part of the components of Fig. 11 in a locked condition;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a still further component of the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is a similar view to Fig. 15 but with all the components assembled; and

Fig. 17 is a similar view to Fig. 16 but of alternative components for the arrangement of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a connection arrangement 10 which in this instance is being used to mount together four walls 12 of a basket display arrangement 14 as shown in Fig. 7, as may be used for instance in a retail environment. Such connection arrangements 10 can however be used in a wide range of applications, and the display arrangement 14 of Fig. 7 is purely by way of example of a possible application of the connection arrangement.

The connection arrangement 10 comprises a first part 16 which is mounted to a first wall 18 of the arrangement, and a second part 20 which is mounted on a second wall 22 of the arrangement to be perpendicularly mounted to the first wall 18.

The first part includes 16 an open channel 24 extendible vertically with a plurality of male members 26 provided spaced along the length of the channel 24, and extendible through openings 28 in the channel as shown for instance in Fig. 4. The male members 26 comprise a square base 30 which locates in the channel 24 and can be mounted to an outer wall 32 thereof. A link part 34 extends from the base 30 to a larger head part 36. The head part 36 has a main rounded part 38, but with an inclined engagement surface 40 extending from the main rounded part 38 to the link part 34. In this instance, the engagement surface 40 is inclined at around 135° to the link part 34.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, in this instance four male members 26 are provided on the first part, but any required number and spacing of male members 26 can be provided as required.

The second part 20 also includes an open channel 42 which provides the receiving member, mounted to extend vertically on the second wall 33 of the arrangement and provide a flat face 46 engageable against the wall 32 of the first part channel 24 through which the male members 26 extend. A plurality of openings 48 are provided in the flat face 46 of the open channel 42. The openings 48 are provided in positions corresponding to the spacing of the male members 26. The openings 48 have a keyhole configuration with the larger part 50 of the keyhole uppermost. A neck 52 is provided between the larger part 50 of the keyhole and the lower smaller parts 54. A locking member 56 in the form of a length of channel section is slidably located in the second part open channel 42. The locking member 56 also has a plurality of spaced openings 58, again with the spacing corresponding to the spacing of the male members 26. The openings 58 in the locking member also have a keyhole configuration again with a neck 60, but in this instance the larger pat 62 is lowermost, and the smaller part 64 is uppermost. The locking member 56 is slidable between an unlocked position for example as shown in Figs. 3 and 13, and a locked position as shown in Figs. 5 and 14.

In the unlocked position, the larger parts 50, 62 of the receiving member opening 48 and locking member opening 58 are aligned, and this enables the male member head part 36 to extend therethrough. Once the locking member 56 is pushed downwardly to a locked position, this urges the link part 34 of the male member 26 which is currently extending through the larger parts 50, 62 of the receiving member and blocking member openings 48, 58 into the smaller part 54 of the receiving member opening 48, and the smaller part 64 of the locking member opening is at the same time urged onto the male member link part 34 to lock the male member 26 in position extending through the smaller part 54 of the receiving member opening 48.

As the locking member opening 58 is urged downwardly, the inclined engagement surface 40 on the male member 26 engages against the locking member 56 to urge the first and second parts 16, 20 together. Therefore, the single action of sliding the locking member 56 downwardly once the male member or members 26 are engaged in the receiving member opening or openings 48, locks the two walls 12 together and also urges them against each other to provide a rigid connection therebetween.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 16 a cap member 66 may be provided across the top of the arrangement 10 to restrain the locking member 56 in a locked position. In this instance, the cap member 66 is square, and has two flanges 68 with mounting holes 70 alignable with corresponding holes 72 near the top of the first and second parts 16, 20, which holes 70, 72 receive clips 74 to retain the cap member 66 in place. As can be seen from the drawings, various mounting means are provided for mounting the first and second parts 16, 20 on the respective walls 12. Slots 76 may be provided in the locking member 56 as shown in Fig. 10, to for instance receive projections or dowels (not shown) to guide movement thereof.

Fig. 17 shows a further cap member 80 which can be provided across the top of the arrangement 10 to restrain the locking member 56 in a locked position. In this instance the cap member 80 has a profiled square top 82 with therebeneath two adjacent downwardly extending side walls 84 profiled to lie outside the first and second part 16, 20 within the display arrangement 14. Cut outs 86 are provided at the inner ends of the side walls 84 to receive lengths of wire 88 which make up parts of the respective walls 12. A pair of downwardly extending profiled fingers 90 with ribbing thereon are provided on the underside of the cap member 80 on opposite sides, which fingers 90 are locatable in outer part of the channels 24, 42 in a friction fit to retain the cap member 80 on top of the arrangement 10.

The arrangement therefor enables the two walls to be brought together with all of the parts of the arrangement locatable together in a single movement 48 with the male members 26 extending through the receiving member openings. In a single action, i.e. downward movement of the locking member 56, all of the parts of the connection arrangement 10 are simultaneously locked together, whilst bringing the two parts close together to provide a rigid connection.

As indicated such an arrangement could be used in a wide range of different applications. For instance, one side of the container could extend only for part of the height of the arrangement and still be mounted in a similar manner. Such arrangements could be used in flat pack furniture for instance for mounting together walls, or other components in a wardrobe, chest of drawer or other item of furniture.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The holes in the respective components may have a different profile. In the above described example, the holes in the receiving member and locking member are in a parallel alignment to each other. It may be that a slight inclination is provided between the holes to provide a positive locking as the locking member is moved into position.

Whilst the above example describes a locking member which is moved relatively downwardly into a locking position, the locking member need not extend vertically, and may perhaps in some instances not lock downwardly. The arrangement could be used to mount two parallel or coplanar walls or other components. In such an instance, the respective channels are mounted at an appropriate alignment to be parallel to each other, but both could be for instance perpendicular to the walls or other parts being mounted together.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement, the arrangement including a first part with a male member and a second part with a receiving member including an opening to receive the first part male member to connect the first and second parts, the second part also including a locking member which is slidably movable relative to the receiving member between an unlocked position permitting insertion of the first part male member into the receiving member opening, and a locked position restraining withdrawal of the first part male member from the receiving member opening.

2. A connection arrangement according to claim 1, in which the first part male member includes a proximal link part leading to a distal larger head part.

3. A connection arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, in which the receiving member opening has a portion at one end of reduced width leading to a portion at the other end of increased width.

4. A connection arrangement according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, in which the portion of reduced width is such that the link part of the first part male member can extend therethrough but the head part of the first part male member is too large to extend therethrough.

5. A connection arrangement according to claim 4, in which the increased width portion is such that the head part of the first part male member can extend therethrough.

6. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking member has an opening, which opening is alignable with the receiving member opening, to receive the first part male member.

7. A connection arrangement according to claim 6, in which the locking member opening has a portion at one end of reduced width, leading to a portion at the other end of increased width.

8. A connection arrangement according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 2, in which the portion of reduced width is such that the link part of the first part male member can extend therethrough but the head part of the first part male member is too large to extend therethrough.

9. A connection arrangement according to claim 8, in which the increased width portion is such that the head part of the first part male member can extend therethrough.

10. A connection arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 9 when dependent on any of claims 3 to 5, in which the receiving member opening and locking member opening have opposite orientations, such that the respective reduced width portions and increased width portions are at opposite ends thereof.

11. A connection arrangement according to claim 10, in which the arrangement is configured such that in the unlocked position the portions of increased width in the receiving member and locked locking member are aligned, but in the locked position the portions of increased width of the receiving member and locking member are not aligned.

12. A connection arrangement according to claim 11, in which the arrangement is configured such that in a fully connected configuration the link part of the first part male member extends through portions of reduced width of both the receiving member opening and locking member opening.

13. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the receiving member opening and/or locking member opening have a keyhole profile.

14. A connection arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 13 when dependent on claim 2, in which a neck is provided between the reduced width and increased width portions of the receiving member opening and/or locking member opening, such that the first part male member link part can positively locate in the portion of reduced width.

15. A connection arrangement according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 2, in which the head part of the first part male member has an inclined portion leading to the link part, such that as the locking member is moved to the locked position and the link portion is moved into the reduced width portion of the locking member opening, the first and second parts of the arrangement are urged together.

16. A connection arrangement according to claim 15, in which the inclined portion is inclined at between 120° and 150° relative to the link part.

17. A connection arrangement according to claim 16, in which the inclined portion is 130° and 140° relative to the link part.

18. A connection arrangement according to any of claims 15 to 17, in which aside from the inclined portion, the head part of the first part male member has a rounded profile.

19. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes a plurality of spaced first part male members and corresponding receiving member openings, with a single locking member.

20. A connection arrangement according to claim 19, in which the locking member has a plurality of openings corresponding to the receiving member openings.

21. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes formations with which the locking member is slidably engageable.

22. A connection arrangement according to claim 21, in which a channel is provided along which the locking member is slidably movable.

23. A connection arrangement according to claim 22, in which the channel is provided by the receiving member, with the receiving member opening or openings provided in a wall of the channel.

24. A connection arrangement according to claims 22 or 23, in which the first part includes a channel, with the channel locating a base part of the male member, and the link part extending out of the channel through an opening therein.

25. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement is configured to in use extend vertically, with the locking member movable downwardly to the locked position.

26. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which unlocked restraining means are provided for restraining the locking member in the unlocked position.

27. A connection arrangement according to claim 26, in which the unlocked restraining means include one or more frangible connections between the locking member and receiving member, or extendible across the receiving member

28. A connection arrangement according to claims 26 or 27, in which the unlocked restraining means include stop members temporarily locatable extending through the increased width portions of the receiving member opening and locking member opening.

29. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which markings are provided on the locking member to indicate the unlocked position.

30. A connection arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which lock restraining means are provided for restraining the locking member in the locked position.

31. A connection arrangement according to claim 30, in which the lock restraining means include closure members extendible across an end of the receiving member channel to prevent movement of the locking member therealong.

32. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.