GB2568244A

GB2568244A - A new join and lock system

Info

Publication number: GB2568244A
Application number: GB1718398.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vassiliades Chris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-07
Filing date: 2017-11-07
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Also published as: GB201718398D0

Abstract

A connecting means for joining two or more articles together such as joining the tracks of a model railway, cladding and other prefabricated goods. The connection means comprises two male protrusions on a first article, and two female inlets on a second article. The first male protrusion is shaped as a trapezoid wherein the sides of the protrusion are angled e.g. sloped. The first male protrusion engages with a first female inlet that is shaped to accommodate the first male protrusion e.g. trapezoid shaped with sloping sides. The second male protrusion extends from the first male protrusion, and engages with the second female inlet that extends from the first female inlet. The second male protrusion comprises two pliable hook shaped extensions, having a spring action that allows the protrusion to be locked and unlocked from the second female inlet. When the connectors are used to connect railway tracks together, each track section has male connection means at one end and female connecting means at the opposing end of the track. Preferably the tracks have additional male and female connectors that partially or fully extend along on each side of the track, to allow adjacent tracks to be connected.

Description

Field of the Invention- Description

There are many systems and ways of joinery in the assembly and construction of structures and products made up of two or more parts put together.

The present invention relates to a new system of joinery using wedge grooved inlets, wedge grooved protrusions and a locking mechanism that can be used in the assembly and construction of many products and structures. In the present case, used as an example, is the joining together of the parts that can make up a dual purpose toy/model rail-track.

Background of the Invention

The present invention seeks to introduce to the market an improved way of joinery for a variety of uses in industries ranging from toys to cladding and the manufacture of complex structures made up of a number of parts that are joined and locked together. The idea came to me while watching the frustration on one of my grandson’s face, when during play on his toy rail-track, the sections that made up the track kept coming apart at the joints every time he tried to move his tracking set causing derailment of his train-sets.

There exists a need for a simple and effective system of joinery to hold parts of a structure together without the need for screws, nails and glues that in many cases can compromise the safety and formation of a structure as in the case of earthquakes. Testament to the effectiveness and reliability of a structure joint together without nails, screws and glues, is the complicated joinery system used on the palaces and temples of the ‘Eternal City’ in Beijing, China. The ancient palaces and temples of Beijing remained intact to this day when most of the city around them was destroyed by earthquakes and fire, a number of times.

Summary of the Invention- Description

According to all aspects, the present invention seeks to provide a system of joinery that makes it easy to put and hold together, or take apart, any or all parts that make up a variety of structures and products.

According to all aspects the present invention is a joinery system that can also be as strong and in some cases stronger, more reliable, safer and more effective than others.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as shown in the case of a toy/model rail-track, see 3 D Drawing 1; ‘The Join and Lock System’ is shown, for example, applied in this case to a section of a toy/model rail track and it shows a ‘male’ connector at one end, a ‘female’ connector at the other end, a ‘male’ connector on one side and a ‘female’ connector on the other side.

3D Drawing 1; on the right-front shows the ‘male’ connector of a toy/model rail-track section, having a trapezoid protrusion, a central-lock protrusion, with two hook-shaped pins, the hooks of which are facing in opposite direction. The sides that form the ‘male’ trapezoid protrusion are wedge-grooved.

D Drawing 1; also shows, on the back-left the ‘female’ connector of this rail-track section, having a wedge-grooved inlet and a central-lock inlet.

Conveniently the ‘male’ trapezoid protrusion is of a lesser width at the front and wider at the base. The ‘female’ trapezoid inlet is wider at the front, entry point, and narrower at the end.

The ‘male’ protrusion showing on the right side of this rail track section is wedge grooved to be; wide side out and narrow side in, consistently the same size and shape the full length of it.

Conveniently the ‘female’ inlet, showing on the left side of a rail track section, is wedge grooved to be narrow side out wide side in, consistently the same size and shape the full length of it.

Conveniently the female inlet and male protrusion, showing on the side of the track section, can be made short or short and staggered for different uses, needs and requirements.

Advantageously the wedge-grooved inlet and the central-lock inlet that feature on the ‘female’ connector are so shaped as to line-up with the wedge-grooved protrusion and the central-lock protrusion that feature on the ‘male’ connector.

Advantageously ‘male’ protrusions, central-lock protrusions, locking pins, ‘female’ inlets and centrallock inlets are correspondingly so shaped as to enter each other with ease and lock into each other firmly.

Conveniently the protrusion, on the ‘male’ connector, is less in thickness and stands higher off the track base for easy entry into the corresponding inlets of the ‘female’ connector.

Advantageously the central-lock pins on the ‘male’ connector are so shaped as to allow easy entry and firm locking into the central-lock inlet of the ‘female’ connector.

Conveniently the spaces between the 2 hooked-pins at the end of the central lock, on the ‘male’ protrusion, are of a width that allows just enough spring action for easy entry and firm locking into the inlet of the ‘female’ connector.

Advantageously with the present system of joinery a structure can be easily assembled and taken apart by simple push and pull action.

Advantageously a structure will not easily come apart by lifting, moving or bending.

Brief Description of the 3D Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

3D Drawing 1; is a blown-up view of a complete, in this case, toy/model rail-track section, clearly showing; the inlet of a ‘female’ connector situated at one end of the track section, a ‘male’ connector at the other end of the track section, a ‘female’ inlet the length of the track section on the left side of it and a ‘male’ protrusion the full length of the right side of the track section. The female inlet and male protrusion, showing on the side of the track section, can be made short or short and staggered for different uses, needs and requirements.

D Drawing 2; shows the same section, upside down.

Also showing on the 3D drawing 1, not essential to the application for this patent are 4 channels, part of the tracking on a toy/model rail track section.

3D Drawing 3; shows a full track made up from a number of sections assembled together, with one of the sections featuring a cross-rail connector.

3D Drawing 4; shows 2 track sections joined side-by-side featuring wedge grooved ‘female’ inlets for different uses and applications. The same modification is possible and can be applied to the bottom tracking section.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best way of putting this invention into practice that is currently known to the Applicant, although this is not the only way in which this could be achieved.

Referring to the 3D drawing 1; this illustrates a complete blown-up unit of a toy/model rail-track, showing some of the key features on a toy/model rail- track section that are essential for the development and assembly of a complete toy/model rail track unit, by using ‘A New Join and Lock System’.

In summary the present invention seeks to provide;

a) a simple system of joinery via wedge-grooved inlets and protrusions with a self-locking mechanism that in its totality is innovative, effective and in some cases more useful than others.

b) a new way of joinery that can be used on many structures that are made up of two or more parts joined together.

c) a stronger and improved system of joinery for a vast number of products ranging from toys to cladding and a vast number of prefabricated goods.

d) an improved way of joinery for structures or products that require fast, simple and strong assembly with minimal or no need, for screws, nails or glues to join and hold together.

e) a way of joinery without the need for screws, nails and glues that is proved to be safer and more reliable if applied to structures prone to earthquakes; see paragraph 40 on page 1 of 3.

f) a flexible system of joinery that can be produced, using the same basic features, in many different forms, to join and hold together sections or parts of structures and goods in many different ways and application

Claims

1. The present invention is a simple system of joinery carried out via wedge-grooved inlets and protrusions with a self-locking mechanism that in its totality is; innovative, effective and in some cases more useful than others.

2. The present invention is a new way of joinery that can be used on many structures and products made of two or more parts joined and locked together.

3. The present invention is a strong and improved system of joinery for a vast number of products ranging from toys to cladding and other prefabricated goods.

4. The present invention is an improved way of joinery for structures or products that require fast, simple and strong assembly with minimal or no need, for screws, nails or glues to hold together.

5. The present invention is a way of joinery that can be used without screws, nails or glues and therefore can prove safer and more reliable if applied to structures prone to earthquakes, as proven by similar systems in the past. See paragraph 40 on page 1.

6. With the present invention one can increase the strength at the joints by reducing the width of the ‘female’ inlet at entry point and increasing that of the ‘male’ protrusion, at entry point, by the same margin.

7. The present invention can be produced, using the same basic features, in many different forms, to join and hold together sections or parts of structures and goods in many different ways and applications.