MXPA97008308A - Immobilization clamp system to secure panels to join me - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for joining together panel members in a intimate relationship, characterized in that it comprises: a first panel member, a washer having a first portion of washer connected by a recessed portion to a second portion of washer and it has a perforation running through the washer portion and the recessed portion, the perforation is dimensioned and configured to receive a fastener for securely fixing the washer member to one side of a first panel member; a second panel member a keyhole-shaped slot in the second panel member, the slot has a first enlarged opening portion leading to a second reduced opening portion, the reduced opening portion being smaller in size than the second portion of washer and of a size larger than the recessed portion of the washer member, the keyhole-shaped slot has a longitudinal axis, an opening formed in the second panel member having a central axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the keyhole-shaped slot and spaced apart from the keyhole-shaped slot to define a bridge portion of the second panel member between the opening and the slot, and a fastener member having a first end provided with a splice portion and a second end provided with a generally U-shaped portion for snap-fitting and coupling the bridge portion; wherein when the fastener member is attached to the bridge portion, a central portion of the fastener member extends over the lock-shaped slot and the splice portion is in position to push the second washer portion to the closed position within the reduced opening portion of the blind eye shaped slot

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an immobilization fastening system for removably securing panels together and more particularly, to an immobilization fastener that can be advantageously used to removably secure an upper part of a desk to a arch support such that the upper part and the support can be assembled and disassembled in an in-on manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the construction of office furniture or similar, it is common to find desks assembled from a panel on the top of the desk that has supports secured to its underside. The supports are often constructed of metal sheets and are provided with appropriate drawers for filing documents or storing office supplies. The top of the desk can be made from a variety of materials but is often a structure REF: 25884 composed that has a wood or similar to wood appearance. Because desks are often bulky, large items, you often want to ship them to their final destinations in disassembled form to assemble them on site. In such a case, a desk comprises supports and a surface of the upper part is usually assembled by fixing the supports to the upper surface of the desk using screws and the like. However, such an assembly can be a time consuming process that involves the use of tools such as drills, wrenches and screwdrivers. In recent times, it has been found desirable to secure the top surface to the supports using immobilization fastener systems. Such an immobilization fastening system is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,786,119, issued to Smuda. In the Smuda arrangement, special bolts or screws that have conical heads on the underside of the top of the desk are screwed into the corners of the desk. An inner surface of the bracket is provided with keyhole-shaped grooves corresponding to the number of locations of the bolts or screws, such that the heads of the bolts or screws can be inserted into the keyhole-shaped grooves. Once inserted into the slots, an opening in a flexible fastener engages the conical head of each bolt and retains the bolts or screws in the closed position locked in the slots. One advantage of such a fastening system is that the top part of the desk can be conveniently installed in the supports on the site without the need for any tools. Likewise, the desktop can be easily disassembled without tools simply by releasing the immobilization fasteners manually, after which the top can be removed. Although the immobilization fastener system of the Smuda patent mentioned above provides a convenient means for a desktop assembly, it is desirable to improve this system from the point of view of simplicity and subsequent manufacturing cost. For example, in the Smuda system, the immobilization fastener must be fixed to the support by means such as rivets or by welding. In addition, the bolt or bolt is an intricate member that requires several machine-working processes. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved fastening fastening system that comprises few simple parts and that is easily assembled in the fabrication BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing a system for jointly joining two panel members comprising a washer member having a first and a second washer portions connected by a recessed portion and having a through hole for receiving a fixator. . The washer member is fixed to one side of a first panel member. A keyhole-shaped slot is formed in a second panel member, the slot having a relatively large opening portion leading to a relatively narrow opening portion. An opening is formed in the second panel member spaced from the keyhole-shaped opening to define a bridge portion between the opening and the slot.

A fastener member is attached with a spring assembly to the bridge portion and extends over the keyhole-shaped slot that terminates in a splice or contact portion at its distal end. When the two panels are joined, the recessed portion of the washer member is placed within the narrow portion of the keyhole-shaped slot with the splice or contact portion of the fastener retaining the washer therein. Whereby the system provides a means for joining two panel members in a convenient manner with few easily manufactured components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features and novel advantages of the invention will be better understood with a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, schematic with the separate, partial parts of a desk mount using a system according to the invention for attaching the top of the desk to a base stand; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional, side view of two panel members shown as joined together when using a fastener system according to the invention; FIGURE 3 is a view of the upper plane of the present fastener system; Y FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the present fastener system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGURE 1, a desktop assembly, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and shown only partially, includes an upper part of a desk, generally flat 12 and a base support 14. The base support 14 can be constructed of suitable sheet metal having drawers 16 that can be slid from a front face. The support 14 defines an enclosure having side walls 18, a back wall 20 and at least a partial top surface 22. The top surface 22 is formed at its corners with keyhole-shaped slots 24. The top part of the desk 12 it may be formed of wood or a composite material and is provided on a lower surface 26 thereof with washer members 30 which will be described in detail below. The washer members 30 are aligned in register with the keyhole-shaped openings 24. Turning now to FIGURE 2, a side view of a fastener fastening system according to the invention is shown. As noted herein, the washer member 30 includes an upper washer portion 32 connected by a recessed center portion 34 to a lower washer portion 36. The washer member 30 is provided with a through hole 18 receiving a screw or bolt 40 such that the washer member 30 can be fixed to the surface of the lower face 26 of the upper part 12. A spring or spring fastener 42 is provided with a splice or contact portion 44 in contact with the portion of lower washer 36 for purposes that will be described later herein. Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the function of the system can be observed in detail. The keyhole-shaped slot 24 includes a relatively large opening portion 46 that ends in a tip in a relatively narrow portion. The narrow portion 48 is only larger in width than the recessed portion 34 of the washer member 30, while the relatively large slot portion 46 is large enough to receive the washer portion 36. By this arrangement, the washer portion 36 can be inserted through the large slot portion 46 and pushed such that the recessed portion 34 slides within the narrow slot portion 48. In such an arrangement, the two panels 12 and 22 become secured together. According to the invention, the upper surface of the panel 22 includes a gap 50 spaced from the keyhole-shaped slot 24 to define a bridge portion 52 of the panel member 22. The spring or spring clip 42 includes an end portion 54 formed in an overblown U-shape that is dimensioned to slam or press on and be retained by the bridge portion 52. The end portion 54 also includes a pair of projections 56 that engage the underside of the bridge portion 52 and immobilize the fastener 42 to the bridge portion 52 when the U-shaped portion is slammed or pressed into the bridge portion 52. A straight, center portion 58 of the fastener 42 connects the end portion 54 of the fastener 42 to the splice or contact portion of the fastener 44 and extends over the larger portion 46 of the keyhole-shaped slot 24. At a right angle to the splice or contact portion 44 of the fastener 42 is a generally flat support or support portion 60 which ensures that the fastener 42 can not fall completely through the keyhole-shaped slot 24 when not in use. Also, the distal end 62 of the fastener 24 includes a portion of the manually angled projection 64 for bending the fastener 42 and releasing the splice portion 44 from the coupling with the washer portion 36 when it is desired to disconnect the two. panels 12 and 22. It can now be appreciated that a system according to the invention provides a highly effective means for jointly joining two panel members such that the panel member can conveniently be assembled together or disassembled without the need for tools no class in the final destination. The system is also simple and effective in the cost of manufacturing. The spring or spring clip 42 is capable of simply being manually slammed or pressed on the bridge portion 52 in the assembly without the need for any tool and is designed to be retained in the bridge portion 52 in a firm manner and positive. In addition, the washer member 30 is a relatively simple member of machining as compared to bolts or screws of the prior art or the like. While the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is proposed by the appended claims to cover all changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (6)

1. A system for joining together panel members in an intimate relationship, characterized in that it comprises: a washer member having a first washer portion connected by a recessed portion to a second washer portion and having a bore running through the washer portion and recessed portion, the through bore dimensioned and configured to receive a fastener for securely securing the washer member to a side of a first panel; a keyhole shaped groove formed in a second panel member, the groove having a first enlarged opening portion leading to a second reduced opening portion, the reduced opening portion which is smaller in size than the second washer portion and larger in size than the recessed portion of the washer member; an opening formed in the second panel member and spaced from the keyhole-shaped slot to define a bridge portion of the second panel member between the opening and the slot; a fastener member having a first end provided with a splice portion or contact and a second end provided with a means for attachment to the bridge portion; wherein when the clamping member is attached to the bridge portion, a central portion of the clamping member extends over the keyhole-shaped slot and the splice or contact portion is in position to push the second portion of the washer into position. the closed position within the reduced opening portion of the keyhole-shaped slot.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for joining includes a generally U-shaped portion of the fastening member.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the U-shaped portion includes at least one projection for coupling the bridge portion and immobilizing the fastener to the bridge portion.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the central portion of the fastening member extends over the keyhole-shaped groove.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening member includes a support or support portion bent at right angles to the splice or contact portion.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening member includes a projection portion bent at an angle to the support or support portion that allows to manually grasp the fastening member. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A system for joining together two panel members comprises a washer member having a first and a second washer portions connected to a recessed portion and having a through hole for receiving a fixator. The washer member is fixed to one side of a first panel member. A keyhole-shaped slot is formed in a second panel member, the slot having a relatively large opening portion leading to a relatively narrow opening portion. An aperture is formed in the second spaced panel member of the keyhole-shaped slot to define the bridge portion between the aperture and the slot. A fastener member is attached with a spring assembly to the bridge portion and extends over the keyhole-shaped slot that terminates in a splice or contact portion at its distal end. When the two panels are interconnected, the recessed portion of the washer member is positioned within the narrow portion of the keyhole-shaped slot with the splice or contact portion of the fastener retaining the washer therein. Whereby the system provides a means for joining two panel members in a convenient manner with few easily manufactured components.