NZ585582A - A tubualr pipe joiner using a internal radial clamping action - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector (15) to secure together a first tube (14) to a second tube (13) so that they have a common longitudinal axis is disclosed. The connector (15) has a base (16), the base (16) having a first stem (19) to project into the first tube (14) and a second stem to project into the second tube (13). A clamping member (29) is mounted on the first stem (19) and moved to clamp the inside surface of the first tube (14) using a grub screw (31) or similar threaded fastener in a threaded hole (30). The movement of the clamping member (29) is achieved by screwing the grub screw (31) down into the hole (30) and the end of the grub screw (31) pushing against the first stem (19). The movement of the clamping member (29) is guided by a projection (33) from the first stem (19) interacting with a hole (32) through the clamping member (29). The second stem has the same clamping arrangement. Access to the grub screw (31) is by way of a hole (36) in the first (14) and second (13) tubes.

Description

PATENTS FORM 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Our Ref: 953554NZ Dated: 25 May 2010 A rail joiner We, Thinking Ergonomix Pty Limited, an Australian Company (A.C.N. 095 989 638), of 6A Childs Road, Chipping Norton, New South Wales, 2170, Australia, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 0013E(272%04_1):IRG RECEIVED at IPONZon 17 November 2010 1a A RAIL JOINER Technical Field The present invention relates to assemblies to secure together tubular members.

Background of the Invention In furniture such as tables, benches and chairs, frequently tubular members are employed and are required to be joined so as to be axially aligned. Methods of joining these tubular members has been cumbersome and has often involved special tools and/or methods. This also increases the cost of construction of the piece of furniture.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein an assembly to secure together a first tubular member to a second tubular member so that the tubular members have a common longitudinal axis, the assembly including: a base, the base having a first stem to project into the first tubular member, and a second stem to project into the second tubular member; a clamp member mounted on the first stem for movement outwardly relative to said axis; and a threaded member operatively associated with the clamp member and first stem so that upon angular movement of the threaded member relative to the stem and clamp member, the clamp member is movable outwardly relative to said axis to engage the first member to thereby secure the assembly to the first member; and wherein said base includes a flange extending radially relative to said axis, and said first clamp member includes a slot slidably engaged with said flange to aid in guiding movement of the first clamp member.

Preferably, said includes a second clamp member, the second clamp member being operatively associated with the second stem so as to be movable upwardly relative to said axis, and a second threaded member, the second threaded member being 3143247 1:hxa RECEIVED at IPONZon 17 November 2010 2 operatively associated with the second clamp member and second stem so that upon rotation of the second threaded member said second clamp member is moved outwardly relative to said axis to engage the second tubular member to secure the second tubular member to the assembly.

Preferably, each threaded member threadably engages its associated clamp member.

Preferably, each stem includes a projection extending radially relative to said axis, and each clamp member has an aperture to receive said projection to aid in guiding movement of the associated clamp member relative to the associated stem.

Preferably, each stem and its associated clamp member is generally cylindrical in configuration.

Preferably, said base includes a further flange, said further flange extending radially relative to said axis, and said second clamp member includes a slot, with the slot of said second clamp member slidably engaging the further flange to aid in guiding movement of the second clamp member relative to the second stem.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a bench seat; Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a pair of tubular members joined by a joining assembly employed in the bench of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the tubular members and joining assembly of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of the joining assembly of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic parts exploded side elevation of the joining assembly of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic end elevation of the joining assembly as illustrated in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a parts exploded isometric view of the joining assembly of Figure 4. 3143247 1:hxa RECEIVED at IPONZon 17 November 2010 3 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a bench seat 10. The bench seat 10 includes a plurality of bases 11 that support the upper frame 12 of the seat 10 on a ground surface. The seat 10 is adjustable in length by adding more bases 11 and tubular members 13 and 14.

In Figures 2 and 3, there is schematically depicted a pair of the tubular members 13 and 14 secured together by an assembly 15 so that the tubular members 13 and 14 have a common longitudinal axis 38. The assembly 15 includes a base 16. The base 16 is of a generally cylindrical configuration and may include a central portion 17 that is exposed when the tubular members 13 and 14 are secured together. However it should be appreciated that no central portion 17 is central.

The base 16 includes a first stem 18 and a second stem 19. The stem 18 is provided to project internally of the tubular member 13 while the stem 19 is provided to project internally of the tubular member 14.

Operatively associated with the first stem 18 is a first clamp member 20. The first clamp member 20 includes a threaded passage 21 and a guide passage 22. The first stem 18 has a projection 23 that is received within the passage 22 to guide the first clamp member 20 in radial movement relative to the axis 38. There is also provided a flange 24 that extends radially relative to the axis 38 that is slidably received within a slot 25 (also extending radially relative to the axis 38) so that the flange 24 and slot 25 also aid in guiding radial movement of the clamp member 20 relative to the axis 38.

A threaded member 26 is threadably received in the passage 29 and is movable angularly about an axis 27 to move longitudinally along the axis 27. The axis 27 intersects with and is generally perpendicular to the axis 38. Angular movement of the threaded member 26 about the axis 27 moves the member 26 into abutting engagement with abutment 28 of the first stem 18 to cause movement of the first clamp member 20 radially outward relative to the axis 38 so as to securely engage within the first tubular member 13 to thereby secure the assembly 15 to the first tubular member 13.

Operatively associated with the second stem 19 is a second clamp member 29. The clamp member 29 has a threaded passage 30 that receives a threaded member 31, as well as a guide passage 32 that receives the projection 33. The projection 33 extends 3143247 1:hxa RECEIVED at IPONZon 17 November 2010 4 generally radially relative to the axis 38. The threaded member 31 is movable angularly about the axis 34 to move the threaded member into engagement with the abutment surface 35. A flange 36 extends radially relative to the axis 38 and is slidably received with a radial slot 37 to also aid in guiding movement of the second clamp member 29 s radially relative to the axis 38. Angular movement of the threaded member 31 about the axis 34 moves the threaded member 31 into engagement with the abutment surface 35 to move the second clamp member 29 radially outward relative to the axis 38 to thereby securely engage the internal surfaces of the second tubular member 14.

Each of the tubular members 13 and 14 is provided with an aperture 36 providing 10 access to the respective threaded member 26, 31 so that a tool may be inserted through the aperture 36 to engage the associated threaded member 26, 31 to cause angular movement thereof about their respective axis 27, 34. 3143247 1:hxa

Claims (8)

RECEIVED at IPONZon 17 November 2010 5 The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An assembly to secure together a first tubular member to a second tubular member so that the tubular members have a common longitudinal axis, the assembly including: a base, the base having a first stem to project into the first tubular member, and a second stem to project into the second tubular member; a clamp member mounted on the first stem for movement outwardly relative to said axis; a threaded member operatively associated with the clamp member and first stem so that upon angular movement of the threaded member relative to the stem and clamp member, the clamp member is movable outwardly relative to said axis to engage the first member to thereby secure the assembly to the first member; and wherein said base includes a flange extending radially relative to said axis, and said first clamp member includes a slot slidably engaged with said flange to aid in guiding movement of the first clamp member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further including a second clamp member, the second clamp member being operatively associated with the second stem so as to be movable upwardly relative to said axis, and a second threaded member, the second threaded member being operatively associated with the second clamp member and second stem so that upon rotation of the second threaded member said second clamp member is moved outwardly relative to said axis to engage the second tubular member to secure the second tubular member to the assembly.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein each threaded member threadably engages its associated clamp member.

4. The assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each stem includes a projection extending radially relative to said axis, and each clamp member has an aperture to receive said projection to aid in guiding movement of the associated clamp member relative to the associated stem. 3143247 1:hxa RECEIVED at IPONZ on 20 December 2010 6

5. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each stem and its associated clamp member is generally cylindrical in configuration.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said base includes a further flange, said further flange extending radially relative to said axis, and said second clamp member includes a slot, with the slot of said second clamp member slidably engaging the further flange to aid in guiding movement of the second clamp member relative to the second stem.

7. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A bench seat including the assembly any one of claims 1 to 7. Thinking Ergonomix Pty Limited By the Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON 3143247 1:hxa