US3788379A

US3788379A - Readily releasable interconnecting means for panels

Info

Publication number: US3788379A
Application number: US00186056A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Anderson; M Rice
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-09-02
Filing date: 1971-10-04
Publication date: 1974-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-29

Abstract

The interconnecting means between contiguous panels or sheets or between a panel and a support therefor is designed to facilitate the assembly of panels or sheets to form the desired structure. The means has a more or less rigid member with one or more slotted channels thereon which are adapted to receive resilient, or springy, slotted sleeves expandable into a tight fit in the channel when the panels are inserted in the slot in the sleeve.

Description

United States Patent [191 Rice et al.

[ Jan. 29, 1974 READILY RELEASABLE INTERCONNECTING MEANS FOR PANELS [76] Inventors: Macon D. Rice, P.O. Box 1905,

Hawthorne, Nev. 89415; Emil G.

Anderson, 707 Van Buren St. N.W., Washington, DC. 20012 22 Filed: Oct. 4, 1971 21 App]. N0.: 186,056

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser No. 854,442, Sept. 2,

i969, Pat. N0. 3,614,835.

[52] US. Cl. 160/235 [51] Int. Cl E06b 3/12 [58] Field of Search 160/229, 235, 183, 206;

99/384; 16/171, DIG. 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,087,193 4/1963 Eskridge et al. l6/l7l 3,634,907 1 1972 Watt, Jr. l6/DIG. 6 3,205,935 9/1965 Cayton 160/183 3,633,316 1/1972 Belser 49/384 Primary ExaminerPeter M. I Caun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Emil G. Anderson [5 7] ABSTRACT The interconnecting means between contiguous panels or sheets or between a panel and a support therefor is designed to facilitate the assembly of panels or sheets to form the desired structure. The means has a more or less rigid member with one or more slotted channels thereon which are adapted to receive resilient, or springy, slotted sleeves expandable into a tight fit in the channel when the panels are inserted in the slot in the sleeve.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED'JAN 2 91974 FIG. 4

o INVENTORS MACON D. RICE 'EM/L c. ANDERSON ATTORNEY 'FIG. 6

READILY RELEASABLE INTERCONNECTING MEANS FOR PANELS This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending US. Pat. application entitled Educational Toy Construction Kit, Ser. No. 854,442 filed Sept. 2, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,614,835 and relates particularly to improvements in means for mounting and interconnecting the panels.

The practicability of a construction kit made up of a plurality of disconnectable parts, as shown in the aforesaid application, depends largely on the facility with which the panels (or fairly rigid sheets) can be connected and disconnected in the building of different geometrical models, and it is the prime object of the invention to provide means including specially shaped interconnectors and/or panel edges for facilitating the constructing of various geometrical objects from a plurality of panels, as described in the aforesaid application.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide releasable interconnecting means between contiguous panels or between panels and other supporting structures which permit the panels to be readily attached to and detached from each other or from the supporting structure.

In addition to the ease of assembly feature it is further an object of the invention to provide the panel interconnectors with means permitting the panels to be adjusted to the required angular relationship when the panels are being assembled and with means for firmly holding the panels in the desired relationship with respect to each other or with its support when the panels have been assembled.

It is a further object to provide a frictional hinge interconnecting means which will permit limited hinging or swinging action between contiguous panels so that they may be adjusted to the required angular relationship with respect to each other or to the support but remains relatively fixed when once adjusted to the desired position.

In the fulfillment of this invention there is provided panel interconnectors having resilient, expansible, and slotted sleeves nestled within and coacting with complimentary shaped slotted channels, and which sleeves are expanded into tight frictional engagement with the channels upon insertion of the panel means into the slotted sleeves.

Other objects and advantage will become apparent in the following specification considered in connection with the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is substantially the same as lamp shade structure of FIG. 9 of the above mentioned application wherein numeral 46 represents an elongated interconnecting means for

side panels

5a, and 32 represents another type of interconnecting means for connecting the top panel 6 to the side panels.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one form of interconnecting means of our invention, illustrating two sleeve members 1 and 2 nestled respectively in the two elongated (cylindrical) channel elements 10 in a more or less rigid support 3.

FIG. 3 shows a view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of another modification, the only substantial difference from that of FIG. 2 residing in the channel support structure made from stamped sheet metal or plastic and designated by numerals 4, l4 and 21. The other elements of figure have the same structure and the same numeral designations as in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two additional modifications differing from FIG. 2 only in the structure of the channel support means 6, which are c-shaped in cross section and are welded or otherwise held together at 19. FIG. 6 further shows the channel elements mounted with their slot openings at right angles to each other. The other members are numbered the same as in FIG. 2.

In the assemblying of a lamp shade of FIG. 1 or of other geometrical structures as described in the above mentioned application, the interconnectors shown in FIGS. 2-6 of the instant application may be utilized instead of

connectors

32 and 46 shown in FIG. 1. The panel interconnector or hinge means in FIG. 2 comprises a more or less rigid elongate member 3 and may have one or two slotted C-shaped channel elements 10, the inside surface 11, of the channels being generally cylindrical shaped and slightly greater than a semicircle in cross section so that its slit width 13 (FIG. 4) is slightly less than the inside diameter of the cylindrical channel surface. When two slotted C-shaped channel elements are used they are arranged in back to back relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

Each of the panel holding means 1, and 2 (FIG. 2) consists of a slotted expansible sleeve made from resilient, springy, material, said sleeve being generally round in cross-sectional shape. However, in its unexpanded condition the vertical diameter (FIG. 4) is slightly less than its horizontal diameter. The inside dimensions of each channel 10 and its associated sleeve (in its unexpanded condition) are so proportioned that the outside vertical diameter of the sleeve is slightly greater than the width of slot 13 in channel 10, but less than the inside diameter of the latter channel, whereby when sleeve 1 is forced into nestled relationship in channel 10, the sleeve will be (loosely) held in said channel. Instead of forcing sleeve 1 transversely into channel element through the slot thereof the sleeve may obviously be slid longitudinally into the channel.

The resilient or flexible sleeves 1 and 2 are formed so that in their normal and unexpanded condition (FIG. 4) the slot width 8 is considerably less than the thickness of panels 1 and 2 with which they are associated. Therefore, when a panel 5a (or 5b) is inserted into a slot of a sleeve the latter being resilient will expand so that its outer surface becomes substantially circular in cross section and hence becomes substantially concentric with and complimentary to the inner channel surface. Accordingly, the panel will expand the sleeve so its surface conforms tightly to the circular contour of the channel to thereby hold the sleeve carrying a panel firmly in channel member 3.

As noted above, channels 10 are only slightly greater than a semi-circle in cross section and thus having a rel atively wide slot 13 (FIGS. 2,4), while sleeves 1 and 2 in their expanded condition form a more nearly complete circle in cross section whereby the edges of the sleeves terminate in a relatively narrow slot 8. Due to this difference in cross-sectional size and slot openings of channels 10 and sleeves l, 2, the latter (with

panels

5a and 5b connected thereto) can be rotated a certain amount with respect to each other and with respect to support 3, provided sufficient rotative force is applied to overcome the frictional resistance between 1, 10. This rotative or pivoted adjustment is necessary in the building of various sizes and shapes of geometrical figures as well as in providing hinged panel supports in other structures. In order to facilitate the insertion of panel a into slot 8, sleeve 1 is provided with curved lips shown at 7 in FIG. 2 and 4, for example. Rigid holding means such as bolts 23 may be provided to secure the panels in sleeve 1.

An alternate form for facilitating insertion of panel 5b into sleeve 2 consists of a V-shaped inclines 17 on an edge of the panel to expand sleeve 2 as shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the width of each inclined surface being less in dimension than the inner diameter of sleeve 2, whereby the slot lips will engage the flat portion of panel 5b when fully inserted in sleeve 2.

To prevent

panels

5a and 5b from sliding longitudinally in channels 10, a pin or projection 18 on sleeve 1 is provided which projects into an annular groove in. channel 10. Instead of the pin and groove connection, sleeve 2 may be swaged or bent, as shown in FIGS. 3, and 5 to form a

projection

12, or 12a to prevent longitudinal movement of sleeve 2 in channel 10.

As is evident from the above description, the panels are readily and easily assembled by merely pressing an edge of the panel into the slotted sleeve to expand the latter into contact with the channel surface. The panels may likewise be readily released.

As stated above, all the modified forms operate substantially in the same manner, it being noted that channel elements 4, 6, and sleeves 1 and 2 in FIGS. 4-6 are elongated members as in FIG. 2.

Channel members

4, 6, 6 respectively in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 may be formed of stamped material, which is substantially more rigid than sleeves 1 and 2. Channel support structure 4 in FIG. 4 is made from a single piece of sheet material with web 21 interconnecting the two channels 14. If greater strength is required a similar web may be connected to the other edges of channels 14. In assembling the elements of FIG. 4 the sleeves 1 and 2 are first snapped into or slid longitudinally into position in channels 14 and then

panels

5a and 5b are inserted into slots 8 to expand the sleeve into tight frictional engagement with channels 14, as pointed out above with respect to FIG. 2. It is obvious that the channels 6 in FIG. 5 may be fixed (welded) to each other in any desired angular relationship, FIG. 6, for example, showing the channel openings at right angles to each other.

In the above mentioned application, interconnecting means 32 and 46 (FIG. 1 herein) are designed to connect the panels from a kit to construct a large variety of geometrical figures, the panels being generally polygonal in shape, such as pentagons, hexagons, etc. As stated above, the improved panel interconnecting means of this invention are designed not only to interconnect panels to assemble lamp shades but also for other objects, it being noted that a limited pivotal adjustment of the panel interconnection is necessary in constructing objects of different sizes. Therefore, the connecting means of this invention may be utilized wherever readily releasably and pivotally adjustable panel mounts are required.

The dimensions as to length, thickness, diameter, slot openings, etc., of the channels and sleeves may be varied to suit the particular needs involved, and panels of various thicknesses may obviously be used in conjunction in sleeves having the appropriate slot width.

While the above described and illustrated showings disclose the preferred embodiments of the invention. it is to be understood that numerous structural modifications may be resorted to in commercial adaptation of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. Support means providing readily releasable holding means for flat panels, comprising an elongate member having a slotted channel element, the inner surface of the channel being generally cylindrical in shape, but terminating short of a complete cylinder in cross section due to said slot, a slotted springy resilient and expansible sleeve adapted to nestle in said channel element, the diameter of such sleeve in the direction of the slot being slightly greater than the diameter at right angles thereto when the sleeve is in its unexpanded condition, the last mentioned diameter being greater than the slot width in said channel, and a flat panel having substantially the same thickness throughout its major portions, the thickness of the panel being greater than the slot width in the sleeve in its unexpanded condition, whereby the panel upon forcible insertion into the slotted sleeve expands the latter so that the sleeve becomes substantially circular in cross section and causing its outer surface to tightly engage the inner surface of said channel thereby forming a tight frictional fit with said inner surface of said channel element and with the panel tightly gripped solely by the edges of the slotted sleeve while permitting release of the panel upon sufficient force applied thereto.

2. Support means as defined in claim 1, wherein the partial cylindrical channel has a C-shaped cross section which is only slightly greater than a semi-circle, the width of said channel slot being less than the diameter of said inner channel surface and wherein the lesser diameter of the unexpanded sleeve is slightly greater in dimension than the slot width in said channel but slightly less in dimension than the inside diameter of said channel, permitting the springy unexpanded sleeve to be inserted into said channel, and to fit loosely for rotation therein, but adapted to be expanded into tight contact with the channel member upon insertion of the panel in the slotted sleeve.

3. Panel support means as defined in claim 1 wherein the said sleeve is provided with inclined curved lips at the slot entrance to facilitate the insertion of the said panel into the slotted sleeve to thereby expand the said sleeve into firm contact with the channel surface, the springy sleeve also facilitating easy removal of panel from the sleeve, and means for rigidly holding the panel in its associated sleeve.

4. Panel support means as defined in claim 1 wherein the panel is provided with V-shaped edges to facilitate by wedging action, the insertion and removal of said panel into and out of the said slotted sleeve.

5. Panel support means defined in claim 1 wherein the channel element and the sleeve have coacting stop means preventing any appreciable longitudinal sliding movement between said sleeve and channel element.

6. Panel support means as defined in claim 1 wherein the slot width in the channel element is of considerable greater width than the slot width in sleeve member whereby when the channel, sleeve and panel are in operative relation with each other, the sleeve and assothe first mentioned channel element whereby the channel slots face in substantially opposite direction, the said second slotted channel element having nestled therein a springy, expansible slotted sleeve, a second panel held in said last mentioned sleeve in substantial edge to edge position with respect to the first mentioned panel, and wherein the last mentioned panel presses its associated resilient sleeve into concentric and finn relations with respect to the inner surface of said second channel element.

Claims

6. Panel support means as defined in claim 1 wherein the slot width in the channel element is of considerable greater width than the slot width in sleeve member whereby when the channel, sleeve and panel are in operative relation with each other, the sleeve and associated panel while firmly and frictionally held in the channel element, are adapted to be rotated with respect to the channel element when sufficient force to overcome the frictional resistance is applied to the panel to adjust the latter into the desired angular relationship.

7. Panel support means as defined in claim 1 wherein there is a second slotted channel element substantially a duplicate of the slotted channel element defined in claim 1, and wherein the said second channel element is attached to said elongate member and arranged in substantial back-to-back relationship with respect to the first mentioned channel element whereby the channel slots face in substantially opposite direction, the said second slotted channel element having nestled therein a springy, expansible slotted sleeve, a second panel held in said last mentioned sleeve in substantial edge to edge position with respect to the first mentioned panel, and wherein the last mentioned panel presses its associated resilient sleeve into concentric and firm relations with respect to the inner surface of said second channel element.