WO1991001416A1

WO1991001416A1 - A coupling

Info

Publication number: WO1991001416A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/001150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Ashton
Original assignee: Flexibooths Limited
Priority date: 1989-07-25
Filing date: 1990-07-25
Publication date: 1991-02-07
Also published as: EP0494155B1; ATE136084T1; EP0494155A1; DE69026267D1; GB2234286A; AU6270090A; GB9000579D0

Abstract

A coupling for connection of a number of panels and/or beams has first base parts (10) secured to adjacent ends of the panel and/or beam to be linked and a second pivot coupling part (20) which is adapted to link the base parts (10) thereby linking the panels and/or beams. In a first embodiment the base parts (10) have a central locating bore (15) with angularly spaced locking bores (16) around the periphery thereof and the coupling part (20) has a number of locating members (24) which engage the locating bores (15) of the respective panels and/or beams and angularly spaced locking members (27) around each locating member (24) which engage the locking bores (16) of each base part (10) allowing the panels and/or beams to be erected in different relative angular dispositions. In an alternative embodiment, and particularly when linking beams, a base part (70) can have the locating (72) and locking members (73) thereon and the coupling part (80) can have the locating (83) and locking bores (87) therein. In this case the coupling part (80) can be cubical having locating (83) and locking bores (87) in each of the six faces thereof.

Description

A COUPLING

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a coupling and more particularly to a coupling for connection of multiple panel elements in a selected disposition.

BACKGROUND ART

There are cases, for example in an open plan office, where it is necessary for the space to be divided into a number of areas by the erection of panels to form walls which separate off each area from adjacent areas, and/or beams which act as mountings or the like. The panels and/or beams are connected together in the required arrangement by couplings which hold the individual parts fixed in position relative to each other. However, with present arrangements it may not be possible for the panels and/or beams to be simply and conveniently dismantled where it is necessary to alter the layout of the office and, furthermore, once dismantled the parrs may not be reusable. I is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling which allows flexibility in construction in so far as it is capable of being readily erected and dismantled and permits versatility in design by allowing variation in the relative disposition of the elements linked in this way. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided a coupling for connection of at least two elements, said coupling comprising first parts provided on each respective element and at least one second part adapted to engage, and thereby link, said first parts, said at least one second part having one or more formations thereon engageable with said first part in a selected one of plural angular dispositions, whereby said elements can be secured together in a predetermined angular relationship.

According to a preferred feature said first and second parts include cooperable male and female formations respectively provided thereon whereby said parts are linked together, one said part further including a plurality of female components angularly spaced about the male or female formation provided thereon and the other said part including at least one male element for selective engagement therewith. With this arrangement it is possible for multiple elements to be connected together in a simple and versatile manner.

Said elements may comprise one or more panels and/or one or more beams. Two first parts may be mounted on each element at the top and bottom edges thereof respectively. In this case two second parts may be provided to link respective first parts on adjacent said elements or alternatively a single second part may be provided to link said first parts. In the latter case a locking clip may be provided which acts to link said first and second parts.

Said locking clip may extend through one or more of said first and second parts and may be suitably adapted at one or both ends thereof for engagement with one or more of said parts. Thus the locking clip may have an enlarged part at one end and may have locking projections at the other end. Said enlarged part may be generally circular and further may have a peripheral lip thereto. Said locking projections may be substantially triangular in shape. Between said enlarged part and said locking projections, the locking clip may comprise two or more resilient members.

Each said first part may have a locating bore in which said second part engages. In this respect said formations on each said second part may comprise multiple locating members projecting therefrom which engage said locating bores in said first parts thereby to link said elements. Preferably said locating members are rotatable within said locating bores and comprise cylindrical members which may be solid or hollow.

Said first part may further be^' provided with a plurality of locking bores symmetrically disposed around said locating bore. Preferably the locking bores are arranged around the periphery of said locating bore and are equi-angularly spaced thereabout. In a particularly preferred embodiment eight such bores are provided spaced by 45 around the periphery.

Each said second part may have multiple locking members symmetrically disposed around each said locating member. Said locking members may be of cylindrical configuration and may be solid or hollow. Said locking members may be adapted to engage in said locking bores thereby to secure said parts in fixed disposition. Preferably four such locking members are provided spaced angularly by 90 . Alternatively said first part may be provided with at least one locating member having a plurality of locking members disposed symmetrically therearound. With this arrangement each second part may have multiple locating bores therein whereby multiple elements can be coupled via a single first part. Each said locating bore may have multiple said locking bores symmetrically disposed therearound. In a particularly preferred embodiment said second part is cuboid having six faces thereto and has a locating bore and associated locking bores in each of the six faces thereof. In this case one or more faces of said second part may be arranged such that it is inclined to one or more adjacent faces at an angle substantially greater than 90 thereto.

Any number of elements may be joined by the coupling and in this respect it is visualised that the invention will find particular application in the construction of enclosures of various configurations.

The elements may comprise panel elements and/or beam elements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an enclosure comprising multiple elements linked by at least one coupling comprising a first part mounted on each respective element and at least one second part adapted to link said first parts whereby said elements can be secured in a desired relative disposition.

With this arrangement it is possible to construct enclosures which are both versatile in so far as they can be readily rearranged and secure when constructed.

The enclosure may be a partial or complete enclosure.

The arrangement of the second aspect of the invention may have some or all the features of the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a base part of a coupling according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a pivot coupling part of a coupling for use in attachment of two panels;

Fig. 2a shows a section on A-A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of two panels linked by a coupling; Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a pivot coupling part for use in attachment of three panels;

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a pivot coupling part for use in attachment of four panels;

Fig. 6 shows a sectional side view of a locking clip according to the invention in use;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of one form of connecting part according to the invention;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view from below of part of an alternative form of coupling part according to the invention;

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view from above of the coupling part of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a parr of a further alternative coupling part; and Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a finishing part. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a base part 10 of the coupling for use in the connection of panels. 5 The base part 10 comprises a moulded plastics body for example formed from ABS plastics or polycarbonate, of generally elongate form having a curved portion 11 at one end thereof. The opposite end 12 of the body 10 is generally rectangular. On a lower surface 13 of the body

10 10 a raised lip 14 is provided around the periphery of the body 10.

A locating bore 15 is disposed generally at the centre of the body 10. The bore 15 is of generally circular cross-section and eight locking bores 16 of 5 smaller diameter are arranged around the central locating bore 15, the centre of the locking bores 16 lying on a circle 17 concentric with the centre of the locating bore 15. The eight locking bores 16 are equi-angularly spaced around the locating bore 15 i.e. their centres are 0 angularly spaced by 45°. The centres of two locking bores 16 and the centre of the locating bore 15 lie on the axis of symmetry 18 of the body 10. A number of further attachment bores 19 are also provided disposed around the body 10 for example in the embodiment shown 5 four such bores 19 are shown, two at each corner of rectangular part 12 of the body 10 and two at the curved end 18 thereof on either side of and adjacent to the axis of symmetry 18 of the body 10. The attachment bores 19 enable the base part 10 to be secured to the edge of a panel and if desired may be provided with a screw threaded interior. Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown one form of pivot coupling part 20 for attachment of two panels together.

The pivot coupling part 20 comprises a generally rectangular body with both ends 21, 22 being curved. A raised lip 23 is provided around the periphery of the part 20 similar to that described above in relation to the base part 10. Two hollow cylindrical locating members 24 project from a lower surface 25 of the pivot part 20 and the centres of these members 24 are axially aligned along the long axis of symmetry 26 of the part 20. Arranged around each locating member 24 are four hollow cylindrical locking members 27. The locking members 27 are arranged with their centres on a circle which is concentric with the associated locating member 24. The four members 27 are equi-angularly disposed with their centres spaced by 90°, and two of the locking members 27 around each locating member 24 have their centres lying on the long axis of symmetry 26 of the part 20. Each panel is of generally rectangular form and is fabricated from any suitable material as desired or appropriate, for example hardwood, or the panel may comprise a hardwood frame with a laminated sheeting or glass or a mirror mounted therein. If appropriate the panels may also be treated or otherwise made fire-resistant.

Each locating member 24 is of larger diameter than the locking members 27 and project by a greater distance from the part 20.

In use a base part 10 is attached to the top and bottom of each edge 31, 32 of the panels 33, 34 to be coupled together. The parts 10 are attached such that the locating 24 and locking bores 27 on each part 10 are aligned.

The two edges 31, 32 of the panels 33, 34 are placed adjacent each other and are linked by a respective pivot part 20 at the top and bottom edges thereof. This is achieved by inserting the locating members 24 on a pivot part 20 partially into the locating bores 15 in the adjacent base parts 10 of each panel 33, 34 at both top and bottom edges. It will be appreciated that in this position it is possible for the two panels 33, 34 to be rotated relative to each other about the locating members 24. In order to fix the panels 33, 34 in a configuration whereby they have a desired angular relationship it is necessary to arrange the two panels 33, 34 in such disposition and then press the pivot part 20 such that the locating members 24 are fully inserted into the locating bores 15. In this case the locking members 27 will be pushed into engagement with respective ones of the locking bores 16 in the base parts 10 and thus no rotation or other movement of the panels 33, 34 relative to each other about the coupling is permitted. Thus by selective engagement of the locking bores 16 by the locking members 27 it is possible for a wide variety of angular dispositions of the two panels 33, 34 to be achieved.

In the above example there is described a pivot coupling part 20 for attachment of two panels 33, 34 however it is possible to vary the configuration of the parts 20 to facilitate attachment of any number of panels as desired and as appropriate. Thus for example. Figures 4 and 5 show coupling parts 40, 50 for the attachment of rhree and four panels respectively. Thus by appropriate arrangement of multiple panels it is possible to construct various items for example desks or partial or complete enclosures such as booths or the like.

With the arrangement described above it is possible to link together multiple panel elements in a desired formation. However, in some cases it may be required to connect one or more beam elements into the structure. This can be achieved using a locking clip 60 as shown in Figure 6. The locking clip 60 comprises a one piece moulded plastics structure having an enlarged part 61 at one end thereof. The enlarged part 61 is generally circular in shape and has an upstanding circumferential rim 62. Two flexible members 63 project transversely from the enlarged part 61 and are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the transverse axis 64 of the enlarged part 61. The members 63 extend a greater distance than the circumferential rim 62 and each member 63 terminates in a locking projection 65. Each locking projection 65 is of substantially triangular form and extends transversely to the flexible members 63 in a direction away from the transverse axis 64. If required any desired number of locking members (not shown) can be provided disposed around the flexible members 63 in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the pivot coupling part 20, however in the embodimenr shown in Figure 6 no such locking members are provided.

In use two base parts 10 as described above are fixed to upper and lower surfaces respectively of each end of a beam 66 to be coupled. Bores are drilled or otherwise provided through the beam to link the locating and locking bores in the upper and lower base parts at both ends of the beam. If, for example, it is desired to connect the beam between two panels (not shown) then, when the base parts 10 have been fixed in position on the panel edge and the beam 66, the upper edge of the panel and the beam 66 are brought into a position adjacent each other. The panel and beam 66 are then linked by inserting the locating members 24 of a pivot coupling part 20, 40, 50 partially into the locating bore on each respective base part 10. The beam 66 and panel are then positioned in a desired angular disposition by movement thereof about the coupling and when in position the locating member 24 of the pivot coupling part 20, 40, 50 is inserted fully into the locating bore thereby engaging the locking members (not shown) associated with each locating member 24 into the locking bores (not shown) in the base parts 10.

In this position the locking clip 60 can then be used to provide support for the beam 66 from below. In this respect the flexible members 63 of the locking clip are inserted upwardly into the locating bore of the lower base part 10, through the bore linking the respective locating bores and into the interior of the locating member 24 of the coupling part 20, 40, 50. The clip 60 s suitably configured such that the spacing of the flexible members 63 is generally equal to the diameter of the bore and also such that when fully inserted, the lip

62 of the enlarged part 61 is in contact with the lower base part 10 and a lower edge of each of the locking projections 65 is in contact with the upper surface of the coupling part 20, 40, 50. It will be appreciated that upon passage through the bores, the flexible members 63 are pushed closer together in order that the locking projections 65 can pass through such bores and thus when the projections 65 emerge from the interior of the locating member 24 the flexible members 63 spring outwardly such that the locking projections 65 abut the coupling part 20, 40, 50 and prevent removal of the clip 60. In this position the beam 10 is supported by the enlarged part 61 and the locking projections 65 of the clip 60 and is fixed in a desired disposition relative to the panel. The second panel can be coupled to the other end of the beam 10 in a manner identical to that described above. In this way beams 10 or other similarly configured elements can be coupled with the abovementioned panels to form arrangements of any desired configuration. If desired a sealing plug 67 can be inserted into the locating bore between the flexible member 63 to seal the bore. Alternatively it may be necessary to couple together multiple beam elements to form a framework of a desired configuration. In this case an alternative form of coupling as shown in Figures 7 to 10 can be used.

The connection part 70 of Figure 7 comprises a one piece moulded plastics structure of generally rectangular form. The part 70 has a protruding peripheral lip 71 which extends around the full length of the periphery. A central solid cylindrical locating member 72 projects upwardly from a surface of the part 70 in a direction opposed to the peripheral lip 71. Four locking members 73 also of solid cylindrical form extend upwardly from the surface and are disposed generally at each corner of the part. The diagonal axes of symmetry 74, 75 of the part 70 pass respectively through the centres of two opposed locking members 73 and the central locating member 72. The locking members 73 project a smaller distance from the part 70 than the locating member 72 and are of smaller diameter. Fixing apertures 76 are also provided on opposite sides of the locating member 72 and are disposed equi-spaced between the two locking members 73 on respective sides of the locating member 72. The centres of the two locking members 73 and the fixing aperture 76 on each respective side of the locating member 72 lie on lines which are substantially parallel to the edges of the part 70. The coupling part 80 shown in Figure 8 is hollow and is of generally half-cubical form having a base 81 and four upstanding side walls 82.

The base 81 is generally rectangular and is provided with a central locating bore 83 and four locking bores 84 of smaller diameter at respective corners of the base 81. A gripping portion 85 is provided midway along each side edge of the base 81 adjacent the side walls 82, and takes the form of a recess having an inclined lower surface 86 thereto, each recess extending partly into the base 81 and side walls 82. On each side wall 82 two locking openings 87 are provided, one on each side of the recess 85. The openings 87 are generally rectangular with a lower end 88 thereof being curved. The openings 87 extend from the edge linking the base 81 to the side wall 82 to a position lower than a bottom edge of the recess 85. A semi-circular cutτout 89 is provided in each side wall 82 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The interior of the coupling part 80 is shown in

Figure 9. Four planar webs 91 project transversely from the centre of the side walls 82 and extend to the edge of the locating bore 83. These webs 91 serve a dual purpose in so far as they act to increase the strength of the part 80 and a further purpose to be described hereinafter. Similar webs 92 are provided around each locking bore 84, one 93 of which extends from the edge of the respective locking bore 84 to the edge of the central locating bore 83. Further block supports 94 of triangular form are provided disposed adjacent the base side wall and webs 91 to further increase the strength of the coupling. In use two coupling parts as shown in Figure 8 are joined together in any suitable manner. For example, the parts 80 can be adapted to snap fit together or they can be pinned together, such that a single coupling part of substantially cubical form is defined. The coupling part so defined has a central locating bore 83 on each of the six faces thereof and has corner locking bores 84 on two faces and corner locking openings 87 on four faces thereof.

A connection part 70 is fixed onto at least one end of a beam (not shown) to be coupled by insertion of screws or the like through the fixing apertures 76. Alternatively the connection part 70 and/or beam end(s) can be suitably adapted such that the part 70 can be a snap or push fit onto the beam end(s).

With a cubic coupling formed as above and a connection part 70 secured to the beam end(s), frameworks of beam elements of a desired configuration can be constructed as follows.

The locating member 72 of the connection part 70 is inserted through the locating bore 83 in one face of the cubic coupling and the beam (not shown) is rotated about the locating member 72 until the beam is in a desired angular disposition relative to the coupling and the locking members 73 are engaged in the locking bores 84 or locking openings 87. With the embodiments shown in Figures 7 to 10, four locking members 73 and bores are provided and therefore the beam can be positioned in one of four angular dispositions spaced by 90 , however it is possible to provide any number of locking members 73 and locking bores 84 or locking openings 87 as desired or as appropriate. With the locking members 73 engaged in the locking bores 84 or openings 87 the beam is held fixed in position relative to the coupling. In this respect the planar webs 91, 92, 93 act to restrict movement of the locking members 73 and locating members 72 when engaged in the cubic coupling. Thus it will be appreciated that by use of multiple cubic couplings it is possible to build up a framework of beam elements, however with the above described configuration of coupling it is only possible for such elements to extend at right angles to each other. Of course a number of different couplings having faces inclined at various angles to each other can be provided in order that different inclinations of beam elements relative to each other can be obtained, an example of a suitable half-cubic coupling 100 for this purpose is shown in Figure 10.

It will be further appreciated that by use of two similar or identical halves 80, 100 to construct a single coupling it is possible to reduce moulding costs and by the provision of the gripping portions 85 on each half coupling 80, 100 such couplings are readily dismantled, are reusable and interchangeable. If when the framework is completed, one or more faces of the or each cubic coupling are unused, a finishing part 101 such as is shown in Figure 11 can be used to provide an attractive finish thereto. The part 101 comprises a central locating member 102 and corner locking members 103 mounted on a planar sheet 104. The locating member 102 and locking members 103 are inserted into the corresponding bores in the cubic coupling leaving the reverse side 105 of the planar sheet 104 exposed. Such reverse side 105 can be used for the display of advertising and/or promotional material.

As an alternative to the panel structure described above, it is possible to modify the structure thereof such that the panels have integral removable mountings (not shown) provided thereon and/or an integral lighting system (not shown) . Such modification can take the form of channels in the cross-bars of the panel frame which channels are generally T-shaped. In the former case the mountings comprise generally T-shaped members which are adapted to be slidingly engageable in the channel. Thus the mountings can be moved to any suitable position along a respective cross-bar and as many such mountings can be provided as desired.

In the latter case, lights of strip form can be mounted within the channel , and in this case one of the outer bars of the frame is adapted to receive the connecting wires therefor.

With the arrangements described above it is possible to erect multiple elements in a simple and versatile manner and moreover it is possible to construct enclosures which are capable of being readily rearranged and are secure when constructed.

Furthermore it is possible to construct structures which can occupy limited spaces and where it is desired to divide an area such as an office into smaller parts it is possible to construct the structure after interior decoration is completed.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A coupling for connection of at least two elements, said coupling comprising first parts provided on each respective element and at least one second part adapted to engage, and thereby link, said first parts, said at least one second part having one or more formations thereon engageable with said first part in a selected one of plural angular dispositions, whereby said elements can be secured together in a predetermined angular relationship.

2. A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said first and second parts include co-operable male and female formations respectively provided thereon whereby said parts are linked together, one said part further including a plurality of female components angularly spaced about the male or female formation provided thereon and the other said part including at least one male element for selective engagement therewith.

3. A coupling according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said elements comprise one or more panels and/or one or more beams.

4. A coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein two said first parts are mounted on each said element at top and bottom edges thereof respectively.

5. A coupling according to claim 4 wherein two said second parts are provided to link respective said first parts on adjacent said elements.

6. A coupling according to claim 4 wherein a single said second part is provided to link respective said first parts on adjacent said elements.

7. A coupling according to claim 6 wherein a locking clip is provided which acts to link said first and second parts,

8. A coupling according to claim 7 wherein said locking clip extends through one or more of said first and second parts.

9. A coupling according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said locking clip is adapted at one or both ends thereof for engagement with one or more of said parts.

10. A coupling according to claim 9 wherein said adaptation comprises an enlarged part at one end thereof and locking projections at another end thereof.

11. A coupling according to claim 10 wherein said enlarged part is generally circular in shape.

12. A coupling according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said enlarged part has a peripheral lip thereto.

13. A coupling according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said locking projections are substantially triangular in shape.

14. A coupling according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein between said enlarged part and said locking projections, the locking clip comprises two or more resilient members.

15. A coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein each said first part has a locating bore in which said second part engages. 5

16. A coupling according to claim 15 wherein said formations on each said second part comprise multiple locating members projecting therefrom which engage said locating bores in said first parts thereby to link said elements. 10

17. A coupling according to claim 16 wherein said locating members are rotatable within said locating bores.

18. A coupling according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein said locating members are of hollow cylindrical

15 configuration.

19. A coupling according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein said first part is further provided with a plurality of locking bores symmetrically disposed around said locating bores.

2020. A coupling according to claim 19 wherein said locking bores are arranged equiangularly around the periphery of said locating bore.

21. A coupling according to claim 20 wherein eight such bores are provided spaced by 45 from each other around

25 said periphery.

22. A coupling according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein each said second part has multiple locking members symmetrically disposed around each said locating member.

23. A coupling according to claim 22 wherein said 5 locking members are of hollow cylindrical configuration.

24. A coupling according to any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein said locking members are adapted to engage in said locking bores thereby to secure said parts in fixed disposition.

10 25. A coupling according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein four said locking members are provided spaced angularly by 90 .

26. A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said first part is provided with at least one locating member having

15 a plurality of locking members disposed symmetrically therearound.

27. A coupling according to claim 26 wherein said second part has multiple locating bores provided therein with a plurality of locking bores disposed symmetrically around 0 each said bore whereby multiple elements can be coupled by a single first part.

28. A coupling according to claim 26 or claim 27 wherein said second part is cuboid having six faces thereto with a locating bore and associated locking bores in each of 5 the six faces thereof.

29. A coupling according to claim 28 wherein one or more faces of said second part are arranged such that each such face is inclined to one or more adjacent faces at an angle substantially greater than 90 thereto.

30. An enclosure comprising multiple elements linked by at least one coupling comprising a first part mounted on each respective element and at least one second part adapted to link said first parts whereby said elements can be secured in a desired relative disposition.

31. An enclosure according to claim 30 wherein said elements comprise panel elements and/or beam elements.