WO2005071206A1

WO2005071206A1 - A corner cap

Info

Publication number: WO2005071206A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seok-Woong Kang
Original assignee: Pmc Korea Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-01-10
Filing date: 2005-01-07
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Also published as: KR200350083Y1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a corner cap which is coupled and fixed to a frame assembly. The comer cap can prevent an injury of users generated due to collision against a sharp frame corner by mounting an assembly on a comer of a frame formed by coupling vertical and horizontal frames of a piece of furniture, a glass window or a door of furniture, prevent noise by reducing impact between a door and the framework of the door and a damage of the framework of the door by adding a buffering member formed integrally with or separately from the corner cap. The corner cap is coupled to a frame assembly to which the vertical and horizontal frames are coupled and having a coupling hole formed on the corner thereof. The corner cap includes a body inserted into the coupling hole, a fixing piece formed integrally with the body, a coupling ring formed on the end of the fixing piece, and a soft buffering member mounted and fixed to the coupling ring or formed integrally with the body, thereby increasing productivity by making the assembly easy, increasing a desire of buying by providing a smooth comer portion of the frame and a beautiful outward appearance, prevent noise by reducing impact between the door and the framework of the door, and preventing a damage of the door and the framework of the door.

Description

Description A CORNER CAP Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a corner cap which includes a coupling clip inserted into a coupling hole formed on the corner of a frame assembly to which vertical and horizontal frames are coupled and fixed, a right-angled groove formed on the inner surface thereof for inserting and fixing an angled corner of a glass, door or mirror thereto, and an outer surface curved, thereby providing users with a sense of stability by removing a sharp portion of the corner, improving productivity by making the coupling and assembly easy, and increasing a desire of buying by providing a beautiful outward appearance. Background Art

[2] In general, a frame made of aluminum (so called "chassis") has been widely used for a door of a piece of furniture, mirror or window since it is light, easy to manufacture and cheap and provide a beautiful sense. A conventional frame made of wood material is easy to process but has several problems in that it is deteriorated in productivity due to lots of works, changed in quality due to humidity and expensive. So, people prefer the aluminum frame to the wooden frame in various fields. Such a aluminum frame is produced in such a way that ends of a vertical frame and a horizontal frame are cut at an angle of about 45° an frame assembly of a ^,J ' shape is fit on the cut diagonal plane, and the vertical and horizontal frames are coupled with each other, so that corners of the frames are connected with one another in the form of the ^,J ' shape. Thus, a rectangular frame is formed, and the frame and the frame assembly are fastened to each other via bolts. Each corner formed by coupling the vertical and horizontal frames, each of which is cut at an angle of 45° with each other has an angle of 90° and has a very sharp cut surface, so that the sharp surface may injure a user when the user collides grazes it. To solve the above problem, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 291500 discloses an assembly device for furniture which has buffering means mounted on the corner of a frame. In Korean Utility Model Registration No. 291500, vertical and horizontal frames are cut at an angle of 45° and their end portions, namely, sharp end portions, are cut in a prescribed size, and thereby, the coupled corner between the vertical and horizontal frames has a 'Λ' shaped groove. A coupling member for coupling the vertical and horizontal frames with each other includes a corner cap formed integrally with the coupling member, made of resin material and inserted into the 'Λ' shaped groove, so that the sharp corner of the vertical and horizontal frames can be covered with the rounded corner cap made of the resin material by mounting the comer cap to the comer of the vertical and horizontal frames. However, the prior art has several problems in that a protruding bar may be easily broken during safekeeping or delivery and it is difficult to couple the coupling member with the vertical and horizontal frames since an end portion of the comer cap protrudes long. To overcome the above problems, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0335005 which was invented by the same inventor as Korean Utility Model Registration No. 291500 discloses another comer cap. In Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0335005, the comer cap includes an assembly of a ^,J ' shape for coupling frames and having coupling holes formed on the comer thereof, and a comer member having coupling bars formed integrally with the comer member and inserted into the coupling holes. The assembly formed by inserting the coupling bars into the coupling holes is fit on the vertical and horizontal frames, and thereby, a rectangular frame is formed. However, the prior art has a disadvantage in that the coupling bars inserted into the coupling holes, which are formed vertically, in a straight line are easily moved forwardly even by weak power. That is, the coupling bars are easily slipped or separated from the coupling holes when weak power is applied to the comer member mounted to the coupling hole or the comer cap collides against the framework of a door.

[3] Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a comer cap which can provide users with a sense of stability by removing a sharp portion of the comer of a frame assembly to which vertical and horizontal frames are coupled and fixed, increase productivity by making the assembly and coupling easy, and increase a desire of buying by providing a beautiful outward appearance.

[5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a comer cap which can prevent noise by reducing impact generated due to friction between a door and a framework of the door and prevent a damage of a glass or mirror generated due to collision between the outer surface of the glass and the outer wall when a glass door is opened in a small space.

[6] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a comer cap which is easy to assemble in such a way as to be fit and fixed to an angled comer of the glass, door or mirror, and which can couple the vertical and horizontal frames to a frame assembly in a state where a body of the comer cap is snap-fit into a coupling hole of the frame assembly or a state before the body of the comer cap is snap-fit into the coupling hole without regard to the coupling order, thereby reducing working period of time by removing an operator's failure during the assembly.

[7] Technical Solution

[8] To achieve these objects and other advantages, in an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a comer cap coupled to a frame assembly to which vertical and horizontal frames are coupled and having a coupling hole formed on the comer thereof. The comer cap includes a coupling clip snap-fit into the coupling hole of the frame assembly, a right-angled groove formed on the inner surface thereof for inserting and fixing an angled comer of a glass, door or mirror, and a body having an outer surface curved, thereby providing users with a sense of stability by removing a sharp portion of the comer, improving productivity by making the coupling and assembly easy, and increasing a desire of buying by providing a beautiful outward appearance. In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a comer cap which includes a fixing piece formed integrally in an extension line of the body of the comer cap, a coupling ring formed at an end portion of the fixing piece, and a soft buffering member mounted on the coupling ring or which includes a fixing piece formed integrally in the extension line of the body of the body of the comer cap, coupling rings formed on both end portions of the fixing piece, and soft buffering members mounted on the coupling rings or formed integrally with the fixing piece, thereby preventing noise by reducing impact when friction is generated between the door and the framework of the door, and preventing a damage of the glass or mirror when the glass window is opened and collides against the outer wall in the small space.

[9] In a further aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a comer cap which includes a protective cover plate formed on the top of a right-angled groove formed on the inner surface of a body of the comer cap in such a way as to be inserted and fixed to an angled comer of a glass, door or mirror so that the protective cover plate is selectively used according to whether or not a glass fixing part of vertical and horizontal frames has a wing member, and which is designed and manufactured in such a way as to couple the vertical and horizontal frames with each other in a state where the body of the comer cap is coupled to the coupling hole 31 of an assembly 30 without regard to the coupling order.

[10] Advantageous Effects

[11] The comer cap according to the present invention is simply coupled to the comer between the horizontal and vertical frames, thereby making the assembly very easy, increasing productivity by reducing the operation period of time, providing customers with a sense of stability by removing a sharp portion of the comer, and increasing a desire of buying by providing a beautiful outward appearance. According to the present invention, the horizontal and vertical frames can be coupled to the frame assembly 30 in the state where the body of the comer cap is snap-fit in the coupling hole 31 of the frame assembly 30 without regard to the coupling order, so that the present invention can prevent an operator's failure, reduce working period, and allow the operator to easily exchange it with a new one when a completed product is damaged during delivery or construction of the product. According to the present invention, the fixing piece is formed integrally in the extension line of the body of the comer cap and the buffering members are mounted on the coupling ring formed on both end portions of the fixing piece or formed integrally with the fixing piece, so that the present invention can prevent noise by reducing impact generated due to friction between the door and the framework of the door, and prevent a damage of the glass or mirror generated due to collision against the outer wall if the glass door installed in a small space is opened.

[12] Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[14] Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a state where a comer cap is coupled to a coupling hole according to the present invention.

[15] Fig. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state where the comer cap is coupled to the coupling hole according to the present invention.

[16] Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[17] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[18] Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a coupled state of Fig. 5.

[19] Fig. 7 is a side sectional view showing the coupled state of Fig. 5.

[20] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a used state of Fig. 8.

[22] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention (al and a2: coupling clips of different shapes and sizes).

[23] Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of Fig. 11.

[24] Fig. 12 is a front view showing a state where buffering members are formed integrally with both ends of a comer cap according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[25] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the state where the buffering members are formed integrally with both ends of the comer cap according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Fig. 14 is a view showing a state where the comer cap designed and produced as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is fastened to a door. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[27] The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a state where a comer cap is coupled to a coupling hole according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state where the comer cap is coupled to the coupling hole according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a coupled state of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a side sectional view showing the coupled state of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a used state of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention (al and a2: coupling clips of different shapes and sizes). Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of Fig. 10. Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively a front view and a perspective view showing a state where a buffering member for reducing impact between a door and a door frame and a buffering member for protecting glass by reducing impact between the external glass surface and a wall are mounted to the comer cap. Fig. 14 is a view showing a state where the comer cap designed and produced as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is fastened to a door. As shown in the drawings, a coupling hole for coupling the comer cap according to the present invention is formed on a plane surface formed by cutting the comer of a ' ^J ' shaped assembly 30 having two wing parts fit to a vertical frame 10 and a horizontal frame 20. The comer cap snap-fit into the coupling hole 31 includes a coupling clip 42 having a stopper 41 slantly protruding for preventing separation of the comer cap, a body 40 having the same thickness and length as the frame, a fixing piece 43 extending inwardly from the body 40, a coupling ring 44 formed integrally with the end of the fixing piece 43, and a soft buffering member 45 inserted into the coupling ring 44. The coupling clip has a right-angled groove formed on the inner surface of the upper portion thereof for inserting an angled comer of a glass, door or mirror inserted into a glass fixing part of the vertical and horizontal frames 10 and 20 which are fixed with each other at right angles. The body of the comer cap according to the present invention has an outer surface curved 40-3, so that a user is not injured by the comer portion even though he or she collides against the comer portion.

[28] Mode for the Invention

[29] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a coupled state of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a side sectional view showing the coupled state of Fig. 5. Referring to the drawings, in the second preferred embodiment, the body 40 has a right-angled groove 40-1 formed on the inner surface thereof so that the angled comer of the glass, door or mirror inserted into the glass fixing part of the vertical and horizontal frames 10 and 20 which are fixed with each other at right angles can be easily inserted and fixed into the right-angled groove 40-1. At this time, the body of the comer cap may selectively use a protective cover plate 40-2 formed on the top thereof for protecting the comer of the glass according to whether or not the vertical frame 10 or horizontal frame 20 has a wing member formed on a glass fixing part 21. Fig. 8 shows a modification of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, the comer cap does not have the right-angled groove 40-1 and the protective cover plate 40-2, whereby the comer cap can easily fix the glass to the 'D'shaped frame. The soft buffering member mounted and fixed to the coupling ring 44 formed on the end of the fixing piece 43 can be easily exchanged with a new one when it is damaged or broken due to collision. As shown in Fig. 7 which is the side sectional view showing the state where the comer cap is snap-fit into the coupling hole, the body of the comer cap includes a bar-shaped coupling clip 42-2 formed inside the buffering member and inserted into a coupling hole 31-2 formed on the frame of the assembly 30, so that the buffering member fastened to the frame is not relieved from the frame. At this time, at least one coupling clip can be formed, and designed in various shapes and sizes (in the form of an integrally elongated shape or an oval shape). As shown in Fig. 5, the buffering member 45 and the fixing piece 43 can be formed integrally with each other and fixed to the frame in order to make the assembly of the comer cap easy. The buffering member 45 can be adhered on the surface of the frame with an adhesive. In the drawings, unexplained reference numeral 32 designates a coupling bolt hole for coupling the assembly to the frame, 21 designates the glass fixing part, and 50 designates a mirror or a door plate which is called the 'glass' in the present invention. Fig. 10 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The comer caps (al) and (a2) shown in Fig. 10 respectively have coupling clips formed in a vertical direction. In this case, the assembly includes a space formed on the lower portion thereof for inserting the coupling clip (Fig. 10), and a coupling hole formed inside the assembly for inserting and fastening the coupling clip 42-2. The vertically formed coupling clip may have various lengths and shapes according to the size and shape of the assembly. The comer cap which has the horizontally formed coupling clip as shown in Figs. 1 to 9 and Figs. 12 to 14 can couple and fix the vertical and horizontal frames to the frame assembly without regard to whether or not the comer cap is snap- fit into the coupling hole 31 of the assembly 30, but the comer cap which has the vertically formed coupling clip as shown in Fig. 10 can couple and fix the vertical and horizontal frames with each other only when the comer cap is snap-fit into the coupling hole 31 of the assembly 30. Furthermore, in Fig. 10, to easily assemble the comer cap, it is preferable that the buffering member is mounted on the lower portion of the body of the comer cap (in the drawing). Figs. 12 and 13 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the comer cap includes a buffering member for reducing impact between a door and the framework of the door and a buffering member for protecting the glass by reducing impact between the outer glass surface and a wall. The comer cap according to the fourth preferred embodiment may have the horizontal coupling clip formed in various shapes as shown in Figs. 1 to 9. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, if the buffering members are mounted on both sides of the body of the comer cap, it is preferable that the coupling clip is formed inside the body in consideration of convenience in assembly. The fixing piece 43 according to the present invention may be selectively formed short or long as occasion demands. The function and effects of the comer cap manufactured according to the present invention will be described in more detail. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a state where the comer cap is snap-fit into the coupling hole of the assembly. As shown in the drawings, the present invention is made of synthetic resin material or aluminum, has an outer surface curved 40-3, and is mounted on the comer of a frame of a piece of furniture, a glass window or a door of furniture. The present invention has an object to provide the comer cap which is easy to assembly and not separated from the frame after the assembly. In the comer cap according to the present invention, the end portions of the vertical and horizontal frames 10 and 20 are cut at an angle of 45° and the end portions, namely the sharp end portions, are cut in a prescribed size and coupled with each other, whereby the vertical and horizontal frames form a 'Λ' shaped groove formed on a comer portion therebetween. After that, the vertical and horizontal frames having the 'Λ' shaped groove are mounted and fixed to coupling holes formed on the both wing parts of the assembly 30. When the frames are coupled in the form of a rectangle, the comer portion between the horizontal and vertical frames has the 'Λ' shaped groove, and the coupling hole 31 formed on the comer of the assembly 30 is exposed through the 'Λ' shaped groove. The body 40 of the comer cap is inserted into the hole, and the stopper 41 formed on the front end of the coupling clip 42 is snap-fit into the coupling hole 31 by pressing the body 40 of the comer cap, so that the body 40 is fastened to the comer of the coupled portion of the horizontal and vertical frames, and thereby, the present invention can provide the comer which is smoother and more beautiful. The comer cap according to the present invention can coupled the horizontal and vertical frames with each other in a state where the body 40 is snap-fit into the coupling hole 31 formed on the assembly 30 without regard to the coupling order (excluding the embodiment of Fig. 9). At this time, a user can selectively determine the assembly order in consideration of saving of the assembly period and convenience. At this time, the soft buffering member 45 is coupled and fixed to the coupling ring 44 formed on the end portion of the fixing piece 43 formed integrally with the body 40, and is in close contact with the surface of the frame. The buffering member 45 is located at a friction portion between the door and the framework of the door, and is provided to prevent noise by reducing impact between the door frame and the framework of the door when the door is opened or shut. In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing piece is formed integrally in an extension line of the body of the comer cap, coupling rings are formed at both end portions of the fixing piece, and the soft buffering members are mounted to the coupling rings or formed integrally. As a result, the present invention can prevent noise by reducing impact when friction is generated between the door and the framework of the door, and prevent a damage of the glass or mirror when the glass window is opened and collides against the outer wall in a small space. In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bar shaped coupling clip 42-1 is formed inside the buffering member 45, and fastened to the frame coupled to the assembly 30 and the coupling hole formed on the assembly 30, and thereby, the buffering member 45 is not relieved from the frame. In Fig. 4, the buffering member 45 and the fixing piece 43 are formed integrally with each other in order to make the assembly thereof easy. The buffering member 45 can be adhered to the surface of the frame with the adhesive. In Figs. 5 to 7, the comer cap has the right- angled groove 40-1 formed on the inner surface of the body thereof in such a way as to be easily inserted and fixed to the angled comer of the glass, door or mirror inserted into the glass fixing parts of the horizontal and vertical frames coupled with each other at right angles. If the glass fixing parts 21 of the vertical and horizontal frames 10 and 20 respectively have wing members, the comer cap further includes the protective cover plate 40-2 formed on the top thereof for protecting the comer of the glass. The coupling clip 42 having the stopper in one of the embodiments according to the present invention includes at least one coupling bar inserted into the comer of the assembly, or formed integrally with the coupling clip 42 in various sizes or shapes and inserted into the coupling hole.

[30] Industrial Applicability

[31] As described above, the comer cap according to the present invention is simply coupled to the comer between the horizontal and vertical frames, thereby making the assembly very easy, increasing productivity by reducing the operation period of time, providing customers with a sense of stability by removing a sharp portion of the comer, and increasing a desire of buying by providing a beautiful outward appearance. According to the present invention, the horizontal and vertical frames can be coupled with each other in the state where the body of the comer cap is coupled to the coupling hole 31 of the assembly 30 without regard to the coupling order, so that the present invention can prevent an operator's failure, reduce working period, and allow the operator to easily exchange it with a new one when a completed product is damaged during delivery or construction of the product. According to the present invention, the fixing piece is formed integrally in the extension line of the body of the comer cap and the buffering members are mounted on the coupling ring formed on both end portions of the fixing piece or formed integrally with the fixing piece, so that the present invention can prevent noise by reducing impact generated due to friction between the door and the framework of the door, and prevent a damage of the glass or mirror generated due to collision against the outer wall if the glass door installed in a small space is opened.

Claims

[1] A comer cap coupled to a comer of a frame assembly of a rectangular shape to which the vertical and horizontal frames are coupled and fixed, the frame assembly having a coupling hole formed on the comer of thereof in a horizontal or vertical direction, wherein the comer cap is coupled and fixed to a piece of furniture, a glass window or a door of furniture, the comer cap comprising: a body having a comer of which outer surface is curved; a coupling clip protruding inwardly from the body in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the body, so that it is snap-fit into the coupling hole of the frame assembly so as to prevent separation of the comer cap from the frame assembly; and buffering means coupled to a fixing piece formed integrally with the body, for reducing external impact when a door is opened or shut.

[2] The comer cap according to claim 1, further comprising a right-angled groove formed on the inner surface of the upper portion of the coupling clip, for easily coupling and fixing an angled comer of a glass inserted into a glass fixing part of the vertical and horizontal frames.

[3] The comer cap according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cover plate formed on the top of the right-angled groove in order to cover a cut portion formed on the outer surface of the frame if the glass fixing part of the frame has a wing member.

[4] The comer cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the buffering means includes a buffering member formed integrally with the fixing piece or separately mounted to a coupling ring formed on the fixing piece in order to allow an operator to easily exchange a damaged buffering member with a new one.

[5] The comer cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame assembly to which the vertical and horizontal frames is coupled is designed in the form of a plane and a coupling hole is formed on the planar frame assembly to conform to the shape of the coupling clip of the comer cap, wherein the body having the coupling clip inserted and fixed into the coupling hole, the buffering means and the fixing piece are formed integrally with one another, or the fixing piece has a coupling ring for mounting the buffering means which is separated from the fixing piece in order to allow the operator to easily exchange the buffering means with a new one when it is damaged, the buffering means including a buffering member for reducing impact generated between a door and a framework of the door and a buffering member for protecting glass by reducing impact generated due to collision between the outer surface of the glass and a wall.

[6] The comer cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the buffering member is formed integrally with the fixing piece and is adhered on the surface of the frame with an adhesive after being coupled to the coupling hole.

[7] The comer cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling clip includes at least one bar, is formed integrally with the body in an elongated form, or has various shapes and sizes capable of being coupled to the coupling hole of the assembly.