WO2010020819A2

WO2010020819A2 - Joint assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2010020819A2
Application number: PCT/GB2009/051046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Barron
Original assignee: Michael Barron
Priority date: 2008-08-21
Filing date: 2009-08-21
Publication date: 2010-02-25
Also published as: WO2010020819A3; GB2462841A; GB0815269D0

Abstract

A joint assembly in which a glass component is connected to a component of lower hardness material by a mechanical interlock arrangement to allow transmission of tensile and / or compressive loads.

Description

Joint Assembly

This invention relates to joint assemblies and to structures incorporating said assemblies. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to articles of furniture including joint assemblies. It is known to form structural components such as table tops out of sheet glass. Typically such components are connected to the adjacent component by means of either adhesive bonding or by a threaded metal fitting together with some sort of washer or gland to prevent glass to metal contact. Relative movement resulting in glass to metal contact causes chipping of the glass which itself can lead to catastrophic failure of the component. Similarly, when a glass structural element is intended to contact the floor, it is usual to provide resilient feet to avoid similar damage to the leg if it is placed on a stone or concrete floor. Quite apart from the incompatibility between metal and glass, another problem is that of the very different thermal expansion coefficients of metal and glass which means that it is not practical to bond extended lengths of metal to glass for structural purposes as the different coefficients of thermal expansion can lead to bond failure.

There is a need for a joint assembly which overcomes at least some of these disadvantages. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides a joint assembly between a first component of glass material and a component of lower hardness material, wherein said assembly is arranged to transmit in use a tensile and/or compressive load between said components, wherein said first and second components are connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement. In this arrangement, the first and second components are joined by a mechanical interlock arrangement and the presence of the lower hardness material means that surface to surface contact between the two components can be accommodated by slight surface deformation of the lower hardness material rather than brittle fracture.

The lower hardness material may be of any suitable form such as timber, plastics, or any other material which, when the joint is stressed, results in minor local deformation of the lower hardness material rather than spalling or fracture of the glass material. The glass material may be a toughened glass. A wide variety of mechanical interlock arrangements may be used, for example those taken from the cabinet making or wood working fields. Thus in one arrangement, the mechanical interlock arrangement comprises a male portion on one end of said first and second components received in a female recess or portion of the other thereof. The male portion may comprise a tenon and the female recess or portion may comprise a mortice.

The mortice and tenon may be secured by means of a peg of lower hardness material which passes through both components or just the tenon alone.

The male portion may be provided on either the first component or the second component. In many applications the male portion or tenon will be on the glass component received in a recess in the lower hardness material.

The invention extends to an article of furniture including at least one joint assembly as described above.

In another aspect, this invention comprises a table top of glass material and having a male portion of glass material that is received in a recess in a leg of lower hardness material, the two being connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement.

The table may comprise a plurality of legs attached to the table top by respective mechanical interlock arrangements alone. Preferably, at least some of the legs are connected to the table top by mortice and tenon joints.

Where there are plurality of legs, at least two of the legs are preferably interconnected by a brace element or cross member. The brace element may be secured to the legs by a mechanical interlock arrangement. Although other possibilities are not excluded, the brace element may be of a glass material.

In yet another aspect, the invention extends to a support base for a table top, the support base including a frame made up of at least two leg members of relatively low hardness material interconnected by a mechanical interlock arrangement to at least one cross member of glass material. In a further aspect, the invention extends to a signpost comprising a pointer element of glass sheet material connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement to a support element of relatively low hardness material.

In yet another aspect, the invention extends to a pergola comprising a plurality of generally vertical elements of relatively low hardness material spanned by cross members of glass material connected to said vertical element by respective mechanical interlock arrangements.

In another aspect, this invention provides a joint assembly between a first component of glass material and a second component of lower hardness material, said first component being of generally sheet form and having at each edge a portion of enlarged section, wherein said second component is provided with a re-entrant recess designed to receive said enlarged portion.

In yet another aspect, this invention provides a joint assembly between a sheet of glass material and a peripheral frame of relatively low hardness material, with at least one of the opposed surfaces of the sheet of glass material being generally flush with the surrounding surface of the peripheral frame, the peripheral frame having along at least some of its inner edges a female slot or rebate for receiving a male element or tongue on the glass material.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description or claims.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view on the right hand end of a table in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view on the right hand end of a table of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view on the second embodiment of a table in accordance with this invention; Figure 4 is a front view on the left hand end of a third embodiment of a table in accordance with this invention;

Figure 5 is a detailed, exploded view of the leg assembly of the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a fourth embodiment of a table in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a detailed view on the leg joint of the table of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side section detail showing an arrangement for connecting a table top to a leg; Figure 9 is a view of another arrangement for connecting a table top to a leg, using a dovetail configuration;

Figure 10 is a view of a table having a table base frame in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

Figure 11 is a view on the right hand end of a bookshelf or other modular assembly in accordance with this invention;

Figure 12 is a detailed exploded view of the joint arrangement for the embodiment of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a detail of the upper end of a signpost in accordance with this invention; Figure 14 is a view of the upper part of a pergola in accordance with the invention;

Figure 15 is a partial view of a flush glass/timber panel in accordance with the invention;

Figures 16(a) to (g) illustrate various edge configurations for making the flush arrangement of Figure 15;

Figures 17(a) to (h) are views of various tenon ends and joint interfaces for use on a glass structural element in the above embodiments;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an article of furniture constructed from two wooden elements spaced by a vertical glass support panel, and Figure 19 is a schematic detail view of a joint assembly between a glass panel sandwiched between two spaced elongate wooden support or frame elements.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a trestle type arrangement where a table top 10 is supported at either end by two divergent trestle ends 12 connected by a cross member 14 which protrudes through a slot in each trestle leg 12 and is secured by a peg 16 in an aperture 18 in the cross member 14. In this arrangement, the upper ends of the trestle legs 12 are formed with slots (not shown) which receive downwardly projecting tongues (not shown) on the underside of the work surface, see for example Figures 8 and 9.

It will be noted that in this arrangement, the structure is supported by mechanical interlock arrangements between the timber and the glass and that there is no relatively moveable glass contact. This arrangement therefore provides a robust stable structure. Furthermore, the simplicity of the structure renders it particularly suitable for a flat pack option.

Referring now to Figure 3, in this embodiment the table top 20 is supported by a generally rectangular leg 22 transverse to the length of the table at one end and a trapezoidal leg 24 disposed perpendicularly at the other end of the table with the two being connected by a glass brace member 26. As previously, the table top has respective downwardly projecting tenons 28, 30 which seat in mortice regions or grooves 32, 34 in the respective legs 22, 24. The retention of the downwardly projecting tenons in the mortices may be by virtue of gravity alone or the tenon may be pegged as shown at the left hand end. Mid way down the left hand trapezoidal leg is a mortice slot 25 through which the end of the brace element 26 passes and is pegged in position. At its other end, the brace element 26 pass through a slot 27 in the right hand leg and is pegged at the other side.

Referring now to Figure 4, in this arrangement the table top 40 is provided with two downwardly facing glass ribs 42 terminating at each end in triangular portions 44 with there being a gap 46 into which is slotted a trapezoidal leg 48 having an internal slot 50 (see Figure 5) with the leg and the triangular portion

44 being apertured so that they can be pegged together.

The arrangement of Figure 6 is generally similar in that the table top has spaced parallel ribs 54 each of which engages two legs. The joint between the legs and the table top could be as in the arrangement of Figures 4 and 5 or by an arrangement such as in Figure 7. Here, each leg 56 has opposed mortice grooves 58 in it which receive tenon portions 60 from the glass ribs 54.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, there are shown details of two joint arrangements between table top 60 and a leg 62. In the arrangement of Figure

8, the leg has a mortice slot 64 which receives a glass tenon 66 projecting from the underside of the table top. In Figure 9, the leg 62 has a dovetail or re-entrant trapezoidal recess 68 which receives a complementary glass material dovetail section 70 projecting from the underside of the table top 60. Referring now to Figure 10, in this arrangement a support base for a table top 72 is made up of four timber legs 74 interconnected by four glass cross members 76. The pillar legs include perpendicularly disposed mortice slots which receive respective ends of the cross members. Each of the joints is secured by a peg 78. A glass table top may be simply laid on top of the base or it may have downwardly projecting ribs or rods that seat in appropriately shaped recesses or bores in the upper portions of the legs.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, a multi-tiered table or a bookshelf may be built up by means of timber vertical supports 80 supporting opposite ends of a glass shelf 82 or table top 84. The timber supports have recesses which receive correspondingly shaped male portions 86 projecting upwardly and downwardly to interlock with the vertical support members. The topmost glass member 84 of course only has a downwardly projecting member.

Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a signpost which is formed by an upright of timber 88 having at its upper end a transverse mortice slot in which is received and pegged the end of a glass pointer element 90. The glass pointer 90element may be painted, etched or otherwise inscribed with directions. In this and the other arrangements if required, suitable light emitting elements may be provided to illuminate the sign and these may be shrouded within the timber post.

Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a pergola arrangement where a number of upright posts of timber 92 each have mortice slots to receive the end region of a glass cross member 94 which is then pegged. The glass members may terminate at the post or extend beyond it. Referring now to Figure 15, in this arrangement, a timber frame 96 is provided with a glazed panel 98 that is flush with the upper and lower surfaces. The timber frame 96 has a groove in its inner peripheral edge which receives a tongue 100 on the edge of the glass panel. Figures 16(a) to (g) show various configurations for the interface between the glass and the timber frame. Thus in Figure 16(a), the glass panel is formed by bonding two such panels together to leave a peripheral tongue. In this instance the upper glass surface is flush with the panel but there is a step between the lower surface of the panel and the lower glass surface. The panel may be secured to the frame by pegging. In the arrangement of Figure 16(c), a glass panel is made up by bonding three sheets together so that the middle sheet defines a peripheral tongue. As shown in Figures 16(d) to (f), it is not necessary for the tongue on the glass panel to be uniform. Thus as shown in Figure 16(d) it may comprise a flat convex lobe, or in Figure 16(e) it may be generally trapezoidal or in Figure 16(f) it may comprise a glass disk bonded so as to project an arcuate tongue at the mid point of the glass. Figure 16(g) shows a double glazed unit where the inner and outer glass panels are each made of two glass sheets stepped as in Figures 16(a) and (b) so that the glass surface is flush with the surrounding frame.

Referring now to Figure 17, several different types of glass tenon ends are shown. It will be appreciated of course that the glass tenon could simply be a plane end but in the arrangements of Figure 17(a) to (g) further glass shapes are bonded to the cross member to provide a step or shoulder to enhance the mechanical interlock with the associated member of lower hardness material. Figure 17(h) shows an arrangement in which two triangular portions are bonded to the edge of a glass panel to provide an inverted arrowhead section which is received in a corresponding re-entrant recess in the frame element.

Referring to Figure 18, in this arrangement a bench or other item of furniture is made by providing slots 102 in the opposed surfaces of two elongate timber members 104, with the slots snugly receiving the opposed edges of an upright glass panel 106 in a mechanical interlock arrangement. The interlock may be supplemented by passing bolts (not shown) through the timber to resist opening of the slots due to cracking or other movement e.g. as the timber becomes seasoned or due to variations in temperature or humidity. The elongate timber members 104 may conveniently be formed by cutting a length of a tree trunk into half, or sawing along a chord to provide generally flat D- sectioned planks off a trunk, leaving a central plank which can be used for other purposes.

Referring now to Figure 19, this shows another form of joint assembly which makes use of the interface between glass and wood to provide a structural joint. In this arrangement, a relatively large circular hole 108 is formed in a sheet 110 of glass and a plug 112 or disk of softer material e.g. wood is fitted into the hole, and the glass with disk fitted is placed between two side members 114 of softer material e.g. wood, (or placed in a slot in a member of a softer material). A relatively small hole is drilled to pass through the side members (or the side walls of the slot) and the disk, and the elements are then clamped together by a nut 116 and bolt 118 conveniently using spiked washers 120 under the bolt head and the nut. In this arrangement a tightly toleranced joint assembly can be assembled which is capable of sustaining substantial loads. An important advantage is that, as the hole for the bolt is drilled in. situ, precise registration of a number of holes with respective anchorages is obviated. Thus this arrangement could be used for moulding a glass balustrade, or mounting a glass screen between two rafters.

Claims

1. A joint assembly between a first component of glass material and a component of lower hardness material, wherein said assembly is arranged to transmit in use a tensile and/or compressive load between said components, wherein said first and second components are connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement.

2. A joint assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein said mechanical interlock arrangement comprises a male portion on one of said first and second components received in a female recess or portion on the other thereof.

3. A joint assembly according to Claim 2, wherein said male portion comprises a tenon and said female recess or portion comprises a mortice.

4. A joint assembly according to Claim 3, wherein said tenon is apertured and secured in said mortice by a peg.

5. A joint assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the peg passes through both components in the engagement region of the mortice and tenon.

6. A joint assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the peg passes through the tenon alone.

7. A joint assembly according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the male portion is provided on said first component.

8. A joint assembly according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the male portion is provided on said second component.

9. An article of furniture including at least one joint assembly according to any of the preceding Claims.

10. A table comprising a table top of glass material and having a male portion of glass material that is received in a recess in a leg of lower hardness material, the two being connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement.

11. A table according to Claim 10, comprising a plurality of legs attached to the table top by respective mechanical interlock arrangements alone.

12. A table according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the legs are connected to the table top by mortice and tenon joints.

13. A table according to any of Claims 10 to 12, including a plurality of legs, wherein at least two of said legs are interconnected by a brace element.

14. A table according to Claim 13, wherein the brace element is secured to said legs by a mechanical interlock arrangement.

15. A table according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein said brace element is of glass material.

16. A support base for a table top, said support base including a frame made up of at least two leg members of relatively low hardness material interconnected by a one or more respective mechanical interlock arrangements to at least one cross member of glass material.

17. A signpost comprising a pointer element of glass sheet material connected by a mechanical interlock arrangement to a support element of relatively low hardness material.

18. A signpost according to Claim 17, wherein said glass sheet material is provided with a male portion that is received in a female recess or portion associated with the support element.

19. A pergola comprising a plurality of generally vertical elements of relatively low hardness material spanned by cross members of glass material connected to said vertical elements by regular mechanical interlock arrangements.

20. An article of furniture comprising two elongate members, one of which is adapted to be placed on the ground, the elongate members being spaced apart and provided with opposed slots into which fit the opposed edges of a generally vertical glass sheet member, the elongate members being of lower hardness than the glass.

21. A joint assembly comprising a glass sheet, a relatively large hole provided in said glass sheet in which a circular disk of dhllable material of lower hardness material than the glass is fitted, and a smaller hole is provided in said circular disk through which a fitting passes to secure the glass sheet to a further member.