WO2010065971A2

WO2010065971A2 - A securing device

Info

Publication number: WO2010065971A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2009/000104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolaas Johannes Hermanus Strydom
Original assignee: Strydom Nicolaas Johannes Herm
Priority date: 2008-12-01
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Also published as: ZA201104769B; WO2010065971A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of forming a securing device (10) in a panel (12), to a securing device (10) and to a panel (12). It is envisaged that the securing device (10) of the invention can be applied releasably to secure a panel (12), such as a door panel, a window panel, a panel of a drawer, or the like, for example, in a closed condition. In addition, the securing device (10) can be used to secure a panel (12), such as a door panel, or the like, for example, in an open condition, so as to serve as a door stop, for example. The securing device (10) includes: an elongate slide member (18) insertable through a mouth (20) of a passage (11 ) cut in a panel (12); a manually operable actuation member (24) connectable to the inserted slide member (18) through an opening, defined in one of the major faces (12.1 ), through which at least a portion of the passage (22) is revealed, such that at least a portion of the manually operable actuation member (18) extends from the opening; and a guide plate (30) defining a guide slot (32), the guide plate (30) being securable to the major face (12.1 ) to cover the opening, such that the manually operable actuation member (24) extends through the guide slot (32).

Description

A SECURING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a securing device. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of forming a securing device in a panel, to a securing device and to a panel.

It is envisaged that the securing device of the invention can be applied releasably to secure a panel, such as a door panel, a window panel, a panel of a drawer, or the like, for example, in a closed condition. In addition, the securing device can be used to secure a panel, such as a door panel, or the like, for example, in an open condition, so as to serve as a door stop, for example. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a securing device in a panel, the panel comprising opposed major faces and side edge faces extending between the major faces along a periphery of the panel, the method including the steps of:

cutting a passage into the panel so as to define a mouth opening at one of the side edge faces;

cutting an opening in at least one of the major faces so as to reveal at least a portion of the passage;

inserting an elongate slide member into the passage; and

connecting a manually operable actuation member to the inserted slide member so that at least a portion of the manually operable actuation member extends from the opening;

such that displacement of the manually operable actuation member causes the slide member to slide in the passage between a securing position, in which an operative end portion of the slide member protrudes from the mouth, and a retracted position, in which the end-portion is substantially retracted into the passage.

The method may further include securing a guide plate defining a guide slot to the major face to cover the opening, such that the manually operable actuation member extends through the guide slot. Preferably, the guide plate defines a catch formation as part of the guide slot such that the elongate slide member can be retained in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member in the catch formation.

The method may also include the prior step of inserting a spring into the passage prior to inserting the elongate slide member into the passage, such that when the elongate slide member is inserted into the passage, the spring urges the elongate slide member into the securing position. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a securing device including:

an elongate slide member insertable through a mouth of a passage cut in a panel, the panel defining opposed major faces and side edge faces extending between the major faces along a periphery of the panel, the mouth being defined by one of the side edge faces;

a manually operable actuation member connectable to the inserted slide member through an opening, defined in one of the major faces, through which at least a portion of the passage is revealed, such that at least a portion of the manually operable actuation member extends from the opening; and

a guide plate defining a guide slot, the guide plate being securable to the major face to cover the opening, such that the manually operable actuation member extends through the guide slot.

The securing device may further include a spring for urging the elongate slide member into a securing position, in which an operative end portion of the slide member protrudes from the mouth, from a retracted position, in which the operative end portion is substantially retracted into the passage. Typically, the spring is positioned in the passage between a blind end of the passage and an end of the elongate slide member opposite to the operative end portion thereof. Preferably, the spring is in the form of a helical coil spring.

The guide plate may define a catch formation as part of the guide slot for retaining the elongate slide member in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member in the catch formation. Preferably, the guide slot may be generally L-shaped, the catch formation being defined by the foot portion of the L-shape.

The elongate slide member and the manually operable actuation member may define complementary connecting formations for enabling the manually operable actuation member to be connectable to the slide member through the opening formed in one of the major faces of the panel. Generally, the connecting formation of the slide member is in the form of an internally screw- threaded blind hole. Typically, the connecting formation of the manually operable actuation member is in the form of an externally screw-threaded end portion screw threadedly receivable in the internally screw-threaded blind hole of the elongate slide member.

The elongate slide member may be in the form of a bolt. Preferably, the bolt defines an annular recess formation for receiving the helical coil spring in a seated condition at the end of the elongate slide member opposite the operative end-portion of the bolt.

The invention extends to a panel including:

a body defining opposed major faces and side edge faces extending between the major faces along a periphery of the panel; and

a securing device as described above mounted on the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a securing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, mounted on a panel, only part of which is indicated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view along arrows H-Il in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a guide plate of another securing device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a securing device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, mounted on a panel, only part of which is indicated in Figure 4; Figure 5 corresponds with Figure 4 and shows a sectional end view of the securing device, along arrows V2-V2 in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 corresponds with Figures 4 and 5 and shows a schematic plan view of the securing device, along arrow V1 in Figure 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 12. The panel 12 includes a body 14 and a securing device, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, mounted on the body 14.

The body 14 of the panel 12 defines opposed major faces 12.1 , 12.2 and side edge faces 12.3, 12.4, extending between the major faces 12.1 , 12.2 along a periphery 16 of the panel 12. The side edge faces 12.3, 12.4 can be opposed side edge faces of a beam defining an edge portion of a door panel, or a window panel, or the like, for example. Instead, the panel 12 can be of unitary construction.

The securing device 10 includes an elongate slide member 18. The elongate slide member 18 can be in the form of a bolt, as shown. Accordingly, the elongate slide member 18 can be in the form of a cross sectionally circular length of metal bar, or tube, or the like, for example. The elongate slide member 18 is shown as having been inserted through a mouth 20 of a passage 22 formed in the panel 12. The elongate slide member 18 has been inserted through the mouth 20 of the passage 22, the mouth being positioned at one of the side edge faces, in this case the side edge face 12.3.

The securing device 10 further includes a manually operable actuation member 24 after having been connected to the slide member 18, after the slide member 18 has been positioned in the passage 22. The manually operable actuation member 24 is connected to the elongate slide member 18 through an opening 26 formed in one of the other faces, in this case the major face 12.1 , to reveal the passage 22, such that the manually operable actuation member 24 extends from the opening 26. The securing device 10 further includes a guide plate 30. The guide plate 30 defines a guide slot 32. The guide plate 30 has been secured to the major face 12.1 to cover the opening 26, such that, the manually operable actuation member 24 extends through the guide slot 32.

The securing device 10 further includes a spring 34 which has been inserted into the passage 22 prior to the elongate slide member 18. The spring 34 can be in the form of a helical coil spring. When the elongate slide member 18 is inserted into the passage 22, as shown, the spring 34 urges the elongate slide member 18 into a securing position, as indicated in solid lines, in which an operative end portion 18.1 of the slide member 18 protrudes from the mouth 20, from a retracted position, as indicated in dashed lines, in which the operative end portion 18.1 is retracted into the passage 22.

The elongate slide member 18, when in the form of a bolt, can define an annular recess formation 35 for receiving the spring 34 in a seated condition at an end portion 18.2 of the elongate slide member 18 opposite to the operative end portion 18.1 thereof.

The guide plate 30 defines a catch formation 36 as part of the guide slot 32. The catch formation 36 is arranged such that the elongate slide member 18 can be retained in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member 24 in the catch formation 36. Conveniently, the guide slot 32 is generally L-shaped, the catch formation 36 being defined by the foot portion of the L- shape.

The elongate slide member 18 and the manually operable actuation member 24 define complementary connecting formations 38, 40. The complementary connecting formations 38, 40 are arranged to enable the manually operable actuation member 24 to be connectable to the elongate slide member 18 through the opening 26. The connecting formation 38 of the elongate slide member 18 is in the form of an internally screw- threaded blind hole. The connecting formation 40 of the manually operable actuation member 24 is in the form of an externally screw-threaded end portion screw threadedly receivable in the internally screw-threaded blind hole of the elongate slide member 18.

In use, the manually operable actuation member 24 is manually released from the catch formation 36 to cause the elongate slide member 18 to slide along the passage 22 into a securing position. The spring 34 acts under compression to displace the elongate slide member 18 into the securing position. The operative end portion 18.1 can then engage in a hole, or the like, in a door frame, a window frame, or the like, for example. To retract the operative end portion 18.1 , the manually operable actuation member 24 is manually displaced along the guide slot 32 thereby to retract the operative end portion 18.1 simultaneously with displacement of the manually operable actuation member 24 along the guide slot 32. It will be appreciated that the operative end portion 18.1 is retracted against urging of the spring 34. The manually operable actuation member 24 is then reengaged in the catch formation 36 so as to retain the operative end portion 18.1 in a retracted position. Urging of the spring 34 then serves to hold the manually operable actuation member 24 in the catch formation 36.

In another embodiment of the invention, a securing device, similar to the securing device 10, is provided without the spring 34. In such a case, the securing device can have a guide plate 50, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The guide plate 50 has two opposed catch formations 52. One of the catch formations is then arranged to enable the operative end portion 18.1 to be held in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member 24 in that catch formation. The other catch formations 52 serves to enable the operative end portion 18.1 to be held in a securing position by engaging the manually operable actuation member 24 in that catch formation.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts or features, unless otherwise stated, a securing device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 110.

The securing device 110 is similar to the securing device 10. One difference is that the opening 26 is positioned in a side edge thee 112.4 of an associated panel 112, as opposed to a major face, as is the case in the securing device 10. Another difference is that the guide plate 130 is recessed. Such an embodiment can advantageously be used as a securing device to be positioned between a door, or a window pair, of a double door, or a double window, or the like, for example.

The securing devices 10, 110 are formed by providing a panel 12, 112 defining opposed major faces and side edge faces extending between the major faces along a periphery of the panel. A passage 22 is then formed into the panel 12, 112 so as to form a mouth opening at one of the side edge faces. In the case of a wooden panel 12, 112, the passage 22 can be formed by drilling a hole in a wooden frame of the panel, or the like, for example. An opening in one of the other faces 12.1 , 112.4 so as to reveal the passage 22 is formed.

The elongate slide member 18 is then inserted into the passage 22. If the device 10, 110 is to have a spring 34, the spring 34 is inserted into the passage 22 prior to insertion of the elongate slide member 18. The manually operable actuation member 24 is then connected to the elongate slide member 18 such that the manually operable actuation member 24 extends from the opening 26. Typically, the manually operable actuation member 24 is connected to the elongate slide member 18 screw threadedly by means of the complementary connecting formations 38, 40. Accordingly, the externally screw-threaded end portion of the manually operable actuation member 24 is screw threadedly secured in the internally screw-threaded blind hole of the elongate slide member 18.

The guide plate 30, 130 is then secured to the panel 12, 1 12 such that the manually operable actuation member 24 extends through the guide slot 32, 132.

The manually operable actuation member 24 can then be displaced to cause the slide member 18 to slide in the passage 22 between the securing position, in which the operative end portion 18.1 of the slide member 18 protrudes from the mouth 20, and a retracted position, in which the operative end portion 18.1 is retracted into the passage 20.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of forming a securing device in a panel, the panel comprising opposed major faces and side edge faces extending between the major faces along a periphery of the panel, the method including the steps of:

inserting an elongate slide member into the passage; and

such that displacement of the manually operable actuation member causes the slide member to slide in the passage between a securing position, in which an operative end-portion of the slide member protrudes from the mouth, and a retracted position, in which the operative end-portion is substantially retracted into the passage.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further includes the step of securing a guide plate defining a guide slot to the major face to cover the opening, such that the manually operable actuation member extends through the guide slot.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate defines a catch formation as part of the guide slot such that the elongate slide member can be retained in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member in the catch formation.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the method includes the prior step of inserting a spring into the passage prior to inserting the elongate slide member into the passage, such that when the elongate slide member is inserted into the passage, the spring urges the elongate slide member into the securing position.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the spring is inserted in the passage between a blind end of the passage and an end of the elongate slide member opposite to the operative end- portion thereof.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate slide member is in the form of a bolt.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the bolt defines an annular recess formation for receiving the spring in a seated condition at the end of the elongate slide member opposite the operative end-portion of the bolt, and further wherein the spring is a helical coil.

8. A securing device including:

9. A securing device according to claim 8, wherein the securing device further includes a spring for urging the elongate slide member into a securing position, in which an operative end portion of the elongate slide member protrudes from the mouth, from a retracted position, in which the operative end portion is substantially retracted into the passage.

10. A securing device according to claim 9, wherein the spring is positioned in the passage between a blind end of the passage and an end of the elongate slide member opposite to the operative end-portion thereof.

11. A securing device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the spring is in the form of a helical coil spring.

12. A securing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the guide plate defines a catch formation as part of the guide slot for retaining the elongate slide member in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member in the catch formation.

13. A securing device according to claim 12, wherein the guide slot is generally L-shaped, the catch formation being defined by the foot portion of the L-shape.

14. A securing device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the elongate slide member and the manually operable actuation member define complementary connecting formations for enabling the manually operable actuation member to be connectable to the slide member through the opening formed in one of the major faces of the panel.

15. A securing device according to claim 14, wherein the connecting formation of the slide member is in the form of an internally screw-threaded blind hole, and the connecting formation of the manually operable actuation member is in the form of an externally screw-threaded end portion being screw threadedly receivable in the internally screw-threaded blind hole of the elongate slide member.

16. A securing device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the elongate slide member is in the form of a bolt.

17. A securing device according to claim 16, wherein the bolt defines an annular recess formation for receiving the helical coil spring in a seated condition at the end of the elongate slide member opposite the operative end-portion of the bolt.

18. A panel including:

a securing device including:

19. A panel according to claim 18, wherein the securing device further includes a spring for urging the elongate slide member into a securing position, in which an operative end portion of the elongate slide member protrudes from the mouth, from a retracted position, in which the operative end portion is substantially retracted into the passage.

20. A panel according to claim 19, wherein the spring is positioned in the passage between a blind end of the passage and an end of the elongate slide member opposite to the operative end- portion thereof.

21. A panel according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the spring is in the form of a helical coil spring.

22. A panel according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the guide plate defines a catch formation as part of the guide slot for retaining the elongate slide member in a retracted position by engaging the manually operable actuation member in the catch formation.

23. A panel according to claim 22, wherein the guide slot is generally L-shaped, the catch formation being defined by the foot portion of the L-shape.

24. A panel according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the elongate slide member and the manually operable actuation member define complementary connecting formations for enabling the manually operable actuation member to be connectable to the slide member through the opening formed in one of the major faces of the panel.

25. A panel according to claim 24, wherein the connecting formation of the slide member is in the form of an internally screw-threaded blind hole, and the connecting formation of the manually operable actuation member is in the form of an externally screw-threaded end portion being screw threadedly receivable in the internally screw-threaded blind hole of the elongate slide member.

26. A panel according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the elongate slide member is in the form of a bolt.

27. A panel according to claim 26, wherein the bolt defines an annular recess formation for receiving the helical coil spring in a seated condition at the end of the elongate slide member opposite the operative end-portion of the bolt.

28. A method of forming a securing device in a panel substantially as herein described and illustrated.

29. A securing device substantially as herein described and illustrated.

30. A panel substantially as herein described and illustrated.