WO2012129598A1

WO2012129598A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2012129598A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000315
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonard Martin Stuckey
Original assignee: Burgundy Trial Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-30
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2012-10-04

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector comprising a substantially hollow assembly member comprising at least one guide portion adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped and sized elongate member attachable thereto, wherein connection of the connector and the elongate member is achieved by cooperation between: (i) an expansion member comprising at least one deflectable segment; (ii) a wedge member adapted to bear against the at least one deflectable segment; and (iii) a fastening means whereby the wedge member is drawn substantially inwardly through the expansion member towards the assembly member, wherein the at least one deflectable segment is urged substantially outwardly.

Description

CONNECTOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cormectoT for connecting to at least one tubular member, preferably at least two tubular members and more preferably, for reversible connection to a plurality of tubular members. The connector of the invention is intended to be suitable for simple, do-it-yourself construction for assembly and disassembly purposes.

Background to the Invention

Joining tubes, pipes, or other hollow or tubular components at a corner position can be problematic and time-consuming. Achieving this in a less time-consuming manner where the join is both strong and aesthetically pleasing is more difficult Typically, bolting together and/or welding of the components is required. Further, while various angled clamp arrangements can be used which can provide a strong join, such arrangements often do not satisfy all of the above requirements. Other connectors can friction-fit within the components, but these also require additional fixing of the components in place.

The present invention seeks to provide a new approach to joining pipes or tubes that overcomes at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art. Furthermore, the present invention seeks to provide a reversible joining system, so that the components may be relatively easily disassembled.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising a substantially hollow assembly member comprising at least one guide portion adapted to be receivable within an elongate member attachable thereto, wherein the attachment is achieved by cooperation between: (i) an expansion member comprising at least one deflectable segment; (ii) a wedge member adapted to bear against the at least one deflectable segment; and (iii) a fastening means adapted to draw the wedge member substantially inwardly through an end of the expansion member towards the assembly member, wherein the at least one deflectable segment is urged substantially outwardly. Preferably, the connector and the at least one guide portion are adapted to be releasably attachable tc the elongate member. More preferably, the elongate member is of a corresponding shape and size to the guide portion..

The assembly member is of a substantially hollow configuration having at least one guide portion extending therefrom to receive one or more elongate members. The assembly member is hollow so as to allow access for up to three fastening means, preferably screw members, to be accommodated therein. The overall shape of the assembly member is dictated largely by the cross-sectional shape of the elongate members to which the connector will be attached. For example, and typically, for elongate members being of square cross-section, the assembly member will be of a substantially cuboid configuration.

The elongate member is preferably of a substantially hollo or tubular configuration, wherein an end of the elongate member is capable of receiving the guide portion of the assembly member therein to thereby form an attachment, preferably a releasable attachment, thereto. The overall size of the one or more guide portions of the assembly member is preferably dictated by the outer dimensions of the elongate members to be joined thereto, so that where the elongate member abuts the assembly member, a substantially smooth join is obtained. It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that the connector of the present invention could be used to join elongate members having different dimensions, wherein the guide portion of the assembly member will be coirespontlingly dimensioned. For such applications, it is envisaged that various forms of the assembly member would be available to accommodate different $iz&l$ of elongate member/s attachable thereto. The present invention will be described with specific reference to a connector in the form of a substantially cuboid assembly member used to join substantially square cross-sectional elongate members. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be so limited. The skilled addressee will readily appreciate that the present invention could be applied to a variety of shapes and types of elongate member/s. The assembly member could be, for example, substantially spherical, so long as it is possible to pass the fastening means (discussed below) therethrough without interfering with the passage of other fastening means. Similarly, any number of elongate members could be attached to a single assembly member as long as the fastening means of each has a substantially unhindered passage therethrough. Accordingly, the cuboid assembly member described herein is simply one embodiment of the present invention which has been used to illustrate the important features of the connector.

For each elongate member that is to be attached to a cuboid assembly member, there is preferably a passageway formed therethrough, wherein the passageway differs in size when traversing from one end to the other. Preferably, the passageway will have a substantially circular cross-section, since this can be readily drilled during manufacture. The passageway joins two opposing faces of the cuboid assembly member. The first end of the passageway passes through the face on the opposite side of the cuboid from where the elongate member is to be attached and the second end of the passageway passes through the face of the cuboid to which the elongate member is to be attached. At the first end, the passageway has a diameter larger than the diameter of the head of the screw member. At the second end, the passageway has a diameter smaller than that of the first end, and larger than the diameter of the threaded shank of the screw member, to ensure substantial retention of the screw member within the assembly member. Optionally, a washer may be positioned between the head of the screw member and the assembly member. In order to connect more than one elongate member to a cuboid assembly member, corresponding intersecting passageways are directed at right angles to each other, passing through pairs of opposing faces. In this way, it is possible to join up to three elongate members to one cuboid assembly member. The depth into the assembly member at which the diameter of the passageway changes is critical; the depth must be sufficient such that when the screw member and ptional washer are in situ, there is sufficient clearance for a further screw member to be passed through the assembly member in a direction orthogonal to that of the first screw member. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, the assembly member is substantially hollow to accommodate up to three intersecting passageways passing therethrough.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first end of each passageway in the assembly member may be threaded. Such a thread allows a user to attach various accessories to the assembly member, for example, a castor, a hook, or a plug to seal the first end of the passageway in the assembly member.

The second end of the passageway passes through the face of the cube to which the elongate member is to be attached, m order to facilitate fitting of the elongate member to the assembly member, the assembly member further includes a guide portion. The guide portion may be a protrusion emanating from the face of the cube, wherein the protrusion substantially matches the internal size and cross-sectional shape of the elongate member to be attached. In particular, the guide portion is receivable within the hollow interior of the elongate member.

As discussed above, the guide portion cooperates with additional components in order to attach the elongate member to the assembly member. The expansion member preferably matches the internal size and cross-sectional shape of the elongate member. The expansion member is the component that comes into substantial contact with the internal walls of the elongate member via deflectable segments that are urgable outwardly. Further, it is preferred that the outer wall of each deflectable segment is substantially parallel to the internal wall of elongate member with which it will come into contact In certain embodiments of the present invention, the expansion member may include a plurality of deflectable segments that may optionally be connected to each adjacent deflectable segment by webbing means. Such webbing means may facilitate production of the expansion member, and may also assist in holding the expansion member together during assembly. In order to urge the deflectable segments) against the internal wall(s) of the elongate member, a wedge member is positioned adjacent to the deflectable segment(s). In certain embodiments of the invention wherein there are a plurality of deflectable segments, the wedge member is situated substantially between the deflectable segments. The wedge member preferably includes a threaded bore passing therethrough, wherein the thread of the threaded bore corresponds to, and is engagable with, the thread of the screw member. In use, rotation of the screw member effects movement of the wedge member along the thread of the screw member in a direction towards the assembly member and thereby pushes the deflectable segments outwardly and into substantial contact with the internal wall(s) of the elongate member.

The present invention further optionally provides a spacer between the assembly member and the expansion member, wherein the spacer is: (a) a separate component of the connector, or (b) co-formed with the guide portion of the assembly member; or (c) co-formed with the expansion member. The presence of a spacer will result in the deflectable segments being brought into substantial contact with th internal wall(s) of the elongate member at a more distal position. By contacting the elongate member further from the assembly member, a more stable connection is achieved. The point of contact within the elongate member is, in effect, the fulcrum of a lever. By moving the fulcrum closer to the middle of the length of the lever (or in the present case, the elongate member), more force is required at the distal end to effect movement of the proximal end. Alignment protrusions may be provided on a distal face of the spacer to assist with alignment of the expansion member during attachment of the elongate member to the connector. The alignment protrusions may be received in correspondingly formed recesses on the proximal face of the expansion member, preferably formed in the base of the deflectable segments. It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the present invention, the alignment protrusions may be broken or sheared off by the outward deflection of the deflectable segments. In other embodiments, the recesses may be of sufficient size that deflection of the deflectable segments does not cause the alignment protrusions to be sheared off. It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that the screw member will need to be of sufficient length to pass through the guide portion, optional spacer and expansion member and engage with the corresponding threads in the wedge member. The screw member may be of any suitable type, including, but not limited to, hex-headed or recess headed bolts. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the screw member may be a security screw or bolt, whereby the attachment of the connector to the elongate member is not rcleasable. The skilled addressee will be aware of the various types of security fasteners having "one-way heads" that may find use in such security applications.

A further erribodiment of the present invention for which the elongate member is not rcleasable from the connector, may include a specially adapted combination of the wedge member and the expansion member, whereby the wedge member may only move towards the assembly member and urge the deflectable segment/s outwardly, without the ability to reverse the movement of the wedge member. For example, the interacting surfaces of the wedge member and deflectable segment s of the expansion member may include corresponding barbs, ramps and/or teeth that substantially impede reverse movement of the wedge member away from the assembly member.

Various embodiments of the connector of the present invention will typically include a plurality of guide portions whereby the connector may be used as a comer joining piece. In particular, by using a substantially cuboid assembly member having three guide portions, connectors of the present invention can readily be used, in cooperation with one or more elongate members, in the construction of three-dimensional structures such as cubes, and the like.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the assembly member may further include a hinge arm. The hinge arm may extend from a face of the assembly member that does not incorporate a guide portion. In preferred embodiments, the hinge arm further includes an opening therethrough to allow connection of two such assembly members via a bolt or other suitable fastener. Connection in such a manner may permit the assembly members to be hingedly movable relative to each other about a pivot point centred on the opening fastener.

The scope of the present invention extends to structures nude by assembling two or more elongate members using the connector of the present invention. Such structures could be selected from benches, playground equipment, balustrades, frames, including for tables, support frames for trailers, canopies, tents etc When such structures made using the connector of the present invention are no longer required to be situated in their original locations, the structures can be disassembled and substantially readily reassembled in their new locations. In mis way, the connectors of the present invention may be reused.

The scope of the present invention also extends to a method of construction using the connector of the present invention, wherein the connector comprises a substantially hollow or tubular assembly member comprising at least one guide portion, which is adapted to receive an elongate member thereon. The elongate member is releasably attached to the connector by cooperation between an expansion member comprising at least one deflectable segment; a wedge member adapted to bear against the at least one deflectable segment; and a fastening means which when tightened draws the wedge member substantially inwardly through the expansion member towards the assembly member, wherein the at least one deflectable segment is urged substantially outwardly. Preferably, the elongate member is of a corresponding shape and size to the guide portion.

In order to disassemble the connected structure, the fastening means, preferably a screw member, is reversibly rotated, which in turn reduces the frictional engagement of the at least one deflectable segment with the elongate member, wherein the elongate member is detachable from the guide portion of the assembly member.

As used herein, the terms '"proximal" and "distal" are used relative to the assembly member. In particular, the term "proximal" is intended to mean against, adjacent, close to, towards, or facing the assembly member. Conversely, the term "distal" is intended to mean away from, or not facing the assembly member.

In use, the connector of the present invention will preferably be connected to a proximal end of an elongate member. Mote preferably, the connector will be used to join two or three elongate members at an angle to form a comer in two or three dimensions, respectively.

In a yet further aspect, the present invention provides a connector in the form of an end cap or plug that is adapted to cover the proximal end of the elongate member, without allowing connection to a further elongate member.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows assembled isometric views of the embodiment of the connector illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of a further embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. *

Figure 4 shows an assembled isometric view of the embodiment of a connector illustrated in Figure 3i Figure SA shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention, as attached to two elongate members. Figure 5B shows detail of an embodiment in which the wedge member and deflectable segments Include corresponding barbs.

Figure 6 shows a cubic structure assembled using connectors according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7 shows exploded isometric views of an embodiment of a connector with hinge arm according to the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view o an embodiment of connectors according to the present invention, as attached to three elongate members.

Figure 9 shows a hinged and lidded cubic structure assembled using connectors according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of & cap end plug piece according to the present invention. Panel A shows a minimal end cap, while panel B shows a plug having & number of optional parts.

Figure 11 shows a cubic structure assembled using connectors according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments

Referring to all the Figures wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the Figures show exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. The skilled addressee will readily recognize alternative embodiments that may be used to work the present invention. Such embodiments are equally disclosed and encompassed by the present Specification. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a connector 100 according to the present invention comprising a substantially hollow assembly member ISO and three guide portions 152, wherein each guide portion 152 is adapted to fit substantially within an elongate member 200 having a substantially square cross-section. Connection of the assembly member 150 to the elongate members 200 is achieved via the guide portions 152 in cooperation with: (i) an expansion member 160 comprising at least one deflectable segment 162; (ii) a wedge member 170, adapted to bear against the at least one deflectable segment 162; and (iii) a screw member 180 passing through the guide portion 152 of the assembly member 150, and the expansion member 160. The screw member 180 is threadedl received within the wedge member 170, wherein rotation of the screw member 180 draws the wedge member 170 substantially inwardly towards the assembly member 150 while simultaneously bearing against the deflectable segments 162 so that, in use, the deflectable segments are urged substantially outwardly and into fictional contact with an inner wall 210 of the elongate member 200. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a connector 100 according to the present invention comprising a substantially hollow assembly memb r 1 0 and two guide portions 152. The guide portions 152 function as described above to connect the connector 100 to elongate members 200.

While illustrated herein as having a substantially square cross-section, me guide portions 152 may be of any suitable or corresponding shape to allow attachment to the elongate member 200. In particular, the cross-sectional shapes of the guide portions 152 and elongate members 200 should substantially correspond to provide the most effective connection. Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the connection between connector 100 and two elongate members 200. For each elongate member 200 that is to be releasably attached to cubic assembly member 150, there is a passageway 54 passing through one side wall of the assembly member 150 and a corresponding passageway 155 through the opposite side wall of assembly member 150. As variously illustrated, the passageway 154 is preferably of a circular cross-section, since this can be readily drilled during manufacture. The diameter of passageway 154 preferably differs from that of the diameter of the corresponding passageway 155. The diameter of passageway 154 is preferably larger than the diameter of the head 184 of the screw member 1 0 to allow unhindered passage of the screw member 180 through assembly member 150. The diameter of the opening of corresponding passageway 155 on the opposite side wall is also larger than the diameter of the head 184 of the screw member 180 at its opening to allow head 184 of the screw member 180 enter passageway 155. The shank 186 of screw member 180 exits passageway 155 through the face of the assembly member 150 at exit 156. The diameter of passageway 155 preferably narrows along the length of passageway 155 so that at exit 156, the diameter is narrower than head 184 in order to retain screw member 180 in passageway 155, so that wedge member 170 can be drawn inwardly towards assembly member 150.

A washer 182 may be positioned between the head 184 of the screw member 180 and the assembly member 150. In order to connect more than one elongate member 200 to a cubic assembly member 150, further passageways may be directed at right angles to each other, passing through pairs of opposite faces of assembly member 150. In this way, it is possible for a cubic assembly member 150 to be simultaneously connected to three elongate members 200. Screw member 180 and optional washer 182 must be received into assembly member 150 far enough to ensure that there is sufficient clearance for a further screw member 180 to be passed through the assembly member 150 in a direction orthogonal to that of the first screw member 180. Accordingly, assembly member 150 is substantially hollow so as to accommodate three intersecting passageways, similar to passageway 154 passing through the opposing side walls thereof.

In order to facilitate attachment of the elongate member 200 to the assembly member 150, the assembly member 150 includes a guide portion 152. The guide portion 152 may be in the form of a protrusion extending from the face of die assembly member 150, wherein the protrusion substantially matches the internal size and cross-sectional shape of the elongate member 200 to be attached thereto. In particular, the guide portion 152 is receivable within the hollow opening of the elongate member 200.

As discussed above, the guide portion 152 cooperates with additional components in order for the elongate member 200 to be preferably releasably attached to assembly member 150. The expansion member 160 preferably corresponds in internal size and cross-sectional shape to that of the elongate member 200. The expansion member 160 is the component that comes into substantial contact with the internal walls 210 of the elongate member 200 via deflectable segments 162 that are urged substantially outwardly, as the wedge member 170 is received therewithin. Further, it is preferred that the outer wall 163 of each deflectable segment 162 is located substantially parallel to the internal wall 210 of elongate member 200 with which it will come into contact.

Wedge member 170 preferably comprises a threaded opening 172 passing therethrough, wherein the thread of the threaded hole 172 corresponds to or cooperates wit the thread of the screw member 180. In use, rotation of the screw member 180 effects movement of the wedge member 170 along the thread of the screw member 180 in a direction substantially inwardly towards the assembly member 150 thereby pushing deflectable segments 162 substantially outwardly and into substantial frictional contact with the internal walls 210 of the elongate member 200.

As illustrated in Figure SB, the connector may include a specially adapted combination of wedge member 170 and expansion member 160, whereby the wedge member 170 may only move inwardly towards the assembly member 150 and urge the deflectable segments) 162 outwardly, without the ability to reverse the movement of the wedge member 170. The illustrated embodiment shows the interacting surfaces of the wedge member 170 and deflectable segment(s) 162 of the expansion member 160 as including corresponding barbs 161 that substantially impede reverse movement of the wedge member 170 outwardly away from the assembly member 150.

In the illustrated embodiments, the connector 100 further includes a spacer 190 between the assembly member 1 0 and the expansion member 160, wherein the spacer 190 is a separate component having a substantially cuboid configuration. As noted above, the spacer 190 may be co-formed with the guide portion 152 of the assembly member 150; or alternatively, co-formed with the expansion member 160.

At least one alignment protrusion s 192 is are shown on a distal face 191 of the spacer 190 to assist with alignment of the expansion member 160 during attachment of the elongate member 200 to the assembly member 100. The at least one alignment protrusion s 192 may be received in correspondingly formed recess es 164 on the proximal face of the expansion member 160. Different forms of alignment protrusion/s 192 and corresponding recess es 164 therefor are illustrated in the accompanying Figures, however the different embodiments function in a similar manner. It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the present invention, the alignment protrusion s 192 may be broken or sheared off as the deflectable segments 162 are caused to move outwardly, as wedge member 170 is drawn substantially inwardly towards assembly member 150. In other embodiments, the recess es 164 may be of sufficient size that deflection of the deflectable segments 162 does not cause the alignment protrusion/s 192 to be sheared off.

Various embodiments of the connector 100 of the present invention will typically include a plurality of guide portions 152, wherein the connector may be used as a corner joining piece. In particular, using a substantially cubic assembly member 150 having three guide portions 152, the connector 100 of the present invention can readily be used, in cooperation with three elongate members 200 attached thereto, in the construction of three-dimensional structures, such as an open cube (Figures 6 and 9), and the like.

In further embodiments of the present invention, such as those illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the assembly member ISO may further comprise a hinge arm 140. The hinge arm 140 may extend from a face of . the assembly member 150 that does not incorporate a guide portion 152. In certain embodiments, the hinge arm 140 further comprises an opening 142 to allow connection of two such assembly members 150 via fastening means, such as a bolt or other suitable fastener. Connection in such a manner may permit each assembly member 150 to be hingedly movable relative to the othe about a pivot point 144 centred on the opening/fastening means. Figure 9 shows a box-like structure, wherein an openable lid is connected thereto by use of connectors 100, wherein the connectors further incorporate hinge arms 140.

While not being a connector for connecting elongate members at an angle, Figures 10 and 11 show a further application of the present invention, being a plate or plug that effectively closes the open, proximal end of an elongate member. Several embodiments of such a platc/plug are envisaged including, but not limited to: (i) a plate 252 through which the screw member 180 passes and leaves its head 184 proud above the surface of the plate 252; and (ii) a plate 252 or plug 254 of sufficient thickness that the head 184 of the screw member 180 is countersunk, such that it is flush with, or slightly below, the surface of the plate plug 252/254. In the latter embodiment, the plate/plug 252 254 includes a recess 256 into which the head 184 of the screw member 180 is receivable. These exemplary embodiments are illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B. Figures 10A and 10B further illustrate various features of this arrangement. Figure 10A shows a simple arrangement comprising a substantially planar plate 252 to cover the open end of the elongate member 200. As with the connectors described in detail above, the arrangement includes a screw member 180 that, when rotated, results in the wedge member 170 being drawn inwardly towards the proximal end of the elongate member 200, thereby urging the expansion member 160 substantially against , the inner walls of the elongate member 200. Figure 10B shows several optional features. In particular, the plug 254 includes a recess 256 into which the head 184 of the screw member 180 is receivable so that the head 184 is flush with the outer surface of the plug 254. Also shown is an optional washer 182 between the head 184 and the plug 254. The optional inclusion of the spacer 190 moves the region of contact between the expansion member 160 and the elongate member 200 further distal from the open end of the elongate member 200, providing a more stable joint, as discussed above. The arrangement of the plate/plug 252/254 attachment described above may also be used to attach items to the end of an elongate member 200. For example, Figure 11 shows a frame constructed essentially as shown in Figure 6, except that instead of four members around the perimeter of the frame, a large plate 260 covers the entire frame. The plate 260 is connected to each of the upright elongate members 200 by attachments such as illustrated in Figure 10. In this particular example, the plate 260 is of sufficient thickness and includes recesses 256 to allow the heads 184 of the screw members 180 to be countersunk, but the internal components most closely resemble those shown in Figure 10A. The skilled person will readily realise and understand many possible applications for such an arrangement.

The following Example is provided by way of illustration only and is in no way to be taken as limiting any of the following claims. The Example illustrates single embodiments and the results obtained are not intended to indicate preferred or essential features. Example

• To test the strength of joints obtained using connectors according to the present invention, a connector was attached to a steel pipe and the force required to remove the connector was measured. The connector had its expansion member made of nylon and the screw member was tightened to 13 Nm using a torque wrench. The effect of using a spacer was investigated. In the absence of a spacer, 425 Nm of force was requited to extract the connector from a steel elongate member having wall thickness of l.S mm. When the connector included a spacer, the force required increased to 64S Nm. These figures almost doubled when the nylon expansion members were replaced with aluminium expansion members.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise^**, and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Any prior art reference or statement provided in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that such art constitutes, or is to be understood as constituting, part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

Claims:

1. A connector comprising a substantially hollow assembly member comprising at least one guide portion adapted to receive an elongate member attachable thereto, wherein connection of the connector and the elongate member is achieved by S cooperation between:

(i) an expansion member comprising at least one deflectable segment;

(ii) a wedge member adapted to beat against the at least one deflectable segment; and

(iii) a fastening means whereby the wedge member is drawn substantially0 inwardly through the expansion member towards the assembly member, wherein

the at least one deflectable segment is urged substantially outwardly.

A connector according to Claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a screw member which is substantially threadedly receivable within the wedge member, wherein rotation of the screw member draws the wedge member substantially inwardly into frictional engagement with the at least one deflectable segment.

The connector of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a spacer between the assembly member and the expansion member, wherein the spacer:

(a) comprises a separate component of the connector; or

(b) is formed integrally with either the guide portion or the expansion member.

The connector of Claim 3, wherein the spacer includes at least one alignment piotrusion s that is are receivable within correspondingly formed opening/s in the expansion member.

The connector of any one of Claims I to 4, wherein the assembly member further comprises a plurality of guide portions, thereby facilitating connectivity to a corresponding number of elongate members.

0

The connector according to Claim 5, wherein the guide portions are of suitable sizes and/or shapes to facilitate connectivity to correspondingly sized and/or cross- sectionally-shaped elongate members. The connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the elongate member is releasably attachable to the assembly member.

The connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, further comprising a hinge arm wherein the hinge arm is adapted to cooperate with a hinge arm of a second connector to thereby hingedly connect the connector to the second connector.

A structure formed through use of one or more connectors according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

A method of construction using the connector of any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the elongate member is attachable to the connector by cooperation between:

(i) the expansion member comprising at least one deflectable segment;

(ii) the wedge member adapted to bear against die at least one deflectable segment; and

(iii) the fastening means, which when tightened draws the wedge member substantially inwardly through the expansion member towards the assembly member, wherein the at least one deflectable segment is urged .substantially outwardly.

A method of construction according to Claim 10, wherein the elongate member is releasably attached to the assembly member.