WO2014066935A1

WO2014066935A1 - Framing apparatus and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2014066935A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/001251
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joannes Hendricus Maria Jorna
Original assignee: Joreco Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-30
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Also published as: AU2013337592A1

Abstract

A frame assembly comprising tubular frame portions (10) and (11) and end members (14) and (15) pressed therein. The end members (14, 15) each have a track engagement portion (16, 17) comprising an integral extruded flat web portion (20) bounded V- shaped edges (21). The inserted part of the end members (14, 15) have parallel ridges (22) providing permanent engagement on insertion. A frame member (23) includes a hollow box section (24) having a diagonal web (25) extending from each corner and supporting an integral flange (26). The included angles between the box section (24), the opposed surfaces of adjacent webs (25) and inner surfaces of the opposed flanges (26) define a track (30) into which the track engagement portions (16, 17) may slide. A single self-tapping screw (31) engages the track engagement portions (16, 17) and passes into the box section (24) at (32).

Description

FRAMING APPARATUS AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to framing apparatus and methods. This invention has particular application to framing apparatus and methods for office furniture, partitions and the like, and for illustrative purposes the invention will be described with reference to this application. However we envisage that this invention may find use in other applications such as framing applications of a more general kind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Framing systems utilizing metal sections are many and varied, and many have been applied to the manufacture of office furniture, partitions, workstations and the like. Int. CI. F16B 7/00 covers many connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non- circular section, mutually, including resilient connections. Subgroups are directed to various clamping or clipping connections (F16B 7/04), screw-thread elements (F16B 7/18), and bayonet connections (F16B 7/20). Other classifications contain references to general methods including connections of rods or tubular parts to flat surfaces at an angle (F16B 9/00).

Jointing (including hidden joints) of furniture or the like has broad classification at F16B 12/00; specific features of joints between panels and corner posts (F16B 12/02), other non-loosenable joints for metal furniture parts (F16B 12/06), with or without (F16B 12/08) use of separate connecting elements, are also covered. Jointing characterised by the use of pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like are classified in F16B 12/10. Where the parts are metal (F16B 12/28), the sub- classification include those for the use of clamps, clips, wedges, sliding bolts, or the like (F16B 12/32), keyhole-shaped slots and pins (F16B 12/34), separate pins, dowels, or the like (F16B 12/36), and snap-action elements (F16B 12/38).

Classification of joints for furniture tubing not elsewhere specified is found at F16B 12/40, with specific classification for connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts (F16B 12/42). Leg joints and corner joints generally are classified in F16B 12/44; specific sub classifications exist for metal (F16B 12/50) and non-metal (F16B 12/46) corner connections; non-metal (F16B 12/48) and metal (F16B 12/52) leg connections.

Furniture features are classified in A47B, directed to tables; desks; office furniture; cabinets; drawers; and general details of furniture. There are many classes and subclasses directed to furniture having adjustable features in use. There are none to furniture that is variable in construction.

US Patent Publication US2002/0087244 (corresponding to Patent Appln USSN 1 1/864,064 discloses one solution for making frames, and particularly utilitarian furniture frames of metal. A connector (1 1 ) is provided for connection to a hollow (RHS) frame member (12) the connector having at least one projection (20, 21 ) for receiving a complimentary end of the hollow frame member, the projection having raised portions (19) on an outer surface thereof and the projection is dimensioned relative to the hollow frame member such that force is required to fit the hollow end over the projection and during fitting the hollow end of the frame member is deformed about the projection so as to be internally engaged by the raised portions. In essence the projections are barbs that make a close interference fit to the opposed internal side walls of the hollow frame member. However, the construction appears to require or allow additional fixing implied by the presence of screw flutes (34). The apparatus of US Patent Publication US2002/0087244 has several disadvantages. In order to accommodate the joining of elements at an X-Y-Z axis connector, the connector forms a corner knuckle that cannot flush-fit to the hollow sections located respectively in the X-Y axes, since the reasonable dimensions of any leg have to be accommodated within the collar (17). The framed structures are of fixed dimensions as there is no relative location adjustment after cutting of the RHS elements and installation of the connectors. That is, there is lack of selectability of location of intermediate frame elements. The wall thickness of 12 is always proud of the upper end of the collar (17), leaving a catching gap under table tops, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention resides broadly in framing apparatus including: an elongate frame member having at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions of substantially constant cross section; a frame element having an end portion of shape complementary to said cross section and adapted to slide into engagement with a said track portion; and locating means operable to secure said end portion in said track portion at a selected location.

The elongate frame member may comprise a hollow or solid member. The hollow or solid member may be of wood, reinforced polymer resin, metal or composite material. The elongate frame member may comprise a metal section of substantially constant cross section such as welded steel tube, fabricated metal section, extruded section or drawn tube. Tempered aluminium alloy tube may be used. The material may be anodized-finished, brushed or otherwise dressed for appearance. The frame member may be of any selected cross sectional shape including but not limited to round, oval, square rectangular and regular or irregular polygonal section.

The at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions may be formed integrally with or fabricated to the elongate frame member. The form of the track portions may be determined in part by the nature of the elongate frame member. The track portion may comprise a track section adapted to be mounted to an elongate frame member in a manner analogous to a mast track being mounted on a mast. In the case of extruded and other metal sections, laminated timber and composite frame members, the track portions may be formed integrally in the frame member. For example the track portions may present as at least two spaced bolt tracks. The track portions may be secured to or formed on discrete side faces of the elongate frame member. The circumferential spacing the at least two track portions may be selected to present at a selected included-angular spacing such as 60° or 90°. There may for example be four track portions equally circumferentially spaced about the frame member. In certain embodiments the angular displacement between the adjacent track portions may be used, either in lieu of or in addition to a selection of angled end portions, to provide for different frame shapes. In the case of frame members forming an intermediate upright in, for example a partition, the track portions may be disposed at 180°. In this instance the end portion of shape complementary to said cross section and adapted to slide into engagement with a said track portion may be associated with a partition panel frame element.

The substantially constant cross section of the track portions may take any suitable form, such as the substantially circular bolt section of the aforementioned bolt track, oval sections, rectangular sections, dovetail sections and the like. In order to control the overall cross sectional dimensions of the elongate frame member while maintaining stability of the end portion when sliding in it, the substantially constant cross section may be relatively broader in a circumferential direction on the frame member than it is radially deep. The cross section in this case may comprise a flattened oval, rectangular or dovetail, flat between opposed ends such as opposed-V or rounded capsule, or dog-bone shaped.

The track portions may extend to finish flush with one or both ends of the frame member. By this means the frame element may be secured flush with the frame member end, providing for close fitting of table tops or the like and eliminating pinch points. The track portion may include adaptations to receive trim portions to conceal the nature of the track and/or the end portion in use. The trim portions mat be adapted to slid into the ends of the track portions or may be of a snap-in configuration to permit fitting off after assembly. The trim portions may include but are not limited to coloured LEXAN® or other acrylic, polycarbonate of coloured plastic material, fabric covered timber or plastic, brushed or anodized aluminium or other metal or the like.

The frame element may be formed integrally with the end portion or may comprise an assembly of a frame portion and an end connector comprising the end portion. The frame portion may comprise a hollow or solid member. The hollow or solid frame portion may be of wood, reinforced polymer resin, metal or composite material. The frame portion may comprise a metal section of substantially constant cross section such as welded steel tube, fabricated metal section, extruded section or drawn tube. The frame portion may be of any selected cross sectional shape including but not limited to round, oval, square rectangular and regular or irregular polygonal section.

The end connector may take any form consistent with forming an assembly with the frame portion to form the frame element. For example, the end connector may comprise a socket into which an end of the frame portion may be secured. The end connector may be finished with a side wall flush with an elongate surface of the frame portion. The end connector may comprise a spigot portion adapted to be inserted into a hollow end of the frame portion.

In the case of a RHS or CHS welded-tube, drawn or extruded frame portion, the end connector may include a spigot portion adapted to be assembled with a close or interference fit to the inner sectional shape of the frame portion. The spigot portion may be bounded by a stop portion to limit the depth of insertion of the spigot potion into the inner sectional shape. The stop portion may include a land which has a boundary selected to allow the surface of an elongate side wall of the frame portion to finish flush with the boundary. In the case of metal or composite hollow section frame portions, the spigot may be adapted to allow substantially irreversible insertion of the spigot into the end of the hollow section. For example, the spigot may be interference-fit oversize on the hollow section and be provided with a plurality of ridges transverse the insertion direction, the ridges having a sloping leading face in the insertion direction and a relatively sheer trailing face, the respective faces meeting at an edge of sharpness sufficient to engage the inner sectional shape faces in the interference fit and resist withdrawal of the spigot from the inner section. The end portion may comprise a barbed body of interference fit in, for example, tempered aluminium alloy, stainless steel or brass RHS tubular body portions. The insertable car portion may be generic to the system, reducing the inventory requirements. This is particularly so in the case of alloy end members adapted to fit standard stainless steel, steel and brass in generic 2" x 1 ", since these will fit bespoke metric aluminium alloy 6061 -T6 tempered RHS of 1 .6mm wall.

The insertable end members may comprise a key element in the making of other than rectilinear frames. Hence a hexagonal table may have a generally SHS elongate frame member legs all facing out the same way by adoption of angled- insert car portions. The end portion may be disposed at any selected angle to the rest of the frame element whereby the final angle of deployment of the frame element to the frame member may be selected.

In the case of RHS section frame portions, the end connectors may conveniently be formed by cutting from a continuous extruded section, wherein a first side of the extrusion forms the end portion and a second side of the extrusion forms the spigot portion.

In keeping with the track portions, the cross section of the end portion, in its adaptation to slide into engagement with the track portion, may take any suitable form, such as a substantially cylindrical bolt, slug or pig portion, oval section portion, rectangular section portion, dovetail section portion and the like. For relatively broad and shallow track sections the cross section of the end portion may comprise a flattened oval, rectangular or dovetail, flat between opposed ends such as opposed-V or rounded capsule, or dog-bone shaped.

The locating means may take any form imposed by the choice of frame member and frame element such that it is operable to secure the end portion in the track portion at a selected location. Accordingly the locating means may include any one or more of screws, bolts, pegs, latches and cams. There may be provided track-engaging locking means such as slugs or pigs slid into the track above and below the end portion and screwed off to a track wall portion. The locating means of the slide in type may also comprise an elongate member that can be cut to length and form both a locating means and a track face closure panel. The end portion may be located by concealed welding within the track portion.

In the case of aluminium alloy frame members, the track portion may be bounded by a flange through which a bore may be drilled to intersect with the end portion cross section, and into which a staking pin may be driven. The staking pin may take the form of a self-tapping, countersunk threaded peg-screw. This functions as a dowel as well as a screw. In order that the drill may be located accurately, the flange may be provided with a longitudinal drill locator groove, which may also be decorative in breaking up a flat flange surface.

The flange may be supported by a rib adjacent each side of the track portion, each rib being shared between adjacent track portions such that a single stake may secure and end portion in each adjacent track. The rib and flange may serve to support slide-in or snap-in trim portions to conceal the track portion, and concealing the cut ends of sections comprising the frame portions to accommodate out-of-square end cuts and eliminate the need for linishing or file finishing.

In certain embodiments extruded aluminium alloy frame members have integral track portions each comprising a substantially flat base wall bounded by opposed, elongate channels. In these embodiments the open face of the track portion may be bounded by a functional rib adjacent each of the channels, having multiple ones of the above uses. For example a trim panel may have one elongate edge engaging one of the channels and have the opposed elongate edge adapted to snap into a complementary form of the rib adjacent the other of the channels. This provides an alternative to having to slide the trims in axially, which is not possible when the ends of the tracks are closed by, e.g. frame elements.

The channels may advantageously be substantially V-shaped.

The systems packs for transport more efficiently than the prior art, because the frames may be assembled in situ.

The frame assemblies of the present invention may be used in the construction of tables, workstations, partitions, desks and the like. Accordingly, in a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of framing comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elongate frame members each having at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions of substantially constant cross section;

providing a plurality of a frame elements each having end portions of shape complementary to said cross section and each adapted to slide into engagement with a said track portion on a respective said frame member; and

respective locating means operable to secure each said end portion in its respective said track portion at a selected location. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings and wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a 90 degree corner frame assembly of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail cross section of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a 180 degree straight frame assembly of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail cross section of the apparatus of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of an anchor incorporating a fixing plate for wall or floor fixing;

Fig.6 is a cross sectional view of a cover strip element of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a 3-way 60/90° assembly of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 illustrates the assembly of a trapezoidal frame of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a 90 degree corner frame assembly of the present invention for use in a furniture frame. Fig. 2 is a section through the apparatus of Fig. 1 when assembled. Frame elements comprises hollow 6061 -T6 tempered RHS aluminium alloy frame portions 10 and 1 1 having ends 12 and 13 respectively, and end members 14 and 15 which are forcibly pressed into the respective ends 12 and 13. The end members 14, 15 each have a respective track engagement portion 16, 17 comprising an integral extruded flat web portion 20 laterally bounded by a pair of V-shaped edges 21 to form a lozenge cross section. The inserted part of the end members 14, 15 are provided with a plurality of parallel ridges 22, each having a sloped leading face and a sheer trailing face. These provide for a permanent engagement on insertion to the ends 12, 13.

A frame member 23 is formed from extruded a tempered aluminium alloy section and includes an hollow box section 24 having a diagonal web 25 extending from each corner thereof. The web 25 supports an integral flange 26 having a drill locator groove 27 formed on the outer surface thereof. The included angles between the outer surface of the box section 24, the opposed surfaces of adjacent webs 25 and inner surfaces of the opposed flanges 26 define in space a generally lozenge-shaped track 30 into which the track engagement portions 16, 17 may slide and extending to the ends of the frame member 23.

The drill locator groove 27 pilots a drilling into which is passed a single self-tapping screw 31 , which is selected to be of a gauge to permit it to engage the track engagement portions 16, 17 of both end members 14 and 15, and pass into the box section 24 at 32. Additional screws 31 may be spaced along the drill locator groove 27. The peripheral edges 33 extend from the flanges 26 to conform closely to the frame portions 10 and 1 1 in use. The peripheral edges 33 serve to conceal the cut ends of the frame portions 10 and 1 1 in use. The underhang formed by the peripheral edges 33 has a secondary purpose in relation to a snap-in trim panel 34. The trim panel 34 (as shown in detail section in Fig. 6) has a decorative body portion 35 bounded on a first edge by a V-section web 36 adapted to engage one edge of the lozenge-shaped track 30 and is bounded on a second edge by a bead 37 adapted to clip under the peripheral edge 33 on the opposite side of the track to the V-section web 36. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a 180 degree frame assembly of the present invention for use in a partition frame, where like elements are numbered identically with those of Fig. 1 . Fig. 4 is a section through the apparatus of Fig. 3 when assembled. Frame elements comprises hollow 6061 -T6 tempered RHS aluminium alloy frame portions 10 and 1 1 having ends 12 and 13 respectively, and end members 14 and 15 which are forcibly pressed into the respective ends 12 and 13. The end members 14, 15 each have a respective track engagement portion 16, 17 comprising an integral extruded flat web portion 20 laterally bounded by a pair of V-shaped edges 21 to form a lozenge cross section. The inserted part of the end members 14, 15 are provided with a plurality of parallel ridges 22, each having a sloped leading face and a sheer trailing face. These provide for a permanent engagement on insertion to the ends 12, 13. A frame member 23 is formed from extruded a tempered aluminium alloy section and includes an hollow box section 24 having a diagonal web 25 extending from each corner thereof. The web 25 supports an integral flange 26 having a drill locator groove 27 formed on the outer surface thereof. The included angles between the outer surface of the box section 24, the opposed surfaces of adjacent webs 25 and inner surfaces of the opposed flanges 26 define in space a generally lozenge-shaped track 30 into which the track engagement portions 16, 17 may slide. The drill locator grooves 27 pilot respective drillings 40 into which is pass a respective self-tapping screws 31 , which are selected to be of a gauge to permit it to engage the track engagement portion 16 or 17 of a respective end portion 14 or 15, and pass into the box section 24, as represented at 32. The peripheral edges 33 extend from the flanges 26 to conform closely to the frame portions 10 and 1 1 in use. The peripheral edges 33 serve to conceal the cut ends of the frame portions 10 and 1 1 in use. The underhang formed by the peripheral edges 33 has a secondary purpose in relation to a snap-in trim panel 34. The trim panel 34 has a decorative body portion 35 bounded on a first edge by a V-section web 36 adapted to engage one edge of the lozenge-shaped track 30 and is bounded on a second edge by a bead 37 adapted to clip under the peripheral edge 33 on the opposite side of the track to the V-section web 36.

In Fig. 5, there is provided an alternate end member 41 having an inserted part 42 provided with the aforementioned plurality of parallel ridges 22, each having a sloped leading face and a sheer trailing face. These provide for a permanent engagement on insertion to the selected RHS tube ends 10 or 1 1. An engagement portion 43 in this case comprises a flange having a drill locator groove 44 adapted to allow for drilling to pass a fixing for attaching the frame assembly to a wall or floor.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a preferred anchor incorporating a fixing plate for wall or floor fixing. 1 is the anchor part of the anchor-connector element, 2 are the barbs which in accordance to the present invention will 'embed' themselves into the corresponding internal faces 2 and 3 Fig 7 of the hollow frame member. 3 is the fixing plate in accordance with the present invention and 4 is a V groove extruded into the plate which acts as a drill guide.

Fig. 7 is a section through an assembly in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the versatility of the square section frame member 23 when used with end members of varying angular configurations. Frame elements comprise RHS aluminium alloy frame portions 10 and 1 1 having ends 12 and 13 respectively as before, and end members 14 and 15 which are forcibly pressed into the respective ends 12 and 13. In addition, a third frame element comprises a frame portion 45 and angled end member 46 assembled to a third track portion to form a 3-way junction having 90° and 60° included angles. Fig. 8 is a representative illustration of a table frame made typically with the present inventive apparatus and method wherein the 120° included angles 47 are formed using the angled end members 46 deployed on opposed sides of the frame member 23. The 60° included angles 50 simply require installation of the same angled end member 46 deployed adjacent a straight end member 14 (typ.).

Different arrangements of the two types of end members 14 (typ.) and 46 may be readily used with the same 4-sided frame member 23 to form 2-arm frame assemblies with included angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 180°. 3-arm junctions may have included angles 90°-90°-180°, 60°-90°-210°, 30°-120°-210°, 30°-90°- 240°, 60°-60°-240° etc. 4-way junctions may have more combinations again. Addition of a 45° end member opens up many more options for little more inventory required.

Snap in trim panels 34 may be made of timber to match a table or desk top, acrylics for colour, or acoustic panel strips to match partitions in a workstation environment for aesthetic purposes. The apparatus of the present invention may be shipped to assembly site as a "bundle-pack" as per the following example.

Example

Step 1 . The frame members are cut to the desired length.

Step 2. The frame members are predrilled with a starter hole to accept self drilling and tapping screws.

Step 3. The snap in trim panels are cut to the required sizes.

Step 4. The snap in trim panels are clipped into the frame members.

Step 5. The frame portions are cut to their respective sizes.

Step 6. The end members are cut from end member extruded stock to such a size that it requires a press of significant pressure to fit the end members into the frame portions.

Step 7. The end members are forcibly pressed into all the open ends of the frame portions.

Step 8. The frame portions now containing end members in all ends together with the four receiving frame members and a minimum of four self-drilling and tapping screws are bundled together and wrapped to form a bundle-pack. Step 9. The bundle-pack, together with a table top, are delivered to its final destination where upon arrival the end members which protrude out from the frame portions are pushed into the tracks of the frame members and are finally screw fixed into position by the self-drilling and tapping screws which also act as dowels as previously discussed. Apparatus in accordance with the described embodiment has a combination of an end member with a projection sized and dimensioned such that it is a very snug and in fact machine press fit to all internal surfaces of the receiving frame portions. Unlike some earlier inventions, the frame portions in the present invention do not need to have a deformable end as the inserted portion of the end members has a series of ridges projected along opposing sides which engage with the corresponding internal surfaces of the frame portions. The more force that is applied to pull the joint apart the more the ridges 'embed' themselves into the internal surfaces of the frame portions. In some cases, the ridges will even stand up and engage or 'embed' themselves into the internal faces of the frame portions depending on the material type of the frame portion and that of the end member.

The ridges of the present invention have special significance as the anchor- connector element will not only be engaged with the internal surfaces of extruded aluminium frame portions, but also with the internal faces of mild steel, stainless steel, brass, plastics and, nylon frame portions just to mention a few.

It will be appreciated that various metals and materials have various points of elasticity thus making the ridges of the present invention especially important as it is a desirable feature of the present invention that various metals and material types can be utilized depending on the requirements of the furniture specifications.

An advantage of the present invention is that it does not rely on the deformability of the receiving frame portion as the deformation of said frame portion is unsightly and detracts from the overall appearance or aesthetics of the furniture frame member as it will be appreciated that aesthetics and overall appearance is very important when considering furniture items. The track engaging end is of a shape, size and dimension that it fits neatly into a track portion of the frame member without the need for machine pressing. The track engaging end is locked into position, upon final assembly of the bundle when it reaches its final destination only; this is done by way of at least one self-drilling and tapping locking screw. The said locking screw cuts partly through one side of the track engaging end of the end member and thrusts the opposite side of the track engaging end firmly into the opposite corner of the track. To complete the overall aesthetics and quality of the appearance of the frame member, there is provided a snap in trim panel which is used for colour coding. The use of peripheral edges 33 extending from the flanges 26 and cooperating with the trim panels 34 to conceal the cut ends of the frame portions 10 and 1 1 in use further clearly distinguishes the prior art of US Patent Publication US2002/0087244. It can be demonstrated that the present invention is much simpler than other systems which rely upon numerous connectors of a variety of sizes and shapes which are awkward, bulky and heavy to handle before they are finally cut to size and further more they are expensive to stock and add to the overall cost of production.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. Framing apparatus including:

an elongate frame member having at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions of substantially constant cross section; a frame element having an end portion of shape complementary to said cross section and adapted to slide into engagement with a said track portion; and locating means operable to secure said end portion in said track portion at a selected location.

2. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate frame member comprises an aluminium alloy section.

3. Framing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions are formed integrally with the elongate frame member.

4. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circumferential spacing of the at least two track portions is selected to present at a selected included-angular spacing of 90°.

5. Framing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are four track portions equally circumferentially spaced about the frame member.

6. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially constant cross section of the track portions is selected from a flattened oval, rectangular or dovetail, flat between opposed ends such as opposed-V or rounded capsule, or dog-bone shape.

7. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the track portions extend to finish flush with one or both ends of the frame member.

8. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the track portion is adapted to receive a trim portion selected from slide-in trim portions and snap-in trim portions.

9. Framing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the trim portions are selected from acrylic, polycarbonate or coloured plastic material, fabric covered timber or plastic, brushed or anodized aluminium or other metal.

10. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frame element comprises an assembly of a frame portion and an end connector comprising the end portion.

1 1 . Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frame portion comprises a metal section of substantially constant cross section.

12. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the end connector may comprise a spigot portion adapted to be inserted into a hollow end of the frame portion.

13. Framing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the frame portion is an RHS or CHS welded-tube, drawn or extruded frame portion, and wherein the end connector includes a spigot portion adapted to be assembled with a close or interference fit to the inner sectional shape of the frame portion.

14. Framing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spigot portion is bounded by a stop portion to limit the depth of insertion of the spigot potion into the inner sectional shape.

15. Framing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spigot is adapted to allow substantially irreversible insertion of the spigot into the end of the hollow section.

16. Framing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the spigot is an interference-fit oversize on the hollow section and is provided with a plurality of ridges transverse the insertion direction, the ridges having a sloping leading face in the insertion direction and a relatively sheer trailing face, the respective faces meeting at an edge of sharpness sufficient to engage the inner sectional shape faces in the interference fit and resist withdrawal of the spigot from the inner section.

17. Framing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the end members are formed by cutting from a continuous extruded section, wherein a first side of the extrusion forms the end portion and a second side of the extrusion forms the spigot portion.

18. Framing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cross section of the end portion may comprise a flattened oval, rectangular or dovetail, flat between opposed ends such as opposed-V or rounded capsule, or dog-bone shape, to match the cross section of the track portion.

19. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the locating means is selected from one or more of screws, bolts, pegs, latches, cams and track- engaging locating means of a slide in type selected from slugs or pigs slid into the track above and below the end portion and screwed off to a track wall portion.

20. Framing apparatus according to claim 1 9, wherein the locating means of the slide in type comprises an elongate member that can be cut to length and form both a locating means and a track face closure panel.

21 . Framing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the locating means comprises concealed welding of the end portion within the track portion.

22. Framing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the frame member is aluminium alloy, the track portion being bounded by a flange through which a bore is drilled to intersect with the end portion cross section, and into which a staking pin may be driven.

23. Framing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the staking pin comprises a self-tapping, countersunk threaded peg-screw which functions as a dowel as well as a screw.

24. Framing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the flange is supported by a rib adjacent each side of the track portion, each rib being shared between adjacent track portions such that a single stake may secure an end portion in each adjacent track.

25. Framing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the rib and flange serve to support slide-in or snap-in trim portions to conceal the track portion, and to conceal the cut ends of sections comprising the frame portions.

26. Framing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the frame members are extruded aluminium alloy and have integral track portions each comprising a substantially flat base wall bounded by opposed, elongate channels, an open face of the track portion being bounded by a functional rib adjacent each of the channels.

27. Framing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein a trim panel has one elongate edge engaging one of the channels and has an opposed elongate edge adapted to snap into a complementary form of the rib adjacent the other of the channels.

28. Framing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the channels are substantially V-shaped.

29. A method of framing comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of elongate frame members each having at least two circumferentially spaced, substantially longitudinal track portions of substantially constant cross section;

operating respective locating means to secure each said end portion in its respective said track portion at a selected location.