Joints and connections – Branched – Three or more radiating members
Patent
1981-01-17
1983-12-20
Kundrat, Andrew V.
Joints and connections
Branched
Three or more radiating members
403205, 403403, F16B 700
Patent
active
044214340
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates generally to clamp members for use in clamp assemblies provided to unite a plurality of elongated elements such as tubes or rods constituting a readily mountable and readily demountable framework. Frameworks of this sort can be used for permanent structures such as bookshelves or other shelves, but they are particularly suitable for use in demountable structures used for display, sales and the like in shops, exhibitions and wherever a permanent structure is undesirable.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamp member suitable for use as part of a clamping assembly in such a framework.
Accordingly, the invention provides a clamp member, being part of a kit comprising a plurality of different clamp members assemblable with the aid of fixing means to different types of clamp assemblies for uniting at least two one said elongate elements such as rods or tubes. Each clamp member has at least one first part defining a portion of a recess for engaging an end of an elongate element, and one second part defining a portion of a through-channel for engaging another elongate element disposed at right angles to the aforementioned elongate element. Each first and second part is limited by outer walls having internal and external faces. Each first part recess is inside the clamp member and terminated by a transverse block having one top face and two opposite side faces, one side face of the transverse block defining an end wall face of the respective first part recess and thus constituting a dead-end-socket for the end portion of the elongate element, and the second side face of the transverse block defining a portion of a side wall face of the through-channel.
Preferably, the fixing means are located inside the clamp member between the socket portion and the through-channel portion and are arranged in the transverse block, conveniently adjacent the central axial region of the adjacent socket portion.
The fixing means can be in the form of an aperture passing through the member, enabling two such members to be united by a screw or bolt. Alternatively, the fixing means can comprise a pin or recess on the clamp member capable of snap or frictional engagement with a complementary recess or pin on a second similar clamp member.
The first part and the second part are so shaped that they can engage first and second elongate elements arranged at right angles to each other.
The clamp member can have one or more further parts corresponding to said first part to enable an assembly to have two or more sockets.
In one practical realization of the invention the clamp member is produced in four different forms. A first form of clamp member (member A) comprises a pair of aligned and oppositely directed first parts each constituting a half-portion of a socket for an end of a square elongate element, the sockets being aligned, and separated one from the other by an interspace constituting a half-portion of the through-channel.
A second form of clamp member (member B) is an angle member and comprises two limbs arranged at right angles to each other, each limb having an end portion (as in member A) to constitute a respective first part and the apex of the two limbs being cut-away to constitute a second-part defining a quarter portion of the through-channel disposed at right angles to each limb.
A third form of clamp member (member C) has one first part and one second part, the second part being provided with an upstanding side wall and defining a half-portion of the through-channel.
A fourth form of clamp member (member D) is similar to member C, save that the end wall of the channel is omitted and a base thereof terminates in a chamfered edge assembly. Clamp member (D) has thus one first part and one second part, the second part defining a portion of the through-channel and being in the form of a plate extending away from the first part of one side thereof and having its free edge bevelled to be capable of forming a half of a miter joint.
The first and the second parts of the clamp member c
REFERENCES:
patent: 998904 (1911-07-01), Jacobs
patent: 1150781 (1915-08-01), Louden
patent: 1257455 (1918-02-01), Braun
patent: 1261213 (1918-04-01), Clay
patent: 1818172 (1931-08-01), Sutherland
patent: 2037980 (1936-04-01), Heartz
patent: 2101317 (1937-12-01), Lemieux
patent: 2879087 (1959-03-01), Haglund
patent: 3021159 (1962-02-01), Back
patent: 4283152 (1981-08-01), Smith et al.
Kundrat Andrew V.
Opto-Systems Ltd.
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