GB2175366A - Frame joints - Google Patents

Abstract

A joint comprises a frame member wose end 2a is connected to a corner piece (4 Fig. 3) by means of a connection device 3 (centre). The frame member is formed with a channel 9 to receive part of the connection device 3 as a push-fit. The connection device 3 has two substantially parallel resilient arms (11 Fig. 4) defining therebetween a space for receiving a projection 14 of the cornerpiece (4) as a snap-fit or sliding connection. A frame may comprise four such frame members, cornerpieces and connection members. Each of the frame members may be formed with a slot (5) running along the length thereof. In the arrangement shown, the slots (5) receive a lip (7) of a tray (8) for seedlings or the like. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for forming a frame for supporting a seed tray or the like This invention relates to apparatus for forming a frame for supporting a seed tray or the like.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a first member, a second member and a connection device for connecting the first member to the second member, one of the first member and the connection device having a recess for receiving part of the other of the first member and the connection device to provide a push-fit connection therebetween and one of the second member and the connection device being provided with engaging means for providing a snap (or sliding) fit with part of the other of the second member and the connection device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for forming a frame, comprising a plurality of frame members, a plurality of cornerpieces for the frame and a number of connection devices for connecting the frame members to the corner pieces, each frame member being provided with a recess for receiving part of a respective connection device to provide a push-fit connection therebetween and each connection device being provided with engaging means for providing a snap (or sliding) fit connection with a projection provided on a respective corner piece.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame embodying the invention for supporting a tray for seedlings or the like; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of part of the frame of Fig. 1 illustrating how the seed tray is supported by the frame; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 1 of part of the frame of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a connection device for connecting a frame member to a corner piece of the frame; and Figure 5 is an end view of the connection device of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a frame 1 embodying the invention for supporting a tray for seedlings or the like.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the frame comprises four elongate substantially rectangular cross-section tubular frame members 2.

The frame members 2 are connected by connection devices 3 to corner pieces 4 to define a substantially rectangular frame.

Each frame member 2 is extrusion-moulded from a plastics material so as to comprise a substantially hollow rectangular cross-section tube 2 having a slot 5 running along the longitudinal axis of one of the major elongate surfaces 6' thereof. The other major elongate surface 6" of each frame member 2 may be substantially plain or, as shown in the accompanying drawings, may be formed during the extrusion process with ribs 6a extending along the length thereof. The rectangular cros-section tube is strengthened by means of a Hcross-section internal support 9 which is formed integrally with the tube and extends along the entire length thereof.The H-crosssection internal support 9 and the major elongate surfaces 6" of the frame member 2 define a rectangular cross-section channel 10 forming a recess for receiving part of a connection device 3 to provide a push-fit connection between the connection device and the frame member. As shown in Fig. 2, the slots 5 of the frame members 2 are arranged to receive a lip 7 of a tray 8 for seedlings or the like so that, in the assembled state, the frame supports the seed tray 8 above the ground.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, each connection device 3 comprises a substantially U-shaped member formed of a plastics material and having two substantially parallel resilient arms 11. An end portion 11 a of each of the resilient arms 11 is enlarged in a direction transverse to the length of the arm 11 so as to define a neck 12 in the U-shaped member forming the connection device 3. Opposing faces 13 of the enlarged end portions 1 1a of the resilient arms 11 are shaped so as to define a space of substantially circular cross-section for receiving a part of a projection 14 of a corner piece 4 to provide a snap fit connection between the projection and the resilient arms 11.

Each corner piece 4 comprises a tubular member extrusion moulded from a plastics material. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, each tubular member has two substantially planar elongate faces 15 and an arcuate elongate face 16. In the arrangement shown, the arcuate face 16 projects beyond the planar faces 15 and the planar faces 15 intersect at right angles to one another at a distance from the respective ends thereof so as to define two substantially rectangular cross-section channels 17 for each receiving an end 2a of a respective frame member 2. Each projection 14 is in the form of a respective ridge 18 extending longitudinally of the respective planar face 15.Each ridge is of a substantially "key hole" shape in cross-section, having a substantially rectangular cross-section portion connected to a substantially circular cross-section portion 14a, the substantially circular cross-section portions 1 4a being adapted to be received in the space defined between the opposed faces 13 of a connection device. As shown in Fig. 2, each ridge 18 extends paral lel to, but is offset from the longitudinal axis of the respective channel.In the arrangement shown, each ridge is positioned closer to the intersection of the pianar face 15 carrying the ridge with the arcuate face 16 than the intersection with the other planar face 15 of the corner piece so that, when an end 2a of a frame member is received in a channel 17, the ridge 18 is aligned with the space between the arms 11 of a connection device received in the channel 10 of the frame member 2 and, when the frame member 2 and the corner piece are pushed together, the portion 1 4a of the projection snap-fits with the space defined between the resilient arms 11.

Preferably a respective end plate 19 formed of plastics material is provided to close each of the open ends of each corner piece 4.

In order to assemble the frame, the lip 7 running along each of two parallel sides of the seed tray 8 is inserted into the slot 5 in each of two longer frame members 2 so that the two frame members 2 extend parallel to one another. A respective connection device 3 is snap-fitted or slid into each projection of each corner piece 4 and the corner pieces 4 are spaced apart as required so as to define the corners of the frame so that a respective corner piece 4 is aligned with each end face of each frame member.Each corner piece 4 is then brought into engagement with the respective end of a frame member 2 by pushing the corner pieces 4 and the frame member 2 towards one another so that each corresponding connection device 3 is push-fit received in the respective channel of one of the frame members, further forcing the resilient arms of the corresponding connection device together to securely engage the circular cross-section end portion 1 4a of the projection 14. Each of two shorter frame members 2 is then positioned between the two-longer frame members 2 so that the slot 5 in each of the shorter frame members 2 engages the lip 7 of the seed tray 8. Then the longer frame members 2 are pushed toward one another so that the free connection devices are push-fit received within the channels 10 of the shorter frame members 2 to form the frame.

Solvent cement may be applied to the connecting devices 3 prior to assembly with the frame members 2 to effect a more permanent joint.

Of course, if the seed tray 8 is made of a flexible plastics material, then it may be possible to construct the frame and then insert the seed tray 8 by deforming the same to force it into the space defined between the frame members 2 until the lip 7 engages within the slots 5 formed in the frame members 2.

The constructed frame supporting a seed tray may be used for example to form a window box.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings, the end plates 19 of the corner pieces 4 are arranged to be substantially flush with the other elongate sides 19 of the frame members. However, if it is desired to form a stack of trays 8, then the corner pieces 4 may be lengthened and sufficient connection devices 3 provided to enable a plurality of frame members, say two or three frame members, to be connected to each corner piece 4 so as to be vertically spaced-apart from one another to enable the frame to support a number of vertically spaced-apart seed trays 8.

It should, of course, also be appreciated that although in the arrangement described the frame has been used to support a seed tray, the frame could also be used to support trays for carrying other suitable items for example for use as a rack in a storage space. Indeed the frame need not necessarily comprise a closed frame and, for example, if one of the frame members 6 is omitted, the frame may be used to form shelving. Further, by varying the angle between the planar faces 15 of the corner pieces 4, a frame having any desired polygonal cross-sectional shape may be produced.

Claims (41)

1. Apparatus comprising a first member, a second member and a connection device for connecting the first member to the second member, one of the first member and the connection device having a recess for receiving part of the other of the first member and the connection device to provide a push-fit connection therebetween and one of the second member and the connection device being provided with engaging means for providing a snap (or sliding) fit with part of the other of the second member and the connection device.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the recess is provided in the first member and the engaging means form part of the connection device.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the engaging means comprises two resilient arms extending from the said one of the second member and the connection device, the resilient arms having free ends defining therebetween a space shaped to receive the said part of the other of the second member and the connection device.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the said part of the other of the second member and the connection device comprises a projection formed thereon.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the space defined between the two resilient arms is of substantially circular crosssection and the projection has an end portion of substantially circular cross-section for engaging in the said space.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the two resilient arms form part of the connection device.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the two resilient arms form part of the connection device and the projection is provided on the second member.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the second member is elongate and the projection comprises a ridge extending along the length thereof.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the second member is a tubular member.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the member second member has two intersecting planar faces, each carrying a respective projection, and an arcuate face connecting the planar faces.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the arcuate face projects beyond the planar faces and the two planar faces intersect away from the edges thereof to define two channels for each receiving an end of a first member.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the two resilient arms are connected by a transversely extending portion of the connection devices.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the connection device is substantially U-shaped.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein the arms of the U-shaped member each have a transversely enlarged end portion, the enlarged end portions having shaped opposed end faces defining therebetween the said space.

15. Apparatus according to anyone of claims 6 to 14, where the recess is provided in the first member for receiving part of the connection device so that the two resilient arms extend from the recess.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the first member is elongate and the recess comprises a channel extending along the length thereof.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the first member comprises a tubular member having an internal support defining the channel of the first member.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and member is of substantially rectangular cross-section.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second member comprises a corner piece for a frame and the first member comprises a frame member.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein a plurality of corner pieces frame members and associated connection devices are provided.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein each frame member is provided with support means for supporting a tray or the like spaced above the ground when the frame members are connected to the corner pieces by the connection devices to form a frame.

22. Apparatus for forming a frame, comprising a plurality of frame members, a plurality of corner pieces for the frame and a number of connection devices for connecting the frame members to the corner pieces, each frame member being provided with a recess for receiving part of a respective connection device to provide a push-fit connection therebetween and each connection device being provided with engaging means for providing a snap (or sliding) fit connection with a projection provided on a respective corner piece.

23. Apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein each engaging means comprises two resilient arms having free ends defining therebetween a space shaped to receive a projection of a corner piece.

24. Apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the space defined between the two resilient arms of each connection device is of substantially circular cross-section and the projection has an end portion of circular cross-section for engaging in the said space.

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the two resilient arms of each connection device are connected by a transversely extending portion of the connection device.

26. Apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein each connection device is substantially U-shaped member.

27. Apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the arms of each U-shaped member each have a transversely enlarged end portion, the enlarged end portions of each U-shaped member having opposed end faces shaped to define therebetween the space for receiving a projection.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein each corner piece is elongate and the projections thereof comprise ridges extending along the length thereof.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein each corner piece comprises a tubular member.

30. Apparatus according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein each corner piece has two intersecting planar faces each carrying a respective projection and an arcuate face connecting the planar faces.

31. Apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the arcuate face of each corner piece projects beyond the planar faces thereof and the two planar faces intersect away from the edges thereof to define two channels for each receiving an end of a respective frame member.

32. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 31, wherein each frame member is elongate and the recess thereof comprises a channel extending through the frame member.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein each frame member comprises a tu bular member having an internal support defining the channel thereof.

34. Apparatus according to claims 22 to 33 wherein each frame member is of substantially rectangular cross-section.

35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 33 wherein each frame member is provided with support means for supporting a tray on the like spaced above the ground when the frame members are connected to form the frame.

36. Apparatus according to Claim 35, wherein the support means comprises a slot formed in the frame member.

37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 36 wherein four frame members and four corner pieces are provided to form a substantially rectangular frame.

38. Apparatus according to any one of claims 35, 36 or 37 further comprising a tray for planting seedlings or the like.

39. Apparatus for forming a frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

40. A frame whenever formed from apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 19 to 39.

41. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.