CONNECTOR WITH A RECEIVING FIN

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector comprising: a body with at least one guide for receiving an edge of a sheet of material and at least two sockets for each receiving an end of a length of material. Each socket opens in a different direction. There is at least one slot extending axially along a wall of each socket a to permit a tool to be inserted through the slot to engage with the elongate length of material and at least one hole through the wall of each socket for passage of a securing means to prevent axial movement of the elongate length of material.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a body with at least one guide for receiving an edge of a sheet of material and at least two sockets each having an opening for receiving an end of a length of material, each socket opening in a different direction; at least one slot extending axially along a wall of each socket to permit a tool to be inserted through the at least one slot to engage with an elongate length of material and at least one hole through the wall of each socket for passage of a securing means to prevent axial movement of the elongate length of material.

2. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the at least one guide is at least two parallel sections that define one or more channels for holding an edge of a sheet of material.

3. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the at least one guide has at least one aperture for receiving a securing means.

4. The connector according to claim 1 including at least one rib extending axially along an inner surface of at least one of the sockets.

5. The connector according to claim 1 formed as a single part.

6. The connector according to claim 1 formed from a synthetic plastics or a recycled synthetic plastics.

7. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the at least two sockets project at different angles from the body.

8. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the body has at least one articulated joint to adjust an angle between the at least two sockets.

9. The connector according to claim 8 wherein the at least one articulated joint has a locking means to lock the angle between the at least two sockets.

10. The connector according to claim 8 wherein the at least one articulated joint has two contacting surfaces that each have a raised surface, a lowered surface, and a tightening means to bring the contacting surfaces together so that they engage and cannot articulate with respect to each other.

11. The connector according to claim 1 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is rectangular.

12. The connector according to claim 1 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is square.

13. The connector according to claim 1 wherein a sectional profile of each of the at least two sockets is round.

14. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the opening of each of the at least two sockets is tapered.

15. The connector according to claim 4 wherein each rib may vary in depth.

16. The connector according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least two sockets or the body includes a stopper plate to limit entry of the end of the length of material into the socket.

17. The connector according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least two sockets or the body includes a stopper ridge to limit entry of the end of the length of material into the socket.

18. A kit of parts including at least two connectors according to claim 1, at least one length of material, and at least one sheet of material.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIGS. 1A, 1i, 1C show an embodiment of a connector with three sockets;

[0040] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of a rib;

[0041] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C shows isometric views of a connector with three sockets;

[0042] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C shows isometric views of a connector with three sockets;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of an L-shaped connector;

[0044] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a connector with an articulating joint;

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a reverse isometric view of the connector shown in FIG. 7;

[0046] FIGS. 8A and 8B show isometric exploded views of the connector shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

[0047] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C shows isometric views of a connector with two sockets;

[0048] FIG. 10 shows isometric views of a sliding T-shaped connector;

[0049] FIGS. 11A and 11B shows isometric views of a connector with four sockets;

[0050] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the connector shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B;

[0051] FIGS. 13A and 13B show a sliding connector with two sockets and including guides; and

[0052] FIGS. 14A and 14B show isometric views of a sliding connector with two sockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0053] The Figures show various embodiments of connectors 100, 101, 102, 200, 300, 400, 401, 500, 600, 601 that can be used together to form a modular framework using lengths and sheets of material.

[0054] Each embodiment has at least two sockets 1, 2, 3, 4 that extend from a body 50.

[0055] Each socket 1, 2, 3, 4 has at least one slot 11 through a wall of the socket to enable movement of an end of a length of material, such as plank or batten, into and out of the socket 1, 2, 3, 4 by use of a tool to engage with the material and urge it to or from the socket. It is appreciated that the slots may be provided on any part of the wall of the socket.

[0056] The sockets 1, 2, 3, 4 have internal ribs 12 extending axially from the opening towards to body 50 to grip the end of the length of material that is inserted.

[0057] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of a rib 12. FIG. 2A shows a top view of the rib 12 which has a tapered distal tip that is at the opening of the socket 1, 2, 3, 4 and the rib 12 widens towards the body 50. In FIG. 2B there is a side view of the rib 12 which shows how depth of the rib 12 tapers from the proximal end to the distal end where the rib 12 is of a shallower depth. This configuration helps to guide an end of a length of material through the opening so that it engages tightly with the proximal ends of the ribs 12.

[0058] Holes 10 are provided on the sockets 1, 2, 3, 4 to allow a fixed engagement of an end of a length of material to the connector. An attachment means is inserted through the hole, for example with a bespoke locking key, a nail, or a screw.

[0059] In particular reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C there are shown embodiments 100, 101, 102 with three sockets 1,2,3 extending from a body 50. The connectors 100, 101 and 102 are all formed as a single part and each socket 1, 2, 3 extends an opening in a different direction.

[0060] In all embodiments 100, 101 and 102 sockets 1 and 2 are in the same plane and extend at 90 degree angles with respect to each other. The third socket 3 extends in a second plane. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C the third socket 3 is orthogonal the first plane. In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C the third socket 3 extends at 45 degrees with respect to the first plane.

[0061] Embodiments 100, 101, 102, 400, 600 have guides 20 for receiving an edge of a sheet of material. The guides 20 are formed from two or more planar sections that together define one or more channel for receiving a sheet of material. The guides 20 include apertures 21 that enable securement of the or each sheet of material to the connectors. The apertures 21 may also provide a securing point for other materials, for example to tie on a sheet of fabric.

[0062] The guides 20 in embodiments 100, 101, 102, 200, 400, 600 are substantially triangular and connect to outer faces of the body 50 and sockets 1, 2, 3, 4.

[0063] In FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C the guides 20 are in pairs and are all the same shape and size. Each guide 20 has an aperture 21 through which a securing means is received to connect the sheet of material to the connector 100.

[0064] In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C the guides are provided in pairs and each guide 20A, 20B that forms a pair is of a different size. In FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C ribs 12 are provided on the wider, inner opposed faces of the sockets 1, 2, 3. It is appreciated that ribs may be provided on all or some of the walls that form the socket and that the ribs may extend to the body.

[0065] In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C there are three guides 20A, 20B and 20C that define two different channels so that sheets of material can be fitted in different positions, or so that two sheets can be fitted.

[0066] In FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 9A, 9B and 9C,13A and 13B the guides 20 are in pairs and are all the same shape and size.

[0067] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C show a connector with three square sockets, 1, 2, 3. A slot 11 is provided on one face of the socket and a hole 10 is provided on a different face of the socket.

[0068] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C show a connector with three rectangular sockets 1, 2, 3. In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C a slot 11 is provided on one face of the socket and a hole 10 is provided on a different face of the socket. In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C socket 3 has both a slot 11 and a hole 10 on the same face.

[0069] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show an adjustable connector 300 with three sockets 1, 2, 3. The first and a second of the sockets 1, 2 are connected by a first articulating joint 4, and third socket 3 is provided on a second joint 5 so that the connector 300 has two points of articulation enabling adjustment of orientation of the sockets 1, 2, 3 in multiple planes. Both articulating joints 4, 5, articulate about a support 6.

[0070] A locking means 7, 8 is provided to fix the location of the sockets 1, 2, 3 with respect to each other. The locking means 7 comprises a screw thread and a handle 8, locking in a nut 17 and the joint is provided by two discs which have opposing and contacting circular faces 18 (see FIGS. 8A, 8B).

[0071] Such faces 18 are provided with a raised and lowered surface formed by radially extending ribs, wherein an opposed surface on the opposing disc is pushed against the raised and lowered face 18 so as to form a friction lock when the handle 8 is turned clockwise.

[0072] In this way the sockets 1, 2, 6 can be rotated relative to the support 6 by means of the articulated joints 4, 5.

[0073] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C disclose a T-shaped connector 400 which has a rectangular hollow body 50 with a first socket 1 at one end and a second socket 2 at the opposing end. From one of the larger (wider) sides of the body 50 a third socket extends orthogonally on the body 50. The third socket 3 extends from a central point on the body 50.

[0074] This third socket 3 includes substantially triangular guides 20 to either side. On the third socket 3 on the wider sides there are provided a slot 11 on one side and a hole 10 on the opposed side.

[0075] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment 401 of the T-shaped connector. The T-shaped connector 401 has square sockets 1, 2, 3 and no ribs in the first and second sockets 1, 2 so that a length of material can slide through to a selected position. The third socket 3 includes ribs 12 (not visible in this orientation) to enable a length of material to be gripped within the socket 3.

[0076] FIGS. 11A, 11B and FIG. 12 show a connector 500 with four sockets 1, 2, 3, 4 extending away from a flat octagonal body 50. The sockets 1, 2, 4, 5 extending at 45 degrees (and may be made at any angle) from the body 50. The connector 500 has grids 40 to provide support between adjacent sockets 1, 2, 3, 4.

[0077] The narrow sides of the sockets 1, 2, 3, 4 have slots 11 and one of the larger sides has a hole 10.

[0078] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A and 14B show straight connectors 600, 601 with two sockets 1, 2, one at each opposed end.

[0079] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B show a sliding connector 600 that can be slid along a length of material to a desired position to provide additional guides 20 to support a sheet of material. The pictured embodiment has pairs of guides 20 and each guide has an aperture 21. The sliding connector 600 has no internals ribs and no stopper, so that the length of material is free to pass through without hinderance.

[0080] FIGS. 14A and 14B enable two separate lengths of material to be joined by using two separate holes 10, one at each socket 1, 2.

[0081] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 12, 14A and 14B include a dashed line 30 to indicate where stoppers 30 may be positioned within the body 50 to stop the length of material passing through the sockets 1, 2 and providing a surface against which the end of the length of material is located. The stopper 30 may be a plate, or a raised ridge or lip to prevent the length of material from passing through.

[0082] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.