AU2007237197A1 - Frame joiner - Google Patents

Description

28/11/200? 16:12 MADDERNS 4 0262837999 NO.382 P005 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention title: Hills Industries Limited Phillip Alan Winwood David Herschel Nicholls MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia FRAME JOINER Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2006906644 dated 28 November 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

rPAtWM 1 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/200? 28/112007 16: 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262837999N.32p0 NO.3e2 P006 o PRIORITY CA The present application for patent claims priority from Australian Provisional o Patent Application No. 2006906644 entitled "FRAME JOINER" filed 28 Z November 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its 00 Nl 5 entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the joining of frame members together. In a c-i particular form, the invention relates to a frame joiner that joins an open ended frame member to one or more other frame members.

REFERENCE TO CO-FENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT The present invention is related to the following application for patent: Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2006906643 entitled "A FRAME MEMBER FOR PLAY EQUIPMENT" filed 28 November 2006, The entire content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Often it is desirable to be able to join a plurality of frame members together when forming a support structure such as scaffolding or the like. In one example, such as the erection of domestic playground equipment that comprises a number of frame members, it is desirable to be able to combine an open ended frame member with other frame members in a playground structure in a manner that allows for the straightforward assembly of the structure and the addition of other modular components. Similarly, other playground equipment such as trampolines will often involve the joining of a number of frame members together.

COMS ID No: ARCS-i 70435 Received by P1 Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2e/11/2007 29/112007 16: 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262e37999NO32 00 NO.382 D007 CKI SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION o In a first aspect the present invention accordingly provides a frame joiner oc including: CI 5 first joining means for joining to a first frame member; and second joining means for joining to a second frame member, wherein the first joining means includes a spigot member to engage ant open end of the first frame mnember, the spigot member further including adjustable CI engagement means to frictionally engage an inner surface portion of the first o 10 frame member, wherein the adjustable engagement means includes a first CI engagement surface and a second engagement surf ace, the first and second engagement surfaces moveable wit respect to each other to each frictionally engage respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

Preferably, the spigot member includes a first engagement member that includes the first engagement surface and a second engagement member that includes the second engagement surface, the first and second engagement members moving along a common interface surface, wherein movement of the first and second engagement members along the common interface surface causes the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

'Preferably, the common interface surface is inclined and the first and second engagement members move in a wedging action to force outwardly the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

'Preferably, the first and second engagement members are caused to move in a wedging action by drawing means that draws the second member towards the first member.

3 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 29/112007 16: 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262937999N.92

D

NO.382 POOB S Preferably, the drawing means includes a bolt extending through the first and N second engagement members, the bolt including a first screw threaded region o to engage a second saetw threaded region located in the second member- 00 Preferably 1 the first engagement member is a spigot shaft and the second engagement member is a wedge member.

Preferably, the first and second engagement surfaces are shaped to match the (N inner surface of the first frame member.

01 (N Preferably, the second joinidng means includes clamping means to clamap the second frame member.

Preferably, the clamping means includes: a first dlamping member; a second clamping member; and tightening means to tighten the first and second clamping members about the second frame member.

Preferably, the first clamping member includes a first frame member receiving recess to receive the second frame member and wherein the second clamping member includes a second frame member receiving recess to receive the second frame member.

Preferably, the first and second frame member receiving recesses match the sectional profile of the second frame member.

Preferably, the first clamping member is integral with the spigot member.

4 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2e/il/2007 281200716: 12 MPDDERNS 4 028283799 N.8210 NO.3e2 P009 0o In a second aspect the present invention accordingly provides a frame joiner N for joining a plurality of open ended frame members together, the frame o joiner including: Z a plurality of spigot members extending from a central body to engage 00 the plurality of frame members, each of the spigot members further including adjustable engagement means, wherein the adjustable engagement means includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, the first and second engagement surfaces moveable with respect to each other to each c-i frictionally engage respective inner surface portions of each of the open ended frame members, thereby joining the frame members together.

Preferably, each of the plurality of spigot members includes a first engagement member that includes the first engagement surface and a second engagement member that includes the second engagement surface, the first and second engagement members moving along a common interface surface, wherein movement of the first and second engagement members along the common interface surface causes the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of each of the open ended frame members.

Preferably, the central body includes central adjustment means to adjust each of the adjustable engagement means in a central location.

Preferably, the central adjustment means is located in a recess formed in the central body.

Preferably, one or more of the plurality of spigot members is pivotable.

Preferably, at least one spigot member is of a different size to another spigot member of the pluirality of spigot members.

COMS ID No: ARCS-i 70435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 29/112007 1:12 MPDDERNS 4 0262e37999NO32 01 NO. 3e2 P010 Preferably, at least one spigot memnber is of a different sectional profile to CA another spigot member of the plurality of spigot members.

Z BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THlE DRAWINGS 00 S Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a frame joiner according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention; ci FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame joiner illustrated in Figure 1; 0 FIGURES 3a to 3g are a series of views of a spigot member comprising a first component of the frame joiner illustrated in Figures I. and 2; 'FIGURES 4a to 4g are a series of views of a wedge member comprising a second component of the frame joiner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; FIGURES 5a to 5f are a series of views of a dlamping member comprising a third component of the frame joiner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; FIGURES 6a and 6b include front and perspective views of a frame joiner according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURES 7a and 7b include top and perspective views of a frame joiner according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURES 8a and 8b include front and perspective views of a frame joiner according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURES 9a and 9b include front and perspective views of a frame joiner according to a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 10a and 10b include front and top views of a frame joiner according to a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and FIGURE 11 is a front view of a frame joiner according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the following desaiption, like reference characters designate ike or corresponding parts throughout the several -views of the drawings.

6 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2e/il/2007 29/11207 1: 12 MPIDDERNS 4 02G2237999N.32Ql NO. 3e2 P011 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT o Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there are shown assembled and exploded Z perspective views of a frame joiner 100 according to a first illustrative 00 embodiment of the present invention- Frame joiner 100 in this embodiment is employed to join together first frame member 200 and second frame member 210. Frame joiner 100 includes a spigot member 10 and wedging member which together combine to form a first joining means 110. Frame joiner 100 ci further indludes clamping member 50 which together with spigot member forms second joining means 120.

Ref erring now to Figure 3, there are shown various views of spigot member which includes a head portion 17 integrally formed with a spigot shaft 16 that is circular in aross-section and terminates in an inclined interface surface 11. Head portion 17 indludes a frame member receiving recess 12 which in this illustrative embodiment is semi-circular in cross-section to receive tabular frame member 210. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, frame member receiving recess 12inay be adapted depending on the exact crosssectional profile of frame member 210.

Head portion 17 further includes side bolt holes 13 and corresponding hexagonal recesses 15 to each seat a hexagonal nut 41. Spigot shaft 16 indludes a bolt hole or bore 14 extending trough to inclined interface surface 11 and a pair of diametrically opposed locating ridges 18 which function to slot into corresponding notches 202 in first frame member 200.

Referring now to Figure 4, there are shown various views of wedge member which (similarly to spigot shaft 16) is circular in cross-section and includes a corresponding interface surface 21 and a central bore 22. Central bore 22 terminates in a hexagonal recess 23 suitable to receive hexagonal nut 7 COMS ID No: ARCS-i 70435 Received by P1 Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 29/112007 16: 12 MRDDERNS 4 0262837999N.32 01 NO. 3e2 P012 Referring now to Figure 5, there are shown various views Of clamping member 50 which (similar to head portion 17 of spigot member 10) includes a o frame member receiving recess 51. Clamping member 50 further includes a Z pair of bolt holes 52 which correspond to bolt holes 13 located in head portion 00 17 of spigot member Referring once again to Figures 1 to 5, frame joiner 100 is assembled by first inserting central bolt 30 through washer 34 and through the central bore 14 of c-i spigot member 10. Central bolt 30 includes a sarew threaded shaft 31 and a head 32 having an Allen key recess 33. Wedge member 20 is then fastened to 0 spigot member 10 by inserting the shaft 31 of central bolt 30 through the central bore 22 of wedge member 20 and screwing into nut 40 seated in hexagonal recess 23. In this manner, wedge member 20 is now attached to spigot member 10 with their corresponding inclined interface surfaces 11, 22 meeting.- The combination of wedge member 20 and spigot shaft 16 which functions as a first joining means 110 can then be inserted into the open end 201 of first frame member 200 ensuring that locating ridges 18 are aligned with notches 202.

The diameter of both wedge member 20 and spigot shaft 16 are substantially identical and fractionally less than the inner diameter of first frame member 200. Additionally, the diameter of central bores 14, 22 of spigot member and wedge member 20 are fractionally greater than the diameter of the shaft 31 of central bolt 30 which allows lateral or sideways movement of the wedge member 20 with respect to the spigot member 10 as the wedge member 20 is drawn towards spigot member 10 due to the action of the corresponding inclined interface surfaces 11, 22 as screw central bolt 30 is tightened.

The combination of first frame member 200 and spigot member 10 cank then be joined to second frame member 210 by first positioning second frame member 210 in frame member receiving recess 12. Clamping member 50 is then 8 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2e/il/200? 29/112007 16:12 MPDDERNS 4 0262837999NO32p1 NO. 3132 9013 o fastened to spigot member 10 (which itself acts as a second clamping member) Ni by bolts 35 which are inserted through bolt holes 52 and screwed into o- corresponding hexagonal nuts 41 which are seated in hexagonal recesses Z located in head portion 17 of spigot member 10 thereby functioning as a 00 N- 5 tightening means, this arrangement then forming a second joining means 120.

It can be readily seen that spigot member 10 provides an adjustable engagement means to fictionally engage an inner Surface portion of frame ci member 200 where a first engagement surface is provided by spigot shaft 16 and a second engagement surface is provided by wedge member 20, each of 0 these engagement surfaces frictionally engaging respective inner surface portions of frame member 200. This is due to the lateral movement of wedge member 20 as it moves along the common interface surface between interface surfaces 11, 21. Although in this illustrative embodiment the first and second engagement surfaces are substantially shaped to match the inner surface portions of frame members, equally other shapes may be employed provided the associated engagement surfaces are able to frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of frame member 200.

In one non-limidting application consistent withf the principles described in the specification, a frame joiner in accordance with this first illustrative embodiment may be advantageously employed to construct a modular playground structure such as that described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2006906643 entitled 'A FRAME MEMBER FOR PLAY EQUIPMENT" filed 28 November 2006, and incorporated in its entirety by ref erence herein.

Referring now to Figure 6, there are shown front and perspective views of a frame joiner 300 according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Frame joiner 300 which is suitable for joining two frame members end on, includes two opposed spigot shafts 310, 320 and corresponding 9 COMS ID No: ARCS-i 70435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 28/112007 16: 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262837999N.82[4 NO. 3e2 U014 wedge members 311,321 as has been previously described. Frame joiner 300 also includes a central body 330 to which the opposed spigot shafts 310,320 o are formed with a unitary construction. Body 330 further includes an access Z -recess or chamber 340 that allows access by an Allen key to tighten bolts 315, 00 325 with a corresponding -nut such as located in hexagonal recess 322.

Referring now to Figure 7, there are shown top and perspective views of a frame joiner 400 according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present c-I invention. Frame joiner 400 is suitable for joining two frame Members at a predetermined angle to each other such as 900 as shown here. Once again a c-I common access recess or chamber 440 in central body 430 allows access to bolts 415, 425 which can be tightened with corresponding nuts located in hexagonal recesses 4-12,422.

Referring now to Figure 8, there are shown front and perspective views of a frame joiner 500 according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Frame joiner 500 includes three spigot shafts 510, 520, 550 and corresponding wedge members 511, 521, 551 all extending from a central body 530 that are respectively tightened by bolts 515, 525, 555 with a corresponding nut such as located in hexagonal recess 522. Access to each of the bolts 515, 525, 555 is via comnmon. access recess or chamber 540 and further access is provided by aperture 531. Whilst in this illustrative embodiment, each of the spigot shafts are at 9O' to each other, equally they could be set at other predetermined angles.

Referring now to Figure 9, there are shown front and perspective views of a frame joiner 600 according to a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Frame joiner 600 includes two spigot shafts 610, 620 extending from a central body 630 and a pivotable third spigot shaft 650. Each of the spigot shafts 610, 620, 650 incorporate corresponding wedge members 611, 621, 651 that are respectively tightened by bolts 615, 625, 655 with a COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2e/11/2007 29/112007 16: 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262e37999NO92Q1 NO. 3e2 9015 corresponding nut such as located in hexagonal recess 622. -Access to screws 615, 625 is via access recess or chamber 640. In thids illustrative embodiment a o frame member, would be first attached to pivotable spigot shaft 650 via bolt Z 655 which is seated in the body of spigot shaft 650. This then would be 00 attached to pivot mount 660 that extends from central body 630 allowing the attached frame member to pivot about pivot axis 661.

Referring now to Figure 10, there are shown front and top views of a frame ci joiner 700 according to a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Multi head frame joiner 700 incorporates multiple spigot shafts and 0 corresponding wedge members as has been described previously all, extending from a central body 710.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is shown a front view of a frame joiner 800 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the second illustrative embodiment, frame joiner 800 is suitable for joining two frame members end on and includes two opposed spigot shafts 810, 820 and corresponding wedge members 811, 821 extending fromf central body 830. As shown here and in any of the embodiments previously described, the cross sectional profiles of spigot shafts 810,820 and corresponding wedge members 811, 821 may be varied as desired depending on the frame members being joined together. Some examples include round 850, oval or elliptical 851, square 852 or rectangular 853 profiles. Additionally one spigot shaft and its corresponding wedge member may adopt one aross-sectional. profile whilst the other adopts a different cross-sectional profile or size, again depending on the frame members being joined.

A brief consideration of the above described embodiments indicates that the frame joiner incorporates a large degree of flexibility in the frame mnembers S0 that can be joined together. Furthermore, as the engagement means can be adjustable at a central location this provides added convenience.

711 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 2B/11/2007 16:12 MADDERNS 4 0262937999N NO. 382 P016 0 It will be understood that the term "comprise" and any of its derivatives (eg.

o comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be 0 Z inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the 00 presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of c-I o 10 numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing 0from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following c-I claims.

12 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28

Claims (19)

1. A frame joiner indluding: Z first joining means for joining to a first frame member; and 00 second joining means for joining to a second frame member, wherein the first joining means includes a spigot member to engage an open end of the first frame member, the spigot member father indluding adjustable engagement means to frictionally engage an inner surface portion of the first frame member, wherein the adjustable engagement means includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, the first and second engagement surfaces moveable with respect to each other to each frictionally engage respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

2. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spigot member includes a first engagement member that includes the first engagement surface and a second engagement member that includes the second e ngagement surface, the first and second engagement members moving along' a common interface surface, wherein movement of the first and second engagement members along the comimon interface surface causes the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

3. A frame joiner as claimed in dlaim 2, wherein the common interface surface is inclined and the first and second engagement members move in a wedging action to force outwardly the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of the first frame member.

4. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second engagement members are caused to move in a wedging action by drawing means that draws the second member towards the first member.

COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 29/112007 16:12 MPDDERNS 4 02G2937999N.32 01 NO. 3e2 P019 A frame joiner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the drawing means (N includes a bolt extending through the first and second engagement members, o- the bolt including a first sarew threaded region to engage a second screw Z threaded region located in the second member. 00

6. A frame joiner as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first engagement member is a spigot shaft and the second engagement member is a wedge member.

7. A frame joiner as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the o first and second engagement surfaces are shaped to match the inner surface of the first frame member.

8. A frame joiner as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second joining means includes clamping means to clamp the second frame member.

9. A franme joiner as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dlamping means includes: a first clamping member; a second dlamping member; and tightening means to tighten the first and second clamping members about the second frame member.

10. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first dlamping member includes a first frame member receiving recess to receive the second frame member and wherein the second clamping member includes a second frame memnber receiving recess to receive the second flame member.

11. A frame joiner as claimed in clim 10, wherein the first and second frame member receiving recesses match the sectional profile of the second frame member. 14 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 29/11/007 12 MPDDERNS 4 0262937999N.92P1 NO. 3e2 U019

12. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first dlamping member is integral with the spigot member.

Z13. A frame joiner for joining a plurality of open ended frame members 00 together, the framne joiner including: a plurality of spigot members extending from a central body to engage the plurality of frame members, each of the spigot members further including adjustable engagement means, wherein the adjustable engagement means includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, the first o and second engagement surfaces muoveable with respect to each other to each frictionally engage respective inner surface portions of each of the open ended frame members, thereby joining the frame members together,

14. A frame joiner as chaimed in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of spigot members includes a first engagement member that includes the first engagement surface and a second engagement member that includes the second engagement surface, the first and second engagement members moving along a common interface surface, wherein movement of the first and second engagement members along the common interface surface causes the first and second engagement surfaces to each frictionally engage the respective inner surface portions of each of the open ended frame members.

15. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the central body indludes central adjustment means to adjust each of the adjustable engagement means in a central location.

16. A frame joiner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the central adjustment means is located in a recess formed in the central body.

17. A frame joiner as claimed in any on~e of claims 13 to 16, wherein one or more of the plurality of spigot members is pivotable. COMS ID No: ARCS-i 70435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28 29/11/2007 16:12 MADDERNS 4 0262837999 NO.392 9020 o

18. A frame joiner as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein at least 0one spigot member is of a different size to another spigot member of the o plurality of spigot members. z 00

19. A frame joiner as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein at least one spigot member is of a different sectional profile to another spigot member of the plurality of spigot members. A frame joiner substantially in accordance with any one of the 0 '4 embodiments of the invention described herein and illustrated in the oaccompanying drawings. 16 COMS ID No: ARCS-170435 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:59 Date 2007-11-28