AU785325B2 - In-line connector for window spacer frame tubing - Google Patents

Description

-1- P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: Wallace H. PETERSON Wallace H. PETERSON Freehills Carter Smith Beadle 101 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia IN-LINE CONNECTOR FOR WINDOW SPACER FRAME TUBING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us IN-LINE CONNECTOR FOR WINDOW SPACER FRAME TUBING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to spacer frame bars for use in insulated windows, and, more particularly, to an in-line connector for joining tubular space bars in end-to-end relationship.

b. Background Art As is well known in the art, insulated windows and similar insulated glass panels are ordinarily constructed using two panes of glass which are maintained in spaced, parallel relationship by means of a spacer frame. The spacer frame, typically a rectangular structure which extends around the perimeter of the window, serves tL create the insulating gap between the two panes, which is usually filled with air or another gas having low thermal Stransmission qualities.

25 The spacer frame itself is usually constructed of a series of straight, tubular spacer bars. These spacer bars are commonly formed of metal aluminum or S* steel) and have a hollow interior for holding a desiccan.

material which serves to remove any moisture from ch .interpane air space.

The tubular spacer frame bar material is ordinarily supplied in long "sticks" having a standard length, e.g., twenty feet. In order to construct the spacer frame, the spacer material is cut to the desired length, and the 35 various pieces are then assembled to construct the frame.

In order to form the connections between the ends of r-he pieces while still maintaining a continuous, uninterrupted external profile, an internal connector is inserted in the end of one tubular piece, and the other tubular piece is then pressed over the other end of the connector.

In some instances the ends of the spacer pieces meet at a corner of the frame, in which caac on anqlgcd corncr connector is used to form the joint (in some form.-; oL construction the corners are made by bending che Lubiny, rather than by using a corner connector). In ot-her instances, however, it is necessary to form a butt or "inline" connection between the adjoining pieceb.

Forming an in-line connection of this type in an efficient yet effective manner has long presented a problem for the industry. Such connections are usually formed manually, and the problems existing in the prior art are illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. As can be seen one common form of prior art in-line connector 01 is little more than an elongate plug having a cross-sectional 20 configuration which corresponds to the interior of the spacer tubing. To form the connection, the operator ::grasps the connector 01 in his f ingers and presses this into the open end 02 of the f irst spacer piece 03. The opposite end of the connector is then inserted into the open end 04 of the other spacer piece 05, and thc two pieces are then shoved together until the ends 02, 04 butL up against one another.

This forms the in-line joint 06 which is shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, however, the problem is that the connector piece 01, lacking any form of positive !;top, tends to end up being very much off-center in the connection, so that there is insufficient protrusion 07 into one or the other of the spacer pieces. Thi can happen very easily as a result of the operator pushing t-h" connector 01 too far into the end of the first spacer piece. Moreover, one piece of the spacer material almost always forms a tighter fit or exerts more friction against the connector than the other, owing to manufacturing tolerances or uneven alignment in the operator's hands; thus, even if the connector is inserted to the correct depth initially, the uneven fit tends to cause tho connector to be driven deeper into one piece or the other as the two spacer pieces are pressed together.

As a result, the connector frequently ends up so misaligned that it fails to extend the necessary distance into one spacer or the other to form a stable connection.

Consequently, the connections often separate when the operator goes to assemble the window, the ends of the two spacer pieces pop apart. At best, this necessitates taking the time to remove the connector piece and re-install it correctly. often, however, the thinwalled spacer pieces are damaged in the process, so that the pieces (or sometimes the entire spacer frame) must be 20 discarded. Eihrway, misalignment of the connector piece can lead to wasteful delays in a mnanufacturinrg operation.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an in-line connector for tubular spacer frame pieces which avoids th.

problems of misalignment described above. Furthermore, there exists a need for such an in-line connector which is quickly and easily installed in a manufacturin~g operation. Still further, there exists a need for such a connector which is reliable in operation and economical to manuf acture.

C04908850 -4- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has solved the problems cited above, and is a connector for window spacer frame tubing.

Broadly, this comprises an elongate connector body having first and second ends, and at least one stop member which is mounted to the connector body. The stop member comprises an inclined ramp portion having a length that is greater than a width thereof, which protrudes from the connector body and which is mounted so as to be yieldingly depressible in response to the first end of the body being inserted into a first section of spacer frame tubing. A stop portion is formed on an outer end of the ramp portion, and projects generally perpendicularly from the connector body so as to abut an end of a second section of spacer frame tubing in response to the second end of the connector body being inserted therein.

The stop portion is located proximate a mid-point of the connector body, so that the stop portion projecting from the connector body and facing towards the second end of the connector body abuts the end of the second section of tubing so as to arrest insertion o proximate the mid-point of the connector body. In response to the other end of the connector body being inserted into the other section of tubing, the ramp portion of the stop member is depressed into the interior of the tubing so as to permit a butt end of the ooooo first section of tubing to be pressed into engagement with the butt end of the second section of tubing. The second end of said connector body being freely insertable in said spacer frame tubing up to said stop portion.

o The ramp portion of the stop member may comprise a base end which is joined to the connector body so as to permit the ramp portion to bend downwardly towards the .o body in response to downward pressure. The stop portion, in turn, may comprise an end -25 wall which extends downwardly from the free end of the ramp portion towards the connector body.

The connector body may further comprise an upper wall which is configured to pass closely under an upper web of the spacer frame tubing. The base of the ramp portion may be joined to the upper wall of the connector body, and thc connector body may further comprise a recess for receivinj the stop and ramp portions as these are depressed towards the body. The recess may comprise a hollow interior formed in the connector body generally beneath the upper wall thereof.

The connector body may further comprise first and second side wall portions for internally engaging first and second side walls of the spacer frame tubing, the side wall portions extending downwardly from the upper wall of the connector body so as to define the hollow interior thereof.

The connector may comprise first and second stop members, with the ramp portions thereof extending in opposite directions towards the first and second ends of the connector body, and the stop portions facing in 20 opposite directions towards the mid-point of the body.

Thus, in response to the first end of the connector being inserted into a first section of the tubing, the upper we.

of the tubing depresses the ramp and stop portions of the first stop member so as to pass thereover, until the end of the f irst section of tubing abuts the stop portion of the second stop member so as to arrest insertion proximate the mid-point of the connector. Then, in response to the ;second end of the connector being inserted into a second section of the tubing, the upper web of the tubing depresses the ramp and ,stop portions of the second stop member so as to pass thereover, until the end of the second section of tubing abuts the end of the first section of tubing.

The stop members may be formed integrally with the connector body. The connector body and stop members may be formed of a resilient plastic material or of malleable metal material which permits the ramp portions to bend downwardly at the base ends thereof.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulated glass window having a spacer frame constructed of tubular spacer bars, the spacer bars being joined by in-line connectors in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ends of firut and second tubular spacer bars as these are being joined by a prior-art in-line connector; FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the connection whic.

is formed by the prior-art components of FIG. 2, showing the misalignment of the connector within the ends oL the tubular spacer pieces; FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, of an in-line connector in accordance with the present invention, showing the connector as this is being used to join the ends of first and second tubular spacer pieceu; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the in-line connector of FIG. 4, showing the first and second inclined stop members which are formed in the upper wall thereof; FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the in-line connector of FIGS. 4-5, showing the manner in which the inclined stop members protrude above the upper surface thereof; .FIG. 7 is. an cross-sectional view of the in-line con nector of FIGS. 4-6, taken along 7-7 in FIG. 5, !showing the relationship of the inclined stop members to th underlying interior of the connector; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and spacer pieces of FIG. 4, showing the manner in which a first one of the stop members arrests insertion of I:-.he inline connector at the proper depth within the end of a tubular spacer piece; -8- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing the manner in which the stop member holds the connector in the proper position as the connector is inserted into the end of a second tubular spacer piece, until the ends of the two spacer pieces come into abutment with one another; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an in-line connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which the connector is formed of stamped sheet metal, showing the manner in which this is used to connect first and second tubular spacer pieces; FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank with the initial cuts having been made therein for formation of the inclined stop members of the connector of FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the metal blank of FIG. 10, showing the manner in which this is stamped between dies to form the in-line connector of FIG. 10; ana FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 8, showing a first end of the connector of FIG. 10 having 20 been inserted in a first tubular spacer piece, and the other end of the connector being inserted into a second spacer piece.

oe* DETAILED DESCRIPTION a. Structure FIG. 1 shows an insulated window 10 in accordance;.

with the present invention. As used in this descriptic., and the appended claims, the term "window" includes all insulated glass panels having this general form of construction, whether intended for viewing or admission of light, or for other purposes.

AS can be seen, insulated window 10 is generally conventional in its overall configuration, being constructed using a rectangular spacer frame 12 which extends around the perimeter of the window, and which maintains the first and second glass panes 14a, 14b in spaced relationship so as to form an insulating space 16 which is filled with air or other insulating gasses.

AS was described above, the spacer frame 12 i&~ *constructed of a series of tubular spacer bars 18. In 20 most instances the tubular spacer bars are formed oL comparatively thin-walled, roll-formed metal, such as tubular steel or aluminum alloy, for example, although in other cases the spacer bars may be formed of tubula.

plastic, fiberglass, or other materials. For purposes of illustration, the bottom spacer bar in frame 12 will be shown as having a two-piece construction, being made 9 up of first and second spacer bar pieces joined in ernd-toend relationship. It will be understood, however, thar.

the in-line connections to which the present invention is directed may occur anywhere in the frame, or in mullions or other bars which extend across the faces of the paiesi.

FIG. 2 thus shows an in-line connector 20 i r, accordance with the present invention, as this is used to join first and second sections 18a, 18b of the tubing which forms spacer frame 12. As can be seen, the connector 20 includes an elongate body 22 having an exterior which is configured to be received in closetitting engagement with the interiors 24a, 24b of thL spacer pieces. The body of the connector is formed ot a material having a suitable degree of rigidity 80 as to maintain the two spacer pieces in axial alignment when the assembly is completed, but which is preferably still somewhat yielding and flexible, such as molded plastic or stamped sheet metal, for example.

Since it is intended to fit inside the spacer tubing, the exterior shape of the connector will vary somewhafrom one embodiment to another, depending on the configuration of the tubing with which it is designed to be used. In the embodiment which is illustrated in PIG.

2, the tubing has a somewhat 'IT"-shaped configuration, in that this includes a broad upper web 26 (which faces towards the interpane space 16), a generally parallel *lower web 28, and outwardly -stepped side webs 30a, the latter being configured to engage and support the **.*glass panes 14a, 14b. The connector piece 20 thus has corresponding 'IT"-shaped configuration, with a broad, somewhat planar upper wall 32 which fits insitdc and engages the top web of the spacer tubing, and stepped side walIls 34a, 34b which likewise engage the side webs of the tubing.

.As can be seen in PIXG. 4, connector 20 also includes first and second inclined stop members 40a, 40b which project upwardly above the general plane of the top wall 32. The inclined stop members have generally vertical end faces 42a, 42b which are arranged to face one another across a small central gap 44, and ramp portions 46a, 46b which slope downwardly from the end faces towards opposite ends of the connector body. The end faces 42a, 42b are -11located proximate the mid-point of the connector body so as to limit insertion of the connector to about one-halL its depth in either of the tubing pieces, as will be described in greater detail below. Also, it will be understood that the term "mid-point" and the like, as used in this description and the appended claims, means a point in the lenqLliwiSe middle portion of the conneecrnr body which is selected to allow the desired amount of insert.-Lon of the connector, and may or may not be at or near the exact geometric middle of the connector, depending on th.

embodiment and on relevant design considerations.

The angle of the ramp portions 46a, 46b is preferably relatively shallow for ease of use, and while this will vary somewhat depending on the configuration of the components and the qualities Of the materials usod, an upward angle of about 5-100 is eminently suitable for many embodiments of the present invention.

As is shown in FIG. 5, each of the inclined stop members 40a, 40b is bordered on three sides by a "1U shaped Cut 48a, 48b which is formed in the upper wall 32 of the connector body and which extends downwardly into an interior cavity 50 (see also FIG. 7) .As a result, each of the inclined stop members 40a, 40b is supported only at its base end 52a, 52b, so that the ramp portions 46a, 46b and the faces at the free ends thereof are able to bend or 'flex downwardly under pressure, as indicated by arrow3 S4a and 54b in FIG. 6.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the longitudinal ends 56a, 56b of the connector 20 are preferably provided with chamfers or bevels 5B to edse insertion of the connector piece into the open ends of the *spacer pieces. Furthermore, longitudinal rclief **grooves 60a, 60b may be formed in the upper wall 32 of the connector, on either side of the longitudinally extending -12stop members 40a, 40b, so as to help ensure that the upper web of the spacer tubing will lie flat against the upper surface of the connector.

b. Use.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate the manner in which the in-line connector 20 is used to join first and second pieces u,.

tubular spacer bar in a quick and efficient manner, while keeping the connector properly centered between the ends of the two pieces.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the first step is to insert the first end 56a of the connector into the first section of tubing 18a. To do this, the operator simply grasps the opposite end 56b of the connector between his fingers and presses the connector into the end of the cubing, in rnh' direction indicated by arrow 60 in FIG. 8. As this 1:3 done, the upper web 26 of the spacer rides up the ramp portion 46a of the f irst stop member 40a, depressing the latter into the interior of the connector in the direction .indicated arrow 54a in FIG. 6. The first stop member is thus depressed to the horizontal position shown in FIG1.

8, so that the upper web 26 of the spacer tubing is able to pass thereover more or less freely.

.When the butt end 62 of the first spacer pi.ec, reaches the midpoint of the connector 20, however, it comes up against the vertical end face 42b of the second, opposing stop member .40b. This arrests further relative movement of the connector piece 20, preventing inser.ioi beyond the approximate halfway point. Because the stop member 40b is loaded primarily in compression against che lip 62 of the tubing, it is able to effectively resist any further movement of the connector, even though the stop, I I I -13member is easily flexed or bent by pressure in a lateral, downward, direction.

To complete the assembly, the operator grasps the first piece of tubing 18a and uses the other hand to press the other piece 18b over the second end 56b of the connector, in the direction indicated by arrow 64 in FIG 8. As this is done, there is a certain degree of friction between the connector 20 and the inside of the second piece of tubing 18b, tending to force the connector deeper into the first piece 18a. In the present invention, however, the end face 42b of the stop member prevents any such motion, thereby holding the connector in its correctly centered position.

With further insertion, the upper web 26 of the second spacer piece rides up over the ramp portion 46b o~.

the second stop member 40b, depressing this downwardly in the same manner as described above. The height of the end face 42b, however, is selected so that this will remain in abutment with the lip of the first spacer piece until the lip 66 of the second spacer piece moves into close proximity therewith. Furthermore, the end face 42b .develops a degree of frictional engagement against the lip 62 of the first spacer piece, thereby preventing prematur' downward displacement of the end of the second stop member As the second spacer piece nears the end of its travel, the downward pressure exerted by web 26 forces the end face of the stop member downwardly out of engagement with the lip 62 of the first spacer piece, completing movement of the second stop member 40b to the depressed, horizontal configuration which is shown in FIG. 9. As this happens, the end face 42b of the stop membe.

disengages from the lip of the spacer with an audible 115nap", thereby providing the operator with an indication -14that formation of the assembly is complete. The end of the second spacer piece then slides the final fraction of an inch into abutment against the end of the first piece 18a.

S Since disengagement of the stop surface thus occurs only at the very end of travel, there is little or no opporteunity for. Lhe connector piece 20 to move from it~s original position. As a result, the embedded depths d, and d 2 Of the first and second ends 56a, 56b of the connector are almost equal, differing only by the width of the bridge piece 44 or other gap between the two end surfaces 42a, 42b of the two stop members. The connectothus forms a very strong, stable joint is between the two pieces of spacer tubing members, eliminating the separation problems described above.

It will be understood that in some embodiments of the present invention there may be only a single inclined stop member, rather than the two stop members 40a, 40b which are shown in FIGS. 5-9; the use of two inclined stop 20 members, however, renders the connector fully reversible, thereby eliminating any possibility of inserting the wron *end of the connector piece in the tubing. Furthermore, although the embodiments illustrated herein have both stop members formed on the upper surface thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may have the stop members formed on opposite or adjacent sides of the spacer body.

c. Stamped Metal Construction The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-9 is eminently suicted to manufacture as a molded item, for fabrication in injection-molded plastic or a similar material. FIGS. JO- 13, in turn, illustrate a connector 70 in accordance with the present invention which is stamped from a piece of sheet metal material.

The overall configuration of connector 70 is generally similar to that described above, in that this has an elongate, generally rectangular body 72 with firs~t and second ends 74a, 74b, a generally planar top wall '16 and first and second depending side walls 78. In combination, these members define more or less an inverted channel configuration having a downwardly extending opening 80 in its underside.

As with the embodiment described above, the side walls 78a, 78b of the connector piece fit inside and engage the corresponding side webs 30a, 30b of the spacer tubing, and the top wall 76 similarly fits under and engages the upper web 26 of the tubing. Also similar to the embodiment: described above, the connector piece includes a pair of inwardly-facing inclined stop members 82a, 82b, each of which includes a ramp portion 84a, 84b i vertical end face 86a, 86b.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, the metal spacer 70 is **:suitably formed from a single, generally rectangular blank which is cut from a sheet of metal material steel or aluminum alloy) having a suitable thickness. Two U-shaped cuts 92a, 92b are formred in a central area of the blank, which correspond to the shaped slots or cuts 48a, 48b described above. In some embodiments the q-shaped cuts may be separate from one another, as shown :inl FIG. 11, so as to leave a central, narrow bridge piece 94 which extends between the ends of the two cuts, while in other embodiments there may be a single shaped cutwhich leaves no such central bridge piece.

As is shown in FIG. 12, the blank 90 is placed between upper and lower dies 96 and 98 and then Stae~pd to the desired configuration. The lower die 98 includes -16first and second upwardly sloped ramp portions 100a, 100b, which terminate in inwardly faced vertical end walls 102a, 102b which extend downwardly into a central recess 204.

The recess 104 also includes a transverse wdll section .106 for supporting the bridge piece 94. The upper die, in turn, is formed with corresponding, upwardl.y-sloped channel portions 108a, 108b, and a central, downwardly projecting plug portion 110 which is configured to be received in recess 104.

Thus, as the upper and lower dies 96, 98 are forced together in the direction indicated by arrow 112, the ramp and channel portions 100a, 100b and 108a, losb of the dies cooperate to force the material into the shape of the inclined ramp portions 84a, 84b (see FIG. is Simultaneously, the plug portion 110 of the upper die bends the material at the ends of the ramp pornion.; downwardly, against the vertical walls 102a, 102b of L-he lower die, thereby forming the end walls 86a, 86b of the inclined stop members. Also, outer wall portions (not shown) of the upper die bend the outer edges of the blank downwardly along lines 114a, 114b (see FIG. 11) so as *to form the depending wall portions 78a, 728b of the connector piece.

Use of the metal in-line connector 70 isq substantially the same as described above. As is shown in FIG. 13, the first end 74a of the connector is inserted in the open end of the first spacer piece 18a in Lhe *direction indicated by arrow 114, so that the side walls 78a, 78b and top wall 76 of the connector fit into and engage the corresponding side and top webs 30a, 3ob and 26 of the spacer member. As this is done, the first inclined stop portion 82a of the connector is depressed to a generally hoiotlposition and slides under the up-, web of the spacer, as is shown in FIG. 13.

-17- Further insertion of the connector piece brings the vertical end wall 86b of the second stop member into abutment with the edge 116 of the first spacer piece, thereby arresting insertion of the connector piece at the correct depth. The open end of the second spacer piece IAb is then pressed over the protruding end 74b of the connector piece 70, in the direction indicated by arrow 118 in FIG. 13. As this is done, the end wall 86b of the stop member holds connector 70 stationary, until the edge 120 of the second connector piece moves into endto-end abutment against the edge 116 of the first spacer piece 18a.

It is to be recognized that various alterations, modifications, and/or additions may be introduced into thconstructions and arrangements of parts described above without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

e oooo

Claims (17)

1. A connector for window spacer frame tubing, said connector comprising: an elongate connector body having first and second ends; and at least one stop member mounted to said connector body, said stop member comprising: an inclined ramp portion having a length that is greater than a width thereof, which extends outwardly from said connector body and which is mounted so as to be yieldingly depressible into said body in response to said first end of said body being inserted into a first section of spacer frame tubing; and a stop portion formed on an outer end of said ramp portion, said stop portion projecting from said connector body and facing towards said second end of said connector body so as to abut an end of a said second section of spacer frame tubing in response to said second end of said connector body being inserted therein; 15 said stop portion being located proximate a mid-point of said connector body and said second end of said connector body being freely insertable in said i" spacer frame tubing up to said stop portion; so that said stop portion abuts said end of said second section of tubing so as to arrest insertion of said connector proximate said mid-point of said connector S* 20 body, and said ramp portion is depressed into an interior of said first section of tubing so as to permit an end of said first section of tubing to be pressed into :*eee° abutment against said end of said second section of tubing.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said ramp portion comprises: a base end of said ramp portion which is joined to said connector body so as to permit said ramp portion to be bent downwardly towards said connector body in response to pressure which is applied downwardly against said ramp portion. 004908850 -19-

3. The connector of claim 2, comprising: first and second said stop members, said ramp portions of said stop members extending in opposite directions towards said first and second ends of said connector body and said stop portions of said stop members facing towards one another proximate said mid-point of said connector body.

4. The connector of claim 2, wherein said connector body comprises: an upper wall portion which is configured to pass closely under an upper web of a section of spacer frame tubing as said connector body is inserted therein, said base end of said ramp portion being joined to said upper wall portion of said connector body.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein said connector body further comprises: a recess formed in said connector body for receiving said stop portion as said ramp portion is depressed towards said connector body in response to said connector body being inserted into a section of said tubing.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein said recess in said connector body comprises: 15 a hollow interior formed in said connector body generally beneath said upper wall i portion thereof

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein said connector body further comprises: first and second side wall portions for internally engaging first and second side webs of a section of spacer frame tubing, said side wall portions extending downwardly 0 20 from edges of said upper wall portion of said connector body so as to define said hollow interior thereof

8. A connector for window spacer frame tubing, said connector comprising: an elongate connector body having first and second ends and an upper wall for passing closely under an upper web of said tubing as said connector body is inserted therein; and 004908850 first and second stop members facing in opposite directions, each said stop member comprising: an elongate, shallowly inclined ramp portion having a length that is greater than a width thereof, which extends from a base end which is yieldingly mounted to said connector body proximate an end of said connector body so as to be generally flush with said upper wall thereof, to a free end which protrudes above said upper wall proximate a mid-point of said connector body, said ramp portion being free from attachment to said connector body along first and second sides and said free end thereof; and a substantially vertical end face formed on said free end of said ramp portion and extending downwardly therefrom towards said upper wall of said connector body; said vertical end face projecting upwardly from said connector body to a height above an upper surface of said spacer frame tubing and downwardly to a depth below an upper surface of said connector body; said end face on said first stop member facing said end face on said second stop 15 member on opposite sides of said mid-point of said connector body and each end of said connector body being freely insertable in said spacer frame tubing up to that stop member which faces towards the inserted end of said connector body; so that in response to said first end of said connector body being inserted into a •first section of spacer frame tubing said upper web of said tubing depresses said ramp and 20 end face portions of said first stop member so as to pass thereover, until an end of said first section of tubing abuts said end face portion of said second stop member so as to arrest insertion of said connector body proximate said mid-point thereof; and so that in response to said second end of said connector body being inserted into a second section of spacer frame tubing said upper web of said tubing depresses said ramp and end face portions of said second stop member so as to pass thereover until an end of said second section of tubing abuts said end of said first section of tubing.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein said connector body further comprises: 004908850 -21 a recess formed in said connector body for receiving said ramp and end face portions of said stop members as said stop members are depressed in response to insertion in said sections of tubing. comprises: The connector of claim 9, wherein said recess in said connector body a hollow interior formed in said connector body generally beneath said stop members.

11. comprises: The connector of claim 10, wherein said connector body further o o :15 *oo. o oooo oooo first and second side walls which extend downwardly from first and second edges of said upper wall so as to define said hollow interior of said connector body.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein said side walls of said connector body comprise: lower edge portions for engaging a lower web of said spacer frame tubing so that said side wall portions maintain said upper wall of said connector body in close-fitting engagement with said upper web of said tubing.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein said side walls of said connector body are configured to engage and support first and second side webs of said spacer frame- tubing.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein said stop members are formed integrally with said connector body. The connector of claim 14, wherein said stop members and connector body are formed of a resilient plastic material which permits said ramp portions to bend downwardly towards said body at said base ends thereof. 604908850 -22-

16. The connector of claim 14, wherein said stop members and connector body are formed of a malleable metal material which permits said ramp portions to bend downwardly towards said body at said base ends thereof.

17. The connector of claim 11, wherein said first and second ends of said connector body are bevelled inwardly so as to facilitate insertion of said connector body into said spacer frame tubing.

18. A connector for joining first and second sections of window spacer frame tubing, said connector comprising: an elongate connector body having first and second ends and an upper wall for passing closely under an upper web of said tubing as said connector body is inserted therein; and first and second stop members facing in opposite directions, each said stop member comprising: an elongate, shallowly inclined ramp portion having a length that is greater than a width thereof, which extends from a base end which is yieldingly mounted 15 to said connector body proximate an end of said connector body so as to be generally flush with said upper wall thereof, to a free end which protrudes above said upper wall closely proximate a mid-point portion of said connector body, said ramp portion being S°free from attachment to said connector body along first and second sides and said free end thereof; and a substantially vertical end face formed on said free end of said ramp portion and S° extending downwardly therefrom towards said upper wall of said connector body; :*se said vertical end face projecting upwardly from said connector body to a height .above an upper surface of said spacer frame tubing and downwardly to a depth below an upper surface of said connector body; said end face on said first stop member facing said end face portion of said second stop member on opposite sides of said mid-point portion of said connector body, said mid-point portion of said connector body being substantially free of projections between said end face portions of said stop members so that each end of said connector body is &04908850 -23 freely insertable in said spacer frame tubing up to that stop member which faces towards the inserted end of said connector body; so that in response to said first end of said connector body being inserted into said first section of spacer frame tubing said upper web of said tubing depresses said ramp and end face portions of said first stop member so as to pass thereover, until an end of said first section of tubing abuts said end face portion of said second stop member so as to arrest insertion of said connector body proximate a mid-point thereof; and so that in response to said second end of said connector body being inserted into said second section of spacer frame tubing said upper web of said tubing depresses said ramp portion and end face of said second stop member so as to pass thereover until an end of said second section of tubing meets said end of said first section of tubing in uninterrupted abutment therewith.

19. A connector for window spacer frame tubing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings or incorporating any one or more oooo 15 of the novel features herein disclosed. Dated 7 December 2006 Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: •••Wallace H. Peterson 2 20