GB1571896A

GB1571896A - Interlocking arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB1571896A
Application number: GB5123676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-12-08
Filing date: 1976-12-08
Publication date: 1980-07-23

Description

(54) AN INTERLOCKING ARRANGEMENT (71) I, IRVING WARDELL SHELL, a citizen of the United States of America, of 442 Wellington Avenue, Chicago, State of Illinois, 60657, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an interlocking member arrangement for securing members together.

In particular the present invention relates to an interlocking member arrangement for securing two members together. For example, one panel directly to another or one or more panels to a bracket interposed between them.

Wall panels and the like, were secured together, heretofore, by various means.

For example, brackets attached to the rear side of panels with screws or nails, were commonly used. However, the disassembling and re-assembling of the panels frequently weakened and sometimes even caused cracks in the panel structure, and made them unsuitable for supporting any objects other than those having minimal weight.

Panels were also secured together by press fitting one into the other, such as those formed with tongues and grooves. Many of these type panels due to careless manufacturing did not provide a secure and tight press fit with each other. Also, many that initially secured firmly together lost their tightness in time, and eventually would slip out of contact.

The subject invention on the other hand, provides a removable lock for firmly securing one panel to another panel or through a bracket interposed between the two panels. The panels locked in accordance with the invention herein are easily assembled or disassembIed, without the necessity of screwing into or out from the panel structure. Nevertheless, the attachment of the panel is tight and secure and there is virtually no possibility of the panel connection weakening and the panels slipping away from each other.

It is therefore a primary aim of the invention to provide a lock means for removably securing two members together, for example, one panel directly to another or one or more panels to a bracket interposed between them.

Another aim is to provide a lock for securing two panels together, directly or through an interposed bracket, without requiring screws or nails to embed into the panel structure.

Another aim is to provide a lock means including a channelled bracket for securely attaching a plurality of panels. A related aim is to provide such bracket with four entranceways, so that the panels may be connected into an end to end relationship, or perpendicular to each other.

According to the present invention there is provided an interlocking member arrangement comprising first and second members respectively having edges which are in contact with each other, said members respectively having openings which line up with each other, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said first member and having one end extending through the opening in said first member, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and - normally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between said leaf spring and said first member to bias said shaft towards said first member, a head on said one end of the shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass through the opening in said second member in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass through the opening in said second member in the locked position of said head, said head being axially pulled away from said first member against the action of said coiled spring and inserted through the opening in said second member, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said second member tightly against said first member by virtue of said coiled spring.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an interlocking panel arrangement comprising first and second panels respectively having edges which are in contact with each other, said panels respectively having bores which line up with each other, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said first panel and havng one end extending through the bore in said first panel, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and normally extending away therefrom and being depress able towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between the leaf spring and said first panel to bias said shaft towards said first panel, a head on said one end of the shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass through the bore in said second panel in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass through the bore in said second panel in the locked position of said head, said head being axially pulled away from said first panel against the action of said coiled spring and inserted through the bore in said second panel, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said second panel tightly against said first panel.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided an interlocking panel and bracket arrangement comprising a bracket including a longitudinally extending space, a panel abutting said bracket and having a bore lined up with said space, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said panel and having one end extending through the bore therein, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and nor mally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between the leaf spring and said panel to bias said shaft towards said panel, a head on said one end of said shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass into said space in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass into or out of said space in the locked position of said head, said head being pulled away from said panel against the action of said coiled spring and inserted into said space, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head raws said bracket tightly against said panel by virtue of the coiled spring.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear view of a pair of panels removably secured together with a lock arrangement, embodying the principles of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the panels spaced apart just prior to securing the panels together, and showing the head of the bolt in phantom rotated ninety degrees (locked-position); Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bolt and spring and also showing the cylindrical inserts which may be positioned in the panels; Figure 4 is a fragmented sectional view showing the shaft of the bolt extending through an insert and the head thereof recessed in the panel; Figure 5 is a fragmentary front view of the bolt and showing a pair of leaf springs limiting the inward movement of the spiral spring;; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional front view of the shaft of the bolt, and illustrating the leaf springs in phantom depressed in recesses; Figure 7 is a front view of a pair of panels secured on opposite sides of a four entranceway channelled bracket, to illustrate another embodiment of the subject invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the pair of panels secured to the channelled bracket; and Figure 9 illustrates an adjustable foot for supporting the panel above the ground.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a lock for securing two panels 12, 14 together. Each panel 12, 14 includes a front side, rear side 16, an inner edge 17 and a bottom edge 17' (Fig. 9).

When the lock 10 is in use the inner edges 17 of the panels abut against each other.

The lock 10 is shown positioned on the rear side 16 of the panels 12, 14, which would be desirable if the front side were more decorative than the rear side 16.

The lock 10 includes a substantially "T" shaped bolt 18 having a rectangular head 19 at the outer end thereof integrallv formed to a cylindrical shaft 20. A pair of substantially "L" shaped leaf springs 22 are rigidly secured in diametrically opposed positions on the shaft 20 at points 24, 24' spaced from the inner end 25 of the bolt 18. Each spring 22 includes an elongate leg 26 and a shortened leg 27 bent therefrom. Leg 26 extends outward on an incline toward the head 19 until reaching the junction 28 with the shortened leg 27. Legs 27 extend inward toward the shaft 20. The springs 22 depress inside complementary "L" shaped recesses 30 formed in shaft 20 (Figs. 5 and 6).

A coiled spring 32 extends around the shaft 20 between the head 19 and legs 27 of the leaf springs 22. When the lock 10 is in use, the two abutting panels 12, 14 are clamped together by the cooperative action of the head 19 and the coiled spring 32, and held securely in place by the tension force in the spring 32, the head 19 being movable between locked and unlocked positions.

To assemble the lock in position, a cavity 34, which may be circular, is formed in the rear side 16 of panel 12 and linked to the inner edge 17 by bore 36. Hole 38 is also linked with cavity 34 and is positioned opposite to bore 36. A cavity 40 is formed in the rear side 16 of panel 14, and linked to the inner edge 17 by a rectangular bore 42. Bore 36 in panel 12 includes a rectangular recess 43 linked with a cylindrical bore part 44, which in turn, is linked with the cavity 34.

The bolt 10 is inserted into bore 36 with the inner end 25 first extending through. Prior to the inner end 25 being positioned in hole 38, the coiled spring 32 is placed over the leaf springs 22, so the ends of the coil spring 32 contact the inside wall 48 of the cavity 34 and the legs 27 of the leaf springs 22, respectively. The leaf springs 22 depress into the recesses 30 as they pass through bore 36, and expand outwtrd upon entering the cavity 34. The head 19 is dimensioned to engage into the rectangular recess 43 as shown in Figure 4, when the head 19 of lock 10 is in an unlocked-position.

After the shaft 20 is positioned in panel 12, the head 19 is inserted into the rectangular bore 42 in panel 14. Upon the head 19 reaching cavity 40, the bolt 18 is turned ninety degrees, which is a quarter turn, so that head 19 is thereby retained inside cavity 40. The tension in the coiled spring 32 causes the head 19 to abut against the inside wall 50 of cavity 40 and forces the two panels 12, 14 into an abutting and locking contact. To release lock 10, the bolt 18 is turned ninety degrees, and the resilient force of spring 32 pulls the head 19 through the rectangular bore 42 toward the inner edge 17 of panel 12, and the head 19 recedes into the rectangular recess 43 as the bolt inner end 25 moves further into the hole 38.

For panels constructed of relatively solid or rigid materials such as hard wood, rigid plastic or metal, the bearing contact of the head 19 and spring 32 and also the contact of the leaf spring 22 with the panel material, would generally have little or no effect on the panel structure. However, when the panels are formed from soft or less rigid materials, such contact between the various component parts of lock 10 and the panel walls, may cause undesirable splintering or distortion of the panels. To avoid weakening of the panels, a cylindrical insert 54 (Figs. 3 and 4) may be press fitted into cavity 34 of panel 12, and a cylindrical insert 56 may be press fitted into cavity 40 of panel 14. Inserts 54, 56 may be constructed of metal or plastic to provide a protective shield for preventing the parts of the lock 10 from embedding or digging into the panel material.

Insert 54 includes a pair of aligned openings 58, for communicating respectively with bore 36 and hole 38, and are sized to permit passage of the shaft 20. Insert 56 includes a rectangular opening 60 dimensioned to receive head 19 of the bolt 18 (Fig. 3). The head 19 abut against the inside surface of the insert 56 perpendicular to the opening 60.

Turning now specifically to Figures 7 and 8, another embodiment is shown for securing panels 62 and 64 together. Panels 62, 64 are similar to panel 12, and similar parts will be designated by the same numerals. A bracket 66 is secured to panel 62 by lock 10a and secured to panel 64 by lock lOb. The locks lOa and lOb include the same parts as lock 10, and also will be identified by the same numerals.

The bracket 66 comprises a pair of identical side channelled sections 68, 69 connected together by a central web 70. A pair of opposed flanges 72, 73 define an entrance opening 74 therebetween into the corresponding side channel section 68 or 69.

When the bracket 66 is used between the panels 62, 64, the head of lock 10a abut against the inside surface of the flanges 72, 73 of channel section 68 and the coiled spring 32 abut against the inside surface of cavity 34; and similarly, the head of lock lOb abut against the inside surface of the flanges 72, 73 of side channel section 69, and the coiled spring abut against the inside surface of cavity 34. Thus, panels 62, 64 are in abutting contact with bracket 66 throughout the length thereof.

As may be seen from Figure 8, bracket 66 also includes front and rear channel sections 76, 78 and each includes flanges 80,81 defining an opening 82 therebetween.

Mounting brackets (not shown) for horizontal panels, for example, may be inserted into the front and rear channels 76, 78, or such front and rear channels 76, 78 may also be used for securing two panels.

Therefore, since bracket 66 has four entranceways, one to four panels may be secured to bracket 66. Also, two panels may be secured end to end, or perpendicular one with the other.

The panels 12, 14 when secured together by lock 10 may be mounted to a wall or positioned on the floor. For floor position ing, an adjustable foot means indicating generally by reference numeral 91 as shown in Figure 9, for setting the height of panel 12, may be used. Foot means 91 comprises an insert 92 press fitted into a circular recess 93 formed inward from the rear side 16 of the panel 12. The insert 92 includes opposed openings 94, 94'. A threaded nut 95 is secured to the inside surface of the insert 92 in alignment with opening 94. A core 96 is formed upward from panel bottom edge 17' and links with recess 93. A bore 96' opposed to bore 96 also links with recess 93. Bores 96, 96' communicate with insert openings 94, 94' when the insert 92 is inside the recess 93.

A threaded bar 97 is rigidly attached to a disc 98 and extends outward therefrom.

Bar 97 screws into the nut 95 after passing through bore 96, and may extend to the end of the bore 96', thereby providing a substantial range of height adjustment for the panel 12 between the bottom edge 17' and the floor.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:+ 1. An interlocking member arrangement comprising first and second members respectively having edges which are in contact with each other, said members respectively having openings which line up with each other, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said first member and having one end extending through the opening in said first member, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and normally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between said leaf spring and said first member to bias said shaft towards said first member, a head on said one end of the shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass through the opening in said second member in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass through the opening in said second member in the locked position of said head, said head being axially pulled away from said first member against the action of said coiled spring and inserted through the opening in said second member, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said second member tightly against said first member by virtue of said coiled spring.

2. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which said first and second members are panels.

3. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which said first member is a panel and said second member is a bracket.

4. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the opening in said second member substantially matches the shape of said head, said shaft being rotatable so that said head may be arranged to pass through the opening in said second member in the unlocked position of said head and so that said head may be arranged to be unable to pass through said last-mentioned opening in the locked position of said head, 5. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 4, in which said head and said openings are generally rectangular in cross section.

6. An interlocking panel arrangement comprising first and second panels respectively having edges which are in contact with each other, said panels respectively having bores which line up with each other, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said first panel and having one end extending through the bore in said first panel, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and normally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between the leaf spring and said first panel to bias said shaft towards said first panel, a head on said one end of the shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass through the bore in said second panel in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass through the bore in said second panel in the locked position of said head, said head being axially pulled away from said first panel against the action of said coiled spring and inserted through the bore in said second panel, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said second panel tightly against said first panel.

7. An interlocking panel arrangement as claimed in claim 6, in which said first and second panels respectively have first and second cavities respectively communicating with said bores.

8. An interlocking panel arrangement as claimed in claim 7, and further comprising a pair of sleeves respectively in said cavities and having openings respectively comunicating with said bores.

9. An interlocking panel and bracket arrangement comprising a bracket includ

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. such front and rear channels 76, 78 may also be used for securing two panels. Therefore, since bracket 66 has four entranceways, one to four panels may be secured to bracket 66. Also, two panels may be secured end to end, or perpendicular one with the other. The panels 12, 14 when secured together by lock 10 may be mounted to a wall or positioned on the floor. For floor position ing, an adjustable foot means indicating generally by reference numeral 91 as shown in Figure 9, for setting the height of panel 12, may be used. Foot means 91 comprises an insert 92 press fitted into a circular recess 93 formed inward from the rear side 16 of the panel 12. The insert 92 includes opposed openings 94, 94'. A threaded nut 95 is secured to the inside surface of the insert 92 in alignment with opening 94. A core 96 is formed upward from panel bottom edge 17' and links with recess 93. A bore 96' opposed to bore 96 also links with recess 93. Bores 96, 96' communicate with insert openings 94, 94' when the insert 92 is inside the recess 93. A threaded bar 97 is rigidly attached to a disc 98 and extends outward therefrom. Bar 97 screws into the nut 95 after passing through bore 96, and may extend to the end of the bore 96', thereby providing a substantial range of height adjustment for the panel 12 between the bottom edge 17' and the floor. WHAT I CLAIM IS:+

1. An interlocking member arrangement comprising first and second members respectively having edges which are in contact with each other, said members respectively having openings which line up with each other, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said first member and having one end extending through the opening in said first member, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and normally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between said leaf spring and said first member to bias said shaft towards said first member, a head on said one end of the shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass through the opening in said second member in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass through the opening in said second member in the locked position of said head, said head being axially pulled away from said first member against the action of said coiled spring and inserted through the opening in said second member, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said second member tightly against said first member by virtue of said coiled spring.

4. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the opening in said second member substantially matches the shape of said head, said shaft being rotatable so that said head may be arranged to pass through the opening in said second member in the unlocked position of said head and so that said head may be arranged to be unable to pass through said last-mentioned opening in the locked position of said head,

5. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 4, in which said head and said openings are generally rectangular in cross section.

9. An interlocking panel and bracket arrangement comprising a bracket includ

ing a longitudinally extending space, a panel abutting said bracket and having a bore lined up with said space, a shaft reciprocally mounted on said panel and having one end extending through the bore therein, a leaf spring movably mounted on said shaft and normally extending away therefrom and being depressable towards said shaft, a coiled spring encircling said shaft and being positioned between the leaf spring and said panel to bias said shaft towards said panel, a head on said one end of said shaft being movable between locked and unlocked positions, said head being dimensioned to pass into said space in the unlocked position of said head and unable to pass into or out of said space in the locked position, of said head, said head being pulled away from said panel against the action of said coiled spring and inserted into said space, whereupon said head is moved to said locked position and released, to allow the shaft to move axially, whereby said head draws said bracket tightly against said panel by virtue of the coiled spring.

10. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 9, in which said bracket includes a further longitudinally extending channel to enable a further panel constructed substantially identical to said first-mentioned panel to be attached to said bracket using said further longitudinally extending channel.

11. An interlocking member arrangement as claimed in claim 10, in which said bracket includes three further longitudinally extending spaces to enable up to three further panels constructed substantially identical to said first-mentioned panel to be attached to said bracket using said further longitudinally extending spaces.

12. An interlocking panel and bracket arrangement as claimed in claim 10, in which said bracket has a pair of spacedapart side walls respectively carrying inwardly extending flanges which define said space therebetween, said head abutting the inside surfaces of said flanges in the locked position of said head and being movable through said space in the unlocked position of said head.

13. An interlocking panel and bracket arrangement as claimed in claim 12, in which said bracket includes a further pair of spaced-apart side walls respectively carrying a further pair of inwardly directed flanges defining a further space therebetween, to enable attachment to said bracket of a second panel.

14. An interlocking arrangement as claimed in claim 13, in which said bracket includes third and fourth pairs of spacedapart side walls respectively carrying third and fourth pairs of inwardly directed flanges respectively defining third and fourth spaces therebetween, to enable attachment to said bracket of additional panels.

15. An interlocking member arrangement, constructed and arranged substan axially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 or 8 to 11, of the accompanying drawings.