GB2245675A - Framework joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A framework (10) is formed from components (12, 14). Each component (12, 14) has the same cross-sectional shape and size, and both ends of each component (12, 14) is formed with an identically sized slot, the width of the slot being equivalent to the width of each component so that the end of one component enters the end slot of another component with a force fit. The components may have rectangular slots along their length to provide joints intermediate the ends. The joints may be secured with adhesive. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FRAMEWORKS The present invention relates to frameworks which can be used, for example, to manufacture items of furniture and storage containers.

Frameworks made, for example, from lengths of wooden sections can be constructed using brackets and similar joining components or the ends of the wooden sections can be formed with joints so that two or more lengths of wooden section can be secured together to make a joint. The joints can also include an adhesive or wood screws to make a secure joint.

However, such joints tend to be complex, requiring special machinery to form the joints accurately so that the individual members can be joined together.

The present invention seeks to provide a framework and a kit of parts for making a framework in which the joints are relatively simple in form and only require simple machinery for their manufacture.

Accordingly the present invention provides a framework comprising a plurality of wooden components, each component having an open ended slot formed at each end, the size of the slot being such that a component to be fitted into the slot is a force fit in the slot.

One or more of the components can include at least one rectangular slot located between the ends of the component.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. lA-lE respectively show five different types of framework according to the present invention made from a kit of parts according to the present invention, Fig. 2 shows one form of joint included in the frameworks shown in Figs. lA-lE inclusive, Fig. 3 shows a further form of joint included in the frameworks illustrated in Figs lA-lE inclusive, Figs. 4A-4D show four different forms of component for manufacturing the frames illustrated in Figs. lA-lE inclusive, Fig. 5 shows a modified form of joint to that shown in Fig. 3 and, Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the joint shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1A shows a framework 10 formed from components 12, all of which are of the same size and form and components 14, all of which are of the same size and form. The components 10 are illustrated in Fig. 4A and the components 12 are illustrated in Fig. 4B. Each component 12 is oblong in section, having a width greater than its thickness and each end of the component 12 is formed with an identical slot 16, the depth of which is equal to the width of the component 12.

Similarly the component 14 is of an identical section to the section of the component 12 and has identical slots 16 formed at each end. Also the component 14 has a slot 18 which is rectangular in form located intermediate at the end of the component 14. The size of the slot 18 is the same size as the cross section of the component 14 and the component 12 so that the component 12 is a force fit in the slot 18.

The components 12 and 14 are assembled together to make the frame 10 in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 2 which shows one of the corner joints 20 of the frame 10, one end of a component 14 is placed in the slot 16 at the end of one upright component 12. One end of a lateral component 12 is then inserted so that the end of the upright component 12 is located in the slot 16 of the lateral member 12 and the end of the lateral member 12 is located in the slot 16 at the end of the component 14. The joint may secured by using adhesives or one or more wood screws. All four corner joints of the framework 12 are completed in the same way as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 3 which shows an intermediate joint 22, a lateral member 12 is partially inserted through the slot 18 enabling a vertical member 12 to be inserted into the joint so that the component 14 lies in the slot 16 of an upright component 12 and the upright component 12 is located in the slot 16 at the end of the lateral component 12. The remaining intermediate joints 22 are all completed in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 3. Again if necessary the intermediate joint can be further secured by means of adhesives and/or one or more wood screws.

Referring to Fig. 1B which shows a framework 20 comprising components 12 and components 14 secured together using corner and intermediate joints 20 and 22 respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1C a framework 26 comprises vertical and horizontal components 12 and horizontal components 28 which are illustrated in more detail in Fig. 4C. The components 28 are similar to the component 18 in that a slot 16 is formed at each end but the component is provided with two equally spaced rectangular slots 18. The framework 26 is assembled using the corner joints 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2 and intermediate joints 22 of a form similar to that shown in Fig. 3 except that the lateral members comprises one of the components 28.

Referring to Fig. 1D a framework 30 comprises components 12, 14 and 28 assembled using corner and intermediate joints 20, 22 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1E a framework 32 is formed from components 12, 14 and 34, one of the components 34 being illustrated in more detail in Fig. 4D. The component 34 is similar to the component 14 and 28 in that a slot 16 is provided at each end but the component has three equally spaced rectangular slots 18. The framework 32 is assembled using corner and intermediate joints 20, 22 identical or similar to the joints illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be appreciated that a variety of frameworks can be formed using the components 12, 14, 28 and 34 and is not restricted to the frameworks illustated in Figs. lA-lE inclusive.

Also the components 12, 14, 28 and 34 can be arranged to have any number of equally spaced rectangular slots 18 so as to vary the size of any framework constructed in height, width and length.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative form of the joint 22 illustrated in Fig. 3. If the vertical member 12 is not required the members 12 and 14 can be assembled together by firstly locating a T-piece 36 in the slot 16 at the end of the member 12. The horizontal member 12 together with the T-piece 36 can then be inserted into the slot 18 in the member 14. If necessary adhesive and/or one or more wood screws can be used to secure the joint.

Claims (5)

1 A framework comprising a plurality of wooden components, each component having an open ended slot formed at each end the size of the slot being such that a component to be fitted into the slot is a force fit in the slot.

2 A framework as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one of the components includes at least one rectangular slot located between the ends of the component, the size of the slot being equivalent to the cross-sectional shape of at least one of the other components of the framework.

3 A framework as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which one or more of the components include a plurality of equally spaced slots intermediate the ends of the component, the size of each slot being equivalent the cross-sectional shape of at least one of the other components of the framework.

4 A framework as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which all of the components have the same cross-sectional shape and size, and the slot at each end of each component is equal to the width of each component.

5 A framework constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.