WO2012035339A1

WO2012035339A1 - Connector for frames

Info

Publication number: WO2012035339A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/051722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Evitt; Christopher Howsam
Original assignee: Tecna Display Limited
Priority date: 2010-09-17
Filing date: 2011-09-14
Publication date: 2012-03-22

Abstract

A connector (1) for securing frame members (2) together for incorporation into a three- dimensional frame. The connector (1) includes a male part (3) secured within an end of a first frame member (2) and having a pair of arms (30) that engage either the lips (71 ) of a female part (7) or the lips (25) of a second frame member (2). The male part (3) includes an actuating lever (4) that is operable to move, in use, the arms (30) from a first, disengaged position in which they are in an extended position toward a second, engaged position in which the arms (30) are splayed and retracted such that they engage the lips (71, 25) and pull the female part (7) or second frame member (2) toward the end of the first frame member (2) in which the male part (3) is secured in order to secure the first and second frame members (2) together.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR FRAMES

This invention relates generally to connectors for frames, particularly frames which include a plurality of beams. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to connectors for use in display frames, e.g. that are used at exhibitions or for displaying products in shops.

This invention is particularly concerned with frames that are formed of a plurality of beams joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three dimensional shape. Such frames may include a variety of panels (e.g. display panels) and/or surfaces (e.g. to form shelving units) and/or other features (e.g. flags, banners and the like) releasably secured to the beams.

It is known to use static node fittings, which include a female connector part that receives one or more male connector parts. Each male connector part is engaged with an end of a beam and the beam and male connector part are rotated together relative to the female connector to engage the connector parts together. One such connector is disclosed in WO2008062161 belonging to the applicants of the present application. Whilst these connectors provide a cost effective solution, their strength is sometimes insufficient for the more demanding applications.

It is also known to use dynamic connectors to connect the rods together without the need to rotate them. One such connector is disclosed in EP0864764 and is used to connect profiled rods together. The profiled rods are hollow extrusions having a square cross- section and an external slot on each of its four faces. The connector is secured into the end of a first hollow rod and includes a pair of flanges that engage the slot of a second rod at any point along its length. The connector includes a lever that is actuated to urge the flanges apart, thereby engaging them with the slot surface and securing the first rod to the second rod without the need to rotate the rod itself. Frames that incorporate these connectors require a great deal of skill and care during assembly of the frame to ensure that the rods are orthogonal to one another as they can be engaged at any point along the rods. Failure to do this will cause undue stresses and misalignment in the components and could deform or even damage them.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to overcome or at least mitigate the issues associated with known frame connectors. It is a more general non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an improved connector for frames. Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a connector configured to be received and secured in a hollow end of a first frame member for connecting it to a second frame member for incorporation into a three-dimensional frame, the connector comprising an arrestor for engaging an abutment associated with the second frame member and an actuator operatively connected to the arrestor, wherein the actuator is operable to move, in use, the arrestor from a first, disengaged position toward a second, engaged position such that the arrestor engages and pulls the abutment toward the hollow end of the first frame member to secure the first and second frame members together.

Preferably, the arrestor comprises a latch and/or the abutment comprises or is provided by a lip. The connector may comprise a female part, for example that includes the abutment or lip, e.g. the female part may include an aperture, which may be a closed figure aperture, and the abutment or lip may comprise a surface adjacent an edge of the aperture and/or the edge itself. The connector may further comprise a male part that includes the arrestor or latch and/or the actuator. The connector or arrestor or latch may comprise one or more arms, for example a pair of opposed arms, which arm or arms may be receivable in the aperture. The second position of the arrestor or latch may comprise a splayed and/or retracted position of the arms, e.g. wherein the arms are deployed, for example in which the arms are received in the aperture and/or engage the abutment or lip or female part. The first position of the arrestor or latch may comprise an extended and/or adjacent or neighbouring position of the arms, for example in which the arms are disengaged from the abutment or lip or female part and/or to allow them to be removed from the aperture.

A second aspect of the invention provides a connector for connecting the ends of frame members together for forming a three-dimensional frame, the connector comprising a female part with a closed figure aperture and a male part with an actuator and a pair of opposed arms receivable in the aperture, wherein the actuator is operable, in use, to move the arms between a deployed position in which they are received in the aperture and engage the female part and a disengaged position in which the arms are disengaged from the female part to allow them to be removed from the aperture.

In the second position of the arrestor or latch and/or the deployed position of the arms, the arms may be spread apart or splayed to engage the abutment or lip or female part and/or withdrawn, e.g. to pull the abutment toward the hollow end of the first frame member. In the first position of the arrestor or latch and/or the disengaged position of the arms, the arms may be urged toward each other and/or forward, e.g. to allow them to be removed from the aperture.

Preferably, the arrestor or latch or arms is or are shaped to cooperate with the aperture, for example such that it or they are bound by the aperture, e.g. when it is in the second position or when they are in the deployed position. More preferably, the arrestor or latch or each arm is bound by at least two edges of the aperture and most preferably by at least three edges. In one preferred embodiment, the aperture comprises a closed figure bounded by straight sides, for example a polygon such as a square, hexagon or octagon, e.g. a square with chamfered or bevelled corners.

The female part may comprise a wall that includes the aperture, for example through which the aperture extends, and/or an inner face and/or an outer face. The abutment or lip may comprise a face or a portion of the wall, for example adjacent the aperture and/or that includes an edge of the aperture. The arrestor or latch or at least one of the arms may comprise a head or flange or latching lip, for example at or adjacent a free end thereof, that may project outwardly, e.g. away from the other arm and/or away from the centreline of the first frame member, and/or include an engaging face, e.g. on the opposite thereof to the free end. The engaging face may be configured to engage and/or contact, in use, the abutment or lip or female part, for example the wall or inner face.

Preferably, the actuator and/or arrestor may comprise a cam or cam arrangement, for example cooperating cam surfaces, e.g. for effecting or causing the movement of the arrestor or latch or arm or arms. One of the actuator and arrestor may include a cam or cam surface and the other includes a cam follower, e.g. a slider, for cooperation with the cam or cam surface. In one preferred embodiment, the cam or cam surfaces comprises first and second cams or cam surfaces and/or the cam follower or slider comprises first and second cam followers or sliders, e.g. for cooperation with a respective cam or cam surface. The first cam or cam surface and cam follower or slider preferably cooperate to provide the engaging or spreading motion of the arrestor or latch or arms. The second cam or cam surface and cam follower or slider preferably cooperate to provide the pulling or withdrawing motion of the arrestor or latch or arms.

The actuator may comprise a push button or twisting mechanism, but it preferably comprises a lever, for example movable between a closed position, e.g. in which the arrestor is in the second position and/or the lever extends parallel to and/or is aligned with the arrestor and/or the first beam, and an open position, e.g. in which the arrestor is in the first position and/or the lever preferably extends perpendicularly or orthogonally with respect to the arrestor and/or the first beam. The lever may be pivotable between the closed and open positions, for example about a lever axis that may extend perpendicularly or orthogonally with respect to the arrestor or latch or arms, and/or may include a hub and/or a lever arm that may extend from the hub. The hub may comprise a substantially cylindrical member or part and/or may incorporate the or one of the cams or cam surfaces and/or the or one of the cam followers or sliders.

The hub may comprise a cam follower or slider in the form of a radial projection, for example that cooperates with a cam surface, e.g. an outer or inner surface, of the arrestor or latch or one of the arms, e.g. for effecting or causing the movement or engagement thereof. The hub may comprise a pair of cam followers or sliders, e.g. in the form of a pair of radial projections, each of which may cooperate with a cam surface, e.g. an outer or inner surface, of a respective one of the arms, e.g. to adjust the separation between the arms. The connector or male part may comprise a resilient means, for example a resilient biasing means such as a spring, e.g. a leaf spring or V-shaped spring or compression spring or coil spring, which may be configured to urge the arms apart, e.g. wherein the cam followers or sliders of the hub urge the arms toward one another when the lever is moved from the closed position toward the open position.

Alternatively, the resilient means or resilient biasing means or spring may be configured to urge the arms together, e.g. wherein the cam followers or sliders of the hub urge the arms apart when the lever is moved from the open position toward the closed position. Additionally or alternatively, the cam followers or sliders of the hub may be configured to cooperate with a respective one of the arms, e.g. with a groove therein, to move the arms apart from one another when the lever is moved from the open position toward the closed position and/or toward one another when the lever is moved from the closed position toward the open position.

The hub may further comprise one or more, preferably two, cam lobes, for example the circumferential surface of the hub may comprise the cam surface, e.g. whose radial distance from the lever axis varies. The arrestor or latch or each arm may comprise a cam follower or slider or follower surface, for example that cooperates with the or a respective one of the cam lobes or part of the cam surface of the hub, e.g. for effecting or causing the movement or withdrawal of the arrestor or latch or arm. The connector or male part may further comprise a locking means or feature or element or mechanism that may be arranged or configured or operable to prevent or inhibit movement, e.g. inadvertent movement or actuation, of the actuator or lever. The locking means or mechanism may include a ball and detent or ball and projection arrangement and/or a pair of opposed projections. For example, the locking means or mechanism may comprise a projection, e.g. an internally facing and/or radially extending projection, on the lever, e.g. on one or each of the lobes, which may be resiliency biased, for example by a flexible portion of the lobe, e.g. defined partly by an aperture that may be curved or crescent shaped, e.g. to provide a leaf spring type arrangement. The projection may engage a detent or depression in one or each of the engaged or deployed position and the disengaged position.

Alternatively, the projection may also extend perpendicularly with respect to the lever. The locking means or mechanism may further include a projection, e.g. an outwardly facing and/or vertically extending projection, on a mounting part, e.g. on each side of the or a base of the or a mounting part that may cooperate with a respective one of the projections of the lever or of the lobes, e.g. when the lever is in the or an engaged condition. The locking means or mechanism may further comprise a spring loaded ball, for example adjacent each of the projections of the mounting part or of the base, e.g. such that it cooperates with the relevant projection of the lever or of the lobes, e.g. when the lever is in the disengaged position.

The connector or male part may further comprise a mounting part for mounting and/or securing it to a frame member and the connector or mounting part may comprise a fixing means such as a clamp or fastener. The mounting part may comprise a first hole, e.g. a blind hole, for receiving the fastener and/or a second hole or axle to which the lever is pivotally connected. The mounting part may include a recess or channel for receiving a web, e.g. a central web, of the frame member or beam and/or may include a first hole that may be aligned with the recess or channel and/or extend perpendicularly with respect to the second hole and/or may be offset therefrom. The mounting part may comprise a plastics material and may include a bearing surface, for example against which the abutment or female part or second frame member contacts or bears against when the arrestor is in the engaged position. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting part may comprise a locating projection, which may be shaped and/or dimensioned to cooperate with the abutment or be received within the aperture, e.g. thereby to prevent or inhibit rotation of the first frame member relative to the second frame member and/or the female part. A third aspect of the invention provides a connector, e.g. as described above, in combination with a frame member or beam. The connector or male part may be received in and/or secured to an end, for example a hollow end, of the frame member or beam. The frame member or beam may comprise an extrusion that may have a square cross- section and/or may include a socket or cutout or hole in one of its walls, for example milled therein, through which the lever extends.

The frame member or beam preferably includes a fastening hole through which the fastener extends to secure the connector or male part thereto. For example, the frame member or beam may comprise a web, e.g. a central web, which may include an axial hole or channel, e.g. providing the fastening hole. The socket or cutout or hole preferably extends into the web, e.g. beyond the axial hole or channel, wherein the recess or channel in the mounting part preferably receives a portion of the web to locate and/or align the first hole of the mounting part with respect to the fastening hole in the frame member or beam. The fastener preferably comprises a rod that extends through the fastening hole and first hole and is received by portions of the web on both sides of the mounting part and/or may be secured therein by a screw thread arrangement or by an interference fit that may be provided by one or more splines on the fastener. In one preferred embodiment, the fastener includes a screw thread and an engaging end with, e.g., a hexagonal socket. The portion of the socket or cutout or hole that extends into the web is preferably slightly larger than the mounting part, for example such that there is a clearance therebetween, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, more preferably between 0.3mm and 0.5mm, e.g. thereby enabling adjustment the final position of the mounting part and/or connector and/or arrestor or latch or arms.

The frame member may further include a channel or slot extending along each of its faces or walls. The channel or slot may be provided by opposed lips that extend along the length, e.g. the entire length, of the frame member or beam.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 received in and secured to a beam;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 shown in a disengaged condition;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 with the connector shown in an engaged condition;

Figure 5 illustrates two beams connected together, wherein a connector attached to the end of one of the beams is engaged with an outer slot in the other beam;

Figure 6 illustrates two beams connected together at their ends by the connector of Figure 1 using a female connector part according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector part;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the end of a beam in which the connector of Figure 1 is to be received and secured;

Figure 9 illustrates the male and female connector parts separated with the male connector part in a disengaged condition;

Figure 10 illustrates the male and female connector parts engaged together with the male connector part in an engaged condition;

Figure 1 1 illustrates the insertion of the arms of the connector into the beam end of Figure 9;

Figure 12 illustrates the assembly of the lever and mounting part;

Figure 13 illustrates the final stage of assembly of the connector into the beam end of Figure 9;

Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the locking feature of the connector of Figure 14;

Figure 17 illustrates an alternative fastening arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figures 18 to 23 illustrate a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 13, there is shown a connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention for connecting frame members 2 together for incorporation into a three- dimensional frame (not shown). Both the connector 1 and the frame members 2 are preferably formed of metal, for example aluminium or stainless steel for rigidity. The connector 1 is received, in use, in the hollow end of a frame member 2 and secured thereto. The connector 1 includes a mounting part 10 (shown in Figures 12 and 13), an arrestor or latch 3 in the form of a pair of arms 30 and an actuator 4 with a lever 40 operable to move the arrestor or latch 3 from a first position shown in Figure 3 toward a second position shown in Figure 4 such that the arms 30 spread apart and withdraw partially into the hollow end of the frame member 2.

Each arm 30 is substantially rectangular in plan and includes a lateral outwardly projecting latching flange 31 at a first of its ends, a pair of lateral alignment flanges 32 at its second end, a cam recess 33 between the two ends on its outer side and a spring recess 34 adjacent the first end on its inner side. The latching flange 31 includes a chamfered leading edge 35, an engaging face 36 on its trailing side and chamfered upper and lower corners 37. A first of the alignment flanges 32 projects from the inner side of the arm 30, a second alignment flange 32 projects from the outer side of the arm 30 and both alignment flanges 32 also include chamfered upper and lower corners. The cam recess 33 extends from the upper surface of the arm 30 and includes an outwardly facing annular ramp 50 that provides a cam surface 50 for a first cam arrangement 5 and an inner circumferential surface 60 that provides a cam follower 60 for a second cam arrangement 6. The spring recess 34 of each arm 30 receives one of a pair of coil springs (not shown), which urge the arms 30 apart.

The actuator 4 includes a hub 41 formed of a pair of spaced substantially cylindrical lobes 42 formed integrally with and projecting from one end of the lever 40 such that the lever 40 extends tangentially from the hub 41 . Each lobe 42 includes a radial projection 43 extending in a direction opposite the lever 40 and including an inwardly facing surface 51 that provides a cam follower 51 for the first cam arrangement 5. Each lobe 42 also includes a hole 44 that is offset from its central axis and receives a pivot pin 45 such that the outer circumferential surfaces 61 of the lobe 42 provides a cam surface 61 for the second cam arrangement 6.

The mounting part 10 includes a rectangular base 1 1 and a cylindrical pivot member 12 formed integrally with the base 1 1 . The base 1 1 has a recess 13 on and along its lower surface and a first, longitudinal blind hole 14 along and through most of its length for receiving a fastener 15 to secure the connector 1 to the frame member 2. The pivot member 12 includes a second, transverse hole 16 that extends centrally through its cylindrical axis for receiving the pivot pin 45 that mounts pivotally the lever 40 to the mounting part 10. The fastener 15 is in the form of a rod with a portion 15a that carries threads adjacent one end 15b thereof, which end 15b includes a hexagonal socket (not shown) or some other means of removal.

The lever 40 is pivotable between an open position corresponding to the first position of the arms 30, in which the lever 40 preferably extends perpendicularly or orthogonally with respect to them, and a closed position corresponding to the second position of the arms 30, in which the lever extends parallel to and is aligned with them. It will be appreciated that as the lever 40 is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the first cam arrangement 5 gradually allows the coil springs (not shown) to force the arms 30 apart while the second cam arrangement 6 causes the lobes 42 to pull the arms 30 toward a withdrawn position. Conversely, when the lever 40 is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the first cam arrangement 5 causes the radial projections 43 to urge the arms 30 toward one another while the second cam arrangement 6 causes the circumferential cam surface 61 to push the arms 30 toward a forward position.

Figure 5 shows the connector 1 engaged with the slot of another frame member 2, while Figure 6 shows a pair of frame members 2 connected together at their ends using two connectors 1 and an optional female connector part 7. For clarity, the connector 1 will be referred to as a male connector part 1 when used in combination with the female connector part 7.

The female connector part 7 is preferably formed of metal, for example aluminium or stainless steel for rigidity. The female connector part 7 is in the form of a hollow substantially cuboidal component with a square aperture 70 in each of its faces whose surrounding edges each include an inwardly extending lip 71 and a central web 72 that is substantially X-shaped and joins four corner edges 73 of the cuboid. The web 72 includes a pair of holes 74 through the central portion of the X, each of which has a counterbore 74a on a respective one of the two sides of the web 72. The female connector part 7 is formed of two identical components 75, each of which includes two of the four corner edges 73 with a dowel portion 73a received in a facing blind hole 73b in the other component 75. Each of the holes 74 of the web 72 receives a respective screw 76 on its counterbore 74a side to secure the two components 75 together.

Figure 8 shows the end of the frame member 2, which is hollow with a square cross section having four walls 20, a central web 21 and an arrow shaped projection 22 extending outwardly from each corner edge of the frame member 2. The central web 21 includes a pair of straight portions 23 extending inwardly from a respective one of a pair of opposed walls 20 to a C-shaped portion 24 configured to receive and engage the fastener 15 to secure the mounting part 10 to the web 21 . The arrow shaped projections 22 provide a pair of opposed inwardly extending lips 25 along the peripheral longitudinal edge of each wall 20 thereof. The frame member 2 also includes a substantially rectangular cutout 26 in one of the walls 20 from which the web 21 extends to receive the connector or male connector part 1 . The cutout 26 extends into the web 21 beyond the C-shaped portion 24 such that when the mounting part 10 is mounted into the end of the frame member 2, the recess 13 receives an adjacent portion of the web 21 to locate and/or align the hole 14 of the mounting part 10 with respect to the C-shaped portion 24 of the web 21 for receiving the fastener 15 therein to secure the connector or male connector part 1 to the frame member 2. The portion of the cutout 26 that extends into the web 21 is preferably slightly larger than the base 1 1 of the mounting part 10 such that there is a clearance, preferably of between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. The threaded fastener 15 may therefore be used to adjust the final position of the mounting part 10, and thus the position of the latching flanges 31 . This allows users to fine tune the location of the connector 1 in order to compensate for wear and manufacturing tolerances.

In use without the female connector part 7, the lever 40 is put in the open position and the latching flanges 31 of the arms 30 are inserted between the lips 25 of the frame member 2 and the lever 40 is moved to the closed position. This causes the arms 30 to spread apart and engage the lips 25 and to pull the lips 25 toward the frame member 2 in which the connector 1 is secured. Similarly, where the female connector part 7 is used, the lever 40 is put in the open position and the latching flanges 31 of the arms 30 are inserted into one of the apertures 70 and the lever 40 is moved to the closed position. This causes the arms 30 to spread apart and engage the adjacent lips 71 of the female connector part 7 and to pull it toward the frame member 2.

It will be appreciated that the arms 30 are shaped to cooperate with the aperture 70 such that they are bound by the aperture 70 when the male and female connector parts 1 , 7 are engaged. More specifically, each arm 30 is bound by the three adjacent edges of the aperture 70 to prevent any movement between them.

Referring now to Figures 14 to 16 there is shown a connector 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention that is similar to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further. The connector 100 according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the coil springs (not shown) are replaced with a pair of resilient leaf springs 134a, the actuator 104 incorporates a locking mechanism 140 and each lobe 142 includes a radial flange 143 opposite and internal of the respective projection 43 of the lobe 142.

Each leaf spring 134a is substantially V-shaped with a central portion of the internal one of its leaves being omitted to receive an adjacent portion of the central web 21 of the frame member 2. The spring recess 134 of each arm 130 is rectangular in plan to receive the external one of the leaves of the leaf spring 134a.

The locking mechanism 140 includes an internally facing and radially extending projection 144 on each of the lobes 142 extending perpendicularly with respect to the lever 40. The locking mechanism 140 also includes an outwardly facing and vertically extending projection 145 on each side of the base 1 1 1 of the mounting part 1 10 that cooperates with a respective one of the projections 144 of the lobes 142 when the lever 40 is in the engaged condition to prevent or inhibit inadvertent actuation of the lever 40. A spring loaded ball 146 is also included adjacent each of the projections 145 of the base 1 1 1 such that it cooperates with the relevant projection 145 of the lobes 142 when the lever 40 is in the disengaged position to prevent or inhibit inadvertent actuation of the lever 40.

Each radial flange 143 cooperates with a respective one of the projections 43 of the lobe 142 to provide a groove that receives a portion of the arms 130 to ensure that the arms 130 remain outwards when the lever 40 is in its engaged position. Referring now to Figure 17 there is shown a connector 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention that is similar to the connectors 1 , 100 of the first and second embodiments, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further. The connector 200 according to this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the fastener 15 of the first embodiment is replaced with a two part fastener 215, 216 and the lever 240 includes a fingernail groove 241 to facilitate its actuation.

The two part fastener 215, 216 of this embodiment includes a set screw 215 that actuates a pin 216 when the set screw 215 is wound inside the hole of the central web 21 of the frame member 2, thereby pushing the pin 216 outside the base 1 1 1 and into an adjacent portion of the hole of the central web 21 . This operation traps the assembly inside the frame member 2.

Referring now to Figures 18 to 23, there is shown a connector 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention that is similar to the connectors 1 , 100, 200 of the first, second and third embodiments, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further. The connector 300 according to this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the connector 100 according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the coil springs (not shown) are replaced with a pair of resilient leaf springs 134a, the actuator 104 incorporates a locking mechanism 140 and each lobe 142 includes a radial flange 143 opposite and internal of the respective projection 43 of the lobe 142.

Each radial flange 143 cooperates with a respective one of the projections 43 of the lobe 142 to provide a groove that receives a portion of the arms 130 to ensure that the arms 130 remain outwards when the lever 40 is in its engaged position.

Referring now to Figures 18 to 23, there is shown a connector 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention that is similar to the connectors 1 , 100, 200 of the first, second and third embodiments, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further. The connector 300 according to this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in a number of respects as follows.

The mounting part 310 covers the end of the first frame member 2 and is formed of a plastics material. The mounting part also has a locating projection 31 1 and a bearing surface 312 against which the female part 7 or second frame member 2 contacts or bears against when the connector 300 is engaged thereto. The use of a plastics material provides a bearing surface 312 that will not mark the female part 7 or the lips 25 of the second frame member 2 in use. The locating projection 31 1 is shaped and dimensioned to cooperate with the lips 25 or the aperture 70 of the female connector part 7, thereby to prevent or inhibit rotation of the first frame member 2 relative to the second frame member 2 or the female part 7.

The locking mechanism in this embodiment includes a radially extending projection 344 on each of the lobes 342 that is resiliency biased by a flexible portion 343 of the lobe 342. The flexible portion 343 is defined partly by a crescent shaped aperture to provide a leaf spring type arrangement. The projection 342 engages a depression 345 on the corresponding arm 330 in the disengaged condition and a ledge 346 on the arm 330 in the engaged condition.

The springs 334a in this embodiment are also configured to urge the arms 330 together rather than apart. The arms 330 are forced apart and withdrawn partly into the end of the first frame member 2 by the cam followers of the lobes 342 when the lever 40 is moved from the disengaged condition toward the engaged condition.

Several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the threads 15a of the fastener 15 according to the first and second embodiments could be replaced with splines to provide an interference fit, for example where removal is not required. One or more components may be formed of plastics material such as nylon or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, it may be preferred for the lever 40, 140 and hub 41 , 141 to be formed of a plastics material, for example nylon, to provide the necessary toughness or rigidity while providing a low coefficient of friction.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1 . A connector for receipt and securement in a hollow end of a first frame member for connecting it to a second frame member for incorporation into a three-dimensional frame, the connector comprising an arrestor for engaging an abutment associated with the second frame member and an actuator operatively connected to the arrestor, wherein the actuator is operable to move, in use, the arrestor from a first, disengaged position toward a second, engaged position such that the arrestor engages and pulls the abutment toward the hollow end of the first frame member to secure the first and second frame members together.

2. Connector according to claim 1 , wherein the arrestor comprises an arm for engaging a lip associated with the second frame member.

3. Connector according to claim 2, wherein the arrestor further comprises a second arm for engaging the or a second lip associated with the second frame member.

4. Connector according to claim 3, wherein each arm comprises an outwardly extending flange, the actuator being operable to move, in use, the arms from a first, extended position toward a second, splayed and retracted position corresponding to the first and second positions of the arrestor.

5. Connector according to claim 4 further comprising a female part with a closed figure aperture, wherein the abutment or lip or lips comprises a surface adjacent an edge of the aperture and/or the edge itself.

6. Connector according to claim 5, wherein the arms are removably receivable within the aperture of the female part in the first position and are spalyed and retracted to engage and pull the abutment or lip or lips toward the hollow end of the first frame member.

7. Connector according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the female part further comprises a wall through which the aperture extends, the abutment or lip lips being provided by a portion of the wall adjacent the aperture.

8. Connector according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the actuator and arrestor comprise first cam surfaces configured to squeeze and/or spread the arms and second cam surfaces to extend and/or retract the arms.

9. Connector according to any one of claims 4 to 8 further comprising a resilient biasing element configured to urge the arms apart.

10. Connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator comprises a lever movable between an open position in which the arrestor is in the first position and the lever extends perpendicularly with respect to the first beam and a closed position in which the arrestor is in the second position and the lever extends parallel to the first beam.

1 1 . Connector according to claim 10 when dependent upon claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the lever comprises a hub that includes one or more of the cam surfaces.

12. Connector according to any preceding claim further comprising a lock configured to prevent or inhibit inadvertent actuation of the actuator.

13. Connector according to any preceding claim further comprising a mounting part with a hole for receiving a fastener and a further hole or axle extending perpendicularly with respect to the first hole to which the actuator is pivotally connected.

14. A connector according to claim 13 in combination with a frame member, wherein the frame member comprises a central web that includes an axial hole or channel through which the fastener extends to secure the connector or male part thereto.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the frame member further comprises a channel or slot extending along each of its faces or walls, which channel or slot is provided by opposed lips that extend along the length of the frame member or beam for providing the or an abutment for cooperation with a further connector.

16. A three-dimensional frame comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a combination according to claim 14 or claim 15.

17. A kit of parts for assembly into a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the kit comprising the arrestor and the actuator.

18. A kit of parts for assembly into a frame according to claim 16, the kit comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and two or more frame members.