GB2088013A - Fastening Means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel component (2) having an outer decorative surface and an inner surface provided with a rigid apertured bracket (4) adjacent one edge surface and a stiffly compressible projection (8) adjacent the opposite edge surface so that four panels may be permanently interlimited in a rectangular layout by forcing the projection (2) of each panel into the aperture (6) of the bracket (4) of its neighbouring panel. A shoulder portion (10), after being compressed during assembly, regains its normal width, greater than that of the aperture 6, and provides permanent locking means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening Means The invention relates to fastening clips for assembly of a plurality of panels to form an enclosure, for example, a surround for a potted plant.

It is often necessary for an enclosure, whether it is box-like, or comprises decorative panelling to conceal or screen functional devices, to be stored or transported in an initially dis-assembled condition for erection by the customer.

The invention provides a panel component for assembly with a plurality of similar components into an enclosure, comprising a wall portion having an outer visible surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being provided witha bracket arranged in the region of one edge surface thereof and provided with a passage, and a stiffly flexible projection arranged in the region of an opposite edge surface, said projection having a stiffly compressible portion which is wider than the width of said passage, thus forming a re-entrant shoulder means, the construction and arrangement of the enclosure being such that a first component is arranged with said one edge surface adjacent the opposite edge surface of a second neighbouring similar component so that the projection provided on the latter is forcibly compressed as it engages in the aperture of the bracket of the first component and on re-gaining its original shape is retained in said aperture by the engagement of the houlder means with a lip of the aperature, the aperture of the bracket of the last of the components receiving the projection provided on the first panel, to form a firmly interlocked permanent assembly.

There will now be described an assembly of panel components illustrative of the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a panel; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged scale of a projection on one panel component and an apertured bracket on another panel component; Figure 3 is a rear view of the bracket of Figure 2; Figure 4 is perspective view of the assembled panel component; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic horizontal crosssection taken on line V-V of Figure 4; Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a sequence of steps in the engagement of a bracket and a projection according to the invention; and Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the result of attempts to dis-assemble the bracketed projection of Figures 6-8.

A mould decorative panel component 2 is illustrated for assembly with three other similar panels as a screen for a plant pot. On the reverse, inner, surface of the panel component 2 is provided a rigid bracket 4 having an aperture 6 having a width a (Figure 6) and a projection 8 provided with a shoulder 10 having a width b and an abutment surface 11, at right angles to the centre line of the projection. The bracket 4 is strengthened by the provision of reinforcing portions 12 and is effectively rigid. However, the integrally formed projection 8 because of the nature of the plastics material from which it is moulded is stiffly compressible having no reinforcement.It is this compressibility, which allows the width b to be reduced to pass through the aperture 6 (width a) as shown in Figure 7, that, when the projection regains its original shape, permits the shoulder 10 to provide a locking interengagement (Figure 8) between the projection 8 of one panel and the bracket 4 of a neighbour panel. When the four panels are assembled, they form the screen shown in Figure 4. The lay-out of the interengaged components with abutting edge surfaces may be clearly seen from Figure 5.

It is generally not possible to dis-assemble or dismantle to interengaged components without damaging them in some way. As may be seen in Figure 9, any attempt to remove the projection 8 from the aperture 6 results in distortion of the lip 14 of the aperture and if force is increased distortion of the shoulder portion 10 also (Figure 10).

Claims

1. A panel component for assembly with a plurality of similar components into an enclosure, comprising a wall portion having an outer, normally visible, surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being provided with a bracket arranged in the region of one edge surface thereof and provided with a passage, and a stiffly flexible projection arranged in the region of an opposite edge surface, said projection having a stiffly compressible portion which is wider than the width of said passage, thus forming a re-entrant should means, the construction and arrangement of the enclosure being such that a first component is arranged with said one edge surface adjacent the opposite edge surface of a second neighbouring similar component and at an angle thereto so that the projection provided on the latter is forcibly compressed as it engages in the aperture of the bracket of the first component and, on regaining its original shape, is retained in said aperture by the engagement of the shoulder with a lip of the aperture, the aperture of the bracket of the last of the components receiving the projection provided on the first panel, to form a firmly locked permanent assembly.

2. A panel component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the re-entrant shoulder means is provided with an abutment surface in a plane at right-angle to a centre-line of the projection.

3. An enclosure comprising four panel components as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, and permanently assembled in a

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

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fastening Means The invention relates to fastening clips for assembly of a plurality of panels to form an enclosure, for example, a surround for a potted plant. It is often necessary for an enclosure, whether it is box-like, or comprises decorative panelling to conceal or screen functional devices, to be stored or transported in an initially dis-assembled condition for erection by the customer. The invention provides a panel component for assembly with a plurality of similar components into an enclosure, comprising a wall portion having an outer visible surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being provided witha bracket arranged in the region of one edge surface thereof and provided with a passage, and a stiffly flexible projection arranged in the region of an opposite edge surface, said projection having a stiffly compressible portion which is wider than the width of said passage, thus forming a re-entrant shoulder means, the construction and arrangement of the enclosure being such that a first component is arranged with said one edge surface adjacent the opposite edge surface of a second neighbouring similar component so that the projection provided on the latter is forcibly compressed as it engages in the aperture of the bracket of the first component and on re-gaining its original shape is retained in said aperture by the engagement of the houlder means with a lip of the aperature, the aperture of the bracket of the last of the components receiving the projection provided on the first panel, to form a firmly interlocked permanent assembly. There will now be described an assembly of panel components illustrative of the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a panel; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged scale of a projection on one panel component and an apertured bracket on another panel component; Figure 3 is a rear view of the bracket of Figure 2; Figure 4 is perspective view of the assembled panel component; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic horizontal crosssection taken on line V-V of Figure 4; Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a sequence of steps in the engagement of a bracket and a projection according to the invention; and Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the result of attempts to dis-assemble the bracketed projection of Figures 6-8. A mould decorative panel component 2 is illustrated for assembly with three other similar panels as a screen for a plant pot. On the reverse, inner, surface of the panel component 2 is provided a rigid bracket 4 having an aperture 6 having a width a (Figure 6) and a projection 8 provided with a shoulder 10 having a width b and an abutment surface 11, at right angles to the centre line of the projection. The bracket 4 is strengthened by the provision of reinforcing portions 12 and is effectively rigid. However, the integrally formed projection 8 because of the nature of the plastics material from which it is moulded is stiffly compressible having no reinforcement.It is this compressibility, which allows the width b to be reduced to pass through the aperture 6 (width a) as shown in Figure 7, that, when the projection regains its original shape, permits the shoulder 10 to provide a locking interengagement (Figure 8) between the projection 8 of one panel and the bracket 4 of a neighbour panel. When the four panels are assembled, they form the screen shown in Figure 4. The lay-out of the interengaged components with abutting edge surfaces may be clearly seen from Figure 5. It is generally not possible to dis-assemble or dismantle to interengaged components without damaging them in some way. As may be seen in Figure 9, any attempt to remove the projection 8 from the aperture 6 results in distortion of the lip 14 of the aperture and if force is increased distortion of the shoulder portion 10 also (Figure 10). Claims

1. A panel component for assembly with a plurality of similar components into an enclosure, comprising a wall portion having an outer, normally visible, surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being provided with a bracket arranged in the region of one edge surface thereof and provided with a passage, and a stiffly flexible projection arranged in the region of an opposite edge surface, said projection having a stiffly compressible portion which is wider than the width of said passage, thus forming a re-entrant should means, the construction and arrangement of the enclosure being such that a first component is arranged with said one edge surface adjacent the opposite edge surface of a second neighbouring similar component and at an angle thereto so that the projection provided on the latter is forcibly compressed as it engages in the aperture of the bracket of the first component and, on regaining its original shape, is retained in said aperture by the engagement of the shoulder with a lip of the aperture, the aperture of the bracket of the last of the components receiving the projection provided on the first panel, to form a firmly locked permanent assembly.

2. A panel component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the re-entrant shoulder means is provided with an abutment surface in a plane at right-angle to a centre-line of the projection.

3. An enclosure comprising four panel components as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, and permanently assembled in a rectangular lay-out for use in enclosing potted plants.

4. A panel component constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.