GB2158179A

GB2158179A - Connector blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2158179A
Application number: GB08411474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Graham Rutherford; John Alexander Rutherford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-04
Filing date: 1984-05-04
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: GB8411474D0

Abstract

A connector block for use in building up a frame-work has a plurality of holes (1) extending into it from its outer surface towards its centre for receiving the ends of frame members (4), each of said holes (1) having an inward taper proceeding towards the centre of the block, whereby the end of a frame member (4) which is a close fit at the outer end of the hole (1) becomes force fitted in the hole as it is pushed into the hole (1). Advantageously, the connector block can be formed from a material which has a slight resilience, eg plastics. The block may be used with frame members to form a shelf unit in which interengaging shelf members rest on the frame members (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector blocks This invention relates to connector blocks for use in building up tubular frameworks or the like. Such frameworks have multifarious uses for example in shelf units and display stands.

According to the present invention, a connector block has a plurality of holes extending into it from its outer surface towards the centre of the block, for receiving the ends of frame members, each of said holes having an inward taper proceeding towards the centre of the block, whereby a frame member which is a close fit at the outer end of the hole becomes force fitted in the hole as it is pushed into the hole.

Advantageously the block is formed from a material which has a slight inherent resilience so that the material surrounding each hole can be deformed sufficiently to allow the frame member to be pushed into the hole. For example, the block can be made of plastics material such as nylon or P.V.C.

Two forms of connector block will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the first form of connector block, Figure 2 shows a side view, Figure 3 shows a sectionai view on the line X-X of Fig. 1, Figures 4-6 show corresponding views of the second form of connector block, Fig. 6 being a section on the line Y-Y of Fig. 5, Figure 7 shows a pian view of a shelf member for use with the connector block and frame member to form a shelf unit, and Figure 8 shows a side view of the shelf member as supported between two frame members.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, the connector block is generally in the form of a cube, with its edges and corners chamfered as shown.

Alternatively, the block could be spherical. A hole 1 extends from each face 2 of the block towards the centre of the block. The mouth of each of the holes is flared at 3 to provide a lead-in for a frame member to be fitted in the hole 1. Although not readily apparent in the drawings, each hole tapers inwardly towards the centre of the block. Assuming that each hole has a depth of 5/8" then the taper is about 2 thousandths of an inch over this length.

In Fig. 3, a tubular frame member 4 of circular cross-section is shown fitted into one of the holes. The frame member is a close fit in the outer end of the hole so that as it is pushed into the hole it becomes force fitted.

Frame members 4 can be fitted into some or all of the holes to form the desired twodimensional or three-dimensional frame-work, the outer end of each frame member fitting into another connector block. Those holes not occupied by a frame member can be closed off by a cap 5 as shown in Fig. 3.

Figs. 4 to 6 show a connector block substantially similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, except that the holes 1 are of square crosssection for receiving square-sectioned tubular frame members. Alternatively they can receive angle frame members 6 as shown in Fig. 6.

The use of such angle members for example in shelf units provides convenient supporting ledges 7 and end stops 8 for the ends of the shelves supported between two frame members 6.

In the two forms of connector block shown in the drawings, the holes 1 have blind ends.

As an alternative through bores can extend between the two holes extending from one or more pairs of opposite faces, as shown in chain-dotted line at 9 in Fig. 3. The bores 9 are of smaller diameter than the holes 1 so that shoulders are provided which act as stops for the ends of the frame members 4. The provision of these through bores enables for example cables to be passed through the tubular frame members and connector blocks.

A convenient shelf member for supporting on two parallel frame members 4 of tubular form is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. As can be seen the shelf member 11 has at each end a series of cut-outs 12, those at one end being staggered with respect to those at the other.

Thus, two self members can be conveniently supported on the same frame member, the adjacent ends of the two shelf members interfitting with the projections 1 3 of one shelf fitting into the slots 1 3 of the other shelf. The end of the adjacent shelf member is shown in chain-dotted line in Fig. 7.

Conveniently the shelf members 11 can be moulded from plastics material and formed with turned-over ends 14 as shown in Fig. 8 so that they can, so to speak, hook on to the frame members 4.

1. A connector block for use in building up a framework has a plurality of holes extending into it from its outer surface towards its centre for receiving the ends of frame member, each of said holes having an inward taper proceeding towards the centre of the block, whereby the end of a frame member which is a close fit at the outer end of the hole becomes force fitted in the hole as it is pushed into the hole.

2. A connector block according to claim 1 and formed from a material which has a slight resilience so that the material surrounding each hole can be deformed sufficiently to allow the frame member to be pushed into the hole.

3. A connector block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the taper of each of said holes is about 2 thousandths of an inch over a

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Connector blocks This invention relates to connector blocks for use in building up tubular frameworks or the like. Such frameworks have multifarious uses for example in shelf units and display stands. According to the present invention, a connector block has a plurality of holes extending into it from its outer surface towards the centre of the block, for receiving the ends of frame members, each of said holes having an inward taper proceeding towards the centre of the block, whereby a frame member which is a close fit at the outer end of the hole becomes force fitted in the hole as it is pushed into the hole. Advantageously the block is formed from a material which has a slight inherent resilience so that the material surrounding each hole can be deformed sufficiently to allow the frame member to be pushed into the hole. For example, the block can be made of plastics material such as nylon or P.V.C. Two forms of connector block will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the first form of connector block, Figure 2 shows a side view, Figure 3 shows a sectionai view on the line X-X of Fig. 1, Figures 4-6 show corresponding views of the second form of connector block, Fig. 6 being a section on the line Y-Y of Fig. 5, Figure 7 shows a pian view of a shelf member for use with the connector block and frame member to form a shelf unit, and Figure 8 shows a side view of the shelf member as supported between two frame members. Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, the connector block is generally in the form of a cube, with its edges and corners chamfered as shown. Alternatively, the block could be spherical. A hole 1 extends from each face 2 of the block towards the centre of the block. The mouth of each of the holes is flared at 3 to provide a lead-in for a frame member to be fitted in the hole 1. Although not readily apparent in the drawings, each hole tapers inwardly towards the centre of the block. Assuming that each hole has a depth of 5/8" then the taper is about 2 thousandths of an inch over this length. In Fig. 3, a tubular frame member 4 of circular cross-section is shown fitted into one of the holes. The frame member is a close fit in the outer end of the hole so that as it is pushed into the hole it becomes force fitted. Frame members 4 can be fitted into some or all of the holes to form the desired twodimensional or three-dimensional frame-work, the outer end of each frame member fitting into another connector block. Those holes not occupied by a frame member can be closed off by a cap 5 as shown in Fig. 3. Figs. 4 to 6 show a connector block substantially similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, except that the holes 1 are of square crosssection for receiving square-sectioned tubular frame members. Alternatively they can receive angle frame members 6 as shown in Fig. 6. The use of such angle members for example in shelf units provides convenient supporting ledges 7 and end stops 8 for the ends of the shelves supported between two frame members 6. In the two forms of connector block shown in the drawings, the holes 1 have blind ends. As an alternative through bores can extend between the two holes extending from one or more pairs of opposite faces, as shown in chain-dotted line at 9 in Fig. 3. The bores 9 are of smaller diameter than the holes 1 so that shoulders are provided which act as stops for the ends of the frame members 4. The provision of these through bores enables for example cables to be passed through the tubular frame members and connector blocks. A convenient shelf member for supporting on two parallel frame members 4 of tubular form is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. As can be seen the shelf member 11 has at each end a series of cut-outs 12, those at one end being staggered with respect to those at the other. Thus, two self members can be conveniently supported on the same frame member, the adjacent ends of the two shelf members interfitting with the projections 1 3 of one shelf fitting into the slots 1 3 of the other shelf. The end of the adjacent shelf member is shown in chain-dotted line in Fig. 7. Conveniently the shelf members 11 can be moulded from plastics material and formed with turned-over ends 14 as shown in Fig. 8 so that they can, so to speak, hook on to the frame members 4. CLAIMS

3. A connector block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the taper of each of said holes is about 2 thousandths of an inch over a length of 5/8 inches.

4. A connector block according to any preceding claim and in the form of a cube with a hole extending into the block from each face of the cube, the edges and the corners of the block being chamfered.

5. A framework fabricated from a number of connector blocks according to any preceding claim and frame members force fitted in holes of the connector blocks.

6. A framework according to claim 5, wherein the holes in the blocks are rectangular in cross-section and the frame members are angular in cross-section.

7. A shelf unit comprising a framework as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of shelf members each have a series of cut-outs at opposite ends, those at one end being staggered with respect to those at the other so two shelf members can interfit at their ends and so be supported on a common frame member.

8. A shelf unit according to claim 7, wherein the shelf members are formed from plastics material and have turned over ends so that they can hook on to the frame members.

9. A connector block, a framework or a shelf unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.