WO2009146503A1

WO2009146503A1 - Connecting fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2009146503A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000711
Authority: WO
Inventors: Milan Pilja
Original assignee: Milan Pilja
Priority date: 2008-06-04
Filing date: 2009-06-04
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

A connecting fitting for the detachable connection of furniture parts, that has a housing that can be inserted into a bore of a first furniture part, a pin-shaped member protruding from the housing that can be inserted into a hole of a second furniture part, the pin-shaped member has a first substantially cylindrical part having a thread travelling at last partially around an outer surface thereof and a second part shaped to shroud the thread on the first part in an unlocked position, wherein the first part is rotatabfe relative to the second part, further characterised in that when the pin-shaped member is inserted into the hole of a second furniture part, in an unlocked position, the thread on the first part is partially concealed behind the second part so as to ensure negligible contact between the tread and an interior surface of the hole, the first part then being rotated into a locked position to expose the thread and drive it against or into the interior of the hole thus connecting the furniture parts together.

Description

CONNECTION FITTING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to connecting fitting for releasably connecting or engaging platelike furniture parts.

The connecting fitting includes, fitting elements that are adapted to secure the respective furniture parts by fitting a body of the connecting fitting into a bore in the first furniture part and inserting a pin-shaped member into a hole in the second furniture part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

"Knock down" furniture has become increasingly prevalent in many countries around the world as it provides a relatively cost effective way to produce and ship disassembled furniture products from one point to another without the furniture occupying any great amount of space when it is "flat packed" compared to the space requirements for pre assembled furniture. The flat-pack furniture is then supplied directly to a customer who assembles the furniture in its final form.

To aid in the assembly process by the final customer, connecting fittings are often pre-installed by the manufacture. These connecting fittings are vital to the overall structural performance of the end furniture product and it is desirable that they are simple to install by the manufacturer and also simple to use by the person assembling the furniture.

Is some instances the connecting joiner used comprises two parts, a female part in one section of the furniture and a male section in a second part. This then necessitates two separate manufacturing steps to install the connecting joiner.

Often a locking drum or cam set-up is used wherein the drum is rotatable in a first bore in a first section of furniture relative to a fixed pin that has been inserted into second section of furniture. The rotation of the drum causing the pin to be puiled inwards thus resulting in a join between the two sections. However, as the connecting joiner has two separate joining components, the manufacturer has to insert both these at the time of manufacturing the furniture sections, which increases both the cost, and time. Additionally, the use of such cam or drum fasteners results in a join that is not stable as due to the shape of the drum movement of the furniture article can result in the joint becoming loose. Also there is some skill and care required to insert the pin in to the second piece of furniture and if not done correctly the force of the drum on the pin can result in the pin being unintentionally pulled out of the second piece of furniture resulting in a ruined joint.

Another form of connecting joiner has an offset or eccentric screw as the male part, that is inserted into a bore in a first piece of furniture that inserts into a corresponding hole in a second piece of furniture. As the screw is eccentric or offset, then in a first position it easily fits within the hole and then, once fully inserted, the screw is moved to a second position where it bites into an inner wall of the hole.

A problem with this sort of connecting joiner is that the screw only bites into a very small portion of the surface and the resulting join between the two sections of furniture is quite weak compared to what is required for most structural furniture applications.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting fitting that allows for the easy construction of furniture parts and in particular plate-like furniture parts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connecting fitting that provides more than a single method of securing itself in a hole.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with, the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided a connecting fitting for the detachable connection of furniture parts, including

a housing that can be inserted into a bore of a first furniture part,

a pin-shaped member protruding from the housing that can be inserted into a hole of a second furniture part,

the pin-shaped member including a first substantially cylindrical part having a thread travelling at last partially around an outer surface thereof and

a second part shaped to shroud the thread on the first part in an unlocked position,

wherein the first part is rotatable relative to the second part, further characterised in that when the pin-shaped member is inserted into the hole of a second furniture part, in an unlocked position, the thread on the first part is partially concealed behind the second part so as to ensure negligible contact between the tread and an interior surface of the hole, the first part then being rotated into a locked position to expose the thread and drive it against or into the interior of the hole thus connecting the furniture parts together.

In preference, the shroud of the second part has a channel shape.

In preference, the shroud has a journal projecting towards and touching the first part so as to provide support to the first part.

In preference, the thread of the first part has an outermost portion void of thread so as to allow smooth contact with-the journal.

In preference, the journal is positioned at an outer end of the shroud to provide substantial support to the first part during rotation thereof.

In preference, the first part extends substantially into the housing. In preference the first part extends at least halfway into the housing.

In preference, the first part has a first gear member positioned thereon in working engagement with a second gear member adapted to be driven by tool so the by turning the second gear the first part is turned.

In preference, the first and second gear members are positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to one another as seen in the figures.

In preference, as the first part is rotated to expose the threads previously hidden by the shroud the non-thread side of the first part urges against the shroud causing the shroud to in turn urge against an inside surface of the hole, thereby providing additional purchasing force than just the threads alone.

In preference, the second part has an outer surface having externally disposed gripping means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, an employment of the invention is described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

Fig 2 is a cut-away perspective view, showing the thread partially hidden;

Fig 3 is another view of that shown in Fig 2;

Fig 4 is a perspective view of the invention showing the inside of the shroud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figure 1 , a device for forming a joint between the furniture parts, in particular knock down furniture parts^', comprises a housing 7 with a pin shaped member 9 extending away from the housing 7.

The pin shaped member 9 comprises a first cylindrical part 11 and a second part 13 that projects laterally from face 15 of the housing 7. The second part 13 has an external surface 17 with ribs 19 disposed thereon, the ribs 19 being substantially parallel to one another and the face 15.

The first cylindrical part 11 includes a discontinuous thread section 21 , each of which are positioned on the same side of the first cylindrical part 11 so as to provide a substantially thread free portion 25 juxtaposed or adjacent to the discontinuous thread section 21. The outer most portion 28 of the cylindrical part 11 has an outer periphery or surface that does not have any thread on it so that it is able to freely rotate in connection with the flange of journal surface 30 of the second part 13. The shoulder 32 separates the journal surface 30 from the inner surface 34 of the seventh part 13 and provides clearance for the discontinuous thread sections 21 to be housed or shrouded by the second part 13 such that the section 21 does not substantially contact the inner surface 34. In this manner, the first cylindrical part 11 can rotate about its lognitudinal axis 36 to a first or unlocked position where the thread section 21 are at least substantially hidden or covered by the second part 13; and then by rotation of the first cylindrical part 11 the thread section 21 can be exposed. from the second part 13, the journal surface 30 providing support to the rotational motion of the outer most portion 28 of the cylindrical part 11.

The connection device 5 also provides a stop facility so as to produce the likelihood over tightening or over rotation of the cylindrical part 11 so as to provide an indication that at a first point the thread section 21 are substantially hidden or substantially exposed whichever state is preferable.

The stop facility is provided by a projection 42 with a substantially flat faced flange 44 located on an outer surface of the first draw part 11 within the housing 7. Rotation of the first cylindrical part 11 to expose the thread section 21 results in the flange 44 of the projection 42 to come into contact with surface 46 when the thread section 21 are fully exposed. In the present embodiment, the projection 42 is positioned on a disc shaped portion .40 attached to the first cylindrical part 11 although those skilled in the art would appreciate that this stop facility could be positioned elsewhere .along the first cylindrical 11. with a second gear 60, in this case at approximately 90° to the first gear 50. The second gear 60 has a too! receiving portion 62 shaped to receive, in this case, a Phillips head or posi-drive. Other suitable shapes of the receiving portion 62 are envisaged, including but not limited to, screw driver and Allan key fittings.

By effecting rotation of the second gear 62, this in turn then causes the shaft 52 of the first cylindrical part 11 to also rotate.

In order to increase the stability of the cylindrical part 11 within the housing 7, the shaft 52 extends into the cavity, beyond the first gear 50, so as to provide the cylindrical part 11 with extra stability when in use.

The connecting member 5 is first inserted into a pre-drilled hole of a first furniture panel, the housing 7 has ribs 75 positioned around its periphery, the ribs 75 create a slight friction fit with the inner surface of the bore to prevent slippage and accidental movement during use. As can be seen in figures, the pin shaped member 9 now protrudes from the face of the first panel and a second furniture panel having a suitably shaped hole can now be brought into alignment with the hole and subsequently inserted using slight pressure. As the thread free portion 25 is exposed and the thread sections 21 are shrouded by the second part 13, there is only relatively slight pressure required to completely insert the pin shaped member.

Once fully inserted, the furniture panels are aligned as required and the second gear 60 is turned to effect rotation of the first cylindrical part 11 to rotate and expose the previously hidden thread section 21 , the leading edge of which can then bite into the inner wall of the hole. The extent at the thread 21 can purchase or bite into the inner wall of hole, depends on the material of the furniture panel. Typically, softer materials such as chipboard or MDF are used, however, if a hardwood material is used then the degree of penetration of the teeth 21 into the inner wall of hole will be restricted or reduced and this will then cause the first cylindrical part 11 to urge or force against the second part 13 thus increasing the degree of friction between the inner wall of the hole and the external surface of the second part 13. Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction [and process steps, parameters of operation etc] without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. A connecting fitting for the detachable connection of furniture parts, including:

a housing that can be inserted into a bore of a first furniture part,

a second part shaped to shroud the thread on the first part in an unlocked position, wherein the first part is rotatable relative to the second part, further characterised in that when the pin-shaped member is inserted into the hole of a second furniture part, in an unlocked position, the thread on the first part is partially concealed behind the second part so as to ensure negligible contact between the tread and an interior surface of the hole, the first part then being rotated into a locked position to expose the thread and drive it against or into the interior of the hole thus connecting the furniture parts together.

2. The connecting fitting of claim 1 , further characterised in that the shroud of the second part has a channel shape.

3. The connecting fitting of claim 2, further characterised in that the shroud has a journal projecting towards and touching the first part so as to provide support to the first part,

4. The connecting fitting of claim 3, further characterised in that the thread of the first part has an outermost portion void of thread so as to allow smooth contact with the journal.

5. The connecting fitting of cfaim 4, further characterised in that the journal is positioned at an outer end of the shroud to provide substantial support to the first part during rotation thereof.

6. The connecting fitting of claim 5, further characterised in that the first part extends substantially into the housing.

7. The connecting fitting of claim 5, further characterised in that the first part extends at least halfway into the housing.

8. The connecting fitting of claim 7, further characterised in that the first part has a first gear member positioned thereon in working engagement with a second gear member adapted to be driven by a tool so that by turning the second gear the first part is turned.

9. The connecting fitting of claim 8, further characterised in that the first and second gear members are positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to one another.

10. The connecting fitting of claim 9, further characterised in that the first part is rotated to expose the threads previously hidden by the shroud the non- thread side of the first part urges against the shroud causing the shroud to in turn urge against an inside surface of the hole, thereby providing additional purchasing force than just the threads alone.

11. The connecting fitting of in any one of claims 1 -10 further characterised in that the second part has an outer surface having externally disposed gripping means.