A joint assembly, a trolley and a method of joining sheet portions

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint assembly (1) comprising a first sheet portion (10) comprising a first sheet end portion (12), a second sheet portion (20) comprising a second sheet end portion (22), and a solidifiable filler (30) adapted to fill and solidify within an elongated casting assembly (40) adapted to be brought into contact with the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22), wherein the first sheet end portion (12) comprises a first end portion hole (14), the second sheet end portion (22) comprises a second end portion hole (24), and the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) are adapted such that the first and second end portion holes (14, 24) may be enclosed by the elongated casting assembly (40) and filled with the solidifiable filler (30). The invention further relates to a trolley and a method.

Description

[0001] A JOINT ASSEMBLY, A TROLLEY AND

[0002] A METHOD OF JOINING SHEET PORTIONS

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention generally pertains to joining sheet portions to one another, and in particular to a joint assembly, to a structural element at least partly formed by the joint assembly, to a trolley, and to a method of joining first and second sheet portions.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Sheets, such as metal sheets, may be joined together in various ways using a great variety of methods and fasteners. Common techniques include riveting, welding, soldering, bolting, and folding (e.g. hemming or seaming). These solutions exhibit different properties in terms of strength, precision, sealing capability, ease of completion, and recyclability. Some prior art solutions require substantial expertise, time, and specialized equipment.

[0007] Joined sheets may form various components and structures. Merely as one example, the patent publication document W02024105059A1 describes a trolley that comprises a support structure formed by joined sheets.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An object of the invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art techniques by providing an improved joint and a method of joining. One particular object is to form an elongated joint quickly and at a low cost, using few parts. A further object is that the joint should be recyclable.

[0010] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a joint assembly comprising a first sheet portion that comprises a first sheet end portion, and a second sheet portion that comprises a second sheet end portion. The joint assembly further comprises a solidifiable filler that is adapted to fill and solidify within an elongated casting assembly that is adapted to be brought into contact with the first and second sheet end portions. Moreover, the first sheet end portion comprises a first end portion hole and the second sheet end portion comprises a second end portion hole. The first and second sheet end portions are adapted such that the first and second end portion holes may be enclosed by the elongated casting assembly and filled with the solidifiable filler.

[0011] Advantages involve that the first and second sheet portions may be securely joined together. The solidifiable filler, filling the end portion holes, may secure the sheet portions to one another in a form fit. A form fit may alternatively be referred to as a positive fit. An addition, the completion of the joint may be both time-efficient and cost-efficient. The elongated casting assembly may be of a length that matches the extension of the sheet end portions, and the completed joint assembly may extend along sheet end portions of substantial lengths. The present solution allows for a plurality of end portion holes being arranged along the sheet end portions. Another advantage is that the joint may be comparably easy to complete, with little need for quality inspection or verification. The integrity of the formed joint may be readily verified visually, as it may easily be concluded that the elongated casting assembly is substantially filled with solidifiable filler. In contrast, e.g. a bolted joint may require significant skill and time, including verifying multiple bolt torques. Furthermore, all components of the present joint assembly may be of the same material, which is beneficial for recyclability.

[0012] Stated another way, the elongated casting assembly serves as a mould for the solidifiable filler. The solidifiable filler is supplied to, e.g. poured into, the elongated casting assembly in liquid form and thereafter solidifies in the elongated casting assembly. In some detail, also the first and second sheet end portions with the first and second end portion holes, in conjunction with to the elongated casting assembly, serve as the mould. The solidifiable filler may consist of molten metal.

[0013] The number of end portion holes, their dimensions and mutual distances may be varied depending on the application at hand. There may, for example, be a plurality of end portion holes arranged 5 to 20 centimetres apart along the sheet end portions. The end portion holes may be arranged along a line, typically a straight line. The end portion holes may be of an area of 30 to 200 square millimetres each. The end portion holes may be circular with a diameter of 3 to 8 millimetres.

[0014] The first and second sheet portions may be two separate sheets, or may be portions of one single sheet. In the latter example, the single sheet may be bent to a tubular shape and by joining the first and second sheet portions a tube may be formed. The joint assembly may be configured such that, when the elongated casing assembly is in contact with the first and second sheet end portions, the elongated casing assembly and the first and second sheet end portions form first and second interconnected cavities. When the solidifiable filler is solidified in the interconnected cavities and in the first and second end portion holes, a secure joint is formed. The liquid solidifiable filler may be supplied substantially solely to one of the interconnected cavities, and then flow into the other one of the interconnected cavities via the first and second end portion holes. It may thereby be reliably concluded that the interconnected cavities as well as the end portion holes have been filled with the solidifiable filler as intended. By “substantially solely” may be meant that more liquid solidifiable filler is supplied to one of the interconnected cavities than to the other one of the interconnected cavities. For example, two to ten times more liquid solidifiable filler may be supplied to one of the interconnected cavities than to the other one of the interconnected cavities. Optionally, liquid solidifiable filler may be supplied solely to one of the interconnected cavities, and then flow into the other one of the interconnected cavities via the first and second end portion holes such that the other one of the interconnected cavities is solely supplied with solidifiable filler via the first and second end portion holes.

[0015] The joint assembly may be configured such that the first and second end portion holes may be aligned to interconnect the first and second interconnected cavities. By aligned is meant that the end portion holes at least partly overlap one another allowing a flow of solidifiable filler through both end portion holes.

[0016] Optionally, the elongated casting assembly may be configured to clamp the first and second sheet end portions towards one another, thereby facilitating assembly. The elongated casting assembly may be of a resilient material, such as a resilient metal, such as aluminium (aluminum in American English).

[0017] Optionally, the elongated casting assembly is one-piece, and may be referred to as an elongated casting member. Optionally, the elongated casting assembly is a tube with a longitudinal slit. Thereby, simple assembly may be ensured by positioning the first and second sheet end portions in the slit. In other words, the tube and the first and second sheet portions may be attached by pushing the tube over the first and second end portions, such that the latter extend into the tube via the slit. This may involve prying the tube open to expand the slit to receive the first and second end portions. Thus, another advantage is that the tube may clamp the first and second sheet end portions towards one another, facilitating forming the joint assembly. The tube may e.g. be of circular, oblong, elliptical, irregular, or polygonal cross-section. A circular cross-section may be beneficial in terms of cost and providing a secure joint assembly.

[0018] The joint assembly may comprise the elongated casting assembly, or the elongated casting assembly may be separate from the joint assembly. The joint assembly may consist of the first sheet portion comprising the first sheet end portion, the second sheet portion comprising the second sheet end portion, the solidifiable filler, and the elongated casting assembly.

[0019] The elongated casting assembly may serve as a casting tool only, and may after casting be removed from the joint assembly. Alternatively, the elongated casting assembly may serve as a casting tool and after casting remain as a load-bearing component of the joint assembly. In the latter case, the joint assembly comprises the elongated casting assembly. Thus, the present disclosure may provide a joint assembly comprising a first sheet portion comprising a first sheet end portion, a second sheet portion comprising a second sheet end portion, an elongated casting assembly configured to connect the first and second sheet end portions, and a solidifiable filler configured to at least partly fill the elongated casting assembly. In such a case, the first sheet end portion comprises a first end portion hole and the second sheet end portion comprises a second end portion hole, and the joint assembly is configured such that the first and second end portion holes may be enclosed by the elongated casting assembly and filled with the solidifiable filler.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a structural element, such as a container or a frame, comprising the joint assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, there is provided a trolley comprising the structural element. The structural element of the trolley may further comprise rollers for carrying a goods item, such as a pallet, as disclosed in W02024105059A1, which may be consulted for additional details regarding the trolley. The structural element may be approximately 1 metre long, 1 metre wide, and half a metre high. For such an application and for a structural element of this general size, the end portion holes may be arranged 5 to 15 centimetres apart, preferably approximately 10 centimetres apart. The end portion holes may be of an area of 50 to 120 square millimetres each. To ensure effective manufacture and strength, the end portion holes may be circular of a diameter of 8, 10, or 12 millimetres. In this connection, the end portion holes may preferably be formed using an 8, 10, or 12 millimetre diameter drill, preferably a 10 millimetre drill. The first sheet portion (one wall of the structural element), the second sheet portion (another wall of the structural element), the elongated casting assembly (forming corners between the walls), and the solidifiable filler may be of aluminium.

[0021] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of joining first and second sheet portions. The method comprises providing first and second sheet portions, a solidifiable filler, and an elongated casting assembly. The first and second sheet portions each comprise first and second sheet end portions with first and second end portion holes. The method further comprising bringing the first and second sheet end portions together, aligning the first and second end portion holes, and bringing the elongated casting assembly in contact with the first and second sheet end portions, the elongated casting assembly and the first and second sheet end portions forming first and second interconnected cavities. The method is completed by suppling the solidifiable filler to the first and / or second interconnected cavities, and solidifying the solidifiable filler to join the first and second sheet portions.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a use of a solidifiable filler and an elongated casting assembly to form a joint between first and second sheet portions, the use comprising bringing the elongated casting assembly in contact with first and second sheet end portions of the first and second sheet portions, supplying the solidifiable filler to the elongated casting assembly and thereby into aligned first and second end portion holes of the first and second sheet end portions, and solidifying the solidifiable filler to join the first and second sheet portions.

[0023] Further advantages and associated advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

[0024] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Below embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which figure 1 shows a joint assembly in cross-section, figure 2 is an exploded view of the joint assembly of figure 1, figure 3 shows the joint assembly of figure 1 in perspective, figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative joint assembly during formation, figure 5 shows the alternative joint assembly of figure 4 in its completed state, figure 6 illustrates a trolley that comprises a joint in accordance with the previous figures, and figure 7 illustrates a method of joining first and second sheet portions.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Figures 1 to 5 show a joint assembly 1 that comprises a first sheet portion 10, which comprises a first sheet end portion 12, and a second sheet portion 20, which comprises a second sheet end portion 22. The joint assembly 1 further comprises a solidifiable filler 30 adapted to fill and solidify within an elongated casting assembly 40. The elongated casting assembly 40 is configured to be brought into contact with the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22.

[0028] The first sheet end portion 12 comprises a first end portion hole 14, and the second sheet end portion 22 comprises a second end portion hole 24. The first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 are adapted so that the first and second end portion holes 14, 24 may be enclosed by the elongated casting assembly 40 and filled with the solidifiable filler 30.

[0029] As is shown, the joint assembly 1 may configured such that, when the elongated casting assembly 40 is in contact with the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22, the elongated casting assembly 40 and the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 form first and second interconnected cavities 50a, 50b. The joint assembly 1 may be configured such that the first and second end portion holes 14, 24 may be aligned to interconnect the first and second interconnected cavities 50a, 50b.

[0030] In the embodiment of example of figures 1 to 3, the elongated casting assembly 40 is a tube with a longitudinal slit 42. The tube may, as is to be apprehended from figures 1 and 2, be configured to clamp the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 against one another. In the alternative embodiment of example of figures 4 and 5, the elongated casting assembly comprises two halves, in this example substantially U-shaped halves, and optionally a clamping mechanism (illustrated by the hollow arrows in figure 4). Each half may be referred to as a U-shaped profile.

[0031] As is shown e.g. in figures 2 and 4, the first sheet portion 10 may comprise a first bend 16 about a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction X (indicated in figure 3) of the elongated casting assembly 40. This configuration allows the first sheet end portion 12 to extend at an angle to the first sheet portion 10. Additionally, or alternatively, the second sheet portion 20 may comprise a second bend 26 about the longitudinal direction X of the elongated casting assembly 40, such that the second sheet end portion 22 extends at an angle to the second sheet portion 20. Suitable angles may be approximately 40 degrees as exemplified in figures 1 to 3, or approximately 90 degrees as exemplified in figures 4 and 5. In figure 3, the first and second bends 16, 26 are 45 degrees, such that the first and second sheet portion 10, 20 are joined at an angle of 90 degrees.

[0032] In some examples, the solidifiable filler 30, the first sheet portion 10, and / or the second sheet portion 20 are made of metal. Optionally, the metal may be aluminium.

[0033] In some examples, as is best understood from figure 3, the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 are elongated and each comprise a plurality of end portion holes 14, 24 distributed along the elongated casting assembly 40. A number of the plurality of end portion holes 14, 24, typically all of the end portion holes, are enclosed by the elongated casting assembly 40.

[0034] In the example of figures 1 to 3, the joint assembly 1 comprises the elongated casting assembly 40. In the example of figures 4 and 5, the elongated casting assembly 40 is separate from the joint assembly 1. The solidifiable filler 30 may be of a material with a lower melting point than the elongated casting assembly 40. Thereby, the elongated casting assembly 40 may serve as a casting tool and be removed from the solidifiable filler 30 once solidified. Optionally, the elongated casting assembly 40 comprises a release coating 45. The release coating 45 (indicated in figure 4) may facilitate removing the elongated casting assembly 40 once the solidifiable filler 30 is solidified.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates a structural element 60 in the form of a trolley frame that comprises the joint assembly 1. Figure 6 further shows a trolley 70 that comprises the structural element 60. The trolley 70, or more precisely the trolley frame 60, comprises rollers for carrying a pallet P, as described in W02024105059A1. The trolley may thus e.g. comprise a trolley frame, wheels, and a handle for manually pulling the trolley.

[0036] As illustrated in the figure 7, a method 100 of joining first and second sheet portions 10, 20 comprises providing 110 the first and second sheet portions 10, 20, a solidifiable filler 30, and an elongated casting assembly 40. The first and second sheet portions 10, 20 each comprise first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 with first and second end portion holes 14, 24. The method further comprises bringing 120 the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 together, aligning the first and second end portion holes 14, 24. The method also comprises bringing 130 the elongated casting assembly 40 into contact with the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22, forming first and second interconnected cavities 50a, 50b. The solidifiable filler 30 is then supplied 140 to the first and / or second interconnected cavities 50a, 50b and solidified 150 to join the first and second sheet portions 10, 20. Typically, the solidifiable filler 30 is solidified 150 by allowing it to cool. As mentioned, the solidifiable filler 30 may be a molten and thus liquid metal that after cooling solidifies.

[0037] Referring to the example of figures 1 and 2, bringing 130 the elongated casting assembly 40 into contact with the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22, forming first and second interconnected cavities 50a, 50b, may comprise attaching the elongated casting assembly 40 in the form of a resilient tube with a longitudinal slit to the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 to thereby clamp the first and second sheet end portions 12, 22 towards one another.

[0038] The solidifiable filler 30 may preferably be supplied substantially solely to the first interconnected cavity 50a, such that the solidifiable filler 30 flows via the first and second end portion holes 14, 24 into the second interconnected cavity 50b. The interconnected cavities can be said to be fluidly interconnected by the first and second end portion holes.

[0039] Even though not illustrated in detail herein, it is to be apprehended that when the solidifiable filler 30 is supplied to the elongated casting assembly 40, the opposite end of the elongated casting assembly 40 is substantially sealed such that the solidifiable filler 30 remains and solidifies within the elongated casting assembly 40. For example, the end of the elongated casting assembly 40 opposite to where the solidifiable filler 30 is supplied (e.g. poured) may be substantially sealed, either by an undepicted plug or by the elongated casting assembly 40 resting against a suitable base.

[0040] It is to be understood that the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are only to be regarded as non-limiting examples of the invention, and that the latter may be modified in many ways within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the features and associated advantages described in relation to the joint assembly are applicable to all aspects of the disclosure.

Claims

9CLAIMS1. A joint assembly (1) comprising a first sheet portion (10) comprising a first sheet end portion (12), a second sheet portion (20) comprising a second sheet end portion (22), and a solidifiable filler (30) adapted to fill and solidify within an elongated casting assembly (40) adapted to be brought into contact with the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22), wherein the first sheet end portion (12) comprises a first end portion hole (14), the second sheet end portion (22) comprises a second end portion hole (24), and the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) are adapted such that the first and second end portion holes (14, 24) may be enclosed by the elongated casting assembly (40) and filled with the solidifiable filler (30).

2. The joint assembly of claim 1, configured such that, when the elongated casing assembly (40) is in contact with the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22), the elongated casing assembly (40) and the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) form first and second interconnected cavities (50a, 50b).

3. The joint assembly of claim 2, configured such that the first and second end portion holes (14, 24) may be aligned to interconnect the first and second interconnected cavities (50a, 50b).

4. The joint assembly of claim 3, wherein the elongated casting assembly (40) is a tube with a longitudinal slit (42).

5. The joint assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the elongated casting assembly (40) is configured to clamp the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) against one another.

6. The joint assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first sheet potion (10) comprises a first bend (16) such that the first sheet end portion (12) extends at an angle to the first sheet potion (10), and / or wherein the second sheet potion (20) comprises a second bend (26) such that the second sheet end portion (22) extends at an angle to the second sheet potion (20).

7. The joint assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the solidifiable filler (30), the first sheet portion (10) and / or the second sheet portion (20) are made of metal, wherein the metal optionally is aluminium.

8. The joint assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) are elongated and each comprise a plurality of end portion holes (14, 24) distributed along the elongated casting assembly (40), a number of the plurality of end portion holes (14, 24) being enclosed by the elongated casting assembly (40).

9. The joint assembly of any preceding claim, comprising the elongated casting assembly (40).

10. The joint assembly according to each one of claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

11. The joint assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elongated casting assembly (40) is separate from the joint assembly, the solidifiable filler (30) is of a material of lower melting point than the elongated casing assembly (40), the elongated casting assembly (40) optionally comprising a release coating (45).

12. A structural element (60) comprising the joint assembly (1) of any preceding claim.

13. A trolley (70) comprising the structural element (60) of claim 12.

14. A method (100) of joining first and second sheet portions (10, 20) comprising providing (110) first and second sheet portions (10, 20), a solidifiable filler (30), and an elongated casting assembly (30), the first and second sheet portions (10, 20) each comprising first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) with first and second end portion holes (14, 24),- bringing (120) the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) together, aligning the first and second end portion holes (14, 24),- bringing (130) the elongated casting assembly (40) in contact with the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22), the elongated casting assembly (40) and the first and second sheet end portions (12, 22) forming first and second interconnected cavities (50a, 50b),supplying (140) the solidifiable filler (30) to the first and / or second interconnected cavities (50a, 50b), and solidifying (150) the solidifiable filler (30) to join the first and second sheet portions (10, 20).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein supplying (140) the solidifiable filler (30) comprises supplying to substantially solely the first interconnected cavity (50a) such that the solidifiable filler (30) flows via the first and second end portion holes (14, 24) into the second interconnected cavity (50b).

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