"improved mitre joint support"

Abstract

A support for a mitre joint includes a base member with a central region and first and second arms extending at a characteristic angle. The first arm features a locating face and an inclined face spaced by side faces, with a bore extending through the arm at an inclination angle relative to the first direction. A first moveable member, associated with the first arm, includes an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface inclined at the same inclination angle. This member tapers from a wide end, containing a receiving portion, to a thin end. An adjustment mechanism, comprising a threaded member, extends through the arm's bore into the receiving portion. The inwardly facing surface abuts the arm's inclined face, allowing the adjustment mechanism to translate the moveable member along the first direction to facilitate joint alignment.

Description

“IMPROVED MITRE JOINT SUPPORT”Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the connection of two hollow section beams at an angle to form a mitre joint. The invention has been created in the context of metal fencing panels and gates, but is considered to have wider application, including in the context of metal framed doors and windows.Background to the Invention

[0002] The applicant’s international patent application publication number WO2019 / 213699, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a mitre joint system for connecting rails at predetermined angles, such as at 90°.

[0003] While this design has proved effective, there have been some difficulties experienced with its use. In particular, it can be difficult to ensure that rails remain in their required orientation during tightening.

[0004] The present invention has been developed in light of these difficulties.

[0005] While the invention is described for use in the creation of rectangular frames, it will be appreciated that its uses extend into connection of hollow frame members generally, with angles of connection that may not be at 90°. As such, the present invention may be used in other situations such as in the construction of hollow framed furniture, or indeed virtually any application when tubular shapes formed from a rigid material are to be connected.Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support for a mitre joint,the support having a base member,the base member having a central region,the base member having a first arm extending away from the central region in a first direction and a second arm extending away from the centralregion in a second direction, the second direction being angled with respect to the first direction by a characteristic angle;the first arm having:a locating face, an inclined face, and two side faces, the locating face and the inclined face being spaced apart by the side faces,the locating face being parallel to the first direction, the inclined face being inclined relative to the first direction at an inclination angle greater than 0°,the first arm having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being generally inclined relative to the first direction by the inclination angle;the support having a first moveable member arranged to move generally in the first direction,the first moveable member being associated with the first arm, the first moveable member having:an outwardly facing surface spaced from an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface being inclined relative to the outwardly facing surface at the inclination angle,the first moveable member having a relatively thin end and a relatively wide end,the first moveable member having a receiving portion extending inwardly from the relatively wide end; andan adjustment mechanism arranged to move the first moveable member, the adjustment mechanism including a threaded member; wherein the inwardly facing surface of the first moveable member is arranged to abut the inclined face of the first arm, with the outer surface of the first moveable member being generally aligned in the first direction, and whereby the threaded member extends partially through the bore of the first arm and is received in the receiving portion of the first moveable member.

[0007] It is preferred that the second arm is arranged in a similar fashion to the first arm, with the second arm having:a locating face, an inclined face, and two side faces,the locating face and the inclined face being spaced apart by the side faces,the locating face being parallel to the second direction, the inclined face being inclined relative to the second direction at the inclination angle,the second arm having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being generally inclined relative to the second direction by the inclination angle;the support having a second moveable member arranged to move generally in the second direction,the second moveable member being associated with the second arm,the second moveable member having:an outwardly facing surface spaced from an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface being inclined relative to the outwardly facing surface at the inclination angle,the second moveable member having a relatively thin end and a relatively wide end,the second moveable member having a receiving portion extending inwardly from the relatively wide end; andan adjustment mechanism arranged to move the second moveable member, the adjustment mechanism including a threaded member; wherein the inwardly facing surface of the second moveable member is arranged to abut the inclined face of the second arm, with the outer surface of the second moveable member being generally aligned in the second direction, and whereby the threaded member extends partially through the bore of the second arm and is received in the receiving portion of the second moveable member.

[0008] The inclination angle is preferably between 5° and 10°.

[0009] It is preferred that each threaded member has a head, the head of the threaded member being located internally of the bore of the respective first or second arm.

[0010] The characteristic angle may be 90°. Alternatively, the characteristic angle may be an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

[0011] Preferably each moveable member is generally prismatic.

[0012] It is preferred that the bore of each arm is centred between the side faces of the arm.

[0013] It is preferred that the bore of each arm is closer to the inclined face than to the locating face. It is further preferred that the distance from the bore to the inclined face is less than half of the distance from the bore to the locating face.

[0014] Each arm may include a positioning chamfer between the locating face and each side face.

[0015] Each moveable member may include side surfaces extending between the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface, and a positioning chamfer between the outwardly facing surface and each side surface.

[0016] Each receiving portion preferably includes a nut secured thereto, the nut being arranged to receive the respective threaded member.

[0017] Each receiving portion preferably includes a slot that extends across the receiving portion, the nut being located within the slot.

[0018] Each moveable member may include guiding protrusions on the inwardly facing surface, the guiding protrusions located alongside the receiving portion, with each arm having complementary guiding recesses located on the inclined face.

[0019] The guiding protrusions and guiding recesses may be triangular pyramidal in shape.

[0020] The guiding protrusions may extend about half the length of the inwardly facing surface.

[0021] The support for the mitre joint may include a plurality of bores and associated threaded members extending through each of the first and second arms.

[0022] In one embodiment, the locating face of each arm is on an outside of the mitre joint. In an alternative embodiment, the locating face of each arm is on an inside of the mitre joint.

[0023] The central region may include a bevelled surface extending between the first arm and the second arm.

[0024] The base member may have an outer lip extending around its perimeter on each lateral side. In this embodiment, a reinforcing plate may be located within the outer lip.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mitre joint assembly, the mitre joint assembly having a first rail, a second rail, and a support;the support having a base member,the base member having a central region,the base member having a first arm extending away from the central region in a first direction and a second arm extending away from the central region in a second direction, the second direction being angled with respect to the first direction by a characteristic angle;the first arm having:a locating face, an inclined face, and two side faces, the locating face and the inclined face being spaced apart by the side faces,the locating face being parallel to the first direction, the inclined face being inclined relative to the first direction at an inclination angle greater than 0°,the first arm having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being generally inclined relative to the first direction by the inclination angle;the support having a first moveable member arranged to move generally in the first direction,the first moveable member being associated with the first arm, the first moveable member having:an outwardly facing surface spaced from an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface being inclined relative to the outwardly facing surface at the inclination angle,the first moveable member having a relatively thin end and a relatively wide end,the first moveable member having a receiving portion extending inwardly from the relatively wide end; andan adjustment mechanism arranged to move the first moveable member, the adjustment mechanism including a threaded member; wherein the inwardly facing surface of the first moveable member is arranged to abut the inclined face of the first arm, with the outer surface of the first moveable member being generally aligned in the first direction, and whereby the threaded member extends partially through the bore of the first arm and is received in the receiving portion of the first moveable member; wherein the first arm includes a positioning chamfer between the locating face and each side face, and wherein each rail is hollow, with a first rail having an internal cavity sized to receive the first arm of the support, the internal cavity having internal chamfers arranged to complement the positioning chamfers.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a side view of a mitre joint support in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is an inner perspective of the mitre joint support of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is an outer perspective of the mitre joint support of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective of a base member from within the mitre joint support of Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective of a moveable member from within the mitre joint support of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross section through the mitre joint support of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a mitre joint support in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 is an inner perspective of the mitre joint support of Figure 6, shown in an assembled configuration;

[0035] Figure 9 is a side view of a mitre joint support in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 is a cross-section of a rail for use with the m itre joint support of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 11 is a perspective of a portion of the rail of Figure 9; and

[0038] Figure 12 is a schematic view of the mitre joint support of Figure 1 in use.Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0039] Referring to the Figures, Figures 1 to 6 show a mitre joint support 100. The mitre joint support 100 has a base member 10. The base member 10 shown in the drawings is formed from a rigid moulded plastic material, such as nylon. While in the drawings it is shown as formed from cross members leaving hollow spaces in between, it will be appreciated that other methods of forming the base member 10 will be within the knowledge of a skilled addressee.

[0040] The base member 10 has a central region 12, a first arm 14 extending away from the central region 12 in a first direction 16 and a second arm 18 extending away from the central region 12 in a second direction 20. The first direction 16 and the second direction 20 are positioned relative to each other at a characteristic angle a, which in the embodiment shown is 90°.

[0041] The first arm 14 and the second arm 18 are identical. The following description in respect of the first arm 14 therefore also describes the second arm 18.

[0042] The first arm 14 is close to being square in cross section. The first arm 14 has a locating face 24 which is located on an outside of the base member 10; that is, the side furthest from the second arm 18.

[0043] The locating face 24 extends in the first direction 16. In the embodiment shown, the locating face 24 of the first arm 14 is thus perpendicular to the locating face 24 of the second arm 18.

[0044] The first arm 14 has an inclined face 26 which is located on an inside of the base member 10; that is, the side closest to the second arm 18.

[0045] The inclined face 26 is angled with respect to the first direction 16 at an inclination angle [3, which in the embodiment shown is between 5° and10°. The arrangement is such that the distance between the locating face 24 and the inclined face 26 decreases away from the central region 12.

[0046] The first arm 14 has two side faces 28, each of which extends between the locating face 24 and the inclined face 26.

[0047] The first arm 14 has a positioning chamfer 30 between the locating face 24 and each side face 28. The positioning chamfer 30 forms a 45° angle with respect to the locating face 24.

[0048] A bore 32 extends from outside the central region 12 and through the first arm 14. The bore 32 is parallel to the direction of the inclined face 26; that is, it is angled with respect to the first direction 16 at the inclination angle [3. The bore 32 is located midway between the two side faces 28, and close to the inclined face 26. In the embodiment of the drawings, a central axis of the bore 32 is located between about 15% and about 20% of the distance from the inclined face 26 to the locating face 24.

[0049] In the embodiment of the drawings the bore 32 is formed within a generally cylindrical tube 34 which extends through the first arm 14. It will be appreciated that in the case of a largely solid base member 10 there will be no need for the generally cylindrical tube 34.

[0050] The first arm 14 is associated with a first moveable member 40. The first moveable member 40 has a wedge shaped main portion 42 which extends from a relatively thin end 44 to a relatively wide end 46. The main portion 42 has an outwardly facing surface 48 and an inwardly facing surface 50, which are angled with respect to each other at the inclination angle [3.

[0051] The main portion 42 has two generally triangular side surfaces 52 extending between the outwardly facing surface 48 and the inwardly facing surface 50. The main portion 42 has a positioning chamfer 54 between the outwardly facing surface 48 and each side surface 52.

[0052] The first moveable member 40 has a receiving portion 56 extending transversely of the inwardly facing surface 50 at the relatively wide end 46. The receiving portion 56 of the embodiment shown is formed as a rectangular prism having a slot 58 extending from one lateral side to the other. The slot 58 is arranged to support an internally threaded member such as a nut 60.

[0053] The receiving portion 56 has a central bore 62 aligned with the nut 60.

[0054] The arrangement is such that the first moveable member 40 can be positioned against the first arm 14, with the inwardly facing surface 50 of the first moveable member 40 arranged to abut the inclined face 26 of the first arm 14, with the locating face 24 of the first arm 14 parallel to the outwardly facing surface 48 of the first moveable member 40. The receiving portion 56 locates beyond an outer end 22 of the first arm 14, with the central bore 62 of the receiving portion 56 aligned with the bore 32 of the first arm 14.

[0055] The first arm 14 has an adjustment mechanism featuring a threaded bolt 66. The bolt 66 has a head 68 including a tool-operable socket, such as a hexagonal socket for operation by a Hex key.

[0056] The bolt 66 is arranged to extend along the first arm 14. The head 68 of the bolt 66 is arranged to be located internally within the bore 32, which has a stepped configuration so as to fix the position of the head 68. A shaft of the bolt 66 extends from the head 68 through the remainder of the bore 32, and extends from an outer end of the first arm 14 through the receiving portion 56, and then through the central bore 62 and nut 60.

[0057] The arrangement is such that the bolt 66 operates as a linear actuator, moving the nut 60 and thus the first moveable member 40 along a central axis of the bolt 66. This results in movement of the inwardly facing surface 50 of the first moveable member 40 along the inclined face 26 of the first arm 14, and thus movement of the outwardly facing surface 48 of thefirst moveable member 40 relative to the locating face 24 of the first arm 14. The effective depth of the first arm 14 can thus be altered.

[0058] To assist in ensuring correct orientation of the first moveable member 40 relative to the first arm 40, complementary guiding portions are provided. The first moveable member 40 has two guiding protrusions 70 located on the inwardly facing surface 50, one located on each lateral side of the bolt 66. Each of the guiding protrusions 70 is right triangular pyramidal in shape, tapering from a triangular attachment at the receiving portion 56 to a forward point, which is located about halfway between the relatively wide end 46 and the relatively thin end 44.

[0059] The first arm 14 has complementary shaped recesses 72 located on the inclined face 26. The recesses extend inwardly from the outer end 22 of the first arm 14, tapering at the same rate as that of the guiding protrusions 70.

[0060] It will be appreciated that the second arm 18 is associated with a second moveable member 41 , the second moveable member 41 being identical to the first moveable member 40.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the location of the head 68 of the bolt 66 internally of the bore 32 means that the respective bolts 66 of the first arm 14 and second arm 18 can lie in the same plane without interfering with each other. As a result, they can both be centred between respective side faces 28 of both the first and second arm 14, 18.

[0062] It will also be appreciated that the bolt 66 does not pass through the main portion 42 of the first moveable member 40. This arrangement means that the main portion 42 of the first moveable member 40 can be significantly thinner than wedges found in the prior art, with the corollary being that the first and second arms 14, 18 can be thicker and thus stronger than sim ilar members found in the prior art.

[0063] Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of the mitre joint support 100, being a mitre joint support 101.

[0064] In the m itre joint support 101, the side faces 128 of the first arm 114 and the second arm 118 are each recessed inwardly, with an outer lip 129 extending around the base member 110 on each lateral side.

[0065] An L-shaped metal reinforcing plate 131 is sized and shaped to locate within each outer lip 129.

[0066] It is anticipated that the reinforcing plates 131 will add strength and rigidity to the mitre joint support 101 when compared with the mitre joint support 100.

[0067] Figure 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of the mitre joint support 100, being a mitre joint support 102.

[0068] In the mitre joint support 102, the locating faces 224 of the first and second arms 214, 218 are located on the inside of the base member 210, with the inclined faces 226 located on the outside. The position of the moveable members 240 is moved to the outside when compared with mitre joint support 100.

[0069] Each of the mitre joint supports 100, 101, 102 is arranged to be used in conjunction with a first rail 80 and a second rail 82. Each of the first rail 80 and the second rail 82 has a generally square hollow cavity 84 sized to receive the respective first or second arm 14, 18 and associated first or second moveable member 40, 41 in a snug fit. As can be seen in Figures 10 and 11 , each hollow cavity 84 has internal chamfered corners 86. These are complementary in shape to the positioning chamfers 30, 54 of the first and second arms 14, 18 and first and second moveable members 40, 41.

[0070] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1. A support 100, 101, 102 for a mitre joint,the support having a base member 10,the base member 10 having a central region 12,the base member having a first arm 14 extending away from the central region in a first direction 16 and a second arm 18 extending away from the central region in a second direction 20, the second direction being angled with respect to the first direction by a characteristic angle a;the first arm having:a locating face 24, an inclined face 26, and two side faces 28, the locating face and the inclined face being spaced apart by the side faces,the locating face being parallel to the first direction, the inclined face being inclined relative to the first direction at an inclination angle [3 greater than 0°,the first arm having a bore 32 extending therethrough, the bore being generally inclined relative to the first direction by the inclination angle;the support having a first moveable member 40 arranged to move generally in the first direction,the first moveable member being associated with the first arm, the first moveable member having:an outwardly facing surface 48 spaced from an inwardly facing surface 50,the inwardly facing surface being inclined relative to the outwardly facing surface at the inclination angle,the first moveable member having a relatively thin end 44 and a relatively wide end 46,the first moveable member having a receiving portion 56 extending inwardly from the relatively wide end; and an adjustment mechanism arranged to move the first moveable member, the adjustment mechanism including a threaded member 66;wherein the inwardly facing surface of the first moveable member is arranged to abut the inclined face of the first arm, with the outer surface of the first moveable member being generally aligned in the first direction, and whereby the threaded member extends partially through the bore of the first arm and is received in the receiving portion of the first moveable member.

2. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second arm 18 has:a locating face, an inclined face, and two side faces,the locating face and the inclined face being spaced apart by the side faces,the locating face being parallel to the second direction,the inclined face being inclined relative to the second direction at the inclination angle,the second arm having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being generally inclined relative to the second direction by the inclination angle; the support having a second moveable member 41 arranged to move generally in the second direction,the second moveable member being associated with the second arm, the second moveable member having:an outwardly facing surface spaced from an inwardly facing surface,the inwardly facing surface being inclined relative to the outwardly facing surface at the inclination angle, the second moveable member having a relatively thin end and a relatively wide end,the second moveable member having a receiving portion extending inwardly from the relatively wide end; and an adjustment mechanism arranged to move the second moveable member, the adjustment mechanism including a threaded member;wherein the inwardly facing surface of the second moveable member is arranged to abut the inclined face of the second arm, with the outer surface of the second moveable member being generally aligned in the seconddirection, and whereby the threaded member extends partially through the bore of the second arm and is received in the receiving portion of the second moveable member.

3. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inclination angle is between 5° and 10°.

4. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each threaded member has a head 68, the head of the threaded member being located internally of the bore of the respective first or second arm.

5. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the characteristic angle is 90°.

6. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bore of each arm is closer to the inclined face than to the locating face.

7. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each arm includes a positioning chamfer 30 between the locating face and each side face.

8. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each receiving portion includes a nut 60 secured thereto, the nut being arranged to receive the respective threaded member.

9. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in claim 8, wherein each receiving portion includes a slot 58 which extends across the receiving portion, the nut being located within the slot.

10. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each moveable member includes guiding protrusions 70 on the inwardly facing surface, the guiding protrusions located alongside the receiving portion, with each arm having complementary guiding recesses 72 located on the inclined face.

11. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locating face of each arm is on an inside of the mitre joint.

12. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the locating face of each arm is on an outside of the mitre joint.

13. A support for a mitre joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base member 110 has an outer lip 129 extending around its perimeter on each lateral side, and a reinforcing plate 131 is located within the outer lip.

14. A mitre joint assembly, the mitre joint assembly having a first rail 80, a second rail 82, and a support;the support being as claimed in any preceding claim; and wherein the first arm includes a positioning chamfer between the locating face and each side face, and wherein each rail is hollow, with a first rail having an internal cavity 84 sized to receive the first arm of the support, the internal cavity having internal chamfers 86 arranged to complement the positioning chamfers.

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