Patent Application
20160223002
The present invention relates to a fastening system for mutually fastening elements according to the preamble of claim 1. Moreover, the present invention relates to an element for use in a fastening system according to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an element for use in a fastening assembly according to the present invention. Additionally, the present invention relates to a locking device for use in a fastening assembly according to the present invention.
Many ways have been developed to mutually fasten parts of assemblies. An example thereof is that many ways have been developed to mutually connect boards. An example thereof is a mortise dowel joint as well as connections in which perpendicular boards are connected by means of a cross nut inserted in a hole in one blank, in which nut a screw is fastened with screw is connecting the perpendicular board. Many home assembly cupboards are based on this principle.
In DE 3739743, a fastening system is shown, comprising a telescopic connecting element having a ball-shaped end, which is connected to a rod element, and an opposite ball-shaped end being connected to a tube element, in which the rod element is inserted to. A compression spring is connected to the rod element in such a way that the ball-shaped ends can be moved apart from each other in a longitudinal direction and against the force of the spring. The telescopic connecting element is used to connect adjacent block members, by connecting the ball-shaped ends into a groove provided in each of the adjacent block members.
Such ways of mutually fastening do however require complex handling and handling of several parts simultaneously.
In order to provide an alternative way of fastening, the present invention provides a fastening assembly for mutually fastening of two elements, such as sheet units, comprising:
When applying such a fastening assembly, it becomes e.g. possible to assemble furniture or toys based on boards or sheets by means of simple manual steps. An advantage thereof is that the parts, such as the boards or the sheets, may be packaged, transported towards the end user in a flat stacking on top of each other. A further advantage is that the furniture or toys can be disassembled after use, and can be stored until later use with minimal use of space. A further advantage is that parts may be easily replaced for e.g. altering the attention value of the product, by e.g. exchanging elements by elements with a different color or different design.
Further areas of use for applying a fastening assembly according to the present invention relates to e.g. a window extender, clothing hooks, carriers for shelves, but the areas of use are not limited to these examples.
According to a first preferred embodiment, in the fastening assembly, the channel has at least partially a diameter for receiving the locking member, preferably from one side of the channel, therewith forming a locking channel. This provides an advantageous embodiment for providing a mutual locking of the receiving element and in the insertion element by means of the locking member. It is envisioned that use of one channel suffices for such an embodiment.
In a further preferred embodiment it is envisioned that at least one end of the channel ends at an edge of the receiving element, further preferably in which two ends of the channel end at two edges of the receiving element. Because of this, advantageously, a firm and two-sided attachment can be realized in which for example jiggle or play according to a one-sided connection is prevented.
According to a further preferred embodiment, in the locking assembly, two latching members are arranged at two respective ends of the biasing member, in which the biasing member is elongated. By means of this, a simple mounting and operating is provided. A user, even a small child, can pull a latching member that is for example embodied as a bead for freeing the locking member from the insertion elements.
Further preferably, a fastening assembly is provided in which a first latching member of the locking assembly is suitable for placement in a latching member recess for therein fastening of an end of the biasing member, and a second latching member of the locking assembly is suitable for operating the locking assembly by pulling the second latching member. Such an embodiment is single-sidedly operable for a fastening assembly at the edge of for example a blade element in which the locking assembly is directed inwardly from the edge.
Further preferably, both latching members of the locking assembly are suitable for operating the locking assembly by pulling thereof. Such a variant is two-sidedly operable in which from two sides a locking member may be operated by means of the latching members. Because of this, and insertion element may be fastened from two sides, which requires a slightly more complex assembly but also prevents inadvertent disassembly because disassembly has to be initiated from two sides before disassembly occurs. Furthermore, by means of one locking assembly, two or more insertion elements may be fastened by means of such a double-sided locking assembly.
By means of an assembly in which an end of the channel ends in the latching member recess, preferably embodied as an opening, through hole or recess, that is arranged at an end of the channel at a distance from an edge of the receiving elements, fastening of the non-operated latching member of a single-sidedly operable latching member is achieved in an advantageous manner.
Further preferably, one of the two latching members is arranged in a respective latching member recess. Because of this, the biasing member may be kept under bias from the side. In case the fastening of the latching member to the biasing member is realized during production it is provided as a further advantage that the fastening assembly may be packaged and handled as sheet parts in which outside the surfaces of the sheets no parts extend, such that a stack of sheets does not need to be thicker than the sum of the thickness of the parts of the sheets, which, next to for example the easy assembly and disassembly because no loose parts are required for assembly of the assembly, is an important advantage of the present invention. With this, it is advantageous in case there are one or two latching member recesses per locking assembly for holding the respective latching members.
In a further preferred embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a biasing member access slot for providing access of the biasing member to the channel, which is preferably arranged at a location of the part of the channel that forms the locking channel in an insertion direction of the insertion member, wherein the biasing member access slot is connected with the edge of the insertion member. Herewith, in a simple manner, it is realized that the insertion member can be inserted in the receiving element, whereby the biasing member and the bias is capable of bringing the locking member into the locking position.
Further preferably, the receiving element comprises a reinforcement slot for reinforcing the coupling between the receiving element and the insertion element, in which preferably the reinforcement slot is arranged in an extension direction of the insertion element relative to the receipt position. In for example the table embodiment as described in the following, this reinforcement slot provides the option of inserting an extra supporting part into the tabletop which increases the carrying strength as well as the resistance to horizontal push forces.
In an embodiment in which the insertion element is suitable for coupling with a receiving element by means of two or more fastening assemblies, it is achieved that several plate elements are suitable for coupling such as a several legs for a table or several boards in a cupboard. With more complex constructions, further respective construction possibilities are possible, such as hinge-able constructions such as is described in the following under reference to the drawings.
Applying a receiving position at an angle between 45-135° relative to a surface of the receiving element provides an additional reinforcement against for example horizontal or transverse forces but also for example appearance advantages such as in cases in which this feature provides a familiar character for e.g. a table.
In a further preferred embodiment, the insertion element comprises a receiving slot for receiving a receiving position holding part of the receiving member, wherein a bottom of the receiving slot fulfills the function of the insertion member, preferably comprising a respective biasing member access slot, which further preferably provide access to a respective locking channel part in the respective insertion member. Relating to this embodiment, reference is made to the description of e.g.
In a further preferred embodiment, one or both of the latching members have a shape to cooperate with a shape of the receiving element, further preferably with a shape for the purpose of optimal grip or a high attention value. The shape may be shape of a bead, but also a shape that extends flush in cooperation with a surface of the receiving element. Herewith, either remark ability or discreteness of the latching member may be achieved. Furthermore, a high level of grip may be provided or opposed to that no grip depending on the application. Grip in itself is advantageous for latching members that serve the purpose of operating the latching members, but even in such cases, operability may be sacrificed for a noticeable or discrete exterior.
In a further preferred embodiment two receiving positions share a channel for mutual application of a latching assembly, in which the channel preferably extends from the receiving positions in both directions, in which further preferably one or two locking channels are formed in the channel.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a latching assembly according to the present invention for use in a fastening assembly according to the present invention.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a receiving element according to the to present invention for use in a fastening assembly according to the present invention.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to an insertion element according to the present invention for use in a fastening assembly according to the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention a fastening system comprising; a first element having a first latching surface, a first contact surface and a first fastening channel extending from the first latching surface to the first contact surface, a second element having a second contact surface abutting the first contact surface, spaced at a distance therefrom a second surface and a second fastening channel extending from the second contact surface to the second contact surface in line with the first fastening channel, wherein an access slot of smaller diameter than a diameter of the fastening channels extends from the second fastening channel to an outer surface of the second element and extending parallel to the channel along its length, and a locking device having first and second latching members interconnected via a locking body of a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of the fastening channels and via an elastic element that is attached to the first latching member or to the locking body and to the second latching member for allowing elastic displacement of the second latching member, the diameter of the elastic element being smaller than a diameter of the access slot, wherein the first latching member is placed in contact with the first latching surface, the locking body extending through the first and second fastening channels and the second latching member being biased against the second contact surface or against a further contact surface spaced at a distance from the second contact surface.
Additionally, a further fastening channel section extends from the second contact surface to a recess formed in a perimeter of the first element.
Moreover, the second latching member is placed in contact with the second contact surface in such a way that the locking device can be operated by pulling from the second latching member in a direction opposite from the second latching surface.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second latching members are provided with a different cross-sectional shaped form.
Besides, the first element comprises a reinforcement slot for reinforcing the coupling between the first element and the second element, in which the reinforcement slot is arranged in an extension direction of the second element relative to a receipt position.
Moreover, the second element is provided for coupling with a first element of an adjacent fastening system by means of a locking device.
In an embodiment of the invention, a receiving position relative to the first contact surface of the first element is arranged at an angle between 10-117°, and preferably an angle between 45-135°.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an element for use in a fastening system comprising a latching surface, a contact surface and a fastening channel extending from the latching surface to the contact surface, wherein an access slot of smaller diameter than a diameter of the fastening channel extends from the second fastening channel to an outer surface of the element.
Moreover, the element is further provided with a further fastening channel section extending from a second contact surface to a recess formed in a perimeter of the element.
The present invention also relates to a locking device for use in a fastening system having first and second latching members interconnected via a locking body (33) of a first diameter that is attached to the first latching member and to an elastic element that is attached to the first latching member or to the locking body and to the second latching member for allowing elastic displacement of the second latching member, the diameter of the elastic element being smaller than a diameter of the locking body, wherein the second latching member is placed at a distance from the locking body in unreleased state.
Moreover, the locking body is attached to the first or the second latching member at one of its ends and its opposing end is positioned at a distance from said latching member.
Additionally, the elastic element is partially outstanding from the end of the locking body.
In an embodiment, the length of the elastic element that is outstanding from the end of the locking body is about 0.1-0.5 the total length of the elastic element.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter of the elastic element is equal or smaller than the inner diameter of the locking body, when the elastic element is in release state.
Furthermore, the first and second latching members comprise a different cross-sectional shape from each other.
These aspects provide advantages as described relating to the above described aspects.
Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.
A first preferred embodiment (
A further preferred embodiment (
An aspect of this embodiment is that the seat of the chair serves the purpose of receiving element for the two shown fastening assemblies. These two fastening assemblies for which the seed serves the purpose of receiving element, the legs 113, 113′ respectively 113″, 113′″ serve the purpose of insertion element. However, for the connections with the cross connections 114, 114′, the legs serve the purpose of receiving element.
In
The insertion member 20 is inserted in the receiving position of the receiving element. The insertion member is preferably elongated for providing additional firmness to the fastening assembly or system.
The locking assembly is shown in
The locking assembly comprises to latching members 32, 32′ for keeping the biasing member 51 under bias. A first locking member 32′ is arranged in the locking member recess 39 for keeping therein of the first locking member. A second looking member 32 is arranged at the operating recess 13 in a locking position. In the extended condition, such as in
The biasing member 31 extends from the latching member 32′to which it is fastened to the latching member 32 to which it is fastened.
The operating recess 13 serves the purpose of providing reachability to the latching members 32 for taking out the fastened condition of the locking assembly. A further advantage of arranging the latching member in the operating recess is that the latching member is at least partly arranged within the shape of the receiving element and therefore poses no hindrance to the user during use of the furniture.
As illustrated, the receiving element or first element 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart contact surfaces 10′, 10″. A first contact surface 10′ is connected to a second contact surface 10″ via a second fastening channel 12″. A first fastening channel 12 is provided at the first contact surface 10′ of the first element 10. A second fastening channel 12″ is provided at the second contact surface 10″ of the element 10. A locking device 30 is illustrated comprising the biasing member 31 extending from the latching member 32′, to which it is fastened to the latching member 32 to which it is fastened to. The second element 20 also comprises a first contact surface 10′ spaced at a distance therefrom a second contact surface 10″,13′ and a second fastening channel 12′ extending from the second contact surface 10′, 20′ to the second surface 10″,13′ in line with the first fastening channel 12, wherein an access slot 23 of smaller diameter than a diameter of the fastening channels 12,12′ extends from the second fastening channel 12′ to an outer surface of the second element 20 and extending parallel to the channel along its length.
The second latching member 32 comprises a locking member 33. The locking member preferably comprises a recess or hollow space along the longitudinal axis for arranging in there of a part and or end of the biasing member. By means of this recess or hollow space an additional space is provided for advantageously providing space for a relatively long biasing member with a relative small ratio between the length in extended condition and in the locking condition of the biasing member. This advantageously provides that a biasing member with relatively less elastic reach can be used. In the locking condition, the locking member extends over at least a part of the receiving position, preferably the whole receiving position, further preferably a part of channel part 12, channel part 12′ and the whole receiving position. Because the locking member cannot pass through the biasing member access slot, it is achieved that the inserted insertion member is locked into the receiving position when the locking assembly is in the locking condition.
In
Further preferred embodiments (
The different locking assemblies comprise latching members 32, 32′ with different shapes for arranging in preferably complementary shaped latching member recesses 39 and operating recesses 13 depending on the purpose of the exterior thereof, such as described in the above.
A further preferred embodiment (
The fastening is achieved by means of partly shifting into each other of the elements. During insertion in a direction of the arrow B of the receiving element in the insertion element, the receiving element is inserted into the receiving slot 22.
The longitudinal axis C of the intercession element is oriented under an angle relative to his side 24 of the receiving elements. Furthermore, this embodiment functions with a locking assembly in a channel in a similar manner as the embodiment shown in
A further preferred embodiment (
This connection is achieved by means of partially sliding into each other of the elements. During insertion in the direction of the arrow B of the receiving elements 20 in the insertion element, the receiving element 10 is moved into the receiving slot 22.
A latching member recess 14 is shown for insertion of a latching member 32′. Advantageously, the latching member 32′ is arranged within the dimensions of the receiving element.
A further preferred embodiment (
As in the other embodiments, the difference in thickness between the biasing member and the locking member combines both the locking and the ability to pass the biasing member through the biasing member access slot 23.
By means of this fastening, these two elements are rotatable relative to each other around a rotational axis E in the mounted condition. This way of fastening of 2 elements can be applied in an advantageous manner by rotatably fastening of a hatch, cap and/or a door.
A further preferred embodiment (
By means of the substantially symmetrical embodiment of the latching members 32, 32′ with respective locking members 33, 33′, advantageously a fastening assembly for two insertion elements 20, 20′ is provided. The biasing member 31 features an elasticity that suffices to unlock one side or both sides simultaneously.
A further preferred embodiment according to
In
The insertion element 10 comprises insertion member 20 that is insert able into the receiving position 11. To reinforce the connection, a reinforcement slot 103 is provided for receiving the reinforcement member 104 which is arranged at the top side of the table leg in order to be arrangeable in the reinforcement slot while the fastening element is mounted.
The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments can be combined, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document must be included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011531 | Sep 2013 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2014/050667 | 9/30/2014 | WO | 00 |
