[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable structure comprising two members each having
ribs and grooves interengaging with one another after the fashion of gear teeth.
[0002] A structure of this general type is known, for example from our British Patent Specification
No. 1,542,244 which discloses a structure in the form of a series of hingedly interconnected
panels intended as a temporary display structure for exhibition and the like purposes.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable structure
incorporating members having ribs and grooves interengaging with one another after
the fashion of gear teeth.
[0004] According to the invention there is provided an adjustable structure comprising two
members each having ribs and grooves interengaging with one another after the fashion
of gearteeth so that the members can roll relative to one another about respective
axes, characterised by each said member carrying a resilient spindle element disposed
substantially coaxially with the respective said member and resiliently displaceable,
at least in part, transversely of said axis, said members being held together by at
least one connecting element providing openings or recesses receiving respective said
resilient spindle elements of the two members, the configuration of the connecting
element and/or the spindle elements being such that resilient displacement of said
spindle elements transversely of said axes, towards one another is necessary to apply
the connecting element to or detach it from said spindle elements.
[0005] An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a partial axial section view illustrating the assembly provided at one
edge of one panel of a series of hingedly interconnected panels of a structure embodying
the invention;
Figure 2 is a view in cross-section of part of the assembly;
Figure 3A and Figure 3B are schematic views, in a direction parallel with the axes
of the hinged connection between two adjoining panels in the system to which the structure
of Figures 1 and 2 belongs;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of the structure of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly provided
at one edge of one panel of a series of hingedly interconnected panels of another
structure embodying the invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the structure of Figure 5; and
Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the attachment, to the edges
of a panel, of the associated edge structure.
[0006] The drawings relate to systems of hingedly interconnected panels, for use in temporary
exhibition displays and the like, in which the connection between adjoining edges
of adjoining panels is effected by means of gearlike members secured to the respective
edges of the respective panels and meshing with one another, so that the panels are
connected together in such a manner as to allow smooth controlled adjustment movements
to be effected between panels, and so that the panels may be folded together accordian
fashion, etc. The general arrangement of interconnected panels and adjustment of the
panels relative to one another is substantially the same as that described in our
British Patent Specification No. 1,542,244 to which reference should be had.
[0007] In the system to which the Figures 1 to 4 relate, the gear-like members secured to
the adjoining edges of adjoining panels are of composite form each comprising a member
11 consisting of a length cut from an extrusion of the uniform cross section discernable
from Figure 2, which extrusion may be an extrusion in aluminium alloy and fitted to
member 11, cladding members 13, e.g. of plastics, of the cross-section shown. The
extrusion which affords each member 11 comprises a part 12 which has the approximate
form of a capital "D" with one of the two "corners" removed to provide a longitudinally
extending slot along the section, which facilitates the manufacture, by extrusion,
of the member 11, said slot communicating with the central passage 33 along the part
12 and which passage, but for said slot, is cylindrical in section. The part or portion
12 corresponding to the straight part of the "D" adjoins, and is integral with, a
web 16, of greater transverse width than portion 12 and which thus projects beyond
portion 12 on either side. The web 16 is connected via a perpendicular central web
18 with an attachment part, indicated generally at 20, which provides a flat rear
face, parallel with the web 16, which is secured to the planar edge face 22 of the
respective panel 24.
[0008] The part 20 is formed with a generally T-shaped longitudinal channel which opens
in a longitudinal central slot 26 on the rear face of part 20 and the part 20 is secured
to the panel 24 by screws 28 the heads of which are held captive in the wider part
of the T-section channel and the shanks of which pass through the slot 26 into the
edge face 22 of the panel. In assembly (see Figure 5), when the member 11 is applied
to the edge of the panel 24, the heads of the screws 28 pass through circular enlargements
30 formed at predetermined positions along the slot 26, to enter the T-section channel,
and the member 11 is then displaced longitudinally into its final position, so that
the enlargements 30 are moved out of register with the heads of the screws 28 and
the screw's heads are held captive in the T-shaped channel. The manner of attachment
is thus analogous to a "key-hole slot" arrangement.
[0009] Between the attachment part 20 and the part 12, on either side of the central web
18, are defined respective longitudinally extending channels 17, opening onto the
sides of the member 11 via respective longitudinally extending slots bounded by inturned
flanges of said channels, so that said slots are reduced width compared with said
channels 17, whereby ancillary fittings, not shown, may be fitted to the panel by
means of portions held captive in said channels 17.
[0010] Extended filler strips, not shown, may cover the channels 17 when these are not required.
[0011] As discussed in greater detail below, each cladding member 13 affords longitudinally
extending ribs 14, which form the gear teeth and between which are defined the grooves
which receive the gear teeth of the co-operating cladding member.
[0012] At intervals along each gear like member, as shown in Figures 1 and 4 the part 12
is cut away, as far back as the web 16, and the cladding 13 omitted to afford slots
32, the upper and lower edges of which are substantially perpendicular to the,longitudinal
axis of the member 11. Located within the central passage 33 (Figure 2) in each .member
11 are a plurality of spindle elements, of the form shown in side elevation at 35
in Figure 1, and each comprising a resilient steel rod 36, fitted at one end with
a resilient plastics cap 38 and fitted at its other end with a metal disc 39 with
a "milled" periphery affording longitudinally extending grooves between which teeth
are defined, the rod 36 being provided midway between its ends with a tubular plastics
spacer 41. Each cap 38 is dimensioned to fit closely within passage 33, when the element
34 is fitted within the passage 33 whilst the disc 39 is so formed and dimensioned,
with a slight taper towards the cap 38, that it is slightly oversize in relation to
the passage 33 and must be driven forcibly into position along the passage 33 while
the teeth thereon bite into the wall of the passage to hold the disc 39, and thus
the rod 36, in place. The slots 32 are formed in pairs, with the axial spacing between
the slots of a pair being greater than the axial length of the spacer 41 and each
element 35 is disposed with its spacer 41 located within a respective portion 44 of
the member 11 lying between the two slots 32 of a respective said pair.
[0013] The external diameter of the spacers 41 is somewhat less than that of the caps 38,
so that the spacers 41 have a predetermined transverse clearance in the passage 33.
[0014] As best shown schematically in Figures 3A and 3B, the adjoining members 11, 13 of
two adjoining panels are held together with their longitudinal axes parallel and the
"teeth" or ribs 14 of the cladding members in mesh, by means of a plurality of connecting
links 46 each passing through a respective slot 32 in one member 11, 13 to engage
an element 34 in that member and also passing through an aligned slot 32 in the other
member 11, 13 to engage a corresponding element 34 in said other member 11, 13. Each
connecting link 46 is in the form of a plate or bar having parallel upper and lower
faces and affording at either end thereof a respective hook formation 47 which engages
around the rod 36 of the respective element 34. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, each
hook formation 47 has a free end which extends further, in the direction towards the
other hook formation 47 than the deepest part of the recess formed within the bend
of the hook formation, and the arrangement is such that the inherent resilience of
the rods 36 engaged by each link 46 urges the rods 36 apart to a spacing which is
greater than the spacing between the closest part of the free ends of the two hook
formations of the link. The surfaces of the hook formations 47 in the region of the
parts of the free ends of the hook formations which are closest to one another are
formed as cam surfaces, so that any link 46 may be removed simply by pushing it, in
the direction indicated by the arrow C in Figure 3B, so that by the camming action
between the hook formation 47 and the rods 36 the latter are urged resiliently towards
one another to the extent necessary to allow the rods 36 to pass from the connecting
link. Conversely, the link can be refitted simply by pushing it into the aligned slots
32 in the direction indicated by the arrow D in Figure 3B so that the camming surfaces
on the free ends of the hook formations 47 urge the rods 36 together resiliently sufficiently
to allow the rods to enter the recesses within the hook formations 47. The amount
of transverse flexing which the rods 36 may undergo is limited by engagement of the
spacers 41 with the walls of the passages 33.
[0015] The cladding of a member 11 above and below a respective pair of slots 32 is formed
by respective lengths of an extrusion of the cross-section shown, which is in the
form of a generally channel-shaped body which has, externally, the desired geared
profile and has, internally, formations to co-operate with corresponding external
formations on portion 12, including a median groove to receive a median locating rib
on the portion 12 and respective saw-tooth section formations adjacent the edges of
the channel, for engagement behind an abutment provided by one edge of the longitudinal
slot in portion 12 and behind an abutment provided, on the opposite side of the portion
12, by a saw-tooth section formation on portion 12, so that the cladding 13 may be
snap-fitted on portion 12 to be thereafter retained thereon.
[0016] The cladding of member 11 between the two slots of one such pair of slots, however,
is formed as an injection-moulded plastics member 70 which has, intermediate its upper
and lower ends the same cross-sectional shape as the extruded cladding, but has its
upper and lower ends formed to provide formations extending across the ends of the
respective section of portion 12 between the slots, to conceal said ends and yet afford
a passage for the rod 36 (see Figure 1). The adjoining ends of the portion 12 above
and below the respective pair of slots, i.e. the ends which face the member 70, are
covered by end plugs 72, of arcuate form, fitted in the passage 33 and having flanges
extending over the respective ends of the portion 12 and the extruded cladding.
[0017] Each link is thus located at each end between a member 70 and an adjoining end plug
72.
[0018] At the upper and lower ends of each member 11, 13, a respective further plastics
insert 54 may be provided of the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprising a cap
for the respective end of the portion 12 and a cover for the respective end of the
part 20, with, on its underside, projections for engagement in the passage 33 and
the T-shaped channel. The insert 54 has a central aperture 55 aligned with the central
passage 33, through which, for example, a supporting rod (not shown) of an ancillary
fitting may be extended or through which an electrical flex may be extended. As indicated
in Figure 7, each panel may have, spaced apart along the axial length of each of the
two members 11, 13, secured to respective opposite longitudinal edges of the panel,
three pairs of slots 32, each pair of slots 32 having associated therewith a respective
element 35 accommodated within the respective member 11, 13, with each panel being
connected with the adjoining panel, (i.e. each member 11, 13, with the adjoining member
11,13), by three pairs of connecting links 46, each connecting link 46 being engaged
in a respective slot 32 of one member 10 and the aligned slots 32 of the adjoining,
meshing member 11, 13.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the axes of the rods 36 inserted in the passage 33 of
any one member 11 are preferably substantially coincident with the axis of the pitch
circle of the "gear-segment" defined by the corresponding members 13, so that the
panels may be readily and smoothly pivoted relative to one another as desired. The
resilience of the rods 36 of course permits slight resilient relative transverse displacement
between meshing members 13, which thus compensates for inaccuracies of the gear form
of the ribs 14.
[0020] An advantage which is afforded by disposing the slots 32 in pairs is that this also
makes it possible, if desired, to connect first and second gear members 11, 13, at
the edges of respective panels with a third gear member 11, 13, at the edge of a further
panel, with the third gear member meshing with both the second and third gear members
11, 13, and one slot of each pair of slots 32 in the third gear member being occupied
by a link 46 connecting the third gear member with the first gear member 11, 13, and
with the other slot in the third gear member being occupied by a link 46 connecting
the third gear member 11, 13, with the second gear member 11, 13. The first or second
gear member might likewise be connected with a yet further, meshing gear member 11,
13, and so on, so that, for example structures in which a plurality of panels radiate
from a common junction region may be readily constructed.
[0021] If desired, instead of the ribs or teeth 14 being formed by a cladding member formed
separately from the aluminium extrusion 11, the ribs or teeth 14 may be formed integrally
with the remainder of the aluminium extrusion. Thus, as shown in Figure 5, in which
parts corresponding to parts in Figures 1 to 4 have the same references, the gear-
like members, indicated at 10 in Figure 5, secured to the adjoining edges of adjoining
panels may be formed by lengths cut from an extrusion, e.g. of aluminium alloy, of
the uniform cross-section discernable from Figure 5. The extrusion affording member
10 corresponds, in cross-sectional shape to that affording member 11, except that
in place of the portion 12 an arcuate portion 121 is provided, of larger radius than
portion 12 and which extends from one edge of web 16 to the other, the web 16 thus
forming the back of an enlarged "D". The portion 121 is provided externally with the
longitudinally extending ribs 14, which form the gear teeth and between which are
defined the grooves which receive the gear teeth of the co-operating member 10. The
extrusion from which member 10 is cut, may, if desired, be plastics coated.
[0022] In the member 10, within the "D" there are provided three internal longitudinal ribs
40, the innermost surfaces of which form respective parts of the surface of a common
imaginary longitudinal cylindrical bore of about the same diameter as the central
passage in portion 12 in Figures 1 to 4, these ribs serving to locate the cap and
serrated disc. In the arrangement of Figure 5, the slots 32 are formed by cutting
the portion 121 back to the web 16 and, in order to finish or conceal the edges of
the portions 121 on either side of each slot, and to provide locating and bearing
surfaces for the links, each slot 32 is fitted with a plastics insert 50 comprising
two horseshoe-shaped pieces connected to one another, at the free ends of their limbs,
by respective flexible plastics webs 51. Each horseshoe-shaped piece has, on its side
remote from the other piece, a flat abutment face for engagement with the respective
edge face of the respective slot 32 and has, upstanding from this flat abutment face,
one or more projections for engagement with the interior of the arcuate wall of the
part 12. The insert 50, by reason of the flexibility of the plastics material, may
be temporarily deformed to allow the insert to be inserted in the respective slots
32 and the projections on the abutment faces engaged with the interior of the passage
33, so that the insert effectively affords a lining for the upper and lower edges
of the slot. Such an insert 50 is shown already fitted in a slot 32 in Figure 6. With
the insert fitted, the free width of the slot corresponds to the separation between
the opposing pieces of the insert and is slightly greater than the thickness of the
connecting link 46. The two pieces of each insert 50 are provided, on their convex
outer edges with teeth which, when the inserts are fitted, form extensions of the
ribs 14 of the respective member 10. The edges of each insert which oppose each other
when the insert is fitted are rounded as viewed in axial section. The inserts 50,
besides affording a finished appearance, also serve as bearing members for the connecting
links 46 and, furthermore, serve to limit axial movement of the spacers 41.
[0023] The arrangement described with reference to the drawing besides being economical
to manufacture and assemble, is neat in appearance and furthermore allows adjoining
panels to be disconnected from one another or additional panels to be connected with
a series of panels without difficulty and without special tools.
1. An adjustable structure comprising two members each having ribs and grooves interengaging
with one another after the fashion of gear teeth so that the members can roll relative
to one another about respective axes, characterised by each said member carrying a
resilient spindle element disposed substantially coaxially with the respective said
member and resiliently displaceable, at least in part, transversely of said axis,
said members being held together by at least one connecting element providing openings
or recesses receiving respective said resilient spindle elements of the two members,
the configuration of the connecting element and/or the spindle elements being such
that resilient displacement of said spindle elements transversely of said axes, towards
one another is necessary to apply the connecting element to or detach it from said
spindle elements.
2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein each said' member having ribs and grooves
has an axial passage therethrough within which the respective spindle element is supported
with clearance, said connecting element passing through a respective circumferential
gap in the surface of each said member to engage, by means of a respective one of
two hook formations which are provided at opposite ends of the connecting element,
around the respective spindle element.
3. A structure according to claim 2 wherein each said spindle element is in the form
of a resiliently flexible spindle which is supported in the respective said passage
by supporting and spacing members spaced apart axially on opposite sides of the respective
said gap so as to allow said transverse displacement of the portion of the spindle
which is in the region of said gap and is engaged by said connecting element.
4. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein each said member is formed
as an extrusion of substantially constant cross-section, having a portion for engagement
with a panel.
5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein each said member comprises, in combination,
an extrusion of substantially constant cross-section having a portion for engagement
with a panel, and a further extrusion, of substantially constant cross-section, affording
said gear teeth, said extrusions having complementary interengageable retaining formations
whereby said further extrusion may be retained on the first-mentioned extrusion.
6. A structure according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein each said member is secured
to a panel edge by connection means including a formation afforded by said extrusion
having said portion for engagement with a panel.
7. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said connection means incorporates fixing
elements with enlarged heads carried by each said panel and which heads are engaged
in slots of complementary cross section in the respective members.
1. Einstellbare Struktur aufweisend zwei Elemente, die jeweils Rippen und. Ausnehmungen
aufweisen, welche miteinander zusammenwirken nach Art von Getriebezähnen, so daß die
Elemente relativ aufeinander um jeweilige Achsen abrollen können, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß jedes Element ein nachgiebiges Spindelelement aufweist, das im wesentlichen koaxial
zu dem jeweiligen Element angeordnet ist und nachgiebig versetzbar ist, zumindest
teilweise, quer zu der Achse, das die Elemente durch zumindest ein verbindendes Element
zusammengehalten sind, das Öffnungen oder Ausnehmungen aufweist, die jeweils ein entsprechendes
nachgiebiges Spindelelement von den zwei Elementen aufnehmen, daß die Ausgestaltung
des Verbindungselementes und/oder des Spindelelementes so getroffen ist, daß die nachgiebige
Versetzung der Spindelelemente quer zu den Achsen, aufeinander zu notwendig ist, um
das Verbindungselement anzubringen oder es von den Spindelelementen zu lösen.
2. Strukturen nach Anspruch 1, wobei jedes Element Rippen oder Ausnehmungen aufweist
und eine axiale Ausnehmung durch dieses hindurch besitzt, in der das jeweilige Spindelelement
mit einer gewissen Freiheit gehaltert ist, wobei weiter das Verbindungselement durch
einen jeweiligen Umfangsspalt in der Oberfläche jedes Elementes geht, um das jeweilige
Spindelelement herumzufassen, mit Hilfe einer jeweiligen von zwei Hakenausbildungen,
die an gegenüberliegenden Enden des Verbindungselementes vorgesehen sind.
3. Struktur nach Anspruch 2, wobei jedes Spindelelement in Form einer nachgiebigen,
flexiblen Spindel vorliegt, die in der jeweiligen Ausnehmung abgestützt ist, durch
Stützund Beabstandungselement, die axial an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des jeweiligen
Schlitzes abgestützt sind, um so die Querversetzung des Bereiches der Spindel zu ermöglichen,
der sich im Bereich des Schlitzes befindet und durch das Verbindungselement erfaßt
ist.
4. Struktur nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei jedes Element als eine Extrusion
von im wesentlichen konstantem Querschnitt ausgebildet ist, mit einem Bereich für
eine Zusammenwirkung mit einem Einsatz.
5. Struktur nach Anspruch 4, wobei jedes Element in Kombination aufweist: Eine Extrusion
von im wesentlichen konstantem Querschnitt, die einen Bereich für eine Zusammenwirkung
mit einem Einsatz aufweist, und eine weitere Extrusion, von im wesentlichem konstanten
Querschnitt, die die Getriebezähne ergibt, wobei die Extrusionen komplementäre wechselweise
erfaßbare Rückhalteausbildungen besitzen, wodurch die weitere Extrusion an der zuerst
erwähnten Extrusion gehalten werden kann.
6. Struktur nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei jedes Element an einer Einsatzecke gesichert
ist über Verbindungsmittel, aufweisend einer Ausbildung, die durch die Extrusion erhalten
ist, und den Bereich für die Zusammenwirkung mit dem Einsatz besitzt.
7. Struktur nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Verbindungsmittel Befestigungselemente aufweisen
mit vergrößerten Köpfen, die an jedem der Einsätze geführt sind, und welche Köpfe
in Schlitzen von komplementärem Querschnitt in den jeweiligen Elementen erfaßt sind.
1. Structure ajustable comprenant deux organes comportant chacun des nervures et des
gorges s'emboîtant les unes dans les autres à la manière de dents d'engrenage, de
manière que les organes puissent tourner relativement l'un par rapport à l'autre autour
de leurs axes respectifs, caractérisée en ce que chacun desdits organes supporte un
élément de broche élastique disposé sensiblement coaxialement par rapport audit organe
respectif et déplaçable élastiquement, du moins en partie, transversalement audit
axe, lesdits organes étant maintenus assemblés par au moins un élément de liaison
comportant des ouvertures ou des évidements recevant lesdits éléments de broche élastiques
respectifs des deux organes, la conformation de l'élément de liaison et/ou des éléments
de broche étant telle que le déplacement élastique desdits éléments de broche transversalement
auxdits axes, en direction l'un de l'autre, est nécessaire pour appliquer l'élément
de liaison auxdits éléments de broche, ou les en détacher.
2. Structure selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chaque organe comprenant
des nervures et des gorges présente un passage axial qui le traverse, dans lequel
l'élément de broche respectif est supporté avec jeu, ledit élément de liaison passant
au travers d'un interstice circonférentiel respectif dans la surface de chacun desdits
organes pour venir en engagement, au moyen de l'une des deux parties respectives en
forme de crochet qui sont prévues aux extrémités opposées de l'élément de liaison,
autour de l'élément de broche respectif.
3. Structure selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que chaque élément de broche
se présente sous la forme d'une broche flexible et élastique, supportée dans ledit
passage respectif par des organes de support et de séparation, espacés axialement
sur les côtés opposés dudit interstice respectif de manière à permettre ledit déplacement
transversal de la partie de la broche qui est dans la région dudit interstice et est
en engagement avec ledit élément de liaison.
4. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en
ce que chacun desdits organes est constitué sous forme d'un élément extrudé de section
transversale sensiblement constante, comprenant une partie destinée à venir en engagement
avec un panneau.
5. Structure selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que chacun desdits organes
comprend, en combinaison, un élément extrudé de section transversale sensiblement
constante dont une partie est destinée à venir en engagement avec un panneau, et un
autre élément extrudé de section transversale sensiblement constante, déterminant
lesdites dents d'engrenage, lesdits éléments extrudés présentant des parties de retenue
complémentaires pouvant s'engager les unes dans les autres, de façon que ledit autre
élément extrudé puisse être retenu sur l'élément extrudé premièrement mentionné.
6. Structure selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisée en ce qu'à chacun desdits
organes est fixé un bord d'un panneau par des moyens de liaison comprenant une formation
dudit élément extrudé qui comporte ladite partie destinée à venir en engagement avec
un panneau.
7. Structure selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de liaison
comprennent des éléments de fixation à têtes élargies supportés par chacun desdits
panneaux, ces têtes étant engagées dans des encoches de section complémentaire dans
les organes respectifs.