The invention relates to a coupler suitable for coupling a two-part frame. More particularly the coupler is suitable for coupling a two-part frame that holds a piece of pane to an opening on a panel such as a door or a window.
The pane frame has a number of conventional connectors distributed along the inner sides of the frame. Each of the connectors includes male and female connection parts. The male connector includes a plate with an enlarged free end for snap fastening into the slot of the female connector.
As the dimensions of the male and female connection parts are predetermined and they are irremovably connected to the respective parts of the pane frame. The distance between the two parts of the pane frame is confined by the dimensions of the male and female connection parts. As the parts of the frame are mounted on the respective sides of the edge of the opening of the door or window, the thickness of the edge of the opening and the thickness of the pane to be mounted are confined by the distance between the two parts of the pane frame, and hence the dimensions of the male and female connection parts.
One problem of this conventional connection parts is that they delimits the thickness of the edge of the opening of the door or window on which the pane frame is to be mounted and the thickness of the pane sandwiched between the parts of the frame.
The invention seeks to mitigate or at least alleviate such problem by providing an improved coupling.
One example from the prior art showing a frame with two frame members and a separate coupling member is document
According to the invention, there is provided a coupler for coupling together first and second frame members to form a frame which then holds a pane to an opening in a door or the like, the coupler comprising: a first coupling member operatively connected to the first frame member; a second coupling member operatively connected to the second frame member; and a connector having opposite first and second parts for connecting with the first and second coupling members respectively, the first part having a first fastener for bodily engagement with the first coupling member and the second part having a second fastener for bodily engagement with the second coupling member; such that the first and second frame members are coupled together by the coupler, with the connector extending through said opening and connecting with the first and second coupling members, on opposite sides of said door or the like to thereby hold said pane in said opening.
Preferably, the first fastener and the first coupling member include corresponding engagement elements to effect bodily engagement between the first fastener and the first coupling member.
More preferably, the engagement elements include at least a first pair of inter-engageable formations for inter-engagement to prevent relative movement between the connector and the first coupling member in a first direction.
Yet more preferably, the first pair of inter-engageable formations includes two complementary profiled engagement surfaces co-operable to effect bodily engagement between the first fastener and the first coupling member.
It is preferable that the complementary profiled engagement surfaces include a protuberance and a recess for receiving the protuberance.
Advantageously, the engagement elements include a second pair of inter-engageable formations for inter-engagement to prevent relative movement between the connector and the first coupling member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
It is advantageous that the second pair of inter-engageable formations include a groove and a rib for insertion into the groove to effect bodily engagement between the connector and the first coupling member.
More advantageously, the engagement elements include a second pair of inter-engageable formations for inter-engagement to prevent relative movement between the connector and the first coupling member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second pair of inter-engageable formations including a groove and a rib for insertion into the groove to effect bodily engagement between the connector and the first coupling member, wherein the groove and the recess face in respective directions perpendicular to one another for bodily engagement with the rib and the protuberance respectively to prevent relative movement between the connector and the first coupling member in mutually perpendicular first and second directions.
Yet more advantageously, the connector and the first coupling member additionally include complementary formations for bodily engagement against relative movement in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
Preferably, the second fastener and the second coupling member include inter-engageable members for bodily engagement in a first direction to prevent separation of the second fastener and the second coupling member in a direction parallel to the first direction.
More preferably, the second fastener includes an abutment for abutment relative to the second coupling member upon inter-engagement of the inter-engageable members, thereby fixing the relative position between the second fastener and the second coupling member in a direction parallel to the first direction.
Yet more preferably, the second fastener includes two said abutments which extend co-parallel but are of different lengths.
It is preferable that the second coupling member is associated with a void arranged to receive the or each abutment for engagement therewith to prevent relative movement between the connector and the second coupling member in at least one of two mutually perpendicular directions perpendicular to the first direction.
Advantageously, the void includes a recess arranged to receive the or each abutment for engagement therewith to prevent relative movement between the connector and the second coupling member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
More advantageously, the void further includes a gap arranged to receive the or each abutment for engagement therewith to prevent relative movement between the connector and the second coupling member in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
Yet more advantageously, the first and second coupling members are integrally formed with the first and second frame parts respectively.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of coupling first and second frame members together to form a frame which holds a pane to an opening in a door or the like, comprising the steps of: providing a first coupling member operatively connected to the first frame member; providing a second coupling member operatively connected to the second frame member; and providing a connector having opposite first and second parts for connecting with the first and second coupling members respectively, the first part having a first fastener for bodily engagement with the first coupling member and the second part having a second fastener for bodily engagement with the second coupling member; such that the first and second frame members are coupled together, by the coupler, with the connector extending through said opening and connecting with the first and second coupling members, on opposite sides of said door or the like to hold said pane in said opening.
According to the invention the first fastener and the first coupling member include corresponding inter-engageable formations for bodily inter-engagement to prevent separation between the first fastener and the first coupling member, the first fastener being initially connected with the first coupling member through relative linear movement in a direction transverse to the connector.
Further according to the invention the second fastener and the second coupling member include inter-engageable formations for bodily engagement to prevent separation between the second fastener and the second coupling member, the second coupling member being subsequently connected with the second fastener through a linear movement of the second coupling member relative to the second fastener in a direction parallel to the connector.
Yet more preferably, the second coupling member is snap fitted with the second fastener.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Preferably, the frame 10 is generally rectangular in shape and the shape of the frame 10 corresponds to that of the opening on the door 20. In a different embodiment, the frame 10, hence the frame members 10A and 10B, may be of a square, circular, oval or any geometric shape. The frame members 10A and 10B may be moulded from plastic or stamped from sheet metal.
An embodiment of coupler 100 is shown in
According to the invention the first fastener 103A and the first coupling member 101 include corresponding engagement elements to effect bodily engagement between the first fastener 103A and the first coupling member 101. The corresponding engagement elements includes first and second pairs of inter-engageable formations for inter-engagement to prevent relative movement between the connector 103/first fastener 103A and the first coupling member 101 in a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first pair of inter-engageable formations includes two complementary profiled engagement surfaces co-operable to effect bodily engagement between the first fastener 103A and the first coupling member 101. Preferably the first fastener 103A and the first coupling member 101 additionally include complementary formations for bodily engagement against relative movement in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
In more detail, the first coupling member 101 has one end integrally formed with the frame member 10A while the second coupling member 102 has one end integrally formed with the frame part 10B. The first and second coupling members 101 and 102 on the respective frame parts 10A and 10B extend towards one another and are provided at corresponding positions on the frame parts 10A and 10B respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second coupling members 101 and 102 may be provided separate from the frame parts 10A and 10B and are connected to the frame parts 10A and 10B by conventional connectors.
The first coupling member 101 has a base 201 and protruberance 203 sandwiching a recess 202 together form part of the complementary profiled engagement surfaces of the first pair of formations. The first coupling member 101 also has a rib 204 extending from its free end forming part of the second pair of formations. There is a slot 108 opening away from the free end forming part of the complementary formations. The first coupling member 102 is associated with a pair of recesses 106 and two pairs of detents 205 and 206 extending on either end of the recesses 106 to define a gap 106. The gap 106 and the recesses 106 are a void.
The second fastener 103B and the second coupling member 102 include inter-engageable members for bodily engagement in a first direction to prevent separation of the second fastener and the second coupling member in a direction parallel to the first direction. The second coupling member 102 has a base 301 and a protruberance 303 sandwiching a recess 302. The second coupling member 102 also has a rib 304 extending from its free end. There is a slot 108 opening away from the free end. In the preferred embodiment, the protruberance 303 of the second coupling member 102 forms part of the inter-engageable members of the second fastener 103B and the second coupling member 102. The second coupling member 102 is associated with a pair of recesses 107 and two pairs of detents 305 and 306 extending on either end of the recesses 107 to define a gap 107. The gap 107 and the recesses 107 are a void.
In the preferred embodiment, the first coupling member 101 is of a configuration substantially the same as that of the second coupling members 102.
The connector 103 is generally rectangular in shape with two opposite first and second parts or ends for connecting with the first and second coupling members 101 and 102 respectively. The first fastener 103A is provided adjacent the first part or end and the second fastener 103B is provide adjacent the second part or end.
Main body of the connector 103 is hollow. The main body comprises two abutment members 406 and 407 and a base 408. A partitioning wall 405 extends between the abutment members 406 and 407, which help to maintain the shape of the main body.
In the preferred embodiment, the first and second fasteners 103A and 103B are structurally different making them distinguishable from one another. The first fastener 103A includes a plate 401 extending from one of the coupling end and a protuberance 402 extending perpendicular to the plate 401 at or adjacent its free end. A space in the form of a recess 403 is defined between the protuberance 402 and end 409 of the base 408. These features together define another part of the complementary profiled engagement surfaces of the first pair of formations for preventing relative movement between the connector 103 and the first coupling member 101 in the first direction. Also there is a groove 404 opening into and extending along length of the end 409. The groove 404 form another part of the second pair of formations for preventing relative movement between the connector 103 and the first coupling member 101 in the second direction. Furthermore, there is a knob 410 extending from and at about midlength of the end 409, adjacent the groove 404. This knob 410 defines another part of the complementary formations.
In summary, the base 201, the protuberance 203 and the recess 202 of the first coupling member 101 and the protuberance 402, the recess 403 and the end 409 of the first fastener 103A together define the first pair of formations. The groove 404 and the rib 204 for insertion into the groove define the second pair of formations. The groove 404 and the recesses 202 and 403 face in respective directions substantially perpendicular to one another for bodily engagement with the rib 204 and the relevant protuberance 203 and 402 respectively to prevent relative movement between the first coupling member and the connector in mutually perpendicular first and second directions. The slot 108 and the knob 410 for insertion into the slot 108 define the complementary formations.
These features together prevent relative movement between the connector 103 and the first coupling member 101 in the direction along three axis X, Y and Z.
The second fastener 103B includes the two abutments 406 and 407 for abutment relative to the second coupling member 102 upon inter-engagement of the inter-engageable members, thereby fixing the relative position between the connector 103 and the second coupling member 102. In the preferred embodiment, the abutments 406 and 407 extend co-parallel but are of different lengths. The abutments 406 and 407 each have a retainer 406A and 407A extending therefrom. These retainers 406A and 407A extend generally and preferably substantially perpendicular to length of the abutments 406 and 407. The retainers 406A and 407A are rested on one side of the pane 11 and one side of the edge of the door 20 respectively. The different lengths of the abutments 406 and 407 allow accommodation of the pane 11 and the edge of the door 20 which are of different thickness. The retainers 406A and 407A include a detent 411 and 412 respectively for assisting detention of the pane 11 or the edge of the door 20.
The protuberance 407B and the protuberance 303 together form the inter-engageable members between the second fastener 103B and the second coupling member 102, for bodily engagement to prevent separation of the second fastener 103B and the second coupling member 102. The protuberance 407B has a slanted upper wall that permits the protuberance 303 to slide pass the protuberance 407B. Lower wall of the protuberance 407B and upper wall of the protuberance 303 abuts one another to prevent separation of the second fastener 103B and the second coupling member 102 in the direction along axis Y. The partition wall 405 maintain position of the protuberance 303 adjacent the protuberance 407B.
As shown in
When assembling/coupling the first coupling member 101 and the connector 103, the first fastener 103A is initially connected with the first coupling member 101 through relative linear movement in a direction transverse to the connector 103. The protuberances 203, 204 are inserted into the recess 403 and groove 404, the protuberance 402 is inserted into the recess 202 by moving the connector 103 linearly and relative to the first coupling member 101 in a direction parallel to an imaginary plane A of the frame 10. The moving of the connector 103 relative to the first coupling member 101 will bring the knob 410 towards the slot 108. The tongue 410 aligns with and retained in the detent 100 once the protuberances 203, 204 are fully inserted into the recess 403 and groove 404.
The protuberance 402 of the connector 103 is inserted into the recess 202 and the recess 403 accommodates the protuberance 203. The rib 204 of the first coupling member 101 is inserted into the groove 404. The knob 410 is retained in the slot 108.
The protuberance 402, recess 403, recess 202 and protuberance 203 together prevent relative movement of between the first coupling member 101 and the connector 103 in the direction along axis Y. The groove 404 and the rib 204 prevent relative movement between the first coupling member 101 and the connector 103 in the direction along axis Z. The knob 410 and the slot 108 prevent relative movement between the first coupling member 101 and the connector in the direction along axis X.
When assembling/coupling the second coupling member 102 to the connector 103, the second coupling member 102 being subsequently connected with the second fastener 103B through a linear movement of the second coupling member 102 relative to the second fastener 103B in a direction parallel to the connector 103. The second coupling member 102 is moved towards the second fastener 103B linearly in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane A of the frame 10. The protuberance 303, base 301 and the recess 302 are inserted into the space between the abutment members 406 and 407. The protuberance 303 slide pass the upper slanted wall of the protuberance 407B and beyond. The protuberance 407B is accommodated in the recess 302. The protuberance 407B and the protuberance 303 abut one another to prevent separation of the second coupling member 102 and the connector 103 in the direction along axis Y and thereby lock them together. The protuberance 407B is provided on the abutment 407 which is flexible and resilient. It therefore can be forced to deform slightly permitting the protuberance 303 to slide pass the protuberance 407B and return to its default state/shape thereafter.
The abutments 406 and 407 prevent the relative movement of the second coupling member 102 and the connector 103 in the direction along the axis Z. The partitioning wall 405 acts as a guard to prevent further insertion of the second coupling member 102 into the space between the abutment members 406 and 407. Also the retainers 406A and 407A are inserted into the respective recess 107 which helps lock the connector 103 to the second coupling member 102 and prevent their relative movement in a second direction along the axis Z.
The pair of detents 305 and 306 defines a pair of gaps 107. When the retainers 406A and 407A are inserted in the recess 107, hence the gap 107, the detents 305 and 306 abut sides of the abutments 406 and 407 and/or retainers 406A and 407A thereby prevent relative movement of the connector 103 and the second coupling member 102 in a third direction along the axis X. The abutment 406, the retainer 406A and/or the detent 411 press onto the pane 11 while the abutment 407 and/or its relevant retainer 407A and detent 412 presses onto the edge of the opening on the door 20 to assist in securing the pane 11 to the door 20.
In the preferred embodiment, the second coupling member 102 is snap fitted with the second fastener 103B.
In a preferred embodiment, the recess 107 is the gap 107.
There is at least one coupler 100 on each side of the frame 10 for coupling the frame parts 10A and 10B. Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, there are two couplers 100 on two opposite sides of the frame 10 and one coupler 100 on another pair of opposite sides of the frame 10.
The term complementary used herein is intended to refer to being generally complementary but not exactly one being an exact inversion of the other. Thus, in the described embodiment, the shapes or cross-sections of the two formations 410 and 108 do not necessarily fill out or complete each other, so long as one formation is receivable in or capable of embracing the other to establish bodily inter-engagement.
The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.