Pivot connector

A connector for pivotably connecting two structural members together includes a generally planar member having a plurality of semi-circular tabs extending from the planar member. The tabs are semi-circular to pivotably receive a vertically extending rod member of one of the structural elements. The connector may include a semi-cylindrical wall portion that is adapted to receive and capture a horizontally extending rod member of one of the structural members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pivot connector for pivotably connecting two structural elements together. The elements may be similar in construction or dissimilar.

Description of Related Art

Currently pivot connectors can be complicated and consist of several parts which need to be assembled. Also when assembly of structural elements in the field is required it is frequently difficult to handle the structural elements and the pivot connector together because of the several parts of the pivot connected.

There is a need for a simple, reliable connector that is easy to attach to multiple structural members.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment of the invention that includes a first generally planar member having a pair of semi-cylindrical tabs that are adapted to be secured to one of the structural elements without a mechanical fastener. This allows the structural element to pivot with respect to a second structural element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of the invention which includes a first piece having two generally planar members11and13that are formed together by a semi-circular wall portion12thereby forming a groove19. Member11included two apertures15and16. Planar member13includes a pair of tabs14,17that are formed as semi-cylindrical tabs. Tabs14and17are spaced by a gap18shown inFIG. 2. Tabs14and17are open in opposite directions. However they may open in the same direction.

The pivot connector9includes a second piece20having two generally planar portions28and26that are connected together by a semi-circular wall portion27which forms a second groove25. Planar portion28has an aperture29and planar portion26has an aperture30which are adapted to align with apertures15and16respectfully when assembled.

FIG. 3illustrates a manner in which two similar structured elements60and70can be connected together.

Structural elements60and70for example are fence panels that each included a plurality of vertically extending wire or rods such as50,45that are connected to a plurality of horizontally extending wires or rods41-44, or46-49, thus forming an open rod structural member.

To pivotably connect the two panels together as shown inFIG. 3, panel70is rotated 90° such that rod41is aligned with gap18in upper connector61and then inserted to the gap or vice versa. Panel70can then be rotated such that vertical rod45is positioned within tabs14and17. Lower connector62is positioned about rod45in a similar manner.

Next rod50of the second panel is positioned within grove19of upper and lower connectors61and62. The second piece20is then positioned to overly portion11with groove27securing rod46of the panel member as shown inFIG. 3. Bolts32and nuts33secure the two pieces of the connector together such that rods46and48are captured within groove27. Dimension “d” inFIG. 2is selected such that right portion of connector piece20overlies groove19such that rod50is captured in groove19. The same procedure is used to connected lower connector62. Panels60and70are now pivotably connected to each other.

FIG. 4illustrated a second embodiment of the invention wherein the panel60is connected to a solid member63such as a post. In this embodiment second piece20of the connector is not required. The groove12is constructed so as to extend outwardly of member63. Bolts32extend through member63and cooperate with nuts33to secure the connector to member63. Connectors61,62are first maneuvered so that rod45is positioned between the tabs14and17.

The depth of gap18shown inFIG. 2is such that the connected panels can rotate about 330° with respect to each other. However the depth can be made less so an end portion69of the rods41-44will abut a solid portion of connector portion13so as to limit rotation of the panels with respect to each other as shown inFIG. 5. Also portions11and13can be angled with respect to each other to change the limit position of the panels.

A further embodiment of the pivot connector is shown inFIG. 6wherein second piece20of the connector includes upper and lower groove members6and7which can overlap either top rod members of the panels or bottom rod members2of the panels as shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment planar portion11of the connector includes a tab extending from its top and bottom portion to overlie horizontal rods1or2when connected.

A further embodiment of the connector is shown inFIG. 7. In this embodiment planar portions11and13are not positioned in the same plane but rather are angled with respect to each other.

The connector ofFIG. 7can be used to connect plural panels together in a line or in a geometric relationship as shown for example inFIG. 8. The panels can be folded on top of each other in a flat orientation. In order to form an enclosure, two panels can be secured to each other by a link90as shown inFIG. 9. Links90includes a single full circle tab91that fits into slot18as shown inFIG. 9such that a locking pin can be placed through taps14,17, and91to secure panel sections92,93to each other. A groove19captures rod45while a groove25captures a horizontal rod.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 10. This is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 4but lacks the central curved wall portion12. The connector includes a planar member100having tab portion101and102extending from a first side. The tabs are spaced by a gap104. Tabs101and102have semi-circular configuration and are open in opposite directions. Planar member100also includes one or more apertures103for a fastener device to secure the connector to another structural member such as a post.