JOINTING SYSTEM

Abstract: A jointing system for joining together furniture panels. Each of the panels (1) has along an end portion an elongate recess (4) of non uniform cross-section. The recess (4) is offset from the longitudinal axis of the panel (1) at an angle in the range 30 to 60 degrees. First and second connection members (6) are provided mounted one on each panel (1) by way of a first portion (5) of the connecting member (6) being retained in the corresponding recess (4) by the non uniformi­ ty of the recess (4). The first and second connecting members (6) are pivotally engaged one with another by way of a protrusion (12) or one engaging a recess (4) in the other to form a hinge arrangement between the panels (1).

Description: Jointing System This invention relates to a jointing system for use in connecting panels and other furniture members. The use of free standing panels as room or office dividers is well known. Various types of jointing systems have previously been proposed for connecting adjacent panels to one another. Previously proposed systems have had a number of disadvantages. The panel joining members are often large and unsightly and often leave gaps between adjacent panels. As the panels are slightly spaced apart in this way it is often difficult to calculate the length of panels required to extend completely between two walls. According to the present invention there is provided a jointing system having first and second panels each of which has along an end portion an elongate recess of non-uniform cross-section, the recess being offset from the longitudinal axis of the panel, and first and second connecting members mounted one on each panel by way of a first portion of the connecting member being retained in the corresponding recess by the non-uniformity of the recess, a second portion of.the first connecting member being pivotally engageable with a corresponding portion of the second connecting member. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of each recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel. Most preferably, the longitudinal axis of the recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel in the range 30 to 60 degrees. Preferably also, two recesses are provided in said end portion of each panel. Most preferably, the two recesses in said end portion of the panel are arranged one on either side of the longitudinal axis of the panel, the longitudinal axis of each recess being arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the panel. Preferably also, the first portion of each of the connecting members is T-shaped in cross section and the second portion of each of the connecting members is circular in crosssection. Preferably also, the first and second connecting members pivotally engage by means of a complementary recess in the first connecting member and protrusion on the second connecting member. Most preferably, the protrusion on the second connecting member is formed by an intermediate member having a protrusion at each end being engaged with a recess in said second connecting member. Alternatively, the recess in the first connecting member is formed by an intermediate member having a recess in each end and engaging with a protrusion on said first connecting member. Preferably also, the connecting members engage one with another such that a hinge is formed between the panels allowing the panels to be pivoted relative to one another between a first position in which the panels are in end to end abutment and a second position wherein a desired angle is formed between them. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a jointing system of this invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view, with the connecting members omitted for clarity, of a series of panels of different heights to be interconnected by the system of this invention; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views of examples of the jointing system of the invention applied to two, three and four panel junctions respectively; and Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of connecting members of a jointing system of this invention. Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a pair of office partitioning panels 1 to be interconnected. Each panel 1 has at its end a plastics extrusion 2 having a channel 3 of rectangular cross-section in each side face, and two recesses 4 angled at 45 degrees to the central plane of the panel, so that the recesses 4 are at 90 degrees to each other. The channels 3 and recesses 4 extend along the length of the extrusion 2. The recesses 4 are T shaped in cross-section A pair of elongate cylindrical connectors 6 each have a Tshaped extension 5 which fits snugly within the recesses 4 of adjacent panels, being slidable into position and retained against lateral withdrawal by each T-shaped extension 5 of the connectors 6 engaging with the corresponding recess. The cylindrical portion of each connector 6 has a female connection 7 at one end and a complementary male connection 8 at the other end. The male connection 8 on the connector 6 on the first panel engages with the female connection 7 on the connector 6 on the second panel. Thus the connectors 6 form a hinge which holds the panels 1 together and being rotatable relative to one another allow the angle between the panels to be altered. A series of connectors 6 can be used to join adjacent panels 1 with the connectors 6 arranged along the length of the panels 1 and alternately engaging one panel 1 or the other as shown in Fig. 1. The connectors 6 form a hinge which has its axis midway between the panels 1 thus ensuring that the spacing between a series of panels joined in this way is constant. As shown in Fig. 2, panels of different height can be easily and effectively joined together using the present system as the connectors 6 can be simply slid into position at any height in the corresponding recesses 4. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show further uses of the system in joining two, three and four panels together respectively, thus demonstrating the flexibility of the system. The channels 3 can be used for sliding and locking accessories on the partitioning or may be slotted for hanging accessories from the channel walls. The connectors 6 and extrusions 2 can be modular to allow connection between different panels 1 as required. The channels 3 can also be used to lock in capping strips at the corners between panels, and a top cap can also be added to give the joint rigidity and to hold the connectors 6 in their recesses. In a further embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 the connectors 6 are hollow thus forming a recess 10 at each end. A separate intermediate member 11, having a protrusion 12 at each end, is provided to link two connectors 6. Alternatively, the connector 6 may be solid but provided with a recess at each end. Alternatively, the connectors 6 may have a protrusion at each end and an intermediate member having a recess at each end may be provided. In addition to the joining of panels by way of this system other items of furniture may be similarly connected. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A jointing system having first and second panels each of which has along an end portion an elongate recess of nonuniform cross-section, the recess being offset from the longitudinal axis of the panel, and first and second connecting members mounted one on each panel by way of a first portion of the connecting member being retained in the corresponding recess by the non-uniformity of the recess, a second portion of the first connecting member being pivotally engageable with a corresponding portion of the second connecting member. 2. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of each recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel. 3. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of each recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel in the range 30 to 60 degrees. 4. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein two recesses are provided in said end portion of each panel. 5. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the two recesses in said end portion of the panel are arranged one on either side of the longitudinal axis of the panel, the longitudinal axis of each recess being arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the panel. 6. A jointing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first portion of each of the connecting members is T-shaped in cross section and the second portion of each of the connecting members is circular in cross The channels 3 can be used for sliding and locking accessories on the partitioning or may be slotted for hanging accessories from the channel walls. The connectors 6 and extrusions 2 can be modular to allow connection between different panels 1 as required. The channels 3 can also be used to lock in capping strips at the corners between panels, and a top cap can also be added to give the joint rigidity and to hold the connectors 6 in their recesses. In a further embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 the connectors 6 are hollow thus forming a recess 10 at each end. A separate intermediate member 11, having a protrusion 12 at each end, is provided to link two connectors 6. Alternatively, the connector 6 may be solid but provided with a recess at each end. Alternatively, the connectors 6 may have a protrusion at each end and an intermediate member having a recess at each end may be provided. In addition to the joining of panels by way of this system other items of furniture may be similarly connected. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS 1. A jointing system having first and second panels each of which has along an end portion an elongate recess of nonuniform cross-section, the recess being offset from the longitudinal axis of the panel, and first and second connecting members mounted one on each panel by way of a first portion of the connecting member being retained in the orresponding recess by the non-uniformity of the recess, a second portion of the first connecting member being pivotally engageable with a corresponding portion of the second connecting member. 2. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of each recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel. 3. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of each recess is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the respective panel in the range 30 to 60 degrees. 4. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein two recesses are provided in said end portion of each panel. 5. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the two recesses in said end portion of the panel are arranged one on either side of the longitudinal axis of the panel, the longitudinal axis of each recess being arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the panel. 6. A jointing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first portion of each of the connecting members is T-shaped in cross section and the second portion of each of the connecting members is circular in cross section. 7. A jointing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first and second connecting members pivotally engage by means of a complementary recess in the first connecting member and protrusion on the second connecting member. 8. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the protrusion on the second connecting member is formed by an intermediate member having a protrusion at each end being engaged with a recess in said second connecting member. 9. A jointing system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the recess in the first connecting member is formed by an intermediate member having a recess in each end and engaging with a protrusion on said first connecting member. 10. A jointing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the connecting members engage one with another such that a hinge is formed between the panels allowing the panels to be pivoted relative to one another between a first position in which the panels are in end to end abutment and a second position wherein a desired angle is formed between them.

Inventors: BAILLIE, LESLIE RUSSELL LEE, STEEL, ROBERT JOHN
Applicants: PROJECT OFFICE FURNITURE LTD
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F16B5
IPC codes: F16B5, F16B12, E05D5, E05D3