CORNER CONNECTING PIECE

Abstract: Corner connecting piece (1) for connecting together panels, frameworks or the like, which is designed for fitting at a corner of a panel or framework. Each connecting piece (1) is provided with lobes (4, 5) lying on both sides of the corner after fitting, which can be coupled, by means of connecting parts (7) which are brought into engagement therewith, to corresponding lobes (4, 5) of another connecting piece (1), in order to connect the relevant panels next to it at different angles to each other. Each connecting piece (1) has two essentially flat legs (2, 3), which legs (2, 3) are interconnected to each other at one end at an angle, each leg (2, 3) being provided with two sets of lobes (4, 5) lying on either side of the longitudinal centre face of the corner piece (1). The space between the lobes (4, 5) of a set is at least approximately equal to the length of the lobe (4, 5), the lobes (4, 5) of one set lie opposite the space between the lobes (4, 5) of the other set. At least one set of lobes (4, 5) of a leg (2, 3) of a corner piece can always be coupled to the lobes (4, 5) of a leg (2, 3) of an adjacent corner piece (1).

Description: Corner connecting piece The invention relates to a corner connecting piece for connecting together panels, frameworks or the like, which is designed for fitting at a corner of a panel or framework, and is provided with lobes lying on both sides of the corner after fitting, which can be coupled, by means of connecting parts which are brought into engagement therewith, to cor¬ responding lobes of another connecting piece, in order to connect the relevant panels or frameworks next to and/or above one another at different angles to each other. Corner connecting pieces of this type are known, having a limited coupling and sometimes also a hinge connection between two panels or the like lying next to or above each other. The object of the invention is, however, to produce a connecting piece which is such that it permits the con¬ nection of a greater number of panels or the like in a cross or star shape. For this purpose, the corner connecting piece according to the invention is characterized in that each connecting piece has two essentially flat legs which are at an angel at one end interconnected to each other, each leg being provided with two sets of lobes lying on either side of the longitu¬ dinal centre face of the corner piece, in that the space between the lobes of a set is at least approximately equal to the length of a lobe, the lobes of one set lie opposite the space between the lobes of the other set, and in that the two lobes of different legs lying at ±he same side of the longitudinal centre face closest to the corner rib between the two legs are a distance from said rib which differs with the-lobe length, all this in such a way that at least one set of lobes of a leg of a corner piece can always be coupled to the lobes of a leg of an adjacent corner piece. The preference the connecting piece is -shaped, but could be also an angel which differs from 90 degrees. By means of these connecting pieces, more than two corner pieces can also be connected to each other, next to and/or above one another at any desired angles. In order to simplify the production of such corner pieces, they can be made up of identical components which connect to each other along a longitudinal centre face and/or along the corner rib of the complete corner connecting piece, it being possible to fit suitable adapting means to ensure that the components can be joined only in the correct position. The legs of a single or combined corner piece can also be or have been connected to each other by means of a hinge, in particular a detachable one. The connecting means can be formed by coupling pins inserted into apertures of the lobes, snap connection parts or the like, while the surfaces bounding the lobes and spaces between them can be designed in such a way that the coupling between adjacent corner connecting pieces is limited to particular corners. The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to a drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of two corner connecting pieces according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 2A - D show different ways of coupling the corner connecting pieces of Figure l; Figure 3A shows a view in perspective of a modified embodiment of the corner connecting piece according to Figure 1, and Figure 3B shows a top view of two corner connecting pieces of this type coupled together; Figure 4 shows a view in perspective corresponding to Figure 1 of corner connecting pieces made up of two com¬ ponents; Figure 5 shows a view in perspective of two components connected to each other for making up a corner connecting piece according to Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a modified embodiment of the corner connecting piece of Figure 1; and Figure 7 shows an element provided with connecting lobes. Figure l shows next to each other two corner connecting pieces la and lb still to be connected to each other. They are entirely identical to each other, but are rotated through 90° relative to each other in the plane of drawing. Each corner connecting piece 1 has two legs 2a and 3a and 2b and 3b respectively, after the rotation the legs 3a and 2b coming to rest opposite each other, and the legs ' 2a and 3b ' coming to lie in line with each other. Said legs are also provided with means (not shown) with which they can be fixed on a corner of a panel, framework or the like. Each of the legs 2 and 3 is provided near one side edge with two lobes 4 lying after one another, and near the other side edge with a lobe 5, the distance between the lobes 4 being approximately equal to the thickness of a lobe, and the lobe 5 lying exactly opposite the space between the lobes 4. As shown, the position of the lobes 4 on the leg 2 is opposite to those on leg 3. As can be seen clearly from Figure 1, on placing of a leg 3a next to a leg 2b, as a result of this positioning of the lobes 4 and 5, the lobe 5a of the leg 3a can always be placed between the lobes 4b of the leg 2b and the lobe 5b of the leg 2b between the lobes 4a of the leg 3a. These lobes are provided with throughgoing holes 6, so that after the lobes 4 and 5 are pushed into each other, a coupling pin 7 can be inserted into the holes 6, lying in line with each other, of the lobes 4 and 5 in question. Figure 2 shows a number of coupling possibilities in top view. Figure 2A shows how corner pieces la and lb are fixed in line with each other by means of two pins 7. In this way a rigid connection can be achieved between two panels or the like lying flush with each other. Figure 2B shows two corner pieces la and lb which are coupled to each other at right angles. It is also possible to position them at an angle other than a right angle. Figure 2C shows again two corner pieces la and lb lying at right angles to each other, while a third corner piece lc is now connected to the lobes of the legs 2a and 3b of Figure 1, so that not only the right angle is fixed in this way, but also a third panel can be fixed at right angles to the plane of the panels connected to the corner pieces la and lb. Figure 2D now shows four corner pieces la, b, c and d, which can be coupled to each other by means of four pins to form a rigid cross connection, the four corresponding " panels or the like being connected at right angles to each other. In the manner shown in Figure 2C, additional corner pieces can also be coupled to these four corner pieces la - d, in - order to permit fitting of four additional panels in a plane at right angles to the planes of the first-mentioned panels. Four corner pieces, lying in line with the corresponding corner pieces la - d, can again be connected to these corner pieces. In this way, twelve panels can be connected to each other to form a three-dimensional cross connection. It will also be clear that, instead of the cross connection at right angles shown in Figure 2D, a star connection of more than four corner pieces can also be produced. While in Figure 1 three lobes 4 and 5 are shown on each leg 2 or 3, four or more lobes can also be used, provided that the lobes are staggered along one edge relative to those of the other edge, in order to permit a coupling by means of a pin 7. Figure 3A shows a slightly modified embodiment of a corner piece 1 according to Figure 1, in which the lobes 4 and 5 . are disposed flush-mounted, and a recess 8 is provided, in the edge in question, said recess making it possible for a pin 7 to be inserted from one side into appropriate holes 6 of said lobes 4 and 5. Between the lobes there is a flat part 9 which in the case of the connection method according to Figure 2A comes to rest against the corresponding face 9 of the adjacent corner piece, so that a smooth, continuous connection is obtained. In the case of a coupling of the type shown in Figures 2B, C or D, the ribs 10 adjoining this face 9 then come to rest against each other, as can be seen from Figure 3B. This design can be advantageous if the corresponding panels have to connect to each other without a space between them. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which each corner piece is made up of two identical parts 2' and 3' which, as shown, are provided at one end with a recess 11 which extends over half the width, and in which a bore 12 is provided, in such a way that the two legs 2• and 3' can be connected to each other by means of a coupling pin 13 to be inserted in the bores 12 of two corner pieces 2' and 3'. If the end faces 14 are rounded, angular positions other than the perpendicular position are possible. Figure 5 shows yet another embodiment, in which two comr ponents 2" and 3" with a lobe 5 and two lobes 4 respectively can be connected to each other, by means of a hinge connec¬ tion 11' and a coupling pin 13, to form a half corner piece, in which case a component 3" then has to be placed next to each component 2" in order to obtain a complete corner piece, for which- purpose a single coupling pin 13 can be used. These components can be provided at one side face with suitable adapters, in order to ensure that coupling is possible in only one position. Figure 6 shows a top view of a special embodiment of a corner piece according to the invention, which in cross- section is the form a right-angled triangle, and is essen- tially hollow. A crossbar 15 can be fixed in the hollow 14. with a pin 16. In this way an open framework with cross connection can be formed. The lobes 4 and 5 of the corner pieces described above have a rounded external surface. It will, however, be clear that lobes with a rectangular or polygonal cross-section can also be used, if certain angular positions have to be fixed through contact with the external surface of the adjoining leg of ah adjacent corner piece. Instead of the coupling - pins 7, it is also possible to use shorter pins which are fitted slidably in the holes 6 of at least some of the lobes 4 and 5, and which can be pressed through by means of a tool to produce a coupling in which, for example, the pin of one lobe presses through the pin of an adjacent lobe. These pins can also be made spring-loaded, and can be provided with a rounded head to form a snap connection. Instead of the holes 6 and the pins 7, it is also possible to produce a connec¬ tion by means of knobs or adapted seats which are disposed on the lobes, and which can snap into each other through an elastic deformation. It is assumed above that the corner pieces l are connected to a corner of a panel or framework. It is also possible to mould these corner pieces onto the panels or frameworks. Figure 7 shows an element 17 with lobes 4 and 5 which are moulded, staggered relative to each other, onto the four sides, and which permit the corner connections described above between a number of elements 17. Of course, not all sides of said element need be provided with such lobes. Such an element can, for example, form part of a building kit or similar toy. Many other variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims: Claims 1. Corner connecting piece for connecting together panels, frameworks or the like, which is designed for fitting at a corner of a panel or framework, and is provided with lobes lying on both sides of the corner after fitting, which can be coupled, by means of connecting parts which are brought into engagement therewith, to corresponding lobes of another connecting piece, in order to connect the relevant panels or frameworks next to and/or above one another at different angles to each other, characterized in that each connecting piece (1) has two essentially flat legs (2, 3), which legs are interconnected to each other at an angel, each leg being provided with two sets of lobes lying on either side of the longitudinal centre face of the corner piece, in that the space between the lobes of a set at least approximately equal to the length of the lobe, the lobes of one set lie opposite the space between the lobes of the other set, and in that the two lobes of different legs lying at the same side of the longitudinal centre face closest to the corner rib between the two legs are a distance from said rib which differs with the lobe length, all this in such a way that at least one set of lobes of a leg of a corner piece can always be coupled to the lobes of a leg of an adjacent corner piece. 2. Corner connecting piece according to Claim 1, charac¬ terized in that it is made up of two identical components which connect to each other along the longitudinal centre face of the corner connecting piece, and which can be fixed next to each other on a corner of a panel or framework, and on each leg are provided with a set of lobes, while one component of a pair must be rotated in such a way that the lobes of the two components come to rest opposite the spaces between the lobes of the other component. 3. Corner connecting piece according to Claim 1, charac¬ terized in that it is made up of two identical components which connect to each other along the corner rib of the corner connecting piece, which can be fixed against each other at different sides of the corner of the panel or framework, and which are each provided with two sets of lobes, one component of a pair having to be rotated in such a way that the lobes of the two legs come to lie in the correct position relative to each other. 4. Corner connecting piece according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it is made up of four components which are at least identical in pairs, and which can be fixed to a corner of a panel or framework along the longitudinal centre face or the corner rib. 5. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the components are provided with _. adapter means which engage with each other, and which prevent positioning next to and/or against each other in an . incorrect position. 6. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims l - 5, characterized in that the legs thereof are connected to each other by means of a hinge, in particular. a detachable one. 7. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 1 - 3 and 5, characterized in that the legs are each formed by a side face of an element having in particular a triangular cross-section, of which a surface not corresponding to a leg is provided with a mounting for taking a panel or framework. 8. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the lobes are disposed in such a flush-mounted manner in an edge of the leg in question that when two legs of different corner connecting pieces are coupled to each other, corresponding parts of the two legs lying outside said lobes at least approximately touch each other. 9. Corner connecting piece according to Claim 8, in which the coupling components are pins which have to be inserted through the lobes, characterized in that the edges of the legs are provided with recesses which run in line with the lobe holes and permit insertion of a coupling pin from at least one side. 10. Corner connecting piece according to Claim 1, charac¬ terized in that it forms part of a panel or framework and is provided with the sets of lobes at at least two sides. 11. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the lobes have a polygonal exter¬ nal surface, and the spaces between the lobes have a flat face corresponding in such a way thereto that the lobes fit into the spaces only in certain angular positions. 12. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 1 - 11, characterized in that provision is made in at least some of the lobes of a set for a coupling pin sliding therein, and particularly provided with a snap lock, which can be slid by means of a suitable tool in order to be inserted into at least an adjacent lobe or removed therefrom. 13. Corner connecting piece according to one of Claims 1 - 12, characterized in that at least some of the lobes are provided with spring-loaded or elastically deformable coupling means which can snap into an adjacent lobe. 14. Corner connecting piece according to one of the claims 1 - 13, characterized in that the connecting piece is L- shaped.

Inventors: GLOUDEMANS ADRIANUS CORNELIS M, GLOUDEMANS, ADRIANUS, CORNELIS, MARIA
Applicants: GLOUDEMANS ADRIANUS CORNELIS M, GLOUDEMANS, ADRIANUS, CORNELIS, MARIA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1