CONNECTOR DEVICE

Abstract: A connector device (10) for forming an angled interconnection of two tubes has a first member (11) provided with a part spherical recess (30) and a second member (12) having a hollow head portion (40) the outer surface (41) of which is part spherical to conform to and seat against the recess (30) in the first member. The confronting surfaces (30, 41) are held together by a retainer (48) which extends through the hollow head portion (40) of the second member and locates with the first member. The retainer (48) extends through a slot (46) in the hollow head and that slot extends radially outwards from the center (47) of the part spherical outer surface so that by adjusting the position at which the retainer (48) extends through the slot (46) the angular interconnection of the two members (11, 12) may be varied selectively.

Description: CONNECTOR DEVICE This invention relates to a connector device of an adjustable type and which is suitable for interconnection of two components to lie in any of a range of positions relative to one another. It relates in particular, though not exclusively, to a connector device suitable for the interconnection of two tubes with their respective axes positioned relative to one another at any one of a range of relative positions. Connector devices for securing a tubular member to another tubular member or for example to support structure are used commonly in the construction of handrails and balustrades. The connector devices usually are required to provide a smooth surface in combination with the end of a tube to which they are connected and to interconnect with that tube in a tamper resistant manner. A difficulty arises in that a considerable number of such connectors are needed, and are required to be held in stock, in order to interconnect different size tubes and allow interconnection of the tubes at any of a range of relative positions. Articulated type connection devices have been proposed but these generally suffer the disadvantage of being incompatible with providing a smooth and tamper resistant interconnection. The present invention seeks to provide an improved connector device which lends itself readily to provision of an interconnection between two components whereby said components can lie in a position relative to one another selected from any of a range of relative positions. In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides a connector device comprising: a first member having retainer means associated therewith, a second member adjustably associated with the first member, a retention member arranged to extend through the second member to co-operate with the retainer means whereby in accordance with the position of the retention member relative to the retainer means the first and second members may be either substantially free to move one relative to the other or be restrained against said relative movement, the first member having formed in an external surface thereof a recess of part spherical shape and positioned at least in part to surround the retainer means or access thereto, the second member comprising a substantially elongate body having a hollow head portion and a substantially tubular tail portion, said portions being substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the body, the head portion of the second member comprising a part spherical outer surface which conforms substantially with the shape of the recess in the first member, said head portion being shaped to provide a slot, to captively engage a head portion of the retention member and allow a main body of the retention member to extend through the slot into association with the retainer means of the first member, and said slot extending in a substantially radial direction from a central position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body of the second member whereby the retainer member and head portion are able to move one relative to another to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second members during relative sliding movement of the confronting part spherical surfaces until the retainer means and retention member are positioned relative to one another such that said relative movement of the first and second members is restrained. The first member may be a solid rod, a tube (typically of a thick walled type to allow for provision of the recess) or other member. Particularly if the first member defines part of the length of a handrail it may have a cylindrical external profile though other external profiles such as hexagonal sectional profiles may be utilised. The first member may be a connection member for interconnecting with the end of one or more tubes, and at least in part may be in the form of substantially solid, e g cast component. Alternatively the first member may, for example, be comprised by part of the continuous length of a handrail or by an insert located in a part of the continuous length of the handrail. The insert may be slidable in a groove which extends longitudinally in a handrail. A washer of resilient material such as a resilient plastics or elastomeric material may be provided in a base region of the recess, e g to surround access to the retainer means, and thereby serve to provide resistance to relative movement of the first and second member unless the retention member and retainer means are in a fully released condition. The retainer means may be a screw-threaded formation associated with the first member and engageable by a screw-threaded formation of a retention member. However, other retention formations may be employed, e g bayonet, ribbed or friction fit type formations. Preferably the slot extends through at least 30° and more preferably extends through an angle of greater than or equal to 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second member such that said second member may be secured relative to the first member at any of a range of relative positions lying within an angle range of 45° to 90°. In accordance with the present invention it is preferred that the slot in the hollow head portion of the second member extends substantially only to one side of the longitudinal axis. It may extend slightly to the other side so as to accommodate the cross-sectional dimension of the retention member and allow the second member to be secured at right angles to the first member. However, a greater extension of the slot to said other side of the longitudinal axis generally will not be preferred insofar as the end of the slot could become undesirably exposed if the first and second members are secured together at one of the extremes of the range of possible relative positions. To assist in concealing the slot at all relative positions it is preferred that the part spherical recess, as considered in cross-section, sub-tend an angle of at least 80°, and more preferably an angle in the range 90° to 100° about its centre of curvature. The hollow head portion of the second member preferably has a part spherical internal surface dimensioned such that the wall thickness of the head portion, at least in the vicinity of the slot, is substantially uniform. The tail portion of the second member may be adapted for location in an end of a tube. The tail portion may be of a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the head portion whereby a tube fitted over the tail portion may abut a step between the head and tail portions and result in a smooth continuous surface between the tube and head portion. The tail portion may be provided with one or more apertures to facilitate retention of a tube end. Preferably the axial length of the tail portion is less than twice the axial length of the head portion, the axial length of the head portion typically being equal to the radius of curvature of the external part spherical surface of the head portion. More preferably the axial length of the tail portion is less than 1.5 of that radius of curvature and more particularly less than or equal to that radius of curvature. Ease of access to retention means located in the head portion is thereby facilitated irrespective of the relative orientation of the retention member relative to the longitudinal axis of the second member. Preferably the head portion is of a substantially semi-spherical shape. The first member may have a cylindrical outer surface, as described above or at least an outer surface region which is part cylindrical. Preferably that surface has a radius of curvature which is at least equal to and more preferably greater than the radius of curvature of the part spherical recess. The retention member, such as a bolt or friction pin may have a head portion adapted to conform to the internal surface of the hollow head portion of the second member, or may be spaced therefrom by an interposed washer having a first surface conforming to the shape of an undersurface of the head of the retention member and a second surface which conforms to the internal surface of the hollow head portion of the second member. The invention further provides an assembly comprising two components such as a tubular member and another structural member interconnected by a connector device of the present invention. The two components may each be of a kind having a longitudianl or major axis and the connector device may be orientated such that said axes intersect either for example perpendicular or at an acute angle relative to one another. Alternatively the connector device may be orientated such that said axes are maintained offset, i e such that they do not truly intersect. The two components interconnected by the connector device may be components of a handrail or balustrade. One of the interconnected components, e g a handrail, may comprise a part, e g a first member, of the connector device. The invention further provides a balustrade having a handrail secured to a corner post at a position where the handrail is curved as viewed vertically in plan, and a connector device in accordance with the present invention being provided to interconnect said corner post with a curved region of the handrail with the connector device orientated such that the longitudinal axis of the post is offset locally relative to the major axis of the handrail. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first member of a connector device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second " member of the same connector device as that of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an assembly comprising the connector device members of Figures 1 and 2 in situ to interconnect the ends of three tubes; Figures 4 and 5 are illustrations of a balustrade installation which incorporates a connector device of the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view of a handrail; Figure 7 is an end view of part of a connector device of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the device of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an assembly view of the components of Figures 6 and 7, and Figure 10 is another sectional view of the handrail of Figure 6. A connector device 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises first and second members 11,12 shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively and each formed from cast aluminium alloy. The first member 11 is of an elongate form having a body of substantially cylindrical shape. The body has a central section 13 the end portions 14 of which are hollow and spaced apart by a central web 15 whereby at . the central region the member is substantially solid in cross-section. Tail portions 16 extend from each end of the central section 13 and are stepped in diameter relative to the central portion such that a tube end fitted over a respective tail portion abuts a step 17 between the tail portion central portion to provide a flush continuous outer surface. An internal locking member 21 an example of which is described in more detail in the specification of our co-pending International Patent Application PCT/GB92/00980 may be used to secure tube ends to the first member, and for that purpose the tail portions 16 have longitudinal slits 18 to facilitate expansion against an internal surface of a tube end. Screws 19 are provided to engage ramps 20 on the internal locking • member 21 to draw the locking member towards the centre of the first member and cause the tail portion 16 to expand against a tube inner surface. The central section 13 is formed in its outer surface with a part spherical recess 30 which, as viewed in longitudinal cross-section as shown in Figure 1 sub-tends an angle of 100° at the centre of curvature 31 of the surface. The recess is positioned symmetrically about the longitudinal axis 32 of a screw- threaded hole 33 provided in the central web portion 15 of the first member. The central region of the recess is formed with a well portion 34 in which a friction washer 35 is located. The friction washer is dimensioned so as to extend slightly radially outwards of the part spherical surface. The second member 12 of the connector device is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a dome-like head portion 40 having part spherical inner 42 and outer surfaces 41. A tubular tail portion 43 depends from the head portion and has a cylindrical outer surface 44 of a diameter less than that of the head portion. An abutment step 45 is formed between the two portions and the diameters of said portions are selected such that a tube may be closely fitted over the tail portion with its outer surface lying substantially flush with the outer surface of the head portion. The dome-like head portion 40 is provided with a slot 46 which extends radially from the longitudinal axis 47 of the second member through an angle of approximately 45°. It extends also in an opposite direction for a short distance sufficient to allow a retention bolt 48 to lie in the slot in a position aligned with said longitudinal axis 47. The outer surface 4l of the domed head portion has a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the recess 30 in the first member. The slot 46 has a constant width in a direction perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane of Figure 2, that width being slightly greater than the diameter of the retention bolt 48. The tail portion 43 is provided with apertures 49 which facilitate connection of a tube end by means of a screw-threaded pin in known manner. The retention member in the form of said bolt 48 has a head portion 50 of a width greater than that of the slot 46 such that the slot holds the head portion captive within the hollow of the second member. A profiled washer 51 is positioned adjacent the underside of the bolt head and has a second surface of part spherical shape so as to bear uniformly against portions of the domed head region either side of the slot. The tail portion 43 has an axial length which equals the radius of curvature of the outer part spherical surface 41 of the head portion. In use of the aforedescribed connector device (see Figure 3) the domed head portion 40 of the second member is positioned in the recess 30 of the first member and the retention bolt 48 is then secured to the retainer thread 33 in the first member. The bolt is tightened fully when the first and second members are in the required relative orientation. By virtue of the relative short length of the tail portion 43 of the second member adequate access to the bolt head is readily achieved to enable full tightening and compression of the friction washer 35. Subsequently a tube end 52 is secured to the tail portion of the second member in known manner. Although the invention has been described specifically in respect of a first member which is of rectilinear form, it is to be understood that the first member may be of another shape and may for example be curved. Use of the connector device of the present invention in a balustrade 60 is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This shows a connector device 61 in which the first member, a curved handrail section 62, provided with a recess is non-rectilinear and has a curved major axis. The handrail section interconnects two rectilinear handrail sections 64 which lie at right angles to one another as viewed in plan (see Figure 5) . The connector device 61 is orientated such that the longitudinal axis of a vertical tube post 63 secured to the second member of the connector device lies offset relative to the major axis of the first member 62. The offset of the respective axes provides a useful facility position to the vertical post 63 aligned relative to the handrail sections 64 as viewed in plan. Thus a balustrade panel 64 at a turnround region can be positioned to lie aligned under that handrail portion in the same manner as a panel 65 provided under a major section 66 of the handrail. The first member need not form part of the length of the handrail. Figure 6 shows a hollow cross-section handrail 70 having a groove 71 in which a first member in the form of an insert 72 (see Figures 7 and 8) is slidably mounted. The insert 72 has a part spherical recess 30' and screw threaded hole 33' substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 9 shows the insert in position in the groove 71. Means, not shown, is provided for locking the insert against movement when slid to the desired position. Parts of the groove not occupied by the insert(s) are filled by spacer "covers 74 as shown in Figure 10.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A connector device comprising; a first member having retainer means associated therewith, a second member adjustably associated with the first member, a retention member arranged to extend through the second member to co-operate with the retainer means whereby in accordance with the position of the retention member relative to the retainer means the first and second members may be either substantially free to move one relative to the other or be restrained against said relative movement, the first member having formed in an external surface thereof a recess of part spherical shape and positioned at least in part to surround the retainer means or access thereto, ' the second member comprising a substantially elongate body having a hollow head portion and a substantially tubular tail portion, said portions being substantially " aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the body, the head portion of the second member comprising a part spherical outer surface which conforms substantially with the shape of the recess in the first member, said head portion being shaped to provide a slot, to captively engage a head portion of the retention member and allow a main body of the retention member to extend through the slot into association with the retainer means of the first member, and said slot extending in a substantially radial direction from a central position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body of the second member whereby the retainer member and head portion are able to move one relative to another to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second members during relative sliding movement of the confronting part spherical surfaces until the retainer means and retention member are positioned relative to one another such that said relative movement of the first and second members is restrained. 2. A connector device according to claim l wherein said slot extends through at least 30° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second member. 3. A connector device according to claim 2 wherein said angle is greater than or equal to 45°. 4. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said slot extends substantially only to one side of the longitudinal axis of the second member. 5. A connector device according to claim 4 wherein said slot extends slightly to the other side of the longitudinal axis in accordance with the cross-sectional dimensions of the retention member whereby the second member may be secured at right angles to the first member. 6. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the part spherical recess, as considered in cross-section, subtends an angle of at least 80° about its centre of curvature. 7. A connector device according to claim 6 wherein said angle is in the range 90° to 100°. 8. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hollow head portion of the second member has a part spherical internal surface which is dimensioned such that the wall thickness of the head portion, at least in the vicinity of the slot, is . substantially uniform. . A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tail portion of the second member is adapted for location in and to abut the end of a tube. 10. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tail portion is provided with at least one aperture to facilitate retention of a tube end. 11. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the axial length of the tail portion is less than twice the axial length of the head portion . 12. A connector device according to claim 11 wherein the axial length of the tail portion is less than 1.5 times the radius of curvature of the external part spherical surface of the head portion. 13. A connector device according to claim 12 wherein said axial length is less than or equal to said radius of curvature. 14. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said head portion is of a substantially semi-spherical shape. 15. A connector device according to claim 14 wherein the first member has a cylindrical or part cylindrical outer surface the radius of curvature of which is at least equal to the radius of curvature of the part spherical recess. 16. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retention member has a head portion adapted to conform to the internal surface of the hollow head portion of the second member. 17. A connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the retention member has a head portion which is spaced from the internal surface of the hollow head portion by an interposed washer having a first surface which conforms to the underside of the head of the retention member and a second surface which conforms to the internal surface of said hollow head portion. 18. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a washer of resilient material is provided in a base region of the recess whereby it may provide resistance to relative movement of said first and second members. 19. A connector device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retainer means is a screw threaded formation associated with the first member. 20. A connector device according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described. 21. An assembly comprising two components interconnected by a connector device according to any one of the preceding claims. 22. An assembly according to claim 21 wherein the first member serves as a connection member which interconnects between the ends of two lengths of handrail. 23. An assembly according to claim 21 wherein the first member of the connector device is an insert located in part of the continuous length of a handrail. 24. An assembly according to claim 23 wherein the handrail comprises a longitudinally extending groove in which the first member is slidable. 25. An assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the two components are each of a kind having a longitudinal or major axis and the connector device is orientated such that said axes intersect one another. 26. An assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the two components are each of a kind having a longitudinal or major axis and the connector device is orientated such that said axes are offset. 27. A balustrade having a handrail secured to a corner post at a position where the handrail is curved as viewed vertically in plan, and a connector device in accordance with any one of claims l to 20 provided to interconnect said corner post with a curved region of the handrail, the connector device being orientated such that the longitudinal axis of the post is offset locally relative to the major axis of the handrail.

Inventors: GOODWIN DAVID, GOODWIN, DAVID
Applicants: GOODWIN DAVID, KEE KLAMPS LTD, KEE KLAMPS LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E04F11
IPC codes: E04F11