Patent GB-731891-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the coupling together of panels or frames
IPC: B60S1/24
Filed: 1953-06-30
Abstract: 731,891. Hinges; hook-fastenings. PAPENFUSS, W. June 30, 1953 [June 30, 1952], No. 18180/53. Classes 44 and 65(2). To enable two panels, such as for stage scenery or the formation of temporary partitions, to be connected so that the edge of either panel can be placed to butt closely against the edge or either face of the other panel, each panel has in its edge a rotatable member carrying a coupling element for engagement with a coacting element similarly mounted on the other panel, and provision is made for limited movement of the coupling elements outward from the panel edges to allow the panels to swing about their corners. In the form described, the coupling elements are drawn inwards by springs and are locked when disengaged, and they may be clamped against movement inwards 'and outwards and also against rotation. In the embodiment shown, a rectangular member 11, Figs. 2, 3 (side view), and 7 (end view), is mounted rotatably in a recess 21 in the edge portion of a panel 19 by means of a spindle 18, rigid with the member, supported in a bearing 20 and a cylindrical member 23, also rigid with the member 11, supported by a bearing 44 on a fixed spindle 40. A coupling element 12 is slidable by means of guide ribs 13 in grooves in the member 11, and is drawn inwards by a spring 14 passing over a roller 15 on the member 11 and attached to a sleeve 17 slidable on the spindle 18, the sleeve being rotatably engaged by a member 47 attached to a cable 48 whereby the spring may be adjusted ; in a modification the spring is secured to the rear wall of the member 11 and is not adjustable. The edge portion of the panel 19 is slotted on three sides at 9 to allow the coupling element 12 to move outwards and to rotate on the axis 18, 40. The coupling element has two grooves 29, Fig. 2, communicating with recesses 28, Fig. 7, to receive hooks 26, Fig. 8, of a complementary coupling element 25 which corresponds to the element 12 and is slidably mounted in a similar manner in a member 27, corresponding to the member 11 and similarly rotatable in the edge of the other panel ; slots 24 are formed in the member 23 for the passage of the hooks 26, and small rollers may be placed at the end of the grooves 29 to facilitate entry of the hooks. The elements 12, 25 are normally locked in the members 11, 27 by spring detents projecting laterally into apertures in the latter members, and these detents are automatically retracted when the coupling elements on the two panels are engaged with one another ; the detents on the member 12 are shown at 32, Fig. 7, and those on the member 25 are similar and are provided with extensions 34, so that both sets of detents are rocked about their upper edges when the hooks 26 enter the notches 28, and are released for re-engagement when the coupling elements are separated. The hooks 26, when not required for use, may be allowed to be withdrawn completely into the member 27 and this may then be turned round so that the hooks are hidden in the recess 21 of the panel. When two panels are connected, they can be drawn apart sufficiently to allow their corners to pass one another, and the springs draw them together again when released, so that they fit closely together, edge to edge, edge to face, or face to face. The members 12, 25 can be locked against sliding in the parts 11, 27, when required, by means such as a serrated member 36, Fig. 3, non-rotatable in the panel, engaging both parts 11, 12 when pressed down by a bar 42 connected to adjusting means at the bottom of the panel, the member 36 normally being lifted by a tension spring 41 ; the member 23 is simultaneously locked against rotation in the panel by a toothed member 38 rigid with the member 36.