Patent GB-1316861-A (GB)
Title: Releasable male and female joints
IPC: E04G7/20
Filed: 1970-06-18
Abstract: 1316861 Furniture joints M PASBRIG 18 June 1970 [20 June 1969 24 Oct 1969 19 Jan 1970] 29674/70 Heading A4H [Also in Divisions B4 E1 E2 F2 and H2] A releasable joint comprises a male element which can be at least partially inserted into a female member, at least one recess being provided in either male or female part and the recess extending obliquely with respect to the long axis of the relevant part, a solid cylindrical peg being accomodated in the (or each) recess and urged from the (or each) recess by a compression spring. An abutment is provided on the member not accomodating the peg (or pegs) for engagement by the (or each) peg when the joint is assembled to prevent separation of the joint parts. In order to release the joint a releasing means is provided to press the (or each) peg into its recess against the spring. Examples:- As shown in Fig. 1 the male member 1 carries a peg 3 and is accomodated in a base 6 in the female member. The peg 3 abuts against the end 10 of a counter bore 7 and a sleeve 8 in the counter bore is slidable so as to engage the inclined end of peg 3 to cam the peg back into the recess 4. A plate 9 on the sleeve 8 is pressed when the joint is to be released. The male member 1 may bear at its end remote from peg 3 (a) a series of plastics rings (13) Fig. 2 (not shown) with external helical ribs for engagement in a hole in a wall (b) another peg 3 for engagement with a further socket (c) a series of longitudinally separated annular grooves (22) Fig. 4 (not shown) for engagement with horse shoe shaped washer (23) for use in connecting the member 1 to a building appliance Examples (a) and (b) above are provided with a portion of hexagonal cross-section and diametral end slots respectively to allow them to be rotated (e.g. with spanner or screwdriver) so that the peg(s) 3 may be brought into line with an axial slot 21 in the socket 2 Fig. 1, for an additional means of releasing the joint. In an embodiment for connecting pipes 114, Fig. 10, the male members 114 abut a common sealing ring 111 and the pegs 115 engage apertures 113 in the walls of the female member 112. A wrench like tool (not shown) can simultaneously depress a plurality of pegs 115 to release the joint. The pegs may be accomodated in the female member 102 (e.g. as at 103, Figs. 6 and 9) Fig. 9 (not shown) and engage an annular groove 105 on the male members 101. Slidable cylindrical sleeve (not shown) may be provided on a reduced action 106 of each member 101 for engaging the joint. Alternatively a tongs like tool having two semi cylindrical members 109 may be slid into engagement with the end faces of the pegs 103 after engagement round one of the male members. The male members 101 may be separated by plate springs 107 mounted in a groove in the female member 102, or may engage a sealing ring (111) between externally tapered ends, Figs. 8 and 9, (not shown). The recesses accomodating the pegs may be peened over so that the pegs only extend as far as is shown in the Figs. Uses:- For securing furniture parts (e.g. male members bearing pegs in side walls of a desk and sockets 2 (Fig.) in rear wall) cupboards, shelves. Electrical connections (e.g. male and female parts acting either as housings for electrical contacts or as the conductors themselves). Scaffolding joints, Figs.6, (9), 10, fluid conveying pipe joints, Figs. (9), 10, shaft couplings Fig.10. Drill pipe couplings Fig.10.