Patent GB-620754-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to structural or like members applicable for example to cabinets, cupboards, and similar box-like structures
IPC: F16B12/38
Filed: 1946-01-11
Abstract: 620,754. Fastenings. COOKSON, W. Jan. 11, 1946, No. 977. [Class 44] [Also in Groups X, XIV and XVII] Structural members adapted to be fastened together to form boxes, cabinets, shelves, partitions, roof tiles, &c., have on one member (a), means consisting of a female member with two walls meeting in a curve with a broad apex, one wall being connected with the member and the other bent inwardly at its free end towards the first wall, and on the other member (b) fastening means consisting of a male member with its two walls meeting in a substantially corresponding curve, one wall being connected to the structural member and the other wall being free, at least one of the fastening means being of sufficiently springy material, and both members being so dimensioned, that the structural members can be engaged. by forcing the male member into the female, the end of the free wall of the male member becoming located behind the inwardly bent part of the female member so that the structural members cannot be separated by pulling apart in the direction opposite to that in which they were forced together, but only by sliding the one axially relatively to the other. Figs 1 and 1a show respectively the male and female fastening means formed on structural members 2 and 1, e.g. panels of metal or plastic material. Panel 1 is bent back on its length at 3, and forms a female locking device having a springy side member 10 and a base 12 ; the apex 11 is rounded and broad, and has a chord extending over not less than onethird of the length of the free wall 13..The base 12 is spaced away from the wall of panel 1. The side comprising the lip or base 12 and opening 12a is about half the length of the free wall 13. The edge of the sheet 2, Fig. 1, is bent to uniform shape to fit into the space formed by the female. device, but having a slightly more obtuse angle at the apex so as to leave a small space when the members are assembled. In assembling, the panels 1, 2 are caused to approach so that the locking device 5 is forced within and into engagement with the device 4. The base 12 engages behind the base 19 so that the members cannot be separated by a lateral pull, but may be separated by sliding longitudinally. The male locking device 5 may be comparatively rigid, e.g. of solid section, and the female device 10 springy. Fig. 2 shows part of a cabinet, the upper edge of the wall 1a being bent to form 'the female locking device 4a, and the male part 5b is formed separately and attached to the top 1b of the cabinet. Figs. 3 and 5 show applications to a shelf 1c and door post 1d respectively of a cabinet. As shown in Fig. 7, two pairs of interlocking devices 34, 35 are formed upon troughing 32, 33 to make a hollow construction for self-aligning panels for partition walls &c. The device may be formed on the edges of wall panels or tiles, as shown in Fig. 9. When applied to a curved structure, Fig. 10, the female locking device 34a is split at intervals. to facilitate engagement. Fig. 16 is an exploded view of a cabinet of which all the parts are interlocked by means of the locking devices described; wall panels 1a are first connected to the door and door frame assembly, shelf 1c and bottom 1c<SP>1</SP> then added, and finally the back and top 1b.