Patent Publication Number: US-4646497-A

Title: Panel coupling

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention resides in the field of couplings for coupling together panels or equivalents, such as pieces of equipment, or articles, or temporarily locking them together, in assembled position, in such a way that they can be uncoupled, and separated, and again coupled together, without adversely affecting the coupling means, and the coupling means can be so used repeatedly indefinitely. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A broad object of the invention is to provide novel coupling means for temporarily coupling pieces or members together in a temporary or releasable manner, and enabling them to be again coupled together, with the same coupling means, repeatedly indefinitely, and particularly such coupling means having the following features and advantages. 
     1. It is of extremely simple nature, and inexpensive both in materials used and steps of fabrication. 
     2. It is easy to manipulate, both in coupling and uncoupling steps. 
     3. It can be utilized in places that are hard to get at normally, but when used in such places, is easily accessible, and easy to manipulate. 
     4. It is of such character that it can be made of any of a wide range of sizes, for use with members to be coupled, that are of a corresponding range of sizes. 
     5. It is made up of a pair of parts which in one form of the device are identical in construction, and because of that identity, the parts can be used interchangeably, with consequent simplicity and facility in manufacture and utilization. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED FORMS OF THE INVENTION 
     In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the two parts, in this case identical, making up the coupling. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of one of the parts, taken at line 2--2 of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the parts of the coupling of FIG. 1, shown in assembled position. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a coupling, from the near side of FIG. 3, between a pair of panels coupled together. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pair of panels to be connected, shown in a step just before the final coupling step. 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the panels in assembled and coupled position. 
     FIG. 7 is a face view looking down, of the near corner of FIG. 6, as indicated by the arrow 7. 
     FIG. 8 is a semi-diagrammatic view, of the face of a panel to be coupled to another panel, oriented as if looking down on FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at line 9--9 of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view of a pair of panels to be coupled together. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view showing panels connected to a post. 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a room divider made up of panels and posts of the kind shown in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmentary isometric view of a pair of panels, in mutually spaced position, to be coupled in perpendicular relation. 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but with the panels in assembled and coupled position. 
     FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a pair of panels in assembled and coupled position, with the panels lying in a common plane. 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view of one of the parts of the coupling secured to a panel, and showing a different form of means securing the part to the panel. 
     FIG. 17 is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a modified form of coupling. 
     FIG. 18 is an isometric view showing the parts of FIG. 17, but with one of them inverted relative to FIG. 17 and in position to be moved together in coupling relation. 
    
    
     Referring in detail to the accompanying drawings attention is directed first to FIGS. 1-3 showing the complete coupling, isolated from its association with the panels. As used herein, panel is generically to include any articles to be coupled together. 
     The coupling is indicated in its entirety at 20, and is made up of two parts or counterparts 22 which in the present instance are identical, and individually identified 22a, 22b. The two parts 22 assume a relation to each other, in coupled relation, corresponding to one of the parts being rotated 180° about a transverse axis. 
     The coupling, and each of its parts, is made of any suitable material, depending on the size and strength desired, They may be made of plastic for example or steel, and are formed and shaped according to known techniques. In the case of plastics, they may be molded, and in the case of steel they may be cast, forged, or formed by other known process. 
     The following description of the detail construction of each of the parts, is based on predetermined orientation, for the sake of convenience, and as related to the movements of the parts together in the coupling and uncoupling actions. 
     Each of the parts is integral, and may be compared to a block, having a bottom wall 24 with a main under surface 26 from which extends a circular boss 28. The part includes sidewalls 30 and a rear wall 32. The side walls are positioned at the rear of the part, forming a forward projection 33 of the bottom wall 24. The bottom wall has an upper surface 34 and from the forward end of the bottom wall 24 extends a tongue 36 having an upper surface 37 flush with the upper surface 34. The bottom wall 24 has side surfaces 38 and a front end surface 40 which is of &#34;C&#34; shape so formed by the tongue 36. The tongue has side edge surfaces 42, a front end surface 44 and an under surface 46. The bottom wall 24 is provided with a hole 48, in the present instance having a counterbore 50. This hole passes through the bottom wall for reception of securing means, such as a bolt, screw, etc., indicated diagrammatically at 52 in FIG. 4, for mounting the coupling part on the panel. The securing means may take any of various forms as will be referred to again hereinbelow. The hole 48 is formed on a vertical axis 54 and when the two parts are in coupled or assembled position, the axes 54 of the two holes coincide in a common axis, as will be referred to again hereinbelow. 
     The side walls 30 extend from the under surface 26 of the part, and terminate in a top surface 56 which lies in a common plane with the bottom surface of the counterpart as shown in FIG. 3, and as will be referred to again hereinbelow. The hole 48 is formed through the boss 28, forming an anular shape of the latter, now identified 58. The side walls 30 have front surfaces 59 extending the full height, or depth, of the part and of planar shape throughout that full dimension, and inclined upwardly and rearwardly. The rear wall 32 has an upper element or ledge 60 extending forwardly, having a front edge surface 61 forming a slot 62 below it and above the top surface 34. 
     The side walls 30 together with the ledge 60 and the bottom wall 24 form a recess indicated generally at 64 opening to the front at 66 and upwardly at 68. 
     A cavity 69 is formed through the bottom wall 24, extending upwardly and opening into the slot 62, this cavity having a rear surface 70 (FIG. 3), a front surface 71, side surfaces 72 and a top surface 74. 
     The various surfaces of the elements of the part, referred to above are inclined for the most part, rather than being mutually perpendicularly arranged, to facilitate fabrication thereof such as by molding or casting, and to provide proper interengagement between corresponding elements of the counterparts. For example, the side surfaces 38 taper inwardly in upward direction (FIG. 2), while the side surfaces 42 of the tongue 36 taper inwardly in downward direction. These counter-inclined surfaces provide the desired interfitting of surfaces as between the two parts when the parts are assembled as shown in FIG. 3 where, as indicated above, the two parts are in oppositely disposed position. 
     In the use of the coupling, the two parts are relatively disposed first as shown in FIG. 1, as indicated above, and in the specific coupling operation, the two parts are moved toward each other as indicated by the arrows 76, and in this step, the forward projection 33 of one of the parts moves into the cavity 64 of the other part, and in this same step, the tongue 36 of one part moves into the slot 62 of the other part. In this movement, they assume a final position in which the axes 54 are coincident in a common axis, and the two parts so assembled, and thus the coupling as a whole, can be rotated about that axis, as referred to again hereinbelow. The parts are designed and dimensioned and proportioned such that they have interengaging surfaces that determine their movement together to the extent mentioned, i.e., with the axes 54 in coincidence. They may be determined specifically by any of the various surfaces, concerned, such as the inclined surfaces 59, or the surfaces 40, 61, or the surfaces 44, 70. In this assembled position the tongues 36, being in the slots 62, prevent separation of the parts in direction along the axis 54. Thus each of the parts may be compared to a cube having five walls and one open side. One part enters into the open side of the other, and each is prevented from movement relative to the other in each of the other five directions. 
     FIG. 4 shows a pair of panels 76, 78 to which the parts of the coupling are respectively secured. The securing means 52 may be a bolt or a screw, fitted in the hole 48 and secured in the panel, enabling free rotation of the part about the axis. The parts are so mounted with the annular bosses 28 fitted against the panels and serving as bearing surfaces therebetween, and in such position the recesses 64, through their open top sides 68 are directed away from the panels. 
     The panels 76, 78 may be of any desired kind, and a particular installation of the coupling is represented in FIG. 5 and 6. In these figures one of the panels may be a P.C. board 80 and a chassis 82, of known kind. The chassis 82 has a flat main part, and an upturned flange 84 at one end provided with a slot 86, while the P.C. board 80 has a tongue 88 at one end. A pair of couplings 20 are utilized, in spaced apart position. The parts 22a, 22b of each coupling are mounted on the chassis 82 and P.C. board 80 respectively. In the mounting of the panels, the coupling parts are positioned with the open front sides 66 of the recesses directed toward each other and the panels moved together as indicated by the arrow 90, in FIG. 5. This moves the coupling parts into assembled position as represented in FIGS. 1 and 3 and described above. After they are moved into such position, and with the axes 54 coincident, a wrench 92 (FIG. 7) is applied to at least one of the couplings, and that coupling as a whole, i.e., the two parts together, is rotated to a new position. This new position is not critical, and theoretically as long as one of the couplings is moved out of the initial parallel relation with the other, the panels are coupled or locked. 
     The two couplings in any given installation, may assume any of virtually unlimied positions, so long as they are spaced apart from each other. This situation is represented in FIG. 8 which includes a panel 92 representing a pair of panels, in which the relative movement between the panels in the coupling step is represented by the arrow 94. The couplings 20 may be spaced apart transversely as indicated by the line 96 relative to the direction of movement, arrow 94, or longitudinally as indicated by the line 98 or diagonally as indicated by the line 100. In the case of any such spacings, so long as the coupling of a pair are in different relative positions, about their axes 54, the panels are locked. 
     FIG. 9 shows the parts of the coupling when interengaged, showing the engagement between various ones of the counterpart surfaces on the two parts. As represented in this figure, the securing means 52 (FIG. 4) may be threaded bolts extending into or through the panels 76, 78. 
     As indicated above, the coupling may be of any desired size and strength. In the case of a P.C. board and mounting panel (FIG. 6), the coupling may be very small, such for example as approximately 7/8&#34;×1/2&#34;×3/8&#34;, but couplings of much larger size would be used, for example, in walls and large construction, represented in FIG. 10. The latter figure shows a pair of panels 102, 104 on which the coupling parts 22, these panels being walls or members or pieces of equipment of any size. In this case, the coupling parts 22 are secured on the flat surfaces of the panels, and the two panels coupled together by placing the panels in face-to-face relation. 
     The coupling is not limited to the coupling together of flat panels, but may be utilized in connection with other forms of elements. For example, FIG. 11 shows a post 106 utilized for mounting panels 108. In this case one of the coupling parts is mounted on the post, and the other mounted on the edge surface of the panel, i.e., it is not limited to positioning on the flat surface thereof. In many cases the space between such panels and post is limited, or cramped and very difficult to apply ordinary couplings thereto. An example of such cramped space is that posts of the kind indicated at 106 may have beads 110 forming recesses 112 therebetween. The panel may also have side elements 114 forming similar beads 115 with a space 116 therebetween. The coupling parts 22 are mounted to the respective post/panel, in the spaces 112, 116, and notwithstanding the small space, 118, between the corresponding beads 110, 115, a wrench 120 of very thin dimensions may be utilized and inserted through the space 118. 
     The construction of FIG. 11 may be utilized to great effect as a room divider, for example, as represented at 122 in FIG. 12. In this case the panels 108 may be mounted to an intermediate post 106 on adjacent sides of the latter, and in corresponding positions on different posts, for forming an angular or zig-zag shape of the divider. This space divider may be set up and knocked down very conveniently. 
     The coupling is also adaptable to mounting panels in a mutually perpendicular position, as represented in FIGS. 13, 14, where two panels 122, 124 are perpendicularly disposed. The coupling 20 is shown, with the two parts 22 thereof, one mounted on the broad surface of the panel 124 and the other on a bracket 126 which itself is mounted on the panel 122. The bracket 126 has a base portion 128 fitted flat to the broad side of the panel 122 and an upstanding flange 130 to which the coupling part 22 is mounted. In FIG. 13 the panels are spaced apart, and in the coupling movement, the panel 124 is moved downwardly as indicated by the arrow 132 into coupling position shown in FIG. 14, in which the coupling parts are interengaged. The construction of FIGS. 13, 14, in the coupling step, thus utilizes movement along a line extending longitudinally of the coupling parts. When panels or corresponding parts are coupled or interconnected in face-to-face relation, the line of movement is along the faces of the panels, but in the present case, the arrangement, including one of the coupling parts on the bracket 126, enables movement of the panels along the line parallel with one of the panels and perpendicular to the other. In this construction, the bracket 126 may be considered as a part of the corresponding coupling part. 
     In FIG. 15, the panels, 134, 136, lie in a common plane, each provided with a bracket, 138, 140, and the brackets having flanges 142, 144 extending perpendicular to the panels. The coupling parts 22 are mounted on the respective flanges 142, 144. The arrangement of FIG. 15 is to accommodate panels which for example are arranged with one entirely inside another, and thus cannot be moved relatively in the plane mentioned, but must be moved perpendicularly thereto, in assembling and disassembling them. This movement is accommodated by the flanges 142, 144 on which the coupling parts 22 are mounted, and the line of movement between the coupling parts is parallel to the surfaces of the flanges, as indicated by the arrow 145. 
     FIG. 16 shows the capability of use of the device with another kind of securing means, and/or panel. Instead of a bolt such as 52 (FIG. 9) a wood screw 147 may be utilized for turning into a panel 146 made of wood for example. In the coupling part 22, the hole 148 is shaped and dimensioned for receiving the wood screw, having for example a chamfer 150 for receiving the tapered head of the screw. 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 show a modified form of coupling, in which the parts are not identical. In this case the coupling as a whole is indicated at 152 and includes parts 154, 156. The part 154 includes a recess 158 opening forwardly as indicated at 160 and upwardly as indicated at 162. The recess has, on three sides, a bead or ledge 164 under which is a groove 166 on the three sides. The part 154 includes a bottom wall 168 through which is formed a hole 170 for receiving the bolt or screw for mounting the part on the panel, in which the under surface, indicated at 172 is fitted to the panel. 
     The part 156 includes a main element 174 and an embossment or male element 176 which fits into the recess 158. This element 176 includes a bead 178 on three sides under which is a groove 180 also on three sides, and a hole 182 for receiving the mounting element. The element 174 has a surface 184 which is fitted against the panel on which it is mounted. 
     In the use of the coupling of FIGS. 17, 18, the parts are moved to relatively opposite position as represented in FIG. 18, and moved toward each other as indicated by the arrow 186 with the projection or male element 176 moved into the recess 158. 
     In the present instance the interengaging surfaces, i.e., those of the recess and the male element are of tapered form which facilitates fitting of the parts together, these surfaces producing a camming effect and overcoming any slight misalignment between the parts. As will of course be understood the bead 176 in the part 156 engages into the groove 166, and prevents movement in direction perpendicularly of the parts. 
     A coupling 20, made up of two parts, will also be referred to here at times as a coupling unit, for convenience.