Connector for use in display systems
First Claim
1. A connector for use in displays of the kind which include a display frame formed of a plurality of beams which are joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three-dimensional shape and which have display panels releasably secured to the beams, said connector comprising:
- a male part secured to a beam such that the male part and the beam are rotationally and axially fixed relative to one another, the male part comprising a first side having a bearing face, a stem rotationally and axially fixed to and projecting directly from the bearing face, a head comprising four noses which project laterally from the stem, and a second side opposite the first side with projections that locate within an open end of the beam on opposite sides of a central web thereof, the stem comprising an axial bore through its center which receives a fastening element engaged in an axial channel in the central web of the beam; and
a female part having a wall with an inner face and an outer bearing face, the wall containing an aperture which permits the head of the male part to pass through the aperture and rotatably receives the stem with the bearing face of the male part in contact with the outer bearing face of the wall, the inner face of each wall being profiled to engage the noses when the male part is rotated within the aperture, and the outer bearing face of the wall being disposed outside of the aperture;
wherein the aperture of the female part is of cruciform shape and the inner face of the wall or each nose is profiled to provide progressive tightening and alignment and to engage said noses with said inner face of the wall when the beam to which is secured said male part is rotated in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, the male part passing through the aperture in a first orientation and the progressive tightening occurring as the male part is rotated from the first orientation to an engaged orientation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector, for display systems having a display frame formed of a plurality of beams (1), has a male fitting (3) which has a stem (8) projecting from a plate (4), and a head (9) formed of four noses which project laterally from the stem. The head (9) is inserted in a correspondingly-shaped aperture of a female node fitting and rotated into positive engagement with the inner face of the node fitting. The trailing faces of the four noses have oppositely-inclined ramps which act to provide progressive tightening and alignment of the connector as the male part is rotated within the aperture. The connector provides a stable joint and enables a firm connection to be obtained with a smaller angle of rotation and reduced engagement force.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A connector for use in displays of the kind which include a display frame formed of a plurality of beams which are joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three-dimensional shape and which have display panels releasably secured to the beams, said connector comprising:
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a male part secured to a beam such that the male part and the beam are rotationally and axially fixed relative to one another, the male part comprising a first side having a bearing face, a stem rotationally and axially fixed to and projecting directly from the bearing face, a head comprising four noses which project laterally from the stem, and a second side opposite the first side with projections that locate within an open end of the beam on opposite sides of a central web thereof, the stem comprising an axial bore through its center which receives a fastening element engaged in an axial channel in the central web of the beam; and a female part having a wall with an inner face and an outer bearing face, the wall containing an aperture which permits the head of the male part to pass through the aperture and rotatably receives the stem with the bearing face of the male part in contact with the outer bearing face of the wall, the inner face of each wall being profiled to engage the noses when the male part is rotated within the aperture, and the outer bearing face of the wall being disposed outside of the aperture; wherein the aperture of the female part is of cruciform shape and the inner face of the wall or each nose is profiled to provide progressive tightening and alignment and to engage said noses with said inner face of the wall when the beam to which is secured said male part is rotated in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, the male part passing through the aperture in a first orientation and the progressive tightening occurring as the male part is rotated from the first orientation to an engaged orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A connector for use in displays of the kind which include a display frame formed of a plurality of beams which are joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three-dimensional shape and which have display panels releasably secured to the beams, said connector comprising:
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a male part having a first side with a bearing face, a stem rotationally and axially fixed to and projecting directly from the bearing face, a head comprising four noses which project laterally from the stem, and a second side opposite the first side with projections configured to locate within an open end of a beam on opposite sides of a central web of the beam; and a female part having a wall with an inner face and an outer bearing face, the wall containing an aperture which permits the head of the male part to pass through the aperture and rotatably receives the stem with the bearing face of the male part in contact with the outer bearing face of the wall, the inner face of each wall being profiled to engage the noses when the male part is rotated within the aperture, and the outer bearing face of the wall being disposed outside of the aperture; wherein the aperture of the female part is of cruciform shape and the inner face of the wall or each nose is profiled to provide progressive tightening and alignment and to engage said noses with said inner face of the wall when the male part is rotated in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction, the male part passing through the aperture in a first orientation and the progressive tightening occurring as the male part is rotated from the first orientation to an engaged orientation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A connector for use in displays of the kind which include a display frame formed of a plurality of beams which are joined together by multi-way node fittings to form a three-dimensional shape and which have display panels releasably secured to the beams, the connector comprising:
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a male part secured to a beam such that they are rotationally and axially fixed relative to one another, the male part having a bearing face, a stem projecting from the bearing face and a head comprising four noses which project laterally from the stem, the stem comprising an axial bore through its center which receives a fastening element engaged in an axial channel in a central web of the beam; and a female part having a wall with an inner face and an outer bearing face, the wall containing an aperture of cruciform shape which permits the head of the male part to pass through the aperture when the male part is in a first orientation and which rotatably receives the stem with the bearing face of the male part in contact with the outer bearing face of the wall, the inner face of the wall being profiled to engage the noses when the male part is rotated within the aperture; wherein the inner face of the wall or each nose is profiled to provide progressive tightening and alignment of the connector as the beam and the bearing face and the stem and the noses of the male part are rotated together, in use, in either direction from the first orientation to a second, engaged orientation to engage the female part. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification