The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly, and in particular to a connector assembly for receiving and releasably fixing a post. The disclosure also related to a system including the connector assembly and post and a method of fixing a post in position using the connector assembly.

Background

It is a common requirement to connect structural members and/or components together to form a rigid and/or robust structure.

A traditional method of connecting posts to a base or foundation is by welding, which provides a secure and rigid connection. However, assembly or disassembly of a structure that is welded is time consuming and requires skilled labour and specialist equipment. Following disassembly, individual components of the structure are not easily reusable as they need to be prepared (e.g. machined), resulting in a loss of material and involving a large investment of time.

It is known to use fittings or couplings that connect structural members together and allow the structure to be disassembled and reused. A person assembling or disassembling the structure must handle parts of the coupling, its fixing members (e.g. a screw or bolt), as well as the structural members, and simultaneously hold and manipulate a tool to work the fixing member. This can be cumbersome, time consuming and frustrating, and can lead to an insecure connection of the structural members if they are not aligned properly during assembly. To reduce error and increase user safety, it is common for two people work together. Also, the fixing members tend to get lost and/or damaged over time, making re-use of the connectors frustrating.

In addition, where the ground is uneven, additional components and work is required to ensure that the connected posts and rails are even and set to their correct positions.

Hence a connector assembly which enables easy adjustable positioning of posts, is reusable, securely connects structural members, and allows a single user to quickly connect and disconnect structural members is highly desirable. It is an aim of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages

Summary

According to the present disclosure there is provided a connector assembly as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to one example, there is provided a connector assembly for receiving and releasably fixing a post, the connector assembly comprising: a base defining a first socket member; a second socket member configured to be in an abutting relationship with, and rotatable relative to, the first socket member of the base, the second socket member comprising a recess for receiving at least part of the post, in use; and a locking member configured to releasably couple with the base, wherein the locking member is movable between: a first position in which the second socket member is rotatable relative to the first socket member; and a second position in which the locking member applies a locking force to the second socket member to prevent rotation of the second socket member relative to the first socket member.

The provision of the connector assembly enables the post to be fixed at a specified position or orientation with respect to the base. This is particularly advantageous when the post is due to be installed on an uneven ground as the connector assembly can compensate for the uneven ground such that the post can be set to extend in a substantially vertical direction. The post can be releasably fixed to extend in a desired direction from the connector assembly. The connector assembly also enables an easy and fast mechanism for fixing a post to extend at a desired orientation from a base. A user can simply push the post within the recess of the second socket member, adjust the second socket member to the desired position then couple the locking member to the base. The post and connector assembly can easily be dissembled as desired.

The connector assembly comprises few parts which may be constructed in series (i.e. , one at a time). This means a single user can easily make the connection to the post, and thus building a structure using the connector assembly of the present disclosure can be done with fewer people. In addition, as the connector assembly comprises relatively few parts, the complexity around the manufacturing is significantly reduced and less material is required to produce a stable connector assembly for a post.

The first socket member may comprise a seat and the second socked member may comprise a rotation member configured to be located in the seat. The rotation member and seat arrangement facilitates the easy rotation of movement of the post relative to the base in use. The rotation member and seat arrangement may be considered to be a ball joint (or partial ball joint) in which the rotation member is at least partially received in the seat. The seat together with the recess in the locking member may for a substantially spherical cavity to house the rotation member in use.

The second socket member may have a substantially spherical region configured to be in an abutting relationship with the first socket member. The substantially spherical region of the second socket member improves ease of rotation relative to the first socket member.

In one example, the second socket member is mechanically coupled with the base (or first socket member) and configured to rotate about a single axis.

The recess in the second socket member may comprise a substantially tapered section such that the post may be received in a press fit in the recess. The press fit (or push fit) enables a user to simply connect the post to the second socket member in use. In other words, the user can push the post in the recess and the frictional force between the post and the recess acts to hold the post in position.

The recess comprises a groove towards a distal end of the tapered section, the groove having an increased cross-sectional width compared with tapered section. The groove increases the elasticity (or deformability) the tapered section such that it may move more as the post is being inserted into the recess. However, the taper is still sufficient to provide a restraining force on the received post to retain it within the taper. The groove may be known as a slot.

The base may include a flange; and a projection having a proximal end and a distal end, the projection extending from the flange at the distal end and the proximal end of the projection is shaped to form the first socket member. The flange may provide an areas to enable the base to be fixed to the ground or structural element, such as foundations or base plate.

The projection of the base has an outer surface comprising an attachment portion for coupling with the locking member. The attachment position on the outer surface of the projection provides an easily accessible coupling point for coupling the locking member to the base.

The first socket member may substantially arcuate. That is to say that the first socket member may be shaped such that the second socket member is easily rotatable relative to the first socket member.

The first socket member may comprise one or more internal ridges (or teeth/protrusions/rings) that is configured to increase the grip of the first socket member in use. In other words, once the locking force has been applied by the locking member then the one or more internal ridges increase the frictional force on the socket member to prevent further rotation of the second socket member.

The locking member may comprise a through-hole to form: an outer surface; and an inner surface, wherein, in use, the post is configured to extend through the through- hole, wherein the inner surface comprises a complimentary attachment portion configured to releasably connect with the attachment portion of base.

Forming the complimentary attachment portion on the inner surface of the locking member means that it can easily couple with the corresponding attachment position on the base.

An amount of locking force applied by the locking member can be adjusted by a user. That is to say that the locking member may be moved closer to the base in use to adjust the amount of locking force applied to fix the second socket member in the desired position. In some examples, the locking member and the base have complimentary screw threads to couple them together and a user can control the amount of torque/rotation applied to couple the locking member relative to the base to control the amount of locking force provided. The attachment portion of the projection of the base and the attachment portion of the locking member may comprise complimentary screw threads.

The inner surface of the locking member may have a first region and a second region, wherein the first region includes the attachment portion; and the second region is shaped to correspond to the shape of the second socket member

The second region may comprise one or more ridges (or teeth/protrusion etc.) to provide further friction to lock the second socket member in place.

According to one example, there is provided a method of releasably fixing a post to a connector assembly of any preceding claim, the method comprising: inserting a part of said post within the recess of the second socket member; rotating the second socket member to the desired position; coupling the locking member to base to fix the second socket member and post in the desired position.

The method provides an easy way of fixing a post to a desired position relative to a base. The method is particularly advantageous for overcoming the challenge associated with installing a post as a desired position on uneven ground.

According to one example, there is provided a system comprising: a connection member as set out above; and a post received in the recess of the second socket member.

According to one example, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a base defining a first socket member; a second socket member configured to be in an abutting relationship with, and rotatable relative to, the first socket member of the base, the second socket member comprising a recess for receiving at least part of the post, in use; and a locking member configured to releasably couple with the base, wherein the locking member is movable between: a first position in which the second socket member is rotatable relative to the first socket member; and a second position in which the locking member applies a locking force to the second socket member to prevent rotation of the second socket member relative to the first socket member.

In one example, there is provided a connector assembly for receiving and releasably fixing a post, the connector assembly comprising: a base comprising a seat; a rotation member configured to be received in an abutting relationship the seat of the base, the rotation member comprising a recess for receiving at least part of the post, in use; a locking member configured to releasably couple with the base, wherein the locking member is movable between: a first position in which the rotation member is rotatable within the seat; and a second position in which the locking member applies a locking force to the rotation member to prevent rotation of the rotation member in the seat.

The connector assembly and/or kit of parts according to the present disclosure may form a foundation, foot, support structure for: a. a fencing assembly b. a machine guarding assembly c. a handrail assembly d. a balustrade assembly e. a decking assembly f. a climbing frame assembly g. a playground assembly h. a temporary support structure assembly i. a scaffold assembly j. a barrier assembly; k. a support structure for temporary cover systems e.g., a pagodas , gazebos, tent.

Note that the use of the term “post” is envisaged to cover all the examples specified above. In other words, all these examples have a post (hollow or solid) that may be attached to the connector assembly of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of a connector assembly;

Figure 2 is an example of a system of a connector assembly including a post

Figure 3 is an example of a base including a first socket member;

Figure 4A is an example of a second socket member; Figure 4B is an example of a plan view of the second socket member;

Figure 5A is a first view of a locking member;

Figure 5B is a second view of the locking member;

Figure 6A is an example of the second socket member in a first orientation relative to the first socket member;

Figure 6B is an example of the second socket member in a second orientation relative to the first socket member;

Figure 7A is a first exploded view of the connector assembly and post;

Figure 7B is a second exploded view of the connector assembly and post;

Figure 8A is an example of a post in a first orientation relative to the connector assembly;

Figure 8B is an example of a post in a second orientation relative to the connector assembly; and

Figure 9 is an example of a flow chart of a method of releasably fixing a post to a connector assembly.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly for retaining and positioning a post in a desired position. Figure 1 shows an example of the connector assembly 100. The connector assembly 100 is configured to receive and releasably fix a post in a desired position.

The connector assembly 100 includes a base 102 and a locking member 104. As will be described in more detail below, the base 102 and the locking member 104 are releasably attachable together such that they may be securely coupled together. For example, the base 102 and the locking member 104 may have corresponding screw threads that may be interlinked together to attach the base 102 and the locking member 104 together.

The base 102 includes a first socket member (not shown in Figure 1), such as a seat. The connector assembly 100 also includes a second socket member 106 configured to abut the first socket member. The second socket member 106 includes a recess 108 for receiving and retaining a post, in use. As will be described in more detail below, the second socket member 106 is rotatable relative to the first socket member. That is to say that second socket member 106 may rotate relative to the first socket member to position a post at a desired position/orientation relative to the base 102.

The locking member 104 is movable between a first position in which the second socket member 106 is rotatable relative to the first socket member; and a second position in which the locking member applies a locking force (or compression force) to the second socket member 106 to prevent rotation of the second socket member 106 relative to the first socket member.

Figure 2 shows a system 200 including the connector assembly 100 and a post 202. The post 202 has been received in the recess 108 of the second socket member 106 and the locking member 104 is in the second position to lock the second socket member 106 (and post) in place. If a user wished to adjust the orientation of the post 202 relative to the connector assembly 100, then they could move the locking member 104 to the first position, adjust the position of the post 202, and then return the locking member 104 to the second position to fix the post 202 in the desired position/orientation.

Figure 3 shows an example of the base 102. The base 102 includes the first socket member 110. The first socket member 110 may be a seat or shaped recess for receiving the second socket member 106. There does not need to be a mechanical connection between the first socket member 110 and the second socket member 106, but rather then first socket member 110 and the second socket member 106 may merely be in an abutting relationship in which the second socket member 106 may rotate relative to the first socket member 110.

In one example, the first socket member 110 is shaped such that second socket member 106 is at least partially received within it. The first socket member 110 may have an arcuate shape to enable a spherical socket member 106 to freely rotate therein. In some examples, the curvature of the first socket member 110 substantially mirrors the curvature of the second socket member 106. The first socket member 110 may have a substantially bowl shape or a truncated spherical opening.

In other examples, the first socket member 110 may have a series of connected planar walls. In some examples, the first socket member 110 does not provide any restraining force to the received second socket member 106, but in other examples, the first socket member 110 is shaped such that it provides a restraining force to the received second socket member 106 when it is received therein. For example, the first socket member 110 may comprise a circular wall that forms a lip such that the internal diameter at the lip is less than a diameter of the second socket member 106. In this case, the circular wall may be resiliently deformable such that the second socket member 106 may be forced within the opening defined by the circular wall and the lip provides some restraining force.

The base 102 may be configured to be supported on the ground or floor and act as the foundation of a structure. In other examples, the base 102 may be placed on another structural element, in use (such as foundations and/or a base plate).

The base 102 may comprise a flange 112 and a projection 114 extending from the flange 112. The flange 112 may comprise a plurality of openings (not shown) for receiving one or more fixtures for fixing the base 102 to the ground or another structural element such as a base plate. The flange 112 may be substantially circular shaped in plan, such that the base 102 has rotational symmetry. That is to say that the base 102 may be rotated about a central axis (or longitudinal axis) and its appearance would not be changed (except for the position of any openings for receiving one or more fixtures).

In one example, the first socket member 110 comprises one or more internal ridges (or protrusions or rings) that are configured to increase the resistance of movement of the second socket member 106 relative to the first socket member 110. That is to say that the internal ridges increase the friction between the first socket member 110 and the second socket member 106.

The projection 114 may be located centrally on the flange 112 (i.e. , on the central axis of the base 102) or offset from a centre of the flange 112. In one example, the projection 114 includes a proximal end 116 and a distal end 118. The projection 114 is configured to extend from the flange 112 at the distal end. The proximal end 118 of the projection 114 may be shaped to form the first socket member 110. The outside diameter of the projection 114 is less than an outside diameter of the flange 112.

The projection 114 has an outer surface. The outer surface may be the outer radial surface on the projection 114. The outer surface may comprise an attachment portion 120 that is configured to couple with the locking member 104 to secure the locking member 104 to the base 102 in use. In one example, the attachment portion 120 is a thread that is configured to couple with a corresponding internal thread of the locking member 104 such that the locking member 104 and the base 102 may be screwed together. In other examples, the attachment portion 120 comprises a ratchet and pawl configuration.

The base 102 may includes one or more strengthening ribs (not shown) to increase the strength of the base 102

Figure 4A shows an example of the second socket member 106. In some examples the second socket member 106 has a substantially spherical shape. In other examples (as shown in Figure 4A), the second socket member 106 has a truncated spherical shape. That is to say that the second socket member 106 may have a substantially spherical region.

The second socket member 106 comprises a recess 108 for receiving a post 202. The recess 108 may be tapered such that a post 202 may be held in place via a press-fit (or push-fit). That is to say that a retaining force provided by the second socket member 106 to the post 202 increases as the member is pushed further into the recess 108. In other words, the gap provided by the recess 108 decreases in distance as it moves away from the entrance to the recess 108.

In some examples, the post 202 is substantially hollow and the second socket member 106 has a central solid region to further define the recess 108. In other examples, the post 202 may be substantially solid (i.e. , not hollow) and the second socket member 106 does not have a central solid region.

In some examples, the recess 108 comprises a groove (not shown) towards a distal end of the tapered section. The groove has an increased cross-sectional width compared with tapered section. The purpose of the groove is to reduce the amount of insertion force required to insert the post 202 to a retained position within the recess 108. In other words, the groove increases the amount of deformation possible in the tapered section as the post 202 is pressed into the recess 108. However, the groove and tapered section are resiliently deformable such that the post 202 is retained within the second socket member 106 due to a press-fit with the recess 108. In addition, the groove enables a space to collect any debris without impacting the function of the taper (i.e., debris may be collected and not interfere with the press-fit of the post in the recess 108).

In one example, the surface 122 of the second socket member 106 is substantially smooth. A smooth surface 122 enables a relatively easy rotation of the second socket member 106 within the first socket member 110. In other examples, the surface 122 of the second socket member 106 includes one or more ridges, rings, protrusions to increase the friction between the second socket member 106 and the first socket member 110.

The second socket member 106 is shaped to abut with and rotate relative to the first socked member 110.

Figure 4B shows a plan view of the second socket member 106. As shown in Figure 4B, the recess 108 may include one or more teeth (or ridges) 124 that are configured to increase the grip on the received post 202. The one or more teeth 124 may be configured to extend in a substantially longitudinal direction along the length of the recess 108.

In one example, the recess 108 is substantially circular when viewed on plan. However, the recess 108 may take the form of other shaped in practice such that it may operate with a specific shape of post. The second socket member 106 may be considered to be a rotation member 106.

In one example, the second socket member 106 comprises a plurality of hollowed sections to reduce the weight of the second socket member 106.

Figure 5A shows an example of a locking member 104 according to one example. In The locking member 104 may have a through-hole 124. The through-hole 124 may extend through the locking member 104 from a proximal end to a distal end of the locking member 104. In practice, the post 202 is configured to extend through the through-hole 124 to be received in the recess 108 of the second socket member 106.

The through-hole 124 means that the locking member 104 has an outer surface 126 and an inner surface 128. The outer surface 126 may be shaped to have a gradient such that the proximal end of the locking member 104 has a greater dimension (e.g., diameter) when compared with the distal end.

Figure 5B shows an alternative view of the locking member 104 showing the proximal end. Figure 5B shows the locking member attachment portion 130 that is configured to couple with the attachment portion 120 of the base 102. In one example, the locking member attachment portion 130 is configured to be complimentary shaped with the attachment portion 120 of the base 102. For example, the locking member attachment portion 130 has complimentary threads with threads of the base 102 such that they can be screwed together.

In one example, the inner surface 128 of the locking member 104 has first region 132 and second region 134. The first region 132 includes the attachment portion 130 and the second region 134 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the second socket member 106. That is to say that the second region 134 may have a substantially spherical cavity in which a substantially spherical second socket member 106 may be received. The inside diameter defined by the first region 132 may be substantially uniform and similar to the outside diameter of the projection 114 of the base 102 such that they may couple together.

In one example, the second region 134 comprises one or more ridges (or teeth) to provide an increased frictional force to lock the second socket member 106 in place.

The locking member 104 may be sized such that is substantially overlays the base 102 when viewed on plan. That is to say that any openings (or fixtures) in the flange of the base member may be hidden by the presence of the locking member 104. This increases safety of the connector assembly and reduces the likelihood of the fixtures being tampered with or damaged.

Figure 6A shows an example of the first socket member 110 being coupled with the second socket member 106 in a first orientation. That is to say that the second socket member 106 is in contact with a cavity surface of the first socket member 110. The first socket member 110 is rotatable relative to the second socket member 106. In the example shown in Figure 6A in which the second socket member 106 has a region that is substantially spherical and the first socket member 110 has a seat that is arcuate, then the second socket member 106 is rotatable about the first socket member 110 in any direction about the central axis of the base 102. In other words, the second socket member 106 is rotatable and pivotable about the first socket member 110.

In Figure 6B, the second socket member 106 has been rotated relative to the first socket member 110 to a second position. In this example, the second socket member 106 is freely rotatable about the first socket member 110.

In some examples, the amount of locking force (or compression force) can be adjusted by a user. That is to say that a user can control the amount of locking force provided by the locking member 104 by adjusting the relative position of the locking member 104 to the base 102. For example, the user can screw the locking member 104 tighter to the base 102 to provide more locking force.

Figure 7A shows an exploded view of the system 200 including the connector assembly 100 and the post 202. In this example, the post 202 has been received in the recess 108 of the second socket member 106. As shown in Figure 7A, the post may include one or more friction elements 204. The friction elements 204 are configured to interact with the locking member 104 to help lock the post 202 in place. In some examples, the post does not include any friction elements 204.

Figure 7B is identical to Figure 7A except that the post 202 has been separated from the second locking member 106.

Figure 8A shows the assembled connector assembly 100 and post 202. In both Figures 8A and 8B, the locking member 104 is in a first position such that the second socket member 106 (and hence the post 202) is free to rotate relative to the first socket member 110.

In both Figures 8A and 8B, the ground on which the base 102 is places is not horizontal (i.e., uneven). As such, the angle perpendicular to the ground does not extend in a vertical direction so the post extends at an angle that is substantially offset from the vertical.

When the locking member 104 is in the first position (as is the case in Figure 8A and 8B), the user may adjust the orientation of the post 202 (and the second socket member 106) by rotating the second socket member 106 relative to the first socket member 110. Therefore, the post 202 may be moved to the user’s desired position. In this case, the post 202 may be used such that it extends substantially vertically. Adjusting the angle of the second socket member 106 (and hence the post 202) relative to the first socket member 110 means that the angle of the ground can be compensated for such that the post 202 can extend in a substantially vertical direction from the ground. In some examples, the user may require the post 202 to extend at a non-vertical angle from the ground, if for example the post 202 were to be used for bracing and/or to provide some horizontal support. The connector assembly 100 could be used for this such that the post 202 could be set to extend at the desired angle from the ground.

Once the desired orientation of the second socket member 106 relative to the first socket member 110 has been set, the first locking member 104 may be moved from the first position to the second position to fix the second socket member 106 in the desired position relative to the first socket member 110. For example, the user may push the locking member 104 towards the base 102 such that the corresponding attachment portions of the locking member 104 and the base 102 couple together. That is to say that the attachment portions may comprise a ratchet and pawl mechanism and the user pushing the locking member 104 and the base 102 together causes the ratchet and pawl to couple together to retain the locking member 104 in the second position.

In other examples, the attachment portions of the locking member 104 and base 102 may comprise complimentary screw threads and the locking member 104 may be screwed relative to the base 102 to move the locking member 104 to the second position.

In one example, the base 102, the locking member 104 and the second socket member 106 are formed of Polypropylene or marcroblend-PC/PBT.

The second socket member 106 may comprise a twin-shot material, such as a rubber over a plastic material.

In an alternative embodiment, the second socket member 106 may only be configured to rotate about the first socket member 110 in a single axis. For example, the shape of the first socket member 110 may be such that the second socket member 106 is limited to travel about a single axis only. In other examples, the second socket member 106 may be mechanically coupled with the first socket member 110, e.g., about a pivot or hinge, such that the second socket member 106 is limited to rotate about the pivot or hinge in a single plane (or about a single axis).

In this arrangement, if the connector assembly 100 is placed on uneven ground and the angle of the post 202 needs to be adjusted to a desired position, the whole connector assembly 100 may be rotated until the plane in which the post 202 needs to be rotated is aligned with the direction of travel of the post 202. As with the above examples, the second socket member 106 may be rotated to the desired position (or angle) relative to the first socket member 110 and then the locking member 104 may be moved from the first position to the second position in which the second socket member 106 is locked in position relative to the first socket member 110.

In other examples, the first socket member 106 may be substantially ball shaped (e.g., spherical) and the second socket member 110 comprises a recess for receiving at least part of the first socket member 106. The second socket member 110 would still comprise a recess 108 for receiving the post 202.

Figure 9 shows an example of a flowchart of releasably fixing a post 202 to a connector assembly 100. At step 300, the method includes the step of inserting a part of the post within the recess 108 of the second socket member 106. At step 302, the method includes the step of rotating the second socket member 106 relative to the first socket member 110 to the desired position. At step 304, the method includes the step of coupling the locking member 104 to base 102 to fix the second socket member 106 and post 202 in the desired position.

Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.