Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a joining system that allows two or more members to be temporarily or permanently connected. The invention will find particular suitability in the building industry to join timber or metal members together using a "press lock" system as opposed to using a large number of fasteners. However, the invention should not be limited to use in the building industry merely by this particular exemplification.

Background Art

In the building industry, timber members, such as roof trusses/battens are joined together in a variety of manners. For instance, one common form of joining members together uses skew nails. However, skew nails are not necessarily extremely reliable in holding the members together especially under forces that are at angles relative to the nail. Also, skew nailing a large number of timber members together can be quite time-consuming.

It is also known to cut recesses into one timber member and to fix the other timber member into the recess. This can be followed by nailing.

It is also known to use galvanised attachments such as "triple grips" or "butt hangars". These attachments need to be nailed to one of the timber members, and the other timber member can then be nailed to the attachment.

Metal members can also be joined together in a variety of manners including the use of metal screws, nuts and bolts, welding and the like.

Occasionally, it is necessary to join a metal member (a steel beam, steel channel member etc.) to a wooden member.

A main disadvantage with each of the above systems is that the joining system is time- consuming and often requires the use of a large number of fasteners (nails) which is time-consuming and fiddly.

Occasionally, and with larger heavier members, it is advantageous to temporarily hold the members together prior to permanent fixing. Conventionally, this has been done using props, scrap bits of wood, clamps, a plethora of other methods. However, many of these methods (typically the use of props and the like) provide a tripping hazard and a safety hazard, and therefore there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide some method of holding the members together which would reduce the safety hazard.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a joining system that could use a "press lock" type arrangement instead of the above systems.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a joining system which may find particular use in the building industry and which may overcome at least one of the above- mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a joining system to join one member to another member, the joining system comprising a first part which is attached to one member, and a second part which is attached to the other member, the first part comprising a passageway, and an abutment or engagement portion, the second part adapted to pass into the passageway of the first part, the second part further containing a locking tongue which is adapted to lock against, or relative to, the abutment or engaging portion of the first part, and biasing means to bias the locking tongue into engagement with the abutment or engaging portion after the first part has passed into and at least

partially through the passageway.

In this manner, one member (e.g. a timber or metal or concrete member) can be fitted with the first part, and the other member (e.g. another timber or metal or concrete member) can be fitted with the second part, and to connect the two members together, the second part can be pushed or even dropped into the passageway sufficiently such that the locking tongue engages with the abutment portion. The biasing means functions to press the locking tongue into engagement with the abutment portion.

Typically, the first part comprises a sleeve. The sleeve may be formed from metal, or any other suitable material which will be strong enough to function as a joining system. The sleeve may comprise a passageway which may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The passageway may therefore comprise a front wall and a pair of sidewalls to define the U-shaped cross-section. Of course, the passageway need not be U-shaped in cross-section, and may comprise other configurations such as tapered, frusto conical, and the like. Suitably, at least one mounting flange or lip is provided on the first part to assist in fixing the first part to the member. The mounting flange may be substantially rectangular and may comprise a turned out edge of the side wall.

Suitably, a mounting flange is provided on each side wall.

The sleeve may comprise any size which will be determined partially by the type of joining that is required. As an example, the sleeve may have a length of between 5- 20cm, and a height of between 5-20cm. Of course, no limitation should be placed on the invention merely by the exemplification of a particular size range.

The sleeve as mentioned above may be formed from metal or any other suitable material. It is envisaged that the sleeve will be formed from galvanised metal and will typically have a thickness of between l-5mm.

The passageway may comprise any suitable size and this will depend partially on the joining that is required. As an example however, it is envisaged that the passageway will be substantially U-shaped in cross-section and will have a cross-section length of between 2- 10cm and a cross-section depth of between 1-1 Ocm. Again, this can vary

to suit.

The mounting flange may be of any size or shape depending on the joining that is required. As an example however it is envisaged that the mounting flange will be substantially rectangular and will have a length of between 4- 10cm and a width of between l-5cm. Again, this can vary to suit. The mounting flange may contain at least one opening to enable a fastener to attach the mounting flange to the member.

It is envisaged that the first part may also be fitted to the member without requiring mounting flanges. For instance, the first part may be made of steel and may be simply welded to a steel beam in which case mounting flanges may not be required.

The second part may comprise an arm member. The arm member contains a projection that is adapted to pass within the passageway of the first member, and the arm member may also contain the locking tongue. Suitably, the arm member comprises a metal member which may comprise galvanised metal or any other suitable material.

As an example, the arm member may have a particular configuration which may comprise a main body portion. The main body portion may be bifurcated to form a pair of leg portions. The locking tongue may comprise a turned in wall/flange/lip which may extend from the bottom of the main body portion.

The main body portion may be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan although no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by this particular exemplification. In an example, the main body portion will have a length of between 5-20cm, and a width of between 3-1 Ocm, and the main body portion, or at least part of the main body portion, is adapted to pass into the passageway of the first part.

The locking tongue may be rectangular when viewed in plan and comprise a turned in wall/flange/lip at the lower end of the main body portion. The locking tongue may have a length of between 2- 10cm and a width of between 5-50mm, although no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by this exemplification.

It is envisaged that the locking tongue may comprise a single locking tongue, or may comprise a plurality of locking tongues. If a plurality of tongue members is provided, these may be in a side-by-side relationship.

A biasing means is provided. The biasing means may form part of the second part. The biasing means may comprise a punched out finger on the second part. The punched out finger may be positioned between the leg portions of the second part. If desired, the biasing means may comprise a plurality of separate fingers or other biasing means or members. Alternatively, the biasing means may comprise a spring, a resilient member (such as a rubber member) and the like which may be provided on the first part or the second part.

The first part contains an abutment portion which is designed to engage with the locking tongue. In a simple form, the abutment part may comprise an edge in the first part. However, the first part may be provided with a slot or other type of opening through which the locking tongue can pass to lock the first part to the second part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawing in which:

Figure 1. Illustrates a view showing the first part and the second part in use. Figure 2. Illustrates a different design of the second part and a different type of attachment. Figure 3. Illustrates a side view of the second part and also illustrates in phantom various other shapes of the top flange.

Figure 4. Illustrates schematically a different type of first part which extends through a member.

Figure 5. Illustrates in section view the different type of first part of figure 4 and the second part in position.

Figure 6. Illustrates another variation to the first part which can be welded or otherwise attached to the side of a member.

Figure 7. Illustrates another version of the first part which can be inserted in a

cutout portion in the member.

Figure 8. Illustrates another embodiment of the invention where the first part has a slightly different design to lock the second part to the first part against removal.

Best Mode

Referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a joining system which comprises a first part 10 and a second part 11. First part 10 comprises a sleeve made of galvanised metal and which has a substantially U-shaped passageway 12. Passageway 12 comprises a front wall 13 and a pair of sidewalls 14. Each side wall contains a turned out mounting flange 15. The purpose of the mounting flange 15 is to enable the first part 10 to be screwed, nailed or otherwise attached to a first member 16 which in the particular embodiment may comprise a timber member. In the particular embodiment, the length of first part 10 (that is between flanges 15) is approximately 10cm, and the height of the first part is approximately 6cm.

The second part 11 can be seen as an arm member and comprises a projection, which in this particular embodiment is formed by a substantially flat and rectangular main body portion 17. Main body portion 17 is adapted to pass into the U-shaped passageway 12 which forms part of the first part 10. At the bottom of main body portion is a turned in wall or lip which forms a locking tongue 18. locking tongue 18 is flat and substantially rectangular. The length of main body portion 17 is such that it can be pushed substantially through passageway 12 such that locking tongue 18 can project below the first part 10.

A biasing means is provided which in the particular embodiment comprises a finger member 20 which is punched out of main body portion 17. This means that the remainder of main body portion 17 is bifurcated and forms two leg portions 21, 22. Each leg portion 21, 22 contains an upper turned in flange 23 which is adapted to be fastened to another member 24 such as a timber member.

Thus, timber member 24 contains the second part 11 and timber member 16 contains the first part 10.

The first part 10 contains an abutment portion, which in the particular embodiment comprises a lower edge 25 of the U-shaped passageway 12. Locking tongue 18 abuts against the abutment portion 25 when the second part 11 is pushed or dropped into the passageway 12.

To explain, as the second part 11 is pushed into passageway 12, the finger member 20 is compressed and pushes against one wall of timber member 16. As the second part 11 is pushed further along passageway, at some stage locking tongue 18 will pass below abutment portion 25. As soon as this happens, the compressed finger member 20 will push the locking tongue 18 underneath the abutment portion 25 and this will cause the second part (and therefore timber member 24) to be locked to the first part (and therefore timber member 16).

Referring now to figures 2-3, there is illustrated a variation to the embodiment of figure 1. In this variation, the second part 30 is somewhat similar to that illustrated in figure 1 and is again attached to a member 31 such as a wooden, steel or concrete beam or something else. The second part 30 can be attached to the member by any suitable means. As examples, the second part can be screwed or bolted into a wooden beam, screwed or welded to a steel beam, or bolted or embedded into a concrete beam.

Second part 30 again comprises a pair of spaced apart leg portions 32. The upper part of each leg portion 32 is bent to form the mounting flange 33. Reference is now made to figure 3, which shows that mounting flange 33 can be either bent "backwardly" or can form a linear extension of leg portions 32 (in phantom) or can be bent forwardly (also in phantom), thereby clearly illustrating that the type of mounting of the second part 30 to the member 31 should not be given any particular limitation.

A tongue portion 34 extends from the bottom of each leg portion 32 and at an angle thereto. The angle is preferably substantially 90°. Of course, tongue portion 32 can comprise a single tongue portion, a plurality of tongue portions, and the like.

A biasing means in the form of a finger member 35 extends from between leg portions 32 and functions in a manner similar to that described with reference to figure 1. Of course, it is not considered that any particular limitation should be placed on the shape and size of the biasing means 35. Furthermore, there may be circumstances where the biasing means comprises a spring which can be attached to the remainder of the second part 30, or comprises a different type of resilient member (such as a rubber block).

Figures 4-5 illustrate a different design of the first part. Referring to figures 4-5, the first part 40 can be positioned in member 31. This can be achieved in various ways. For instance, member 31 may comprise a wooden beam containing a passageway and a U-shaped or rectangular shaped or differently shaped insert (typically made of steel) can be fitted into the passageway to form the first part 40. The first part can then be attached by any suitable means to the member 31. However, in an alternative (and illustrated in figures 4-5), member 31 may comprise a hollow steel beam (box section), and in this alternative, the first part 40 can comprise a cutout in the top wall of the beam 31 and a cutout in the bottom wall of the beam 31 this being best illustrated in figure 5. The cutout in the bottom wall of beam 31 may contain a lip 36.

In use, member 31 containing the second part (see for instance figure 2) is pushed through the upper opening in the box section beam. This action depresses the biasing member 35. Once the biasing member 35 has passed through the upper opening, it will spring back into its natural "extended" position. Further pushing of the second part 32 through the box section will ultimately result in tongue portion 34 extending through the bottom wall. As soon as this happens, the biasing member 35 will push tongue portion 34 against the bottom opening thereby preventing the top beam 31 from being removed from the box section.

The inside of the box section may be provided with an abutment 37 against which the free end of biasing means 35 pushes once the second part has been fully pushed into the box section. This will prevent the second part from being removed. It will also prevent an unnecessary amount of "slack" between beam 31 and the box section. However, if abutment 37 is not present, slight lifting of beam 31 will cause the free

end of the biasing member to push against the underside of the box section adjacent the top opening which will again prevent the beam from being removed.

Figure 8 illustrates a different embodiment but again showing a locking action. This embodiment is similar to that described with reference to figure 1 except that the first part is provided with an additional locking cross member 45. This functions to lock the second part 46 against the first part 47 to prevent the second part from being removed.

Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the first part. In this embodiment, the first part 50 can be welded to the side of a steel box section and therefore the turned out mounting flanges (see reference 15 in figure 1) are not required.

Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the first part. In this embodiment, the first part 51 is inserted into a recess on member 52 and contains a cross member 45 (similar to that illustrated in figure 8) and again functioning to lock the second part to the first part against removal.

The arrangement is simple and uses far less fasteners than previous methods. In practice, all that is required is for the first part 10 to be nailed/screwed or otherwise fastened to one member 16, and the second part 11 to be nailed/screwed or otherwise fastened to the other member 24. The second part can then be press locked into the first part without requiring any further fastening.

The joining system can be used to connect steel to steel with the use of both light and heavy gauge metal wall steel component to accommodate the connection required. This can either be a permanent connection in light steel construction scenarios (sheds, fencing, etc.) or an intermediate connection for heavier construction situations that allow the bolted connections to be made later. In either case, the speed of installation is increased and the safety aspect greatly improved.

The joining system can also be used to connect steel work to concrete panels to minimise the use of temporary propping. For instance, the first part 10 can be

attached to or embedded into a concrete slab before erection. The second part 11 could be attached to the supporting steel member with the second part engaging with the sleeve on the slab upon erection. Thereafter, the connection can be welded or bolted in the conventional manner. The joining system therefore finds particular suitability in prefabricated components.

The arrangement can be used to hold two steel members together and in their final position to enable the members to be welded to each other.

The arrangement is very versatile and it is not considered that the arrangement should be limited to any particular use.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.