A PANEL

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to panels and the like in particular, to an improved attachment means for attaching one member to another. Background Art.

The inventor of the present invention has been active previously in the field of construction mainly relating to fence and gate posts. The inventor has recognised a need in the art of panels for an improved method of construction particularly relating to methods of attaching one member of a panel to another member.

The inventor is aware that the field of panels is well traversed, particularly relating to fences and the like.

Conventional fence structures are generally formed of straight vertical elements, or slats, and perpendicular spacing elements. Although these structures have many uses, the geometry is not pleasing to everyone, and the use of such structures is thus somewhat limited. The vertical elements may be simple elongate post-like members or they may be U-shaped members in order to provide the loop-top fence. These may have a different appeal and be more aesthetically pleasing to some consumers. In construction of conventional fences in particular, the palings of the vertical direction are generally disposed over the rails and attached thereto. Therefore they are generally wider than the thickness of a single member. These are generally fixed to one another using a fastener of some kind, usually nails, screws or staples. For metal fencing, welding or a similar process may be used. The areas where the palings and rails overlap are also sometimes provided with a rebated portion allowing the slats to fit together forming a structure having a single slat thickness. Rebating however generally only works well with wooden constructions, metal being difficult to apply a rebate to.

Both the method of using fasteners and the provision of rebates weaken the fencing structure. They provide points of weakness about which the palings in particular may splinter.

Fences formed in the usual S wuabyStsi,tu aflesαS-hteeentd to sag ⁶ when not su ^pported or

(Rule 26) RO/AU

when the fence panel is larger. The weight of the palings and the entire fence panel bears on the fasteners and the rebates and may affect the strength or integrity of the fence. For this reason, these types of fences are unsuitable for use in security situations, particularly in situations such as pool fences. Fences may also be manufactured using a preformed panel often made using a plastic sheet with the fence pattern of rails and palings stamped out of the sheet. Fencing formed in this manner is quite thin, as it must be pressed out by a machine while the plastic is still cooling after the sheet is extruded. This type of plastic lattice is usually weaker and may be used for ornamental applications. It is generally unsuitable for security situations and also tends to sag.

The most common materials used in the construction of fence panels are wood, plastic and light metals such as aluminium. Wood has many disadvantages, such as being relatively heavy for a given strength, as well as splitting and breaking under impact. Furthermore, wood will tend to rot and decay under most conditions and must be protected either by a preservative finish using an expensive chemical treatment or else painted with appropriate decorative finishes which must be reapplied periodically. Thus the complete cost of a wood fence is not only the original cost of erecting it, but also the continuing cost of maintenance and repair.

In order to overcome the problems with wood as a fencing material, a number of substitutes have been proposed, particularly plastics, and of these polyvinyl chloride or PVC has been one of the most popular. PVC has the advantages of easy fabrication by extrusion, molding and other processes, as well as reasonable cost and durability, since it can easily be coated with the necessary protective and finishing materials. PVC is however generally weaker than metals. Aluminium is also used in construction and is used in security fencing such as pool fences. These constructions are often riveted together and the rivets therefore offer points of weakness about which the fence may bend.

It would therefore, be of considerable advantage in the art to provide a panel with a simple, effective and secure method of attaching one panel member to a panel member extending in a perpendicular direction.

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.

Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to an attachment mechanism and a panel including same, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a panel including a. at least one at least partially hollow first member disposed in a first direction, having a resilient means located within to control compression of the at least one first member; b. at least one second member disposed in a second direction provided with at least one attachment opening extending over at least part of the length of the at least one second member with attachment means associated with the at least one attachment opening; c. at least one attachment member adapted to attach at least one first member to the at least one second member, each at least one attachment member having at least one opening for receiving at least a portion of a first member; wherein the at least one attachment member is located at least partially about the first member and then forced into the longitudinal opening of the at least one second member, partially compressing the resilient means of the at least one first member to lock the at least one first member relative to the at least one second member.

There will preferably be a plurality of first members extending in the first direction and at least a pair of second members extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first members. Normally, each of the pair of second members will be located at or adjacent opposite ends of the plurality of first members.

The panel formed according to the present invention will typically be used as a divider assembly, and a particularly preferred application is for use as a privacy screen. There will suitably be more than one first member disposed in the first direction. The second members will suitably be disposed in a second direction to form a network. The first members and the at least one second member will typically be

oriented approximately perpendicular to each other. However, as will be apparent from the following discussion, the members may be oriented at an angle to one another which is other than perpendicular.

Each first member may preferably be an elongate member. The members may of course be of any cross-section required by a user or manufacturer of the panels. For example, a round member may be preferred by a consumer for aesthetic reasons or to reduce the appearance of the panel as a two-dimensional panel.

The members will preferably be rectangular. It is also anticipated that the first member may have a foil shape, being substantially oval in cross-section but having flattened sidewalls.

Rather than a circular or round cross-section, the first members will preferably have a cross sectional shape with a pair of approximately parallel sidewalls as this may tend to prevent any permanent deformation of the portions of the first member which engage the attachment member and thereby the second member. The provision of a first member with a flattened cross-section rather than a circular or round cross-section will also preferably increase the security of the attachment formed between the first member and the second member via the attachment member, as the load applied to be attachment member and thereby to the first member, may be spread over a larger area, that is, more of the side wall of the first member. For example, a particularly preferred embodiment of the first member has a pair of edge walls and a pair of sidewalls, the edge walls being substantially planar and the sidewalls having an arcuate shape. The radius of curvature of the arcuate sidewalls will typically be quite large in order to have the first member be almost rectangular in cross-section with a slight outwardly bulging shape towards a midline of the sidewalls.

The material used for construction of each of the members will preferably be a light but strong metal such as aluminium, or plastic. This will suitably provide the panel with the strength required to be used in security situations but remain light and slimmer in appearance than heavier or denser materials. Each first member may preferably be extruded. The extrusion may be of any length required.

Each first member may have any dimensions, but preferably may be

between approximately 1 cm and 5 cm in width, 4 to 50 cm in height and of any length.

At least a portion of the first members will normally be hollow or tubular. Typically, the members will be entirely hollow, but it is envisaged that partially hollow, partially solid first members may be used. Suitably, at least one end portion of the first members may be hollow or tubular and preferably both end portions will be. In this manner, the attachment member may be positioned about the hollow or tubular portion prior to the end portion of the first member being inserted into the second member during construction or assembly of the panel. Each first member preferably may be tubular in construction. The tubular construction will preferably provide strength and rigidity to the panel but not add excessive weight to the construction. However, a solid construction may preferably be used in specific situations. The or each first member may also have a planar configuration. For example, an awning may be formed according to the present invention by using planar first members oriented substantially horizontally and downwardly angled with a pair or more of second members oriented substantially vertically. Each of the first members may be provided with an attachment member to fix the awning blades (first members) in position.

The wall thickness of each first member will preferably be similar and be between approximately 0.5 mm and 10 mm. Thicker walls may be provided for members in larger panels, as those members will have to support a greater weight.

Each first member has a resilient means located within to control compression of the at least one first member. The resilient means will preferably be located between the sidewalls and normally between the outwardly bulging portions of the sidewalls. The resilient means is designed to allow the bulging portions of the sidewalls to be compressed during assembly of the panel by inserting the first member to the attachment member and then to an attachment opening in the second member.

Preferably, the resilient means will be co-extruded with the first member, and as such the resilient means will typically be formed of the same material as the first member. Therefore the shape or configuration of the resilient means will preferably provide its resilient nature.

The resilient means will preferably have a substantially V-shape or W-

shape with at least a pair of angled walls meeting at a tip or point. Typically, the angled walls will attach to an inner surface of the sidewalls of the first member, preferably adjacent the outwardly bulging portion of the sidewalls. The tip or point of the resilient means is located within the hollow interior of the first member, such that when load is applied to the outwardly bulging portions of the sidewalls, the V-shaped or W-shaped resilient means is compressed by deformation.

Preferably therefore, the material used to form the resilient means will be stiff, in order to require a more substantial force to deform the resilient means. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the W-shaped resilient means is preferred over the V-shaped resilient means.

The resilient means will typically have a wall thickness of approximately 1 to 5 mm and a height of between approximately 5 to 15 mm in a first member which is approximately 50 to 100 mm in height. The height of the resilient means (the distance between the tip or point and the attachment point of the angled walls) will affect the amount of load required to deform the resilient means. For example, a smaller height result in a resilient means which is more linear, which therefore requires more force than a resilient means which has a greater height. Therefore, adjusting the height of the resilient means allows adjustment of the load required during assembly and the security of the engagement between the first and second members.

Each end of the first member (as well as any other location where an attachment member is provided or used) will also preferably have retention means adapted to prevent the removal of the attachment member from the end of the first member, once attached. Conversely, the retention means will also preferably prevent the removal of the first member from the attachment member and thereby from the second member, once the first member and attachment member are properly located within the attachment opening of the second member.

The retention means may take any form but typically will be as simple as a laterally extending portion of a side wall of the first member. This portion may be formed after the member is extruded by deformation of the sidewall.

The combination of the retention means and the attachment member may also allow the first member to be rotated by up to approximately 20° once the

first member and the attachment member are in place within the attachment opening of the second member. In this manner, the second members may be positioned parallel to one another and the plurality of first members may be angled with respect to the second members, the angle be adjustable by up to approximately 20°. Each second member may preferably be substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape, round, or substantially oval in cross-sectional shape. A particularly preferred cross-sectional shape is a substantially H-shaped cross-section with arcuate walls, instead of planar walls.

Each second member includes at least one attachment opening therein. Preferably, each attachment opening is a longitudinal channel, which typically extends over the full height (or length) of the second member. Depending upon the application of the panel, the second member may have a different number of attachment openings. Preferably, each second member will typically have a pair of openings. However, each second member may be provided with only a single longitudinally extending attachment opening, or each second member may be provided with a plurality of attachment openings spaced over the height (or length) of the second member.

The second member may have more than one channel but may make use of a blank, filler or cover member to fill the channel and give the appearance of a solid post.

The attachment openings in the second member will typically be spaced from one another about the periphery of the second member. The second member may be manufactured with the attachment openings separated from one another by a predetermined angle such as 90°, 180°, or an angle between 90° and 180° as this will allow the formation of a panel (and divider assembly) of virtually any shape by combining second members having attachment openings provided at various angles.

Each channel typically includes a pair of spaced apart side walls joined by a base wall. The base wall is preferably provided along a midline of the second member. The side walls are typically arcuate and preferably diverge away from each other as they extend towards the base wall. The channel typically receives an end of a

first member surrounded by an attachment member, such that the attachment member is located between and outer surface of the first member and the second member.

Each side wall of the channel is typically provided with transversely extending locking portions which suitably extend partially into the channel. The locking portions are preferably provided in pairs of portions, one each on opposite side walls.

There may also a pair of locating extensions provided on the base wall to assist with the location of the first member in the attachment opening.

Each second member may preferably be extruded. The extrusion may be of any length required.

Each second member may have any suitable dimensions, but preferably may be between approximately 3 cm and 10 cm in a first direction, 3 cm to 50 cm in a second direction and of any suitable length.

Each second member may be solid, but preferably will be tubular in construction, with the channel opening into the hollow interior of the second member.

The tubular construction will preferably provide strength and rigidity to the panel but not add excessive weight to the construction. Solid construction may preferably be used in specific situations.

Instead of a longitudinally extending channel, each second member may have a plurality of openings disposed into or through it to receive the first members. These openings may be passages and may be spaced along each second member.

The wall thickness of each second member will preferably be similar and be between approximately 0.5 mm and 10 mm. Thicker walls may be provided for members in larger panels, as those members will have to support a greater weight.

Each second member is preferably disposed substantially perpendicularly to the first members to form a two-dimensional panel.

The second member may also be provided with at least one cover member. The cover member is adapted to be secured relative to an unused channel of the second member using the same locking portions used to engage the attachment members. The cover member is adapted to form a flush fit with the perimeter of the second member. When fitted, the cover member may give the appearance of an

uninterrupted perimeter to the second member. The cover member is normally provided with at least one and preferably a pair of opposed resilient arms, each with engagement portions to engage with the respective locking portions adjacent the channel of the second member. The cover member may have a cutaway portion to allow a hinge to open and close through the cover member when in position, such as may be provided for a gate or similar. The cover member will typically be snap-fitting into the channel but may also be slid into position from the upper or lower end of the second member.

Each second member may be further provided with an attachment portion to enable attachment of a cap at the upper extremity to prevent loss or removal of the cover and attachment members from the channels respectively, or to secure the first members in position. The attachment portion will typically be an opening to engage a threaded member such as a screw which may extend through the cap. The cap may preferably have rounded edges to minimise or cover the possibly sharp edges of the upper extremity of the second member. The cap will be preferably provided when the panel is used in a fence configuration when the second members are configured as post members.

As stated above, an attachment member will preferably be provided for each first member of the panel and generally, there will be an attachment member provided for each end of each first member. Each attachment member is suitably removable and replaceable relative to the first member. The attachment member will typically be configured as a collar member which is located about the first member prior to location in the channel of the second member.

Each attachment member may be manufactured of any material but typical materials may include metal or spring steel, with plastic materials, particularly nylon being preferred.

A single attachment member may be provided to engage a number of first members, or alternatively, there may be an attachment member provided for each first member. The shape of the attachment member will preferably be similar to the shape of the first member with a flattened cross-section rather than a circular or round cross-section. Again, this may preferably increase the security of the attachment

formed between the first member and the second member via the attachment member as the load applied to the attachment member and thereby to the first member may be spread over a larger area, that is, more of the side wall of the first member.

For example, a particularly preferred embodiment of the attachment member has a pair of end walls and a pair of sidewalls, the end walls being substantially planar and the sidewalls having an arcuate shape. The radius of curvature of the arcuate sidewalls will typically be quite large in order to have the attachment member be almost rectangular in cross-section with a slight outwardly bulging shape towards a midline of the sidewalls. The arcuate sidewalls will preferably allow easier alignment during assembly.

The surface of the attachment member is preferably shaped such that, when properly fitted to a second member, the attachment member forms a flush fit with the perimeter of the second member. The attachment member may also be coloured or otherwise formed such that if a different material is used to form the attachment member, this is not obvious from casual inspection of the panel.

Each of the sidewalls will typically have an opening therein, preferably in the outer edge of the sidewall to engage with the locking portions provided adjacent the attachment openings or channel of the second member. The opening the outer edge of the sidewall of the attachment member will preferably extend longitudinally over the entire length of the sidewall of the attachment member.

In use, the attachment member will be deformed in order to locate the attachment member about an end of the first member. Once properly located, the attachment member will be positioned to align the longitudinal opening in each sidewall of the attachment member with the respective locking portions adjacent the channel of the second member and a force applied thereto to deform the resilient means within the first member as the first member and attachment member are forced into the attachment opening. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, additional first members with respective attachment members are then also forced into the attachment opening of the second member to form a panel. The shape of the network of members may be of any shape required by a consumer. Such shapes may be rectangular in appearance, but it may also be diamond shaped (or angled to the horizontal), or rounded in appearance. The shape of

the panel and the network may also be abstract or freeform.

The arrangement of the network itself may preferably be an orderly array of members with the intersection of each first member with a second member providing a fixture point where the attachment member attaches the first member to the second member. The fixture points may suitably be arranged in any two or three- dimensional pattern. Such pattern may be regular or abstract.

By varying structural dimensions and relationships in the assembly of the panel network, the relative area of any openings between adjacent first members may be varied. The spacing of the members in the present invention may preferably be such that the openings are large enough to allow an unobstructed view or passage of air but small enough to provide security when necessary.

The openings in the panel may suitably be of any shape also, and will preferably be related to the array of the network.

The size of the panel may be varied to suit the application to which the panel is to be put. For example, when used as a fence, the panel will preferably be between 0.9 and 3 meters in height and 0.5 to 3 meters in width. More than one panel may be used to form a fence. When used in other situations, the panel will be suitably sized in order to achieve its purpose.

In an alternative form, the invention resides in an attachment mechanism for attaching at least one at least partially hollow first member disposed in a first direction, to at least one second member disposed in a second direction, the attachment mechanism including a. a resilient means located within at least one first member to control compression of the at least one first member; b. at least one attachment opening extending over at least part of the length of the at least one second member with attachment means associated with the at least one attachment opening; and c. at least one attachment member adapted to attach at least one first member to the at least one second member, each at least one attachment member having at least one opening for receiving at least a portion of a first member; wherein the at least one attachment member is located at least partially about the first member and then forced into the longitudinal opening of the at least one second

member, partially compressing the resilient means of the at least one first member to lock the at least one first member relative to the at least one second member.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

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

Figure 1 is a sectional end view of a first member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an edge view of an attachment member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a front view of the attachment member illustrated in Figure

2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the attachment member illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional end view of the second member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional end view of the second member illustrated in Figure 5, with a cover member provided.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to an aspect of the invention, an improved attachment mechanism is provided.

The attachment mechanism, members of a preferred embodiment of which are illustrated in the Figures, is specifically adapted for attaching at least one at least partially hollow first member 10 disposed in a first direction, a form of which is illustrated in Figure 1, to at least one second member 11 disposed in a second direction, a form of which is illustrated in Figure 5. The illustrated attachment mechanism is provided in three main parts, a first part associated with the first member 10, a second part associated with the second member 11 and the third part is an attachment member 12, a form of which is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

The first part of the attachment mechanism includes a resilient compression means 13 located within a first member 10 to control and resist compression of the first member 10. The second part of the attachment mechanism includes at least one attachment opening 14 extending over at least part of the length

of the second member 11 with attachment ribs 15 associated with the attachment opening 14. The third part of the attachment mechanism is an attachment member 12 adapted to attach the first member 10 to the second member 11. Each attachment member 12 of the illustrated embodiment has at least one opening 16 for receiving at least a portion of a first member 10. hi use, the attachment member 12 is located at least partially about the first member 10 and then is forced into the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11. This partially compresses the resilient compression means 13 of the first member 10 to lock the first member 10 relative to the second member 11. Normally, the attachment mechanism is used to form a panel (not shown) in which a plurality of first members 10 extend in the first direction and at least a pair of second members 11 extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first members 10. Normally, each of the second members 11 are located at or adjacent opposite ends of the plurality of first members 10. However, as will be apparent from the following discussion, the first and second members may be oriented at an angle to one another which is other than perpendicular.

This panel formed according to the invention will typically be used as a divider assembly, and a particularly preferred application is for use as a privacy screen. Each first member 10 is normally an elongate member. The first member 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is rectangular. The first member 10 has a cross sectional shape with a pair of approximately parallel sidewalls 17 as this may tend to prevent any permanent deformation of the portion of the first member 10 which engage the attachment member 12 and thereby the second member 11. The provision of a first member 10 with a flattened cross-section rather than a circular or round cross-section will also tend to increase the security of the attachment formed between the first member 10 and the second member 11 via the attachment member 12 as the load applied to the attachment member 12 and thereby to the first member 11 will be spread over a larger area, that is, more of the side wall 17 of the first member 10. A particularly preferred embodiment of the first member is that illustrated in Figure 1, having a pair of edge walls 18 and a pair of sidewalls 17, the edge walls 18 being substantially planar and the sidewalls having an arcuate shape,

biased outwardly by the resilient compression means 13. The radius of curvature of the arcuate sidewalls 17 will typically be quite large in order to have the first member 10 be almost rectangular in cross-section with a slight outwardly bulging shape towards a midline of the sidewalls 17. Typically, the first members 10 will be entirely hollow and tubular.

The tubular construction provides strength and rigidity to the formed panel but not add excessive weight to the construction.

The wall thickness of each first member 10 of the illustrated embodiment is between approximately 0.5 mm and 10 mm. As illustrated in Figure 1, the resilient compression means 13 is normally located between the sidewalls 17 and normally between the outwardly bulging portions of the sidewalls 17. The resilient means 13 is designed to allow the bulging portions of the sidewalls 17 to be compressed during assembly of the panel by inserting the first member 10 to the attachment member 13 and then to an attachment opening 14 in the second member 11, but to resist the compression.

The first member 10 will usually be formed by extrusion and the resilient compression means 13 will normally be extruded with the first member 10. The shape or configuration of the resilient compression means 13 will preferably provide its resilient nature. The resilient compression means 14 as illustrated, has a substantially

W-shape with two pairs of angled walls meeting at a tip or point. On of the pairs of angled walls attaches to an inner surface of the sidewalls 17 of the first member 10 adjacent the outwardly bulging portion of the sidewalls 17. The tips or points of the pairs of angled walls of the resilient compression means 13 are opposed to each other and located within the hollow interior of the first member 10, such that when load is applied to the outwardly bulging portions of the sidewalls 17, the W-shaped resilient compression means 13 is compressed by deformation.

The height of the resilient compression means 13 (the distance between the tips or points and the attachment point of the angled walls 17) affects the amount of load required to deform the resilient compression means 13. For example, a smaller height result in a resilient compression means 13 which is more linear, which therefore requires more force than a resilient compression means 13 which has a

greater height. Therefore, adjusting the height of the resilient compression means 13 allows adjustment of the load required during assembly and the security of the engagement between the first 10 and second 11 members.

Each end of the first member 10 (as well as any other location where an attachment member is provided or used) will also have retention means (not shown) adapted to prevent the removal of the attachment member 12 from the end of the first member 10 once attached. Conversely, the retention means will also prevent the removal of the first member 10 from the attachment member 12 and thereby from the second member 11, once the first member 10 and attachment member 12 are properly located within the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11.

The retention means may take any form but typically will be as simple as a laterally extending portion of a side wall of the first member.

As illustrated in Figure 5 in particular, each second member 11 has substantially H-shaped cross-section with arcuate walls 19, instead of planar walls, such that the second member 11 has an overall circular cross-sectional shape.

Each second member 11 as illustrated in Figure 5 includes a pair of attachment openings 14 therein, each attachment opening being a longitudinal channel, which typically extends over the full length of the second member 11.

The second member 11 may have more than one channel but a blank or filler member or cover member 20 may be provided, such as is illustrated in Figure 6, to fill the channel and give the appearance of a solid post.

The attachment openings 14 in the second member 11 are spaced from one another about the periphery of the second member at approximately 180°. Any angle between 90° and 180° may be used as this will allow the formation of a panel (and divider assembly) of virtually any shape by combining second members 11 having openings 14 at various angles.

According to the illustrated embodiment, each attachment opening is formed from the side walls 19 of the second member 11 joined by a base wall 21. The base wall 21 is provided along a midline of the second member 11 and also acts to brace the second member. The side walls 19 diverge away from each other as they extend towards the base wall 21. The attachment opening 14 receives an end of a first member 10 surrounded by an attachment member 12, such that the attachment

member 12 is located between an outer surface of the first member 10 and the second member 11.

Each side wall 19 of the second member 11, and normally at the edge of eth attachment opening 14, is typically provided with transversely extending locking portions or ribs 15 which extend partially into the attachment opening 14. The locking ribs 15 are provided in pairs, one on each opposite side walls 19.

The cover member 20 is adapted to be secured relative to an unused attachment opening 14 of the second member 11 using the same locking ribs 15 used to engage the attachment member 12. The cover member 20 is adapted to form a flush fit with the perimeter of the second member 11. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cover member 20 is provided with a pair of opposed resilient arms 22, each with engagement portions to engage with the respective locking ribs 15 adjacent the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11.

Each second member is provided with an attachment opening 23 in the base wall 21 to enable attachment of a cap at the upper extremity to prevent loss or removal of the cover 20 and attachment members 12 from the attachment openings 14 respectively, or to secure the first members 10 in position, if the second members 11 are provided as posts.

Each attachment member 12 is suitably removeable and replaceable relative to the first member 10. The attachment member 12 is typically configured as a collar member which is located about the first member 10 prior to location in the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11.

Each attachment member 12 may be manufactured of any material but nylon or other plastic is preferred. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the shape of the attachment member 12 is similar to the shape of the first member 10 with a flattened cross-section rather than a circular or round cross-section.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the attachment member 12 has a pair of edge walls 24 and a pair of sidewalls 25, the edge walls 24 being substantially planar and the sidewalls 25 having an arcuate shape.

Each of the sidewalls 35 has an opening or longitudinal groove 26 in the outer edge of the sidewall 25 to engage with the locking ribs 15 provided adjacent the attachment openings 14 of the second member 11.

In use, the attachment member 12 is deformed in order to locate the attachment member 12 about an end of the first member 10. Once properly located, the attachment member 12 is positioned to align the longitudinal opening 26 in each sidewall 25 of the attachment member 12 with the respective locking ribs 15 adjacent the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11 and a force applied thereto to deform the resilient compression means 13 within the first member 10 as the first member 10 and attachment member 12 are forced into the attachment opening 14. According to a particularly preferred panel embodiment, additional first members 10 with respective attachment members 12 are then also forced into the attachment opening 14 of the second member 11 to form a panel.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.