WO2008015482A1

WO2008015482A1 - Fastener

Info

Publication number: WO2008015482A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Pearce
Original assignee: Steven Pearce
Priority date: 2006-08-03
Filing date: 2007-08-03
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: GB0715106D0; GB2440678A; GB0615413D0

Abstract

A fastener (100) is disclosed for fastening together panels of a playhouse, shed or fence. The fastener comprises a substantially planar member (200) having an elongate slot (250) extending substantially radially thereof. The fastener further comprises pivot means (260) extending substantially perpendicular to the slot to permit a portion of the member to pivot out of the plane of the member to enable the fastener to be inserted through aligned apertures within the panels, to fasten the panels together.

Description

FASTENER

The present invention relates to a fastener and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fastener for fastening panels of a child's playhouse.

Panels of a shed or playhouse, fence panels and the like, are typically secured to a frame or to adjoining panels by passing a bolt through the panels and securing a nut onto the bolt to hold the panel in place. However, in this case access is required to both sides of the panel in order to manipulate the nut and bolt simultaneously, to secure the panel. Moreover, for large panels, two people are often required so that while one person screws the nut onto the bolt, the other person holds the bolt head to prevent the bolt from turning.

Alternatively, rivets may be used to secure the panels together. Rivets provide a more permanent fixing than bolts, but it is difficult to detach the panels without enlarging the holes. As a result, the panels are often unsuitable for re-use.

In a further alternative, the panels may be secured by passing nails or screws through the panels. However, this requires that the panels are held tightly together while the nail or screw is applied. There is also a risk that the nail or screw tip may pass through the panels to leave an exposed tip on one side, which may cause injury.

Screws and nails, like rivets, provide a more permanent fixing of the panels and as such, the panels may be damaged if the screws and/or nails are to be removed. Moreover, if the screws and/or nails are removed, then it may be difficult to reconstruct the playhouse or fence etc, having its original rigidity and strength.

Furthermore, in each of the above cases, a tool, such as a screw driver, hammer or spanner is required in order to effect the fastening of the panels.

I have now devised a fastener and method of fastening panels which overcomes these problems. In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a fastener, the fastener comprising a substantially planar member, the member comprising an efongate slot extending substantially radially of the member and pivot means extending substantially perpendicularly to the slot, wherein the pivot means permits a portion of the member to pivot with respect to the member.

The slot preferably extends from a central region of the member to a position on the periphery of the member.

Preferably, the pivot means extends from the part of the slot innermost of the member, to a position on the periphery of the member.

The portion of the member is substantially a first quadrant of the member formed between the slot and the pivot means.

The part of the member adjoining the slot and arranged opposite the first quadrant, preferably comprises a second quadrant.

Preferably, the member comprises hook means for hanging items. Alternatively, or in addition, the member comprises an aperture or recess for supporting pipes, cord or cable.

The fastener preferably further comprises abutment means extending from a quadrant of the member arranged diametrically opposite the second quadrant, namely the fourth quadrant, in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the slot.

Preferably, the member and abutment means are formed as a single unit.

Preferably, the pivot means permits a portion of said member to pivot with respect to said member to enable locking and unlocking of the fastener.

The pivot means preferably comprises biasing means for biasing the portion of the member within the plane of the member. Preferably, the pivot means comprises a hinge or fold line formed within the member. The member is preferably substantially circular in shape.

Preferably, the fastener is used to fasten together panels of a playhouse, shed or fence.

Preferably, the width of the slot is substantially similar to the combined thickness of panels secured by the fastener.

Preferably, the second quadrant comprises a sharpened periphery for piercing the panels.

Preferably, the fastener is formed of substantially paperboard, plastic or metal.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a method of fastening panels, the method comprising, providing at least two panels; providing a fastener according to the first aspect; pivoting the portion of the member of the fastener out of the plane of the member; passing the second quadrant of the member through each of the at least two panels until the portion of the member abuts a first of the at least two panels; rotating the fastener until the second quadrant abuts a second of the at least two panels; and, pivoting the portion of the member into the plane of the member to lock the fastener in position and fasten the panels together.

The second quadrant of the member may preferably pass through aligned apertures formed within each of the at least two panels. Alternatively, the second quadrant of the member may preferably pierce the at least two panels.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of rotating the fastener until the abutment means abuts the first of the at least two panels Preferably, the panels comprise panels of a child's playhouse or shed or similar.

Preferably, the panels comprise panels of a fence.

In accordance with this invention as seen from a third aspect, there is provided a support bracket comprising a fastener according to the first aspect secured to at least one panel,

In accordance with this invention as seen from a fourth aspect, there is provided a playhouse comprising panels fastened together using fasteners according to the first aspect.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will now be given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the fastener according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fastener according to the present invention and a pair of panels;

Figure 3 illustrates the sequence of steps involved in fastening two panels together using a fastener according to the present invention; and,

Figure 4 is a side view of additional embodiments of the fastener of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially figure 1, there is provided a fastener 100 according to the present invention, preferably formed from a single sheet of paperboard, plastic or metal, for fastening together panels 300 of a playhouse, shed or fence (not shown). The fastener 100 comprises a substantially planar member 200 comprising four quadrants 210, 220, 230, 240. The first quadrant 210 and second quadrant 220 are separated by an elongate slot 250, which extends radially from a central region of the member 200 to the periphery thereof. The width of the slot is typically the width of two panels 30Oa₁ 300b which the fastener 100 fastens together. The first quadrant 210 is hingedly connected to the member 200 about a fold fine 260. The fold line 260 comprises a line of weakness formed within the member 200 and extends from the innermost part of the slot 250 radially of the member 200, to the periphery of the member 200 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the slot 250. Accordingly, the first quadrant 210 can pivot out of the plane of the member 200 about the fold line 260, as shown in figure 2.

In use, the first quadrant 210 is pivoted out of the plane of the member 200 until the plane of first quadrant is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member 200 (i.e. out of the plane of the page in figure 3). The panels 300a, 300b which are to be secured together, are then aligned so that the apertures 310 formed therein become aligned with each other and the second quadrant 220 is passed through the aligned apertures 310 until the plane of the first quadrant 210 abuts the front surface of the first panel 300a, as shown in figure 3a.

Once the fastener has been inserted thought the panels, the fastener is then rotated in the plane of the member (as shown in figure 3b) through approximately 90°, until the leading edge 270 of the second quadrant 220 abuts the rear surface of the second panel 300b.

The fastener 100 may further comprise a shoulder portion 280 extending rearwardly of the fastener 100, in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the slot. The shoulder portion 280 comprises a substantially planar extension of the member 200 or may comprise a separate component which is secured to the member 200. In either case the shoulder portion 280 comprises a leading edge 290 such that when the fastener is rotated through the aligned apertures 310 formed within the panefs 300, the leading edge 290 of the shoulder portion 280 abuts the front surface of the first panel 300a as the leading edge 270 of the second quadrant 220 abuts the rear surface of the second panel 300b, as shown in figure 3c.

After fully rotating the fastener 100 within the aligned apertures 310, the first quadrant 210 is then pivoted back into the plane of the member 200 to lock the fastener in place, as shown in figure 3d. In the locked position, the second and third quadrants 220, 230, take up a position on the rear surface of the second panel 300b, while the first and fourth quadrants 210, 240, take up a position on the front surface of the first panel 300a. It is also envisaged that the fold line 260 formed within the member 200 maybe resiliently biased to bias the first quadrant 210 into the plane of the member 200 to effect locking of the fastener.

To separate the panels 300, the first quadrant 210 of the fastener 100 is pivoted out of the plane of the member 200 to allow the fastener to pivot back through 90° and thus be removed from the apertures 310 within the panels.

in an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the second quadrant 220 of the member 200 may be forced through the suitably aligned panels 300a, 300b so as to pierce the panels 30Oa₁ 300b. In this case, it is preferable that the fastener 100 is formed from sheet metal so that the fastener will be strong enough to withstand the forces subjected to it when piercing the panels, and that the periphery of the second quadrant comprises a sharpened edge to help in piercing the panels. This embodiment has the advantage that no apertures are required to be pre-formed within the panels.

In a further embodiment, the second quadrant 220 further comprises a hook 400, as shown in figure 4 (with the hatched area 410 removed) for hanging items. Alternatively, the second quadrant 220 may further comprise an aperture 420 (with hatched area 430 removed) or a recess 440 (with the hatched area 450 removed) for supporting pipes, cord or cables (not shown), for example. However, in spite of the foregoing and as would be apparent to the skilled reader, it is evident that any quadrant of the member could comprise hooks and/or apertures and/or recesses for supporting items there from.

From the foregoing therefore, ft is evident that the fastener of the present invention provides a simple yet effective means of fastening panels of a playhouse, shed or fence. Moreover, the fastener does not require any additional tool to effect the fastening and readily permits a quick assembly and disassembly of the panels.

Claims

1. A fastener, said fastener comprising a substantially planar member, said member comprising an elongate slot extending substantially radially of said member and pivot means extending substantially perpendicular to said slot, wherein said pivot means permits a portion of said member to pivot with respect to said member.

2. A fastener according to claim 1 , wherein said slot extends from a central region of said member to a position on the periphery of said member.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said pivot means extends from the part of said slot innermost of said member, to a position on the periphery of said member.

4. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said portion of said member is substantially a first quadrant of said member formed between said slot and said pivot means.

5. A fastener according to claim 4, wherein the quadrant of said member adjoining said slot and arranged opposite said first quadrant, comprises a second quadrant.

6. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said member comprises hook means for hanging items.

7. A fastener according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said member comprises an aperture or recess for supporting pipes, cord or cable.

8. A fastener according to any preceding claim further comprising abutment means for limiting rotational movement of the fastener in use.

9. A fastener according to claim 8 as appended to claim 5, wherein said abutment means extends from a quadrant of said member arranged diametrically opposite said second quadrant, namely the fourth quadrant, in a direction substantially opposite the direction of said slot.

10. A fastener according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said member and said abutment means are formed as a single unit.

11. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said pivot means permits a portion of said member to pivot with respect to said member to enable locking and unlocking of the fastener.

12. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the member further comprises biasing means for biasing said portion of the member within the plane of said member.

13. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said pivot means comprises a fold line formed within said member.

14. A fastener according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein said pivot means comprises a hinge.

15. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said member is substantially circular in shape.

16. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said fastener is used to fasten together panels of a playhouse, shed or fence.

17. A fastener according to claim 16, wherein the width of said slot is substantially similar to the combined thickness of the panels fastened by said fastener.

18. A fastener according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said second quadrant comprises a sharpened periphery for piercing said panels.

19. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said fastener is formed of substantially paperboard.

20. A fastener according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein said fastener is formed of substantially plastic.

21. A fastener according to any of claims Λ to 18, wherein said fastener is formed of substantially metal.

22. A method of fastening panels, the method comprising, providing at least two panels; providing a fastener according to any preceding claim; pivoting said portion of said member of said fastener out of the plane of said member; passing said second quadrant of said member through each of said at least two panels until said portion of said member abuts a first of said at least two panels; rotating said fastener until said second quadrant abuts a second of said at least two panels; and, pivoting said portion of said member into the plane of said member to lock said fastener in position and fasten said at least two panels together.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of aligning apertures formed within each of said at least two panels to permit the second quadrant of the member to pass through the each of said at least two panels.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of passing said second quadrant of said member through each of said at least two panels comprises piercing the panels with said second quadrant.

25. A method according to any of claims 22 to 24, further comprising the step of rotating the fastener until the abutment means abuts the first of the at least two panels.

26. A method according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein said at least two panels comprise panels of a child's playhouse or shed or similar.

27. A method according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein said at least two panels comprise panels of a fence.

28. A support bracket comprising a fastener as claimed in claim 6 or 7 secured to at least one panel.

29. A playhouse comprising panels fastened together using fasteners according to any of claims 1 to 21

30. A fastener substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of fastening panels substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.