Abstract: Measuring apparatus having at least one measuring scale for effecting measurements, a straight edge for marking straight lines, a spirit level for testing for horizontality, and a friction-creating device for providing a grip for the measuring apparatus on a surface against which the measuring apparatus is to be used.

Abstract: A support structure (2) comprising a bracket (4) and a mounting element (6) on which the bracket (6) is mountable, the bracket (6) having a main portion (8) and a neck portion (10) extending from the main portion (8), and the mounting element (6) having a first opening (12) which is defined by a first pair of lips (14) and which leads to a first channel (16), and a second opening (18) which is defined by a second pair of lips (20) and which leads to a second channel (22), the second opening (18) being bridged by a flexible member (24) which is engaged by a first part (28) of the neck portion (10) of the bracket (4), and the first opening (12) and the first channel (16) being for receiving the neck portion (10) of the bracket (4) with the first pair of lips (14) defining abutment surfaces (30) for being engaged by second parts (32) of the neck portion (10) of the bracket (4).

Abstract: A shelf and display structure in which horizontal or sloping members (16, 18, 20) are mounted on a vertical element (12) by locking structures (14.1, 14.2, 14.3). Each locking structure includes a pair of arms (28) which are generally triangular in side elevation. Each arm has three grooves in the outer face thereof. The inner face of each arm is generally flat and merges at one end with a rolling surface. When two arms are placed in co-operating relationship with their rolling surfaces in contact, the arms diverge from one another. In this condition they can be inserted into an elongate mouth of the element (12) and the outer ends of the arms can then be pressed towards one another, the arms rolling on their rolling surfaces until the flat rear faces are juxtaposed. During such rolling motion the element 12 is deformed by the arms so that frictional forces are created which resist movement of the locking structures along the element (12).

Abstract: A joint for connecting together two or three framework members is disclosed. In one form there are two framework members which intersect. Inside one of the members there are two arms which protrude from one end of that member. The protruding portion of each arm has a groove therein and a tooth beyond the groove. The grooves and teeth face away from one another. The other member has an internal cavity with a slot-like entrance to the cavity bounded by lips. When the protruding ends of the arms are close to one another, the arms can be inserted through the slot-like entrance so that the lips enter the grooves and the teeth hook behind the lips. A screw passes through one of the arms and this can be tightened to that it bears on the other of the arms to force them apart and into engagement with the lips.

Abstract: A structure is disclosed in which there are uprights to which brackets are releasably attached. Each upright is in the form of an extrusion having a core structure (12) with webs (14) extending outwardly from the core structure (12). There are lips (26) at the outer ends of the webs (14) and these components bound an elongate cavity (30). In the core structure (12) there is a further cavity (18) with a slot-like entrance (24) placing the two cavities (18, 30) in communication. The lips (22) bounding the entrance (24) are cut away at at least one place to widen the entrance (24). The bracket has a head which is received in the cavity (30) and a boss which enters the cavity (18) at the (or one of the) widened part of the entrance (24). In a further form there is an element in the cavity (18) which element extends across the entrance (24) and which has a series of boss receiving apertures therein.

Abstract: Articles of furniture such as showcases, desks, etc. are formed using side and leg members joined at corner structures, the side members defining an opening for receiving a panel, each side member having an elongated, lipped channel which receives a retainer for holding a panel such as a retainer for holding a panel such as a glass pane. Each retainer has a flange portion which is longitudinally slidable into engagement with the lipped channel, a surface which abuts the side member and an upstanding wall to engage the panel edge. In one form the wall has a bent edge to overlie the panel, preventing the panel from being lifted out of the opening in a direction parallel with itself. Interconnection structures and trim strips usable with the structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated planar reversible shelf on which the opposite edges are curved so that one edge merges smoothly with one major face and intersects the other face at an angle of 90.degree., and the other edge merges smoothly into the other major face and forms a 90.degree. angle with the one. The faces and, if desired, the ends are covered with a wood or plastic veneer or laminate.

Abstract: A locking structure comprising a channel and a bracket. The channel has a pair of lips defining an elongated mouth. The bracket is L-shaped having a horizontal limb and a vertical limb extending downwardly from one end of the horizontal limb. The bracket has a neck the lower end of which merges with said vertical limb. The neck extends obliquely upwardly from said vertical limb and has a locking formation at its free end. The locking formation is wider than the neck and projects laterally on each side of the neck. The neck can pass through the mouth. When the bracket is so positioned with the neck passing through the mouth, the laterally projecting parts of the locking formation engage one face of each lip. The external surface of the vertical limb engages the other face of each lip. Said one face of each lip is formed with deformable serrations which extend in the direction of elongation of the mouth.

Abstract: A jointing device including arms which connect two elements together. The arms are elongated and of generally rectangular cross-section. One of the elements includes flanges with lips extending along the edges of the flanges and the other of the elements forms a clip. The lips form a mouth. Each arm is grooved near one end, the grooves extending transversely across one of the elongated faces of the respective arm. Said one end of each arm is bounded by a rolling surface which intersects said one surface of each arm and merges with the opposed surface. With the rolling surfaces in engagement, the arms diverge from said one end and, in this condition, can be inserted into, and removed from, said mouth. When the outer ends of the arms are moved together from this diverging position, the arms are brought into back-to-back relationship with the opposed surfaces juxtaposed. The lips are received in the grooves while the arms are held in back-to-back relationship in the mouth.

Abstract: A corner structure for use in assembling and dismantling frames for screens, etc., includes two extruded members to be joined to each other at a 90.degree. angle and a corner piece. Each extruded member has an X-shaped cross section with lips at the ends of the cross members forming lipped channels. The corner piece is in the shape of a right triangle and is provided with pairs of flanges extending longitudinally along two sides of the triangle. The flanges are longitudinally insertable into the lipped channels.

Abstract: A unitary element is T-shaped with the crossbar of the T being a head and the upright of the T being a cylindrical collar. A bore passes through the collar and head and may receive a screw therein. A further portion protrudes from an end of the collar remote from the head and has a longitudinally extending planar face which intersects a transversely extending end face of the collar. The further portion longitudinal face and the collar end face engage a longitudinal face and a transverse face of a member, respectively, to fix the element on the member so that it will not rotate relative thereto. A corner member is provided for bracing two structural members which are linked together.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinge structures. According to the present invention there is provided a hinged structure comprising a first gear segment, a second gear segment meshing with the first gear segment, and a link pivotally connected to each gear segment, the axes of the gear segments co-inciding with the axes of the pivotal connections between the link and the gear segments.