Abstract: A connector and a method of anchoring the connector to a first object that includes providing the connector having a sleeve element and a piston element with a shaft portion, providing a through hole in the first object, and inserting the connector through the through hole and until a distal portion of one of the sleeve and/or the piston element rests against the second object. Mechanical oscillations are coupled into the piston element while the piston element is pressed towards the distal side, and thereby liquefying portions a thermoplastic material at an interface portion between the sleeve element and the piston element while a periphery of the interface portion is adjacent the circumferential wall, and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to flow radially outward from the periphery and into structures of the first object and/or along an inner surface.

Abstract: A joint forming device for forming a joint between two members, the device (10) comprising a tightening element (12) to be fitted to one member and a fastening element (14) having a longitudinal axis (34) to be fitted to the other member. The fastening element has at least one engaging surface (26) cooperably engageable with a respective arcuate camming surface (24) of the tightening element whereby rotation of the tightening element in one sense about an axis of rotation thereof causes axial movement of the fastening element towards the axis of rotation to cause a joint formed between the two members to tighten. The or each arcuate camming surface (24) is adapted such that the relation between the amount of rotation of the tightening element and the amount of axial movement it causes is substantially constant substantially throughout the range of axial movement of the tightening element.

Abstract: A joint forming device for use in forming a joint between two members comprising an elongate fastening element, a tightening element having at least one arcuate camming surface for cooperably engaging an engaging portion of the fastening element and at least one housing for the fastening element and the tightening element with the or each camming surface and the engaging portion positioned for the cooperable engagement. The housing includes a first housing for housing the tightening element, a second housing for housing at least an expansion portion of the fastening element and at least one member connecting the first and second housings. The first housing and the second housing are adapted for cooperative engagement with the tightening element and the fastening element, respectively. In use, the first housing is fitted to a recess in one of the joint members and the second housing is fitted to a recess in the other the joint members to form a joint therebetween.

Abstract: A housing for a joint forming device for forming a joint between two members comprises a sleeve (22) for housing a camming element (24) of such a joint forming device. The sleeve (22) has at least one moveable portion (40,42) adapted to move outwardly of the outer periphery of the sleeve as indicated by the arrows (46) in response to movement of such a camming element housed therein during tightening of the joint for forceably engaging a wall of a recess in one of the members in which the sleeve is fitted.

Abstract: A device for use in forming a joint includes a female part at least partially installed in a recess in one joint member and a male part adapted to be received in the female part. The male part is provided with an expander region having a plurality of taper portions for expanding the female part when the male part is moved axially relative to the female part such that an opposite end region of the male part moves away from the female part and thereby causes the female part to be secure in the recess. The female part includes a first end portion for insertion in the recess and a second end portion for insertion in a recess in another joint member and an abutment intermediate the end portions for limiting axial insertion of the second end portion into the recess.

Abstract: A device 10 for mounting a panel 102 to a bracket 106 on a wall 108 with the panel vertical and at right angles to the wall. The device comprises a housing 12 adapted to be secured with a reference surface thereof against a major surface of the panel and houses a hanging member 14 which lies substantially parallel to said reference surface. An end of the hanging member 14 extends beyond the housing and is adapted for engagement with the bracket. The device further comprises means for adjusting the position of the hanging member relative to the housing so that said end is moveable in a plane substantially parallel to the reference surface. The adjusting means comprises two adjusting devices 50, 70 for moving said end in respective different directions and each adjusting device includes a single component which contacts the hanging member so as to be able to move said member, and which also is in high-interference contact with the housing to resist an inadvertent change of its adjusted position.