U.S. patent application number 11/668090 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for cross connector.
Invention is credited to Hans-Peter Buttau, Harald Kuepferle.
Application Number | 20070193210 11/668090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38282110 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buttau; Hans-Peter ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
CROSS CONNECTOR
Abstract
A connector for fastening an angle iron to a profile section has
a connector element configured so as to embrace the profile
section, and a single connecting member connecting the connector
element, the profile section and the angle iron, wherein the
connector element is substantially U-shaped and has a base and two
legs configured for embracing the profile section.
Inventors: |
Buttau; Hans-Peter;
(Lauffen, DE) ; Kuepferle; Harald; (Pleidelsheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Striker, Striker & Stenby
103 East Neck Road
Huntington
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
38282110 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668090 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/10 20130101; B65G
21/2072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/750 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 004 931.4 |
Claims
1. A connector for fastening an angle iron to a profile section
comprising a connector element configured so as to embrace the
profile section; and a single connecting means connecting said
connector element, the profile section and the angle iron, said
connector element being substantially U-shaped and having a base
and two legs configured for embracing the profile section.
2. A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector
element has a base with a joint located between said two legs with
a joint axis arranged to be oriented essentially parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the profile section.
3. A connector as defined in claim 2, wherein said joint of said
base of said connector element is configured as an elastic
joint.
4. A connector as defined in claim 2; and further comprising at
least two rocker protrusions configured for embracing the angle
iron and located on said base of said connector element on a side
facing away from said legs, said joint being located between said
rocker protrusions.
5. A connector as defined in claim 4, wherein said base of said
connector element has an opening located between said legs and
between said rocker protrusions and penetrated by said connecting
means.
6. A connector as defined in claim 5, wherein said opening is
provided with means for engaging said connecting means and for
receiving a threaded insert in a manner secured against relative
rotation.
7. A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said engaging means
is configured as means selected from the group consisting of a
thread and a recess.
8. A connector as defined 1, wherein said base of said connector
element on a side facing away from said legs has at least one
bracing protrusion for bracing the profile section.
9. A connector as defined in claim 1; and further comprising at
least one retention protrusion for embracing the profile section
and provided on each of said two legs of said connector element on
an end facing away from said base, said retention protrusion being
diametrically opposite to one another.
10. A connect or as defined in claim 1, wherein said base of said
connector element on a side toward said legs has at least one
detent protrusion for engagement with an adapted recess of the
profile section.
11. A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector
element is configured as a one-piece integral element.
12. A connector as defined in claim 11, wherein said one-piece
integral connector element is configured as an injection-molded
element composed of plastic.
13. A connection assembly, comprising a profile section, an angle
iron; and a connector embracing said profile section, said
connector, said profile section, and said angle iron being
connectable by a single connecting means, said connector being
configured substantially U-shaped and having a base and two legs
for embracing said profile section.
14. A connection assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said
angle iron rests on said base of said connector on a side facing
away from said legs, said connecting means penetrating said angle
iron and said base.
15. A connection assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said
connecting means include a screw bolt.
16. A connection assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said
profile section has undercuts which are adapted to retention
protrusions of said connector.
17. A connection assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said
profile section has at least one detent means which is adapted to
said detent protrusions of said connector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also
described in German Patent Application DE 10 2006 004 931.4 filed
Feb. 3, 2006. This German Patent Application, whose subject matter
is incorporated here by reference, provides the basis for a claim
of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present generally relates to cross-connectors.
[0003] More particularly, it relates to a connector for fastening
an angle iron to a profile section, and also to a corresponding
connection assembly.
[0004] Such connectors are known for instance from French Patent
Disclosure FR 2 033 601. In it, a connector 3 is shown with which
an angle iron 2 is fastened to a profile section 1, with the angle
iron crossing the profile section. The profile section 1 penetrates
the connector 3, so that the connector embraces the profile
section. The angle iron 2 rests on the outside 3.2 of the
connector. Simultaneously, a hook 4 embraces the profile section 1,
and a threaded portion that the angle iron 2 penetrates is provided
on the hook 4. With the aid of a screw 5, which engages the
threaded portion and is braced on the angle iron, the entire
connection assembly is held together. The hook 4 and the screw 5
together form the single connecting means by which the connection
assembly is connected.
[0005] The disadvantage of this connector is that the profile
section on the side facing away from the angle iron is not
accessible, since the profile section penetrates the angle iron.
Hence it cannot be used if a roller track, for instance, is
provided on that side of the profile section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cross-connection which eliminates the disadvantages of
the prior art.
[0007] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a cross-connector in which the profile section is
accessible on the side facing away from the angle iron.
[0008] This object is attained in that the connector is embodied as
substantially U-shaped, having a base and two legs for embracing
the profile section. The legs can for instance be inclined toward
one another in order to embrace the profile section. In the
remaining space between the legs, the profile section thus remains
accessible.
[0009] It may be provided that the base of the connector has a
joint, preferably an elastic joint, which is located between the
two legs, and the joint axis is oriented essentially parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the profile section. By means of the
joint, the legs can be pivoted relative to one another, so that the
profile section can be inserted into the connector without major
expenditure of force. In particular, the connector can be mounted
at any longitudinal position of the profile section without having
to be slipped on from the direction of the face end of the profile
section.
[0010] The joint can be implemented by providing that two connector
halves are mounted rotatably on one shaft. However, consideration
can also be given to providing a so-called film hinge, that is, a
narrow portion transverse to the joint axis, in which portion the
connector has substantially greater elasticity than in the
remainder of the connector. The film hinge extends in the direction
of the joint axis, preferably across the entire connector.
[0011] In a refinement of the invention, at least two rocker
protrusions for bracing the angle iron can be located on the base
of the connector, on the side facing away from the legs, and the
joint is located between the rocker protrusions. It is assured in
this way that the angle iron will not hinder the pivoting motions
of the connector about its joint.
[0012] It can furthermore be provided that between the legs and
between the rocker protrusions, the base of the connector has an
opening, which is can be penetrated by the connecting means. In
this embodiment of the connector, the angle iron preferably also
has an opening, and the connecting means penetrates both openings
and forces the base of the connector in the direction of the angle
iron. As a result, the legs of the connector, because of the joint
and the rocker protrusions, are moved toward one another until such
time as they rest firmly on the profile section and securely
embrace it. The connecting means in this case preferably includes a
screw bolt.
[0013] It is also proposed that the opening in the connector, for
engagement with the connecting means, has a thread or a recess for
receiving a threaded insert in a manner secured against relative
rotation. As a result, the screw bolt of the connecting means can
simply be screwed in, without requiring that a separate nut or the
like be prevented from rotating using a second wrench. The assembly
is accordingly simplified.
[0014] It can furthermore be provided that the base of the
connector, on the side facing away from the legs, has at least one
bracing protrusion for bracing the profile section. The bracing
protrusion is intended to prevent the profile section, during the
closure of the connecting means, from hindering the pivoting
motions of the connector about its joint.
[0015] Moreover, at least one retention protrusion for embracing
the profile section can be provided on each of the two legs of the
connector, on the end facing away from the base, and the retention
protrusions are diametrically opposite one another. This embodiment
is advantageously employed in conjunction with profile sections
which have undercuts that are adapted to the retention protrusions.
As a result, an especially secure hold of the connector on the
profile section can be assured. Moreover, this combination has the
advantage that the connector does not protrude past the profile
section on the free side of the profile section.
[0016] The base of the connector, on the side toward the legs, can
have at least one detent protrusion for engagement with adapted
detent recesses of the profile section. As a result, a form-locking
connection in the longitudinal direction of the profile section is
made between the profile section and the connector. The connector
is thus secured in a simple way against shifting in the
longitudinal direction of the profile section.
[0017] The connector can be embodied in one piece, preferably
injection-molded from plastic. What is suitable for this purpose
above all is the variant having the elastic joint. This kind of
connector is especially economical. As the plastic, polyamide,
preferably PA66, is especially well suited, since this material has
suitable elasticity and strength. The plastic is preferably
modified such that it has an increased electrical conductivity, in
order to assure an electrically conductive connection between the
profile section and the angle iron. This is intended to prevent
electrostatic charges, which could damage electronic components,
for instance, that are conveyed on the profile section.
[0018] The invention will be described below in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connection assembly of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector and the
connecting means of the connection assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG.
2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] In FIG. 1, a connection assembly of the invention is
identified very generally by reference numeral 1. It includes a
connector 10, a profile section 30, and an angle iron 40. The
profile section 30 is embodied as elongated U-shaped rails of sheet
steel. In the interior of the profile section 30, a plurality of
rollers 31 for forming a roller track are supported rotatably. The
angle iron 40 has an elongated lateral guide 41, which extends
parallel to the profile section 30. With the lateral guide 41,
material to be conveyed, which is transported on the roller track,
is guided laterally. The angle iron 40 is fastened to the connector
10 with the aid of the connecting means 50 on the profile section
30.
[0023] The connector 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is embodied as
substantially U-shaped, and overall it is symmetrical to the plane
of symmetry S. On its base 12, two legs 11 are provided, having
retention protrusions 19 diametrically opposite one another that
engage two complementary undercuts 32 in the profile section 30, so
that the connector embraces the profile section 30. The profile
section 30 is furthermore braced, on the side 13 of the base toward
the legs 11, on four bracing protrusions 18.
[0024] The angle iron 40 rests on the connector 10, on the side 14
of the base facing away from the legs 11. To that end, two rocker
protrusions 17 are provided, which are created by two flat faces 24
that are inclined toward one another. The position of the angle
iron 40 relative to the profile section 30 at a right angle is
defined by four alignment lugs 23 on the two rocker protrusions 17.
The use of four alignment lugs 23 in principle also makes it
possible to orient the angle iron 40 parallel to the profile
section 30, counter to what is shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] Between the legs 11 and the rocker protrusions 17, a joint
15 is provided, whose joint axis extends in the axis of symmetry S,
being aligned parallel with the profile section 30. The joint 15 is
embodied elastically, on the order of a film hinge 16. For this
purpose, a groove 25 is provided, which extends in the direction of
the joint axis over the entire connector, thus creating a region of
increased elasticity in the base.
[0026] A circular-cylindrical opening 20 for the connecting means
is also provided in the middle of the base and is adjoined by a
concentric square recess 21 for a threaded insert. The length of
the side of the recess 21 is greater than the diameter of the
opening.
[0027] The connecting means 50 includes a screw bolt 51, with a
thread 52, and a threaded insert 53, with a complementary thread
54. The threaded insert 53 is located in the recess 21 in a manner
fixed against relative rotation. The screw bolt 51 is screwed into
the threaded insert 53 from the diametrically opposite side through
an opening 42 in the angle iron 40 and through the opening 20 in
the base 12. The opening 42 in the angle iron is embodied as an
oblong slot, so that the lateral guide 41 can be placed in various
positions.
[0028] Upon assembly of the connector, the procedure is as
follows:
[0029] 1) Inserting the threaded insert 53 into the recess 21 in
the connector 10.
[0030] 2) Clipping the connector 10 onto the profile section 30, so
that the detent protrusion 22 on the connector engages one of the
plurality of detent recesses 33 on the profile section.
[0031] 3) Inserting the angle iron 40 between the alignment lugs
23, so that it rests on the rocker protrusions 17.
[0032] 4) Screwing the screw bolt 51 into the threaded insert.
[0033] In the final step, the screw bolt 51 is rotated firmly until
such time as the two faces 24, originally inclined relative to one
another, rest flatly on the angle iron 40. The inclination of the
two faces 24 relative to one another has been selected such that
the retention protrusions 19 on the connector 10 now engage the
undercuts 32 on the profile section 30 with a predetermined
clamping force.
[0034] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0035] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a cross connector, and a mounting assembly using the
same, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
[0036] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
* * * * *