Point concentrations

Abstract

Point holder for a disk (10, 32) with a holding arrangement (40) comprising a base body (42, 142) and a cover (44), wherein the base body (42, 142) is provided to be arranged at least partially on one side of the disk (10, 32) and the cover (44) is provided to be arranged at least partially on the other side of the disk (10, 32), opposite the base body (42, 142), wherein a pin is provided which is provided to be guided through a hole (34) in the disk (10, 32) in order to connect the base body (42, 142) to the cover (44), wherein a spring element (82) is provided in the base body (42, 142) in a region between the pin and the base body (42, 142), which causes the base body (42, 142) and the cover to (44) are movable relative to each other, wherein in the base body (42, 142) a recess (80) is provided which is open to the side of the base body (42, 142) facing away from the cover (44) and in which the spring element (82) is provided, the pin is designed as a screw (46) with a screw head (50, 150) and a screw shaft (48, 148), the screw head (50, 150) has a conical shape in cross-section, the spring element (82) is provided in the recess (80) between the screw head (50, 150) and a stop section (84) of the base body (42, 142), and wherein a layer of elastic material serves as a spring element (82).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a point holder for a pane, in particular a glass pane, which is intended as a guardrail. State of the art

[0002] So-called guardrails must be installed on stairs and other places inside and outside buildings, both to meet safety requirements and to comply with design and architectural specifications.

[0003] The term "guardrail" is a collective term for all fall protection devices on stairs, landings, balconies, and similar building areas. This includes railings, stair railings, balustrades, balustrade railings, landing railings, etc. Guardrails are structural or, without prejudice to legal regulations, appropriate design measures for fall protection at all normally accessible areas inside and outside a building. It must be considered that such guardrails can be subjected to high forces. It must be ensured that the guardrail can withstand loads such as impacts without sustaining damage. Such guardrails are, for example, constructed as panels or plates made of various materials. Glass is one such material.

[0004] To securely fasten such a railing, it is known to use so-called point fixings, which are designed to ensure the secure attachment of the panel or railing to a building structure. Such point fixings typically comprise a two-part fixing assembly with a base and a cover, which are positioned on opposite sides of the panel or railing to be fastened. The two components of the fixing assembly, i.e., the base and the cover, are connected to each other by a pin or stud that pierces a hole in the panel.

[0005] A bracket for stair railings is known from German patent application DE 26 23 614. The bracket has two connectable bracket parts, in the facing surfaces of which recesses corresponding to the shapes of the bolts and balusters are formed, each recess being slightly less than half the length of the bracket. Elastic spacers are provided between the baluster and the bracket parts in the area of ​​the bearing points of a baluster and a nut.

[0006] German patent application DE 101 22 370 C2 describes a point holder for a perforated laminated safety glass plate, comprising a plate on one side, a plate on the other side of the plate, and a pin connecting the plates and passing through the plate's perforation. The point holder has a mounting device on one side for attaching it to a support structure, and it also has an attached or integrated clamping element on one side of the plate. This clamping element is designed to hold a printed circuit board (PCB) by gripping its edge. A conductor channel for supplying power to the PCB is routed through the mounting device to the clamping element. An elastomeric ring is also provided, positioned between one of the plates and a base.

[0007] The German patent application DE 199 15 193 C1 describes a fastening device for a glass plate on a building-side bracket. The glass plate is held between two clamping elements. A locking bell is supported on an inner clamping element with adjustable preload, and a permanently elastic spring element is arranged between the locking bell and the inner clamping element.

[0008] The publication EP 2 840 199 A1 describes a fitting for a support structure comprising a cover and a base body. It also incorporates elastic elements, viscoelastic elements, and a spring, the interaction of which enables the fitting to absorb forces acting in a horizontal direction.

[0009] The publication DE 20 2009 015 529 U1 describes a fitting designed to dampen impact loads. For this purpose, a layer of an elastic material is provided.

[0010] Against this background, a point holder with the features of claim 1 is presented. Embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawing.

[0011] A point holder for a disc with a holding arrangement is presented, the holding arrangement comprising a base body and a cover. The base body is designed to be positioned, at least partially, on one side of the disc, and the cover is designed to be positioned, at least partially, on the other side of the disc, opposite the base body. Furthermore, a pin, stud, or bolt is provided, which is designed to be guided through a hole in the disc and thus be guided in the assembled state to connect the base body to the cover. This means that during assembly of the point holder, the pin is guided through the hole so that, after assembly, it protrudes through the hole in the assembled state of the point holder.The described point holder is characterized by the fact that a spring element is provided in the base body in an area between the pin and the base body, which causes the base body and the cover to be movable relative to each other.

[0012] The fact that the base body and the cover are movable relative to each other means that when the disc is subjected to a load perpendicular to the plane of the disc, the spring element deforms, resulting in relative movement between the base body and the cover of the holding assembly. Thus, the energy of the load, e.g., the impact energy, is converted into a deformation of the spring element.

[0013] The presented point fixing is used to secure a panel or plate that serves as a guardrail and thus as fall protection on a staircase, platform, balcony, or similar building area. The guardrail can therefore be a railing, stair railing, parapet, balustrade, platform railing, balustrade, or similar component.

[0014] In one embodiment, the basic body comprises a base section and a projection, the projection being designed to pass through at least one section of the hole in the disk.

[0015] In another embodiment, the cover comprises a base section and a projection, the projection being designed to pass through at least one section of the hole in the disc.

[0016] Thus, both the base body and the cover can comprise a base section and a projection. In this embodiment, it can be provided that, in the assembled state of the point holder, the two projections are directly opposite each other or even abutting each other with their end faces in the area within the hole. If the projection of the base body is longer in the axial direction of the hole than the projection of the cover, the force exerted by the weight of the resting disc can be absorbed primarily or even exclusively by the projection of the base body.

[0017] Furthermore, the base body is designed with a recess that is open on the side of the base body facing away from the lid. The spring element is provided and / or received in this recess.

[0018] The pin or stud is designed as a screw with a screw head and a screw shank. The screw shank, which has an external thread, is typically threaded into either a section of the base body or a section of the cap. One of these two sections may then have an internal thread that corresponds to the external thread of the screw shank. In one embodiment, the screw is threaded into the cap and movably guided within the base body.

[0019] The screw head may have a locking mechanism that prevents the screw from rotating during assembly, meaning it is securely locked in the mounting. This locking mechanism can be achieved through a geometric design of the screw head or by a projection on the screw head.

[0020] Furthermore, the screw head has a conical shape in cross-section. The screw head typically rests against the spring element. The conical shape then causes a preload of the spring element, especially when an elastic layer is used as the spring element, so that the shape of the force-displacement diagram, i.e., the spring characteristic curve, can be influenced.

[0021] The spring element is located in the recess between the screw head and a stop section of the base body, which is typically closer to the cover. When the disc is subjected to an impact, the screw head presses the spring element against this section, compressing the spring element and thus compensating for the impact energy, i.e., converting the impact energy into deformation energy.

[0022] An additional shim may be provided, designed to be positioned between the point holder and the disc. This shim, which can be a single piece or multiple pieces, prevents direct contact between the disc and the point holder's mounting bracket. This is particularly important when the disc is made of glass and the mounting bracket is made of a metallic material. The shim can, for example, be a sleeve protruding through the hole in the disc, such as a plastic sleeve.

[0023] A layer of permanently elastic material, or metal springs or microcellular elastomers with fast-acting recovery behavior can be used as the spring element.

[0024] The spring element is typically designed to be so stiff that the disc or railing does not wobble under normal load.

[0025] The point fixing can be used, in particular, for fastening a glass pane. This document also presents the use of a point fixing of the type described above for fastening a pane, especially a pane made of glass.

[0026] Further advantages and features are described in the accompanying drawing.

[0027] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a disc that is attached to a step of a staircase using point fixings. Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the presented point holder in a sectional view. Fig. 3 shows the point holder Fig. 1 in a top view. Fig. Figure 4 shows a different point holder in a top view. Fig. Figure 5 shows a force-displacement diagram of a spring element.

[0028] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawing and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly simplified version of a panel 10, which in this case is made of glass and serves as a stair railing. The panel 10 is attached to a stair stringer 16 by a first point fixing 12 and a second point fixing 14. A ceiling trim, ceiling edge, or balcony edge can be used instead of the stair stringer 16. The panel 10 can also be attached to a single stair step or to several stair steps, for example, with one point fixing per step. The point fixings 12 and 14 are arranged one above the other. They can also be arranged side by side, offset vertically, or in other ways. Of course, more than two point fixings or even just one point fixing can be used.

[0030] When using the stairs, a force or impact may act on the disc, as illustrated by arrow 18. Such an impact can damage the disc 10, particularly in the area of ​​its attachment, i.e., in the area of ​​the point fixings 12, 14. This can even lead to the disc 10 breaking, which poses a significant hazard to the user of the stairs. For this reason, the point fixings 12, 14 are designed in a special way, as illustrated in the following figures. The weight of the disc 10 exerts a downward force on the point fixings 12, 14 on which the disc 10 rests, as illustrated by further arrow 20.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a point fixing 30, which serves to attach a pane 32 to a building component, such as a staircase. In this case, the pane 32 is made of glass, but other materials are also conceivable. The pane is perforated, i.e., a hole 34 is made in it, which is intended for mounting the point fixing 30 and thus for attaching the pane 32 to a building structure.

[0032] The point holder 30 has a holding arrangement 40, which in turn has a base body 42 and a cover 44. These two components, namely the base body 42 and the cover 44, are designed to be arranged, at least partially, on opposite sides of the disk 10. They work together to fasten the disk 10. To connect the base body 42 and the cover 44, a pin is provided, which in this case is designed as a screw 46 with a screw shank 48 and a screw head 50.

[0033] The base body 42 comprises a base section 60 and a projection 62 that extends into the hole 34 of the disk 10. Similarly, the cover 44 comprises a base section 70 and a projection 72 that also extends into the hole 34 in the disk 10. An end face 76 of the projection 48 of the base body 42 lies directly opposite an end face 78 of the projection 72 of the cover 44. The two end faces 76 and 78 can also be in direct contact with each other.

[0034] The base body 42 has a recess 80 that defines a region in the base body 42 in which the screw head 50 and a spring element 82, in this case a disc or plate made of an elastic material, are located. This spring element 82 corresponds to the dimensions of the recess 80 and lies in the recess 80 between the screw head 50 and a stop section 84 of the base body 42. The conical shape of the screw head 50, which causes a preload of the spring element 82 in the recess 80 between the screw head 50 and the stop section 84, can be seen in the cross-section. The effect of this measure on the spring characteristic is discussed in Fig. 5 discussed in more detail.

[0035] The base body 42 also has openings 90, shown with dashed lines, which serve to mount the base body 42 to a building support. These openings thus serve to accommodate a fastening element, such as a bolt or a screw. Like the recess 80, the openings 90 are open towards the side of the base body 42 facing away from the cover 44 and thus from the disc 32.

[0036] Furthermore, the illustration shows that the projection 62 of the base body 42 extends further into the hole 34 of the disk 32 than the projection 72 of the cover 44. Thus, the disk rests primarily on the base body 42, with a shim 92 provided between the disk 32 and the retaining arrangement 40, i.e., between the base body 42 and the cover 44. This shim is made of a material that is softer than the material of the retaining arrangement 40. This prevents direct contact between the disk 32 and the point holder 30 or the retaining arrangement 40.

[0037] When mounting the point holder 30, the base body 42 is first attached to a building support. Fasteners are used for this purpose, which are inserted into the openings 90 of the base body 42. The disc 32 is then placed on top. The disc 32 is moved so that the projection 62 of the base body 42 is moved through the hole 34 in the disc. The disc 32 then rests on the projection 62 of the base body 42 via the shim 92. The shim 92 can be, for example, a sleeve, e.g., made of plastic, which is pushed onto the projection 62 of the base body 42. The screw 46 is then inserted through the recess 80 of the base body, with the spring element 82 having been previously inserted into the recess 80. If this spring element 82 is designed as a disc, it has a hole through which the screw 46 can be guided with its shank 48.The screw 46 is then guided through a typically central opening in the projection 62 of the base body 42. The screw 46 can also already be inserted into the base body 42 together with the spring element when the base body 42 is attached to the mounting bracket. The steps for guiding the screw 46 through the base body 42 are then carried out before attachment to the mounting bracket, possibly by another person, so that the base body 42 is already pre-assembled at the mounting location with the screw 46 inserted and the spring element 82 fitted.

[0038] After the screw 46 is passed through the base body, it protrudes through the projection 62 of the base body 42, which in turn is located in the hole 34 of the disk 32. The screw shank 48 protrudes with its free end from the projection 62 of the base body. Now, the cover is placed on the other side of the disk 32, such that the projection 72 of the cover 44, with its typically central opening, is screwed onto the free end of the screw shank 48. The free end of the screw shank 48 is then in threaded engagement with the projection 72 of the cover 44, or with its inner opening, which may have an internal thread for this purpose. The cover 44 can be rotated until the two end faces 76 and 78 are in contact and the disk 32 is firmly clamped.

[0039] The mounting of the point holder 30 on a building support can also be carried out in a final step.

[0040] When the point holder 30 is mounted, the base sections 60 and 70 of the two components 42 and 44 of the holding arrangement 40 lie on opposite sides of the disc 30. The projections 62 and 72 of the base body 42 and the cover 44 lie, at least partially, in the hole 34 in the disc 32. The screw 46 runs internally through the projections 62 and 72 and thus through the hole 34 in the disc 32, connecting the base body 42 to the cover 44. The spring element 82 is arranged or clamped in the recess 80 between the screw head 50 and the stop section 84 of the base body 42. To create a preload on the spring element 82, especially when, as here, it is designed as a disc made of an elastic material, the screw head has a conical shape in section on the side facing the spring element 82.

[0041] Instead of screw 46, a pin, stud, bolt, or other fastener may also be used. This may also have a head and a shank. The above instructions for assembly with screw 46 then apply accordingly to this fastener.

[0042] If the disc 32 now experiences an impact, as indicated, for example, by arrow 96, the disc 32 is moved in that direction at the top. The energy of the impact is transferred via the cover and the screw 46 with screw shaft 48 and screw head 50 to the spring element 82, which is compressed and allows movement of the screw shaft 48 through the projection 62 of the base body 42. The spring element 82 is thereby pressed against the stop section 84 by the screw head 50. Due to the movement of the screw 46, the cover 44 moves away from the base body 42. Due to the elasticity of the spring element 82, the components return to their original position when no external force is applied.

[0043] The impact, or an applied external force, thus causes a deformation of the spring element 82. The impact energy is compensated by this deformation. The cover 44 moves away from the base body 42 in the direction of the impact. The disk 32 is not rigidly clamped and can also move to a limited extent. The energy of the external influence, such as the impact, is absorbed by the spring element 82. The other components, in particular the disk 32, are not subjected to any load. The force caused by the external influence is also only minimally transmitted to the support to which the disk 32 is attached via the point fixing 30.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of the base body 42, in particular the base section 60 of the base body 42, which has a round cross-section. Four openings 90 are visible, which serve to receive fasteners for attaching the base body 42 to a building structure. The illustration also shows the screw head 50 and the screw shank 48. Since the screw head 50 also has a round cross-section, the screw may rotate when the cover is screwed on, thus making assembly more difficult. To prevent this, the screw can have a locking mechanism that prevents it from rotating in the base body 42. One possible embodiment is shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0045] Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the basic body 142. Fig. 3. The illustration shows a screw head 150, a screw shank 148, and four openings. It can be seen that the screw head 150 has a hexagonal cross-section. This screw head sits in a correspondingly shaped recess. This shape prevents the screw head 150, and thus the screw itself, from rotating when the cover is screwed on. Instead of the multi-sided design, the screw head 150 can, for example, also have a projection on its outer circumference that engages in a receptacle in the base body and prevents the screw from rotating. This locks the screw in place, preventing it from rotating when the cover is screwed on.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 shows 200 different spring characteristic curves in a diagram. In the diagram, the displacement, i.e., the deflection of a spring element, is plotted on an abscissa 202, and the force on an ordinate 204. A first curve 210 shows a spring characteristic curve of a conventional spring, in which, at least within a certain range, there is a linear relationship between force and displacement. A second curve 212 shows another spring characteristic curve of a spring element that is specially designed or possibly pre-tensioned, as is the case with spring element 82 in Figure 5. Fig. 2 is the case.

[0047] The curve 212 initially shows a steep slope, which then flattens out. This means that under increasing force, the spring does not deform significantly at first; only at high forces does the spring deform considerably. In the case of a guardrail, this means that under low forces, the spring element deforms only slightly, and therefore the disc moves only minimally. This means that the disc does not wobble under normal use.

Claims

[1] Point holder for a disk (10, 32) with a holding arrangement (40) comprising a base body (42, 142) and a cover (44), wherein the base body (42, 142) is provided to be arranged at least partially on one side of the disk (10, 32) and the cover (44) is provided to be arranged at least partially on the other side of the disk (10, 32), opposite the base body (42, 142), wherein a pin is provided which is provided to be guided through a hole (34) in the disk (10, 32) in order to connect the base body (42, 142) to the cover (44), wherein a spring element (82) is provided in the base body (42, 142) in a region between the pin and the base body (42, 142), which causes the base body (42, 142) and the lids (44) are movable relative to each other, wherein in the base body (42, 142) a recess (80) is provided which is open to the side of the base body (42, 142) facing away from the cover (44) and in which the spring element (82) is provided, the pin is designed as a screw (46) with a screw head (50, 150) and a screw shaft (48, 148), the screw head (50, 150) has a conical shape in cross-section, the spring element (82) is provided in the recess (80) between the screw head (50, 150) and a stop section (84) of the base body (42, 142), and wherein a layer of elastic material serves as a spring element (82). [2] Point holder according to claim 1, wherein the base body (42, 142) comprises a base section (60) and a projection (62), wherein the projection (62) is provided to be guided through at least a section of the hole (34) in the disk (10, 32). [3] Point holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (44) comprises a base section (70) and a projection (72), the projection (72) being provided to be guided through at least a section of the hole (34) in the disk (10, 32). [4] Point holder according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw head (50, 150) has a locking mechanism which causes the screw (46) to be fixed in the holding arrangement (40) against rotation. [5] Point holder according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which an additional underlay layer (92) is provided which is intended to be arranged between the holding arrangement (40) and the disk (10, 32). [6] Point holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is provided for fastening a glass pane.

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