fastening element

Abstract

A fastening element (10) for attaching a component to a support structure in a fastening direction (20), the fastening element comprising a receiving portion (30) receiving a tool nose (110) of a mounting tool and having an abutment face (40) counter to the fastening direction (20) and abutting a front face (130) of the tool nose (110) when the tool nose (110) is received in the receiving portion (30), a capture element (50) locking the tool nose (110) in the receiving portion (30) in the fastening direction (20), and a slide-in channel (60) allowing a sliding of the tool nose (110) into the receiving portion (30) and having one or more guide elements (70) guiding the tool nose (110) in a sliding direction (80) when the tool nose (110) is slid into the receiving portion (30), wherein the sliding direction (80) is inclined to the fastening direction (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening element for attaching components to a support structure. Background Technology

[0002] Fastening elements are known for attaching components (such as rails or hangers) to supporting structures (such as walls or ceilings). It is well known that such fastening elements are temporarily attached to the tool nose of an installation tool and then the tool is used to secure the fastening element to the supporting structure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, a fastening element for attaching a component to a support structure along a fastening direction includes a receiving portion and a sliding channel. The receiving portion is configured to receive a tool nose of an installation tool and has an abutting surface and a capturing element. The abutting surface is opposite to the fastening direction and abuts the front surface of the tool nose when received in the receiving portion, and the capturing element locks the tool nose in the receiving portion along the fastening direction. The sliding channel allows the tool nose to slide into the receiving portion and has one or more guide elements that guide the tool nose along a sliding direction as it slides into the receiving portion, wherein the sliding direction is inclined to the fastening direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding direction is perpendicular to the fastening direction.

[0004] According to an embodiment, the capturing element includes a locking surface aligned with the fastening direction and engages behind the tool nose when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion.

[0005] According to another embodiment, the fastening element further includes a latch portion that protrudes into the slide-in channel and holds the tool nose in the sliding direction when it is received in the receiving portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the latch portion is spring-biased into the slide-in channel and is pushed out of the slide-in channel by the tool nose when it slides into the receiving portion. According to another preferred embodiment, the latch portion includes a first chamfer on the side of the latch portion opposite to the sliding direction. According to another preferred embodiment, the latch portion includes a second chamfer on the side of the latch portion with the sliding direction. According to another preferred embodiment, the capturing element includes the latch portion.

[0006] According to another embodiment, when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion, the capturing element abuts against the tool nose and is spring-biased. According to a preferred embodiment, the spring force that biases the capturing element against the tool nose corresponds to a minimum pull-out force to be supplied to the fastening element in the opposite direction to the support structure. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are merely possible configurations; however, in these configurations, individual features may be implemented independently of each other or may be omitted. In the drawings:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fastening element according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the fastening element shown;

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the fastening element shown;

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The fastening element shown is shown in a cross-sectional view along surface AA;

[0012] Figure 5 It is the tool nose and before sliding onto the tool nose. Figure 1 A perspective view of the fastening element shown;

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The tool nose shown and the process of sliding onto the tool nose. Figure 1 A perspective view of the fastening element shown;

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The tool nose shown and after sliding onto the tool nose Figure 1 A perspective view of the fastening element shown;

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 The tool nose shown and after being fastened to the support structure Figure 1 Side view of the fastening element shown;

[0016] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a fastening element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The side view of the fastening element shown; and

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 Another perspective view of the fastening element shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figures 1 to 4A fastening element 10 for attaching a component (not shown) to a support structure (not shown) along a fastening direction 20 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening element 10 is made of a substrate formed of sheet metal (e.g., iron or aluminum, or an alloy (e.g., steel)) extending in a plane perpendicular to the fastening direction 20 and having two opposing lateral edges 25 bent, for example, at approximately 90°. This forms a main surface 26 opposite to the fastening direction 20 between the two opposing lateral edges 25.

[0020] The fastening element 10 includes a receiving portion 30 configured to receive the tool nose (not shown) of an installation tool. For this purpose, the receiving portion 30 has an abutment surface 40 and a capturing element 50. The abutment surface 40 is a segment of the main surface 26, facing away from the fastening direction 20, and is configured to abut the front surface of the tool nose when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 30 (as described below). The capturing element 50 is formed by two opposing bent lateral edges 25 of the aforementioned substrate and is configured to lock the tool nose in the receiving portion 30 along the fastening direction 20 (as described below as well). For this purpose, the capturing element 50 includes two locking surfaces 55, which are aligned with the fastening direction 20 and engage with the rear of the tool nose relative to the fastening direction 20 when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 30. Furthermore, when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 30, the capturing element 50 abuts against the tool nose and is spring-biased. For this purpose, the fastening element 10 has a particularly slit-shaped cutout 45 between the capturing element 50 and the adjacent surface 40. The spring force that biases the capturing element 50 against the tool nose corresponds to the minimum pull-out force to be supplied to the fastening element 10 in the opposite direction to the support structure.

[0021] The fastening element 10 further includes a slide-in channel 60 that allows the tool nose to slide into the receiving portion 30. For this purpose, the slide-in channel 60 has two guide elements 70 formed by two opposing bent lateral edges 25 of the aforementioned substrate and configured to guide the tool nose along a sliding direction 80 when it slides into the receiving portion 30. The sliding direction 80 is perpendicular to the fastening direction 20. In an embodiment not shown, the sliding direction is inclined to the fastening direction, wherein the angle between the two directions is greater than 0°, particularly greater than 30° or greater than 45°, and less than 90°.

[0022] The fastening element 10, and especially the capturing element 50, further includes two latch portions 90, which are located from two opposite sides (from...) Figure 3The tool nose (above and below) protrudes into the sliding channel 60 and is held along the sliding direction 80 when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 30. The latch portion 90 is spring-biased into the sliding channel 60 and is pushed out of the sliding channel 60 by the tool nose when the tool nose slides into the receiving portion 30. Each latch portion 90 includes a first chamfer 91 and a second chamfer 92, the first chamfer being on the side of the latch portion opposite to the sliding direction 80, and the second chamfer being on the side of the latch portion in the direction of the sliding direction 80.

[0023] Figures 5 to 8 It demonstrates the use of fastening tools 100, such as a nail gun, to... Figures 1 to 4 The method shown is for fastening the fastening element 10 to the support structure 15. In embodiments not shown, the fastening tool is a screwdriver or other fastening tool suitable for the application. Figure 8 A support structure 15 is shown, which can be a building element such as a wall or ceiling, and can be made of concrete, metal or alloys such as steel, wood, etc. The fastening tool 100 includes a tool nose 110, which has a mouth 140 at a front face 130 aligned with the tool fastening direction 120 for pushing the fastener 150 along the tool fastening direction. Slightly behind the front face 130, the tool nose 110 includes a cone or shoulder 160. The fastener 150 is formed as... Figure 8 The nail shown. In embodiments not shown, the fastener is formed as a stud, pin, screw, anchor, etc., and can be selected according to the application.

[0024] In such Figure 5 In the first step shown, the fastening element 10 and the fastening tool 100 are arranged and positioned such that the fastening direction 20 of the fastening element 10 and the fastening direction 120 of the tool are oriented parallel to each other.

[0025] In such Figure 6 In another step shown, the fastening element 10 is pushed onto the tool nose 110 in a direction 180 perpendicular to the fastening direction 20 and the tool fastening direction 120, such that the tool nose 110 slides into the receiving portion 30 along the sliding channel 60 in the sliding direction 80 (both are in Figure 1 , Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram). During sliding along the slide-in channel 60, the front surface 130 of the tool nose 110 abuts the main surface 26 (also in... Figure 1 , Figure 3(As shown in the figure) and guided by the guide element 70 in the sliding channel 60 and along the sliding direction 80. In addition, during the sliding along the sliding channel 60, the tool nose 110 abuts against the first chamfer 91 and pushes the two latches 90 out of the sliding channel 60 against the spring bias of the two latches 90, so as to make way for the tool nose to the receiving part 30.

[0026] When the tool nose 110 as Figure 7 When received in the receiving part 30, the tool nose 110 is held or captured between the abutment surface 40 and the capturing element 50. The abutment surface 40 abuts the front surface 130 of the tool nose 110. Locking surface 55 ( Figure 1 , Figure 4 (As shown) The shoulder 160 of the tool nose 110 is adjacent to and engages therere with respect to the fastening direction 20. The capturing element 50 and the latch portion 90 abut against the tool nose 110 while being spring-biased and holding the tool nose 110 in the fastening direction 20 and the sliding direction 80, respectively. For this purpose, the second chamfer 92 abuts the side of the tool nose 110.

[0027] In such Figure 8 In another step shown, the fastener 150 is driven into the support structure 15 via the fastening tool 100 along the fastening direction 20 or the tool fastening direction 120. For this purpose, the fastening element 10 may include an orifice through which the fastener 150 can be driven. Further, the support structure 15 may or may not have a through hole or blind hole for receiving the fastener 150. After the fastener 150 is driven into the support structure 15, the tool nose 110 is automatically pulled away from the receiving portion 30 in a direction 170 opposite to the fastening direction 20 and the tool fastening direction 120, and against the spring force that biases the capturing element 50 against the tool nose 110, either manually by the user of the fastening tool 100 or by the recoil of the fastening tool 100 caused by the driving process. Therefore, it is ensured that the fastening element 10 is secured to the support structure 15 with at least a minimum pull-out force, which corresponds to the spring force that biases the capturing element 50 against the tool nose 110.

[0028] In another step, the component (not shown) may be attached to the fastening element 10 and thus fastened to the support structure 15.

[0029] Figures 9 to 11A fastening element 210 for attaching a component (not shown) to a support structure (not shown) along a fastening direction 220 is shown. The fastening element 210 includes a receiving portion 230 configured to receive a tool nose (not shown) of an mounting tool. For this purpose, the receiving portion 230 has an abutment surface 240 and a capturing element 250. The abutment surface 240 is opposite to the fastening direction 220 and is configured to abut a front face of the tool nose when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 230. The capturing element 250 is configured to lock the tool nose in the receiving portion 230 along the fastening direction 220. For this purpose, the capturing element 250 includes two locking surfaces 255 that are oriented with respect to the fastening direction 220 and engage rearwards of the tool nose relative to the fastening direction 220 when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 230. Furthermore, the capturing element 250 is spring-biased against the tool nose when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion 230. For this purpose, the capturing element 250 is formed as a leaf spring.

[0030] The fastening element 210 further includes a slide-in channel 260 that allows the tool nose to slide into the receiving portion 230. For this purpose, the slide-in channel 260 has two guide elements 270 configured to guide the tool nose along a sliding direction 280 as it slides into the receiving portion 230. The sliding direction 280 is perpendicular to the fastening direction 220. The fastening element 210, and particularly the capturing element 250, further includes two latches 290 that project from two opposite sides into the slide-in channel 260 and hold the tool nose along the sliding direction 280 when it is received in the receiving portion 230. The latches 290 are biased into the slide-in channel 260 by a leaf spring formed by the capturing element 250 and are pushed out of the slide-in channel 260 by the tool nose when it slides into the receiving portion 230.

[0031] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that many different changes can be made and equivalents can replace elements therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. All elements and features of the disclosed embodiments may exist independently or in any combination in all other embodiments, provided they do not contradict each other. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential teachings of the invention.

Claims

1. A fastening element for attaching a component to a support structure along a fastening direction, the fastening element comprising: The receiving portion receives the tool nose of the mounting tool and has an abutting surface and a capturing element. The abutting surface is opposite to the fastening direction and abuts the front face of the tool nose when it is received in the receiving portion. The capturing element locks the tool nose in the receiving portion along the fastening direction. A slide-in channel allows the tool nose to slide into the receiving portion and has one or more guide elements that guide the tool nose in a sliding direction as it slides into the receiving portion. The sliding direction is inclined to the fastening direction, wherein the capturing element is formed as a leaf spring, and wherein the fastening element has a slit-shaped cut between the capturing element and the adjacent surface; the fastening element further includes a latch portion that protrudes into the sliding channel and holds the tool nose along the sliding direction when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion.

2. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein, The sliding direction is perpendicular to the fastening direction.

3. The fastening element according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, The capturing element includes a locking surface aligned with the fastening direction and engages behind the tool nose when the tool nose is received in the receiving portion.

4. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein, The latch is spring-biased into the slide-in channel and is pushed out of the slide-in channel by the tool nose when the tool nose slides into the receiving part.

5. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein, The latch portion includes a first chamfer on the side of the latch portion opposite to the sliding direction.

6. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein, The latch portion includes a second chamfer on the side of the latch portion that is in the same direction as the sliding direction.

7. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein, The capturing element includes the latch portion.

8. The fastening element according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, When the tool nose is received in the receiving part, the capturing element abuts against the tool nose and is spring-biased.

9. The fastening element according to claim 8, wherein, The spring force that holds the capturing element against the tool nose corresponds to the minimum pull-out force that is to be supplied to the fastening element in the opposite direction to the support structure.

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