Mounting protection cap, assembly consisting of a corner connector and a mounting protection cap, and method for mounting a hollow profile frame

Abstract

Mounting protective cap (10), comprising a housing, characterized by that the housing is penetrated by a simply bent channel (18) open at both ends with - two channel legs (181, 182) arranged in a common channel plane and continuously connected in the bend area (183), - a channel top and a channel bottom arranged opposite each other parallel to the channel plane, and - two channel side walls (12, 14) arranged opposite each other perpendicular to the channel plane, wherein the channel top is completely open, while the channel bottom is closed at least partially by an elastically bendable bottom wall (16), and wherein the canal legs (181, 182) each have a narrowing area (22) spaced apart from the bend area (183) and are funnel-shaped at their open ends.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting protection cap comprising a housing, for use in the assembly of hollow profile frames, such an assembly method and a unit consisting of a mounting protection cap and a hollow profile corner connector. State of the art

[0002] A generic mounting protection cap is known from DE 20 2006 016 428 U1.

[0003] In the production of insulated glass units (IGUs), spacer frames are used to maintain a distance between the individual panes of the unit. These spacer frames are typically made from hollow profile sections, which are connected to form the frame corners using corner connectors. A corner connector typically consists of two legs arranged at an angle to each other, joined at a corner area that is thickened (compared to the legs). The outer dimensions of the connector legs are adapted to the inner dimensions of the hollow profile sections so that the former can be inserted into the latter with a positive fit. To improve this positive fit, the connector legs usually incorporate elastic structures, such as herringbone-patterned lamellae.The connector legs are typically inserted into the hollow profile sections until the end face of the hollow profile section abuts the thickened corner area of ​​the corner connector. This allows for the production of dimensionally accurate spacer frames. The hollow profile sections are usually (partially) filled with a hygroscopic granulate known as a molecular sieve to absorb moisture in the space between the panes and prevent condensation. To prevent this molecular sieve from escaping the hollow profile in the area of ​​the corner connectors and entering the space between the panes, it is known to seal the joint between the hollow profile ends and the corner area of ​​the corner connector with a pasty sealant, particularly butyl. For this purpose, the transitions between the connector legs and the corner area of ​​the corner connector are coated with this pasty sealant before assembly.When the connector legs are inserted into the hollow profile sections, the pasty mass is squeezed in the joint area and seals the critical points.

[0004] Corner connectors of the type in question are typically stored and transported in bulk. However, if, as described, the transition areas between the connector legs and the corner area are coated with the aforementioned pasty sealant, this easily leads to contamination of the entire corner connector and, during assembly, potentially also to contamination of the hollow profile sections in undesirable locations. It is therefore known to cover the sealant-coated area of ​​the corner connectors with a film that adheres to the sealant. A corresponding disclosure can be found in EP 2 551 437 A1. This film must then be removed immediately before frame assembly. This leads, on the one hand, to a significant disposal problem of the sealant-contaminated films and, on the other hand, only inadequately solves the contamination problem during assembly, as the film is difficult to remove and takes some of the sealant with it.Furthermore, the assembly process becomes more complicated, resulting in delays and increased costs.

[0005] From the aforementioned, generic publication, it is known to cover the sealant-coated corner area of ​​the corner connectors with a bell-shaped protective cap. This protective cap has special retaining elements on its edge that can be clipped onto the unsealed insertion area of ​​the connector legs. Like the protective films mentioned above, these protective caps must be removed from the corner connectors before frame assembly, resulting in essentially the same problem.

[0006] DE 20 2013 007 976 U1 discloses, in a different technical context, a cover cap for the corner areas of a profile frame construction. A corner connector joining two profiles at a corner is to be permanently covered for aesthetic reasons after assembly. For this purpose, a cover cap is used, comprising a housing through which a simply bent channel, open at both ends, is inserted. - two channel legs arranged in a common channel plane and continuously connected in the bend area, - a channel top and a channel bottom arranged opposite each other parallel to the channel plane, and - two channel side walls arranged opposite each other perpendicular to the channel plane, the top of the channel being completely open, while the bottom of the channel is at least partially closed by an elastically bendable bottom wall, pushed laterally over the corner connector and permanently locked to it. Task

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous alternative to the generic protective cap, which in particular leads to a simple and contamination-proof assembly method. Description of the invention

[0008] This problem is solved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the fact that the housing is penetrated by a simply bent channel open at both ends with - two channel legs arranged in a common channel plane and continuously connected in the bend area, - a channel top and a channel bottom arranged opposite each other parallel to the channel plane, and - two channel side walls arranged opposite each other perpendicular to the channel plane, wherein the channel top is continuously open, while the channel bottom is closed at least partially by an elastically bendable bottom wall, and wherein the channel legs each have a narrowing area spaced away from the bending area and are funnel-shaped at their open ends.

[0009] Based on this invention, it becomes possible to construct units according to claim 6, i.e., units consisting of each - a corner connector for hollow profiles with two connector legs arranged at right angles to each other and connected in a thickened corner area and - a mounting protection cap according to the invention, wherein the corner connector is fixed in the channel of the mounting protection cap in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner and its connector legs extend beyond the channel legs at their ends, to provide and to store and transport corner connectors protected by mounting caps in the usual manner as bulk goods.

[0010] Such building units then form the basis of an assembly method according to claim 8, i.e., a method for assembling a hollow profile frame, comprising the steps: - Providing a component unit according to the invention consisting of a corner connector and a mounting protection cap, - Providing two hollow profile sections, - force-fit insertion of the connector legs into the profile interior of each hollow profile section until the corner area of ​​the corner connector of the assembly is stopped at the end faces of the hollow profile sections.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0012] The invention initially provides, as is generally known, for the use of protective caps that can be fitted onto corner connectors in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, thereby forming a protective housing spaced apart from any sealant that may be applied. This prevents, on the one hand, contact between the sealant and other corner connectors during storage as bulk material – as with the known film cover – and thus avoids their contamination. However, unlike the known film cover, contamination of the protective element itself with sealant is also largely avoided. The protective cap forms a largely rigid and therefore easily handled element that can be easily placed on and removed from the corner connectors. Furthermore, the protective caps are easily collected as bulk material and then reused.

[0013] The special feature of the mounting protection caps according to the invention lies in the fact that the actual frame assembly, i.e., the sliding of the hollow profile sections onto the connector legs, can be carried out with the mounting protection cap in place. This means that the area critical for contamination is surrounded by the protective cap housing throughout the entire assembly process. This applies particularly to the especially critical moment of sealant squashing when the hollow profile end faces abut the thickened corner area of ​​the corner connector.

[0014] The protective caps according to the invention can also remain on the fully assembled spacer frame initially, in order to prevent contamination during storage and transport. In particular, it is possible to remove the mounting protective caps according to the invention only immediately before using the spacer frame to assemble an insulating glass unit.

[0015] The mounting protection caps according to the invention thus significantly simplify the assembly process for spacer frames, dramatically reduce the risk of contamination during the entire storage, transport and assembly process, and solve the disposal problem associated with the known film covering due to the reusability of the mounting protection caps according to the invention.

[0016] The operating principle of the mounting protection cap according to the invention consists of providing an angled channel within a housing, adapted to the dimensions of the corner connector. The top of this channel is open, allowing the corner connector to be inserted perpendicular to the channel plane, or the mounting protection cap to be slid onto the corner connector perpendicular to the channel plane. The underside of the channel, however, is partially closed. The corresponding bottom wall, which acts as a stop for inserting the corner connector, is elastically flexible. This results in an elastic pivotability of the channel's side walls relative to each other, which can be used to create a force-fit and / or positive connection between the channel and the corner connector inserted into it.

[0017] The free ends of the channel are open, so that the connecting legs of the corner connector inserted into the channel protrude from the housing of the mounting end cap according to the invention. This allows the protruding ends to be inserted into the hollow profile sections in the usual manner during the assembly of the spacer frames. The hollow profile sections are then inserted into the channel until they reach the stop – possibly with elastic expansion of the corresponding channel leg. Whereas before this assembly the mounting end cap according to the invention only encompassed the insulated corner connector, after assembly it encompasses both the corner connector and the end regions of the hollow profile sections attached to it.

[0018] The preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one raised section extending from the upper edge of a channel side wall parallel to the channel plane. This represents a local reduction in the channel width in the region of its upper edge. When the corner connector is inserted into the channel, this narrowing causes a slight widening of the channel side walls relative to each other, facilitated by the elastic bottom wall. Once the corner connector is fully inserted into the channel and has passed the raised section, the channel side walls, which had pivoted relative to each other, elastically return to their initial position, with the raised section acting as a stop to prevent the corner connector from falling out of the channel. However, with sufficient force, the protective mounting cap can easily be pulled off against this locking mechanism.In this way, the corner connector can be fixed in the channel in a purely form-fitting and reversible manner.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, several such locking connections are arranged at intervals on both sides of the bend in the channel. In other words, each channel leg is assigned one or more of these locking protrusions. This prevents the mounting protection cap from tilting on the corner connector.

[0020] Preferably, each grid projection has chamfers on both sides that act perpendicularly to the channel plane. Such chamfers reduce the force required both for sliding the mounting end cap onto the corner connector and for removing it after installation.

[0021] To create a frictional connection between the mounting end cap and the corner connector or the slid-on hollow profile – possibly in addition to the described positive fit – the invention provides in every case that the channel legs each have a constricted area spaced away from the bend. As explained at the outset, the channel side walls should be spaced away from the connector legs and, in particular, from the sealant applied there, in the bend area. However, at some distance from the corner area, the connector legs are typically not covered with sealant. Here, the channel width can easily be constricted to such an extent that it directly contacts the connector legs and / or, after assembly, the outer wall of the hollow profile sections, thus achieving a (possibly also) frictional fixation in the channel.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a form-fit and force-fit fixing is realized, the grid projections described above are located approximately in the area of ​​the narrowing regions described last.

[0022] As mentioned, the channel legs are open at their ends. These open ends are widened in a funnel shape. These widenings serve as chamfers for the end faces of the hollow profile sections, thus facilitating their sliding onto the connector legs when the mounting end cap is in place.

[0023] Regarding the shape of the housing through which the channel is traversed, a wide range of variations is available to those skilled in the art. However, with regard to minimizing weight and material, it has proven particularly advantageous if the housing consists of two essentially parallel, pitched-roof-shaped housing walls forming the channel side walls, which are elastically pivoted together via the bottom wall. This effectively reduces the housing to just a few thin walls forming the channel side walls and the bottom wall.

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] They show: Fig. 1: A top view of a mounting protection cap according to the invention, Fig. 2: A perspective view of the mounting protective cap of Fig. 1, Fig. 3: a top view of a component consisting of a mounting protection cap according to Fig. 1 and an inserted corner connector as well as Fig. 4: the construction unit of Fig. 3 with a fully and a partially pushed-on hollow profile section. Description of preferred embodiments

[0026] Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical or analogous elements.

[0027] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4, which will be discussed essentially together below, show a particularly preferred embodiment of an assembly protection cap 10 according to the invention in different stages of an assembly method according to the invention for hollow profile frames.

[0028] The mounting protection cap 10 essentially consists of three housing walls: an outer channel wall 12, an inner channel wall 14, and a bottom wall 16. The outer channel wall 12 and the inner channel wall 14 are collectively referred to as the channel side walls. The channel side walls 12, 14, and the bottom wall 16 together form an angled channel 18, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is composed of two channel legs 181, 182 arranged at right angles to each other. The channel legs 181, 182 are continuously connected to each other in the bend region 183 of the channel. The terms "outer channel wall 12" and "inner channel wall 14" refer to the outer and inner angles of the bend region 183, respectively.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 16 is limited to a wedge-shaped area in the bend region 183. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the bottom wall 16 extends over a larger area of ​​the channel underside. Likewise, embodiments are conceivable in which the bottom wall 16 is reduced to one or more webs spanning the channel underside.

[0030] The top of the channel is completely open in every case. This allows a 30° corner connector to be inserted from above, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Fig. 1, into the channel 18 of the mounting protection cap 10. A unit consisting of a mounting protection cap 10 and an inserted corner connector 30 is in Fig. 3 shown.

[0031] The corner connector 30 comprises two connector legs 301, 302, which are arranged at right angles to each other and connected via a corner section 303. The corner section 303 is thickened compared to the connector legs 301, 302 in order to form a stop for the hollow profile sections 40 to be slid on, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. The transition areas between the connector legs 301, 302 to the corner area 303 are covered with a pasty sealant 50, in particular with butyl.

[0032] At the upper edge of the inner wall of the channel 14, in the area of ​​each channel leg 181, 182, grid projections 20 are arranged spaced apart from the bend area 183. These serve for the positive locking fixation of the corner connector 30 in the channel 18 in the manner of a snap connection.

[0033] To additionally achieve a force-fit fixation that is effective at least in the final assembly state, the outer wall of the channel 12 has a constriction area 22 in the region of each channel leg 181, 182, spaced apart from the bend area 183. In the illustrated embodiment, the constriction areas 22 are not in direct, elastic contact with the inserted corner connector 30. The corner connector 30 is therefore fixed in the channel 18 by a purely form-fit connection. After sliding on the hollow profile sections 40 (see figure 1), the constriction areas 22 are not in direct, elastic contact with the inserted corner connector 30. Fig. 4) However, the constricted areas 22 are in direct, elastic contact with their outer surfaces. The unit consisting of corner connector 30 and hollow profile sections 40 is therefore additionally fixed in the channel 18 by a force-fit connection. In other embodiments, a force-fit connection of the bare corner connector 30 in the channel 18 would also be possible.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the open ends of the channel legs 181, 182 are widened in a funnel shape. This allows hollow profile sections 40 to be easily slid onto the connector legs 301, 302 of a corner connector 30 inserted into the channel 18 of a mounting protection cap 10 according to the invention. When the hollow profile section 40 is slid onto the channel, it is inserted into the respective channel leg 181, 182 and widens it elastically, particularly when passing through the constriction area 22.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the channel 18 in the bend area 183 is chosen to be so large that direct contact between the corner area 303 of the corner connector 30 and the channel side walls 12, 14 is avoided. In this way, contamination of the channel side walls with the sealant can be prevented.

[0036] Of course, the embodiments discussed in the detailed description and shown in the figures represent only illustrative examples of the present invention. In light of this disclosure, a wide range of variations is available to those skilled in the art. In particular, with regard to the specific design of the housing surrounding the channel 18, the skilled person has considerable freedom of choice. The embodiment shown in the figures has proven effective in minimizing weight and material. However, if a stronger mechanical protective effect is desired and / or the mounting protection caps 10 according to the invention are to fulfill an additional function, for example as feet for pre-assembled profile frames, more voluminous shapes can also be used. Preferably, the mounting protection caps 12 according to the invention are made of plastic, particularly by plastic injection molding.However, a different choice of material is also conceivable, for example metal. List of reference symbols 10 Mounting protection cap 12 Canal outer wall 14 Channel inner wall 16 Floor wall 18-channel 181, 182 Canal legs 183 Folding area of ​​18 20 grid elevation 22 Narrowing area 30 corner connectors 301, 302 Connector leg 303 Corner area of ​​30 40 Hollow profile section 50 pasty sealant

Claims

[1] Mounting protection cap (10) comprising a housing, characterized by , that the housing is penetrated by a simply bent channel (18) open at both ends with - two channel legs (181, 182) arranged in a common channel plane and continuously connected in the bend area (183), - a channel top and a channel bottom arranged opposite each other parallel to the channel plane, and - two channel side walls (12, 14) arranged opposite one another perpendicular to the channel plane, the upper side of the channel being open throughout, while the lower side of the channel is closed at least in some areas by an elastically flexible bottom wall (16), and wherein the channel legs (181, 182) each have a constriction region (22) spaced from the bend region (183) and are widened in a funnel-like manner at their open ends. [2] Mounting protection cap (10) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one grid elevation (20) which rises from the upper edge of a channel side wall (14) parallel to the channel plane. [3] Mounting protection cap (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that several such grid elevations (20) are arranged at a distance from one another on both sides of the bending region (183). [4] Mounting protection cap (10) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized by that each grid elevation (20) has run-on slopes acting perpendicular to the channel plane on both sides. [5] Mounting protection cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing consists of two housing walls arranged essentially parallel to one another, each shaped like a pointed roof, forming the channel side walls (12, 14) and being elastically pivotably connected to one another via the bottom wall (16). [6] Unit made of - a corner connector (30) for hollow profiles with two connector legs (301, 302) arranged at right angles to each other and connected to each other in a thickened corner region (303) and - a mounting protection cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner connector (30) is fixed in the channel (18) of the mounting protection cap (10) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner and its connector legs (301, 302) project beyond the channel legs (181, 182) at their ends. [7] Assembly according to claim 6, characterized by that the corner connector (30) is coated with a pasty sealing compound (50) at the transitions between its connector legs (301, 302) and the corner area (303). [8] Method for assembling a hollow profile frame, comprising the steps: - Providing a structural unit according to one of claims 6 to 7, - Providing two hollow profile sections (40), - force-fitting insertion of the connector legs (301, 302) into the profile interior of each hollow profile section until the corner region (303) of the corner connector (30) of the structural unit abuts the end faces of the hollow profile sections (40).

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