Locking element and connection arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking element with the following features: a) the locking element has a housing in which a bolt is arranged to be axially movable between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, b) the bolt extends to a first end which, at least in the extended axial position, protrudes from the housing, c) the locking element has at least one spring by which the bolt is spring-loaded relative to the housing in the direction of the extended axial position, d) the locking element has at least one locking device with which the bolt can be locked in an axial position other than the extended axial position. The invention further relates to a connection arrangement for connecting a first component to a second component by means of such a locking element. In such a locking element, the bolt is thus designed as a spring-loaded self-tensioning bolt, which is extended from the housing by the force of the spring when the bolt is not prevented from doing so by external influences or a locking mechanism.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking element with the following features: a) the locking element has a housing in which a bolt is arranged to be axially movable between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, b) the bolt extends to a first end which projects from the housing at least in the extended axial position, c) the locking element has at least one spring by which the bolt is spring-loaded relative to the housing in the direction of the extended axial position, d) the locking element has at least one locking device with which the bolt can be locked in an axial position other than the extended axial position.

[0002] The invention also relates to a connecting arrangement for connecting a first component to a second component by means of such a locking element. In such a locking element, the bolt is thus designed as a spring-loaded, self-tightening bolt that is extended from the housing by the force of the spring unless the bolt is prevented from doing so by external influences or a locking device.

[0003] Such locking elements or connecting arrangements can be used in various fields of technology, e.g. to quickly connect two components together and also to provide a connection that can be quickly released again. One advantageous field of application of the invention is the connecting of loudspeaker boxes to one another or to a suspension device, e.g. a flying frame, in particular in the field of suspended arrangements of loudspeakers for large events. Such an arrangement of loudspeakers hanging one below the other is also referred to as a loudspeaker array. Since such loudspeaker arrays are constantly transported from one event to the next and are set up and dismantled there each time - which is complex due to the size and weight of the loudspeaker arrays - there is a great need to make the assembly and dismantling process as simple, quick and safe as possible.A corresponding proposal can be found in DE 10 2012 110 648 A1.

[0004] DE 10 2017 127 682 A1 discloses a twist lock for connecting components. EP 2 175 093 A2 discloses a locking pin with a locking mechanism. EP 0 165 190 A1 discloses an extendable support device for supporting furniture.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a locking element and a connecting arrangement with which the connection of two components and the release from one another can be made even simpler, faster and safer.

[0006] This object is achieved with a locking element according to claim 1. This involves the bolt being lockable in a first intermediate position by means of the locking device, starting from the extended axial position, by applying force in the axial direction to the first end of the bolt. The first intermediate position is arranged between the retracted axial position and an extended axial position. Advantageously, the bolt can thus be locked in the first intermediate position by acting on the first end of the bolt. This can be done, for example, by the user pressing the bolt in the direction of the retracted axial position using a tool attached to the first end of the bolt. By pushing the bolt in and then releasing it, it is then automatically locked in the first intermediate position by means of the locking device.In particular, the locking device can be predominantly or completely integrated into the housing and does not require any additional actuating elements.

[0007] According to an independent aspect of the invention, it is therefore proposed that the locking device be predominantly or completely integrated inside the housing. In this way, the locking device can be predominantly or completely encapsulated from the external environment. This provides the locking device with good protection from environmental influences and offers a discreet, unobtrusive appearance. Furthermore, this can reduce the risk of accidents when operating the locking element, thus increasing the operating safety of the locking element.

[0008] If the locking device, for example, has a pin guided in a track as a locking element, this can be fully integrated inside the housing. The track can then be closed to the outside. It is also conceivable that the track is not closed to the outside, so that at least the end of the pin is visible from the outside.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bolt protrudes from the housing in the first intermediate position. As a result, the bolt, in the first intermediate position, can form a type of sensor for a change in the position of components that are to be connected to one another with the locking element due to its protruding portion. If, for example, a second component is moved relative to the first component, a force can be exerted on the part of the bolt protruding from the housing, whereby the bolt can, for example, assume a different axial position predetermined by the locking device.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bolt and / or a locking element of the locking device has a different rotational position relative to the housing in the first intermediate position than in the retracted axial position. If, for example, a ball is used as the locking element, this can have a different rotational position in the first intermediate position. In an advantageous embodiment, the locking element can have a mechanical anti-rotation device that prevents the bolt from rotating relative to the housing when the axial position changes. This offers the advantage that when connecting a first component to a second component, the bolt is not rotated into a position that is unfavorable for the mechanism, and the locking element does not inadvertently run in the wrong direction along the track.

[0011] According to the invention, starting from the first intermediate position, the bolt can be locked by means of the locking device in a second intermediate position, which is arranged between the retracted axial position and an extended axial position, by manually applying force in the axial direction to the first end of the bolt. In this way, the locking element can be placed into an intermediate position twice in one operating cycle, e.g., to release the connection between the first and second components the first time and yet leave the locking element in a preloaded position, in which it can then be automatically transferred to the extended axial position when the first component is reconnected to the second component.In a variant according to the invention, the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position are essentially the same axial positions, but they can also be different axial positions.

[0012] The force acting in the axial direction on the first end of the bolt can be a direct axial force acting, but it can also be an axial force acting generated by force deflection, e.g. by deflecting a lateral force acting via inclined surfaces sliding against one another.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the bolt and / or a locking element of the locking device has a different rotational position in the second intermediate position than in the first intermediate position.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism in the first and / or second intermediate position can be released and / or locked by mechanically applying force to the part of the bolt protruding from the housing. In this way, rapid assembly of the aforementioned loudspeaker assemblies can be carried out by simply moving the components to be connected into the position to be secured by the bolt, while mechanically applying force to the bolt. After the force is removed from the bolt, it is then automatically moved into the extended position by the force of the spring. This automatically couples the first component to the second component.

[0015] The invention has the advantage that the bolt can initially be moved into an axial position (first and / or second intermediate position) in which it is already preloaded and also locked. The bolt then does not need to be held manually. Releasing the lock also requires no separate manual action, apart from the manual steps already performed for the connection process. Rather, the locking element can be "armed," so to speak, by moving the bolt into its locked axial position.The connection between the first and second components can then be established without requiring a separate manual actuation of the bolt or another actuating element, since the locking mechanism can be released solely by mechanically applying force to the part of the bolt protruding from the housing, allowing the bolt to extend and engage a corresponding fastening hole on a connecting element. The locking element according to the invention, or a connecting arrangement formed therewith, thus enables simple handling and ergonomic operation when connecting the components. The components can also be separated from one another in a simple and convenient manner.

[0016] The spring-loaded bolt can be designed, in particular, as a snap-in bolt or a self-tightening bolt that, when not locked, automatically extends toward the extended axial position. The locking mechanism can be designed as a detent lock, which can be overcome by applying an increased force, or as a positive locking mechanism that can be released by a specific movement sequence.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element has various operating modes, wherein a desired operating mode can be selected by the user by inserting the bolt into the housing with an insertion depth and / or insertion frequency assigned to the respective operating mode. For example, the user can select the desired operating mode by inserting the bolt in the fully extended axial position either once or twice up to a stop. In this way, the flexibility of the application possibilities of the locking element is further improved for the user. This allows the locking element to be used in a variety of applications. The locking element can, for example, have an automatic operating mode and a manual operating mode.

[0018] The manual operating mode offers the following advantage: If, for example, the weight of a connected component is insufficient to provide the force required to actuate the bolt, the bolt can be fully unlocked in manual mode. This means that the end section of the bolt no longer protrudes from the housing, and the bolt does not require any force to be applied to remove the connected component.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device has a locking element and a raceway for the locking element, along which the locking element is guided when the axial position of the bolt is changed. The raceway can be designed, for example, as a groove in a component of the locking element, e.g. on the inside of the housing or the outside of the bolt. Generally speaking, the raceway can be integrated into the outer surface of the bolt and / or into the inner surface of the housing. Such a locking device can achieve improved functionality of the locking element with little effort. The locking device does not have to run completely inside the housing, e.g. when a pin is used as the locking element through the bolt and housing, the pin then running in a raceway in the housing.However, complete integration into the housing is advantageous, as this provides better protection for the mechanism from external influences. The locking element can be designed as a pin, for example, a pin protruding only on one side that engages the raceway. The locking element can also be designed as a pin extending through the bolt.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is designed as a ball that can roll along the track when the axial position of the bolt changes. This allows the locking element to be actuated particularly smoothly, since the ball creates a type of ball bearing for the locking device. The ball can be mounted, for example, in a position fixed to the housing or bolt, e.g., in a hemispherical recess.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the track has a multi-curved profile. This allows the previously described complex functionality of locking in the first and second intermediate positions to be easily implemented, as well as the automatic release of the bolt in the respective intermediate position by mechanically applying pressure to the part of the bolt protruding from the housing.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the track has at least one branch acting between the retracted axial position and the extended axial position, at which the track branches into at least two track branches. This makes it possible to make the functionality of the locking element even more complex by means of the locking device, e.g., with the multiple operating modes described above.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the raceway is integrated into an outer surface of the bolt and / or an inner surface of the housing. As mentioned, the raceway can be completely internal to the housing, but can also be designed differently, i.e., not completely internal.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance of the locking element from the spring-side end of the housing is the same in the first intermediate position as in the extended axial position. For example, the locking element can be arranged in a position fixed to the housing. Alternatively, the distance of the locking element from the spring-side end of the housing can be different in the first intermediate position than in the extended axial position, e.g., if the locking element is a pin that runs in a housing groove.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the distance of the locking element to the spring-side end of the housing is the same in the first intermediate position as in the second intermediate position.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the track is designed as a circumferential track in which the locking element rotates once in one actuation cycle of the locking element, which begins with the extended axial position and ends with the extended axial position again after reaching at least the first intermediate position. The track can be implemented, for example, as a recirculating ball track. If at least one branch is implemented, the locking element can travel different circumferential track branches in one actuation cycle of the locking element, depending on the actuation of the bolt.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the first intermediate position and / or in the second intermediate position, essentially only a chamfered and / or rounded end portion of the bolt protrudes from the housing. Due to the chamfer on the end portion of the bolt, the bolt can also be actuated axially by forces acting from the side, which are redirected into axial forces by the chamfer.

[0028] The object mentioned above is also achieved by a connecting arrangement according to claim 17 for connecting a first component to a second component, wherein a locking element formed with a spring-loaded bolt is fastened to a holder of the first component and a connecting element is fastened to the second component, wherein the connecting element has, in a region configured for connection to the first component, at least one fastening hole designed for engaging the bolt, wherein the locking element is designed as a locking element of the type explained above. The advantages explained above can also be realized in this way.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0030] It shows Fig. 1 to 6 a connecting arrangement with a locking element in a first embodiment, Fig. 7 to 12 a locking element in a second embodiment in a first operating mode, Fig. 13 to 15 the locking element according to the Fig. 7 to 12 in a second operating mode.

[0031] The drawings each show side sectional views, with the bolt of the locking element not shown in section.

[0032] The Fig. 1 shows a first component 1, a second component 2, and a locking element 3. The second component 2 is at least partially received in a slot-like space formed in the first component 1. The first component 1 and the second component 2 each have through-openings 20 that are aligned with one another, so that a bolt 8 of the locking element 3 can extend through these openings 20, thereby securing the second component 2 to the first component 1. It can also be seen that in the second component 2, the through-opening 20 has a circumferential bevel (chamfer) on at least one side. This is advantageous and reduces the force to be applied, but is not absolutely necessary; the mechanism also functions without a chamfer on the first component 1.

[0033] The locking element 3 has a housing 4, 5, a spring 6, and a bolt 7. The housing 4, 5 can, for example, have a housing body 4 in which the spring 6 is arranged and into which the bolt 7 can be at least partially retracted. A mounting section 5 of the housing is connected to the housing body 4, which mounting section can, for example, have a thread for screwing the locking element 3 into the first component 1.

[0034] The bolt 7 is axially movable between an extended axial position, which is Fig. 1, and a retracted axial position according to Fig. 2. The bolt 7 extends on one side to a first end 11, at which the bolt 7 may have a bevel 8 (chamfer) and / or rounding. The bolt 7 is loaded with a compressive force via the spring 6, which preloads the bolt 7 toward the extended position.

[0035] The locking element 3 has a locking device 9, 10, which has a locking element 10, e.g., in the form of a ball, and a raceway 9. The locking element 10 is guided in the raceway 9 when changing the axial position of the bolt 7.

[0036] If the connection between the first component 1 and the second component 2 is to be removed or adjusted differently, e.g. in another through hole 20 of the second component 2, if this has several through holes, this can be done very easily and conveniently by the user by starting from the extended axial position of the bolt 7, as in Fig. 1, the bolt 7 by applying force to the first end 11 of the bolt 7 in the axial direction, as the Fig. 2 by the arrow, is pressed into the housing 4, 5. In this case, the relative position of the locking element 10 in the track 9 changes, as the Fig. 2 illustrates this.

[0037] If the force applied to the bolt 7 is now removed by the user, it springs back as shown in Fig. 3, the bolt 7 springs back out slightly due to the force of the spring 6, but is held in a first intermediate position by the locking element 10 through a specific locking position in the track 9. The bolt 7 therefore does not spring back out completely, as in Fig. 1, but maintains a locked intermediate position, which lies in the axial direction between the extended and retracted axial positions. In this state, for example, only the first end 11 with the bevel 8 can protrude from the housing 4, 5, ie, protrude into the space in which the second component 2 is arranged.

[0038] Now, the user can release the second component 2 from the first component 1 without further actuation of the locking element 3, wherein the bolt 7 is then subjected to an axial force by the chamfer or rounding 8 and, if present, the bevel 21, by which the bolt 7 is pressed further into the housing 4, 5, as the Fig. 3 and Fig. Show 4.

[0039] Here, the locking element 10 travels further in the track 9 and, when the second component 2 is removed, reaches a second intermediate position, as shown in the Fig. 5. In the second intermediate position, the bolt 7 is essentially in the same axial position as in the first intermediate position, ie, the first end 11 with the bevel 8 protrudes from the housing 4, 5. In the second intermediate position, the bolt 7 is again held in the raceway 9 by the locking means of the locking element 10 and a stop.

[0040] If another second component 2 is to be mounted on the first component 1, as the Fig. 6 shows, the bolt 7 is pressed slightly into the housing 4, 5 by the second component 2, similar to Fig. 4. Here, the locking element 10 again travels a defined path in the track 9. If the second component 2 is now connected to the first component 1 as in Fig. 1, ie with aligned through-openings 20, the bolt 7 automatically moves back into the extended position by the force of the spring 6, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0041] The track 9 is designed in such a way that the locking element 10 can only ever travel a defined path in a predetermined running direction in the track 9, in which the locking element 10 runs once around the entire track 9 in one actuation cycle of the locking element.

[0042] Based on the Fig. 1 to 6, a locking element with an automatic function with detection of the first and second intermediate positions and automatic re-extension of the bolt 7 has been described. The locking element 3 has only this one operating mode. Fig. 7 to 15 illustrate a second embodiment of a locking element 3 having two different operating modes that can be selected by the user by actuating the bolt 7. These different operating modes and their selection can be achieved by appropriately designing the track 9, namely, such that the track 9 has a branch at which the track branches into at least two track branches.

[0043] The Fig. 7 shows the locking element 3 again in the extended axial position, analogous to Fig. 1. According to Fig. 8, the bolt 7 is pressed into the housing 4, 5 by the axial force acting on the first end 11, e.g., into the retracted axial position. Here, the locking element 10 has traveled a first partial path in the raceway 9. If the force acting on the first end 11 of the bolt 7 is now removed, the bolt 7 springs out and is locked by the locking element 10 and its position against a stop in the raceway 9 in the first intermediate position, as shown in Fig. 9 shows. So far, the steps correspond to the Fig. 7 to 9 the steps according to the Fig. 1 to 3.

[0044] It can be seen that the track 9 in this embodiment has the branch 12. There, the track 9 branches into a first track branch 13, which serves for the automatic operating mode, and into a second track branch 14, which serves for the manual operating mode.

[0045] Will now, as the Fig. 10 shows, the bolt 7 is only pushed in to the end of the housing 4, 5, i.e. not to the retracted axial position, then the automatic operating mode is selected and the locking element 3 behaves in the further course, for example, comparable to the locking element explained with reference to the first embodiment. For example, after the force is removed, the bolt 7 can rebound slightly, as the Fig. 11, and be locked in the second intermediate position. Fig. 12, again a force is applied to the bolt 7, so that it is pressed further into the housing 4, 5, the locking element 10 is again moved further in the track 9, so that after the force is removed the bolt 7 can fully rebound again, ie it can move into the Fig. 7 shown extended axial position.

[0046] If, based on the operating status as described in Fig. 9, the user wants to activate the manual operating mode of the locking element 3, he would have to press the bolt 7 significantly further into the housing 4, 5 by applying axial force to the bolt 7 than in the Fig. 10, e.g., to the retracted axial position. This illustrates the Fig. 13. It can be seen that the locking element 10 is now moved in the track 9 into the second track branch 14.

[0047] If the force applied to the bolt 7 is removed, it will spring back slightly, as the Fig. 14 shows. The bolt 7 is now locked in a second intermediate position. This second intermediate position, however, is in this case an axial position further inside the housing than the first intermediate position, in which the first end 11 is located completely inside the housing 4, 5. Accordingly, the locking in the second intermediate position cannot be released via the chamfers 8, 21 sliding against each other. Rather, a renewed manual actuation of the bolt 7 is required using a tool inserted into the housing 4, 5, as the Fig. 15. This moves the locking element 10 to a specific position in the track 9, where, after the force applied to the bolt 7 is removed by the user, the bolt can automatically move back into the extended axial position, as shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0048] The manual operating mode can thus be activated by the user by pushing the bolt 7 a second time completely into the housing 4, 5 until it stops.

Claims

[1] Locking element (3) with the following features: a) the locking element (3) has a housing (4, 5) in which a bolt (7) is arranged to be axially movable between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, b) the bolt (7) extends to a first end (11) which projects out of the housing (4, 5) at least in the extended axial position, c) the locking element (3) has at least one spring (6) by which the bolt (7) is spring-loaded relative to the housing (4, 5) in the direction of the extended axial position, d) the locking element (3) has at least one locking device (9, 10) with which the bolt (7) can be locked in an axial position other than the extended axial position, e) wherein, starting from the extended axial position, the bolt (7) can be locked by means of the locking device (9, 10) in a first intermediate position by applying force in the axial direction to the first end (11) of the bolt (7), which is arranged between the retracted axial position and an extended axial position, f) wherein, starting from the first intermediate position, the bolt (7) can be locked in a second intermediate position by means of the locking device (9, 10) by manual force acting in the axial direction on the first end (11) of the bolt (7), which second intermediate position is arranged between the retracted axial position and the extended axial position, characterized by that the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position are substantially equal axial positions of the bolt (7). [2] Locking element (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the bolt (7) protrudes from the housing (4, 5) in the first intermediate position. [3] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bolt (7) and / or a locking element (10) of the locking device (9, 10) has a different rotational position relative to the housing (4, 5) in the first intermediate position than in the retracted axial position. [4] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device (9, 10) is predominantly or completely integrated within the housing (4, 5). [5] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bolt (7) and / or a locking element (10) of the locking device (9, 10) has a different rotational position in the second intermediate position than in the first intermediate position. [6] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking in the first and / or second intermediate position can be released and / or locked by mechanically acting on the part of the bolt (7) protruding from the housing (4, 5). [7] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (3) has different operating modes, wherein a desired operating mode can be selected by the user by inserting the bolt (7) into the housing (4, 5) with an immersion depth and / or immersion frequency assigned to the respective operating mode. [8] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device (9, 10) has a locking element (10) and a track (9) for the locking element (10), in which the locking element (10) is guided when changing the axial position of the bolt (7). [9] Locking element (3) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the locking element (10) is designed as a ball which can roll along the track (9) when the axial position of the bolt (7) is changed. [10] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized by that the track (9) has a multi-curved course. [11] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by that the raceway (9) has at least one branch (12) effective between the retracted axial position and the extended axial position, at which the raceway (9) branches into at least two raceway branches (13, 14). [12] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by that the raceway (9) is integrated into an outer surface of the bolt (7) and / or into an inner surface of the housing (4, 5). [13] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized bythat the distance of the locking element (10) to the spring-side end of the housing (4, 5) in the first intermediate position is the same as in the extended axial position. [14] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized by that the distance of the locking element (10) to the spring-side end of the housing (4, 5) is the same in the first intermediate position as in the second intermediate position. [15] Locking element (3) according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by that the track (9) is designed as a rotating track in which the locking element (10) rotates once in an actuation cycle of the locking element (3), which begins with the extended axial position and ends again with the extended axial position after reaching at least the first intermediate position. [16] Locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in the first intermediate position and / or in the second intermediate position essentially only a chamfered and / or rounded end section (8) of the bolt (7) protrudes from the housing (4, 5). [17] Connecting arrangement for connecting a first component (1) to a second component (2), wherein a locking element (3) formed with a spring-loaded bolt (7) is fastened to a holder of the first component (1) and a connecting element is fastened to the second component (2), wherein the connecting element has at least one fastening hole (20) in a region which is designed for connection to the first component (11), which fastening hole is designed for engaging the bolt (7), characterized by that the locking element (3) is designed as a locking element (3) according to one of the preceding claims.

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