Locking button connection for the detachable connection of at least two flat panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking button connection for the detachable connection of at least two flat plates, wherein the plates are hollow chamber plates or consist of materials with a shape or material recovery capacity. The object of the invention is to propose a locking button connection that enables a secure and easily removable connection without the need for special tools or consumables. The locking button should be simple in design and, with as few projections and steps as possible, limit or restrict the interior and exterior of the panels. Manufacturing should be as simple and cost-effective as possible. The locking button connection is made by means of a locking button designed as a cylindrical base body, which is divided into five special areas A, B, C, D and E. Area A is formed by an outer cylinder (5). Area B enables the reception of a first plate (3). In area C, locking lugs (2) are arranged at least partially around the circumference. Area D is designed to receive a second plate (4) to be fastened. Area E is formed by a locking bead (6) with lateral chamfers (8) which can be inserted into the mounting recess (10) of the second plate (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking button connection for the detachable connection of at least two flat panels. The panels are hollow-chamber panels or made of materials with shape or material recovery properties, such as foamed solid plastic panels or other stable panels with a so-called memory effect. The locking button can be inserted into recessed mounting holes in the panels.

[0002] A preferred application is detachable connections for transport and storage containers made of sheet material with foldable or movable container flaps or internal, attachable container inserts. The locking knob is particularly advantageous for sheet material consisting of two cover panels and intermediate webs, such as hollow-core panels. The fastening of advertising boards to suitable surfaces is also a conceivable application.

[0003] The sheet material is preferably made of thermoplastic, such as polypropylene (PP). The sheets should be made of materials with internal resilience, either the material itself (e.g., foams) or the shape being flexible and resilient, for example, through internal webs, as in hollow-core sheets. It is also suitable for corrugated cardboard containers, but the limited number of uses for corrugated cardboard is limited due to its limited resilience. The locking knob can also be used for different sheet thicknesses.

[0004] Such transport and storage containers are used primarily where components need to be transported or temporarily stored as part of a manufacturing or shipping process. An example of this is the transport of bicycles from a manufacturer to a dealer. These transport containers are typically made of corrugated cardboard that is glued, welded, or positively connected. For cost and environmental reasons, reusable containers that allow multiple use are desirable. In addition to sufficient load-bearing capacity and durability, it is also important that the containers, if possible, do not have any protrusions or ledges that could restrict the interior space or otherwise be obstructive.

[0005] For loading storage and transport containers, flaps or movable elements must be held in place for a longer or shorter period of time to ensure a sufficiently strong connection that can be easily removed. The same applies to the time during transport to a destination.

[0006] It is known that flaps or movable elements of storage and transport containers can be secured using hook-and-loop fasteners. For temporary or permanent fixation of flaps or fixed inserts, additional materials such as adhesives, hot air, or special tools such as ultrasonic welding are required. The use of multi-part snap fasteners made of plastic or metal is also known. The disadvantage is usually that the use of different materials impairs recyclability. The inserted parts wear out quickly or lose their locking ability with frequent use. The use of multi-part snap fasteners requires tight manufacturing tolerances.

[0007] With a snap fastener and a snap eyelet, panel sections can be easily fastened together or to walls or ceilings. It's a relatively invisible connection that can be removed at any time.

[0008] DE 10 019 542 A1 describes, for example, a transport device for two-wheelers, particularly racing bikes and mountain bikes, in which a frame is arranged to hold the parts of a two-wheeler. Inside, the inserts are held in place by a hook-and-loop fastener. The lid is connected to the box by hinges along the long side of the box using lockable lever locks.

[0009] DE 9 200 411 U1 relates to a transport container for two-wheelers, in particular bicycles, which can be folded from a box-shaped use position into a compact storage position by pivoting wall sections into a flat position against each other. The container is equipped with detachable locking parts to secure the position of the pivoting wall sections. The locking is achieved by pivoting parts that can be snapped into a locking receptacle.

[0010] DE 1 866 661 U describes packaging boxes in which, for example, hardboard or similar panels are drilled at the joints and movably connected to one another by means of snap fasteners.

[0011] EP 6 993 A2 describes a container formed from plastic film by deep drawing, in which the two container parts are to be connected to one another by connecting parts that can be pressed into one another and interact like snap fasteners. The connecting parts pushed into one another do not yet act like snap fasteners when plugged together and can be cylindrical. Once both parts are plugged together, the head regions of the plugged-in connecting parts are widened by pressing them together, so that the two connecting parts are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. Preferably, beads running parallel to the plug-in direction are provided in the head region to promote the extensibility of the head region. A truncated cone-shaped or curved shape of the head end of the connecting parts is particularly preferred.

[0012] DE 20 2021 003 284 U1 describes a plastic packaging consisting of a container and a lid with at least one locking device designed as a tamper-evident closure between the container and the lid, which is formed by a tab with a recess having an undercut (19) being arranged on the edge of the lid and by an opening with radial punching lines being provided in the edge of the container, into which the undercut engages and by a weakening line being provided around the recess.

[0013] DE 8 708 417 U1 describes a package intended in particular for compact discs or the like, wherein the package comprises a container and at least one openable lid. The lid can be closed to the container by means of at least one securing connection, which snaps into a locking knob of a locking opening like a push-button.

[0014] DE 29 01 213 A1 describes a detachable pin connection for components, particularly for attaching a cover to a switch cabinet of a low-voltage system. The pin shaft is held in the receiving opening of the second component by its spring-loaded legs and is additionally secured by the tabs that engage behind the second component.

[0015] DE 26 26 140 A1 describes a fastening element for cover panels, particularly trunk covers in motor vehicles. The fastening element is designed in three parts. It has two identical socket parts with pawl-shaped locking lugs that can be mounted in a receiving bore of the cover panel, as well as a pin with a ball head. This pin can be inserted through a rectangular cutout in a socket part to snap into the locking recess.

[0016] The aforementioned solutions do not represent a suitable solution for achieving a sufficiently strong and durable connection between parts of a storage and transport container for longer transport. Recyclability is often compromised by the use of different materials, or there is significant wear and / or a deterioration in locking capacity with frequent use. Multi-part snap fasteners usually require tight manufacturing tolerances.

[0017] The object of the invention is to propose a locking button connection for the detachable connection of at least two flat panels, wherein the panels are hollow-wall panels or consist of materials with a shape or material recovery capacity, which enables a firm and easily detachable connection without special tools or consumables. The insertable locking button should be simply designed and, with as few projections and steps as possible, limit or restrict the interior and exterior of the panels as little as possible. Production should be as simple and cost-effective as possible. Assembly and disassembly should be possible with minimal effort, and the reuse of installed parts should be possible.

[0018] According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further features are described in subclaims 2 to 6.

[0019] The invention describes a releasable locking mechanism by means of a locking button for at least two flat panels, wherein the panels are made of materials with a shape or material recovery capacity, in particular hollow-chamber panels, which releasably connects them to one another in a planar manner. The panels are hollow-chamber panels consisting of two cover panels (16) and intermediate webs (17).

[0020] The locking knob according to the invention can be inserted into mounting holes cut out in the panel material. The locking knob essentially consists of a round molded part that clamps the panels to be joined by connecting various cylindrical sections.

[0021] The locking button is a cylindrical body that is divided into 5 areas A, B, C, D and E.

[0022] Area A is formed by an outer cylinder whose diameter is larger than the inside diameter of a mounting hole in a first panel to be mounted. The mounting hole is preferably round. The outer cylinder serves as a stop, similar to a screw head, to prevent the locking knob from slipping through the mounting hole.

[0023] The adjacent section B accommodates a first panel with a diameter equal to or smaller than the inside diameter of the mounting hole. The closer the diameter of section B is to the diameter of the mounting hole, the less play this connection has and the more stable it becomes. The horizontal length of this section corresponds at least to the thickness of the first panel to be mounted.

[0024] In area C, locking lugs are provided, arranged at least partially around the circumference. It has proven advantageous to provide several individual locking lugs instead of a single, continuous one.

[0025] The diameter of area C, like that of area B, is equal to or smaller than the clear diameter of the mounting hole. The locking lugs are designed to be almost vertical in the direction of the outer cylinder so that the inner wall of the first plate to be held rests firmly against and is held in place. In the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction of area D, the surface of the locking lug is angled. This ensures that the locking button can be pressed into the mounting hole easily and with little effort. In a preferred embodiment, the locking lugs have a flattened side. This flattened area can simplify installation by rotating the entire locking button into the mounting hole.

[0026] The area D is designed to accommodate one or more additional plates to be fastened, the diameter of which is equal to or smaller than the clear width of a mounting recess in a second plate.

[0027] Area E is formed by a locking bead that can be inserted into the mounting recess of the second panel to be attached. This locking bead has a diameter that is larger than the smallest clear width of the mounting recess. This, along with the chamfered sides of the locking bead, allows for easy and secure clipping behind or into the mounting recess.

[0028] The length of the area D is so short that the locking bead (6) can be locked in the area of ​​the webs (17) of the outermost plate.

[0029] The length of area D can vary depending on how many panels are to be connected. With two panels, the locking bead can be located outside the mounting recess. With more than two panels, however, the length of area D can also be so large that the locking bead lies outside the mounting recess of the outermost panel.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the locking knob has a tool holder accessible from the outer cylinder. This is used for initial assembly and, if necessary, disassembly of the locking knob. The tool holder can accommodate common tools such as square or hexagon keys (Allen, Torx) or screwdrivers (Phillips or elongated hole). The advantage of this is that the entire locking knob can be easily rotated and screwed into the mounting hole or recess. This facilitates the pressing in of the locking knob, the engagement of the locking lugs, the clipping in of the locking bead, and, if necessary, the removal of the locking knob. It has proven particularly advantageous if the locking lugs have a flattened side.

[0031] If the outer cylinder has an outward-facing, flattening bevel, the finished joint will have very few protrusions. The fewer obtrusive edges there are, the less the required space is compromised and the lower the risk of injury.

[0032] The locking button will preferably be a plastic molded part, such as a PP injection-molded part. Metal locking buttons are also possible.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 Section through a locking button Fig. 2 Section through a locking button connection for 2 hollow chamber panels Fig. 3 Locking button - view from inside Fig. 4 Locking button - view from outside Fig. 5 Twin-wall panel with one round and one rectangular mounting hole Fig. 6 hollow chamber plate with locking button inside Fig. 7 Hollow chamber plate with locking button outside Fig. 8 mounted locking button from inside Fig. 9 mounted locking button from outside Fig. 10 Application on a large load carrier

[0034] In the case of the Fig. The embodiments described in Figures 1 to 10 involve a releasable locking mechanism using a locking button 1 for two flat panels. The panels are made of materials with a shape or material recovery capacity. In the selected example, they are hollow-wall panels.

[0035] As in the Fig. 5 to 9, the locking button 1 connects a first plate 3 detachably to a second plate 4 in a planar manner. The locking button 1 can be inserted into mounting holes 9 cut out in the plate material and oppositely into mounting recesses 10.

[0036] The locking knob 1 consists of a round injection-molded part in which a panel connection is made possible by connecting various cylindrical areas. Certain parts of the locking knob 1 change the material or shape of the parts to be connected in such a way that sufficient resistance prevents the locking knob 1 from slipping out. The panel material to be connected is selected so that the original state is restored almost automatically after the clamp is released.

[0037] The locking button 1 is a cylindrical base body which is divided into 5 areas A, B, C, D and E.

[0038] The area A is formed by an outer cylinder 5, the diameter of which is larger than the inside diameter of a mounting hole 9 in a first plate 3 to be mounted. The mounting hole 9 is in the example according to the Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 is round. The outer cylinder 5 serves as a stop to prevent the locking button 1 from slipping through the mounting hole 9.

[0039] The adjoining area B allows for the accommodation of a first plate 3 such that its diameter is equal to or smaller than the inside diameter of the mounting hole 9. The horizontal length of this area corresponds to the thickness of the first plate 3 to be mounted.

[0040] After Fig. 3, four locking lugs 2 are provided in the area C, arranged on the circumference. The diameter of the area C, like that of the area B, is equal to the inside diameter of the mounting hole 9. The locking lugs 2 are formed vertically in the direction of the outer cylinder. In the opposite direction of the area D, the surface of the locking lug 2 is formed obliquely. In the Fig. 3 and Fig. In the version shown in Figure 4, the locking lugs 2 have a lateral flattening 15. This flattening 15 simplifies assembly by turning the entire locking knob into the mounting hole.

[0041] Area D is designed to accommodate a second plate 4 to be attached. Its diameter is equal to the clear width of a mounting recess 10 in the second plate 4.

[0042] The area E is formed by a locking bead 6, which can be inserted into the mounting recess 10 of the second plate 4 to be fastened. This locking bead 6 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the clear width of the mounting recess 10. This, and the lateral bevels 8 on the locking bead 6, allow for simple and secure clipping behind the mounting recess 10.

[0043] In the Fig. For the two plates shown in Figure 8, the length of the area D is selected such that the locking bead 6 lies within the mounting recess 10. However, with more than two plates, the length of the area D can also be so large that the locking bead 6 lies outside the mounting recess 10 of the outermost plate.

[0044] In the preferred application for panel material consisting of two cover panels 16 and intermediate webs 17, i.e., hollow-core panels, the length of the area D can be designed so short that the locking bead 6 can be locked into the area of ​​the webs 17 of the outermost panel to be fastened. There is very little panel material in the area of ​​these webs 17, so that this opening can accommodate the locking bead 6 or some web material can be easily displaced by the locking bead 6. The particular advantage of this design is that the locking button 1 does not protrude, or only very slightly, beyond the second or innermost panel 4, and few or no disturbing projections are created. Fig. 2, however, the locking bead 6 is located somewhat further out in the area of ​​the cover plate 16.

[0045] At the Fig. 1 to 4, the locking button 1 has a tool holder 11 accessible from the outer cylinder 5.

[0046] After Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the outer cylinder 5 has an outwardly directed, flattening chamfer 7.

[0047] The locking button 1 can be mounted as follows, for example.

[0048] During initial assembly, the locking knob 1 is firmly connected to the first plate 3 before use. For this purpose, a mounting hole 9 is created in the first plate 3. Depending on the plate hardness, the locking knob 1 is then inserted tool-free, top-side first, or additionally screwed in with the appropriate tool using the tool holder 11. The first plate 3 then snaps into place under the locking lugs 2 in area B of the locking knob 1.

[0049] A mounting recess 10 with the desired diameter or shape is then made in the second plate 4.

[0050] After overlapping the assembled locking knob 1 and the mounting recess 10 of the second plate 4, the connection between the two plates can be closed by applying pressure to one or both plates. It can be opened again by applying slight pulling force to one plate or opposing forces to both plates.

[0051] The diameter of a mounting hole 9 and a mounting recess 10 can be different for both plates, so that the diameters of the locking head 1 in areas B, C, and D can also vary. The diameter of area E and the chamfer 8 on the locking bead 6 can be selected depending on the plate material and the desired retention force. The chamfer 7 on the outer cylinder 5 and the diameter of area A are selected depending on the desired position of the locking button 1. The size of the locking lugs 2 and their position in area C depends on the selected plate material. The height of all areas depends on the plate thickness, the desired clearance between the plates, and the desired exposure of the locking button 1.

[0052] After releasing the plate connection, the locking button 1 remains in the first plate 3 so that it is immediately available for re-closing.

[0053] The included tool holder 11 is designed here as a hexagon socket. By changing the shape and size of the mounting recess, the strength of the connection and the positioning tolerance can be adjusted: round for a strong connection and little positioning tolerance, square for a medium-strength connection and medium positioning tolerance, and rectangular for a less strong connection and large positioning tolerance. The larger the mounting recess is compared to the diameter of the area D, the weaker the connection and the weaker the retention force. If, for example, the mounting recess 10 in a hollow-wall panel is not punched through completely, meaning the outside of the hollow-wall panel remains open, the locking button 1 can be inserted far enough that it is not visible from the opposite side.

[0054] In Fig.Figure 10 shows a possible application in a transport and storage container designed as a large load carrier 12 for transporting vehicle parts to a manufacturer. It consists of a pallet 14, on which a container section made of 5 mm thick plastic hollow-chamber panels with two side walls and two end walls is attached. On the end face is a flap 13 that can be folded for loading. Mounting recesses are provided in the flap 13 and in the end wall, into each of which a locking button 1 can be inserted. The large load carrier can be closed with a container cover.

[0055] With the aid of the locking button connection according to the invention, a detachable connection mechanism between several panels is possible through simple assembly using an adhesive-free and weld-free connection. The connection is both removable and reusable. The components to be assembled can be rotated relative to each other in individual applications. Panel counterparts can be easily replaced. The locking button 1 itself can be easily manufactured in many materials, for example, by printing or injection molding. It is easy to recycle, especially if the locking button material is the same as the panel material. Manufacturing tolerances can be easily compensated with the connection shown here. Reference symbol list 1 locking button 2 locking lugs 3 first plate 4 second plate 5 outer cylinders 6 locking bead 7 Chamfer on outer cylinder 8 chamfers on locking bead 9 mounting hole 10 Mounting recess 11 Tool holder 12 large load carriers 13 flap 14 pallets 15 Flattening 16 Cover plate 17 bridges A Area A B Area B C Area C D Area D E Area E

Claims

[1] Locking button connection for the detachable connection of at least two flat plates, wherein the plates are hollow chamber plates consisting of two cover plates (16) and intermediate webs (17) and which can be inserted into recessed mounting holes in the plates, with the following features: - the locking button (1) is a cylindrical body with 5 areas A, B, C, D and E, - the area A is formed by an outer cylinder (5) whose diameter is larger than the inside diameter of a mounting hole (9) in a first plate (3), - the area B allows the reception of a first plate (3) such that its diameter is equal to or smaller than the inside diameter of the mounting hole (9) and its length corresponds at least to the thickness of the first plate (3), - in the area C, the diameter of which is equal to or smaller than the inside diameter of the mounting hole (9), locking lugs (2) are provided which are arranged at least partially on the circumference and which are formed almost vertically in the direction of the outer cylinder (5) and obliquely in the opposite direction, - the area D is designed to receive a second plate (4) or further plates to be fastened, the diameter of which is equal to or smaller than the clear width of a mounting recess (10) in a second plate (4) or further plate, - the area E is formed by a locking bead (6) with lateral bevels (8) which can be inserted into the mounting recess (10) of the second plate (4), the locking bead (6) having a diameter which is larger than the smallest clear width of the mounting recess (10) and - the length of the area D is so short that the locking bead (6) can be locked in the area of ​​the webs (17) of the outermost plate. [2] Locking button connection according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking button (1) has a tool holder (11) accessible from the outer cylinder (5). [3] Locking button connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the locking lugs (2) have a lateral flattening (15). [4] Locking button connection according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the outer cylinder (5) has an outwardly directed chamfer (5). [5] Locking button connection according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the locking button (1) is a plastic molded part. [6] Locking button connection according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the length of the area D is designed such that the locking bead (6) lies outside the mounting recess (10).

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