Connector for joining two profile bars

Abstract

Connector (10) for connecting two profile bars (1, 2), each of which is provided with at least one undercut and outwardly open longitudinal groove (3, 4), comprising a base element (11) and at least two T-nuts (12, 13) which can be clamped relative to the base element (11) by means of a screw (14, 15), wherein the base element (11) has bearing surfaces (112, 114) oriented perpendicular to each other for the profile bars (1, 2), wherein a bore (113, 115) for the passage of the screws (14, 15) is arranged in the base element (11) in the area of ​​the bearing surfaces (112, 114), characterized in that at least one of the screws (14, 15) is oriented with its longitudinal axis obliquely to the bearing surfaces (112, 114).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for connecting two profile bars, each provided with at least one undercut and outwardly open longitudinal groove. The connector comprises a base element and at least two T-nuts, each of which can be clamped relative to the base element by means of a screw. The base element has support surfaces for the profile bars, aligned at right angles to one another, with a bore in the base element in the area of ​​each support surface for the screws that clamp the T-nuts.

[0002] Such profile bars, which are usually square and have one or more longitudinal grooves on at least one side, are used, for example, to manufacture machine frames, enclosures, shelves, or similar structures. By cutting the profile bars to length, structures can be created in a wide variety of geometries.

[0003] To connect the profile bars, it is known to insert T-nuts into the longitudinal grooves. These are preferably provided with a threaded hole so that threaded screws can be screwed into the T-nuts. In this way, tabs and / or angles can be used as connectors. The disadvantage of this is that the tabs and / or angles are positioned on the outside of the profile bars in the connection area, creating interference areas that may also be accompanied by protruding and possibly sharp edges.

[0004] From the document DE 29 907 628 U1, a connector is known which, in turn, acts as a type of T-slot nut and is inserted into the longitudinal groove of a profile bar and is clamped there using a counter-plate placed on the outside and a first screw. At an end spaced longitudinally from this fastening area, this connector has a receptacle for a second screw inserted in the direction of the longitudinal groove, which engages a T-slot nut inserted into the longitudinal groove of a second profile bar. By clamping this second T-slot nut relative to the connector, the two profile bars can thus be connected to one another perpendicular to one another, with the second screw then positioned completely within the longitudinal grooves.This creates a connection between the two profile bars in which, particularly in the area where the profile bars are on top of each other, no element of the connector protrudes significantly beyond the side surfaces of the profile bars.

[0005] However, connecting the two profile bars with the aforementioned connector is tricky in that the screw head of the second screw is also completely located in the longitudinal groove. The screw extends along the direction of the first longitudinal groove and a tool used to tighten or loosen the screw, such as an Allen key, must also be inserted in the direction of the longitudinal groove. The screw head is therefore difficult to access with the tool. In addition, there must be sufficient space above the screw head up to the first screw to be able to insert the second screw and to be able to apply the tool. Accordingly, the connector must have a correspondingly large overall length, which has a detrimental effect on the stability of the connection.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector of the type mentioned at the outset which is positioned completely or at least approximately completely in the longitudinal grooves of the profiles and thus enables a concealed connection which nevertheless has a high level of stability and which is easily accessible with tools during assembly and disassembly.

[0007] This problem is solved by a connector having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A connector according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that at least one of the screws is aligned with its longitudinal axis obliquely to the support surfaces.

[0009] Due to the angled arrangement of at least one of the screws, this screw does not run parallel to the longitudinal groove of the profile bar, but at an angle. This means that the actuating tool does not have to be inserted parallel within the longitudinal groove, but can be inserted diagonally from the outside into the longitudinal groove. This means that the screw head is easily accessible for the tool. In addition, less free space needs to be provided above the screw head of the angled screw up to the other screw, which means that the connector can be shorter in the longitudinal direction and the stability of the connection. A further advantage is that the base element of the connector is also pressed against the first profile bar by the angled screw, thus firmly fastening the base element to the first profile bar next to the profile end.

[0010] The screw, which is aligned at an angle to the support surfaces, engages in a threaded hole in the associated T-slot nut, which is preferably also inserted at an angle into the T-slot nut. Furthermore, the hole through which the screw is guided through the base element of the connector is preferably also diagonal. For the purposes of the application, a "hole" is understood to mean any through-hole in the base element, regardless of whether the through-hole is actually drilled or created using another technique. Analogously, a "threaded hole" is understood to mean any threaded recess or through-hole in the T-slot nuts, regardless of whether the recess or through-hole is actually drilled or created using another technique.

[0011] The angle at which the screw is inclined to the support surfaces is advantageously between 30° and 60°. It is particularly advantageous to set it at approximately 30° relative to the longitudinal axis of one of the profile bars and approximately 60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the other profile bar.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the connector, the base element has a body for insertion into the longitudinal groove, wherein the support surfaces are provided by a projecting collar and / or webs protruding from the body. In particular, the base element can be designed to be elongated in the direction of one of the profiles and have the circumferential collar in the direction of the longitudinal extent. With this collar, the base element then rests on a first of the profile bars. Furthermore, the base element can be thickened towards one longitudinal end, with (transverse) webs being arranged at the thickened longitudinal end, which form the support surfaces for the second profile bar. The body of the base element itself is then countersunk in the longitudinal groove of the first profile bar, and the base element rests on the surface of the profile bar only with the collar. Preferably, a profile bar can be used whose longitudinal groove has a stepped profiling of its edges.The collar can then be arranged in the step profile and its surface is flush with the outside of the profile bar.

[0013] Advantageously, the body of the base element has a recess in which the screw head of one of the screws is arranged. In this case, the screw head can be located as completely as possible within the recess and thus as completely as possible in the area of ​​the longitudinal groove of the first profile bar.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the base element of the connector is angularly designed with two legs, each leg having a protruding collar that provides the support surfaces, and each of the T-nuts being connected to one of the legs by one of the screws. Preferably, the at least one screw, aligned obliquely to the support surfaces, extends through the angular base element in the region of a groove. Provision can be made for a further T-nut to be attached to at least one of the legs of the angular base element by means of a further screw, whereby the connector can be connected to the respective profile bar with even higher clamping forces.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, a protruding pin is arranged or formed on the base element in the area of ​​at least one of the support surfaces. The pin points toward one of the profile bars and presses into the material of the profile bar when the connector is mounted. This ensures good electrical contact between the connector and the profile bar, or via the connector between the two connected profile bars, particularly with anodized or painted aluminum profiles. Good electrical contact is important in many applications to prevent unwanted electrostatic charges and the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD).

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 is a spatial exploded view of a first embodiment of a connector; Fig. 2 is a spatial exploded view of a second embodiment of a connector; Fig. 3 - 5 different representations of a connection of two profile bars by two of the Fig. 1 connector shown; Fig. 6 a spatial representation of another connection of two profile bars with the Fig. 1 connectors shown; and Fig. 7+ Fig. 8 each shows a spatial representation of a further embodiment of a connector in an assembled state.

[0017] The figures described below illustrate various embodiments of connectors according to the invention. In all figures, the same reference numerals identify the same elements. For reasons of clarity, not every element is provided with a reference numeral in every figure. Also for reasons of clarity, screw threads and threaded holes are not shown.

[0018] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connector 10 in a spatial exploded view. Both connectors 10 have a comparable basic structure, with a base element 11 and two T-nuts, a first T-nut 12 and a second T-nut 13, which are aligned essentially perpendicular to each other. The two T-nuts 12, 13 are connected to the base element 11 via a first screw 14 and a second screw 15, respectively, and can be clamped relative to this base element 11 by tightening the screws 14, 15.

[0019] In the Fig. 3 - 5 are examples of the use of the connector 10 in various representations, e.g. according to Fig. 1, for connecting two profile bars 1, 2. The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 spatial representations from different perspectives and the Fig. 5 a sectional view of a central plane passing through the two profile bars 1, 2.

[0020] As an example, a connection is shown in which the first profile bar 1 is positioned at its end face on one side of the second profile bar 2. Both profile bars 1, 2 are structurally identical in the example shown, but this is not necessarily the case. They have longitudinal grooves 3 and 4 on two opposite sides, into which the connectors 10 engage. The respective base element 11 of the connector 10 lies completely in one of the longitudinal grooves 3 of the first profile bar 1.

[0021] As the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the base element 11 has a body 111 that is inserted into the opening of the longitudinal groove 3. The body 111 has a protruding collar on each of its outer sides. The surface of the collar facing the first profile bar 1 forms first support surfaces 112, with which the base element 11 rests on the first profile bar 1. The first support surfaces 112 can, as in the example shown here, be provided with a ribbing or a rough surface to minimize slipping over the surface of the first profile bar 1.

[0022] The longitudinal grooves 3, 4 of the profile bars 1, 2 are provided with a stepped profile 5, whereby the protruding collars with the first support surfaces 112 of the base element 11 are countersunk relative to the outer sides of the first profile bar 1. The surface of the base element 11 is thus flush with the outer side of the first profile bar 1. If such a stepped profile 5 is not present, the base element 11 rests with its first support surfaces 112 on the outer side of the first profile bar 1 and protrudes slightly accordingly.

[0023] The first slot nut 12 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1 and can be clamped against the base element 11 with the first screw 14. The first screw is inserted into a first bore 113 of the base element 11.

[0024] The first T-slot nut 12 has laterally protruding bearing surfaces that engage in the undercut area of ​​the essentially T-shaped groove. These bearing surfaces are also preferably provided with a knurling. By tightening the first screw 14, the base element 11 can be clamped in the longitudinal groove 3, thus fastening the connector 10 to the first profile bar 1.

[0025] The body 111 thickens towards the second profile bar 2, with transverse webs being formed at this thickened end, which provide second bearing surfaces 114. The second bearing surfaces 114 run perpendicular to the first bearing surfaces 112. Just as the first bearing surfaces 112 rest on the surface of the first profile bar 1, the second bearing surfaces 114 rest on the surface of the second profile bar 2. Between the transverse webs with the second bearing surfaces 114, a second bore 115 is made in the base element 11, through which bore the second screw 15 leads into a threaded bore 131 of the second sliding block 13, which is inserted into the longitudinal groove 4 of the second profile bar 2. Tightening the second screw 15 braces the second sliding block 13 against the base element 11 and thus presses the second bearing surfaces 114 onto the second profile bar 2, whereby the two profile bars 1, 2 are connected to one another.

[0026] The second screw 15 runs at an angle to both the longitudinal direction of the first profile bar 1 and the longitudinal direction of the second profile bar 2. In the example shown, the angle to the longitudinal direction of the first profile bar 1 is approximately 30° and to the longitudinal direction of the second profile bar 2 is approximately 60°. Accordingly, both the second bore 115 and the threaded bore 131 are designed at such an angle to the direction of the profile bars 1, 2. For the second T-slot nut 13, this means that the threaded bore 131 is not perpendicular to the surface or support surface of the second T-slot nut 13.

[0027] In this way, accessibility of the screw head of the second screw 15 with a tool, for example an Allen key, is ensured, even if the screw head of the second screw 15 is located completely within the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1. To enable this position for the screw head, the thickened area of ​​the body 111 is provided with a recess 116 that partially or even completely accommodates the screw head.

[0028] In addition to the easy accessibility of the second screw 15 with the appropriate operating tool, this also offers the advantage that the distance between the two screws 14, 15, or between the two T-nuts 12, 13, can be kept relatively small, since no additional space is required above the head of the second screw 15 for inserting the tool. In this way, tilting loads between the two profile bars 1, 2 lead to low tilting moments in the base element 11.

[0029] The connectors 10 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are identical in their basic structure, which is why the explanations for the connector 10 of the Fig. 1 also applies to the connector 10 of the embodiment of the Fig. 2. One difference lies in the size of the first sliding block 12, which in the embodiment of the Fig. 2 is shortened in the longitudinal direction, such that it can be pivoted into the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1. The first sliding block 12 of the embodiment of the Fig. 1 can only be inserted from one end of the profile bar or through a corresponding milling into the longitudinal groove 3. In one embodiment of the Fig. 2, the first sliding block 12 can be inserted at any point into the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows the use of the connector 10 according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 for connecting two profile bars 1, 2 that have a larger cross-section and whose sides are provided not only with one longitudinal groove 3, 4, but with three longitudinal grooves 3, 4 each. In this case, connections can be made on each side of the first profile bar 1 with up to three connectors 10, depending on the required load.

[0031] The Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 each show in a spatial representation further embodiments of a connector 10 according to the invention in an assembled state.

[0032] The connector 10 according to Fig. 7 again has a basic element 11 which, in contrast to the connectors 10 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is designed in the manner of an L-shaped angle. In the area of ​​the first support surfaces 112, in addition to the first sliding block 12, there is another sliding block 16, which is clamped with another screw 17. The other sliding block 16, like the first sliding block 12, is positioned in the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1.

[0033] According to the invention, the second sliding block 13 is again provided with an obliquely arranged threaded bore 131 and accordingly the second screw 15 runs with its longitudinal axis obliquely to the surface of this second sliding block 13. Unlike in the first two embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, however, the screw head 15 is not completely located within the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1, but rather protrudes with its screw head in the corner area of ​​the two profile bars 1, 2 to be connected. Nevertheless, the second slot nut 13 is positioned in an area in which the longitudinal groove 3 of the first profile bar 1 rests on the second profile bar 2.

[0034] To further strengthen the connection, a further slot nut 16 is also provided for the longitudinal groove 4 of the second profile bar 2, which can be clamped with a further screw 17 relative to the corresponding leg of the here angular base element 11.

[0035] The connector 10 of the Fig. 8 corresponds essentially to the Fig. 1 shown. The Fig. 8 shows a rear view of the basic element 11 of the connector 10. In a further development of the connector 10 of the Fig. 1, a protruding mandrel 117 is formed on the base element 11 adjacent to the support surfaces 114, of which in the perspective of the Fig. 8 only one is visible.

[0036] When the connector 10 is mounted, the pins 117 point toward the second profile bar 2 and press into the material of the second profile bar 2 during assembly. This ensures good electrical contact between the connector 10 and the second profile bar 2, even if the latter is made of anodized or painted aluminum, for example. The profiling on the support surface 112 can also include a similar pin, so that secure contact is also established with the first profile bar 1. Good electrical contact prevents unwanted electrostatic charging and thus reduces the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Reference symbol 1 first profile bar 2 second profile bar 3 Longitudinal groove (of the first profile bar) 4 Longitudinal groove (of the second profile bar) 5 Step profiling 10 connectors 11 Basic element 111 bodies 112 first support surface (longitudinal side) 113 first borehole 114 second support surface (cross-side) 115 second hole 116 recess 117 Thorn 12 first slot nut 121 threaded hole 13 second sliding block 131 threaded hole 14 first screw 15 second screw 16 additional slot nuts 17 additional screws QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 29 907 628 U1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Connector (10) for connecting two profile bars (1, 2), each provided with at least one undercut and outwardly open longitudinal groove (3, 4), comprising a base element (11) and at least two sliding blocks (12, 13) which can be clamped relative to the base element (11) by means of a screw (14, 15) each, wherein the base element (11) has support surfaces (112, 114) aligned at right angles to one another for the profile bars (1, 2), wherein a bore (113, 115) for the screws (14, 15) is arranged in the base element (11) in the region of the support surfaces (112, 114), characterized by that at least one of the screws (14, 15) is aligned with its longitudinal axis obliquely to the support surfaces (112, 114). [2] Connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sliding blocks (12, 13) has a threaded bore (121, 131) which runs obliquely in the sliding block (12, 13). [3] Connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the bores (113, 115) extends obliquely through the base element (11). [4] Connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle at which the at least one of the screws (14, 15) is inclined to the support surfaces (112, 114) lies in a range between 30° and 60°. [5] Connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base element (11) has a body (111) for insertion into the longitudinal groove (3, 4), wherein the bearing surfaces (112, 114) are provided by projecting collars and / or webs projecting from the body (111). [6] Connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein the base element (11) is elongated, the collars extending in the direction of the longitudinal extent. [7] Connector (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the base element (11) thickens towards a longitudinal end, the webs being arranged at the thickened longitudinal end. [8] Connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein the body (111) of the base element (11) has a recess (116) in the region of the thickening, in which a screw head of one of the screws (14, 15) is arranged. [9] Connector (10) according to claim 8, wherein the screw head is located entirely within the recess (116). [10] Connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base element (11) is angularly formed with two legs, each leg having a projecting collar which provides the support surfaces (112, 114) and wherein one of the sliding blocks (2, 13) is connected to one of the legs by one of the screws (14, 15). [11] Connector (10) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one screw (13, 14) aligned obliquely to the support surfaces (112, 114) passes through the angular base element (11) in the region of a groove. [12] Connector (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a further slot nut (16) is fastened to at least one of the angular base elements (11) by means of a further screw (17). [13] Connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a protruding mandrel (117) is arranged or formed on the base element (11) in the region of at least one of the bearing surfaces (112, 114).

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