Corner connectors

Abstract

Corner connector for connecting two hollow chamber profiles (14) of windows, doors or the like, wherein the corner connector (1) is designed for clamping in a hollow chamber profile (14) with an inner cross-section and has - a shaft part (2) for insertion into the inner cross-section, which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and at whose first end (4) a first mitre surface (6) is formed for welding to another corner connector, and - a clamping element (8) which is designed to clamp the shaft part (2) in the hollow chamber profile (14), - wherein the first mitre surface (6) has a first opening (12) through which the clamping element (8) can be driven for clamping, characterized in that - a second mitre surface (6') is formed at the second end (4') of the shaft part (2), which is mirror-symmetrical or parallel to the first mitre surface (6) and which has a second opening (12'), - the clamping element (8) for clamping the corner connector (1) can be driven optionally through the first (12) or the second (12') opening and - the shaft part (2) can be clamped by the clamping element (8) both in a first configuration in which the first mitre surface (6) is exposed on the hollow chamber profile (14), and in a second configuration in which the second mitre surface (6') is exposed on the hollow chamber profile (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a corner connector for connecting two hollow chamber profiles of windows, doors or the like, wherein the corner connector is designed for clamping in a hollow chamber profile with an inner cross-section and has a shaft part for insertion into the inner cross-section, which extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein a first miter surface is designed at a first end of the shaft part for welding to another corner connector, and wherein the corner connector further has a clamping element which is designed for clamping the shaft part in the hollow chamber profile, wherein the first miter surface has a first opening through which the clamping element can be driven for clamping.

[0002] Corner connectors are used to connect two mitered hollow chamber profiles in which they are fixed. An important requirement is that the corner connector, once inserted into a hollow chamber profile, is fixed particularly firmly in the hollow chamber profile so that the corner connector can fulfill its intended stiffening and fastening function. For this purpose, corner connectors are known that are driven into the hollow chamber profile with a slight oversize and additionally secured there with screws. An alternative approach, which is advantageous in terms of assembly precision, is clampable corner connectors, which can be inserted into the hollow chamber profile. This means that they have an outer dimension that is slightly smaller than the inner dimension of the hollow chamber profile and are then clamped in the hollow chamber profile.

[0003] For this purpose, the aforementioned corner connector comprises the shaft part with the miter surface and the clamping element, which is driven through an opening in the miter surface of the shaft part, so that it expands and / or presses outwards relative to the shaft part. This clamps the corner connector in the hollow chamber profile. EP 0 698 720 A1 created a new class of these clampable corner connectors, which comprises the shaft part and the clamping element serving as the clamping body. This is driven to an axial displacement through an opening in the miter surface of the shaft part. Pull tabs are common, but pressure or tension screws are also possible. A clamping structure converts the axial displacement into a transverse movement of the clamping body. As a result, the clamping body lifts relative to the shaft part and clamps the shaft part in the hollow chamber profile. The aforementioned publication provides for bevels for the clamping structure.Understandably, this clamping structure can also be designed differently, for example by round surfaces, as provided in DE 10 2007 030 618 B3.

[0004] The clamping element known from EP 0 698 720 A1 acts in one direction, namely in the form of a clamping force transverse to the upper inner transverse surface, at which the clamping element is lifted during axial displacement. DE 100 39 403 C1 develops the approach of EP 0 698 720 A1 further in that the clamping element not only lifts itself transversely to the inner transverse surfaces, but also clamps itself at the upper edge in the hollow chamber profile between the longitudinal sides of the hollow chamber profile by means of an end that expands resiliently when pulled out and is driven by another clamping structure. This also clamps the inner transverse and longitudinal surfaces of the hollow chamber profile. DE 10 2007 030 618 B3 and DE 20 2008 008 250 U1 achieve the same effect by means of a clamping element that has resilient expansion plates.

[0005] In contrast, DE 20 2024 101 337 U1, which is considered in the generic term, achieves even more uniform clamping. Here, the clamping element is designed as a corner on the shaft part. It is pushed outward from the shaft part by the axial displacement in the direction of the diagonals of the inner cross-section of the hollow chamber profile. Thus, the corner connector is reliably clamped by a clamping element simultaneously in two clamping directions, i.e., in the transverse direction and in the vertical direction of the hollow chamber profile. However, this corner connector is limited to certain hollow chamber profiles that are closed on all sides.

[0006] Applications involving hollow chamber profiles that are not closed, e.g., those with a slot, can prove problematic. In these cases, reliable bracing cannot be achieved because the bracing effect is insufficient due to the lack of rigidity of the closed hollow chamber profile in the direction or area where the clamping element is intended to act. In the worst case, the bracing initially appears sufficient, but then weakens because the open hollow chamber profile yields under the pressure of the clamping element. In this case, an installed corner connection can subsequently fail, possibly even after a window, door, or similar device has already been installed.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of developing a generic corner connector in such a way that the clamping is improved for more applications and, in particular, is permanent.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a corner connector according to claim 1. The subclaims relate to preferred developments.

[0009] A corner connector is provided for connecting two hollow chamber profiles of windows, doors, or the like. The corner connector is designed for clamping in the inner cross-section of the hollow chamber profile. It has a shaft part that is configured accordingly for insertion into the inner cross-section, i.e., has a matching outer cross-section. The shaft part extends along a longitudinal axis and carries a first miter surface at its first end for welding to another corner connector. This first miter surface has a first opening through which a clamping element can be driven, which is designed to clamp the shaft part in the hollow chamber profile. At the second end of the shaft part there is a second miter surface. It is parallel to the first miter surface or is mirror-symmetrical to it. It has a second opening. The clamping element can be driven optionally through the first or second opening to clamp the corner connector.In this way, the clamping element allows the shaft part to be clamped both to the first miter surface on the hollow chamber profile and to the second miter surface on the hollow chamber profile. The exposed miter surface is understood to be available at the end of the hollow chamber profile to enable welding to another corner connector.

[0010] Thanks to the two miter surfaces and the corresponding openings for driving the clamping element through both miter surfaces, the corner connector can be inserted into the hollow chamber profile in two configurations: with the first miter surface available for welding (first configuration), and with the second miter surface exposed on the hollow chamber profile for welding (second configuration). In the first configuration, the first miter surface is at the end of the hollow chamber profile and is available for welding; in the second configuration, this is the second miter surface. Since both miter surfaces each have an opening through which the clamping element for clamping the corner connector can be driven, and this is designed so that it can be driven either through the first or the second opening, the corner connector can be clamped in the hollow chamber profile in both configurations.

[0011] This property, which results from the design features, allows for greater applicability for various hollow chamber profiles. For example, one is no longer restricted to a closed profile cross-section and can nevertheless use any designs proven advantageous from the prior art for the action of the clamping element, for example that known from the aforementioned DE 20 2024 101 337 U1. Particularly with hollow chamber profiles whose profile cross-section is not closed, one had to rely up to now either on very specific clamping element effects or one had to provide two different corner connectors, depending on how the corner connector was to be positioned in relation to the point at which the hollow chamber profile was not closed in cross-section. A hollow chamber profile that is not closed in cross-section is understood to be a hollow chamber profile that has a slot or gap along its longitudinal extent.

[0012] Now, a single type of corner connector can be used for a wide variety of open hollow chamber profiles, without having to provide two different types of corner connectors or relying on hollow chamber profile-specific clamping element designs. The now available corner connector is universally applicable.

[0013] The corner connector has two configurations. Preferably, the action of the clamping element is designed such that in both configurations it executes a relative movement, which clamps the corner connector diagonally within the hollow chamber profile. Such a configuration has proven reliable and, due to the proposed design with the first and second configurations, is no longer limited to specific hollow chamber profiles, especially those with a closed cross-section.

[0014] There are two basic variants of corner connectors. In the first variant, the mitered surfaces are mirror-symmetrical to each other; in the second variant, they are parallel to each other. The term "mirror-symmetrical" refers to the longitudinal axis of the shaft part. In a side view, for example, to form a right-angled corner, the first mitered surface is inclined at 45° to the vertical, and the second mitered surface is inclined at -45° to the vertical; the longitudinal axis then lies along the horizontal.

[0015] For the variant with mirror-symmetrical miter surfaces, it is preferred that the clamping element presses outwards in a transverse direction when driven through the first opening and presses outwards in the same transverse direction when driven through the second opening. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous for hollow chamber profiles with a G-shaped profile cross-section. The same applies to the second variant with parallel miter surfaces if, in the first configuration, i.e. when driven through the first opening, the clamping element presses outwards in a first transverse direction and, in the second configuration, i.e. when driven through the second opening, presses outwards in a second transverse direction that is essentially perpendicular to the first transverse direction.

[0016] It is particularly preferred to drive the clamping element through the first opening in an axial displacement, wherein the clamping element is axially displaced in a first direction in the first configuration and in an opposite second direction when driven through the second opening. For this purpose, the shaft part is preferably provided with a clamping structure, and the clamping element has a corresponding counter-clamping structure, which interact in such a way that the clamping element presses outward transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft part during the axial displacement, preferably diagonally.

[0017] The design with mirror-symmetrical miter surfaces allows the shaft part to be kept comparatively axially short by providing a single receptacle into which the clamping element can be inserted in two orientations, one corresponding to the first configuration and one corresponding to the second configuration, so that it can be driven through the corresponding opening depending on the configuration. This means that with one orientation the clamping element can act on the shaft part in both configurations without the shaft part having to be extended axially to provide two receptacles, which is of course equally possible. In the variant with a single receptacle, it is preferable to rotate the clamping element 180° around its vertical axis between the two configurations. The vertical axis is parallel to the plane of symmetry of the miter surfaces or lies in this plane of symmetry.

[0018] With such a configuration, it is particularly preferred to design the receptacle mirror-symmetrically to a center plane of the shaft part perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The center plane is usually the plane of symmetry or parallel to it. This allows for the use of a single clamping element. Alternatively, two different clamping elements can be used for the two configurations.

[0019] With a mirror-symmetrical design to the center plane, it is preferable for a clamping structure operating on the wedge principle that acts over a large axial length, if possible, to position the wedge structure acting at one end of the clamping body more centrally in the receptacle, i.e., close to the interior of the receptacle, and to position the clamping structure acting at the other end more outwardly. This allows the two clamping structures to be nested within the receptacle without any problems and yet be designed symmetrically to the center plane of the shaft part.

[0020] Equally possible is a design in which two receptacles are provided, one for the first configuration, into which the clamping element is then inserted in a first orientation, and another receptacle into which the shaft part is then inserted in a second orientation so that the second configuration is realized.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, which also disclose features essential to the invention. These exemplary embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. For example, a description of an embodiment with a large number of elements or components should not be interpreted to mean that all of these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, other embodiments may also contain alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components of different embodiments may be combined with one another unless otherwise stated. Modifications and variations described for one of the embodiments may also be applicable to other embodiments.To avoid repetition, identical or corresponding elements in different figures are designated by the same reference numerals and are not explained more than once. The figures show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a corner connector which is used in a hollow chamber profile, in particular with a non-closed profile cross-section, wherein a first embodiment of the corner connector is shown, Fig. 2 a representation of the corner connector of the first embodiment to illustrate that a clamping body of the corner connector can be used in different orientations and thus the corner connector can be provided in two different configurations for clamping, wherein Fig. 1 showed the first configuration, Fig. 3 a representation of the corner connector of the Fig. 1, but in the second configuration, Fig. 4 the corner connector inserted into a hollow chamber profile in the second configuration, Fig. 5 the corner connector inserted into the hollow chamber profile in the first configuration, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 frontal views of the hollow chamber profile in the second configuration according to Fig. 4 ( Fig. 6) and the first configuration according to Fig. 5 ( Fig. 7), Fig. 8 opposite Fig. 3 inverted corner connectors for use in the second configuration, Fig. 9 a schematic diagram to illustrate the two configurations and possible uses of the corner connector in a hollow chamber profile, Fig. 10 a representation of the shaft part of the corner connector to explain a clamping structure that interacts with a corresponding clamping structure on the clamping body, Fig. 11 the clamping body with a top view of its clamping structure, Fig. 12 a schematic representation of the effect of the clamping body when clamping in the second configuration, Fig. 13 a second embodiment of a corner connector, which can also be used in the two configurations, and Fig. 14 a third embodiment which can also be used in the two configurations.

[0023] The figures show a corner connector 1, which has a shaft part 2, which is inserted into a hollow chamber profile. Fig. 1 to 12 show a first embodiment, the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 two further embodiments. In Fig. 1-3, 8, 10, 13, and 14, the corner connector 1 is shown without the hollow chamber profile. In all drawings, structures that correspond in terms of their structural design or functional significance are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0024] The corner connector 1 is clamped inside the hollow chamber profile. The corner connector 1 is clamped with its shaft portion 2 inside the hollow chamber profile and then welded to another corner connector located inside another hollow chamber profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow chamber profile is a metal profile that lies inside a miter-cut plastic profile (not shown), stiffening it.

[0025] The corner connector 1 is particularly suitable for use with hollow chamber profiles whose profile cross-section is not closed, especially with hollow chamber profiles that have a G-shaped cross-section, as will be explained below. With hollow chamber profiles with a non-closed profile cross-section, the problem arises that clamping can lead to the hollow chamber profile expanding and the clamping is not reliable. To counteract this problem, the Fig. The corner connector 1 shown in Figure 1 with its shaft part 2 is designed such that it has a first end 4 and a second end 4', each of which has a miter surface. At the first end 4 there is a miter surface 6 and at the second end 4' there is a second miter surface 6', which is designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first miter surface 6 in terms of inclination. The mirror symmetry can be seen on the longitudinal axis L, along which the shaft part 2 (and ultimately also the hollow chamber profile) extends. The miter surfaces 6 and 6' do not have to be completely mirror-symmetrical; it is sufficient if they are mirror-symmetrical in terms of inclination. In corner connectors for right-angled corners, they are usually inclined at +45° or -45°.

[0026] This design allows the shaft part 2 to be inserted into the hollow chamber profile and secured there in two directions. The first direction R is in Fig. 1. If the shaft part 2 is inserted into a hollow chamber profile in this direction, the first miter surface 6 is located at the end of the hollow chamber profile and serves for fastening with a second corner connector of a similar or identical type (first configuration). However, if the shaft part 2 is inserted into the hollow chamber profile 14 in the opposite, second direction R', the second miter surface 6' is located at the end of the hollow chamber profile 14 and serves for fastening with another corner connector (second configuration).

[0027] In all embodiments, the corner connector 1 has a clamping body 8, which serves to clamp the shaft part 2 in the hollow chamber profile. The clamping body 8 effects biaxial clamping by being pushed obliquely outwards by mechanical means to be explained below. The interaction of the shaft part 2 and the clamping body 8 thus preferably follows the principles of DE 20 2024 101 337 U1, which, with regard to this configuration of the shaft part 2 and the clamping body 8, is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Of course, other implementations for clamping the shaft part can also be used; the use of the clamping body 8 pushing obliquely outwards is only one of several possibilities.

[0028] It is essential, however, that the clamping is carried out with the shaft part 2 inserted into the hollow chamber profile. For this purpose, the clamping body 8 has, for example, a tension tab 10 in order to drive the clamping body 8 for clamping, in this case to move it along the longitudinal axis L. In order to clamp the shaft part 2 in both configurations, i.e. inserted both in the first direction R and inserted in the second direction R', the corresponding miter surfaces 6, 6' each have an opening 12, 12' through which the clamping body 8 can be driven, in the example shown by the tension tab 10 protruding through the first opening 12 on the first miter surface 6 and through the second opening 12' on the second miter surface 6'.

[0029] The clamping body 8 is designed as a rigid corner piece, which has two outer surfaces, which come to rest on the inner walls of the hollow chamber profile 14. These two outer surfaces press against the corresponding inner surfaces, since the clamping body 8, when it is axially displaced, is pressed transversely to the longitudinal extension L of the corner connector 1 and its shaft part 2 by the shaft part 2, i.e. outwards. The direction of this relative movement is shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 8, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 with an arrow. The clamping body 4 is pushed away from the shaft part 2 when it is axially displaced, for which purpose, for example, by means of a tool that is supported on the respective miter surface 6 or 6', the pull tab 10 attached to the clamping body 4 is pulled against the direction R or R'. This effect is shown in Fig. 12 clearly visible.

[0030] As the exploded view of the Fig. 2 shows, the relative displacement along the direction P ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 8, Fig. 12, Fig. 13) is achieved in that a clamping structure presses the clamping body 4 and the shaft part 2 apart when the clamping body 4 is moved axially. The clamping structure comprises, for example, wedges on the shaft part, which are arranged on an inclined base plane and interact with counter-wedges which are also part of the clamping structure and which lie on an inclined base plane parallel to the clamping body 8. This structure has the effect that the axial movement along the longitudinal axis L of the clamping body 8 is converted into the relative movement which runs more transversely, i.e. along the direction P. In this way, the corner connector 1 expands in the inner cross section of the hollow chamber profile and clamps itself in the hollow chamber profile.

[0031] For the clamping effect achieved in this way, it is essential that the clamping body 8 is a rigid component, as is the shaft part 2. No spring-loaded elements of the shaft part 2 or the clamping body 4 participate in the clamping. This is nevertheless possible in modifications using other clamping principles.

[0032] The shaft part 2 has a recess 13. This recess 13 accommodates the clamping body 8 and has the elements of the clamping structure assigned to it at its base.

[0033] The openings 12, 12' are significantly larger than the cross-section of the tension tab 10, since the latter must move along the relative movement within the opening 12, 12' during tensioning. The opening 12, 12' has a corresponding oversize and, in particular, lateral clearance for this movement.

[0034] Fig. 2 illustrates that the corner connector 1 can be arranged in two different configurations. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 this is done by the clamping body 8 being removed from the Fig. 1 and inserted into the recess 13 in the opposite second orientation. In the first configuration, the pull tab 10 projects through the first opening 12, which is provided on the first miter surface 6 at the first end 4. In the second configuration, however, the pull tab 10 projects through the second opening 12', which is provided on the second miter surface 6' at the second end 4'. The clamping structure in the recess 13 and the counter-clamping structure provided on the clamping body 8 are designed such that in both pulling directions, ie through the opening 12, i.e. in the first configuration, and through the opening 12', i.e. in the second configuration, the clamping body 8 is pressed in the direction P and thus clamping can take place. Fig. 3 shows this second configuration with the clamping body 8 turned into a second orientation.

[0035] The effect of these two configurations results from the Fig. 4 to 7 with particular advantage on a hollow chamber profile 14, the profile cross-section of which is not closed, but has a gap 16 and a contact web 18, so that the hollow chamber profile has an overall G-shaped profile cross-section. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 show the use of the corner connector 1 in the first configuration, the Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 in the second configuration.

[0036] In the first configuration, the first end 6 of the corner connector 1 is used to connect to another corner connector, i.e. welding with such another corner connector is carried out on the first miter surface 6. In the second configuration, the same is done at the second end 4' with the second miter surface 6'. The corner connector has therefore been pushed into the hollow chamber profile 14 along the direction R in the first configuration and along the direction R' in the second configuration. Since, when the clamping body 8 is turned over to form the second configuration, the clamping body 8 presses in a direction P which is offset by 90° compared to the direction P in the first configuration, the corner connector 1 must be moved from the position shown in the illustration for the corresponding insertion. Fig. 3 in the position of the representation of the Fig. 8, the clamping body 8 always presses in the hollow chamber profile 14 during clamping, for which it is driven through the corresponding opening 12 (first configuration) or 12' (second configuration), in such a way that the existence of the gap 16 is irrelevant.

[0037] This will be Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. They show the structure of the hollow chamber profile 14, which is formed from a contact web 18 angled towards the inside of the profile, a narrow transverse side 20, a long side 22, a wide transverse side 24, which is wider than the short transverse side 20 by the width of the gap 16, and an open side cheek 26. In the first configuration, which is shown in Fig. 7, the corner connector 1 is related to the illustration of the Fig. 5 in the first configuration is inserted into the hollow chamber profile 14 along the direction R, as shown in Fig. 1. In the second configuration according to Fig. 4 / 6 the corner connector is in the position according to Fig. 8 is inserted along the direction R'. Thus, the bracing effect of the clamping body 8 always acts between the corner 28 of the hollow chamber profile 14 and the corner 30. It is ensured that the clamping body 8 is not in the area of ​​the open gap 16, ie in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 above the side web 18, outwards. Although a bracing effect towards the long transverse side 24 could be achieved, there would be no sufficient bracing effect transverse to it, corresponding to the horizontal in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

[0038] By using the first configuration according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 in the case that the gap 16 is located to the right of the corner connector 1 in relation to the front view, as well as the second configuration according to the Fig. 8, Fig. 4, Fig. 6 In the event that the gap 16 is located to the left of the corner connector 1 in a plan view of the end, it is always ensured that the corner connector 1 is also reliably clamped in the transverse direction, because the clamping effect acts diagonally between the corners 28 and 30.

[0039] Fig. 12 shows this effect of the clamping body 8 exemplarily in the second configuration to illustrate that the clamping is reliably achieved even though the hollow chamber profile 14 has a non-closed cross-section.

[0040] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates the application. It shows a hollow chamber profile 14, which is equipped with a corner connector 1 at each of its ends, so that a connection with further corner connectors is possible, for example for producing a window or door frame. At its left end, the corner connector 1 is inserted into the hollow chamber profile 14 in the first configuration, i.e. such that its first end 4 is available for connection to another corner connector. At the right end of the hollow chamber profile 14, another example of the identical corner connector is inserted in the second configuration, so that its second end 4' is available for connection to another corner connector. To the left and right of the corresponding central illustration of the Fig. 9 shows a circular section of the top view of the front side, which is used to represent the Fig. 7 (left circle section) or the Fig. 6 (right circular section).

[0041] The Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show examples of how the clamping structure can be designed on the shaft part 2 or clamping body 8. This is the embodiment of the Fig. 1, which is important because the clamping body must be insertable and drivable in two directions into the corresponding recess 13 (cf. Fig. 2, in which one of the two positions is illustrated by a dashed clamping body 8). The clamping structure on the shaft part 2 therefore has a wedge structure 32, 32' in the recess 13, which is mirror-symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. This makes it possible to use the clamping body 8 in the two orientations of the Fig. 2. In the first configuration, the first wedge structure 32 acts, in the second configuration the second wedge structure 32'. At the same time, the clamping body 8 has on its underside facing the recess 13 ( Fig. 11 shows the clamping body accordingly from the underside) has its own counter-wedge structure 34, which can cooperate with both wedge structures 32, 32' - depending on the orientation of the clamping body 8 in the recess 13.

[0042] As can be seen, the wedge structures 32, 32' and the counter-wedge structure 34 are preferably designed in such a way that wedge surfaces are present over the entire length of the clamping body 8, but these are located centrally at one end and at the other end at the edge of the clamping body with respect to the longitudinal axis of the clamping body, so that the turning of the clamping body 8 according to Fig. 2 is possible and no wedge surfaces collide. This requirement is of course only met if the recess 13 is largely covered by the clamping body 8 in both configurations, so that a collision of the counter-wedge structures 34 with first wedge structures 32, which are intended to act for clamping against the first direction R, and with second wedge structures 32', which are intended to act for clamping against the second direction R', would be feared. If the shaft part 2 is made longer, the recess 13 can be made correspondingly longer, so that the wedge structures 32, 32' for the two directions become independent of each other and not, as in the embodiment of the Fig. 10, must be nested within each other.

[0043] The requirement of the nested wedge structures 32, 32' for the two directions in which the clamping body 8 must be driven is in the embodiment of the Fig. 13 is not present. Here, the second miter surface 6' at the second end 4' is also formed parallel to the first miter surface 6. Therefore, a second recess 13' is provided, which is diagonally opposite the first recess with respect to the centrally running longitudinal axis L. The clamping body 8 is then inserted either into the recess 13 or into the recess 13'. In this embodiment, too, it is ensured that the bracing always acts between the corners 28 and 30 of the hollow chamber profile 14 - once in direction P and the other time in direction P'.

[0044] Fig. 14 shows a further development of the previously mentioned embodiment with an extended shaft part 2, which has a longer recess, which is designed here as a two-part recess 13, 13', which are differently inclined with respect to the clamping directions P, P' of the clamping body 8. Here too, as in the embodiment of Fig. 13, a simplification is given with regard to the wedge structure 32, since in principle these no longer have to be designed in such a way that they are nested within each other for the two drive directions of the clamping body 8.

[0045] All wedge surfaces described here are preferably designed to lock in place, i.e., with a suitable microstructure, e.g., corrugation. When reference is made here to a clamping structure, this is to be understood as comprising elements arranged on two bodies and cooperating with one another, which convert a displacement of one body relative to the other body in a direction of displacement into a movement of one body transverse to the direction of displacement. In the embodiments, cooperating, flat bevels are used as a wedge or counter-wedge structure. However, this is not the only possible implementation. Rounded surfaces, non-flat bevels, or structures with levers, etc. can equally be used as elements of the clamping structure.

[0046] In the three embodiments, it is not absolutely necessary to use nested designs of the wedge structure 32, 32' only in one design of the first embodiment. It can certainly also be used in the design of the second or third embodiment according to Fig. 13 or Fig. 14 can be used. The drive type for the clamping body 8 is also not limited to the tension plate 10; screw-type clamps are equally possible. Likewise, the bracing is not limited to the use of rigid corner pieces as clamping bodies. Those skilled in the art will also be familiar with other principles, e.g., from the prior art cited above, that can be equally applied to the concept of the two configurations. 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] EP 0 698 720 A1 [0003, 0004] DE 10 2007 030 618 B3 [0003, 0004] DE 100 39 403 C1

[0004] DE 20 2008 008 250 U1

[0004] DE 20 2024 101 337 U1 [0005, 0011, 0027]

Claims

[1] Corner connector for connecting two hollow chamber profiles (14) of windows, doors or the like, wherein the corner connector (1) is designed for clamping in a hollow chamber profile (14) with an inner cross-section and has - a shaft part (2) for insertion into the inner cross-section, which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and at whose first end (4) a first mitre surface (6) is formed for welding to another corner connector, and - a clamping element (8) which is designed to clamp the shaft part (2) in the hollow chamber profile (14), - wherein the first mitre surface (6) has a first opening (12) through which the clamping element (8) can be driven for clamping, characterized by , that - a second mitre surface (6') is formed at the second end (4') of the shaft part (2), which is mirror-symmetrical or parallel to the first mitre surface (6) and which has a second opening (12'), - the clamping element (8) for clamping the corner connector (1) can be driven optionally through the first (12) or the second (12') opening and - the shaft part (2) can be clamped by the clamping element (8) both in a first configuration in which the first mitre surface (6) is exposed on the hollow chamber profile (14), and in a second configuration in which the second mitre surface (6') is exposed on the hollow chamber profile (14). [2] Corner connector according to claim 1, characterized by that in both configurations the shaft part (2) executes a relative movement (P) which clamps the corner connector (1) diagonally in the hollow chamber profile (14). [3] Corner connector according to one of the above claims, characterized by , that - either the second mitre surface (6') is mirror-symmetrical to the first mitre surface (6) and presses the clamping element (8) outwards when driven through the first opening (12) in a transverse direction (P) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shaft part (2), and presses it outwards when driven through the second opening (12') in the same transverse direction (P), - or the second mitre surface (6') is parallel to the first mitre surface (6) and presses the clamping element (8) outwards when driven through the first opening (12) in a first transverse direction (P) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shaft part (2), and presses it outwards when driven through the second opening (12') in a second transverse direction (P') which is at an angle of 70° to 110° to the first transverse direction (P). [4] Corner connector according to one of the above claims, characterized by , that - the clamping element (8) is axially displaced in a first direction (R) when driven through the first opening (12) and is axially displaced in an opposite, second direction (R') when driven through the second opening (12') and - the shaft part (2) has a clamping structure (32, 32') and the clamping element (8) has a counter-clamping structure (34), wherein the clamping structure (32, 32') and the counter-clamping structure (34) interact in such a way that the clamping element (8) presses outwards transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shaft part (2) during the axial displacement in the first as well as in the second direction (R, R'). [5] Corner connector according to one of the above claims, characterized bythat the second mitre surface (6') is mirror-symmetrical to the first mitre surface (6) and the shaft part (2) has a receptacle (13) and the clamping element (8) for the first configuration can be inserted into the receptacle (13) in a first orientation, in which it can be driven through the first opening (12), and for the second configuration can be inserted into the receptacle (13) in a second orientation, in which it can be driven through the second opening (12'). [6] Corner connector according to claim 5, characterized by that the clamping element (8) in the second orientation is rotated by 180 degrees about its vertical axis compared to the first orientation, which is parallel to the plane of symmetry of the mitre surfaces (6, 6') or lies in this. [7] Corner connector according to claim 6, characterized bythat the clamping element (8) comprises a counter-wedge structure (34) which is formed on a base plane which lies obliquely both to a plane defined by outer transverse surfaces of the hollow chamber profile (14) and to a plane defined by outer longitudinal surfaces of the hollow chamber profile (14), and the receptacle (13) comprises two wedge structures (32, 32') designed to match the counter-wedge structure (34), wherein directions of inclination for the two counter-wedge structures (32, 32') are inverted to one another. [8] Corner connector according to claim 7, characterized by that the receptacle (13) is mirror-symmetrical to a center plane of the shaft part (2). [9] Corner connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the shaft part (2) has a first and a second receptacle (13, 13') and the clamping element (8) is drivable through the first opening (12) when inserted into the first receptacle (13), and is drivable through the second opening (12') when inserted into the second receptacle (13'). [10] Corner connector according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the shaft part (2) and the clamping body (8) are manufactured by injection molding.

Images