Connecting element and membrane roof with such a connecting element

Abstract

Connecting element for a membrane roof, comprising a base body with a first through-opening (14) for receiving a first cable and a second through-opening (16) for receiving a second cable, characterized in that the base body comprises a lower part (4), a first intermediate part (6) arranged on the lower part (4), a second intermediate part (8) arranged on the first intermediate part (6) and an upper part (10) arranged on the second intermediate part (8), wherein the lower part (4), the intermediate parts (6, 8) and the upper part (10) are fixed to one another.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting element for a membrane roof, comprising a base body with two through-openings through each of which a cable can be guided. Furthermore, the invention relates to a membrane roof comprising at least two cables, a membrane, and at least one such connecting element.

[0002] Membrane roofs in various designs are known from the prior art. These membrane roofs typically comprise a supporting structure made of cables and a membrane arranged on the supporting structure. To stabilize the supporting structure, the cables are connected to each other via connecting elements at their intersection point. The cables therefore play a key role in load transfer and shape stabilization of the membrane roofs. To fix the membrane to the supporting structure, it is known from the prior art to provide additional connecting elements. Connecting the cables to each other to form the supporting structure, as well as connecting the membrane to the supporting structure, is therefore complex with these membrane roofs and requires a large number of connecting elements.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting element for a membrane roof by means of which cables and a membrane can be easily connected to one another. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a membrane roof with at least one such connecting element.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by the connecting element having the features of claim 1 and the membrane roof having the features of claim 12.

[0005] The present invention thus provides a connecting element for a membrane roof, in particular for connecting cables, preferably wire and / or steel cables, and a membrane of the membrane roof. The connecting element comprises a base body with two through-openings. A cable of the membrane roof can be guided through each of the through-openings. The base body comprises a lower part, a first intermediate part arranged on the lower part, a second intermediate part arranged on the first intermediate part, and an upper part arranged on the second intermediate part. The lower part, the intermediate parts, and the upper part can be fixed to one another, in particular releasably.

[0006] The core idea of ​​the invention is therefore to design the base body in four parts. This allows two cables and a membrane to be arranged between two adjacent parts of the base body. By fixing the individual parts of the base body, i.e. the lower part, the two intermediate parts and the upper part, to one another, the cables and the membrane can be fixed to the base body, in particular by frictional connection. The cables and the membrane can therefore each be clamped between two adjacent parts of the base body. In particular, a first of the cables can be fixed between the lower part and the first intermediate part, the membrane can be fixed between the first intermediate part and the second intermediate part, and the second cable can in turn be fixed between the second intermediate part and the upper part.

[0007] By means of the connecting element according to the invention, cables which cross each other in a projection in the radial direction of the cables and a membrane can be connected to each other easily and reliably with only one connecting element.

[0008] The through-openings extend, for example, in different directions. For example, the first through-opening extends orthogonally to the second through-opening. The through-openings can extend orthogonally to a vertical direction of the base body, which in particular corresponds to a stacking direction of the individual parts of the base body.

[0009] The lower part, the intermediate parts and the upper part can be fixed to one another in such a way that cables which can be arranged in the through-openings can be fixed to the connecting element by means of frictional connection and / or that a membrane which can be arranged between the intermediate parts can be fixed to the connecting element by means of frictional connection.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, the housing comprises at least one, in particular exactly one, exactly two, exactly three or exactly four, first bore(s).

[0011] The first hole, for example, extends in the vertical direction, i.e. orthogonal to the longitudinal extension directions of the two through openings.

[0012] The first bore can extend from the upper part through the second intermediate part into the first intermediate part, or from the upper part through the intermediate parts into the lower part. An end region of the first bore is thus formed, for example, in the first intermediate part or the lower part.

[0013] For example, the first bore comprises a thread in the region of the first intermediate part or in the region of the lower part, wherein the bore is otherwise preferably designed to be thread-free.

[0014] To fix the individual parts of the housing together, a first screw can be screwed into the first hole.

[0015] If the base body comprises more than one first bore, the first bores are, for example, at the same distance from a central axis of the base body extending in the vertical direction and / or from adjacent bores.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, the housing comprises at least one second bore, in particular exactly one or exactly two, which extends from the lower part into the first intermediate part and into which a second screw is screwed in order to fix the lower part to the first intermediate part.

[0017] The second bore may comprise a thread in the region of the first intermediate part which corresponds to a counter thread of the second screw.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, the housing comprises at least one third bore, in particular exactly one or exactly two, which extends from the upper part into the second intermediate part and into which a third screw is screwed to fix the upper part to the second intermediate part.

[0019] For example, the third hole in the area of ​​the second intermediate part has a thread which corresponds to a counter thread of the third screw.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, a clamping force between the intermediate parts, i.e. a force with which the intermediate parts are pressed together, in particular by the first screw, is smaller than a clamping force between the lower part and the first intermediate part, which is caused in particular by the second screw, and / or smaller than a clamping force between the upper part and the second intermediate part, which is caused by the third screw. The first screw is therefore screwed into the first bore, for example, with a tightening torque that is smaller than a tightening torque with which the second screw is screwed into the second bore and / or with which the third screw is screwed into the third bore.

[0021] The first hole, the second hole, and / or the third hole are / are, for example, partially threaded holes. The holes can be blind holes or through holes. Preferably, the first hole is a blind hole, and the second hole and the third hole are through holes.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting element according to the invention comprises a sealing arrangement made of a liquid-impermeable material.

[0023] The sealing arrangement can be arranged between the intermediate parts.

[0024] For example, the sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing plate, which in particular lies flat against the first intermediate part, and a second sealing plate, which in particular lies flat against the second intermediate part. A membrane can be arranged between the sealing plates.

[0025] The at least one first bore extends, for example, through the sealing arrangement, in particular through the first sealing plate and the second sealing plate.

[0026] For example, the sealing arrangement is designed in such a way that it rests against the first screw in a liquid-impermeable, in particular fluid-tight manner.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, the lower part comprises a notch on a side facing the first intermediate part, and the first intermediate part comprises a notch on a side facing the lower part. The notches together form the first through-opening.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention, the upper part has a notch on a side facing the second intermediate part, and the second intermediate part has a notch on a side facing the upper part. The notches together form the second through-opening.

[0029] The through-holes are cylindrical, for example. The notches are therefore each shaped like a half-cylinder with a semicircular cross-sectional profile.

[0030] The first through-opening extends, for example, orthogonally to the second through-opening, so that the connecting element forms a cross clamp.

[0031] The base body can be made of stainless steel.

[0032] The basic body is, for example, mirror-symmetrical and preferably has at least one, in particular exactly one, exactly two or exactly four, plane(s) of symmetry.

[0033] The base body can be cylindrical or cuboid-shaped, in particular cube-shaped. The base body can therefore have a round or square cross-sectional profile, in particular in a sectional plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0034] For example, the base body, especially together with the sealing arrangement, has a stepless outer contour. The individual parts of the base body—that is, the upper part, the intermediate parts, and the lower part—and preferably the sealing arrangement, for example, have the same outer profile.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting element according to the invention comprises at least one spacer arranged between the first intermediate part and the second intermediate part. The at least one spacer ensures a defined distance between the intermediate parts when they are fixed to one another. This ensures that a clamping force exerted by the intermediate parts on a membrane that can be arranged between the intermediate parts does not exceed a defined clamping force, while cables arranged in the through-openings can be subjected to a clamping force that is greater than the defined clamping force.

[0036] The spacer can be made of the same material as the intermediate parts. For example, the spacer is formed as a single piece with one of the intermediate parts.

[0037] The upper and lower parts can have the same vertical extension. The upper and lower parts can thus be manufactured as identical parts, with the corresponding hole(s) subsequently being inserted into the base body.

[0038] The intermediate parts can have the same extension in the vertical direction.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the connecting element, the housing parts comprise rounded edges. For example, the outer edge(s) of the lower part are rounded on a side facing the first intermediate part, the first intermediate part on a side facing the lower part and / or on a side facing the second intermediate part, the second intermediate part on a side facing the first intermediate part and / or on a side facing the upper part, and / or the upper part on a side facing the second intermediate part (each) are rounded.

[0040] The edges adjacent to the notches may be rounded.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a membrane roof which comprises at least two cables, a membrane and at least one, in particular a plurality of, connecting elements described above.

[0042] By means of the connecting element, for example, two cables crossing each other in a projection in the radial direction of the cables and the membrane can be connected to each other.

[0043] The cables, together with the connecting elements, form a supporting structure for the membrane roof.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the membrane roof according to the invention, two cables and the membrane are fixed to the connecting element by means of a frictional connection and thus connected to each other. In particular, the two cables and the membrane are each clamped between adjacent parts of the connecting element.

[0045] For example, the membrane is arranged between the two intermediate parts.

[0046] The intermediate parts can each be connected to the membrane via a respective sealing plate. In particular, the sealing plates can each lie flat against opposite sides of the membrane and directly against a respective intermediate part.

[0047] A first of the cables extends, for example, through the first through-opening, and the second cable extends, for example, through the second through-opening. Thus, the first cable is arranged, for example, between the lower part and the first intermediate part, while the second cable is arranged, for example, between the second intermediate part and the upper part.

[0048] For example, the membrane is arranged in the vertical direction of the base body between the two ropes.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the membrane roof according to the invention, a clamping force exerted by the connecting element, in particular by means of the intermediate parts, on the membrane is smaller than clamping forces exerted by the connecting element on the cables.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the membrane roof according to the invention, the membrane is curved or has at least one curved region. The first intermediate part and / or the second intermediate part can (each) have such an extension in the vertical direction, i.e., such an extension orthogonal to a transverse extension plane of the membrane, that the membrane, in particular over its entire extension between adjacent connecting elements, is spaced from the cables, i.e., is in no contact with the cables.

[0051] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawings and the claims.

[0052] Embodiments of connecting elements according to the present invention are shown schematically in simplified form in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 2 a further perspective view of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 3 an exploded view of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a further exploded view of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 5 a side view of the connecting element according to the invention, wherein a housing of the connecting element is shown transparent; Fig. 6 a section through the connecting element according to the invention along line VI - VI in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 a section through the connecting element according to the invention along line VII - VII in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 a perspective view of an upper part of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a lower part of the connecting element according to the invention; and Fig. 10 a perspective view of a sealing plate of the connecting element according to the invention.

[0053] The Fig. Figures 1 to 7 each show a connecting element 2 according to the present invention in various views. The connecting element 2 comprises a base body. The base body has a lower part 4, a first intermediate part 6, a second intermediate part 8, and an upper part 10, which are stacked vertically one on top of the other in the aforementioned order.

[0054] A sealing arrangement is provided between the intermediate parts 6 and 8, consisting of a first sealing plate 18 and a second sealing plate 20.

[0055] Cross-sectional profiles of the lower part 4, the intermediate parts 6 and 8, the upper part 10 and the sealing plates 18 and 20 have the same outer contours, so that the connecting element 2 has a continuous outer surface, i.e. an outer surface that is step-free.

[0056] The lower part 4 and the first intermediate part 6 each comprise a notch 24 on a side facing the respective other part 6 or 4. The notches 24 of the lower part 4 and the first intermediate part 6 together form a first through-opening 14. The first through-opening 14 is open on opposite sides in a transverse plane extending orthogonally to the vertical direction. Thus, a first cable (not shown) of a membrane roof can be arranged in the first through-opening 14.

[0057] The upper part 10 and the second intermediate part 8 each comprise a notch 24 on a side facing the respective other part 8 or 10. The notches 24 of the upper part 10 and the second intermediate part 8 together form a second through-opening 16 for receiving a second cable (not shown) of the membrane roof, which is open on opposite sides in the transverse extension plane.

[0058] The second through-opening 16 extends orthogonally to the first through-opening 14. The connecting element 2 thus forms a cross clamp. A different arrangement of the second through-opening 16 relative to the first through-opening 14 is also conceivable.

[0059] Two first partially threaded bores 28, two second partially threaded bores 30, and two third partially threaded bores 32 are provided in the base body and partially in the sealing arrangement. These bores extend vertically and thus run orthogonally to the through-openings 14 and 16. The partially threaded bores 28, 30, and 32 are each axially symmetrical to one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the base body.

[0060] The first partially threaded holes 28, which are designed in particular in the form of blind holes, extend from the upper part 10 through the second intermediate part 8, the sealing plates 18 and 20 and the lower intermediate part 6 into the lower part 4. As can be seen from Fig. 5 to 7, the first partially threaded bores 28 each comprise a thread 26 only in their end region, in this case in the region of the lower part 4. Otherwise, the first partially threaded bores 28 are thread-free.

[0061] Deviating from the illustrated embodiment, it is also conceivable to design the first partially threaded bores 28 such that they each end in the first intermediate part 6, thus the lower part 4 is free of first partially threaded bores 28. In such a design, the first partially threaded bores 28 preferably each have a thread 26 only in the region of the first intermediate part 6 and are otherwise designed to be thread-free.

[0062] The second partially threaded holes 30 and the third partially threaded holes 32 are each through holes. The second partially threaded holes 30 extend from the lower part 4 through the first intermediate part 6 and are provided with a thread 26 in the region of the first intermediate part 6. Otherwise, the second partially threaded holes 30 are unthreaded. The third partially threaded holes 32 extend from the upper part 10 through the second intermediate part 8. The third partially threaded holes 32 have a thread 26 only in the region of the second intermediate part 8.

[0063] The lower part 4 and the first intermediate part 6 are connected to each other by second screws 12, which are screwed into the second partially threaded bores 30. By screwing third screws 12 into the third partially threaded bores 32, the upper part 10 and the second intermediate part 8 are fixed to each other. Additionally, the lower part 4, the first intermediate part 6, the sealing arrangement, the second intermediate part 8, and the upper part 10 are fixed to each other by first screws 22 screwed into the first partially threaded bores 28.

[0064] When the connecting element 2 is used as intended, a membrane (not shown) is arranged between the sealing plates 18 and 20 located between the two intermediate parts 6 and 8 and resting flat against a respective one of the intermediate parts 6 and 8. A cable is arranged in each of the first through-openings 14 formed between the lower part 4 and the first intermediate part 6 and in the second through-opening 16 formed between the upper part 10 and the second intermediate part 8.

[0065] By screwing the second screws 12 into the second partially threaded holes 30 and by screwing the third screws 12 into the third partially threaded holes 32 with a defined tightening torque, the cables are fixed with a defined clamping force between the lower part 4 and the first intermediate part 6 or between the upper part 10 and the second intermediate part 8. The membrane is in turn clamped with a defined clamping force by screwing the first screws 22 into the first partially threaded holes 28 via the sealing plates 18 and 20 between the intermediate parts 6 and 8. The clamping force acting on the membrane is preferably smaller than the clamping forces that the connecting element 2 exerts on the cables. List of reference symbols: 2 connecting element 4 Lower part 6 first intermediate part 8 second intermediate part 10 Top 12 second screw / third screw 14 first passage opening 16 second passage opening 18 first sealing plate 20 second sealing plate 22 first screw 24 Notch 26 threads 28 first partially threaded hole 30 second partially threaded hole 32 third partially threaded hole

Claims

[1] Connecting element for a membrane roof, comprising a base body with a first through-opening (14) for receiving a first cable and a second through-opening (16) for receiving a second cable, characterized by in that the base body comprises a lower part (4), a first intermediate part (6) arranged on the lower part (4), a second intermediate part (8) arranged on the first intermediate part (6) and an upper part (10) arranged on the second intermediate part (8), wherein the lower part (4), the intermediate parts (6, 8) and the upper part (10) are fixed to one another. [2] Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing comprises at least one first bore which extends from the upper part (10) through the second intermediate part (8) into the first intermediate part (6) or from the upper part (10) through the intermediate parts (6, 8) into the lower part (4), wherein a first screw (22) is screwed into the first bore. [3] Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the housing comprises at least one second bore which extends from the lower part (4) into the first intermediate part (6) and into which a second screw (12) is screwed, and / or at least one third bore which extends from the upper part (10) into the second intermediate part (8) and into which a third screw (12) is screwed. [4] Connecting element according to claim 3 in conjunction with claim 2, characterized by that the first screw (22) is tightened with a first tightening torque which is smaller than a tightening torque with which the second screw (12) is tightened and / or which is smaller than a tightening torque with which the third screw (12) is tightened. [5] Connecting element according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized by that the first bore, the second bore and / or the third bore (each) is a partially threaded bore (28, 30, 32). [6] Connecting element according to claim 5, characterized by that the first bore comprises a thread (26) only in the region of the lower part (4) or the first intermediate part (6), the second bore comprises a thread (26) only in the region of the first intermediate part (6) and / or the third bore comprises a thread (26) only in the region of the second intermediate part (8). [7] Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a sealing arrangement arranged between the intermediate parts (6, 8). [8] Connecting arrangement according to claim 7 characterized by that the sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing plate (18) lying flat against the first intermediate part (6) and a second sealing plate (20) lying flat against the second intermediate part (8). [9] Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the lower part (4) on a side facing the first intermediate part (6) and the first intermediate part (6) on a side facing the lower part (4) each comprise a notch (24), which together form the first through-opening (14), and / or the upper part (10) on a side facing the second intermediate part (8) and the second intermediate part (8) on a side facing the upper part (10) each comprise a notch (24), which together form the second through-opening (16). [10] Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by at least one spacer arranged between the first intermediate part (6) and the second intermediate part (8). [11] Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized bythat the lower part (4) on a side facing the first intermediate part (6), the first intermediate part (6) on a side facing the lower part (4) and / or on a side facing the second intermediate part (8), the second intermediate part (8) on a side facing the first intermediate part (6) and / or on a side facing the upper part (10) and / or the upper part (10) on a side facing the second intermediate part (8) (each) comprises / comprises rounded edges. [12] Membrane roof comprising at least two cables and a membrane, characterized by at least one connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which connects two cables and the membrane to each other. [13] Membrane roof according to claim 12, characterized by that the membrane and the cables are fixed to one another in a force-fitting manner on the connecting element (2) by fixing the lower part (4), the intermediate parts (6, 8) and the upper part (10). [14] Membrane roof according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that a clamping force exerted by the connecting element (2) on the membrane is smaller than a clamping force exerted by the connecting element (2) on the cables. [15] Membrane roof according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by that the membrane is curved between adjacent connecting elements, wherein the first intermediate part (6) and / or the second intermediate part (8) (each) has / has a height such that the membrane is spaced from the cables.

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