UNDERFLOOR INSTALLATION COMPONENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an underfloor installation component with a frame supported on the floor side by leveling screws before its installation in a floor to be created in particular by pouring, which leveling screws each mesh with a complementary thread of the frame with their thread.

[0002] Underfloor installation components are used to create underfloor installation systems, particularly for electrical underfloor installations. These underfloor installation components can include ducts, pre-formed duct components (e.g., for changing the direction of the duct), underfloor junction boxes, or similar components. Such an underfloor installation system is integrated into the floor structure and is therefore sometimes cast into the screed. Underfloor installation components that are to be installed flush with the screed must be leveled to the screed level before the screed is poured to create the floor. For this purpose, underfloor installation components that require leveling have a leveling frame as the top end, such as a duct or an underfloor junction box. Device installation units, media columns, covers, or similar components are attached to the leveling frame in an underfloor junction box.To level such a frame, several leveling screws are mounted on it, which, according to a previously known design, rest on a base plate of the underfloor installation component. The base plate, in turn, is conveniently secured to the subfloor with screws. To prevent screed from penetrating such an underfloor installation component, side panels are arranged between the leveling frame and the base plate as formwork elements. Side panels, including side skirts made of a flexible material, are used as side panels.

[0003] Such underfloor installation components can, for example, be underfloor device boxes. In the case of height-adjustable underfloor installation components, such as underfloor device boxes, the length of the leveling screws is sometimes adapted to the expected height of the frame above the subfloor. However, this height can vary considerably. For this reason, such underfloor installation components are also equipped with relatively long threaded rods as leveling screws. The threaded sections that are not required must be cut off after leveling. EP 2 083 490 B1 discloses an underfloor device box for electrical installations which allows for quick height adjustment. If a greater height needs to be bridged, the thread engagement of the leveling screws in the complementary thread of the frame can be loosened, so that the frame can then be raised relative to the leveling screws orthe leveling screws are translationally adjustable in the longitudinal axial direction relative to the frame. For this purpose, the frame of this previously known underfloor device box has an internal thread segment extending approximately 180°, which is meshed by the thread on the leveling screw. The part opposite this thread segment, which completes the leveling screw guide, is smooth. The quick height adjustment can be achieved by moving the thread segment radially out of its position where it meshes with the thread of the leveling screw. This can be achieved with a shaft-shaped handle that is inserted into a specially prepared opening in the frame and acts against a setting bevel formed on the outside of the thread segment, whereby this thread segment is moved radially away from the leveling screw.

[0004] A leveling screw is shown, for example, by US 4,784,554 B, from GB 2 443 897 A, CN 207830321 U and CN 103438076 A. A generic underfloor box is shown in EP 2083490 B1.

[0005] Even if such an underfloor device box allows for faster height adjustment of the frame, this still does not solve the problem of how to deal with threaded rods that are too long. An underfloor installation component such as an underfloor device box, which is equipped with leveling screws whose length is insufficient for the actual requirements on the construction site, is also problematic. The only option then is to replace the existing leveling screws with longer ones. With an underfloor device box, as known from EP 2 083 490 B1, the quick adjustment can be used for this purpose, so that the threaded rods do not have to be screwed in and out over their entire length.

[0006] Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is based on the object of solving the problem of the length of the leveling screws in such an underfloor installation component without having to replace or separate existing leveling screws and that an adaptation of an underfloor installation component to the use of leveling screws of different lengths is possible quickly and easily, even without the underfloor installation component having a quick height adjustment.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by an above-mentioned, generic underfloor installation component with the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] The leveling screws of this installation component are designed as individual modules in such a way that two leveling screws can be connected to each other to extend the effective length. By axially connecting two leveling screws of the same length, the effective length is doubled. Likewise, one or more of several interconnected leveling screws can easily be removed to shorten the effective length. For the purpose of axially connecting two leveling screws, such a leveling screw has a first connecting element at one end and a second connecting element at the other end. The two connecting elements are designed to be complementary to each other, so that the first connecting element of a first leveling screw can be engaged with the second connecting element of a second leveling screw.Each leveling screw has these connecting elements, so that several leveling screws can be plugged together to form longer threaded rods. The connecting elements extend in the axial direction, so that two leveling screws can be connected with their longitudinal axes aligned. The first connecting element is an axial connection socket as a female connector part. The complementary connecting element is an axial plug-in pin protruding from the thread end as a male connector part. The connecting elements include torque transmitters, which, when engaged, transmit torque from one leveling screw to the leveling screw connected to it.In order to fix two leveling screws that are engaged with each other by their connecting means and thus hold them together for the required purposes, holding means are provided by which the engagement of a plug-in pin in a connection socket is fixed. These holding means can, for example, be a snap-in fixation of the two engaged leveling screws, for example using an open spring steel ring held on the plug-in pin that springs into a complementary groove in the connection socket. A screw connection of two engaged leveling screws is also possible using an additional connecting screw. It is also possible to design the connecting means on such a leveling screw so that two leveling screws are engaged with each other by a plug-and-turn connection.The rotational position locking the two leveling screws in the longitudinal axial direction is then fixed, for example, by a detent or by a friction fit.

[0009] One of the two connecting elements can also be used to connect a foot to support the leveling screw or the threaded rod composed of several such leveling screws at the bottom. For this purpose, the plug pin can be used, for example, which engages with a corresponding plug pin receptacle of a foot. The same retaining elements are typically used to connect a first leveling screw to a second.

[0010] The connecting element not used for a base connection and thus facing upwards is preferably equipped with means for applying torque to the leveling screw using a tool for leveling purposes. This could, for example, be a polygonal pin located in the connection socket. This is typically hexagonal so that a standard socket can be attached. Such a pin can also have an embossed rotary drive contour on its face, for example, a cross structure, so that torque can also be applied using a screwdriver.

[0011] An underfloor installation component equipped with such leveling screws can, for example, be adjusted to the desired length on site by simply extending the leveling screws installed on the frame at the factory and connecting one or more additional leveling screws. Conversely, if such an underfloor installation component is equipped by the manufacturer with threaded rods composed of several such leveling screws, the unused ones can easily be removed on site. The leveling screws removed in this case can, of course, still be used and can be used on other underfloor installation components to extend existing leveling screws. The individual leveling screws can be provided in a single length.However, it is also entirely possible to have leveling screws of different lengths available to more precisely adjust the threaded rods required for leveling to the desired length. Another advantage of this concept is that the relatively long threaded rods protruding from the frames of conventional underfloor installation components are no longer required, which has a positive impact on packaging, storage, and transport. Because two leveling screws are easily installed, the underfloor installation component can, for example, be equipped with a leveling screw at each floor-side support point, meshing the complementary frame-side thread or thread segment, and can be delivered together with a certain number of additional leveling screws for possible adjustments.

[0012] As a torque transmitter, a rotary drive pin with a non-rotationally symmetrical surface is arranged centrally in the connection socket. Such a non-rotationally symmetrical surface can be a polygon, such as a hexagon, for example. This rotary drive pin can be used as a drive link for introducing torque into the leveling screw. The plug pin, as a complementary connecting element, then has a central rotary drive pin receptacle whose cross-sectional geometry is designed so that the rotary drive pin engaging in it is received therein in a torque-locking manner. If the rotary drive pin is equipped with an external hexagon, the cross-sectional geometry of the rotary drive pin receptacle will be designed as a hexagon socket of a complementary size.

[0013] In a further development, the complementary connecting elements each carry a mechanical connection code. This connection code is designed so that two leveling screws are connected to each other at the correct angle relative to the longitudinal axis, specifically based on the continuity of the thread. This means that the thread(s) of a first leveling screw continue into the thread(s) of a second leveling screw connected to the first leveling screw. It is not necessary for the ends of the threads of the two leveling screws to be directly adjacent to one another. An angular distance can certainly be provided between the respective ends. Such a thread interruption does not impair function, since the complementary internal thread on the frame of the underfloor installation component regularly engages multiple threads.Such a mechanical connection coding can, for example, be a groove extending in the longitudinal axial direction of one connecting means, into which a coding body carried by the other connecting means, for example a bead having a certain longitudinal extension, engages. With such a connection coding, the two coding elements are also engaged in a torque-locking manner, based on a rotational movement of the two interconnected leveling screws. For this reason, one embodiment provides for the mechanical connection coding to simultaneously function as a torque transmitter, and with such a design of the leveling screw, no rotary drive pin receptacle is required on either of the two connecting means. The provision of a pin as a drive for inducing a torque in the connection socket is also expedient with such a design.

[0014] Unless otherwise stated, the leveling screws described above are preferably made of a plastic suitable for this purpose, for example, a plastic with which such leveling screws are currently manufactured. Manufacturing such leveling screws from plastic is cost-effective. Furthermore, they are then relatively lightweight, which is advantageous in terms of transport costs.

[0015] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a corner piece of an underfloor installation component with a threaded rod composed of several leveling screws, Fig. 2: a perspective view of one of the leveling screws of the threaded rod of the underfloor installation component of the Figure 1 , Fig. 3: a longitudinal section of the leveling screw of the Figure 2 , Fig. 4: a top view of the Figure 2 shown upper end of the leveling screw, Fig. 5: a bottom view of the leveling screw of the Figure 2 , Fig. 6: a sectional view through two leveling screws engaged with each other, Fig. 7: a leveling screw for an underfloor installation component in a non-inventive embodiment, Fig. 8: the leveling screw of the Figure 7 in the manner of an exploded view, Fig. 9: a longitudinal section of the leveling screw of the Figures 7 and 8, Fig. 10: a perspective view of the upper end of the leveling screw of the Figure 7 , Fig. 11: a perspective view of the lower end of the leveling screw of the Figure 7 and Fig. 12: a longitudinal section through two leveling screws engaged with each other according to Figure 7 .

[0016] Figure 1shows a corner piece 1 of an otherwise not shown underfloor installation component. The corner piece 1 shown in the figure is part of an otherwise not shown underfloor device box. This comprises four corner pieces of the Figure 1 shown type, which are connected to each other by frame pieces. The corner pieces 1 form a leveling frame with the frame pieces connecting them. The leveling frame is supported on the floor by the corner pieces 1. Leveling screws 2 are used to support the leveling frame on the floor, whereby in the case of the Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, two leveling screws 2 are axially connected to one another to form a longer leveling screw or threaded rod. A foot 3 with a plate 4 standing on the floor is connected to the lower leveling screw 2. The leveling screws 2 have an external thread, which in the illustrated embodiment is single-start. The upper leveling screw 2 meshes with a thread segment integrated in the corner piece 1, so that by turning the threaded rod formed by the leveling screws 2, the distance between the corner piece 1 and the foot 3 and thus the height of the leveling frame relative to the floor can be adjusted by screwing the leveling screws 2 in or out accordingly.

[0017] Below is the leveling screw 2 with reference to the Figures 2 to 6described in more detail. The leveling screw 2 is designed as a module so that it can be connected to other similar leveling screws 2 to extend the effective length of a threaded rod arranged on a corner piece 1. The leveling screws 2 are, as already Figure 1 visible, are axially connected to each other. For this purpose, the leveling screw 2 has first and second connecting means. The first connecting means is an axial connection bushing 5, the upper opening of which is in Figures 2 and 3 can be seen. The connecting socket 5 has a cylindrical outer surface, which is inserted into the core of the leveling screw 2. At the opposite end of the leveling screw 2, a plug pin 6 is arranged as a second connecting means. This pin protrudes from the lower end of the thread 7 in the axial direction, thus continuing the core of the leveling screw 2 in this direction (see Figure 3 ). The plug pin 6 is dimensioned to fit into the connection socket 5 of a second leveling screw 2.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, an open spring steel ring 8 is used to secure two leveling screws 2 engaged by their connecting means 5, 6. This ring is held in a circumferential groove 9 of the plug pin 6. Instead of such a spring steel ring, an elastomer ring can also be provided. If the plug pin 6 is inserted into a connection socket 5 of a second leveling screw 2, it engages in an annular groove 10 formed in the inner surface of the connection socket 5. In this way, two leveling screws 2 are secured in their engaged position by a snap-in connection. As can be seen from the enlarged detail of the Figure 3As can be seen, the annular groove 10 is designed with an asymmetrical cross-sectional area. The inclination of the flank facing the mouth of the connection socket 5 is less steeply inclined relative to a vertical line than the other flank. The inclination of this flank 10.1 can be used to adjust the release forces required to pull two engaged leveling screws 2 apart. Instead of an elastomer ring, for example, an open spring steel ring or another locking device can be used. This locking connection is designed depending on the desired retention force.

[0019] The leveling screw 2 has torque transmitters, with one torque transmitter being assigned to each connecting element and thus to the connecting socket 5 and the plug-in pin 6. Within the connecting socket 5, there is a rotary driving pin 11 acting as a torque transmitter, which in the illustrated embodiment has an external hexagon contour (see also Figure 4 ). The rotary drive pin 11 extends, as can be seen from the sectional view of the Figure 3visible, up to approximately the annular groove 10 and therefore ends before the upper end of the leveling screw 2. The rotary driving pin 11 is arranged centrally within the connection socket 5. As a complementary torque transmitter, a rotary driving pin receptacle 12 is introduced into the plug pin 6, the inner surface of which is complementary to the hexagonal surface of the rotary driving pin 11. If the plug pin 6 is inserted into a connection socket 5 of a second leveling screw 2, the rotary driving pin 11 engages in the rotary driving pin receptacle 12. In this way, two leveling screws 2 engaged with each other by their connecting means are connected to each other in a torque-locking manner.

[0020] The leveling screw 2 also features mechanical connection coding, so that its plug pin 6 can only be inserted into the connection socket 5 of a second leveling screw 2 in a single angular position relative to the longitudinal axis of the leveling screw 2. For this purpose, the plug pin 6 has a coding groove 13 following its longitudinal extension. Complementary to this, a coding bead 14 protrudes from the inner wall of the connection socket 5 as a coding body, following the longitudinal extension of the leveling screw 2. This ensures that a first leveling screw 2 with its plug pin 6 can only be inserted into a connection socket 5 of a second leveling screw 2 in a single angular position relative to its longitudinal axis.Such a mechanical connection coding is provided to ensure that the thread 7 of a first leveling screw 2 merges into that of the second leveling screw 2, in order to ensure meshing of the thread segment located in the corner piece 1 of the leveling frame, even across the interface between two leveling screws 2. In a design of a leveling screw whose thread has a double thread, such a mechanical connection coding can also be provided with two possible angular positions of the leveling screws to be connected to one another.

[0021] The external hexagon of the rotary driving pin 11 also serves as a drive to Figure 1The upper leveling screw 2 shown can be used to apply a torque to adjust the height of the leveling frame using a suitable tool, such as a socket. Due to the torque-locked connection of this leveling screw 2 with the lower leveling screw 2, the latter is rotated accordingly, so that the interconnected leveling screws 2 together form a continuous threaded rod. In the illustrated embodiment, a Phillips-slot contour 15 is also incorporated into the end face of the rotary drive pin 11 as a rotary drive contour, so that torque can also be applied using a screwdriver.

[0022] Figure 6 shows two together to form the in Figure 1shown threaded rod engaged with each other leveling screws 2. The previously described engaged position of the plug pin 6 of the upper leveling screw 2 in the connection socket 5 of the lower leveling screw 2 can be clearly seen therein.

[0023] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a leveling screw 2.1 not according to the invention. This is basically constructed like the leveling screw 2 of the embodiment described above. The leveling screw 2.1 differs from the leveling screw 2 in that a connecting screw 16 is provided for the axial fixation of two intermeshed leveling screws 2.1. This embodiment of a leveling screw 2.1 is shown in the Figures 7 to 12shown. In this leveling screw 2.1, the connection coding with its coding groove 13.1 and its coding bead 14.1 also serves for rotational drive, especially when the connecting screw 16 is only loosely tightened. The connecting screw 16 is, as shown in the sectional view of the Figure 9 visible, is held in a screw guide 17 for longitudinal axial displacement. The plug pin 6.1 of the leveling screw 2.1 is designed as a ring structure. The threaded shaft 18 of the connecting screw 16 projects axially into the free space 19 provided by the ring structure of the plug pin 6.1. A threaded bushing component 21 is inserted within the sleeve-shaped base body 20 of the leveling screw 2, which carries the thread 7.1 on the outside (see Figures 8 and 9). The threaded bushing component 21 is held in the inner hollow channel of the base body 20 by a locking disk 22. The locking disk 22 is designed in the manner of a disc spring and sits on an axial extension 22.1 of the threaded bushing component 21. The extension 22.1 forms a shoulder in the direction of the internal thread 23 of the threaded bushing component 21 as a contact point for the locking disk 22. The locking disk 22 is also connected to the extension 22.1 in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner in the other axial direction. The locking disk 22 sits radially on the outside on one or more inwardly projecting projections on the lateral surface of the base body 20. In this way, the threaded bushing component 21 is locked to the base body 20 of the leveling screw 2.1 in both axial directions.

[0024] The threaded bushing component 21 has an internal thread section 23 with a thread complementary to the thread of the connecting screw 16. The threaded bushing component 21 is located at the point where the rotary drive pin 11 is arranged on the leveling screw 2. The threaded bushing component 21 is also designed with an external hexagon contour to enable the attachment of a turning tool for introducing torque into the leveling screw 2.1. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper section of the threaded bushing component 21 is also equipped with an internal hexagon contour 25 so that torque can also be introduced into the leveling screw 2.1 using a socket wrench. The threaded bushing component 21 is held in a torque-locking manner in the inner hollow channel of the base body 20. The coding bead 14.1 is used for this purpose.The threaded bushing component 21 has an outer guide ring, which is supported on the inner surface of the hollow channel. Several recesses 26 are formed in these, into which, as can be seen from . Figure 10 visible, the coding bead 14.1 engages. Several recesses 26 are provided so that the threaded bushing component 21 can be mounted in the hollow channel of the base body 20 in several angular positions.

[0025] As can be seen from the sectional view of the Figure 9 As can be seen, the head 27 of the connecting screw 16 can be reached with a socket wrench through the threaded bushing 21. A hexagon socket contour 28 is stamped into the head 27 as a rotary drive contour.

[0026] Two leveling screws 2.1 engaged with each other with their connecting means are in Figure 12Shown in a longitudinal section. The connecting screw 16 of the upper leveling screw 2.1 is screwed into the internal threaded section 23 of the threaded bushing component 21. The connecting screw 16 is not yet clamped to the threaded bushing component 21. Nevertheless, both leveling screws 2.1 are already connected to each other in a torque-locking manner by the interlocking coding elements – the coding groove 13.1 with the coding bead 14.1.

[0027] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, numerous further possibilities for implementing the described invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art without the need for further explanation within the scope of these statements. List of reference symbols

[0028] 1Corner piece 2, 2.1Leveling screw 3Foot 4Plate 5Connecting socket 6, 6.1Plug 7, 7.1Thread 8Spring steel ring 9Groove 10Ring groove 10.1Flank 11Rotary driving pin 12Rotary driving pin receptacle 13, 13.1Coding groove 14, 14.1Coding bead 15Phillips-slot contour 16Connecting screw 17Screw guide 18Threaded shaft 19Free space 20Base body 21Threaded bush component 22Locking washer 22.1Extension 23Internal thread section 24External hexagon contour 25Internal hexagon contour 26Recess 27Head 28Internal hexagon contour

Claims

1. An underfloor installation component having a frame, which is to be supported on the floor side by leveling screws (2) before its installation in a floor, which floor is to be created by casting, which leveling screws (2) each mesh with their thread (7) in a complementary thread of the frame, characterized in that one end of such a leveling screw (2) has first connecting means and the other end thereof has second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means, so that by engaging the complementary connecting means of two leveling screws (2) with one another, a longer leveling screw is provided, wherein the first connecting means is embodied as an axial connection socket (5) and the second connecting means is embodied as an axial plug-in pin (6) protruding from the threaded end on this side, complementary torque transmitters (11, 12) are associated with the connecting means, by which the two engaged connecting means of two leveling screws (2) are engaged with one another in a torque-locked manner, holding means (8, 9, 10) are provided, by which the engagement of a plug-in pin (6, 6.1) in a connection socket (5) is fixed, and that a rotation-driving pin (11) having non-rotationally symmetrical lateral surface is provided centrally as a torque transmitter in the connection socket (5) of this leveling screw (2) and a rotation-driving pin receptacle (12) is provided centrally in the plug-in pin (6) having a cross-sectional geometry such that the rotation-driving pin (11) is accommodated therein in a torque-locked manner.

2. The underfloor installation component as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the rotation-driving pin (11) has a lateral surface designed as a polygon, for example, as a hexagon.

3. The underfloor installation component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the connection socket (5) and the plug-in pin (6) bear a mechanical connecting coding (13, 14), by which, with respect to the longitudinal axis, assembly of two leveling screws (2) at the correct angle in relation to one another is ensured.

4. The underfloor installation component as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a groove (13) extending in the longitudinal-axial direction is provided as the mechanical connecting coding of the one connecting means and a coding body (14) engaging in the groove (13) is provided as the mechanical connecting coding of the other connecting means.

5. The underfloor installation component as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the plug-in pin (6) has the groove (13) and the receptacle socket (5) has a bead (14) protruding from its inner lateral surface as coding bodies.

6. The underfloor installation component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plug-in pin (6) bears a spring steel ring (8), which is held in a groove (9) and which engages in an annular groove (10) introduced circumferentially into its inner lateral surface for its fixing when it is engaged with a connection socket (5).

7. The underfloor installation component as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the mechanical connecting coding is the torque transmitter at the same time.

8. The underfloor installation component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the leveling screws (2) bear a single-pitch thread.

9. The underfloor installation component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a base (3) is assigned to a leveling screw (2), and the base (3) has, for connection to the leveling screw (2), a screw base receptacle for inserting the plug-in pin (6) of the leveling screw (2).

10. The underfloor installation component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two leveling screws (2) connected to one another at their ends are arranged as threaded rods on each leveling support of the frame.