PLATE WITH AT LEAST ONE GROOVE IN ITS SURFACE AND T-SLOT NUT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plate having at least one groove in its surface, wherein the groove is provided for receiving a sliding block and the cross section of the groove perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove is a hexagon, and to a sliding block which is provided for receiving in a groove in a surface of a plate, wherein the sliding block has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove which is a hexagon.

[0002] Plates with at least one groove in their surface are known from the prior art. The groove is designed to accommodate a T-slot nut. The groove is T-shaped. T-slot nuts of a correspondingly T-shaped design are known for this purpose and can be accommodated in the groove. Clamping elements or the like can be attached to the T-slot nuts, usually in threaded holes.

[0003] Such plates are particularly used in slotted tables, where several slots are arranged parallel to one another. The slots can run transversely, longitudinally, or both transversely and longitudinally of the plate. Furthermore, these slotted tables are known to be additionally provided with holes arranged in a regular grid in the surface of the slotted table and in any side panels present, and are part of welding and clamping table systems. Welding and clamping table systems are based on a flexible modular system consisting of a combination of system holes and compatible clamping elements. The clamping elements include stops, angles, bolts, clamps, prisms, supports, and other accessories.

[0004] The disadvantage of the known plates with T-shaped grooves is that the T-grooves are complex to produce and require a large material thickness of the plate.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,509,644 A discloses a modified T-shaped groove and a corresponding T-slot nut. The T-slot nut has an inverted T-shape with an upper neck portion and a lower elongated body portion. The lower foot portion has arm portions with inclined, outwardly widening surfaces extending from the neck portion to the lower flat surface. The angle of inclination of the surfaces can be, for example, 45°. This modified T-shaped groove is also complex to manufacture and requires a very thick plate material.

[0006] DE 30 08 195 A1 describes a table with grooves in its work surface for the engagement of clamping elements. The grooves have a pear-shaped shape, which can also be realized using straight flat pieces, so that the cross-section of the groove perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove is hexagonal. Instead of using T-nuts adapted to the shape of the groove, it is proposed to drop nuts into the grooves in order to then secure an object with screws or other clamping elements.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a plate with at least one groove in its surface and a sliding block, wherein the groove can be produced easily and inexpensively.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0009] In a plate according to the invention with at least one groove in its surface, wherein the groove is provided for receiving a T-slot nut, the cross-section of the groove perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove is hexagonal. A hexagonal groove can be manufactured more easily and cost-effectively than known T-slots, particularly due to lower tooling costs. The groove according to the invention can be accommodated in a thinner material, which reduces the weight of the plate. Nevertheless, larger diameters of the threaded holes of the T-slot nuts can be realized compared to known T-slots.

[0010] For a groove with a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove, the depth and width of the groove depend on the angle that the groove surfaces abutting the surface of the plate form with the surface of the plate. It has proven advantageous if, according to the invention, the groove surfaces abutting the surface of the plate form an angle in the range of 42° to 48°, preferably 45°, with the surface of the plate. At an angle of 45°, the optimal production range for the tools and machines is reached from a production technology perspective.

[0011] One embodiment of the invention provides for several grooves to be arranged parallel to one another, with the grooves running transversely, longitudinally, or both transversely and longitudinally of the plate. Such a plate can be used, for example, in conjunction with table legs as a grooved table. This results in a flexible clamping and guiding system for the quick and stable fastening of parts in virtually any position and orientation, particularly for moving and positioning accessories and superstructures or various movable system elements that can be guided, positioned, and clamped via one, two, or more grooves.

[0012] To produce the groove according to the invention in the surface of a plate, it is proposed that the plate be machined with a side milling cutter from the left and right at an angle in the range of 42° to 48°, preferably 45°, to the surface of the plate. The resulting groove is then reamed with a face milling cutter at right angles to the surface of the plate. Additionally, the edges of the groove on the surface of the plate can be machined with a radius cutter.

[0013] In the sliding block according to the invention, which is intended to be received in a groove in a surface of a plate, wherein the sliding block has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove, which is a hexagon, it is proposed that the surfaces of the sliding block abutting the upper surface of the sliding block enclose an angle in the range of 42° to 48°, preferably 45°, with the upper surface of the sliding block. Such a sliding block can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and interacts advantageously with the groove having a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove in the plate. The sliding block can be inserted into the groove from one side of the plate.

[0014] Particularly for a panel with several parallel grooves, where the grooves run both transversely and longitudinally, it is advantageous if the length of the T-slot nut is greater than the maximum width of the cross-section of the groove perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove. This ensures that the T-slot nut can also bridge the gaps where the grooves intersect, allowing clamping in these intersection areas.

[0015] To increase the application possibilities of the T-slot nut according to the invention, it is proposed that the T-slot nut be designed to be threadable into the groove from above and rotatable within the groove. This T-slot nut also allows insertion directly into the groove via the table surface. When clamped, the T-slot nut aligns itself, positions itself transversely in the groove, and locks into place. This is particularly useful for long grooves or when the panel layout does not allow for lateral insertion of the T-slot nut.

[0016] Embodiments of this T-slot nut can be rotated by 90° or 41.5° in the groove. For this purpose, material is removed point-symmetrically from a T-slot nut according to the invention with a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove to enable threading into and rotation within the groove.

[0017] The application possibilities of a T-slot nut can be expanded by adding a threaded hole and a cylindrical clamp adapter to the T-slot nut. This adapter can be connected to the T-slot nut with a threaded screw and is designed to accommodate a clamping tool with a cylindrical base. The clamp adapter allows the use of standard clamps from the accessories of a welding and clamping table system.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1, 2 , 3 various views of a plate including an enlarged groove, Fig. 4 , 5 Top views of other plates, Fig. 6, 7 schematic representations of the manufacturing steps of a groove, Figs. 8, 9, 10 different views of a slotted nut, Fig. 11 a section along the line XI-XI of the Fig. 10 , Figs. 12, 13, 14different views of another slot nut, Fig. 15 a section along the line XV-XV of the Fig. 14 , Fig. 16 an enlarged section of a plate with slot nuts, Figs. 17, 18, 19 , 20 different views of another slot nut, Fig. 21 a section along the line XXI-XXI of the Fig. 20 , Figs. 22, 23 , 24 different views of another slot nut, Fig. 25 a section along the line XXV-XXV of the Fig. 24 , Fig. 26 a section of a plate with slot nuts, Fig. 27 a section along the line XXVII-XXVII of the Fig. 26 , Figs. 28, 29 different views of a clamp adapter, Fig. 30 a section along the line XXX-XXX of the Fig. 29 , Fig. 31 a plate with T-slot nut, clamp adapter and clamping tool.

[0019] In the Fig. 1, 2 , 3A plate 1 is shown having a plurality of grooves 3 arranged parallel to one another in its surface 2, wherein the grooves 3 extend in the transverse direction of the plate 1. The plate 1 is provided with side walls 4 and additionally with holes 5 arranged in a regular grid in the surface 2 and in the side walls 4. It is understood that neither the holes 5 nor the side walls 4 are absolutely necessary for the present invention.

[0020] From the enlarged view of a groove 3 in the Fig. 3 It can be clearly seen that the cross-section of the groove 3 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3 is a hexagon. The surfaces 6 of the groove 3 abutting the surface 2 of the plate 1 form an angle of 45° with the surface 2 of the plate 1. According to the invention, an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous. The maximum width of the groove 3 is designated 6a, and the open width of the groove 3 is designated 6b.

[0021] In the Fig. 4 and 5 Other plates 1 are shown, which differ from the plate of the Figures 1 to 3 by the course of the grooves 3. In the plate 1 of the Fig. 4 The grooves 3 run in the longitudinal direction of the plate. In the plate 1 of the Fig. 5 the grooves 3 run both in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the plate 1, thus forming crossing areas 7.

[0022] The process for producing the grooves 3 in the surface 2 of the plate 1 is described in Figs. 6 and 7 explained in more detail. First, the plate 1 is machined with a side milling cutter 8 from the left and right at an angle 8a of 45°. According to the invention, an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous. It goes without saying that the order is irrelevant here.

[0023] The edges 9 of the groove 3 on the surface 2 of the plate 1 are then machined with a radius cutter 10. The resulting groove 3 is then reamed at right angles to the surface 2 of the plate 1 with a face milling cutter 11. The order of the last two process steps can also be reversed, i.e., the groove 3 is reamed first with the face milling cutter 11 and only finally are the edges 9 machined with the radius milling cutter 10.

[0024] In the Fig. 8 to 11 a sliding block 12 is shown, which is intended to be received in the groove 3 in the surface 2 of the plate 1. As is particularly clear from the Figs. 9 and 11The T-slot nut 12 has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3, which is a hexagon. The angle 13 is 45°, although an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous according to the invention. The T-slot nut 12 has a threaded bore 14 in which clamping elements or the like can be fastened.

[0025] In the Fig. 12 to 15 Another sliding block 15 is shown, which is also intended to be received in the groove 3 in the surface 2 of the plate 1. From the Figs. 13 and 15 It is particularly clear that this sliding block 15 also has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3, which is a hexagon. The angle 13 is 45°, whereby an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous according to the invention. The sliding block 15 has a threaded bore 14 in which clamping elements or the like can be fastened. In contrast to the sliding block 12 of the Fig. 8 to 11the length of the sliding block 15 designated 16 is greater than the maximum width 6a of the cross-section of the groove 3 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3.

[0026] From the presentation of the Fig. 16 It can be clearly seen that the sliding block 15, due to its length, can also bridge the gaps at the intersection areas 7 of the grooves 3 and that clamping in these intersection areas 7 is possible.

[0027] In the Fig. 17 to 21 Another sliding block 17 is shown, which is particularly evident in the Fig. 18 and 21 As can be seen, it has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3, which is a hexagon. The angle 13 is 45°, although an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous according to the invention. The sliding block 17 has a threaded bore 14 in which clamping elements or the like can be fastened.

[0028] The sliding block 17 is designed such that it can be threaded into the groove 3 from above and rotated in the groove 3. For this purpose, the width 18 is smaller than the open width 6b of the groove 3. Furthermore, material has been removed point-symmetrically from the surfaces 19, so that the sliding block 17 can be rotated by 90° in the groove 3.

[0029] In the Fig. 22 to 25 Another sliding block 20 is shown, which is particularly evident in the Fig. 23 and 25 As can be seen, it has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3, which is a hexagon. The angle 13 is 45°, although an angle range of 42° to 48° has proven advantageous according to the invention. The sliding block 20 has a threaded bore 14 in which clamping elements or the like can be fastened.

[0030] The sliding block 20 is designed such that it can be threaded into the groove 3 from above and can rotate in the groove 3. For this purpose, the width 21 is smaller than the open width 6b of the groove 3. Furthermore, material has been removed point-symmetrically from the surfaces 22, so that the sliding block 17 can rotate in the groove 3 through an angle 22a, which in the exemplary embodiment is 41.5°.

[0031] The threading and turning of the T-nuts 17, 20 is shown in the detailed illustrations of the Figs. 26 and 27 explained in more detail. In the bottom illustration of the Fig. 26 the T-nuts 17, 20 are still outside the groove 3. In the illustration above, the T-nuts 17, 20 are each inserted into the groove 3. The T-nuts 17, 20 are then rotated clockwise in the groove 3 until the end position of the T-nuts 17, 20 shown in the upper illustration is reached. In particular, from the enlarged sectional view of the Fig. 27the hexagonal cross-section of the sliding blocks 17, 20 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 3 in the groove 3.

[0032] In the Fig. 28 to 30 a clamp adapter 23 is shown which has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a countersunk bore 24.

[0033] As can be seen from the Fig. 31 The clamp adapter 23 can be connected to the T-slot nut 12 with a countersunk screw 25. It goes without saying that T-slot nuts 15, 17, or 20 could also be used here. The clamp adapter 23 is designed to accommodate a clamping tool 26 with a cylindrical base piece 27. The clamp adapter 23 allows the use of standard clamps from the accessories of a welding and clamping table system. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Plate 2Surface of 1 3Grooves 4Side cheeks of 1 5Bore holes 6Surface of 3 6Amaximum width of 3 6BOpen width of 3 7Intersection areas 8Side milling cutter 8AAngle 9Edges of 3 10Radius cutter 11End mill 12T-slot nut 13Angle 14Threaded hole in 12 15T-slot nut 16Length of 15 17T-slot nut 18Width of 17 19Surfaces of 17 20T-slot nut 21Width of 20 22Surfaces of 20 22AAngle 23Clamp adapter 24Countersunk hole of 23 25Countersunk screw 26Clamping tool 27Foot piece of 26

Claims

1. Plate (1) with at least one slot (3) in its surface (2), wherein the slot (3) is provided for acceptance of a slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20), and the cross-section of the slot (3) in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal direction of the slot (3) being a hexagon, characterized in that the surfaces (6) of the slot (3) abutting on the surface (2) of the plate (1) enclose with the surface (2) of the plate (1) an angle in the range of 42° to 48°, preferably 45°.

2. Plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that several slots (3) are arranged parallel to one another, wherein the slots (3) extend in transverse direction, in longitudinal direction, or both in transverse and longitudinal directions of the plate (1).

3. Slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20), provided for acceptance in a slot (3) in a surface (2) of a plate (1), with the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) having a cross-section in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal direction of the slot (3), which cross-section being a hexagon, characterized in that the surfaces of the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) abutting the upper surface of the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) enclose with the upper surface of the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) an angle (13) in the range from 42° to 48°, preferably 45°.

4. Slot nut (15) according to claim 3, characterized in that the length (16) of the slot nut (15) is greater than the maximum width (6a) of the cross-section of the slot (3) in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal direction of the slot (3).

5. Slot nut (17, 20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the slot nut (17, 20) is designed to be threaded into the slot (3) from above and to be rotatable in the slot (3).

6. Slot nut (17) according to claim 5, characterized in that the slot nut (17) is rotatable by 90° in the slot (3).

7. Slot nut (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that the slot nut (20) is rotatable by 41.5° in the slot (3).

8. Slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) according to one of the claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) has a threaded bore (14) and a cylindrical clamp adapter (23) is provided which is connectable to the slot nut (12, 15, 17, 20) with a threaded screw (25) and provided for receiving a clamping tool (26) with a cylindrical foot piece (27).