CONNECTOR FOR TWO COMPONENTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for two components, in particular wooden components, of which the first component has a first bore extending from a contact surface for the second component and the second component has an opening extending from a contact surface for the first component, corresponding to the first bore, and a second bore transversely penetrating the opening.

[0002] The components can be made of wood, stone, brick, concrete, reinforced concrete, metal, etc., and can particularly be made of different materials. For example, the second component rests on the first component; one of the two components can be a post or stud, and the other a beam, a sleeper, or similar.

[0003] A connector for such components is known from US 5,741,083; this connector comprises a connecting tube which has an elongated hole passing through it near each of its two ends. The connecting tube is inserted into the first bore in the first component and into the corresponding opening in the second component. In the area of the elongated holes, each of the two components is furthermore passed through by a second bore so that, when the two components rest against each other at their contact surfaces, an expansion bolt can be inserted into each of the two second bores and into the respective elongated hole in the connecting tube. Each expansion bolt has an axial tension screw and two opposing conical pieces and is encased in two cylindrical half-shells. After insertion, each expansion bolt is aligned in the elongated hole; then the half-shells are forced open in the radial direction by pulling the conical pieces together using the tension screws.The expansion bolts fill the elongated holes and at the same time clamp the contact surfaces of the two components against each other.

[0004] The disadvantage here is not only that the two bolts have a complex, multi-part structure and that both components are completely penetrated by the second holes mentioned in order to make the expansion bolts accessible at both ends for alignment and forcing, but in particular the difficult assembly during which the bolts should not be twisted.

[0005] US 5 074 702 describes a connector in which a retaining bolt is screwed movably with play behind a first component and its head is inserted into an opening in a second component. The head has a conical transverse bore into which engages a corresponding conical tip of a clamping screw screwed into the second component. This draws the two components towards each other and, in order to fix the retaining bolt, is pressed against the wall of the opening in the second component opposite the clamping screw. This results in an asymmetrical tension distribution in the retaining bolt and in shear stress on the tip of the clamping screw. The clamping screw must be secured against loosening due to the conicity of its tip and the transverse bore.

[0006] EP 2 444 562 A2 discloses a connector with a tension bolt that is screwed into a threaded bore of a first component and has a threaded bore extending transversely at its opposite end, which can be inserted into an opening of a second component. A clamping screw is screwed into this threaded bore. Upon further screwing, the clamping screw slides off an inclined surface of the second component formed behind the threaded bore, thereby axially displacing the clamping screw and pulling the tension bolt deeper into the second component. This requires a particularly large, specially shaped opening in the second component, which simultaneously weakens it.

[0007] The invention aims to create a connector for two components that is particularly simple in its construction and particularly easy to handle when connecting the two components, yet still provides a permanent and secure connection between the components. The invention relates to a connector according to claim 1.

[0008] This aim is achieved with a connector for two components, in particular wooden components, of which the first component has a first bore extending from a contact surface for the second component and the second component has an opening extending from a contact surface for the first component, corresponding to the first bore, and a second bore extending transversely through the opening, which connector has a retaining bolt with a threaded portion for screwing in or behind the first bore and a non-threaded portion for insertion into the opening, wherein the non-threaded portion is penetrated by a cylindrical transverse bore, and a cylindrical clamping bolt with a pointed conical end, which, when the retaining bolt assumes its position screwed in or behind the first bore and inserted into the opening, can be inserted into the second bore and into the transverse bore,to align them with each other and thus clamp the contact surfaces against each other.

[0009] The threaded section of the retaining bolt eliminates the need for a second bore on the first component that runs transversely through the first bore, thus eliminating the associated weakening of the first component, which is often a load-bearing component. The retaining bolt can be screwed into or behind the first bore, particularly at the factory, and thus anchored to the first component. It can also be used to manipulate the first component. The retaining bolt can be anchored to the first component at a correspondingly deep location so that the particularly simple clamping bolt, with its conical end, aligns the second bore and the transverse bore when inserted into the transverse bore and clamps the two components against each other at their respective contact surfaces.This ensures a permanently secure and tight connection between the two components under tension. The connector will not loosen due to the friction and clamping forces of the clamping bolt on the retaining bolt after the two components are connected. The clamping bolt does not need to be accessible from both sides for connection, so the second hole can be a blind hole, which reduces any potential weakening of the second component.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping bolt has an unthreaded section surrounding the conical end and a threaded section with a larger nominal diameter than the unthreaded section, and is designed for a screwdriver to engage on its end face facing away from the conical end. In this context, a screwdriver is any tool that can rotate a threaded bolt (or screw) around its longitudinal axis when engaged from the end face. This means, in addition to conventional slotted, Phillips, or other screwdrivers, this also includes, for example, Allen keys or the like.The threaded section simplifies the insertion of the clamping bolt into said second bore of the second component, and in particular into the transverse bore of the retaining bolt, since the rotational movement, depending on the thread pitch of the threaded section, results in either rapid insertion or slow, even insertion while generating a high force in the insertion direction. Furthermore, the threaded section enables subsequent release of the connection between the two components by simply unscrewing the clamping bolt, i.e., in particular, without additional accessibility to the clamping bolt at its conical end and thus also without a second bore completely penetrating the second component.

[0011] The tapered end of the clamping bolt is either a short point or extends over a larger portion of the unthreaded section; in a favorable design, the tapered end of the clamping bolt extends over the entire unthreaded section. This allows for a smaller cone opening angle and thus easier insertion of the clamping bolt into the cross bore.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the conical end of the clamping bolt has a cone opening angle between 20° and 120°, preferably between 40° and 60°. Depending on the material and size of the components, a clamping bolt can be used that can be inserted into the cross-bore either particularly quickly (larger cone opening angle) or with less force (smaller cone opening angle); in either case, a secure connection between the two components is achieved.

[0013] The retaining bolt can be made solid; it is advantageous if at least one end portion of the threadless section of the retaining bolt is tubular. If the retaining bolt is at least partially or completely tubular, additional weight is saved.

[0014] The retaining bolt can be screwed into the first hole and thus anchored and aligned to the first component particularly easily if the unthreaded section of the retaining bolt has a notch on the front side for the engagement of an assembly tool.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the retaining bolt has another unthreaded section on the side of the threaded section facing away from the unthreaded section, with a diameter equal to or smaller than the core diameter of the threaded section. The additional unthreaded section acts as a guide in the first hole when screwing the retaining bolt, thus simplifying the anchoring of the retaining bolt to the first component.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the threaded portion of the retaining bolt is designed for screwing with a screw nut. This enables a wide range of applications for the connector. The threaded portion can, in particular, be designed as a metric thread, whereby the retaining bolt is screwed behind the first hole, for example, with a corresponding screw nut, and the first hole is usually threadless. Depending on the material of the first component, the first hole can alternatively be provided with a corresponding internal thread, similar to a screw nut, for screwing the retaining bolt.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the threaded section of the retaining bolt has one or more milled recesses distributed around the circumference and running in the longitudinal direction of the retaining bolt, preferably extending to the core diameter of the threaded section. This allows the threaded section of the retaining bolt to cut an internal thread into the first hole during screwing.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the retaining bolt has a circumferential notch in an area of the unthreaded section adjacent to the threaded section. This makes it easy to determine the depth of the screw connection when screwing the retaining bolt into or behind the first hole by using the notch as a measuring mark, which further simplifies handling of the connector.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a connector according to the invention for two components in a partially transparent perspective view obliquely from above; the Fig. 2a und 2b the connector of Fig. 1 in an open position ( Fig. 2a ) and a connecting position ( Fig. 2b ), each in a side view; Fig. 3 the two with the connector of Fig. 1 connected components in a partially transparent perspective view from above; Fig. 4 a retaining bolt of the connector from Fig. 1 in a perspective view from above; the Fig. 5a und 5b each a variant of a threaded section of the retaining bolt or a clamping bolt of the connector of Fig. 1 with a ( Fig. 5a ) or two milled recesses ( Fig. 5b ), each in perspective view from above; and the Fig. 6a und 6b a transport attachment for the retaining bolt of Fig. 4 in a non-assembled ( Fig. 6a ) and a position mounted on the retaining bolt ( Fig. 6b ), each in a perspective view from above.

[0020] The Fig. 1 shows a connector 1 for connecting two components 2, 3. The components 2, 3 can be of any type, e.g. a post, a stand, a beam, a sleeper, two furniture parts, etc., made of any material, e.g. wood, plastic, stone, brick, concrete, reinforced concrete, metal, etc., even of different materials. The connector 1 is particularly suitable for connecting wooden components 2, 3, for example in furniture construction or industrial wood construction. Depending on the strength requirements, the connector 1 can be made of various materials, e.g. wood, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof.

[0021] The connector has a retaining bolt 4 and a clamping bolt 5. The retaining bolt 4 has a threaded section 6 in its axial direction, which in the example shown can be screwed into a first bore 7 of a first component 2 of the two components 2, 3. The first bore 7 starts from a contact surface 8 for the second component 3, in the example shown perpendicular to the contact surface 8; however, the first bore 7 could alternatively be drilled diagonally from the contact surface 8 into the first component 2. In the example of the Fig. 1 the first hole 7 is a blind hole. Alternatively, the first hole 7 can completely penetrate the first component 2 and the retaining bolt 4 can optionally be screwed behind the first hole, e.g. with a screw nut (not shown). The threaded section 6 of the retaining bolt 4 and the screw nut can have metric threads or other corresponding threads. If the threaded section 6 is used as in the example of the Fig. 1 screwed directly into the first hole 7, it optionally has the thread shape e.g. of a wood screw, if the first component 2 is made of wood or similar, etc.

[0022] Adjacent to the threaded portion 6 in the axial direction, the retaining bolt 4 further has a threadless portion 9 which can be inserted into an opening 10 on the second component 3 to connect the two components 2, 3. The opening 10 starts from a contact surface 11 on the second component 3 for the contact of the first component 2 and corresponds to the first bore 7 in the first component 2 in order to accommodate the threadless portion 9 of the retaining bolt 4; i.e., the opening 10 can be arranged as an extension of the first bore 7 when the contact surfaces 8, 11 of the two components 2, 3 abut one another. In the example shown, the opening 10 is also a bore, i.e., it has a circular cross-section; alternatively, however, it could also have a different cross-section which allows the insertion of the retaining bolt 4; in particular, the opening 10 can be slot-shaped, for example. The opening 10 is transversely traversed by a second bore 12.

[0023] Based on the Fig. 2a, 2b and 3 The following explains how the two components 2, 3 are connected using the retaining bolt 4 and the clamping bolt 5 of the connector 1, for which purpose the retaining bolt 4 has a transverse bore 13 for inserting the clamping bolt 5 and the clamping bolt 5 has a conical end 14.

[0024] First, the threaded section 6 of the retaining bolt 4 is screwed into or behind the first bore 7 with the first component 2, e.g. up to the end of the threaded section 6 or up to an optional circumferential notch 15 in an area of its unthreaded section 9 adjoining the threaded section 6 of the retaining bolt 4. The unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4 is then inserted into the opening 10 of the second component 3 or the second component 3 is placed on it until the two contact surfaces 8, 11 abut one another. The transverse bore 13 of the retaining bolt 4 is aligned with the second bore 12, either before the unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4 is inserted into the opening 10 or after insertion, when the retaining bolt 4 remains accessible, e.g. because its threaded section 6 is screwed behind the first bore 7 or because, as described below with reference to Fig. 4 will be explained in more detail, the opening 10 completely penetrates the second component 3. The alignment of the transverse bore 13 takes place, on the one hand, in the axial direction of the second bore 12 of the second component 3; on the other hand, the unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4, after its screwing, should protrude from the contact surface 8 of the first component 2 only to such an extent that an offset δ remains between an axis AQ of the transverse bore of the retaining bolt 4 and a longitudinal axis AS of the clamping bolt 5, when the clamping bolt 5 is initially inserted with its conical end 14 first only into the second bore 12 ( Fig. 2a ), e.g., pressed in or driven in with a hammer if the clamping bolt 13 is threadless. The offset δ is selected, e.g., depending on the material of the first and second components 2, 3, or of the holding and clamping bolts 4, 5 and / or on a cone opening angle α of the conical end 14 of the clamping bolt 5.

[0025] If the clamping bolt 5 is inserted further into the second bore 12 in this position of the retaining bolt 4, its conical end 14 first enters the transverse bore 13 of the retaining bolt 4; then the clamping bolt 5 aligns the second bore 12 and the transverse bore 13 with each other, ie the clamping bolt 13, due to its conical end 14, pulls the retaining bolt 4 deeper into the opening 10 of the second component 3, so that the offset δ is compensated ( Fig. 2b ), and thus clamps the contact surfaces 8, 11 of the two components 2, 3 against each other ( Fig. 3 ).

[0026] In the example shown, the clamping bolt 13 has a threadless section 16, which also encompasses the conical end 14, and an optional threaded section 17 adjoining it in its axial direction. The threaded section 17 has a larger nominal diameter than the threadless section 16, i.e., its thread projects radially beyond the threadless section 16. Furthermore, the clamping bolt 13 has a hexagon socket, a Phillips recess, a slot, or the like on its end face 18 facing away from the conical end 14 for engagement with a screwdriver. To insert its threadless section 16 into the transverse bore 13 of the retaining bolt 4, the clamping bolt 13 can be screwed into the second bore 12 and later unscrewed from this bore again if necessary.

[0027] The conical end 14 of the clamping bolt 5 can extend over part of the unthreaded section 16 of the clamping bolt 5 or over its entire unthreaded section 16. The cone opening angle α is, for example, between 20° and 120°, in particular between 40° and 60°; alternatively, the cone opening angle α can be larger or, in particular, smaller. It is understood that the tip of the conical end 14 can be blunted, as shown.

[0028] As in the example of Fig. 4 symbolized by a dashed line, the retaining bolt 4 is optionally tubular. Alternatively, the retaining bolt 4 is solid or only partially tubular, e.g. in an end region 19 of the unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4, in order to be able to at least partially accommodate an optional assembly tool 20. The unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4 also has an end-face notch 21, on which a cross pin 22 of the assembly tool 20 engages in its inserted state. The assembly tool 20 also has a hexagon socket 23 for the engagement of a corresponding wrench for screwing the retaining bolt 4 or its threaded section 6 in or behind the first bore 7 of the first component 2. It is understood that the end-face notch 21 can alternatively also be used for the engagement of a slotted screwdriver, a rod-shaped rotary handle or the like. can be used for screwing, even if the retaining bolt 4 is solid.If the opening 10 completely penetrates the second component 3, the frontal incision 21 is accessible even after the insertion of the unthreaded section 9 of the retaining bolt 4 into the opening 10, so that its transverse bore 10 can be aligned as described.

[0029] In the example shown, the retaining bolt 4 has an optional further unthreaded section 24 on its side of the threaded section 6 facing away from the unthreaded section 9. The further unthreaded section 24 has a diameter D which corresponds to or is smaller than the core diameter - ie the smallest diameter of the thread geometry - of the threaded section 6 of the retaining bolt 4.

[0030] The Fig. 5a und 5b show optional design variants for the threaded sections 6 and 17 of the retaining bolt 4 and the clamping bolt 5 (here: for the threaded section 6 of the retaining bolt 4). In the example of the Fig. 5a The threaded section 6 has a milled recess 25 running in the longitudinal direction of the retaining bolt 4. The milled recess 25 optionally extends to the core diameter of the threaded section 6 and gradually tapers off in the circumferential direction. In the example of the Fig. 5b the threaded section 6 has two milled recesses 26 distributed over the circumference, which also run in the longitudinal direction of the retaining bolt 4 or clamping bolt 5 and optionally reach up to the core diameter of the threaded section 6, 17; however, the milled recesses 26 in the example of the Fig. 5b Triangular shape, i.e. are not continuous.

[0031] It is understood that alternatively more than two millings 25, 26 may be distributed over the circumference of the respective threaded section 6, 17, the millings 25, 26 may not extend radially to the core diameter of the respective threaded section 6, 17 and / or may extend in the axial direction only over a part of the respective threaded section 6, 17 or may be directed obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the holding or clamping bolt 4, 5.

[0032] According to the Fig. 6a und 6b The retaining bolt 4, particularly after screwing its threaded portion 6 into or behind the first bore 7 of the first component 2, can be provided with a transport attachment 27. In the example shown, the transport attachment 27 has a substantially U-shaped tab 28, the legs 29 of which are each penetrated by a receiving bore 30 for a pin 31. The pin 31 anchors the tab 28 to the transverse bore 13 of the retaining bolt 4 and secures it with an optional safety clip 32, so that the retaining bolt 4 and - after screwing - the first component 2 can be easily transported or manipulated on the tab 28 ( Fig. 6b ).

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes all variants, modifications and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector for two components (2, 3), in particular wooden components, of which the first component (2) has a first bore (7) which extends from a bearing surface (8) for the second component (3) and the second component (3) has an opening (10) which extends from a bearing surface (11) for the first component (2) and corresponds with the first bore (7) and has a second bore (12) transversing the opening (10), comprising a retaining bolt (4) with a threaded portion (6) for screwing into or behind the first bore (7) and an unthreaded portion (9) for inserting into the opening (10), wherein the unthreaded portion (9) is traversed by a cylindrical transverse bore (13), characterised by a cylindrical tensioning bolt (5) with a pointed conical end (14), which, when the retaining bolt (4) assumes its position screwed into or behind the first bore (7) and inserted into the opening (10), can be inserted into the second bore (12) and into the transverse bore (13) in order to align them relative to one another and thus tension the bearing surfaces (8, 11) against one another.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the tensioning bolt (5) has an unthreaded portion (16) comprising the conical end (14) and a threaded portion (17) with a larger nominal diameter than the unthreaded portion (16) and is configured for the application of a screwdriver on its end face (18) facing away from the conical end (14).

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterised in that the conical end (14) of the tensioning bolt (5) extends over the entire unthreaded portion (16).

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the conical end (14) of the tensioning bolt (5) has a cone opening angle (α) of between 20° and 120°, preferably between 40° and 60°.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one end-face region (19) of the unthreaded portion (9) of the retaining bolt (4) is tubular.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the unthreaded portion (9) of the retaining bolt (4) has an end-face notch (21) for the application of an assembly tool (20).

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the retaining bolt (4) has on the side of the threaded portion (6) facing away from said unthreaded portion (9) a further unthreaded portion (24) with a diameter (D) corresponding to or smaller than the core diameter of the threaded portion (6).

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the threaded portion (6) of the retaining bolt (4) is configured to be screwed to a screw nut.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the threaded portion (6) of the retaining bolt (4) has one or more millings (25, 26) distributed around the circumference and running in longitudinal direction of the retaining bolt (4), which preferably extend to the core diameter of the threaded portion (6).

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the retaining bolt (4) has a circumferential indentation (15) in a region of said unthreaded portion (9) adjoining the threaded portion (6).