SPINDLE STRIPES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spindle strut which can be used, for example, in scaffolding construction or in the construction of formwork structures or other support structures to support elements or areas of such a support structure with respect to one another.

[0002] Support elements used, for example, in scaffolding or in the construction of formwork structures can be designed with a tubular support rod element elongated along a longitudinal axis, which is provided with opposing internal threads at its two axial end sections, i.e., a right-hand thread at one end section and a left-hand thread at the other of the two end sections. A spindle rod element is screwed into each of the two internally threaded end sections of the support rod element, which has an external thread at least in one spindle rod thread section. The external threads provided on the two spindle rod elements are also opposing to each other.For example, in the case of spindle rod elements that are coupled to the elements of a support structure that are to be supported relative to one another and are thus fundamentally held against rotation, rotation of the support rod element about its longitudinal axis when rotated in a first direction of rotation results in the two spindle rod elements moving out of the support rod element or away from one another, such that the length of the support rod element increases. When the support rod element rotates in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, the two spindle rod elements move further into the support rod element or towards one another, such that the length of the spindle strut decreases. In this way, the length of the spindle strut can be continuously adjusted so that the two elements of a support structure that are to be supported relative to one another can be brought into the position intended for them or can be moved into the position intended for them.be supported in this position relative to each other.

[0003] From CN 209 244 226 U, a support element is known in which a tubular support rod element has an internal thread at one of its axial end sections. A spindle rod element with an external thread is screwed into the internal thread of the support rod element. By rotating the spindle rod element relative to the support rod element, the length of the support element can be changed. To fix the support rod element relative to the spindle rod element, a lock nut is screwed onto the external thread of the spindle rod element. This lock nut can be locked against an end face of the support rod element by rotating it and thereby moving it axially relative to the spindle rod element and the support rod element.

[0004] From US 2 532 168 A, a spindle strut is known in which a spindle nut is screwed onto a spindle rod element. The spindle rod element is received in a tubular support rod element so as to be axially movable. The spindle rod element is secured against complete movement out of the support rod element by a stop provided on an axial end of the spindle rod element positioned inside the support rod element. On the spindle nut element, on the one hand, and on a housing fixed to the support rod element, on the other hand, two projections are provided which are arranged at a circumferential distance from one another and engage radially inwards and radially outwards. By axially moving the projections through circumferential interruptions formed between the respective other projections and subsequently rotating the spindle nut element with respect to the support rod element orof the housing provided thereon, the flange-like projections provided on the spindle nut element on the one hand and on the housing on the other hand can be brought into axial engagement with one another in order to thereby prevent the spindle nut from moving axially away from the support rod element.

[0005] DE 22 06 351 A1 discloses a spindle strut in which a spindle nut element, formed with an internal thread and threadably engaged with a spindle rod element, engages with a sleeve-like end portion over an axial end of a tubular support rod element that receives the spindle rod element. A snap ring positioned to engage in an inner circumferential groove on the sleeve-like end portion of the spindle nut element secures the spindle nut element against axial detachment from the support rod element.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide a spindle strut which can be used, for example, in scaffolding construction or in the construction of formwork structures, which can provide a continuously adjustable, reliable support function with a structurally simple design.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a spindle strut according to claim 1.

[0008] The spindle strut constructed according to the invention has intermeshing thread formations only in one of the axial end sections of the support rod element, which can be designed, for example, as a right-hand thread or a left-hand thread. The provision of intermeshing thread formations on the other axial end section of the spindle rod element can be dispensed with, since the length of the entire spindle strut can be continuously adjusted by rotating the spindle nut element solely through the thread engagement between the spindle nut element axially held on the spindle rod element and the spindle rod element threadedly engaged therewith. It is also not necessary to rotate the entire support rod element to change the length of the spindle strut; rather, it is sufficient to set the comparatively small spindle nut element in motion in order to thereby change the length of the spindle strut.The support rod element itself can therefore be directly coupled to one of the structural elements, for example of a scaffold or a formwork structure, which are to be supported relative to one another by such a spindle strut, in a fixed manner, in particular also against rotation about its longitudinal axis.

[0009] To provide the threaded engagement, the spindle nut member may have an internal spindle thread, and the spindle rod member may have an external spindle thread threadedly engaged with the internal spindle thread.

[0010] In order to be able to provide the function of threaded engagement with the spindle nut element on the spindle rod element on the one hand, and to be able to couple this spindle rod element to a structural element to be supported by a spindle strut on the other hand, it is proposed that the spindle rod element has a spindle rod threaded section having the spindle external thread and a spindle rod coupling section adjoining the spindle rod threaded section.

[0011] For a structure that is easy to implement and also results in a low weight of a spindle rod, yet is stable, it is proposed that the spindle rod threaded section is designed as a tube or as a solid component, and / or that the spindle rod coupling section is designed as a tube, and / or that the spindle rod threaded section is connected to the spindle rod coupling section by material bonding, preferably welding.

[0012] The fact that the support rod element is tubular at least in the region of its first axial end section, preferably in its entire length section, and that the spindle rod element threadedly engaged with the spindle nut element engages in the support rod element in the region of its first axial end section can also contribute to a low weight of a stably constructed support strut.

[0013] For reliable axial support or retention of the spindle nut element with respect to the support rod element, a support rod element end face can be provided on the first axial end portion of the support rod element, and a spindle nut support surface can be provided on the spindle nut element, which is supported on the support rod element end face in a first axial direction toward the first axial end portion of the support rod element. In order to also ensure reliable support or retention in the other axial direction,In order to achieve the retention of the spindle nut element with respect to the support rod element, a support rod element support surface is provided on the first end section of the support rod element, which support surface is oriented in the direction of the second axial end section of the support rod element and extends completely around the circumference, and the spindle nut element is supported by the two spindle nut support sections in a second axial direction in the direction away from the second end section of the support rod element.

[0014] In a structurally simple embodiment for providing the support rod element support surface, a support flange providing the support rod element support surface, preferably extending completely around the circumference in the circumferential direction, can be provided on the first axial end section of the support rod element.

[0015] In order not to impair the support interaction between the spindle nut element and the support rod element by such a support flange, the support flange can be arranged at an axial distance from the support rod element end face.

[0016] In order to achieve a circumferentially distributed support of the spindle nut element on the support rod element support surface, two spindle nut support sections are provided on the spindle nut element, which are arranged at a circumferential distance from one another and are preferably diametrically opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] In order to act on the spindle nut element to adjust the length, the spindle nut element can have, in association with at least one, preferably each spindle nut support section, a spindle nut actuating section which projects radially outward from a spindle nut central region and carries a spindle nut support section.

[0018] In order to be able to couple the spindle strut to each of the structural elements or, if appropriate, to further structural elements when integrating a spindle strut according to the invention between two structural elements to be supported by said spindle strut with respect to one another, at least one coupling element can be provided on the support rod element and / or the spindle rod element.

[0019] At least one such coupling element can be designed, for example, as a perforated disc, in order to be able to couple other bar-like or stem-like components, for example, of a scaffold, to such a spindle strut. Alternatively or additionally, at least one coupling element can be designed as a through-opening through which, for example, a bolt-like coupling element can be passed.

[0020] The invention further relates to a support structure comprising at least two structural elements supported relative to one another by at least one spindle strut constructed according to the invention.

[0021] The supporting structure can be a scaffold. It can also be used for supporting structures used as formwork, for example, in bridge construction.

[0022] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a spindle strut in perspective view; Fig. 2 a support rod element of the spindle strut of the Fig. 1 in perspective view; Fig. 3 a spindle rod element of the spindle strut of the Fig. 1 in perspective view; Fig. 4 a spindle nut element of the spindle strut of the Fig. 1 in perspective view; Fig. 5 a detailed view of the spindle nut element of the spindle strut of the Fig. 1 in side view; Fig. 6one of the Fig. 5 corresponding representation in perspective view; Fig. 7 a framework with a plurality of spindle rod elements according to Fig. 1 .

[0023] In Fig. 1 A spindle strut 10 is shown which can be used in a support structure, such as a scaffold, in particular a scaffold, a formwork structure or the like. The spindle strut 10 comprises a Fig. 2 shown, elongated in the direction of a longitudinal axis L and tubular support rod element 12. The spindle strut 10 further comprises a spindle strut 10 which is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the support rod element 12 and Fig. 3 shown spindle rod element 14. As a further component, the spindle strut 10 comprises a Fig. 4 spindle nut element 16 shown and interacting with both the support rod element 12 and the spindle rod element 14 during assembly.

[0024] The Fig. 2 The support rod element 12 shown comprises a first axial end section 18, in which the spindle nut element 16 interacts with the support rod element 12 and also the spindle rod element 14 in the manner described below, and comprises a second axial end section 20. The support rod element 12, which is preferably constructed with metal material, extends essentially in a straight line between the two axial end sections 18, 20.

[0025] At the first end portion 18 of the support rod element 12, a support rod element end face 22 is provided, which is ring-shaped due to the tubular structure of the support rod element 12. The spindle nut element 16, described in more detail below, rests against the support rod element end face 22 with a spindle nut support surface 24 provided thereon, which is also ring-shaped.

[0026] Furthermore, a support flange 26 is provided on the first axial end section 18 of the support rod element 12, completely surrounding the support rod element 12 in a ring-like manner and is fixed, for example, by welding to the support rod element 12 such that the support flange 26 has a slight axial distance from the support rod element end face 22. This axial distance can, for example, approximately correspond to the axial extent of the support flange 26. On the axial side facing the second axial end section 20 and thus facing away from the support rod element end face 22, the support flange 26 provides an annular support rod element support surface 28 surrounding the longitudinal axis L without interruption.

[0027] Coupling elements 30 of the spindle strut 10 are provided on the support rod element 12 in various axial regions thereof. These coupling elements 30 can, for example, comprise a through-opening 32 on the second axial end section 20, which is formed in sections of the support rod element 12 that are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis L and is thus suitable for the passage of a coupling bolt. By means of such a coupling bolt, the support rod element 12 of the spindle strut 10 can be secured to a component of a supporting structure that is to be supported. Furthermore, the coupling elements 30 comprise, for example, perforated discs 34 in various axial regions, which can be secured to the support rod element 12, for example, by welding, and can be used in a conventional manner for coupling rod-like struts.

[0028] The Fig. 3 The spindle rod element 14 shown comprises a spindle rod threaded section 36 with an external spindle thread 38 formed thereon. At one of its two axial end sections, the spindle rod threaded section 36 is inserted into a spindle rod coupling section 40, which is designed, for example, as a tube, and is firmly connected to it, for example by welding. The tubular spindle rod coupling section 40 can have a further coupling element 30, for example in the form of a through-opening 41, which, like the through-opening 32 provided on the support rod element 12, is designed for the passage of a coupling bolt with which the support strut 10 can be secured to another component of a support structure.It should be noted that additional coupling elements 30, for example in the form of one or more perforated disks or the like, can also be provided on the spindle rod element 14, particularly in the area of ​​the spindle rod coupling section 40. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for stability reasons, the spindle rod threaded section 36 can preferably be designed as a solid metal part. Alternatively, the spindle rod threaded section 36 could be provided as a tubular component.

[0029] The Fig. 4 The spindle nut element 16 shown has, in an annular spindle nut central region 42 which also provides the spindle nut support surface 24, a spindle nut internal thread opening 44 with an internal spindle thread 46 formed therein. In two diametrically opposed regions, handle-like spindle nut actuating sections 48, 50 protrude radially outward from the spindle nut central region 42 with respect to the longitudinal axis L. A spindle nut support section 52 or 54 is provided in association with each of the two spindle nut actuating sections 48, 50. The two spindle nut support sections 52, 54 extend from the same axial side of the respectively associated spindle nut actuating section 48, 50 in the direction axially away from the latter or from the spindle nut central region 42.

[0030] Each spindle nut support section 52, 54 has, at an axial distance from the spindle nut support surface 24, a holding section 56, 58 which engages radially inward and, when assembled, radially engages the support flange 26 on its side facing away from the support rod element end face 22. Each of the holding sections 56, 58 thus engages the support rod element support surface 28 provided on the support flange 26, so that in the Fig. 5 and 6In the assembled state shown, the support rod element 12 is held axially at its first axial end section 18 between the spindle nut support surface 24 and the holding sections 56, 58. As a result, the spindle nut element 16 is held on the support rod element 12 in both axial directions in the direction of the longitudinal axis L by the contact interaction between the spindle nut support surface 24 and the support rod element end face 22 on the one hand and by the contact interaction of the holding sections 56, 58 with the support rod element support surface 28 on the other hand, and can thus be subjected to tensile and compressive loads.

[0031] This state can be brought about, for example, by pushing the spindle nut element 16 laterally, i.e. transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L, onto the first end section 18 of the support rod element 12 when the spindle rod element 14 is not coupled to it, until the spindle nut support surface 24 and the support rod element end face 22 are arranged essentially concentrically with one another and abut one another, and the two holding sections 56, 58 engage over the support flange 26 in the region of its support rod element support surface 28 at areas that are essentially diametrically opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In this state, the spindle nut element 16 is fundamentally rotatable about the longitudinal axis L with respect to the support rod element 12, but is essentially not movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis L with respect to the support rod element 12.The support rod element 12 can only be moved axially with respect to the spindle nut element 16 to the extent of a slight play of movement that is unavoidable to produce this condition.

[0032] Once the spindle nut element 16 is positioned on the support rod element 12 in the manner described above, the spindle rod element 14 can then be screwed with its spindle rod threaded portion 36 into or through the internally threaded opening 44 of the spindle nut element 16, so that the spindle rod element 14 is positioned with its spindle rod threaded portion 36 engaging the support rod element 12. As soon as this axial overlap or engagement state between the spindle rod element 14 and the support rod element 12 is established, the spindle nut element 16 can no longer be released from the support rod element 12 by lateral movement. To do this, the spindle rod element 14 would first have to be rotated again in the internally threaded opening 44 and thereby moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis L until it no longer engages the first axial end portion 18 of the support rod element 12.

[0033] Is the one in the Fig. 5 and 6Once the connection shown between the support rod element 12, the spindle rod element 14 and the spindle nut element 16 is produced, with the support rod element 12 and spindle rod element 26 held against rotation about the longitudinal axis L, the spindle rod element 14 can be moved axially relative to the support rod element 12 by rotating the spindle nut element 16 about the longitudinal axis L, depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle nut element 16, in such a way that by increasing the overlap or the engagement of the spindle rod element 14 in the support rod element 12, the overall length of the support strut 10 decreases, or by reducing the engagement or by moving the spindle rod element 14 further out of the support rod element 12, the overall length of the spindle strut 10 increases. For this purpose, only an action on the spindle nut element 16 is required to rotate it relative to the spindle rod element 14.The support rod element 12 does not need to be moved or rotated about its longitudinal axis L to change the length of the support strut 10.

[0034] This results in a simple construction in which no thread needs to be provided on the support rod element 12 itself and a thread engagement is only provided in the area of ​​two components, wherein the mutually engaging spindle internal threads 46 and spindle external threads 38 can be designed, for example, as right-hand threads or as left-hand threads.

[0035] An example of a support structure 60 on which a spindle strut 10 constructed in this way can be used is shown in Fig. 7 shown. The Fig. 7 shows a scaffold, for example a construction scaffold, with a plurality of essentially vertically extending scaffold beams 62, anchored, for example, in the ground and / or to an already constructed wall. A substantially horizontally arranged scaffold beam 64 is supported at the upper end of each essentially vertically extending scaffold beam 62. A scaffold structure 66 with a plurality of conventional scaffold elements, for example, with vertical posts 68, horizontal bars 70, and diagonal bars 72 provided on scaffold frames, is constructed on the essentially horizontally extending scaffold beams 64.

[0036] For stable support of the scaffold beams 64 extending from the upper ends of the scaffold beams 62, a spindle strut 10 with the previously described structure is provided for each pair of scaffold beams 62 and 64. The spindle struts 10 are installed in the illustrated structure such that the spindle rod elements 14 thereof are coupled to the scaffold beams 62, for example, by a coupling bolt penetrating the respective through-opening 41. The support rod elements 12 of the spindle struts 10 are coupled at their respective second end portions 20 to the substantially horizontally extending scaffold beams 64, for example, by a coupling bolt penetrating the respective through-opening 32 provided there.By turning the respective spindle nut 16 and the resulting change in the length of the spindle struts 10, the essentially horizontally extending scaffold supports 64 can be precisely aligned and thus held in the position required to accommodate the scaffold structure 66. Since the load exerted on the spindle nuts 16 and the resulting friction between the support surfaces 22, 24 on the one hand and the spindle internal thread 46 and the spindle external thread 38 on the other hand create a self-locking effect in the spindle struts 10, the spindle struts 10 do not change their length even under massive load.

[0037] To further stiffen such a support structure 66, stiffening rods 74, constructed or effective, for example, in the manner of horizontal bars, and stiffening rods 76, constructed or effective, for example, in the manner of diagonal bars, can be inserted between adjacent spindle struts 10. These can be coupled in a conventional manner to the perforated discs 34 provided on the spindle struts 10 by means of wedge heads provided thereon.

[0038] The present invention provides a spindle strut that is simple to construct and can be assembled in a small number of units, and which, while being easy to handle, can provide a stable supporting effect in both the tensile and compressive directions. Such a spindle strut can be used in variously constructed support structures, for example, those designed in the manner of a scaffold, as in Fig. 7or which are constructed, for example, in the manner of a formwork structure, as is used, for example, in bridge construction or the like.

Claims

1. A spindle strut, comprising: - a support rod element (12) elongated in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) with a first axial end portion (18) and a second axial end portion (20), - a spindle nut element (16) rotatable about the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the support rod element (12), wherein the spindle nut element (16) is held at the first axial end portion (18) of the support rod element (12) against axial movement in both axial directions with respect to the support rod element (12), so that a rotation of the spindle nut element (16) about the longitudinal axis (L) does not essentially result in an axial movement of the spindle nut element (16) with respect to the support rod element (12), - a spindle rod element (14) elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the spindle rod element (14) is in threaded engagement with the spindle nut element (16), so that rotation of the spindle nut element (16) about the longitudinal axis (L) results in an axial movement of the spindle rod element (14) with respect to the support rod element (12), characterized in that on the first end portion (18) of the support rod element (12), a support rod element support surface (28) is provided, which is oriented towards the second axial end portion (20) of the support rod element (12) and which extends completely around the circumference, wherein two spindle nut support portions (52, 54) are provided on the spindle nut element (16), arranged at a circumferential distance from one another and diametrically opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) and the spindle nut element (16) is supported at the support rod element support surface (28) with the two spindle nut support portions (52, 54) in a second axial direction away from the second end portion (20) of the support rod element (12).

2. The spindle strut according to claim 1, characterized in that the spindle nut element (16) has an internal spindle thread (46), and the spindle rod element (14) has an external spindle thread (38) in threaded engagement with the internal spindle thread (46).

3. The spindle strut according to claim 2, characterized in that the spindle rod element (14) has a spindle rod threaded portion (36) having the spindle external thread (38) and a spindle rod coupling portion (40) adjacent to the spindle rod threaded portion (36).

4. The spindle strut according to claim 3, characterized in that the spindle rod threaded portion (36) is designed as a tube or as a solid component, or / and in that the spindle rod coupling portion (40) is designed as a tube, or / and in that the spindle rod threaded portion (36) is connected to the spindle rod coupling portion (40) by material connection, preferably by welding.

5. The spindle strut according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support rod element (12) is tubular at least in the region of its first axial end portion (18), preferably in its entire longitudinal region, and in that the spindle rod element (14), which is in threaded engagement with the spindle nut element (16), engages in the support rod element (12) in the region of its first axial end portion (18).

6. The spindle strut according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support rod element end face (22) is provided on the first axial end portion (18) of the support rod element (12), and in, that on the spindle nut element (16), a spindle nut support surface (24) is provided, which is supported, in a first axial direction, on the support rod element end face (22) towards the first axial end portion (18) of the support rod element (12).

7. The spindle strut according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the first axial end portion (18) of the support rod element (12), a support flange (26) is provided, which provides the support rod element support surface (28) and extends completely around the circumference.

8. The spindle strut according to claim 6 and claim 7, characterized in that the support flange (26) is arranged at an axial distance from the support rod element end face (22).

9. The spindle strut according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the spindle nut element (16) has, in association with at least one, preferably each spindle nut support portion (52, 54), a spindle nut actuation portion (48, 50) which protrudes radially outwards from a spindle nut central region (42) and carries a spindle nut support portion (54, 54).

10. The spindle strut according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one coupling element (30) is provided on the support rod element (12) or / and on the spindle rod element (14).

11. The spindle strut according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one coupling element (30) is designed as a perforated disk (34), or / and in that at least one coupling element (30) is designed as a pass-through opening (32, 41).

12. A support structure, comprising at least two structural elements (62, 64) supported relative to one another by at least one spindle strut (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. The support structure according to claim 12, characterized in that the support structure (60) is a scaffolding, or / and in that the support structure is a formwork structure.