SHEET METAL CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sheet metal joint for joining two sheet metal parts. The sheet metal parts are to be joined, in particular, with their respective contact surfaces flush against each other. A sheet metal joint according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, for example, from US 3,894,377 A.

[0002] There are many different ways to join two sheet metal parts. For example, two sheet metal parts can be screwed or clamped together. Often, joining them requires access to at least one of the sheet metal parts from the side facing away from the other. However, depending on the design of the sheet metal part or the larger assembly in which it is installed, such access may not be readily available.

[0003] For example, the sheet metal component could be a profile of a wall or ceiling element for drywall or lightweight steel construction. Such a wall or ceiling element can be formed, for instance, by an arrangement of several interconnected profiles to which one or more wall panels are attached on both sides, so that the profiles are clad with the wall panels. The end faces of the respective wall or ceiling element, oriented perpendicular to the wall panels, can each be formed by a section of a finishing profile extending along one edge of the wall or ceiling element.

[0004] To join two such wall or ceiling elements end-to-end, they are arranged so that an end face of one wall or ceiling element and an end face of the other are flush against each other. This means that an outward-facing contact surface of the respective profile of one wall or ceiling element rests against an outward-facing contact surface of the respective profile of the other wall or ceiling element. However, the inner surfaces of the respective profiles opposite these contact surfaces are then inaccessible or difficult to access due to the sheathing. For this reason, in drywall and lightweight steel construction, it is generally necessary that, in order to join prefabricated wall or ceiling elements, the sheathing on at least one side of each wall or ceiling element must remain open in areas near the respective end face to allow the end-face profiles to be screwed together.This has the disadvantage that prefabricated wall and ceiling elements cannot be fully clad in the factory.

[0005] Furthermore, when joining two wall or ceiling elements on the construction site, their correct, flush alignment relative to each other must be ensured. Common types of connections, such as screw and rivet connections, do not provide sufficient support for this. Instead, the two wall or ceiling elements can be freely positioned relative to each other and must first be precisely aligned before their relative position is fixed by joining them. This generally requires increased personnel and labor on the construction site.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a sheet metal connection by which two sheet metal parts can be joined together over a flat surface without requiring access to the side of each sheet metal part facing away from the other sheet metal part, and which supports a correct arrangement of the two sheet metal parts relative to each other, preferably in all three spatial directions.

[0007] The problem is solved by a sheet metal connection with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the present description and the figures.

[0008] The sheet metal connection according to the invention comprises a receiving opening formed in a flat contact surface of a first sheet metal part and a connecting bolt extending along a bolt axis and designed to be attached with a fastening section to a flat contact surface of a second sheet metal part such that the connecting bolt with a connecting section projects orthogonally from the contact surface of the second sheet metal part.

[0009] The receiving opening extends orthogonally to the mounting surface, preferably completely through the first sheet metal part. Designed as a through-hole, the receiving opening can therefore also be considered and referred to as a receiving hole. The receiving opening can be formed in the first sheet metal part, for example, by punching. This allows for simple production of the receiving opening.

[0010] The connecting bolt is preferably elongated and pin-shaped. In particular, the connecting bolt can be rotationally symmetrical with respect to its axis, at least substantially (for example, apart from any thread that may be present). For attachment to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, the connecting bolt can, for example, be designed like a screw. In this respect, the connecting bolt can have a threaded section with which it can be screwed into the contact surface of the second sheet metal part. The threaded section can be self-drilling, so that the connecting bolt can be screwed directly into the contact surface of the second sheet metal part.However, this is not necessarily the case, as it is also conceivable, for example, that a threaded sleeve is attached to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, perhaps pressed into it, into which the threaded section of the connecting bolt can then be screwed. Furthermore, the connecting bolt can have a head section with a drive mechanism for engaging a tool, so that the force required for screwing it in can be easily transferred to the connecting bolt by means of the tool. In principle, the connecting bolt can also be designed in other ways specifically for reliable attachment to a sheet metal part, e.g., for riveting.

[0011] The connecting bolt is designed such that, after being attached to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, a portion of the connecting bolt projects orthogonally from the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, so that the bolt axis is aligned orthogonally to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part. The projecting portion of the connecting bolt comprises or forms the aforementioned connecting section, which, by virtue of its projection from the contact surface, is available for connection with the first sheet metal part. The connecting section may include the aforementioned head section and, optionally, also a portion of the aforementioned threaded section. The remaining portion of the connecting bolt, which may form the aforementioned fastening section, may extend orthogonally to the contact surface through the second sheet metal part and thus project from the side of the second sheet metal part opposite the contact surface, in the opposite direction to the connecting section.If the connecting bolt is attached to the second sheet metal part not by screwing it in, but by riveting it, this remaining part of the connecting bolt can also be riveted on the side of the second sheet metal part opposite the contact surface.

[0012] The first sheet metal part preferably has a constant thickness. The first sheet metal part can be bent into a profile, for example, with a C- or U-shaped cross-section. In particular, the first sheet metal part can be designed as a C- or U-profile for wall or ceiling elements for drywall or lightweight steel construction. The contact surface of the first sheet metal part can be formed by the surface of a flat, planar section of the sheet metal part. This section can, in particular, correspond to a central section of the C- or U-shaped cross-section. The contact surface preferably faces outwards, i.e., away from an inner area of ​​the profile defined by the C- or U-shape.According to an advantageous embodiment, the first sheet metal part is designed as an end profile of a wall or ceiling element for drywall or lightweight steel construction, wherein the end profile has a C-shape or U-shape with a central section and two edge sections that are aligned orthogonally to the central section, wherein the edge sections are each clad with a wall panel, and wherein the central section has the contact surface with the receiving opening.

[0013] The second sheet metal part can also be designed in the manner described above. However, the first and second sheet metal parts do not necessarily have to be designed in the same way, i.e., they do not necessarily have to have the same thickness or cross-section.

[0014] The sheet metal joint can also include multiple receiving openings and multiple connecting bolts of the type mentioned. The receiving openings can each be formed in the contact surface of the first sheet metal part, with the connecting bolts then being attached to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part. Alternatively, some of the receiving openings can be formed in the contact surface of the first sheet metal part and the remaining receiving openings in the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, with the connecting bolts accordingly being attached partly to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part and partly to the contact surface of the second part.

[0015] The designation of the sheet metal parts as first and second sheet metal parts serves solely to conceptually distinguish between the two sheet metal parts to be joined or already joined. In particular, these designations do not imply any hierarchy or a total number of sheet metal parts. Therefore, more than just the first and second sheet metal parts can, in principle, be involved in the connection. The first and second sheet metal parts can be essentially identical, at least with the possible exception of the receiving openings.

[0016] For the sheet metal joint, it may suffice to provide the first sheet metal part with one or more receiving openings formed in its contact surface, as well as a corresponding number of connecting bolts for attachment to a second sheet metal part. This means the sheet metal joint is not limited to a specific second sheet metal part but can be used with various second sheet metal parts. The sheet metal joint can also encompass the second sheet metal part. In this case, the connecting bolt is not only designed for attachment to the second sheet metal part but is also (already) attached to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part in such a way that it projects orthogonally from the contact surface of the second sheet metal part with the connecting section.

[0017] According to the invention, the connecting section of the connecting bolt comprises a constriction section and a shoulder section, which adjoins the constriction section along the bolt axis in a direction pointing away from the fastening section and has a larger diameter than the constriction section. Preferably, the shoulder section has the largest overall diameter of all sections of the connecting bolt or at least of all sections of the connecting section of the connecting bolt.

[0018] The constriction section and the shoulder section can be, in particular, axial sections of the connecting bolt with respect to the bolt axis, which differ in their diameter. The constriction section and the shoulder section each preferably have a circular cross-section perpendicular to the bolt axis. If the cross-section is not circular and the diameter of the respective section is therefore not the same in all directions perpendicular to the bolt axis, the compared diameters refer to the largest diameter of the respective section; in particular, the largest diameter of the shoulder section is then larger than the largest diameter of the constriction section.

[0019] The fact that the shoulder section is axially adjacent to the constricted section and has a larger diameter than the constricted section allows the shoulder section to engage axially behind the constricted section. In particular, one or more edges of the receiving opening can thus engage radially into the constricted section and axially behind the shoulder section, so that the first sheet metal part can be positively connected to the connecting bolt (and via this connection to the second sheet metal part to which the connecting bolt is attached) with respect to the bolt axis.

[0020] The connecting bolt can be designed to be attached to the second sheet metal part in such a way that the constricted section along the bolt axis rests against the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, i.e., directly adjacent to the contact surface, and extends from there along the bolt axis to the shoulder section. The constricted section is then flanked along the bolt axis on one side by the shoulder section and on the other by the contact surface of the second sheet metal part.

[0021] The connecting section can comprise a sleeve provided on the connecting bolt or be formed by such a sleeve. The sleeve can be essentially hollow and cylindrical. At one end of its axial extension, the sleeve can have a flange-like expansion in diameter, forming the aforementioned shoulder section, while the remaining part of the sleeve forms the constriction section. The connecting bolt can extend through the sleeve with a shank section that may correspond to the aforementioned threaded section. Conversely, the sleeve can extend around the shank section of the connecting bolt in the circumferential direction with respect to the bolt axis. The connecting bolt can have a head section (particularly the one mentioned above) with a larger diameter than the shank section.When attaching the connecting bolt to the contact surface of the second sheet metal part, the sleeve can be axially captured or even clamped between the head section of the connecting bolt and the contact surface of the second sheet metal part. In this way, the sleeve can also function as a spacer, determining how deeply the connecting bolt can penetrate the second sheet metal part when attached to its contact surface. In particular, such a sleeve can easily determine the distance of the shoulder section along the bolt axis from the contact surface of the second sheet metal part.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, the receiving opening extends along a longitudinal direction parallel to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part from an insertion section to a locking section, wherein the insertion section has a width transverse to the longitudinal direction, i.e. with respect to a transverse direction parallel to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, which is greater than the diameter of the shoulder section, and the locking section has a width transverse to the longitudinal direction which is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder section and preferably corresponds at least substantially to the diameter of the constriction section.

[0023] Because the insertion section of the receiving opening has a width greater than the diameter of the shoulder section of the connecting bolt, the connecting section of the connecting bolt can be inserted into the insertion section of the receiving opening in an insertion direction orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part. When the connecting bolt is subsequently moved longitudinally within the receiving opening from the insertion section to the locking section, the shoulder section of the connecting bolt engages behind the receiving opening with respect to the insertion direction due to the smaller width of the locking section, so that it can no longer exit the receiving opening parallel to the insertion direction. The design of the receiving opening and the connecting bolt according to the invention thus results in a reliable positive-locking connection between the first sheet metal part and the second sheet metal part.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the width of the locking section of the receiving opening is smaller than the diameter of the aforementioned constricted section of the connecting bolt, due to an interference fit. The diameter of the constricted section of the connecting bolt is therefore slightly larger than the width of the locking section of the receiving opening, but only to the extent that the connecting bolt can still be moved from the insertion section into the locking section along its longitudinal direction, although a certain amount of pressure is required for this movement due to the interference fit. Advantageously, the constricted section of the connecting bolt is then clamped in the locking section of the receiving opening, so that it is prevented by friction from leaving the locking section in the opposite direction to the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction back towards the insertion section.Furthermore, the clamping mechanism offers the additional advantage of precisely fixing the connecting bolt's position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when joining the two sheet metal parts, their relative arrangement perpendicular to the longitudinal direction no longer needs to be considered, as they are automatically positioned correctly relative to each other in this spatial direction.

[0025] According to the invention, the receiving opening between the insertion section and the locking section has an intermediate section which is bounded transversely to the longitudinal direction, i.e., with respect to a transverse direction parallel to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, by two opposing edges whose distance from each other decreases, preferably monotonically, and in particular strictly monotonically, towards the locking section. Preferably, the edges each have a straight course. The edges can each extend at one end into the insertion section and / or at their other end into the locking section. Due to the decreasing distance, the width of the receiving opening decreases continuously from the insertion section to the locking section.This causes the locking bolt inserted into the insertion section to be moved into a central position transverse to the longitudinal direction when it is moved along the longitudinal direction into the locking section, in which it is preferably fixed at the latest when it reaches the locking section.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the invention, a tab is formed at each of the two aforementioned edges, which is bent along the respective edge opposite the contact surface of the first sheet metal part, so that it projects from the respective edge in the opposite direction to which the contact surface of the first sheet metal part points. The respective edge thus constitutes the bending edge for bending the respective tab. As a result of the bending, the tab projects from the edge on the side of the sheet metal part opposite the contact surface. If the sheet metal part is designed as a C- or U-profile, the contact surface preferably points outwards, i.e., away from an inner area that is at least largely enclosed by the C- or U-shape of the profile cross-section. The tab is then bent inwards, i.e., into the aforementioned inner area.

[0027] When possible features and properties of the tab (in the singular) are described here and in the following, this refers to one of the two tabs. In particular, each of the two tabs can be designed in the manner described.

[0028] When the connecting bolt with its connecting section is inserted into the insertion section of the receiving opening and subsequently moved into the locking section of the receiving opening, the respective tab at both edges can engage laterally in the constricted section of the connecting section and thus engage behind the shoulder section of the connecting section. Due to the axial extension of the tabs with respect to the bolt axis (or with respect to the insertion direction orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part), the edges of the receiving opening are reinforced by the tabs, which contributes to a reliable positive fit between the connecting bolt and the receiving opening.

[0029] The tab need not necessarily be oriented orthogonally to the contact surface. According to an advantageous embodiment, the tab is bent along its respective edge from an orientation that is flat with the contact surface of the first sheet metal part by an angle greater than 45°, preferably between 60° and 80°, more preferably between 65° and 75°, and in particular at least substantially 70°. Thus, the tab preferably forms an obtuse angle with the side of the first sheet metal part opposite the contact surface.

[0030] Since the angle by which the tab is bent from a plane flush with the contact surface of the first sheet metal part is greater than 45°, the tab extends more in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface than in a direction parallel to it. Consequently, an end face of the tab opposite the respective edge on which the tab is formed points more in an axial direction with respect to the bolt axis (or with respect to the insertion direction orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part) than in a radial direction. This allows the tab to bear axially against the shoulder section of the connecting bolt, particularly after the connecting bolt section inserted into the receiving opening has been moved into the locking section of the receiving opening.This contributes to a reliable engagement and overall to a reliable fixing of the connecting bolt in the receiving opening.

[0031] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the tab can have an extension orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part, which increases with increasing distance from the insertion section, at least along a ramp section of the intermediate section. Preferably, this extension increases linearly, i.e., it is proportional to the distance from the insertion section. Due to such a linear increase, the profile of the end face of the tab opposite the respective edge on which the tab is formed within the ramp section exhibits a constant angle to the respective edge, other than 0°, which is preferably between 5° and 10°, and in particular at least substantially 8°.

[0032] In principle, the extension of the tab can be continuous along its entire length, perpendicular to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part. However, the increase in extension can also be limited to the aforementioned ramp section. Preferably, the ramp section extends over at least one-third, and in particular not more than two-thirds, of the length of the tab along the longitudinal direction and / or includes an end of the intermediate section on the insertion section side.

[0033] Due to the increasing extension of the tab orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part, the tab can increasingly fill the constricted section of the connecting bolt's connecting section axially with respect to the bolt axis (or with respect to the aforementioned insertion direction orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part). In particular, this allows the connecting bolt, when moved from the insertion section along its longitudinal direction to the locking section of the receiving opening, to be continuously drawn deeper into the receiving opening by the tabs at both edges of the receiving opening, resulting in a particularly tight and secure connection between the two sheet metal parts.

[0034] According to an advantageous further development of the foregoing embodiment, a plateau section can adjoin the ramp section in the direction of the locking section, along which the extent of the tab remains constant orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part. Preferably, the plateau section extends over at least one-third, and in particular not more than two-thirds, of the length of the tab along the longitudinal direction and / or includes an end of the intermediate section on the locking section side. Such a plateau section prevents the tab from being supported essentially only at a single point on the shoulder section of the connecting section of the connecting bolt.Furthermore, the plateau section ensures that when the connecting bolt's connecting section is inserted into the receiving opening, it actually reaches the locking section of the receiving opening along the longitudinal direction of the connecting bolts. This helps to ensure that its position along the longitudinal direction is then reliably and unambiguously fixed.

[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the tab has a maximum extent orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part, which, in the manner of an interference fit, is greater than the extent of the constriction section of the locking bolt along the bolt axis. With this design, the respective tab can be clamped in an axial direction with respect to the bolt axis (or with respect to the aforementioned insertion direction) between the shoulder section and an opposite boundary of the constriction section of the connecting bolt, wherein this opposite boundary can be formed, in particular, by the contact surface of the second sheet metal part.

[0036] The tab can have its maximum extent perpendicular to the contact surface, particularly in the area of ​​a transition from the intermediate section to the locking section. The tab can also extend into the locking section, whereby its extent perpendicular to the contact surface may decrease again to create a kind of engagement of the connecting bolt in the locking section. If the extent does not decrease again, it preferably remains constant within the locking section.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferred if the receiving opening is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction (more precisely: with respect to a mirror plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part).

[0038] The invention will be further explained below by way of example only, with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet metal joint according to the invention from a view parallel to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part. Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment from a view orthogonal to the contact surface of the first sheet metal part. Fig. 3 shows the same embodiment in a sectional view in a not yet fully joined state. Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment in a sectional view in a joined state. Fig. 5 shows the same embodiment in the Fig. 3 The not yet fully connected state is shown in a perspective view. Fig. 6 shows the same embodiment in the state shown in Fig. 4 The connected state shown in a perspective view.

[0039] The figures show the same embodiment of a sheet metal connection 11 according to the invention in different views, particularly from different perspectives, and in various states. The sheet metal connection 11 comprises a first sheet metal part 13, which is connected to a second sheet metal part 15. The first sheet metal part 13 and the second sheet metal part 15 are each designed as elongated profiles with identical cross-sections and C-shaped profiles. This shape is particularly advantageous in Fig. 1 to be seen in which the sheet metal connection 11 is shown from a viewing direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the sheet metal parts 13, 15 (and thus perpendicular to their cross-section).

[0040] The C-shape of the cross-section has a planar central section 17 and two edge sections 19 that are oriented orthogonally to the central section 17. A surface of the central section 17, which faces away from an inner region of the cross-section largely enclosed by the C-shape, forms a flat contact surface 21 or 23 of the respective sheet metal part 13 or 15. In the connected state, which is in the Fig. 1, 2 , 4 and 6 As shown, the first sheet metal part 13 rests with its contact surface 21 against the contact surface 23 of the second sheet metal part 15.

[0041] The first sheet metal part 13 and the second sheet metal part 15 are each designed as an end profile of a wall or ceiling element for drywall or lightweight steel construction. For this purpose, the edge sections 19 are each clad with one or more wall panels (not shown). Using the sheet metal connection 11 according to the invention, the two sheet metal parts 13, 15 can be butted together at their contact surfaces 21, 23 to connect two wall or ceiling elements, without the aforementioned inner area of ​​the respective profile needing to be accessed and thus without any part of the cladding needing to remain open or be opened.

[0042] As especially in the Fig. 2 , in which the sheet metal connection 11 is shown from a view perpendicular to the contact surfaces 21, 23 from the side of the first sheet metal part 13, as well as in the perspective view of the Figs. 5 and 6As can be seen, the sheet metal connection 11 includes a receiving opening 25 formed in the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13. The receiving opening 25 has an elongated shape and extends along a longitudinal direction L parallel to the contact surface 21 from an insertion section 27 to a locking section 29, which thus form the end sections of the longitudinal extent of the receiving opening 25. The longitudinal direction L is aligned parallel to the longitudinal extent of the first sheet metal part 13, orthogonal to which the first sheet metal part 13 has the aforementioned C-shaped cross-section throughout. The receiving opening 25 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane parallel to the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13.

[0043] The insertion section 27 of the receiving opening 25 has a width—i.e., an extent along a transverse direction Q that is parallel to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13 and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L—that is greater than the width of the locking section 29 of the receiving opening 25. An intermediate section 31 of the receiving opening 25, which extends substantially from the insertion section 27 to the locking section 29, is bounded with respect to the transverse direction Q by two opposing edges 33, each of which has a straight course and whose distance from each other decreases in the direction of the locking section (see in particular Figure 1). Fig. 2 ). As a result, the width of the receiving opening 25 decreases continuously along the intermediate section 31.

[0044] A tab 35 is formed on each of the two edges 33, which – with the respective edge 33 as the bending edge – is bent over relative to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13 in the opposite direction to that in which the contact surface 21 points. As a result, the tabs 35 project into the aforementioned inner area from the respective edge 33 (see, for example, Figure 1). Figs. 3 and 4 ; in Fig. 2 (The tabs 35 protrude towards the viewer). As particularly in Fig. 1As can be seen, the tabs 35 are not aligned at an angle of 90° to the contact surface 21, but are bent at an angle of approximately 70° relative to an alignment that would be flush with the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13. Because the angle is greater than 45°, however, the end face 37 of each tab 35 opposite the respective edge 33 points more in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 21 than in a direction parallel to the contact surface 21.

[0045] As can be seen particularly in the cross-sectional views of the Figs. 3 and 4As can be seen, the tabs 35 do not have a constant extent in the direction orthogonal to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13. Rather, this extent initially increases with increasing distance from the insertion section 27, starting from an insertion-section-side end of the intermediate section 31 along a ramp section 39, before remaining constant along a plateau section 41, which adjoins the ramp section 39 in the direction of the locking section 29 and extends to the locking-section-side end of the intermediate section 31 (see in particular Fig. 3 and 5 ).

[0046] The sheet metal connection 11 further comprises a connecting bolt 43, which extends along a bolt axis and is designed to be attached to the contact surface 23 of the second sheet metal part 15 with a fastening section 45 such that it projects orthogonally from the contact surface 23 with a connecting section 47 (see in particular the cross-sectional views of the Figs. 3 and 4In the example shown, the connecting bolt 43 is designed like a screw and has a sleeve 49 that is at least substantially hollow cylindrical, through which the connecting bolt 43 extends with its fastening section 45. The fastening section 45 has a thread and is self-drilling, so that the connecting bolt 43 can simply be screwed into the bearing surface 23 of the second sheet metal part 15. This axially locks the sleeve 49 with respect to the bolt axis between a head section 51 of the connecting bolt 43 and the bearing surface 23 of the second sheet metal part 15. The sleeve 49 then forms (optionally together with the head section 51) the connecting section 47, with which the connecting bolt 43 projects from the bearing surface 23.

[0047] The sleeve 49 has a flange-like expansion in its diameter at the end of its axial extension facing the head section 51, forming a shoulder section 53 of the connecting section 47 of the connecting bolt 43. The remaining part of the sleeve 49 has a smaller diameter and forms a constriction section 55 of the connecting section 47 of the connecting bolt 43.

[0048] In principle, the connecting bolt 43 could also be designed without a sleeve 49. In this case, the shoulder section 53 could then be formed by the head section 51 or by a part of the head section 51, while the constriction section 55 is formed by a section of the connecting bolt 43 arranged between the fastening section 47 and the head section 51 and adjacent to the head section 51, which has a smaller diameter compared to the head section 51.

[0049] The diameter of the shoulder section 53 is smaller than the width of the insertion section 27 of the receiving opening 25, but larger than the width of the locking section 29 of the receiving opening 25, while the diameter of the constriction section 55 corresponds at least substantially to the width of the locking section 29. This allows the connecting bolt 43 with its connecting section 47 to be inserted into the receiving opening 25 along an insertion direction parallel to the bolt axis in the area of ​​the insertion section 27 (see Figure 1). Fig. 3 and 5 ) and then be moved along the longitudinal direction L to the area of ​​the locking section 29 (see Fig. 4 and 6In the position then assumed, the locking bolt 43 cannot be removed from the receiving opening 25 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, since the shoulder section 53 engages behind the receiving opening 25 in the area of ​​its locking section 29. In this way, the second sheet metal part 15 is then positively connected to the first sheet metal part 13.

[0050] The width of the locking section 29 of the receiving opening 25 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the constriction section 55 of the connecting section 47 of the connecting bolt 43, similar to an interference fit. This ensures that the connecting bolt 43, when inserted from the insertion section 27 into the locking section 29 of the receiving opening 25, is clamped on both sides by its constriction section 55. This precisely determines the position of the second sheet metal part 15 relative to the first sheet metal part 13 with respect to the transverse direction Q. Furthermore, this secures the connecting bolt 43 against displacement in the opposite direction towards the insertion section 27, where it could otherwise exit the receiving opening 25.

[0051] When the connecting bolt 43 is moved towards the locking section 29, the tabs 35 formed on the edges 33 of the intermediate section 31 of the receiving opening 25 engage in the constricted section 55 of the connecting bolt 43. Due to the increasing extension of the tabs 35 orthogonal to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13, the locking bolt 43 is drawn into the receiving opening 25 until it reaches the plateau section 41 (see in particular the figure). Figs. 3 and 4 ). In this way, the contact surfaces 21, 23 of the two sheet metal parts 13, 15 are pulled against each other when joined, so that the two sheet metal parts 13, 15 are also positioned precisely with respect to a direction orthogonal to the contact surfaces 21, 23.

[0052] Furthermore, the fact that the aforementioned extension of the tabs 35, perpendicular to the contact surface 21 of the first sheet metal part 13, is slightly larger than the axial extension of the constriction section 55, similar to an interference fit, can contribute to this effect. This clamping action secures the tabs 35 between the shoulder section 53 and the contact surface 23 of the second sheet metal part 15, further contributing to the aforementioned positive locking of the connecting bolt 43 in the locking section 29. Due to the described orientation of the tabs 35, the end faces 37 of the tabs 35 are pressed axially against the shoulder section 53, rather than radially against the constriction section 55. This clamps the tabs 35 particularly reliably and largely prevents them from deforming and thus avoiding the connecting bolt 43.

[0053] Furthermore, the second sheet metal part 15 can also be fixed in its position along the longitudinal direction L relative to the first sheet metal part 13 when joining them, since the connecting bolt 43 attached to the second sheet metal part 15 can only be moved within the receiving opening 25 up to the end of the locking section 29, but not beyond. However, a fix along the longitudinal direction L may be comparatively less important, especially when joining two wall elements for which the longitudinal direction L is vertically oriented, since the wall elements may already be fixed in the vertical direction by their support on a floor.

[0054] Overall, the inventive design of the sheet metal connection 11 enables a reliable connection of two sheet metal parts 13, 15, for which no access to an interior area of ​​the respective sheet metal part 13 or 15 is required and which is therefore particularly suitable for joining profiles of wall or ceiling elements in drywall or lightweight steel construction. Furthermore, the inventive sheet metal connection 11 can contribute to precise positioning of the two sheet metal parts 13, 15 relative to each other without additional aids, thus advantageously reducing the workload. Reference sign

[0055] 11 Sheet metal joint 13 First sheet metal part 15 Second sheet metal part 17 Middle section 19 Edge section 21 Contact surface of the first sheet metal part 23 Contact surface of the second sheet metal part 25 Receiving opening 27 Insertion section 29 Locking section 31 Intermediate section 33 Edge 35 Tab 37 End face 39 Ramp section 41 Plateau section 43 Connecting bolt 45 Fastening section 47 Connecting section 49 Sleeve 51 Head section 53 Shoulder section 55 Reduction section L Longitudinal direction Q Transverse direction

Claims

1. A sheet metal connection (11) comprising a receiving opening (25), which is formed in a planar contact surface (21) of a first sheet metal part (13), and a connection bolt (43) which extends along a bolt axis and which is configured to be attached with a fastening section (45) to a planar contact surface (23) of a second sheet metal part (15) such that the connection bolt (43) projects with a connection section (47) orthogonally from the contact surface (23) of the second sheet metal part (15), wherein the connection section (47) comprises a constriction section (55) and a shoulder section (53) which adjoins the constriction section (55) along the bolt axis in a direction facing away from the fastening section (43) and which has a larger diameter than the constriction section (55), wherein the receiving opening (25) extends along a longitudinal direction (L), which is parallel to the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13), from an insertion section (27) to a locking section (29), wherein the insertion section (27) has a width transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) that is greater than the diameter of said shoulder section (53) and the locking section (29) has a width transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) that is smaller than the diameter of said shoulder section (53) and preferably at least substantially corresponds to the diameter of said constriction section (55), wherein the receiving opening (25) between the insertion section (27) and the locking section (29) has an intermediate section (31) which is bounded transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) by two mutually opposite edges (33) which each have a straight course and whose distance from one another decreases in the direction of the locking section (29), characterized in that a respective tab (35) is formed at each of the two mentioned edges (33) and is bent over along the respective edge (33) with respect to the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13) so that said tab (35) projects from the respective edge (33) opposite to the direction in which the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13) faces.

2. A sheet metal connection according to claim 1, wherein the width of the locking section (29) of the receiving opening (25) is smaller than the diameter of said constriction section (55) of the connection bolt (43) in the manner of an oversize fit.

3. A sheet metal connection according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab (35) is bent over along the respective edge (33) from an alignment planar with the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13) by an angle which is greater than 45°, preferably amounts to between 60° and 80°, further preferably to between 65° and 75°, in particular to at least substantially 70°.

4. A sheet metal connection according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab (35) has an extent orthogonal to the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13), said extent increasing at least along a ramp section (39) of the intermediate section (31) as the distance from the insertion section (27) increases.

5. A sheet metal connection according to claim 4, wherein a plateau section (41), along which the extent of the tab remains constant orthogonal to the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13), adjoins the ramp section (39) in the direction of the locking section (29).

6. A sheet metal connection according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab (35) has a maximum extent orthogonal to the contact surface (21) of the first sheet metal part (13), said extent being greater than the extent of the constriction section (55) of the locking bolt (43) along the bolt axis in the manner of an oversize fit.

7. A sheet metal connection according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving opening (25) is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction (L).

8. A sheet metal connection according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sheet metal part (13) is configured as an end profile of a wall element or ceiling element for drywall construction or lightweight steel construction, wherein the end profile has a C shape or a U shape having a central section (17) and two edge sections (19) which are oriented orthogonally to the central section (19), wherein the edge sections (17) are each planked with a wall field, and wherein the central section (19) has the contact surface (21) having the receiving opening (25).