T-connection and method for assembling a T-connection

Description

[0001] The present connection relates to a T-connection for a facade or window, comprising a first profile which abuts a second profile at an end face and at least one connecting element which is arranged in a receptacle of the first profile and extends through a wall of the second profile and is fixed to the second profile by means of a fastening means, and a method for assembling a T-connection.

[0002] German patent DE 20 011 197 U1 discloses a T-connection between a mullion profile and a transom profile of a facade, in which a fastener is fixed in a transom via a screw. A connecting pin is provided to secure the transom, which is inserted into a screw channel in the transom. The transoms have a notch and, with a protruding section, cover a receptacle on the mullion. Manufacturing such a T-connection is comparatively complex and involves many assembly steps.

[0003] EP 1 681 398 B1 discloses a T-connection in which T-connectors are fixed to the transom profiles. These T-connectors have a locking tab on a locking section, which is pre-tensioned into the locking position by a spring. This allows the locking sections to be inserted into an opening on the post. This simplifies assembly on the construction site, but fixing the T-connectors and manufacturing them with the locking tabs remains complex.

[0004] DE 34 19 294 A1 discloses a T-connector with a post profile and a mullion profile, in which a base body with two guide bores for collar bolts is arranged in an inner chamber. These bolts are pre-tensioned into a protruding position by a spring so that, in the assembled position, they penetrate a wall of the post profile. The collar bolts are secured in the post profile by cotter pins. Further T-connections are shown in documents GB 2 176 217 A, CN 104695597 A and CN 202017285 U.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a T-connection for a facade or a window and a method for assembling a T-connection which enables the fixing of two profiles of a T-connection using simple means.

[0006] This problem is solved by a T-connection having the features of claim 1 and a method for assembling a T-connection having the features of claim 9.

[0007] The T-connection according to the invention comprises a first profile which abuts a second profile at one end face and at least one connecting element is arranged in a receptacle of the first profile, extends through a wall of the second profile, and is fixed to the second profile by a screw. Before being fixed to the second profile, the at least one connecting element is slidably guided on the receptacle of the first profile and pre-tensioned by a spring element, in particular in a direction towards the second profile. This allows the at least one connecting element to be pre-assembled in the receptacle of the first profile and then, for fixing to the second profile, to be moved along the receptacle from the assembly position to a protruding fastening position via the spring element in order to be fixed to the second profile by means of the screw.This simplifies assembly, as only a few components are needed to securely fix the first profile to the second profile.

[0008] Preferably, the at least one connecting element is fixed to the first profile by means of a further fastening element. This further fastening element can be designed as a screw. The screw allows the first or second profile to be clamped to the connecting element. The head of the screw can be received in a groove in either the first or second profile, so that the fastening elements are not visible or only barely visible from the outside. The groove can be used to insert sealing profiles, so that the screw head is also covered by these.

[0009] The receptacle for guiding the at least one connecting element is designed as a groove or channel extending longitudinally along the first profile. The connecting element can optionally be displaced longitudinally, but not rotated, for example, if the connecting element and the receptacle have a cross-section other than circular. The connecting element can, for example, be designed as an elongated pin, particularly made of metal. The pin can have one or more openings for inserting fasteners. Preferably, the connecting element has at least two spaced-apart openings for inserting one of the fasteners, so that these can be inserted at predetermined positions and the first and second profiles can be provided with openings at these positions.When inserting the fasteners, the connecting element can optionally be spread open to clamp it securely in the receptacle. For this purpose, the fastener can, for example, be designed as a bolt with a slot that allows for such spreading.

[0010] For stable fixation of the first profile to the second profile, two spaced-apart connecting elements can be arranged between the first and second profiles. Each connecting element can be provided in a receptacle, for example, in a channel adjacent to a groove. The first profile can be symmetrical about a central plane parallel to its longitudinal direction, so that a connecting element for fixing the first profile to the second profile is provided on both sides of such a central plane. Alternatively, only a single connecting element can be provided, which is slidably guided in a corresponding groove or receptacle.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first profile and the second profile have the same cross-section, so that the T-connection can be made with few components.

[0012] The T-connection can be used in facades, for example in a post-and-beam construction with butt-cut beam profiles mounted to a post. Alternatively, a notch or recess can be provided in the beam into which a section of the post is inserted. Furthermore, the T-connection can also be used in unitized curtain walls, windows, or doors. Additionally, the T-connection can also be used for furniture or structural elements.

[0013] The first and second profiles are extruded profiles according to the invention, for example made of metal and / or plastic. The profiles can have different visible widths.

[0014] In a method according to the invention for assembling a T-connection, a connecting element is inserted into a receptacle of a first profile against the force of a spring element arranged in the receptacle and then fixed in the inserted position by means of a fastener. Optionally, several connecting elements can each be inserted into and fixed in different receptacles on the first post. In this pre-assembled position, the first profile can be transported to the construction site. The connecting element can be arranged essentially flush with the end face of the first profile and does not protrude. In a next step, the fastener can be released to move the connecting element along the receptacle by means of the force of the spring element, whereby the connecting element is inserted through an opening in a wall of a second profile.The connecting element is then fixed to the second profile using a fastener. This allows for a quick connection between the first and second profiles on the construction site by loosening the fastener on the first profile and fixing the connecting element to the second profile using a fastener. Optionally, two connecting elements are provided on the first profile, each of which is fixed to the second profile using a fastener in the fastening position.

[0015] The connecting element can be fixed to the first profile using a fastener. For example, the fastener used to release the connecting element from its mounting position can be reused after the connecting element has been moved along the length of the first profile to fix the connecting element in a fixed position. For this purpose, the connecting element can be provided with several spaced-apart openings or internal threads, allowing it to be fixed to the first profile in different positions. The fasteners are preferably inserted perpendicular to the direction of movement of the connecting element, and particularly also perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second profiles.

[0016] The first profile preferably has a stop in its recess, against which the spring element is supported. This stop can optionally be formed by a screw or other fastening means. This stop limits the insertion depth of the spring element, which is compressed when the connecting element is inserted.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a T-connection according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view during the assembly of two connecting elements on a first profile; Fig. 3 a view during the fixing of the connecting element on the first profile for a transport position; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the first profile after the two connecting elements have been released; Fig. 5 an exploded view of the T-connection of the Figure 1during assembly; Fig. 6 a detailed view of the fasteners on the first profile, and Fig. 7 a view of the T-connection in the fastening position.

[0018] A T-connection 1 for a facade or window comprises a first profile 2 which abuts a second profile 3 at a truncated end face. The first profile 2 is arranged at a right angle to the second profile 3 with respect to the longitudinal direction of profiles 2 and 3, but an arrangement at a different angle is also possible.

[0019] The first profile 2 is designed as a hollow profile and has a hollow chamber 20, which is essentially rectangular in cross-section. On an outer surface of the first profile 2, where infill elements such as insulating glass units will later be arranged, grooves 22 are provided for fixing sealing profiles. A screw groove 23 is provided between the two grooves 22, to which pressure strips can be fixed using screws or other fasteners. A drainage channel 24 is provided between the screw groove 23 and the grooves 22. Adjacent to a groove base on the side facing away from the groove 22, there is a receptacle 21, which is designed as a closed channel and is provided for inserting a connecting element that is connected to the first profile 2 via first fasteners 7 and to the second profile 3 via second fasteners 8.

[0020] The second profile 3 has the same cross-section as the first profile 2 and comprises a hollow chamber 30 that is essentially rectangular in cross-section. On one outer side of the second profile 3, two grooves 32, a screw groove 33, and drainage channels 36 between each groove 32 and the screw groove 33 are provided. Receptacles 31 in the form of closed channels, extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second profile 3, are provided at the bottom of the groove 32.

[0021] In Figure 2 The first profile 2 is shown in the assembly of two connectors 4. Each connector 4 is designed as an elongated pin that has three openings 40, 41, 42 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction for fasteners 7 or 8. A tool insert 43, for example a slot or Allen key, is formed on one end face of the connector 4 to allow the connector 4 to be rotated within the receptacle 21.

[0022] Two stops 6 are mounted on the first profile 2, each engaging in a receptacle 21. The stops 6 are formed by screws that are screwed into corresponding threaded openings on the bottom of the groove 22. The provision of a stop within the receptacle 21 allows a spring element 5, for example a coil spring or made of an elastic material, to be inserted into the receptacle in the next step. Then, a connecting element 4 can be inserted into each receptacle 21, with the spring element 5 being supported by the stop 6 and compressed when the connecting element 4 is inserted.

[0023] In the Figure 3In the position shown, the connecting elements 4 have been inserted into the receptacles 21 to such an extent that one end face of the connecting elements 4 is essentially flush with an end face of the first profile 2. In this position, the connecting element 4 can be fixed by a fastener 7, which is designed as a screw and is screwed into one of the openings 40, 41, or 42 to fix the connecting element 4 to the first profile 2. In this inserted position of the connecting element, the first profile 2 can be transported to the construction site without the connecting element 4 being an obstruction.

[0024] The first profile 2 can be positioned in the assembly position at the construction site, whereby the respective connecting element 4 is then released from the transport position by loosening the fasteners 7 and moved into a protruding position by the force of the adjacent spring element 5, which is Figure 4shown.

[0025] In Figure 5The first profile 2 is shown in the assembly position adjacent to the second profile 3. The second profile 3 has two openings 35 on a side wall 34, and a connecting element 4 is inserted into each of the two openings 35. After insertion, the connecting element 4 is secured by a fastener 8 in the form of a screw, which is screwed into the opening 42 on the protruding section of the connecting element 4. This clamps the connecting element to the second profile 3. Additionally, the respective connecting element 4 is fixed to the first profile 2 by means of further fasteners 7 in the form of screws, which are inserted into the opening 40 or 41 on the connecting element 4, so that the first profile 2 is also clamped to the connecting element 4.The connecting element 4 can be made of metal for a stable fastening, with the openings 40, 41 and 42 optionally also having an internal thread.

[0026] In Figure 6 The first profile 2 is shown in a transport position, with the bottom of the groove 22 partially omitted. It can be seen that the connecting element 4, in the form of a pin, is fixed by the fastening element 7, in the form of a screw, and that the compressed spring element 5 is positioned between the stop 6 and the connecting element 4. The receptacle 21 has a cross-section that deviates from a circular shape and includes a flattened section to prevent rotation of the connecting element 4, which may optionally be provided with a flattened section or a slot.

[0027] Figure 7The figure shows the fastening position of the two connecting elements 4, with only the left connecting element 4 being fixed to the second profile 3 via a fastener 8 and to the first profile 2 via a fastener 7. It can be seen that the connecting elements 4 extend through the opening 35 in the wall 34 of the second profile 3 and reach to a wall 37 of the receptacle 31. The connecting element 4 is fixed by the fastener 8, which is in the form of a screw that passes through the bottom of the groove 32 and the opening 42 of the connecting element 4, as shown in the detail view of the profile 3 on the right.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, two connecting elements 4 are spaced apart from each other and mounted on the first profile 2, each in a receptacle 21. It is also possible, of course, to guide only a single connecting element 4 slidably along the first profile 2 in a receptacle 21, for example, along grooves within the first profile 2, which then passes through a slot-shaped opening in the wall 34 of the second profile 3. Optionally, more than two connecting elements 4 can be used for a particularly stable fixation of the T-connection.

[0029] The connecting element 4 is formed in one piece, but can also be assembled from several parts, for example with an expanding connection, for a clamping fixation on the first profile 2 and / or the second profile 3.

[0030] In addition, it is also possible to provide a different number of openings on the connecting element 4 instead of three openings 40, 41 and 42, or to arrange a slot in the connecting element 4, so that when loosening the connecting element 4, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the fastening device 7. Reference symbol list

[0031] 1T-connection 2Profile 3Profile 4Connecting element 5Spring element 6Stop 7Fastener 8Fastener 20 Hollow chamber 21 Receptacle 22 Groove 23 Screw groove 24 Drainage channel 30 Hollow chamber 31 Receptacle 32 Groove 33 Screw groove 34 Wall 35 Opening 36 Drainage channel 37 Wall 40 Opening 41 Opening 42 Opening 43 Tool insert

Claims

1. T-joint (1) for a façade or a window, having a first profile (2) that rests against a second profile (3) at one front-side end and having at least one connecting element (4) that is arranged in a receptacle (21) of the first profile (2) and penetrates a wall (34) of the second profile (3) and is fixed to the second profile (3) by means of a fastening means (8), wherein the at least one connecting element (4) is guided in a displaceable manner in the receptacle (21) on the first profile (2) before being fixed to the second profile (3) and is pretensioned by means of a spring element (5), characterized in that the first profile (2) and the second profile (3) are extruded profiles and the receptacle (21) of the first profile (2) is designed as a groove or channel which extends in the longitudinal direction of the first profile (2) and the fastening means (8) is designed as a screw.

2. T-joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (4) is fixed to the first profile (2) by means of a further fastening means (7).

3. T-joint according to claim 2, characterized in that the further fastening means (7) is designed as a screw.

4. T-joint according to claim 3, characterized in that a groove (22, 23) is formed on the first profile (2) and / or the second profile (3), in which a head of the screw is accommodated.

5. T-joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element is designed as an elongated pin.

6. T-joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two spaced-apart openings (40, 41, 42) are provided in the connecting element (4) for inserting one of the fastening means (7, 8).

7. T-joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two spaced-apart connecting elements (4) are arranged between the first profile (2) and the second profile (3).

8. T-joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first profile (2) and the second profile (3) have the same cross-section.

9. Method for assembling a T-joint (1), comprising the following steps of: - inserting a connecting element (4) into a receptacle (21) of a first profile (2) against the force of a spring element (5) arranged in the receptacle (21); - fixing the connecting element (4) in an inserted position using a fastening means (7); - releasing the fastening means (7) and moving the connecting element (4) along the receptacle (21) by the force of the spring element (5) through an opening (35) in a wall (34) of a second profile (3), and - fixing the connecting element (4) to the second profile (3) using a fastening means (8).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting element (4) is fixed to the first profile (2) using a fastening means (7).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the fastening means (7, 8) are inserted into the connecting element (4) substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the connecting element (4).

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that a stop (6) is arranged in the receptacle (21) on the first profile (2), on which the spring element (5) is supported.