T-connector for joining profiles at a right angle

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a T-connector for connecting two hollow profiles of a window or door or of a frame structure of a curtain wall or the like with each other at right angles.

[0002] In particular the invention relates to connecting a profile with a square cut end which is mounted with said end at right angles against a sidewall of another profile and is attached to it to form a corner of a frame for a glass panel or the like.

[0003] For this, profiles are used which on their sidewalls are provided with a lateral inwardly protruding lip which together with the relevant sidewalls form a rebate for mounting a glass panel or the like, the edges of which are hidden behind said lip.

[0004] The glass panel is sealed along its contour by a seal that is attached in a fitting groove which to this end is provided along the free edge of the lip on the inside of the lip facing the glass panel.

[0005] A fitting groove is also provided on said inside of the lip for attaching a T-connector, whereby said fitting groove is delimited on the lip between two upstanding walls, for example the sidewall of the profile and a wall of said fitting groove for the seal and by two ribs facing each other on these walls behind which the T-connector can be hooked and clamped in the desired position.

[0006] For the T-connection the lip of the profile that is attached with its end against the sidewall of the other profile is removed over the width of the lip of the other profile, such that both profiles can join with their lips against each other in the same plane.

[0007] A T-connector in the form of a T-piece with on the one hand a body which fits in the hollow end of the profile to be connected and secured at a right angle and on the other hand with a transverse piece that hooks behind said ribs of the fitting groove on the lip of the other profile, whereby said transverse piece is provided on either side of the body with an eccentric fan-shaped wheel with which the transverse piece can be clamped between the upstanding walls of the fitting groove upon rotation of the wheel, whereby first the one wheel and then the other wheel is tightened.

[0008] However, a disadvantage of such wheel is that upon rotation of the wheel not only a clamping force is exerted perpendicularly to the upstanding walls of the fitting groove, but also a force is exerted which causes the T-piece to shift in the longitudinal direction of the fitting groove, which is not desirable as this causes relative shifts of the profiles resulting in dimensional deviations of the frames composed by the profiles for the glass panels.

[0009] Moreover, by alternately tightening the two wheels said T-connector is subjected to a tilting movement every time, which complicates the correct relative positioning of the profiles to be connected and can also cause possible position deviations.

[0010] T-connectors are also known with one single eccentric wheel with the same disadvantageous consequence of the T-piece shifting laterally in the longitudinal direction of the fitting groove.

[0011] Another disadvantage of only one wheel is that with a load of the T-connection in one direction the wheel is further clamped, but that with a load in the other direction the clamping of the wheel can loosen, which obviously is not desirable.

[0012] DE 10 2015 007804 B3 discloses a T-connector according to the preamble of appended claim 1.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to one or more of the aforementioned and other disadvantages. To this end, the invention relates to a T-connector for connecting two profiles with each other at right angles with at least one hollow chamber and a sidewall and a laterally protruding lip with a fitting groove thereon, delimited by two upstanding walls and by two ribs facing each other on said upstanding walls, respectively a first profile intended to be attached with a squared end against the sidewall of the second profile, characterised in that the T-connector is executed with an essentially beam-shaped body that extends in the longitudinal direction with a first section intended to be clamped in a hollow chamber of the first profile and a second section that is delimited by two opposite transversal side edges and is provided with means to hook and clamp the T-connector in the fitting groove of the second profile, said means being formed by a tooth on one of the transversal side edges, said tooth intended to be hooked behind a rib of the fitting groove and by a slide that is slideably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the essentially beam-shaped body in a chamber between an at least partially retracted position and a more extended position in which the slide protrudes further outward along an opposite transversal side edge to behind the opposite rib of the second fitting groove and wherein the T-connector is provided with a wheel with an eccentrically placed cam to move the slide.

[0014] This provides the advantage that the T-connector can be clamped with only one single movement.

[0015] Another advantage is that by clamping using the slide no lateral forces are exerted on the T-connector, such that the T-connector, when the slide is tensioned is not moved laterally and a correct lateral positioning is guaranteed.

[0016] This also provides the advantage that the T-connector has only few components.

[0017] According to the invention, the T-connector is provided with a wheel with an eccentrically placed cam to push the slide outward from the retracted position out of the chamber upon rotation of the wheel, further away from the transversal side edge with the tooth.

[0018] The chamber possesses an outer wall that is intended to be mounted facing the lip and an opposite inner wall, whereby the wheel is mounted in the chamber and rotatably mounted with bearings in a passage in the inner wall around a shaft perpendicular to said inner wall.

[0019] In this way the shaft of the wheel in the mounted condition of the T-connector is accessible for rotation from the inside.

[0020] To this end the shaft of the wheel is provided with a central notch on the inside for a screwdriver or another tool to be able to rotate the wheel.

[0021] Optionally the chamber with the slide can be provided with an injection hole to inject glue in the chamber after mounting of the T-connector to thus provide extra locking of the wheel in its clamping position.

[0022] Preferably, the outer wall of the chamber is partially open to spread the glue injected in the chamber up to the lip of the second profile to thus obtain a stronger T-connection.

[0023] A T-connection can be made between two said profiles, whereby a T-connector according to the invention is applied which with its first section is attached in a chamber of the first profile and with its second section is attached against the lip of the second profile in the fitting groove on said lip, whereby the tooth is hooked behind a rib of the fitting groove and the slide is hooked behind and clamped to the opposite rib of the fitting groove between the upstanding walls of the fitting groove.

[0024] Preferably the lip of the second profile is removed over a length corresponding with the width of the lip of the first profile, whereby the profiles are mounted with their lips in the same plane against each other.

[0025] Preferably the first and second profile of the T-connection are identical profiles with the same cross-section or profiles of the same type.

[0026] With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of a T-connector according to the invention is described hereinafter, by way of an example without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a T-connection between two hollow profiles in which a T-connector according to the invention is applied for the connection; figure 2 shows the T-connection of figure 1 in disassembled condition; figure 3 shows the T-connector according to the invention indicated in figure 2 with F3 on a larger scale; figure 4 shows a rear view of the T-connector of figure 3; figure 5 shows a view of the T-connector of figure 4 in disassembled condition; figure 6 shows a cross-section according to line VI-VI in figure 2; figure 7 shows a cross-section according to line VII-VII in figure 6; figure 8 shows the cross-section of figure 7, but in another position; figure 9 shows a cross-section according to line IX-IX in figure 1.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a T-connection 1 between two hollow profiles from aluminium or the like which are connected at right angles, respectively a first profile 2 and second profile 3 with hollow chambers 4, whereby in the example shown the two profiles possess the same cross-section.

[0028] The profiles 2 and 3 are identical profiles in this case, each with a sidewall 5 with a lateral inwardly protruding lip 6 on it.

[0029] Together these profiles 2 and 3 form a corner of a frame structure of a façade or the like in which a panel, for example a glass panel, can be mounted with its edges hidden behind the lip 6 of the profiles 2 and 3.

[0030] The profiles 2 and 3 are connected in such a way that the lips 6 connect with each other at right angles in the same plane.

[0031] To this end, the lip 6 and the outer wall 7 of the first profile 2 are removed over a length A which corresponds with the width B of the second profile 3 as shown in figure 2.

[0032] It is noted that the concepts inside and outside are related to the inside and the outside of the façade or window or door and to parts facing toward this inside or outside in mounted condition.

[0033] On their inward facing side the lips 6 are provided along their free edge with a first fitting groove 8 for mounting an outside seal (not shown) for the outward sealing of the panel along its contour.

[0034] On this same side the lips 6 are provided with a wider second fitting groove 9 which is delimited by two upstanding walls, in this case a first upstanding wall 10 formed by the sidewall 5 of the profiles 2 and 3 and a second upstanding wall 11 formed by an upstanding wall of the first fitting groove 8 and by two ribs 12 facing each other on these upstanding walls 10 and 11 which define an opening with a width C of the second fitting groove 9.

[0035] The profiles 2 and 3 are connected by two connectors, i.e. on the inside a classic inside connector 13 of a known type and on the outside a T-connector 14 according to the invention.

[0036] As is known, the inside connector 13 is attached with one end in a fitting groove 15 of the second profile 3 and extends with its body in a hollow chamber 4a on the inside of the profile 3 in which in mounted condition it is attached in the traditional manner by means of a clamp and a punching screw 16 which is screwed in the connector through a perforation in the profile 3.

[0037] The T-connector 14 according to the invention on the other hand is intended to be clamped with a first section 18 in the hollow chamber 4b on the outside of the first profile 2 by means of screws or pegs 19 which are secured through a perforation 20 in seats in said first section 18 of the T-connector 14 as shown in figure 9, and, to be clamped with a second section 22 in the second fitting groove 9 on the inside of the lip 6 of the second profile 3 as shown in the figures 4 and 6.

[0038] To this end the T-connector 14 is executed as an essentially beam-shaped body, the first section 18 of which is separated from the second section by a transversal groove 23 mounted in the lips 6 facing to the outside 24 of the T-connector 14, whereby the T-connector engages with said transversal groove 23 over the first fitting groove 8 of the second profile 3.

[0039] On a transversal side edge 25, in this case on the side edge 25 facing the groove 23, the second section 22 is provided with a tooth 26 which during mounting is intended to be hooked behind a rib 12 of the second fitting groove 9, in this case behind the rib 12 closest to the first fitting groove 8.

[0040] The second section 22 of the T-connector 14 is provided with a slide 27 which in the longitudinal direction X-X' of the essentially beam-shaped body of the T-connector 14 is slideable in a chamber 28 provided in the second section 22 of the T-connector 14 which is delimited by an outer wall 28a facing the lip 6 and an opposite inner wall 28.

[0041] The slide 27 is slideable between a retracted mounting position as shown in figure 8 and an extended clamping position as shown in figure 7, whereby in said clamping position the slide 27 is slid more outward relative to the mounting position in a direction further away from the transversal side edge 25a with the tooth 26 and thereby partially protrudes from the opposite transversal side edge 25b of the second section 22 of the T-connector 14.

[0042] The distance D between the opposite transversal side edges 25a and 25b is less than the width C of the opening between the opposite ribs 12 of the second fitting groove 9 of the second profile 3.

[0043] The slide 27 is slideable by means of a wheel 29 which is preferably rotatably mounted with bearings in a passage 28b' in the inner wall 28b of the chamber 28 around a Y-Y' shaft perpendicular to said inner wall 28b and which is provided with an eccentrically placed cam 30 which upon rotation can push the slide 27 from the retracted position of figure 8 outward into the clamping position of figure 7.

[0044] The cam 30 is thereby, for example, rotatable over a quarter turn, for example up to a stop 31, to which end the wheel 29 is for example provided with a central notch 32 for use of a screwdriver or another tool to be able to rotate the wheel 29 when the T-connector 14 is placed with its second section 22 in the second fitting groove 9 as shown in figure 2.

[0045] The slide 27 is placed such that in its clamping position it hooks behind the rib 12 of the second fitting groove 9 on the sidewall 5 of the second profile 3 as shown in figure 6. To this end the outer wall 28a is partially open such that the slide 27 lies with a flat side in the same plane as the outside of the outer wall 28a and the thickness of the section of the slide 27 protruding from the chamber 28 is thinner than the available depth of the second fitting groove 9 behind the rib 12.

[0046] By rotating the wheel 29 the second section 22 of the T-connector 14 is clamped between the upstanding walls 10 and 11 of the second fitting groove 9 on the lip of the second profile 3 because the slide 27 slides out.

[0047] It is clear that it is not excluded that the clamping position is reached without having to turn the wheel 29 a full quarter turn, for example as a result of manufacturing tolerances or by the design of the cam.

[0048] The T-connector 14 can be provided with locking means 33 to lock the wheel 29 in the clamping position, for example in the form of a toothing 33a on the wheel 29 and a co-operating toothing 33b in the chamber 28.

[0049] To have a better grip on the upstanding walls 10 and 11 in the lateral direction when clamping, said side edge 25 and / or the outward facing edge 27a of the slide 27 can be provided with a serration with one or more teeth, respectively teeth 34 and / or 35, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall 28b of the chamber 28 in the second section 22 of the T-connector 14.

[0050] The inner wall 28b can be provided with an injection hole 36 through which glue can be injected in the chamber 28 to fill the chamber 28 with glue.

[0051] Because the outer wall 28a is partially open, the glue can be spread up to the lip 6 of the second profile 3 such that an even tighter connection is obtained.

[0052] In the bottom of the transversal groove 23 a window 37 is cut away to be able to check during the mounting that the tooth 26 is properly hooked behind the rib 12 and also to be able to check the correct lateral alignment of the T-connector.

[0053] It is clear that in the mounting position of figure 8 the slide 27 does not necessarily need to be retracted completely in the chamber 28, but does have to be sufficiently retracted to be able to position the T-connector 14 in the second fitting groove 9 to subsequently be able to clamp the T-connector 14.

[0054] It is also clear that the tooth 26 can be located on the side edge 25b instead of on the side edge 25a and that the slide 27 in that case can be pushed outward along the edge 25a to the transversal groove 23.

[0055] As appears from the figures, the body of the T-connector does not necessarily have the form of a full beam but an elongated form which in terms of use possesses the same functionality and particularly on its outward facing side defines a plane that is divided by the transversal groove 23 in a plane of the first section 18 of the T-connector 14 and in a plane of the second section 22.

[0056] Although in the figures the first profile 2 is shown as a vertical mullion and the second profile 3 as a transom, it is not excluded that the first profile 2 is executed as a transom which is attached against the second profile 3 in the form of a mullion.

[0057] In short it can be stated that the T-connector 14 is executed with an essentially beam-shaped body with a first section and a second section and on one side a flat section with a transversal groove 23 therein between the first section 18 and the second section 22, whereby the second section 18 is delimited by two transversal side edges (25) which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X-X' of the essentially beam-shaped body and said second section 18 is provided with means to hook and clamp the T-connector 14, said means being formed by a tooth 26 on one of the transversal side edges 25 and by a slide 27 which is slideably mounted in a chamber 28 of said second section 18 which is open along the transversal side edge 25 opposite the transversal side edge 25 with the tooth 26, whereby the slide 27 is slideable from an at least partially retracted position to a more extended position in which the slide 27 is pushed further away from the side edge 25 with the tooth 26 out of the chamber 28 and in which the T-connector 14 is provided with locking means to lock the slide 27 in said more extended position.

[0058] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the figures, but a T-connection according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. T-connector for connecting two profiles (2, 3) with each other at right angles with at least one hollow chamber (4) and a sidewall (5) and a laterally protruding lip (6) with a fitting groove (9) thereon, delimited by two upstanding walls (10, 11) and by two ribs (12) facing each other on these upstanding walls (10, 11), respectively a first profile (2) intended to be attached with a squared end against the sidewall (5) of the second profile (3), wherein the T-connector (14) is executed with an essentially beam-shaped body that extends in the longitudinal direction (X-X') with a first section (18) intended to be clamped in a hollow chamber (4) of the first profile (2) and a second section (22) that is delimited by two opposite transversal side edges (25) and is provided with means to hook and clamp the T-connector (14) in the fitting groove (9) of the second profile (3), said means being formed by a tooth (26) on one of the transversal side edges (25), said tooth (26) intended to be hooked behind a rib (12) of the fitting groove (9) characterised in that said means to hook and clamp are further formed by a slide (27) that is slideably mounted in the longitudinal direction (X-X') of the essentially beam-shaped body in a chamber (28) between an at least partially retracted position and a more extended position in which the slide (27) protrudes further outward along an opposite transversal side edge (25) to behind the opposite rib (12) of the second fitting groove (9), whereby the chamber (28) is provided with an opening for the slide (27) and whereby the T-connector is provided with a wheel (29) with an eccentrically placed cam to move the slide (27).

2. T-connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the second section is separated from the first section (18) by a transversal groove (23) and that the tooth (26) is located in the transversal groove (23).

3. T-connector according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the wheel (29) is rotatably mounted in the second section (22) of the body of the T-connector.

4. T-connector according to claim 3, characterised in that the wheel (29) is provided with a notch (32) for a screwdriver or another tool to be able to rotate the wheel (29).

5. T-connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that it is provided with an injection hole (36) to be able to inject glue in the chamber (28).

6. T-connector according to claim 5, characterised in that the chamber (28) is partially open to spread the glue injected in the chamber (28) up to the lip (6) of the second profile (3).

7. T-connector according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is provided with locking means (33) to lock the slide (27) in the extended position and to clamp it between the upstanding walls (10, 11) of the fitting groove (9).

8. T-connector according to claim 7, characterised in that the locking means (33) are formed by a toothing (33a) on the wheel (29) and a co-operating toothing (33b) in the chamber (28) .

9. T-connector according to any one of the claims 3 to 8, characterised in that it is provided with a stop (31) for the rotational movement of the wheel (29) with the cam (30).

10. T-connector according to claim 9, characterised in that the stop (31) corresponds with a position in which the slide (27) is pushed outward out of the chamber (28) as far as possible.

11. T-connector according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the transversal side edge (25) with the tooth (26) and / or the outward facing edge of the slide (27) are provided with teeth (34, 35) which are able to engage in the second profile (3) upon mounting the T-connector.