Joining means for joining a first part to a rectangular tube or beam

Abstract

A connector for joining a part to a rectangular tube or beam, in particular a side panel, headboard, or footboard of a bed to a bed support. The connector has a first receiving element and a second receiving element, which form a receptacle for the tube or beam and which can be moved relative to each other between a first position, in which the tube or beam can be clamped in the receptacle between the first receiving element and the second receiving element for connecting the connector to the tube or beam, and a second position, in which the tube or beam can be inserted into the receptacle or removed from the receptacle, wherein the connector has a guide that determines the direction of movement of the first receiving element and the second receiving element from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to connecting means for connecting a first part to a rectangular tube or beam, in particular for connecting a side part, a head part, or a foot part of a bed to a support of a bed. The invention also relates to a bed, in particular a medical bed, in which a side part, a head part, and / or a foot part of the bed is connected to a support of the bed via at least one connecting means.

[0002] Such a connecting means and such a bed are known from document EP 3 473 228 B1. The connecting means has a plate with two hooks for engaging holes in a rectangular tube of a bed frame, namely an upper hook and a lower hook. The holes in the rectangular tube are provided in an upper wall and in a front side wall. The hooks are inserted into the holes. The upper hook has a trapezoidal section that is inserted into the upper hole. This section is therefore somewhat narrower at its free end than at its base. When the section is inserted into the upper hole, the upper hook wedges itself into the upper hole when the hook is moved into the hole. A trapezoidal notch is provided between a section of the lower hook and its base, into which an edge of the lower hole dips when the lower hook is inserted into the lower hole.The edge of the hole wedges into the notch when the edge is moved into the notch.

[0003] The connecting device has a clamping lever with a cam, which can be used to move the plate with the two hooks against the rectangular tube in the vertical transverse direction. The clamping lever can be moved between a first position in which the connecting device can be detached from the rectangle or attached to the rectangular tube, and a second position in which the connecting device is firmly connected to the rectangular tube. A spring-loaded latch is attached to the clamping lever. In the second position, this prevents the clamping lever from being accidentally moved into the first position. It must be retracted if the clamping lever is to be released.

[0004] Drilling the holes into the rectangular tube for the hooks is a complex process. Another disadvantage is the trapezoidal shape of the upper hook and the notch on the lower hook. While this ensures a secure connection, even horizontally across the rectangular tube, as long as the fastener is attached to the rectangular tube, the wedge effect can be so strong that the plate with the hooks can only be removed from the rectangular tube with considerable force.

[0005] Although document EP 3 473 228 B1 also states that the connecting means could be designed such that hook-shaped engagement portions could be provided additionally or alternatively, which could engage around a frame of the bed, a specific embodiment of such a connecting means is not described.

[0006] Document US 2007 / 136947 A1 discloses a connecting means with a clamping lever acting on a bolt. One end of the bolt has a stop surface. The connecting means from document US 2007 / 136947 A1 has a receptacle, but not two receptacle elements that together form this receptacle. The connecting means from document US 2007 / 136947 A1 has only one receptacle element, which is referred to in document US 2007 / 136947 A1 as " rail receiving channel block" (see paragraph

[0016] ). This receiving element forms a receptacle (" rail receiving channel" ) for the beam (see paragraph

[0017] , last sentence). The receptacle is described in the entire paragraph

[0017] of document D1. The bolt 30 forms a clamping element with which the beam 14 is held clamped in the receptacle RC of the receptacle element 40a. The beam 14 is clamped between the end 32 of the bolt 30 and the section 44d of the receptacle element 40a.

[0007] Document JP H 03182208 A describes a connector having two hooks that can be moved relative to one another and grip above and below a rectangular tube. The ends of the hooks grip behind the rectangular tube. These hooks can be pulled relative to one another, clamping them to the rectangular tube. A spring pulls the upper hook against the lower hook. There is no clamping in the horizontal transverse direction of the rectangular tube. Therefore, the connector may, under certain circumstances, move transversely of the rectangular tube. The connection between the connector and the rectangular tube can be released easily and without great effort.

[0008] The object of the invention was to propose, starting from the connecting means known from the document JP H 03182208 A, a connecting means for connecting a first part to a rectangular tube or beam, which causes a clamping both in the horizontal and in the vertical transverse direction and which can be released from the rectangular tube or beam in a simple manner and without any particular effort.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the connecting means has a guide which specifies the direction of movement of the first receiving element and the second receiving element from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

[0010] The guide determines how the receiving elements are moved relative to each other to clamp the pipe or beam, and in which directions the clamping forces act. At the same time, the guide determines how the receiving elements must be moved when the clamp is released. A wedge effect is not utilized. A fixation of two receiving elements or hooks or hook-shaped engagement elements achieved by a wedge effect, as used in the connecting means described in document EP 3 473 228 B1, does not need to be released.

[0011] The first receiving element and the second receiving element can each have a first contact surface. The first contact surface of the first receiving element and the first contact surface of the second receiving element form two opposite sides of the receptacle. These first contact surfaces are intended to bear against the pipe or beam on opposite sides, for example an upper side, when the connecting means is connected to the pipe or beam. The first contact surfaces can be closer together in the first position than in the second position. When changing from the second position to the first position, the first contact surfaces are moved towards each other. The first contact surfaces bear against the opposite sides of the pipe or beam and are pressed against the sides with a clamping force.

[0012] The first receiving element and the second receiving element can each have a second contact surface and / or a third contact surface. The second contact surfaces and third contact surfaces are preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first contact surfaces in the first position. The second contact surfaces are intended to bear against the pipe or beam on opposite sides when there is a connection between the connecting means and the pipe or beam. The same applies to the third contact surfaces. These are also intended to bear against the pipe or beam on opposite sides when there is a connection between the connecting means and the pipe or beam. These are preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the sides of the pipe on which the first contact surfaces bear.Preferably, a second and a third contact surface are provided to bear against one side, for example the left side, and the other second and third contact surface are provided to bear against an opposite side of the tube or the beam, for example the right side.

[0013] The second contact surface of the first receiving element and the second contact surface of the second receiving element can then form two mutually opposite sections on the sides of the receiver, for example, the first receiving element can form the second contact surface on the left side and the second receiving element on the right side of the receiver. The second contact surfaces are preferably closer together in the first position than in the second position. When changing from the second position to the first position, the second contact surfaces are moved towards each other. The second contact surfaces rest on the opposite sides of the pipe or beam and are pressed against the sides with a clamping force.

[0014] The third contact surface of the first receiving element and the third contact surface of the second receiving element can form two opposite sections on the sides of the receiver, for example, the first receiving element can form the second contact surface on the left side and the second receiving element on the right side of the receiver. The third contact surfaces can also be closer together in the first position than in the second position. When changing from the second position to the first position, the third contact surfaces are also moved towards each other. In doing so, the third contact surfaces also rest on the opposite sides of the pipe or beam and are pressed against the sides with a clamping force.

[0015] The guide of the connecting means, which is intended to guide the receiving elements when changing from the first position to the second position or vice versa, can have at least one, but preferably two, guide rails. For example, the first receiving element can have a first guide rail, and a sliding block attached to the second receiving element can be arranged in this first guide rail. The first guide rail is oriented such that, upon movement into the first position, the first contact surfaces, in particular, are moved toward one another and the second contact surfaces are moved toward one another.Furthermore, the first receiving element can have a second link and a second link block fastened to the second receiving element can be arranged in this second link, wherein the second link is aligned such that upon movement into the first position the first contact surfaces are moved towards one another and the third contact surfaces are moved towards one another.

[0016] The guides of the two guide rails can be inclined, at least in sections, toward the second and third contact surfaces and can run diagonally relative to them. The two guide rails can be inclined in opposite directions relative to the second and third contact surfaces. The guide rails can have a straight or curved profile.

[0017] The connecting means may comprise a clamping lever, which, when actuated, can effect movement from the second position to the first position. The clamping lever may comprise a cam, via which, upon actuation, a force is exerted on the first or second receiving element, pressing the first and second receiving elements against the rectangular tube or the rectangular beam when actuated to move the receiving elements from the second to the first position.

[0018] The clamping connection between the connecting element and the rectangular tube or beam can be easily made and released by almost anyone without tools using the clamping lever.

[0019] In particular, the ability to easily detach the connection without tools may be undesirable. Instead, a solid connection that can only be removed with tools may be desirable.

[0020] As an alternative to a clamping lever, another clamping element can be provided with which the movement from the second position to the first position can be effected when it is actuated. This alternative clamping element can have a drive, in particular a screw head drive, to which a tool, in particular a screwdriver, a wrench or the like, can be attached in order to actuate the clamping element. The clamping element can be a screw. The screw can be guided through a threaded hole in the first receiving element and the tip of the screw shaft can rest against the second receiving element. By turning the screw, the first receiving element and the second receiving element can be moved relative to one another and from the second position to the first position.By loosening the screw, it is possible to move the first receiving element and the second receiving element from the first position to the second position. Instead of a screw connection between the clamping means and the first receiving element, a bayonet lock could be provided, by means of which a clamping means, for example a bolt-shaped one, can be moved between two positions relative to the first receiving element.

[0021] The connecting means may have connecting structures for connecting to the first part. The connecting means may be fixed and non-detachable, detachable only with tools, or connected to the first part in another way.

[0022] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. They show:Fig. 1a front view of a first variant of a connecting means in a first position of a first receiving element and a second receiving element relative to one another, Fig. 1a front view of the first variant of the connecting means in a second position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, Fig. 2a rear view of the first variant of the connecting means in the first position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, Fig. 2a rear view of the first variant of the connecting means in the second position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, Fig. 3a perspective view of the first variant of the connecting means in the first position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, Fig.Fig. 3a is a perspective view of the first variant of the connecting means in the second position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the first variant of the connecting means, Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a clamping lever of the first variant, and Fig. 6 is a front view of the first variant of the connecting means and a rectangular tube which are connected to one another, Fig. 7 is a rear view of a second variant of the connecting means in the second position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second variant of the connecting means in the second position of the first receiving element and the second receiving element relative to one another.

[0023] It is not necessary for a device according to the invention to have all of the features described below. It is also possible for a device according to the invention to have only individual features of the variants described below. The features that the first variant and the second variant have are described below. If only one variant has certain features, this is described.

[0024] The variants of the connecting means according to the invention can be used to attach a first part to a rectangular tube R or a beam.

[0025] The variants of the connecting means according to the invention comprise, in addition to the first receiving element 1, the second receiving element 2, and in the first variant the clamping lever 3 or, in the second variant, a screw 3a instead of the clamping lever, two screws 41 and two sleeve nuts 42a.

[0026] The first receiving element 1 and the second receiving element 2 are made of sheet metal. The receiving elements 1, 2 are cut out of the sheet metal with an outer contour and provided with elongated holes. The two receiving elements 1, 2 each have a substantially rectangular base 19, 29.

[0027] To produce the first receiving element 1, the cut-out piece of sheet metal provided with the elongated holes was bent so that it has a projecting leg 16 which is connected to the base 19.

[0028] The leg 16 has slots 17, 18 that serve to connect the connecting means to the first part. The connection is arbitrary for the purposes of the invention and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0029] The first receiving element 1 has at its upper end an arm which projects from the base 19 to the left and whose free end is cranked. An inner side of the arm forms a first contact surface 11 and an inner side of the crank forms a second contact surface 12. The first contact surface 11 rests on the upper side of the rectangular tube R in the first position of the receiving elements 1, 2. The second contact surface 12, which is perpendicular to the first, rests on the upper, left side of the rectangular tube R in the first position. A lower end of the second contact surface 12 on the side of the base 19 opposite forms a third contact surface 13 of the first receiving element 1, which rests on the lower, right side of the rectangular tube R in the first position of the receiving elements 1, 2.

[0030] The second receiving element 2 has at its lower end an arm which projects from the base 29 to the left and whose free end is also cranked. An inner side of the arm forms a first contact surface 21 and an inner side of the crank forms a third contact surface 23. The first contact surface 21 rests on the lower side of the rectangular tube R in the first position of the receiving elements 1, 2. The third contact surface 23, which is perpendicular to the first, rests on the lower, left side of the rectangular tube R in the first position. An upper end of the third contact surface 23 on the side of the base 29 opposite forms a second contact surface 22 of the second receiving element 2, which rests on the upper, right side of the rectangular tube R in the first position of the receiving elements 1, 2.

[0031] Thus, in the first position of the receiving elements 1, 2, the first contact surfaces 11, 21, the second contact surfaces 12, 22 and the third contact surfaces 13, 23 rest on opposite sides of the rectangular tube R. The two receiving elements 1, 2 form a receptacle in which the rectangular tube is received.

[0032] In the second position of the receiving elements 1, 2, the opposing first contact surfaces 11, 21, the opposing second contact surfaces 12, 22 and the opposing third contact surfaces 13, 23 are spaced apart from one another by a greater distance than in the first position. The receiving elements 1, 2 are moved apart when changing from the first position to the second position. The contact surfaces 11, 21, 12, 22, 13, 23 are moved apart far enough that the rectangular tube can be removed from the holder or the connecting means can be removed from the rectangular tube R. The second receiving element 2 is moved downwards relative to the first receiving element and at the same time is moved with its lower end to the left and with its upper end to the right when viewed from the connecting means.When changing from the first position to the second position, the second receiving element does not perform a linear movement, but is moved linearly and pivoted at the same time.

[0033] The direction of movement from the first to the second position and also from the second to the first position is determined by a guide using two sliding block guides. Each of the sliding block guides has a sliding block 14, 15 and sliding blocks 41, 42. Slotted holes in the base 19 of the first receiving element 1 serve as the sliding blocks, while the screws 41 and sleeve screws 42 serve as the sliding blocks. These are guided, on the one hand, through round holes in the base 29 of the second receiving element 2 and, on the other hand, in the sliding blocks 14, 15. The screws 41 are screwed into the sleeve nuts 42. In the first position, the sliding blocks 41, 42 are located at the upper ends of the sliding blocks 14, 15.

[0034] The guide 14, which is the upper guide in the figures, is slightly curved, so that the guide part 41, 42 guided in this guide 14 moves along a curve when changing from the first position to the second position. The upper end of the second receiving element 2 is thereby moved to the right.

[0035] The lower guide 15 is largely linear and runs from top to bottom, slightly tilted to the right. When moving from the first position to the second position, the lower end of the second receiving element 2 is moved to the left and downward relative to the first receiving element 1. This releases the second receiving element 2 from the rectangular tube, and the connecting element can be removed from the rectangular tube.

[0036] In the first variant of the connecting means, the movement from the first position to the second position is effected by actuating a clamping lever 3, which is pivotally mounted on the first receiving element 1 by means of a cotter pin 33. The cotter pin 33 is inserted through a hole in the pivoting lever 3 and a hole in the first receiving element 1. In the area of ​​the pivot joint thus formed, the clamping lever is forked and engages around the first receiving element 1.

[0037] The clamping lever 3 has a cam 31. In the first position, this cam rests against a lower side of the second receiving element 2 and, in the second position, presses the latter against the rectangular tube, so that the latter is clamped between the first contact surfaces 11, 21, the second contact surfaces 12, 22, and the third contact surfaces 13, 23. The clamping lever 3 is then in an approximately horizontal position.

[0038] To release the connection between the connecting means and the rectangular tube, the clamping lever 3 is pivoted into an approximately vertical position. The lower side of the second receiving element 2 is released from the cam 31, and the contact surfaces 21, 22, 23 of the second receiving element 2 move away from the rectangular tube R in the manner predetermined by the guides.

[0039] To prevent the clamping lever 3 from being accidentally actuated, a linearly movable latch 5 is provided on the clamping lever 3. In the clamping position, one end of this latch 5 is pressed into a notch in the first receiving element 1 by a spring 34, thereby preventing the clamping lever 3 from pivoting. If the latch 5 is retracted against the pressure of the spring 34, the clamping lever 3 can be pivoted.

[0040] In the second variant of the connecting means according to the invention, instead of the clamping lever, a screw 3a is provided as a clamping element, with which the receiving elements 1, 2 can be moved relative to one another in order to be able to move them from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The screw 3a can have a hexagon socket as a screw head drive. A tool can be attached to this drive to turn the screw and thus actuate the clamping element of the second variant of the connecting means, which is designed as a screw. The screw is screwed into a threaded hole provided in a tab 16a of the first receiving element 1, which protrudes from the leg 16. This tab 16a is approximately at a right angle to the leg 16 and to the base 19 of the first receiving element 1.

[0041] One end of a screw shaft of the screw 3a rests against a side surface of the base 29 of the second receiving element 2. When the screw 3a is screwed into the hole, the end of the screw 3a presses against the second receiving element, thus moving the first and second receiving elements relative to each other from the first position to the second position. By loosening the screws, it is possible to move the first and second receiving elements relative to each other from the second position to the first position.

Claims

1. Connecting means for connecting a first part to a rectangular tube (R) or beam, in particular for connecting a side part, a headboard, or a footboard of a bed to a support of a bed, wherein the connecting means comprises a first receiving element (1) and a second receiving element (2), which form a receptacle for the tube (R) or beam and which can be moved relative to one another between a first position in which the tube (R) or beam can be clamped in the receptacle between the first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) for connecting the connecting means to the tube (R) or beam, and a second position in which the tube (R) or beam can be inserted into the receptacle or the tube (R) or beam can be removed from the receptacle. characterized in thatthe connecting means has a guide which specifies the direction of movement of the first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

2. Connecting means according to claim 1, characterized in that the first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) each have a first contact surface (11, 21), wherein the first contact surface (11) of the first receiving element (1) and the first contact surface (21) of the second receiving element (2) form two opposite sides of the receptacle.

3. Connecting means according to claim 2, characterized in that the first contact surfaces (11, 21) are spaced apart from one another at a smaller distance in the first position than in the second position.

4. Connecting means according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) each have a second contact surface (12, 22) and / or a third contact surface (13, 23) which, in the first position, are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first contact surfaces (11, 21).

5. Connecting means according to claim 4, characterized in that the second contact surface (12) of the first receiving element (1) and the second contact surface (22) of the second receiving element (2) form two mutually opposite sections on the side of the receptacle.

6. Connecting means according to claim 5, characterized in that the second contact surfaces (12, 22) are spaced apart from one another at a smaller distance in the first position than in the second position.

7. Connecting means according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in thatthe third contact surface (13) of the first receiving element (1) and the third contact surface (23) of the second receiving element (2) form two mutually opposite sections on the side of the receptacle.

8. Connecting means according to claim 7, characterized in that the third contact surfaces (13, 23) are spaced apart from one another at a smaller distance in the first position than in the second position.

9. Connecting means according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide has at least one, in particular two, slotted guides (14, 15, 41, 42).

10. Connecting means according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe first receiving element has a first link (14) and a link block (41, 42) fastened to the second receiving element is arranged in this first link (14), wherein the first link (14) is aligned such that, upon movement into the first position, at least the first contact surfaces (11, 21) are moved towards one another and the second contact surfaces (12, 22) are moved towards one another.

11. Connecting means according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the first receiving element (1) has a second link (15) and a second link block (41, 42) fastened to the second receiving element (2) is arranged in this second link (15), wherein the second link (15) is aligned such that, upon movement into the first position, at least the first contact surfaces (11, 21) are moved towards one another and the third contact surfaces (13, 23) are moved towards one another.

12. Connecting means according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in thatthe links (14, 15) of the two link guides are inclined at least in sections towards the second and third contact surface (12, 13) of the first receiving element and extend obliquely thereto.

13. Connecting means according to claim 11, characterized in that the two links (14, 15) are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the second and third contact surfaces (12, 13) of the first receiving element.

14. Connecting means according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the connecting means has a clamping element (3, 3a), by the actuation of which the receiving elements (1, 2) can be brought from the first position into the second position and vice versa.

15. Bed with a rectangular tube (R) or rectangular beam and at least one side part, a headboard and / or a footboard, characterized in thatthe side part or one or more of the side parts, the head part and / or the foot part is releasably fastened to the rectangular tube (R) or rectangular beam with at least one connecting means according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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