A coupling device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device (1) for a mounting device (4) for connecting support devices (2) to a tensioning strap (3), wherein the mounting device, which is designed to be connectable to a support device at a first end and has one or more openings (7) at a second end. The connecting device comprises a ring device which, in a first region, has a first loop element (9) extending in a first plane, which is designed for connection to the second end of the mounting device, and, in a second region, has a second loop element (10) extending in a second plane, which is designed for connecting or receiving a tensioning strap, and a transition element (11) which connects (couples) the first and the second loop element such that the first and the second plane are perpendicular to each other in their direction of action.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting protective devices to a tensioning belt. This connecting device comprises, among other things, a mounting device, a ring device, and a transition element. background

[0002] Especially when camping, support structures, such as those of awnings, tents, or similar items, are secured using ropes, tensioning straps, or the like. Here, the support structures, in particular awning support legs or tent poles or the like, or the edge of an awning, tent, or tent roof, are connected to the guy rope to stabilize the awning, tent, or similar item and / or to protect it against the effects of the weather.

[0003] Awnings or tents whose edges do not have attachment points for guy ropes or straps are usually secured to their support structures. Such support structures often have recesses or moldings that are either designed to accommodate a guy rope or have a recess, molding, or opening for accommodating various devices and / or for weight reduction. These attachment points can be designed, for example, as a slot, a slot arrangement, a ring, or the like.

[0004] Document US5335685A discloses a bracket with several slots arranged one below the other for inserting and tensioning a guy rope.

[0005] Many support devices, especially awning support legs, have one or more slots at one end that extend horizontally on two opposite sides of the protective device. It is known from the prior art that a correspondingly curved plate can be inserted into such a slot device, to which a guy rope or guy strap can be attached (see, for example, Thule ®< ).

[0006] Various fasteners, such as an S-hook, a shackle, a snap fastener, or the like, can be installed between the fastening plate and one end of the guy rope to connect the guy rope to the fastening plate. These fasteners often have the property of twisting the tensioning belt, causing the tensioning belt's tensile force to act unevenly on the support structure.

[0007] To avoid this twisting, a known solution involves connecting several connecting elements in series. For example, one side of an S-hook is hooked into the opening of the mounting plate, and on the other side, a ring element for holding a tensioning strap (see, for example, Thule ®< ).

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a flexibly usable and detachable connecting device for a support device for connection to a tensioning belt, which is capable of transmitting the tensile force caused by the tensioning belt directly and linearly to the support device.

[0009] A further object of the invention is that the connecting device is easy to transport, as well as light and easy to store.

[0010] In addition, a further object of the invention is that the connecting device is uncomplicated and easy to use and can therefore be produced cost-effectively and in large quantities. Summary of the invention

[0011] The objects are achieved according to the invention by the connecting device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a connecting device according to the invention is provided for a mounting device for connecting support devices to a tensioning belt, wherein the mounting device, which is designed to be connectable to a support device at a first end, has one or more openings at a second end. The device comprises: a ring device which has, in a first region, a first loop element extending in a first plane, which is designed for connection to a second end of the holding device, and, in a second region, a second loop element extending in a second plane, which is designed for connection to or for receiving a tensioning belt, and a transition element which connects the first and the second loop element in such a way that the first and the second plane are perpendicular to one another in their direction of action.

[0013] Such a connecting device can be easily and flexibly attached, for example, to support structures that are not specifically designed for this purpose and only have a fastening device for the mounting device to establish a connection between the support structure and the guy rope. This has the advantage that this connecting device can also be retrofitted to previously purchased support structures.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting device is formed by the ring device and the mounting device, and can thus be manufactured from only two parts. Due to its simple design, such a connecting device is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and is suitable for mass production. Furthermore, the very simple design results in improved ease of use.

[0015] Advantageously, the ring device is permanently (ie non-detachably) connected to the holding device via at least one of the one or more openings in a manner that allows it to move relative to one another.

[0016] This allows the connecting device to be configured immediately and ready for use. This offers the advantage that the operator does not have to perform any assembly work, and no part of the connecting device can be lost or requires time-consuming searching for prior to assembly.

[0017] In addition, the connecting device can be folded together due to the mutual mobility of the ring devices and the holding device, so that the connecting devices can be easily stowed away during transport.

[0018] In principle, the second loop element can be designed as an isosceles triangle compared to the first loop element, so that the ring device forms the shape of a triangle.

[0019] An isosceles triangle, in principle, is characterized by its stability, which is due to the even distribution of forces. A guy rope attached to the base, which is connected to the ground and thus taut, exerts even force on the support structure due to the shape of the second loop element, making the connection particularly stable and durable.

[0020] The second loop element may have a relatively straight region for receiving the tensioning belt at the base of the isosceles triangle, which does not twist relative to the tensioning belt when rotating about a vertical axis of the support device.

[0021] Preventing the tensioned strap from twisting when rotating around a vertical axis minimizes stress and wear.

[0022] In addition, the tensioning strap is easier to tighten, as more force would have to be applied if the tensioning strap were to be bent.

[0023] Furthermore, it has a positive effect on the service life of the tensioning belt if it does not have any rotation, as the fibers of the tensioning belt are subjected to less stress.

[0024] Advantageously, a transition element in the transition region has a rigid rotation about a central axis of the ring device.

[0025] This twisting ensures that the tensioning belt does not become twisted when it is rotated around at least one vertical (as well as horizontal) axis of the support device during tensioning.

[0026] Such a transition element is also easy to manufacture because this twist is made of the same material as the ring device, the ring device can be manufactured in one piece, and therefore no additional assembly step is required for the formation of a transition element during production.

[0027] The transition element can also be designed as a swivel joint, cardan joint or ball joint in the transition area.

[0028] One of these types of joints can also be used to prevent the tensioning belt from twisting when it is tensioned in a rotating manner around the vertical axis of the support device.

[0029] The tensioning belt can be rotated by at least two degrees of freedom around a vertical and horizontal axis of the support device using the connecting device without undergoing any rotation.

[0030] This allows the support structure to be guyed on all sides. For example, it is possible to guy the support structure upwards to a vehicle or laterally to the support structure and / or the entire structure. This is particularly advantageous if the second end of the guy strap is to be connected to a suitable surface using another connecting device.

[0031] Alternatively, the first loop element of the ring device may comprise a snap closure which is designed such that the ring device can be releasably coupled to the opening of the holding device.

[0032] The detachable connection to the support device has the primary advantage that the ring device (triangle) can be firmly connected to the tensioning strap, while the support device remains in or on the support device. This offers the advantage, especially during storage and transport, of allowing operators flexibility in terms of the effort required to assemble and disassemble the connecting device. Short description of the characters

[0033] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Figure 1 (a)-(c) perspective views of an overall structure comprising support device, connecting device and tensioning belt; Figure 2 different views of the connecting device; (a) perspective view; (b) top view, (c) side view, (d) front perspective view, and Figure 3Detailed view of a mounting device in side view. Descriptions of one or more embodiments

[0034] Special terms such as "right," "left," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "up," and "down" indicate directions in the accompanying figures with respect to the respective component, device, or apparatus when operatively assembled. The terms "inside" and "outside" indicate directions with respect to a geometric central axis or center of a respective described component, device, or apparatus, the meaning of which will be apparent from the description.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms "connected", "attached", "coupled", "mounted" describe direct connections between two links or components, i.e. without an intermediate link, but also indirect connections between links or components, i.e. with at least one intermediate link.

[0036] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first", "second", "third", etc., merely indicates different instances of the same objects and does not imply that these objects must be in any particular order, neither temporally, spatially, nor in any particular ranking.

[0037] The example of an embodiment of the connecting device 1 described here is representative of all possible variations of the invention.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1(a - c) The connecting device 1 according to the invention, coupled to a mounting device 4, is fastened to a support device 2 with the mounting device and connected to a tensioning belt 3 via the ring device 8. However, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the support device 2 can have various shapes, e.g., a rectangular or round cross-section, and that the tensioning belt 3 can also be replaced by a guy rope 3, a guy belt 3, or the like.

[0039] The connecting device 1 is designed to connect a support device 2 to a tensioning belt 3 via the holding device 4. The connecting device 1 is detachably coupled to the support device 2 by means of the holding device 4. A holding device 4 comprises, for example, a base body with a first end (distal, ie for fastening or coupling to the support device 2) and a second end (proximal, ie for coupling to the ring device 8), and which is designed such that it can be coupled to the support device 2, e.g., via an existing fastening slot.

[0040] Such a mounting device 4 according to a first embodiment is characterized in that it has a bend 5 at a first end, which is designed to be inserted into a slotted opening 6 of the support device 2. The bend 5 occurs about an axis H of the mounting device 4 that is aligned horizontally to a base surface of the base body, so that the first end is perpendicular to the base surface of the base body. At the second end, the mounting device 4 has at least one opening 7 that is designed for connection to a ring device 8. The opening 4 extends through the base body along an axis V that is aligned vertically with respect to the base surface of the base body. When mounted with the support device 2, the axis V usually parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support device 2. However, this depends essentially on the coupling mechanism used between the mounting device 4 and the support device 2. In the first embodiment, the opening 7 is limited by a round cross-section and is completely enclosed by the base body (see e.g. Figure 3 ).

[0041] It is also possible that the opening 7 is designed as a substantially closed hook or ring into which the ring device 8 can be hooked, or that the opening 7 has a cross-section deviating from a round shape.

[0042] As already mentioned, it is also conceivable for the mounting device 4 to be coupled to a support device 2 without a bend. For example, the support device 2 can have a dowel pin (not shown) that is inserted into the first end of the mounting device 4, or a hook, whereby the first end of the mounting device 4 must be designed accordingly. Other embodiments of the mounting device 4 that can be connected or is connected to the support device are conceivable without deviating from the claimed invention.

[0043] The tensioning belt 2 is functionally coupled to the ring device 8. The ring device 8 is characterized by a first loop element 9 and a second loop element 10, which are arranged along a central axis Z. The first loop element 9 and the second loop element 10 each form a plane. These planes are arranged perpendicular to each other (see Figure 2 a - d)

[0044] The first loop element 9 is designed to connect to the opening 7 of the holding device 4. In the first embodiment, the first loop element 9 is formed by a winding which is parallel to the axis V is guided through the opening 7. Furthermore, it is possible for the first loop element 9 to have more than one turn. The turn or turns lie within the first plane of the first loop element 9.

[0045] According to an alternative embodiment, the first loop element 9 can also comprise a snap fastener (not shown), such as a carabiner, and can thus be coupled to the holding device 4 in a detachable manner, but also rotatable about at least two axes V and J.

[0046] The second loop element 10 is formed within a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane. The second loop element 10 is characterized in that, by means of two turns or bends, it forms an isosceles triangle with respect to the central axis Z, together with the turn of the first loop element 9. The triangle has the shape of a triangle, wherein the base side of the triangle corresponds at least to the width of the tensioning strap 2 or has an appropriate length so that the tensioning strap 2 fits but cannot necessarily slip. The symmetry of the triangle ensures that a fastened wide tensioning strap 3 is centered with the ring device 8 in order to keep the force vector between the support device 2 and the tensioning strap attachment straight.

[0047] In other embodiments, the second loop element 10 can also have more than just two turns. For example, the base of the isosceles triangle can be doubled or tripled so that a tensioning strap 2 can be pulled through and, thanks to a special shape, also tightened.

[0048] In a transition area of ​​the ring device 8, between the first loop element 9 and the second loop element 10, a transition element 11 is arranged along the central axis Z The transition element 11 is characterized in that it allows the first plane spanned by the first loop element 9 to be perpendicular to the second plane spanned by the second loop element 10. In a first embodiment, the transition element 11 is formed by a loop spanned around the central axis Z generated rigid twist between the first loop element 9 and the second loop element 10. This twist comprises at least 90° between the first loop element 9 and the second loop element 10, but can also be generated by any other possible angle that results in a perpendicular orientation between the planes of the first and second loop elements 9, 10, e.g., 270° or [90° + (x * 180°)]. Where x is a natural integer. As a result, the described planes are always perpendicular to each other.

[0049] In another embodiment, the transition element 11 can also be designed as a swivel joint, cardan joint or ball joint in the transition area. Function / Use

[0050] The connecting device 1 is made of weather-resistant materials. The connecting device 1 can be manufactured from plastic, metal, alloys, or a suitable composite material. In a first embodiment, spring steel is used because this material provides the necessary stability for the ring device 8 and the necessary elasticity for the mounting device 4.

[0051] To assemble the connecting device 1, the support device 2 to be guyed, for example the awning support leg(s) or the tent pole(s), is first set up. The support device 2 has, for example, a slotted opening 6 (see Figure 1), which extends on two opposite sides transversely to the longitudinal axis of the support device 2. In the application example described, the slotted opening 6 is arranged horizontally to the ground so that the mounting device 4 can be inserted in a horizontal position. The main body of the mounting device 4 (such as a Thule ®< bracket) is wedged within the slotted opening 6 via the bend 5 and a step in the main body, since the weight of the ring device 8 (or tensioning direction, which is often downwards) pulls the second end of the mounting device 4 downwards and in the process forces the first end in the opposite direction (tilting movement). Due to the bend 5, the mounting device 4 rests against the support device 2 at a first end opposite a second end.The ring device 8, which here is permanently connected to the mounting device 4, can thus be connected to the tensioning belt 2 at the second loop element 10. Because the loop elements 9 and 10 are perpendicular to each other, the tensioning belt 2 can be tensioned in all directions without being unnecessarily twisted. The at least two degrees of freedom (rotation by . V and rotation around J ) are achieved in the simplest way with the triangular ring element, without the need for additional intermediate links.

[0052] To disassemble, first release the tension on the guy rope 2. It can then be released from the second loop element 10. The mounting device 4 (such as a Thule ®< mounting device) can be placed in a horizontal position and then pulled out of the slotted opening 6. Other mounting devices are released according to the specified mechanism. The flexibility between the ring device 9 and the mounting device 4 allows them to be folded against each other and stowed in the smallest possible space or volume.

[0053] In the alternative embodiment, the ring device 9 and the mounting device 4 are detachably coupled to each other via a carabiner. This allows the ring device 9 to remain attached to the tensioning strap 3 for disassembly, while the mounting device 4 can remain attached to the support device 2, or it can also be a permanent fixture. List of reference symbols

[0054] 1Connecting device 2Support device 3Tensioning belt 4Holding device 5Bend 6Slot opening 7Opening 8Ring device 9First loop element 10Second loop element 11Transition element VVertical rotation axis JHorizontal rotation axis HHorizontal base body axis ZCentral axis

Claims

1. A connecting device (1) for a holding device (4) for connecting support devices (2) to a tensioning belt (3), wherein the holding device (4), which is designed to be connectable to a support device (2) at a first end and has one or more openings (7) at a second end, comprising: a ring device (8) which, in a first region, has a first loop element (9) extending in a first plane, which is designed to be connected to the second end of the holding device (4), and, in a second region, has a second loop element (10) extending in a second plane, which is designed to connect or receive a tensioning belt (3), and a transition element (11) which connects (couples) the first and second loop elements in such a way that the first and second planes are perpendicular to one another in their direction of action.

2. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the ring device (8) is permanently or non-releasably connected to the holding device (4) via at least one of the one or more openings (7) in a manner that allows it to move relative to one another.

3. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by that the second loop element (10) is designed together with the first loop element (9) as an isosceles triangle, so that the ring device (8) forms the shape of a triangle.

4. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in particular according to claim 3, characterized by thatthe second loop element (10) of the ring device (8) has a relatively straight region for receiving the tensioning belt (3) on the base of the isosceles triangle, which does not twist relative to the tensioning belt (3) when rotated about a vertical axis of a support device (2).

5. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the transition element (11) in the transition region has at least one rigid rotation about a central axis on which the first and the second loop element, as well as their planes, are arranged.

6. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the transition element (11) is designed as a swivel joint, cardan joint or ball joint in the transition area.

7. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by thatthe tensioning belt (3) can be rotated by at least two degrees of freedom about a vertical and horizontal axis with the aid of the connecting device (1) without undergoing any rotation.

8. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first loop element (9) of the ring device (8) comprises a snap closure which is designed such that the ring device (8) can be detachably coupled to the opening (7) of the holding device (4).

9. A method for assembling a connecting device (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a holding device (4), a ring device (8), on a support device (2) to be guyed and having a slot device (6), preferably one or more awning support legs or one or more tent poles, wherein the holding device (4) of the connecting device (1) is inserted into the slot device (6) in a horizontal position relative to the support device (2) with a first end such that the weight of the ring device (8) of the connecting device (1) pulls a second end of the holding device (4) downwards and thereby forces the first end in the opposite direction such that the holding device (4) of the connecting device (1) is wedged into the base body via a bend (5) and a step.

10. A method for assembling a connecting device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the holding device (4) has a first loop element (9) and a second loop element (10) and a transition element (11) which connects the first and the second loop element in such a way that the first and the second plane are perpendicular to each other in their direction of action, and a tensioning belt (2) can be connected to the second loop element (10) so that the tensioning belt (2) can be tensioned in all directions without being twisted.

11. Method for disassembling a connecting device (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a holding device (4), a ring device (8) which comprises a first loop element (9) and a second loop element (10), and a guying strap (2), from a guyed support device (2) with a slot device (6), preferably one or more awning support leg(s) or one or more tent pole(s), wherein in a first step the guying strap (2) is relaxed and released from the second loop element (10) and in a second step the holding device (4) is brought into a horizontal position relative to the support device (2) and the holding device (4) is pulled out of the slot opening (6).

12. Method for disassembling a connecting device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the ring device (9) and the holding device (4) are movable relative to one another such that they are folded against one another.

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