Interconnecting structural assembly

Abstract

An interconnecting structural assembly (10) comprising a first and a second structural element (2,7) that can be linked by interconnecting means provided with through-slots (4), heads (9) and necks (10) that can be appropriately slid into engagement in the slots (4). A latch (11), with a bent terminal portion (15), is designed to implement a torque arm (17) which, in combination with an action (F) exchanged between the counter- facing walls (3,8) of the first and second structural element (2,7), by twisting the latch (11) elastically, allows it to snap into engagement against an edge (16) of a slot (4), constituting an obstacle to the head (9) moving back out of said wide portion (4) and achieving the firm locking of said first and second structural elements (2,7).

Description

[0001] INTERCONNECTING STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the structural interconnection of metal members and, in particular, concerns an interconnecting assembly formed by two structural members and designed to connect said members together without the use of tools , said assembly being capable of constraining the members in every spatial direction by inhibiting all of their relative degrees of freedom of movement .

[0004] Prior Art Technology

[0005] An interconnecting structural assembly of the type defined in the preamble to claim 1 , described in document US3208778 , which comprises : a first structural element having a back wall traversed by a succession of aligned T-shaped through-slots spaced from each other and defined by two substantially rectangular portions : one portion being relatively wide , the other relatively narrow; and a second structural element having an own flat wal l that can counter- face the back wall of the first element , and carrying two protruding heads aligned and spaced from each other at a distance identical to that of the slots of the first structural element .

[0006] Each of the heads of the second structural element is carried within a monolithic continuation, with a neck cantilevered transversally from the flat wall of the second structural element itsel f . The heads are of a si ze and shape to be insertable in the wide portion of the slots of the first structural element , yet larger than the narrow portion of the same slots . Conversely, the necks are of a si ze and shape to be insertable in a guide inside the narrow portion of the slot , being bilaterally engaged therein by the head and the wall of the second structural element in a line perpendicular to the back wall of the first element .

[0007] The second structural element comprises a plate-like latch made integrally with the wall of the second structural element by a suitable punch in the same wall . The latch is held cantilevered from said wall with its longitudinal axis substantially in the same plane as the wall itsel f , with : a fixed end integrally attached to the wall , and a free end, which is provided with a terminal portion bent out of the plane of the plate-like latch .

[0008] The terminal portion j uts out orthogonally towards the wall of the first structural element and is positioned on the latch in such a way as to engage a slot of the first structural element .

[0009] In practice , by means of the suitable relative movement of the first and second structural elements , tangentially to their respective walls , it is possible to engage the heads with the narrow portions of the slots , so that the two profiles are locked together ; thereafter, by inserting the bent terminal portion of the latch so as to traverse the wide portion of a slot , this produces a mechanical interference that prevents the heads from moving back from the narrow portion of the slots toward the wide portion of the slots ; this interference thus ensures that the two structural elements are locked in all three spatial directions . Naturally, to dissolve this interconnection, it is suf ficient simply to remove the terminal portion of the latch from the slot in the first profile , which can be performed quickly and without the use of any tools whatsoever .

[0010] The solution described above suffers from the fundamental drawback of requiring a notable longitudinal extension for the length of the latch, which, to have a resilience suitable for the required function, needs a free bending length in the order of up to 3 / 4 times the maximum slot width; this could even exceed the overall dimensions of the entire structural node implementing the interconnection .

[0011] Background of the Invention

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to resolve these drawbacks by of fering a solution that provides for an interconnecting structural assembly with an elastic resilience suitable for the most general application needs and with small overall dimensions compatible with the geometric dimensions of the connected profiles ; that is , compatible with the overall dimensions of the structural "nodes" interconnecting the structural elements .

[0013] In accordance with the invention, this is achieved with an interconnecting structural assembly, as defined in the claims that follow .

[0014] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The technical characteristics and other advantages of the invention will be made clearer from the detailed description of an exemplary, non-limited solution illustrated in the accompanying drawings , wherein :

[0016] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional overview of an interconnecting assembly according to the invention, which can be used, by way of a non-limiting example, to interconnect the uprights and beams of a structural frame for sliding doors or windows to be housed and concealed within a building wall structure ;

[0017] - Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of one example of a possible profile equipped with certain components of the interconnecting assembly in accordance with the invention; - Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are orthogonal projections of the profile in Figure 2;

[0018] - Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of one detail of the profile in Figure 2;

[0019] - Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of one embodiment of the structural profile in Figure 2;

[0020] - Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are orthogonal projections of the profile in Figure 8;

[0021] Figures 13 and 14 are three-dimensional views of further embodiments of the invention with some parts removed to better highlight others, as viewed from the front and back.

[0022] Best Way to Implement the Invention

[0023] With reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, the reference number (1) has been assigned to an interconnecting structural assembly of members, preferably metal, for general use, which, in particular, may advantageously be applied to build, in the field of construction, frames for sliding doors and windows, the assembly (1) being quick and easy to assemble without any tools.

[0024] Figure 1 shows such an interconnecting assembly (1) that essentially comprises variously shaped first and second structural elements (2,7) .

[0025] The first structural element (2) , illustrated in the drawing with its own horizontally developing axis (2a) , is exemplified in one embodiment by its omega-shaped cross-section and has a wall (3) traversed by two buttonhole-shaped slots (4) made on two wings of the omega shape and passing through the thickness of the wall (3) . Each slot (4) is substantially T-shaped and is made up of two portions (5, 6) : one portion (5) relatively wide portion, the other portion (6) relatively narrow. The second structural element (7) has one wall (8) carrying two heads (9) and the same number of necks (10) placed in axial continuation to each other, which are cantilevered transversely from the wall (8) itself. The heads (9) are of a size and shape to be inserted into the wide portion (5) of a said slot (4) and, at the same time, are larger than the narrow portion (6) of the same. The necks (10) are of a size and shape to be inserted in a guide into the narrow portion (6) of the respective slots (4) and to remain engaged there from both sides: from the head (9) on one side and by the wall (8) of the second structural element (7) on the other side.

[0026] A plate-shaped latch (11) is made in the same body as the wall (8) of the second structural element (7) and is held cantilevered from the same wall (8) with its longitudinal axis (12) substantially in the same plane as the wall (8) of the second structural element (7) .

[0027] The latch (11) has one fixed end (13) integral with the wall (8) and one free end (14) , which is provided with a terminal portion (15) bent out of the plane in which the plate-like latch (11) lies. The terminal portion (15) of the free end (14) projects outwardly towards the wall (3) of the first structural element (2) , and is disposed on the latch (11) in a position such as to be engageable with one of the slots (4) of the first structural element (2) .

[0028] The first and second structural elements (2,7) are movable relative to each other so that the terminal portion (15) of the free end (14) of the latch (11) can be inserted into the wide portion (5) of the slot (4) and can consequently inhibit the head (9) from moving back toward the (5) wide portion of the slot (4) carried by the second structural element (7) . Figures 2-6 show one variant embodiment in which the second structural element (7) is represented by a panel with a bent L-shaped cross-section. Here, it can be seen, particularly in Figure 7, that the bent terminal portion (15) of the latch (11) is designed to implement a torque arm (17) to twist the latch (11) about its (12) longitudinal axis. The torque arm (17) , in combination with an action (F) exchanged between the counter-facing walls (3,8) of the first and second structural elements

[0029] (2.7) , induced for example by a simple engaging motion of the two elements (2,7) , causes a twisting of the latch (11) , as a result of which, when the neck (10) reaches the end of its course along the narrow portion (6) of the relative wall (4) , the free end (14) of the latch (11) , elastically warped by the inf lexional-torsional action applied to it, reaches the wide portion (5) of the slot (4) where, having exhausted its elastic load, it spontaneously reassumes it initial configuration, snapping into engagement against an edge (16) of the slot (4) itself. In this way, the backwards movement of the head (9) towards the wide portion (6) is disturbed by the counteraction of the terminal portion (15) against the edge (16) and, accordingly, said first and second structural elements (2,7) are locked relatively rigidly in the three spatial directions. Where wishing to disengage the two structural elements (2,7) , it is sufficient to manually press the portion (15) of the free end (14) and push in the opposite direction to the line of engagement to disengage it from the edge (16) of the wide portion (5) of the slot (4) and obtain the relative disengagement of the two structural elements

[0030] (2.7) easily, quickly and without the need for tools.

[0031] It can also be seen from Figures 2-7, in particular, that the latch (11) has a uniform cross-section that is constant along the longitudinal axis (12) of the latch (11) itself. The terminal portion (15) of the free end (14) has a tapered wedge shape, substantially made by a prism with a trapezoidal base. Since the action (F) exchanged between the counter-facing walls (3,8) of the two elements (2,7) is applied in proximity to the larger base of the wedge, the torque applied to the latch (11) is proportional to the distance of said base from the longitudinal axis (12) of the latch (11) ; a torque that is, evidently, constant and independent of the free bend length between the fixed and free ends (13 and 14) of the latch (11) .

[0032] This configuration offers the significant advantage - compared to the prior art - of keeping to a minimum the longitudinal dimensions of the latch (11) , which by virtue of its torsional resilience can perform its functions effectively, irrespective of the bending length of the latch (11) and, therefore, with very small dimensions of the latch (11) itself. In practice, the longitudinal size of the latch (11) can remain confined well within the geometric perimeter of the structural node labelled (19) , as is shown prominently in Figure 1 and, as will become clearer later, in Figure 13.

[0033] Figures 8-12 show a further variant of the invention wherein the torque arm (17) is integrated in a meridian plane of a three-dimensional bulge (20) made by said latch (11) .

[0034] This kind of construction proves particularly robust and advantageous, for example, where the interlocking assembly (10) needs to be highly and repeatably reliable even in the presence of, for instance, repeated cyclical engagement / disengagement operations .

[0035] A further variant of the invention, illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, shows an embodiment wherein the longitudinal axis (12) of the latch (11) is oblique to the horizontal (2a) and vertical (7a) axes of the first and second structural elements (2,7) .

[0036] This solution advantageously makes it possible to modulate the actual degree of resilience of the latch (11) according to the dual aspect of flexural elasticity, and torsional elasticity in the various sections along the length thereof, between its ends (13 and 14) ; all the while, of course, keeping the overall dimensions of the latch (11) , or of a punched window (21) in which it is made, substantially unchanged relative to the overall dimensions of the structural node (19) .

[0037] In practice, a latch (11) made in this way actually behaves as a f lexural-torsional spring, the elasticity characteristics of which can be designed and modulated according to the specific needs of the degree of resilience actually sought for the various targeted structural interconnections.

[0038] The invention fully achieves the stated purposes of the invention and is also suitable by providing a structure that is relatively simple, reliable in use and low-cost.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An interconnecting structural assembly comprising: a first structural member (2) with one of its walls (3) traversed by at least one slot (4) passing through the wall (3) and formed by two portions (5,6) , one portion (5) relatively wide, the other portion (6) being relatively narrow; a second structural element (7) having one of its walls (8) carrying at least one head (9) and one neck (10) situated in axial continuation to each other and cantilevered transversally from the wall (8) itself, said at least one head (9) being of such size and shape as to be insertable in the wide portion (5) of said at least one slot (4) yet greater than the narrow portion(6) thereof, the neck (10) , being insertable in a guide along the narrow portion (6) of the slot (4) , remaining bilaterally engaged therein by the head (9) and by the wall (8) of the second structural element (7) ; and a plate-shaped latch (11) made in the same body as the wall (8) of the second structural element (7) , said latch (11) held cantilevered from the same wall (8) with its longitudinal axis (12) substantially in the same plane as the wall (8) of the second structural element(7) , and having one fixed end (13) integrated in the wall (8) and one free end (14) that is provided with a terminal portion (15) bent out of the plane in which the plate-shaped latch (11) lies, said terminal portion (15) projecting outwards towards the wall (3) of said first structural element (2) , and positioned on the latch (11) so that it can engage said at least one slot (4) of the first structural element (2) ; said assembly being characterised in that the bent terminal portion (15) of said latch (11) is designed toimplement a torque arm (17) twisting the latch (11) about its longitudinal axis (12) , said torque arm, in combination with an action (F) exchanged between the counter-facing walls (3,8) of the first and second structural element (2,7) , twisting the latch (11) elastically until, upon the neck (10) reaching the end of its course along the narrow portion (6) of the slot (4) , the free end (14) of the latch (11) , on having reached the wide portion (5) of the slot (4) , snaps into engagement against an edge (16) of the slot (4) itself, in such a way as to inhibit the head (9) from moving back toward said wide portion (6) and to achieve the firm locking of said first and second structural element (2,7) .

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that said latch (11) has a uniform cross-section along said longitudinal axis (12) .

3. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that said latch (11) has a variable cross-section, increasing along said longitudinal axis (12) , proceeding from the free end (14) to the fixed end (13) of said latch (11) .

4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that said longitudinal axis (12) is oblique relative to the longitudinal axes (2a, 7a) of said first and second structural element (2,7) .

5. An assembly according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that said torque arm (17) is implemented in at least one prominence having a prismatic shape with trapezoidal base.

6. An assembly according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that said torque arm (17) is integrated in a meridian plane of a three-dimensional bulge (20) made by said latch (11) .

7. A sliding door or window subframe, quickly and easily assembled, in a building structure, characterised by comprising at least one (1) structural assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

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