Structure and connector

Abstract

Structure comprising a first part, a second part and a connector arrangement connecting the parts. The connector arrangement comprises a metal tube, two first anchors anchored within the first part, two second anchors anchored within the second part, and four fasteners projecting through the metal tube in a respective one of the anchors.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a structure according to claim 1 and to a connector according to claim 5.

[0002] DE102015224118 A1 discloses to a tension lock with an adapter for joining precast concrete elements, which is substantially formed to be shell-shaped, with at least two side walls which are substantially planar and disposed parallel opposite to each other, and at least two side walls which in a cross-sectional view at least in sections converge conically.

[0003] EP3214234 A1 discloses a connector arrangement for connecting a first precast concrete part to a second precast concrete part, comprising a base plate and at least one pouring in anchor, which is connected to the base plate, the base plate being located in a base plane and having a through-opening for a connecting element, wherein the base plate and the at least one pouring-in anchor are formed as a one-piece sheet metal bending part, and that at least one pouring-in anchor is bent outwards by an angle against the base plate from the base plane.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a structure comprising two connected parts, which structure provides particularly versatile and reliable connection at particular ease, and to provide a connector for such a structure.

[0005] This object is achieved by a structure according to claim 1 and a connector according to claim 5. Dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] In particular, the structure and connector can cope with tolerances of the parts due to a tension-only load path. A high initial stiffness and load capacity might be provided without using grout or welding. Due to the elementary geometries of the parts, the loading capacity might be scaled up quite easily. The mechanical only-connection might provide particularly short installation time on-site. Moreover, also a disassembly functionality might be provided at particularly little effort.

[0007] A structure according to claim 2 can further reduce installation effort and / or improve performance.

[0008] A structure according to claim 3 can further improve performance. In particular, due to the fastener arrangement withing the edges of the metal tube, mostly tension forces will be transmitted through the tube.

[0009] A structure according to claim 4 can further reduce manufacturing effort and / or improve ease of installation.

[0010] The metal tube can preferably be a steel tube. At least one of the fasteners, preferably all of them, are preferably metal parts, more preferably steel parts. At least one of the washers, preferably all of them, are preferably metal parts, more preferably steel parts. The parts are preferably precast concrete parts.

[0011] The first anchors, in particular first anchor elements thereof, are preferably cast into the first part.

[0012] The second anchors, in particular second anchor elements thereof, are preferably cast into the second part.

[0013] When installed on-site, the metal tube will be placed in the prefabricated depressions and will be fastened to both parts. Due to the exclusively mechanical connection of the parts, a predominantly ductile connection behaviour can be achieved. Tolerances due to manufacturing can be absorbed by oversized holes withing the metal tube, where the fasteners project through the metal tube.

[0014] Additional fasteners might be provided. For example, two fasteners can be provided in a single edge of the metal tube, e.g. to increase the performance. The anchors might also be interconnected, thereby forming loops that connect two fasteners.

[0015] Features that are described here in relation to the structure can also be used in connection with the connector arrangement or the connector, and vice versa. Features that are described here in relation to the connector arrangement can also be used in connection with the connector, and vice versa.

[0016] The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, which are depicted schematically in the accompanying drawings. Individual features of the exemplary embodiments presented below can be implemented either individually or in any combination within the scope of the present invention. Figure 1 is highly schematic sectional view of a structure comprising a first part and a second part and a connector arrangement connecting the first part and the second part to one another. Figure 2 is sectional view of the connector of the structure of figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the of the connector of the structure of figure 1, with the front cover and the rear cover omitted. Figure 4 is a perspective front view of the of the connector of the structure of figure 1 Figure 5 is a perspective rear view of the of the connector of the structure of figure 1 Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a structure and its components. The structure comprises a first part 1 and a second part 2, which are arranged adjacent to one another, and which are connected to one another in this adjacent relationship by means of a connector arrangement of the structure.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one of the first part 1 or the second part 2 is a precast concrete part or a timber part. Preferably both the first part 1 and the second part 2 is a precast concrete part.

[0018] The first part 1 comprises a first depression 11, which faces the adjacent second part 2. The second part 2 comprises a second depression 12, which faces the adjacent first part 1. When the first part 1 and the second part 2 are connected as intended, the first depression 11 and the second depression 12 are aligned with one another, so that the first depression 11 and the second depression 12 form a common cavity that receives a metal tube 10 of the connector arrangement. Thus the metal tube 10 is embedded both within the first depression 11 and the second depression 12. In particular, the metal tube 10 is orientated in a prostrate orientation with respect to the adjacent first part 1 and the adjacent second part 2, i.e. the metal tube is orientated in such a way that the circumference of the metal tube 10 projects partly into the first depression 11 and partly into the second depression 12. In the present embodiment, the metal tube 10 has generally rectangular, in particular square cross-section, comprising a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge. By way of example, all those edges are rounded in the present embodiment.

[0019] The connector arrangement comprises a first first anchor 41' and a second first anchor 41", wherein the first first anchor 41' and the second first anchor 41" are anchored within the first part 1. Additional first anchors might be optionally provided.

[0020] The first first anchor 41' comprises a first first anchor element 43' and a first first internally threaded sleeve 45', which is attached to the first first anchor element 43', and which opens into the first depression 11. In the present embodiment, the first first anchor element 43' is a wire, but this is example only, and it could also be a rod element or others.

[0021] The second first anchor 41" comprises a second first anchor element 43" and a second first internally threaded sleeve 45", which is attached to the second first anchor element 43", and which opens into the first depression 11. In the present embodiment, the second first anchor element 43" is a wire, but this is example only, and it could also be a rod element or others.

[0022] The connector arrangement comprises a first second anchor 42' and a second second anchor 42", wherein the first second anchor 42' and the second second anchor 42" are anchored within the second part 2. Additional second anchors might be optionally provided.

[0023] The first second anchor 42' comprises a first second anchor element 44' and a first second internally threaded sleeve 46', which is attached to the first second anchor element 44', and which opens into the second depression 12. In the present embodiment, the first second anchor element 44' is a wire, but this is example only, and it could also be a rod element or others.

[0024] The second second anchor 42" comprises a second second anchor element 44" and a second second internally threaded sleeve 46", which is attached to the second second anchor element 44", and which opens into the second depression 12. In the present embodiment, the second second anchor element 44" is a wire, but this is example only, and it could also be a rod element or others.

[0025] The connector arrangement comprises a first first fastener 51' and a first first washer 61'. The first first washer 61' has an angled outline, so as to fit into the above-mentioned edges of the metal tube 10. The first first fastener 51' has a first first head 57' and a first first shank 55' that is attached to, preferably monolithically attached to, the first first head 57'. In an alternative embodiment, the first first shank 55' may be non-monolithically attached to the first first head 57'. For example, the first first head 57' might be screwed onto the first first shank 55'.

[0026] The first first head 57' is arranged within the metal tube 10 and the first first head 57' abuts, namely indirectly via the first first washer 61', against the metal tube 10. The first first shank 55' projects from the first first head 57' through the metal tube 10, namely through the first edge of the metal tube 10, into the first first anchor 41', in particular into the first first internally threaded sleeve 45', where it is connected to the first first anchor 41', in particular by means of a threaded connection provided by an external thread that is arranged on the first first shank 55' und by the internal thread of the first first internally threaded sleeve 45'.

[0027] The connector arrangement comprises a second first fastener 51" and a second first washer 61". The second first washer 61" has an angled outline, so as to fit into the above-mentioned edges of the metal tube 10. The second first fastener 51" has a second first head 57" and a second first shank 55" that is attached to, preferably monolithically attached to, the second first head 57". In an alternative embodiment, the second first shank 55" may be non-monolithically attached to the second first head 57". For example, the second first head 57" might be screwed onto the second first shank 55".

[0028] The second first head 57" is arranged within the metal tube 10 and the second first head 57" abuts, namely indirectly via the second first washer 61", against the metal tube 10. The second first shank 55" projects from the second first head 57" through the metal tube 10, namely through the second edge of the metal tube 10, into the second first anchor 41", in particular into the second first internally threaded sleeve 45", where it is connected to the second first anchor 41", in particular by means of a threaded connection provided by an external thread that is arranged on the second first shank 55" und by the internal thread of the second first internally threaded sleeve 45".

[0029] The connector arrangement comprises a first second fastener 52' and a first second washer 62'. The first second washer 62' has an angled outline, so as to fit into the above-mentioned edges of the metal tube 10. The first second fastener 52' has a first second head 58' and a first second shank 56' that is attached to, preferably monolithically attached to, the first second head 58'. In an alternative embodiment, the first second shank 56' may be non-monolithically attached to the first second head 58'. For example, the first second head 58' might be screwed onto the first second shank 56'.

[0030] The first second head 58' is arranged within the metal tube 10 and the first second head 58' abuts, namely indirectly via the first second washer 62', against the metal tube 10. The first second shank 56' projects from the first second head 58' through the metal tube 10, namely through the third edge of the metal tube 10, into the first second anchor 42', in particular into the first second internally threaded sleeve 46', where it is connected to the first second anchor 42', in particular by means of a threaded connection provided by an external thread that is arranged on the first second shank 56' und by the internal thread of the first second internally threaded sleeve 46'.

[0031] The connector arrangement comprises a second second fastener 52" and a second second washer 62". The second second washer 62" has an angled outline, so as to fit into the above-mentioned edges of the metal tube 10. The second second fastener 52" has a second second head 58" and a second second shank 56" that is attached to, preferably monolithically attached to, the second second head 58". In an alternative embodiment, the second second shank 56" may be non-monolithically attached to the second second head 58". For example, the second second head 58" might be screwed onto the second second shank 56".

[0032] The second second head 58" is arranged within the metal tube 10 and the second second head 58" abuts, namely indirectly via the second second washer 62", against the metal tube 10. The second second shank 56" projects from the second second head 58" through the metal tube 10, namely through the fourth edge of the metal tube 10, into the second second anchor 42", in particular into the second second internally threaded sleeve 46", where it is connected to the second second anchor 42", in particular by means of a threaded connection provided by an external thread that is arranged on the second second shank 56" und by the internal thread of the second second internally threaded sleeve 46".

[0033] A connector comprises the metal tube 10, the first first fastener 51', optionally the first first washer 61', the second first fastener 51", optionally the second first washer 61", the first second fastener 52', optionally the first second washer 62', the second second fastener 52" and optionally the second second washer 62".

[0034] In the shown embodiment, the front face of the metal tube 10 is covered by a front cover 17 and the rear face of the metal tube 10 is covered by a rear cover 18. Preferably, the rear cover 18 is prefixed to the metal tube 10, and the front cover 17 is held in place by means of a screw 19 that extends through the front cover 17 and through the rear cover 18. The covers 17, 18 might further increase the stability of the metal tube 10 and hence the resistance.

Claims

1. Structure comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2) and a connector arrangement for connecting the first part (1) and the second part (2) with one another, wherein the first part (1) comprises a first depression (11), wherein the second part (2) comprises a second depression (12), wherein the connector arrangement comprises a metal tube (10), wherein the metal tube (10) is embedded both within the first depression (11) and the second depression (12), such that the circumference of the metal tube (10) projects partly into the first depression (11) and partly into the second depression (12), - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a first first anchor (41') and a second first anchor (41"), wherein the first first anchor (41') and the second first anchor (41") are anchored within the first part (1), - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a first second anchor (42') and a second second anchor (42"), wherein the first second anchor (42') and the second second anchor (42") are anchored within the second part (2), - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a first first fastener (51') having a first first head (57') and a first first shank (55') attached to the first first head (57'), wherein the first first head (57') is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the first first head (57') abuts against the metal tube (10), wherein the first first shank (55') projects through the metal tube (10) into the first first anchor (41') where it is connected to the first first anchor (41'), - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a second first fastener (51") having a second first head (57") and a second first shank (55") attached to the second first head (57"), wherein the second first head (57") is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the second first head (57") abuts against the metal tube (10), wherein the second first shank (55") projects through the metal tube (10) into the second first anchor (41") where it is connected to the second first anchor (41"), - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a first second fastener (52') having a first second head (58') and a first second shank (56') attached to the first second head (58'), wherein the first second head (58') is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the first second head (58') abuts against the metal tube (10), wherein the first second shank (56') projects through the metal tube (10) into the first second anchor (42') where it is connected to the first second anchor (42'), and - wherein the connector arrangement comprises a second second fastener (52") having a second second head (58") and a second second shank (56") attached to the second second head (58"), wherein the second second head (58") is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the second second head (58") abuts against the metal tube (10), wherein the second second shank (56") projects through the metal tube (10) into the second second anchor (42") where it is connected to the second second anchor (42").

2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal tube (10) has generally rectangular, in particular square cross-section.

3. Structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the first first shank (55') projects through a first edge of the metal tube (10), the second first shank (55") projects through a second edge of the metal tube (10), the first second shank (56') projects through a third edge of the metal tube (10), and the second second shank (56") projects through a fourth edge of the metal tube (10).

4. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure further comprises a first first washer (61'), wherein the first first head (57') abuts against the metal tube (10) via the first first washer (61'), the structure further comprises a second first washer (61"), wherein the second first head (57") abuts against the metal tube (10) via the second first washer (61"), the structure further comprises a first second washer (62'), wherein the first second head (58') abuts against the metal tube (10) via the first second washer (62'), and the structure further comprises a second second washer (62"), wherein the second second head (58") abuts against the metal tube (10) via the second second washer (62").

5. Connector, comprising - a metal tube (10), - a first first fastener (51') having a first first head (57') and a first first shank (55') attached to the first first head (57'), wherein the first first head (57') is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the first first shank (55') passes through a first edge of the metal tube (10), - a second first fastener (51") having a second first head (57") and a second first shank (55") attached to the second first head (57"), wherein the second first head (57") is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the second first shank (55") passes through a second edge of the metal tube (10), - a first second fastener (52') having a first second head (58') and a first second shank (56') attached to the first second head (58'), wherein the first second head (58') is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the first second shank (56') passes through a third edge of the metal tube (10), and - a second second fastener (52") having a second second head (58") and a second second shank (56") attached to the second second head (58"), wherein the second second head (58") is arranged within the metal tube (10), wherein the second second shank (56") passes through a fourth edge of the metal tube (10).

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