Channel with t-slot

Abstract

Hollow steel channel comprising a channel wall that is provided with at least one T-slot, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the hollow steel channel extends within the channel wall without intersecting the channel wall, wherein the T-slot has a neck region and a head region, wherein the channel wall comprises a clear-span slot base wall section that delimits the head region of the T-slot at the base of the T-slot, wherein the slot base wall section has arched transverse section, concavely projecting from the T-slot.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hollow steel channel according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A hollow steel channel provided with T-slots is for example known from DE 202005006528 U1.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a T-slotted channel that provides, at particularly low manufacturing effort, particularly good performance, in particular pullout load performance.

[0004] This object is achieved by a channel according to claim 1. Dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] There is thus provided a hollow steel channel comprising a channel wall that is provided with at least one T-slot, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the hollow steel channel extends within the channel wall without intersecting the channel wall, wherein the T-slot has a neck region and a head region, wherein the channel wall comprises a clear-span slot base wall section that delimits the head region of the T-slot at the base of the T-slot.

[0006] According to the invention, the slot base wall section has arched transverse section, concavely projecting from the T-slot. In particular, the slot base wall section projects convexly into the steel channel.

[0007] Accordingly, the slot base wall section, i.e. the wall section that delimits the flange section of the T-shape, is not flat, but rather, it protrudes into and / or is arched into the inside of the channel when seen in in transverse section of the channel (i.e. with sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel). It has been found that this arrangement can provide particularly good stiffness against a pull-out load, e.g. by preventing buckling and transferring load as a compression to the bottom of the arched shape.

[0008] The channel is a steel channel, i.e. the channel wall consists of steel. In particular, the channel wall can have generally constant wall thickness, which is often a characteristic of a roll-shaped channel. The channel is hollow, i.e. it is devoid of stiffening ribs or the like within the interior of the channel wall.

[0009] The longitudinal axis extends along the channel within the channel. Throughout this document, wherever used, the terms "axially", "longitudinally", "radially", "transversely" and "circumferentially" refer, in particular, to the longitudinal axis

[0010] The channel wall circumscribes the T-slot. When seen in transverse section (i.e. in a section with view parallel to the longitudinal axis), the head region of the T-slot is wider than the neck region of the T-slot. Accordingly, the channel wall forms a constriction within the neck region. The T-slot allows to insert a fitted channel nut into the T-slot via the neck region and to subsequently lock the channel nut within the T-slot by rotating the channel nut around a channel nut axis aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the channel. In particular, the head region is located deeper in the channel than is the neck region. In particular, the channel wall has generally rectangular circumference, more preferably generally square circumference.

[0011] The slot base wall section of the channel wall partly circumscribes the head region. The slot base wall section is arranged at the base of the T-slot, i.e. at that region that is most remote from the neck region and which delimits the flange of the T-slot. The slot base wall section is clear span, in particular clear span in transverse section, i.e. there are no elements providing intermediate support along the span of the slot base wall section. In other words, the slot base wall section is unsupported where it projects concavely from the T-slot into the channel, i.e. the slot base wall section is supported only at its two marginal edges, and it does not adjoin any other supporting structures between its marginal edges, i.e. the slot base wall section does not adjoin any other supporting structures where it projects concavely from the T-slot.

[0012] Optionally, the channel wall might be provided with one or more additional T-slots, preferably, also provided with a respective slot base wall section that has arched transverse section, concavely projecting from the respective additional T-slot.

[0013] It is particularly preferred that the transverse section of the slot base wall section is a polygonal chain. Accordingly, the arched transverse section that concavely projects from the T-slot is provided by a plurality of straight segments which are arranged at an angle to one another. This can be advantageous in view of manufacturing, e.g. when the channel is manufactured by roll shaping.

[0014] More preferably, the transverse section of the slot base wall section can be a polygonal chain comprising a generally straight central segment, a generally straight first flank segment that adjoins the central segment, and a generally straight second flank segment that adjoins the central segment. Accordingly, the slot base wall section comprises, in transverse section, three subsections, namely the first flank segment, the second flank segment and the base segment, which is arranged in-between the adjacent first and second flank segments. Each of these segments is straight in transverse section of the channel. This embodiment can be advantageous from a manufacturing and performance point of view.

[0015] Advantageously, the transverse section of the slot base wall section is a polygonal chain consisting only of the central segment, the first flank segment that adjoins the central segment, and the second flank segment that adjoins the central segment. Accordingly, the polygonal has no other segments in addition to the three described segments. This can be advantageous from a manufacturing point of view. Curved portions might connect the respective straight segments.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the slot base wall section has reflection symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry, wherein the plane of symmetry includes the longitudinal axis and wherein the plane of symmetry intersects the central segment. Such a symmetric setup can be particularly useful in view of force absorption and thus channel performance.

[0017] Generally, the described groove design might be used for any application, e.g. channels, brackets, and others provided with a groove geometry subjected to pull-out loads.

[0018] 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 perspective view of a hollow steel channel. Figure 2 is a transverse view of the channel of figure 1. Figure 3 is a detail transverse view of the channel of figure 1, in a region surrounding the T-slot.

[0019] The figures show a hollow steel channel, which is obtained by deforming a flat strip material, and which comprises a single channel wall 10. A longitudinal axis 99 of the channel extends within the channel wall 10, without intersecting the channel wall. The channel has, by way of example, generally rectangular transverse section, in particular square transverse section (transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis 99). On one of its longitudinal sides, the channel is provided with a T-slot 20, which projects into the channel, and which extends along the longitudinal axis 99. Additional T-slots 20' might optionally be provided. In the present embodiment, an additional T-slot 20' is provided in that longitudinal side which is located opposite the longitudinal side that is provided with the T-slot 20. Raised rim holes are optionally provided in the channel wall 10 for optional attachment of screw fasteners, in particular self-tapping screw fasteners. The channel wall 10 has generally constant wall thickness, except for example at locations of the raised rim holes.

[0020] The T-slot 20 comprises a neck region 21 and a head region 23. The head region 23 is wider (when seen perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 99) than is the neck region 21. Accordingly, the neck region 21 provides a constriction that allows to rotationally lock an elongate channel nut within the T-slot 20, namely in its head region 23.

[0021] At the T-slot 20, the channel wall 10 comprises a slot base wall section 30, which faces the neck region 21 of the T-slot 20, and which circumscribes the base of the T-slot 20. At the T-slot 20, the channel wall 10 further comprises a first slot side wall section 31, which adjoins the slot base wall section 30, and a second slot side wall section 32, which adjoins the slot base wall section 30. The first slot side wall section 31 and the second slot side wall section 32 extend generally parallel to one another, and they face one another. The slot base wall section 30 is clear-span, i.e. it is only supported by the first slot side wall section 31 and by the second slot side wall section 32, without any additional support in-between.

[0022] At the T-slot 20, the channel wall 10 further comprises a first slot hairpin section 35 which adjoins the first slot side wall section 31, and a second slot hairpin section 36 which adjoins the second slot side wall section 32. The slot base wall section 30, the first slot side wall section 31, the second slot side wall section 32 and parts of the first slot hairpin section 35 and of the second slot hairpin section 36 circumscribe the head region 23 of the T-slot 20. The neck region 21 of the T-slot is defined by the first slot hairpin section 35 and of the second slot hairpin section 36.

[0023] The slot base wall section 30 has arched transverse section (perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 99), which concavely projects out of the T-slot 20 into the interior of the channel. Accordingly, in transverse section, the slot base wall section 30 is depressed into the channel, i.e. it has, in transverse section, its central part deeper within the channel than its margins. In particular, the transverse section of the slot base wall section 30 is a polygonal chain comprising a generally straight central segment 40, a generally straight first flank segment 41 that adjoins the central segment 40, and a generally straight second flank segment 42 that adjoins the central segment 40.

[0024] The central segment 40 is generally parallel to that longitudinal side of the channel in which the T-slot 20 is provided. The first slot side wall section 31 and the second slot side wall section 32 are generally perpendicular to that longitudinal side of the channel in which the T-slot 20 is provided. The central segment 40 is generally perpendicular to the first slot side wall section 31 and the second slot side wall section 32.

[0025] The slot base wall section 30 has reflection symmetry with respect to a plane 95 of symmetry, wherein, wherein the plane 95 of symmetry includes the longitudinal axis 99 and wherein the plane 95 of symmetry intersects the central segment 40. Accordingly, the slot base wall section 30 has reflection symmetry also in transverse section, namely with respect to an axis 94 of symmetry, wherein this axis 94 of symmetry intersects the longitudinal axis 99 and the central segment 40.

Claims

1. Hollow steel channel comprising a channel wall (10) that is provided with at least one T-slot (20), and a longitudinal axis (99), wherein the longitudinal axis (99) of the hollow steel channel extends within the channel wall (10) without intersecting the channel wall (10), wherein the T-slot (20) has a neck region (21) and a head region (23), wherein the channel wall (10) comprises a clear-span slot base wall section (30) that delimits the head region (23) of the T-slot (20) at the base of the T-slot (20), characterized in that - the slot base wall section (30) has arched transverse section, concavely projecting from the T-slot (20).

2. Channel according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse section of the slot base wall section (30) is a polygonal chain.

3. Channel according to claim 2, characterized in that the transverse section of the slot base wall section (30) is a polygonal chain comprising a generally straight central segment (40), a generally straight first flank segment (41) that adjoins the central segment (40), and a generally straight second flank segment (42) that adjoins the central segment (40).

4. Channel according to claim 3, characterized in that the transverse section of the slot base wall section (30) is a polygonal chain consisting only of the central segment (40), the first flank segment (41) that adjoins the central segment (40), and the second flank segment (42) that adjoins the central segment (40).

5. Channel according to any of the claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the slot base wall section (30) has reflection symmetry with respect to a plane (95) of symmetry, wherein the plane (95) of symmetry includes the longitudinal axis (99) and wherein the plane (95) of symmetry intersects the central segment (40).

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