Profile rail with handle

Abstract

The invention relates to a profile rail (10) comprising at least one profile element (11) and at least one handle (12) attached to the profile element (11), wherein the handle (12) is attached to the profile element (11) by means of a rivet connection, wherein a rivet shank (14) of the handle (12) extends through an outer wall (15) of the profile element. The invention further relates to a sunshade device (100) with at least one profile rail (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a profile rail with at least one handle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a sun protection device with such a profile rail.

[0002] Sun protection devices are known from the prior art and are used in particular for shading glazed windows or doors. These devices can be attached to the inside of the window or door frame, either on the window frame or within the door frame. Shading can be achieved by using a flat sun protection element that is pleated multiple times, thus exhibiting a multitude of essentially parallel folds; by using a Venetian blind, in which a sun protection element is created from a multitude of slats; or by using a roller blind, in which a sun protection element can be rolled up on a winding shaft. A profile rail can be provided at at least one end of the sun protection element, aligned parallel to the folds of the pleated flat structure or the longitudinal extent of the slats.The sunshade element and the profile rail are mounted in such a way that the profile rail can be moved perpendicular to the folds of the sunshade element, thereby increasing or decreasing the shaded area as desired. To adjust the shaded area by enlarging or reducing the size of the sunshade element through the movement of at least one profile rail, the profile rail may have a handle.

[0003] If the shaded area is adjusted using a handle, it is usually necessary to attach the handle to a profile element of the profile rail using appropriate fasteners. Typically, plastic handles can be screwed onto the profile element using an adapter. After the adapter is screwed on, the handle is slid onto the adapter, forming a tongue-and-groove connection. Due to the multi-part design, the appearance is negatively affected. Furthermore, the handle has to be undesirably large because the insertion groove for the adapter must be integrated into the handle, which again negatively impacts the appearance. Alternatively, it is known in the prior art to slide the handle onto the profile element of the profile rail so that the handle clamps around the profile element. However, this leads to a raised or protruding profile in the area of ​​the handle.Reinforcement of the profile element allows only the handle, and not the entire profile element, to be flush against the frame of the door or window to be shaded. However, if the profile elements cannot be fully flush against the frame, an undesirable light gap remains between the profile element and the frame. It is also known to screw the handle to the profile element from the outside. However, in this case, at least the screw head remains visible even after the handle is mounted, which is undesirable. Furthermore, the height or thickness of the handle is determined by the diameter of the screw head, and this height or thickness is generally not ergonomic when the handle and profile element are screwed to the outside, thus reducing ease of use.To address this problem, profile rails of this type are known in which the handle is attached using a clamping element and a screw located within the profile element. However, this results in a loss of installation space within the rail, and furthermore, a relatively large recess in the profile element is necessary to accommodate the clamping element, which reduces the profile's bending stiffness.

[0004] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is therefore to propose a new profile rail whose handle can be attached to the profile element in a simple and space-saving manner. Furthermore, the profile rail should be stable and durable, and the manufacturing and assembly effort for producing the profile rail should be minimized. In addition, the profile rail should be universally applicable, particularly on various sun protection devices.

[0005] This problem is solved in a surprisingly simple yet effective manner by a profile rail according to the teaching of independent claim 1. Furthermore, a sun protection device with a profile rail according to the invention is proposed.

[0006] According to the invention, a profile rail is proposed which has at least one handle and one profile element. The handle is attached to the profile element for actuating the profile rail in such a way that moving the handle causes the profile element to move along with it, thus moving the entire profile rail. Preferably, the handle is attached directly to an outer wall of the profile element. The profile rail is characterized in that the handle is attached to the profile element by means of a rivet connection. The handle has at least one rivet shank which extends through an outer wall of the profile element to form the rivet connection. The insertion end of the rivet shank, i.e., the end of the rivet shank that is inserted into the profile element, is spread open to secure the handle, preferably within the profile element.Preferably, the rivet shank is inserted into the profile element through a recess in the outer wall of the profile element, wherein the recess in the outer wall is complementary to the cross-section of the rivet shank.

[0007] The profile rail according to the invention is based on the fundamental idea that the rivet connection between the handle and the profile element of the profile rail allows for the required attachment of the handle to the profile rail without the need for additional elements, such as a clamping wedge or an adapter. Thus, the solution according to the invention minimizes not only the effort required for manufacturing and assembly but also the space required inside the profile rail, so that all technically necessary components for implementing a sun protection device can be arranged within the profile rail. Furthermore, screw connections, which are particularly visually disruptive, can be dispensed with. The rivet shank, especially the insertion end of the rivet shank, preferably projects into the profile element but not out of it, so that the rivet shank is not visible from the outside. That is to say,In other words, the rivet shank is positioned within the profile element, and the deformation of the rivet shank's insertion end occurs within the profile element. Thus, the appearance of the profile rail is not affected by the rivet shank, while simultaneously ensuring a stable and durable connection between the handle and the profile element. Furthermore, the manufacturing and assembly effort for producing the profile rail can be advantageously minimized, as the rivet connection can be formed quickly and easily by inserting and expanding the rivet shank, without the need for numerous process steps or the assembly of multiple individual parts.

[0008] In particular, the production of the riveted joint can be automated quickly and easily.

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, a direct attachment of the handle to the profile element relates to a direct connection between the handle and the profile element, without the need for any further fastening elements besides the rivet shank, such as clamping wedges or adapter elements, and wherein the handle can be brought directly into contact with the profile element.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, the term "outer wall" refers to a wall of the profile element that is visible from the outside, particularly after the profile rail is mounted on a sunshade device. In other words, an outer wall is an externally accessible wall of the profile element, which is to be distinguished from an internal wall. For forming the rivet connection, it has proven advantageous if the profile element has a flat bearing area that is accessible to a riveting tool. Within the scope of the invention, the profile element can be designed as a C-profile, U-profile, H-profile, or double-T-profile and thus have two, three, or four outer walls. The handle is arranged on the outer wall of the profile element facing the user when the profile rail and / or the sunshade device are mounted.Within the scope of the invention, the assembled state relates to the state of a profile rail or a sun protection device in which the profile rail or the sun protection device is attached to a frame of a window or door.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention also encompasses all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims, and / or the figures. It is understood that the embodiments described for the profile rail apply equivalently to the sun protection device according to the invention, without being specifically mentioned for the latter. In particular, it is understood that common linguistic transformations or a meaningful substitution of respective terms within the scope of usual linguistic practice, especially the use of synonyms supported by generally accepted linguistic literature, are included in the present disclosure without being explicitly mentioned in their respective formulations.

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, it was discovered that, for forming the riveted joint, the length of the rivet shank is advantageously greater than the thickness of the outer wall of the profile element to which the handle is attached. The length of the rivet shank extends along its longitudinal axis and can also be referred to as the rivet shank length within the scope of the invention. The rivet shank can have a length between 1.5 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, the rivet shank length is between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0013] To achieve the required stability of the profile rail, the rivet shank, in particular its diameter and length, can preferably be designed such that a torque between 2000 Nmm and 8000 Nmm can be transmitted without damaging the profile element and / or the handle. Preferably, the rivet shank is designed such that a torque between 2500 Nmm and 6500 Nmm can be transmitted without damaging the profile element and / or the handle.

[0014] To prevent damage to the rivet joint, in particular tear-out of the rivet shank along its longitudinal axis, the rivet joint can be designed such that a force of at least 600 N can be applied along the longitudinal axis of the rivet shank without damaging the rivet joint. Preferably, the rivet joint is designed such that a force of at least 1000 N can be applied along the longitudinal axis of the rivet shank without damaging the rivet joint.

[0015] It has proven advantageous for the handle to have at least two rivet shanks whose longitudinal axes run parallel to each other. The two rivet shanks can serve to form two riveted connections, thereby preventing relative movement of the handle with respect to the profile element. In particular, the handle can be secured against rotation relative to the profile element. The longitudinal axes of the rivet shanks run parallel to each other. The longitudinal axis of a rivet shank extends along its length, perpendicular to the length of the profile element. Depending on the design of the rivet shank, it is conceivable that its longitudinal axis coincides with its axis of symmetry and / or its axis of rotation.

[0016] The rivet shank can be cylindrical and extend through a circular recess in the outer wall of the profile element. The recess in the outer wall of the profile element can be complementary to the rivet shank, particularly to its cross-section. If the rivet shank is cylindrical, the circular recess in the outer wall of the profile element has a slightly larger diameter than the rivet shank, allowing the rivet shank to be easily inserted into the profile element. The combination of a cylindrical rivet shank and a circular recess in the outer wall of the profile element ensures a particularly simple and stable riveted joint.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rivet shank is at least partially hollow-cylindrical. The hollow-cylindrical design of the rivet shank, particularly at its insertion end, allows for particularly easy expansion of the rivet shank within the profile element. The rivet shank can have an annular cross-section, i.e., a cylindrical recess. It is conceivable that the rivet shank has a conical recess that tapers conically from the outside to the inside. In other words, the conical recess tapers from the insertion end of the rivet shank to the actuating element of the handle, so that the annular cross-section changes along the length of the rivet shank, with the inner diameter of the annular cross-section increasing continuously towards the insertion end of the rivet shank.

[0018] The rivet shank can be made of a cast metal or plastic. To increase stability, it has proven advantageous for the rivet shank to be made of a cast metal. Preferably, the handle is made of a metallic material. Preferably, the handle is made of aluminum and / or die-cast. Manufacturing the handle from aluminum makes it corrosion-resistant and also provides a pleasant feel. Die-casting advantageously ensures not only high stability but also high dimensional accuracy and surface finish.

[0019] The handle can be manufactured as a single piece. This makes the handle particularly easy and stable to produce, as all elements of the handle are made of the same material. In particular, the actuating element is monolithically formed with the rivet shank(s). Alternatively, it is conceivable that the handle is not manufactured as a single piece, but rather that the actuating element of the handle is connected to the rivet shank and / or that the actuating element of the handle and the rivet shank are made of different materials. For example, a rivet shank can be inserted as a metallic insert into an actuating element made of plastic. The actuating element then forms a single component that, for example,It can be made of an injection-moldable plastic or a die-casting material, whereby the rivet shank, made of metal or another suitable material, can be injected or cast into the actuating element during the manufacturing process. The multi-part design of the handle allows for material cost savings and / or the implementation of advantageous material combinations.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the height of the actuating element of the handle can be greater than and / or equal to the height and / or diameter of the rivet shank. In other words, if the rivet shank is cylindrical or hollow cylindrical, the height of the actuating element is equal to or greater than the diameter of the rivet shank. If the rivet shank has a different shape than cylindrical or hollow cylindrical, for example, a cuboid shape with a rectangular cross-section, the height of the actuating element is greater than and / or equal to the height of the rivet shank. This design ensures the required load-bearing capacity of the handle and ergonomic operation while maintaining an attractive appearance, since the rivet shank is no longer visible after the handle is attached to the profile element.The height of the actuating element and / or the rivet shank preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the profile element and is therefore to be measured transversely to the longitudinal extent of the profile element. Preferably, the height of the handle is defined by the height of the actuating element of the handle. The rivet shank preferably has a diameter between 2 mm and 10 mm. More preferably, the rivet shank has a diameter between 2 mm and 4 mm.

[0021] Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that the handle, in its unloaded state, exerts a torque on the profile element due to its weight, which can lead to undesirable tilting or twisting of the profile element and / or the profile rail. The unloaded state of the handle is the state in which no external force, for example by a user, is applied to the handle. Therefore, to ensure an attractive appearance of the profile rail in its unloaded state, the handle can be designed such that it is horizontally aligned in this state. In other words, the handle is designed with regard to geometry and weight such that the torque applied by the weight of the handle does not lead to tilting or twisting of the profile element, and consequently, not to tilting or twisting of the handle and the profile rail.Preferably, at least the actuating element of the handle is horizontally aligned in the unloaded state.

[0022] In another aspect, the invention relates to a sun protection device, particularly for mounting on the frame of a window or door, comprising at least one profile rail according to the invention, described elsewhere, and a sun protection element that can be arranged on the profile rail and is variable in size. A profile rail is arranged at least at one end of the sun protection element. The sun protection element and the profile rail can be mounted, for example, on at least one tension cord, such that the profile rail can be moved by a force exerted by a user. It is also conceivable that the profile rail is fixed in its position when unloaded, i.e., without force being exerted by a user, with the handle preferably being horizontally oriented.

[0023] Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the sun protection device is designed in the form of a roller blind, a Venetian blind, or a pleated blind. If the sun protection device is designed in the form of a roller blind, the sun protection element can be arranged on a winding shaft and can be unwound from or wound onto the winding shaft. A sun protection device designed in the form of a Venetian blind can have a sun protection element with a plurality of parallel slats. A sun protection device designed in the form of a pleated blind can have a sun protection element with a plurality of parallel pleats.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the sun protection device can have two profile rails, wherein the variable-size sun protection element is arranged between the profile rails, and the profile rails are independently or independently displaceable transversely to their longitudinal extent. One profile rail can form an upper rail and the other a lower rail. The lower rail is preferably arranged vertically below the sun protection element, and the upper rail is preferably arranged vertically above the sun protection element. That is, the sun protection element is arranged between the profile rails, and the upper and lower rails are freely or guidedly displaceable transversely to their longitudinal extent, particularly in the vertical direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the sun protection device, which is designed in the manner of a blind, has two profile rails, one forming an upper rail and the other a lower rail. The sun protection element with a plurality of slats is arranged between the profile rails, the upper and lower rails being freely or guidedly displaceable transversely to the longitudinal extent of the profile rails, particularly in the vertical direction, on at least one tension cord. The tension cord can be attached to a frame of a window or door opening, and the slats can be adjustable in their inclination to the horizontal.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the sun protection device is designed as a pleated blind, comprising a pull-apart and push-apart sun protection element with multiple pleats and thus a multitude of essentially parallel folds, through which at least one tension cord runs. A profile rail is provided at at least one end, preferably at both ends, of the sun protection element, and is aligned parallel to the folds of the sun protection element.

[0027] It is conceivable that the profile rail, particularly when it reaches its end position, comes into contact with the frame of the window or door to be shaded. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that a fastening device for attaching the sun protection system to a window or door can be accommodated in a recess in the profile rail. This advantageously allows the shading area to be increased and the window or door frame to be almost completely filled with the sun protection element of the system.

[0028] It is assumed that the definitions and explanations of the above-mentioned terms apply to all aspects described below in this description, unless otherwise stated.

[0029] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the dependent claims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiment is shown schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, or elements that correspond to one another with respect to their function.

[0030] Specifically, we show: Fig. 1 a sun protection device according to the invention in isometric view; Fig. 2 the sun protection device according to Fig. 1 front view; Fig. 3a a profile rail according to the invention in front view before the rivet connection is formed; Fig. 3ba profile rail according to the invention in front view after formation of the rivet connection; Fig. 4a the profile rail according to Fig. 3a in sectional view along section line CC; Fig. 4b the profile rail according to Fig. 3b in sectional view along the section line AA; Fig. 5a Detail D from Fig. 4a in enlarged view; Fig. 5b Detail B from Fig. 4b in enlarged view; Fig. 6 a first embodiment of a profile element of a profile rail in side view; Fig. 7 a second embodiment of a profile element of a profile rail in side view; and Fig. 8 a third embodiment of a profile element of a profile rail in side view.

[0031] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2Figure 1 shows the basic structure of a pleated sunshade 100 according to the invention, comprising a pleated sunshade element 101. A profile rail 10 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the sunshade 100, aligned parallel to the pleats of the sunshade element 101. The profile rails 10 are displaceable transversely to the longitudinal extent LP of the profile element 11 during operation of the sunshade 100. According to the illustrated embodiment, the profile rails 10 can be guided and displaced by the side profiles 102. However, it is also conceivable that the profile rails 10 are freely displaceable. For operation of the sunshade 100, the upper profile rail 10, which forms the top rail, and the lower profile rail 10, which forms the bottom rail, each have a handle 12 that is attached to the profile element 11 by means of a rivet connection.To return the profile rails 10 to a straight position, i.e., a horizontal position, after the sun protection device 100 has been actuated, and to support the sun protection element 101, tension cords 103 run in the left and right side profiles 102 of the sun protection device 100. The tension cords 103 are held on a lower tensioning device 104 and run through the lower profile rail 10, which is designed as a lower rail, and through openings arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent LP of the profile element 11 in the sun protection element 101, further through the other profile rail 10, which is designed as an upper rail, and from there into an upper tensioning device 104. Figure 1 and 2It can be seen that the rivet 14 of the handle 12 is not visible to a user, thus ensuring an attractive appearance of the sun protection device 100. In addition, increased stability and an improved appearance are achieved in the present embodiment by the fact that the handle 12 is formed in one piece and that adapters or screw connections that would be disruptive to the appearance and function can be dispensed with.

[0032] From a synthesis of Figures 3a to 8 The structure of the profile rail 10 comprises a profile element 11 and a handle 12. The following are shown: Figures 3a, 4a and 5a The profile rail 10 is prepared for the rivet connection, with the handle 12 inserted into the profile element 11. Figures 3b, 4b and 5bFigures 1 and 2 show the profile rail 10 after the rivet connection has been made, i.e., that the handle 12 is riveted to the profile element 11. To form the rivet connection, the two rivet shanks 14 projecting from the actuating element 13 of the handle 12 are inserted into two recesses in the outer wall 15 of the profile element 11, the recesses being formed in a manner complementary to the outer diameter of the rivet shanks 14, as shown in Detail D in Figure 1. Figure 5a shown, inserted. Subsequently, the insertion end 16 of each rivet shank 14 is spread open, thereby fixing the handle 12 to the profile element 11. The spread insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14 is made in particular of Figure 5b evident, which detail B from Figure 4b shows. Especially with Figure 5aIt has been shown that each of the two rivet shanks 14 can have a conical recess 17, which tapers conically from the outside to the inside. In other words, the conical recess 17 tapers from the insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14 to the actuating element 13 of the handle 12, so that the annular cross-section changes over the length LN of the rivet shank 14, with the inner diameter of the annular cross-section increasing continuously towards the insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14. The length LN of the rivet shank 14 is advantageously greater than the thickness of the outer wall 15 of the profile element 11 to which the handle 12 is attached.

[0033] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a side view of the profile rail 10, which has the profile element 11 and the handle 12 attached to the profile element 11 by means of a rivet connection. It can be seen that the handle 12, and in particular the actuating element 13 of the handle 12, by which the user can grasp the handle 12, is horizontally oriented in the unloaded state, as shown in the figures. According to the advantageous embodiment shown, the handle 12 is designed such that the height HB of the actuating element 13 is greater than the diameter of the rivet shank 14, with the height HB of the actuating element defining the maximum height and thus the overall height of the handle 12. The height HB of the actuating element 13 and the height of the rivet shank 14 extend, as can also be seen from a view in conjunction with the Figures 3a and 3b visible, perpendicular to the longitudinal extent LP of the profile element 11. Furthermore, the Figure 6The cross-sectional design of the profile element 11 is shown. The profile element 11 is designed as an H-profile, with the openings of the side flanges 18 forming the outer contour of the profile element 11 facing each other, and the connecting web 19 between the side flanges 18 being inclined at least in some areas. The cross-sectional design of the profile element 11, as shown in Figure 6 As shown, the accessibility of the insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14 is ensured in order to create the rivet connection. The rivet shanks 14 of the handle 12 are inserted into a recess in a side flange 18 of the profile element 11, which is designed as an H-profile. The visible area 181, which is arranged between the two ends 182 of the side flange 18, forms the outer wall 15 of the profile element 11, to which the handle 12 is attached by means of the rivet connection.

[0034] The in the Figures 7 and 8The profile rail 10 shown largely corresponds to that shown in [reference]. Figure 6 , differs from this, however, in the design of the profile element 11 in the cross-section.

[0035] The in Figure 7 The profile element 11 shown in cross-section is designed as a U-profile, with the side flanges 18, which essentially form the outer contour of the profile element 11, arranged opposite each other and connected by means of the connecting web 19. In other words, the two side flanges 18 and the connecting web 19 form the legs of the U-profile. The cross-sectional design of the profile element 11, as shown in Figure 7As shown, the accessibility of the insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14 is also ensured in order to create the rivet connection. The rivet shanks 14 of the handle 12 are inserted into a recess in a side flange 18 of the U-shaped profile element 11. The visible area 181 of the side flange 18 forms the outer wall 15 of the profile element 11, to which the handle 12 is attached by means of the rivet connection.

[0036] The in Figure 8The profile element 11, shown in cross-section, is designed as an H-profile, with the openings of the side flanges 18, which form the outer contour of the profile element 11, facing each other, and the connecting web 19 between the side flanges 18 being straight. The cross-sectional design of the profile element 11, as shown in Figure 8, also ensures accessibility to the insertion end 16 of the rivet shank 14 in order to create the rivet connection. The rivet shanks 14 of the handle 12 are inserted into a recess in a side flange 18 of the U-shaped profile element 11. The visible area 181 of the side flange 18 forms the outer wall 15 of the profile element 11, to which the handle 12 is attached by means of the rivet connection.

[0037] Furthermore, the one in the Figures 7 and 8 profile rail 10 of the embodiment shown according to Figure 6, therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant description. Reference symbol list

[0038] 10 Profile rail 11 Profile element 12 Handle 13 Actuating element 14 Rivet 15 Outer wall of profile element 16 Insertion end 17 Conical recess 18 Side flange 181 Visible area of ​​side flange 182 End cap of side flange 19 Connecting web LPL length profile element HGH height handle LNL length rivet shank 100 Sun protection device; pleated blind system 101 Sun protection element; pleated blind fabric 102 Side profile 103 Tension cord 104 Tensioning device

Claims

1. Profile rail (10) comprising at least one profile element (11) and at least one handle (12) attached to the profile element (11), characterized by that the handle (12) is attached to the profile element (11) by means of a rivet connection, wherein a rivet shank (14) of the handle (12) penetrates an outer wall (15) of the profile element.

2. Profile rail according to claim 1, characterized by that the handle (12) has at least two rivet shafts (14) whose longitudinal axes run parallel.

3. Profile rail according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the rivet shaft (14) is cylindrical and extends through a circular recess in the outer wall (15) of the profile element (11).

4. Profile rail according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the rivet shaft (14) is hollow cylindrical in shape.

5. Profile rail according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by thatat least the rivet shank (14), preferably the handle (12), is made of a metallic casting material, in particular aluminium, or of a plastic.

6. Profile rail according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the handle (12) is formed in one piece.

7. Profile rail according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the height (HB) of the actuating element (13) of the handle (12) is greater than and / or equal to the height of the rivet shank (14) and / or the diameter of the rivet shank (14).

8. Profile rail according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the handle (12) is designed such that the handle (12) is horizontally aligned in the unloaded state.

9. Sun protection device (100) with at least one profile rail (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sun protection element (101) of variable size can be arranged on the profile rail (10).

10. Sun protection device according to claim 9, characterized by that two profile rails (10) are included, wherein the variable-size sun protection element (101) is arranged between the profile rails (10) and the profile rails (10) are independently displaceable transversely to the longitudinal extent (LP) of the profile elements (11).

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