Coupling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for connecting two elements (100, 200) to be connected, which two elements (100, 200) each have a groove (101, 201) with at least one undercut (102a, 102b), in particular a groove (101, 201) with at least one undercut (102a, 102b) on both sides and thus with at least two undercuts (102a, 102b). The coupling device (1) comprises a first clamping part (2) and a second clamping part (3). For each of the two clamping parts (2, 3), a longitudinal direction, a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the first direction, a third direction opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction are defined. The first clamping part (2) has a first effective surface (5), which first effective surface (5) is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (2). The second clamping part (3) has a first effective surface (6), which first effective surface (6) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (3). The first clamping part (2) has a first protrusion arrangement (7), that extends in the first direction of the first clamping part (2), for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut (102a) of the groove (101) in a first of the two elements (100) to be connected, and the second clamping part (3) has a first protrusion arrangement (8), that extends in the first direction of the second clamping part (3), for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove (201) in a second of the two elements to be connected (200). The coupling device (1) also comprises a tensioning device (4) for drawing the two clamping parts (2, 3) towards one another substantially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1). When the coupling device (1) is assembled, the two clamping parts (2, 3) are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1), while the first direction of the first clamping part (2) and the first direction of the second clamping part (3) are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the second direction of the first clamping part (2) and the second direction of the second clamping part (3) are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts (2, 3) are each arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first effective surfaces (5, 6) facing one another, and can be drawn or are drawn towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the tensioning device (4). When the two clamping parts (2, 3) are drawn towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the tensioning device (4), the interaction of the first effective surfaces (5, 6) causes the first clamping part (2) and the second clamping part (3) to be pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1) so that the first protrusion arrangement (7) arranged on the first clamping part (2) and the first protrusion arrangement (8) arranged on the second clamping part (3) are pressed towards one another. A normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface (5) of the first clamping part (2) has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part (2) and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part (2). A normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface (6) of the second clamping part (3) has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part (3) and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part (3).

Description

[0001] Coupling device

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a coupling device for connecting two elements to be connected, which two elements each have a groove undercut with at least one undercut, in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut each and thus with at least two undercuts. This coupling device comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part and thus two clamping parts. For each of the two clamping parts, a longitudinal direction, a first direction oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second direction oriented both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction oriented opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction oriented opposite to the second direction are defined. The first clamping part has a first active surface, which first active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part.The second clamping part has a first active surface, which first active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. Furthermore, the first clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the first clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a first of the two elements to be connected. In addition, the second clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the second clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a second of the two elements to be connected. The coupling device also comprises a tensioning device for tensioning the two clamping parts towards one another essentially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device.In an assembled state of the coupling device, the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts are each arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing one another and can be tensioned or are tensioned towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the tensioning device.When the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Coupling devices belonging to the technical field mentioned above are known. An example of such a coupling device is described in DE 203 17 404 U1 by DESTA-CO Metallerzeugnisse GmbH.

[0006] Such known coupling devices do indeed make it possible to connect two elements to be connected, which two elements each have a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts, in a simple manner: For this purpose, the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another and the coupling device is inserted in the assembled state with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and fixed in place by tensioning the two clamping parts towards one another along the longitudinal axis by tensioning the tensioning device.Due to the interaction of the active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, such that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another. Since the coupling device is inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a first of the two elements to be connected, and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a second of the two elements to be connected.Due to this engagement, the two elements to be connected are clamped together by pressing the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part toward each other. This clamping action connects the two elements to be connected.

[0007] Such coupling devices have the disadvantage that they do not ensure precise positioning of the two elements relative to each other when connecting them. If the two elements to be connected are to be precisely positioned relative to each other in a direction transverse to the grooves, the two elements must first be correctly positioned relative to each other and held in this position until one or more coupling devices are inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves and secured. Only once the coupling devices are secured in the grooves can the two now connected elements be held in the correct position relative to each other. Therefore, the use of such coupling devices is very complex and cumbersome.

[0008] A coupling device which, at least to a certain extent, facilitates positioning of the two elements to be connected relative to each other in a direction transverse to the grooves is described in EP 0 837 253 A1 of Festo AG & Co. In this coupling device, one of the two clamping parts has rib-like centering projections which are located on the edge sections of this clamping part directly next to the clamping surface with which the undercuts of the groove are engaged.

[0009] While such coupling devices facilitate the positioning of the two elements to be connected relative to each other in a direction transverse to the grooves to a certain extent, they still have the disadvantage that during assembly, the two elements to be connected must be positioned quite precisely relative to each other in the direction transverse to the grooves and must be held in this position until the clamping device is tightened and the respective coupling element is secured. Furthermore, with such coupling devices, there is a risk that the edge of the undercuts of the groove will be crushed and thus damaged by the rib-like centering projections. Description of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a coupling device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which, when connecting the two elements to be connected, enables a correct positioning of the two elements to be connected in a direction transverse to the grooves in the two elements to be connected in a simple and reliable manner and in a reproducible manner.

[0011] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the first clamping part has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part, and a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the second clamping part has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part.

[0012] The two elements that can be connected or are to be connected with the coupling device according to the invention each have a groove undercut with at least one undercut. Preferably, the at least one undercut runs along the longitudinal direction of the respective groove along the respective groove. However, the two elements that can be connected or are to be connected with the coupling device according to the invention can also each have a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut. This means that in this case, the grooves of the two elements that can be connected or are to be connected are undercut with at least two undercuts. Preferably, the at least two undercuts run on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the respective groove along the respective groove.Grooves with a T-shaped or a t-shaped cross-section are, for example, grooves with an undercut on each side, in which the two undercuts run on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the respective groove.

[0013] According to the invention, the first clamping part has a first effective surface, which first effective surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part. Thus, the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part is not aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, but has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part. According to the invention, the second clamping part also has a first effective surface, which first effective surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. Thus, the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the second clamping part is not aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, but has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part.

[0014] According to the invention, the first clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the first clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a first of the two elements to be connected. In addition, the second clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the second clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a second of the two elements to be connected. The first projection arrangement of the first clamping part can comprise one or more projections. Likewise, the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part can comprise one or more projections. Such a projection of a first projection arrangement can have any length along the longitudinal direction of the clamping part to which the projection arrangement belongs.Such a projection can extend longitudinally along the entire clamping part. However, such a projection can also extend longitudinally over only a portion of the clamping part.

[0015] However, if the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part comprises two or more projections, these projections are preferably arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part so that all projections of the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part are designed to engage behind the same one of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected when the coupling device is inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves in order to connect the two elements to be connected.

[0016] However, if the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part comprises two or more projections, these projections are preferably arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, so that all projections of the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part are designed to engage behind the same one of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected when the coupling device is introduced into the space formed by the opposing grooves in order to connect the two elements to be connected.

[0017] According to the invention, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed and in particular at least slightly moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another.If the two clamping parts are moved slightly relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, the slight movement can be a pure translational movement of the first clamping part relative to the second clamping part in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, such that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another. However, the slight movement can also be a pure rotational movement of the first clamping part relative to the second clamping part about the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, such that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another.Equally, the slight movement can also be a combination of a translational movement of the first clamping part relative to the second clamping part in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device and a rotational movement of the first clamping part relative to the second clamping part about the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, such that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another. Thus, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces of the two clamping parts, one of the two clamping parts is pressed in a direction, which direction has a component pointing in the fourth direction of this one clamping part, while the other of the two clamping parts is pressed in a direction, which direction has a component pointing in the second direction of this other clamping part.More specifically, the first clamping part is pressed in a direction which has a component pointing in the fourth direction of the first clamping part because the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part has a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part, while the second clamping part is pressed in a direction which has a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part because the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the second clamping part has a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part.

[0018] By virtue of the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another,The coupling device, in the assembled state, is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, and the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a first of the two elements to be connected, and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a second of the two elements to be connected. The two elements to be connected are connected by clamping the two elements to be connected together. This means that when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces.so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other, in particular so that, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other, the coupling device in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a first of the two elements to be connected and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove on a second of the two elements to be connected,to connect the two elements to be connected by clamping them together. According to the invention, the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the first clamping part has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part, while the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the second clamping part has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. Since the first active surface of the first clamping part is also inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the first active surface of the second clamping part is also inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, this leads to the fact that when the two clamping parts are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device,Due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part is pressed relative to the second clamping part in a direction which has a component directed both in the third direction and in the fourth direction of the first clamping part, while the second clamping part is pressed relative to the first clamping part in a direction which has a component directed both in the first direction and in the second direction of the second clamping part. Therefore, as already described, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other. More precisely, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other in an approach direction,which approach direction has a component along an axis defined by the second direction and the fourth direction of the two clamping parts. However, this approach direction also has a component along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts. Along this axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed apart, so that the two clamping parts lock laterally at the two edges of the groove in the first element to be connected and at the edges of the groove in the second element to be connected. This means that when the clamping device is tightened, the two elements to be connected are not only clamped together, but are also precisely and reproducibly positioned relative to one another in a direction transverse to the grooves.

[0019] Accordingly, the coupling device according to the invention enables, in a simple and reliable manner, correct positioning of the two elements to be connected in a direction transverse to the grooves in the two elements to be connected when connecting the two elements to be connected. For this purpose, it is sufficient to align the two elements to be connected with their grooves parallel to each other and to bring them into contact with their grooves opposite one another, so that a space formed by the opposing grooves is sufficiently large for the insertion of the coupling device in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the coupling device is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the coupling device parallel to the grooves.Subsequently, one or more coupling devices according to the invention can be inserted in the assembled state with their longitudinal axes aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and secured by tightening the clamping device(s) of the one or more coupling devices. The coupling device according to the invention allows for a high degree of tolerance regarding the precision with which the two elements to be connected must be aligned parallel to each other with their grooves and brought into contact with their opposing grooves, since it is sufficient if the space formed by the opposing grooves is sufficiently large for the insertion of the coupling device(s).Once the one or more coupling devices according to the invention are inserted into this space, the two elements to be connected no longer need to be held in position relative to each other, nor do they need to be positioned more precisely relative to each other. Rather, it is sufficient to tension the tensioning device(s) of the one or more coupling devices used in order to correctly and precisely position and connect the two elements to be connected.

[0020] Therefore, advantageously, for connecting the two elements to be connected, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other, the coupling device in the assembled state can be inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, so that the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, after which the two clamping parts can be clamped towards each other with their first active surfaces essentially along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device,so that due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the two clamping parts are pressed relative to each other in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and so that the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected are pressed towards each other by the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part in order to connect the two elements to be connected by clamping the two elements to be connected together. Advantageously, the direction is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device,in which direction the two clamping parts are pressed relative to each other due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, further aligned so that the first clamping part and the second clamping part are also pressed apart along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts, so that the two clamping parts block each other laterally at the two edges of the groove in the first element to be connected and at the edges of the groove in the second element to be connected, in order to correctly position the two elements to be connected in a direction transverse to the grooves in the two elements to be connected when connecting the two elements to be connected.

[0021] Advantageously, in the first clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first active surface and the first direction is at least 30°. Furthermore, in the first clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first active surface and the second direction is advantageously at least 30°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the first active surface and the third direction is advantageously at least 30°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction is advantageously at least 30°.This has the advantage that when connecting the two elements to be connected, a comparatively small force is sufficient to tighten the clamping device in order to firmly connect the two elements to be connected. Advantageously, in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first active surface and the first direction is at most 60°. Furthermore, in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first active surface and the second direction is at most 60°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction is at most 60°.Furthermore, in the second clamping part, the angle between the first active surface and the fourth direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction, is a maximum of 60°. This has the advantage that the first active surface of the first clamping part is not too steeply inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, and that the first active surface of the second clamping part is not too steeply inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, allowing the two clamping parts to be constructed comparatively short along their longitudinal directions. This means that the entire coupling device, measured along its longitudinal axis, can also be constructed comparatively short and correspondingly compact.

[0022] Particularly preferably, in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first effective surface and the first direction is approximately 45°, while in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first effective surface and the second direction is approximately 45°, while in the second clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the first effective surface and the third direction is approximately 45°, and while in the second clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the first effective surface and the fourth direction is approximately 45°.This has the advantage that the coupling device can be constructed to be short, measured along its longitudinal axis, and at the same time, when connecting the two elements to be connected, a small force is sufficient to tighten the clamping device in order to firmly connect the two elements to be connected.

[0023] As an alternative to this variant, it is also possible for the angle between the first effective surface and the first direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°. Likewise, it is also possible for the angle between the first effective surface and the second direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°. Likewise, it is also possible for the angle between the first effective surface and the third direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°.Likewise, it is also possible that in the second clamping part the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the first effective surface and the fourth direction is less than 30° or more than 60°.

[0024] Preferably, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on a half of the first clamping part lying in the second direction of the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on a half of the second clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part.This results in the two clamping parts being able to be arranged with their first active surfaces substantially completely lying on top of one another in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the tensioning device is not tensioned and the two clamping parts are therefore not tensioned towards one another along the longitudinal axis, while the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is located in the second direction of the second clamping part, as viewed from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part, while the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is located in the fourth direction of the first clamping part, as viewed from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part.When the clamping device is subsequently tensioned in order to clamp the two clamping parts together along the longitudinal axis and to press the first clamping part and the second clamping part relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other.Since, as explained, the two clamping parts can first be arranged with their first active surfaces essentially completely lying on top of one another in the relaxed state of the clamping device, this arrangement of the first projection arrangements on the respective one of the two clamping parts has the advantage that the two clamping parts can be very stably supported on one another with their first active surfaces, so that the coupling device functions very reliably and stably and thus enables a very reliable and stable connection of two elements to be connected with the corresponding grooves.

[0025] Advantageously, the first clamping part has a second active surface, which second active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and to the first active surface of the first clamping part, and the second clamping part has a second active surface, which second active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part and to the first active surface of the second clamping part. In the assembled state of the coupling device, the two clamping parts are preferably arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing one another and also with their second active surfaces facing one another, and can be clamped or are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device.When the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are preferably pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces and the second active surfaces, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another.In this case, a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the first clamping part preferably has both a component pointing in the third direction of the first clamping part and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the first clamping part, wherein the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part defines a first effective surface plane of the first clamping part at its position on the first effective surface and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the first clamping part defines a second effective surface plane of the first clamping part at its position on the second effective surface, wherein the first effective surface plane of the first clamping part and the second effective surface plane of the first clamping part intersect in a transition line of the first clamping part.Furthermore, a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the second clamping part preferably has both a component pointing in the first direction of the second clamping part and a component pointing in the second direction of the second clamping part, wherein the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the second clamping part defines a first effective surface plane of the second clamping part at its position on the first effective surface and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the second clamping part defines a second effective surface plane of the second clamping part at its position on the second effective surface, wherein the first effective surface plane of the second clamping part and the second effective surface plane of the second clamping part intersect in a transition line of the second clamping part.This has the advantage that, in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the two clamping parts are clamped toward each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the two clamping parts can support each other with both their first and second active surfaces. This allows for improved functionality of the coupling device.

[0026] Advantageously, in the first clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction is at least 30°. Furthermore, in the first clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the second effective surface and the fourth direction is advantageously at least 30°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the second effective surface and the first direction is advantageously at least 30°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction is advantageously at least 30°.This has the advantage that when connecting the two elements to be connected, a comparatively small force is sufficient to tighten the clamping device in order to firmly connect the two elements to be connected.

[0027] Advantageously, in the first clamping part, the angle between the second effective surface and the third direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction, is at most 60°. Furthermore, in the first clamping part, the angle between the second effective surface and the fourth direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction, is at most 60°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, the angle between the second effective surface and the first direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction, is at most 60°. Furthermore, in the second clamping part, the angle between the second effective surface and the second direction, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction, is at most 60°.This has the advantage that the second effective surface of the first clamping part is not too steeply inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, and that the second effective surface of the second clamping part is not too steeply inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, allowing the two clamping parts to be constructed comparatively short along their longitudinal directions. This also allows the entire coupling device to be constructed comparatively short and correspondingly compact, measured along its longitudinal axis.

[0028] Particularly preferably, in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the second effective surface and the third direction is approximately 45°, while in the first clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the second effective surface and the fourth direction is approximately 45°, while in the second clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the second effective surface and the first direction is approximately 45°, and while in the second clamping part, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the second effective surface and the second direction is approximately 45°.This has the advantage that the coupling device can be constructed to be short, measured along its longitudinal axis, and at the same time, when connecting the two elements to be connected, a small force is sufficient to tighten the clamping device in order to firmly connect the two elements to be connected.

[0029] As an alternative to this variant, it is also possible for the angle between the second effective surface and the third direction in the first clamping part, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°. Likewise, it is also possible for the angle between the second effective surface and the fourth direction in the first clamping part, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°. Likewise, it is also possible for the angle between the second effective surface and the first direction in the second clamping part, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°.Likewise, it is also possible for the angle between the second active surface and the second direction in the second clamping part, measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction, to be less than 30° or more than 60°. Advantageously, the first active surface of the first clamping part lies entirely in the first active surface plane of the first clamping part. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the first active surface of the first clamping part to have a curvature and thus not to lie entirely in the first active surface plane of the first clamping part. Advantageously, the second active surface of the first clamping part lies entirely in the second active surface plane of the first clamping part. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the second active surface of the first clamping part to have a curvature and thus not to lie entirely in the second active surface plane of the first clamping part.Advantageously, the first active surface of the second clamping part lies entirely within the first active surface plane of the second clamping part. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the first active surface of the second clamping part to have a curvature and thus not to lie entirely within the first active surface plane of the second clamping part. Advantageously, the second active surface of the second clamping part lies entirely within the second active surface plane of the second clamping part. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the second active surface of the second clamping part to have a curvature and thus not to lie entirely within the second active surface plane of the second clamping part.

[0030] In a variant in which the active surfaces do not lie entirely in the corresponding active surface planes, a rounded active section protruding from the rest of the first clamping part is arranged on the first clamping part, while a corresponding rounded recess is present on the second clamping part, which can at least partially accommodate the rounded active section of the first clamping part and thus also forms an active section. In such a variant, the first active surface of the first clamping part and the second active surface of the first clamping part can be arranged on the protruding, rounded active section of the first clamping part, while the first active surface of the second clamping part and the second active surface of the second clamping part are arranged on the active section of the second clamping part.To achieve this, the active section of the first clamping part can, for example, be formed by a section of an oval shape, while the active section of the second clamping part is correspondingly formed by a section of an oval-shaped ball socket. The oval shape of the active section of the first clamping part has a first longest main axis, while the oval shape of the oval-shaped ball socket of the active section of the second clamping part has a second longest main axis. Advantageously, the first longest main axis has the features of the transition line of the first clamping part described below, while the second longest main axis has the features of the transition line of the second clamping part described below.As described in more detail below for the transition lines, the first longest main axis is preferably aligned at an angle in the range of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably in the range of 80° to 100°, and most preferably in the range of 85° to 95°, to the longitudinal axis of the first clamping part. Similarly, the second longest main axis is preferably aligned at an angle in the range of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably in the range of 80° to 100°, and most preferably in the range of 85° to 95°, to the longitudinal axis of the second clamping part.

[0031] Irrespective of this, the first longest main axis may also have other features of the transition line of the first clamping part described below and the second longest main axis may also have other features of the transition line of the second clamping part described below.As described in more detail below for the transition lines and the transition line angles, the first clamping part advantageously has a main axis line angle between a projection of the first longest main axis onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the first clamping part, which main axis line angle of the first clamping part is measured in a plan view of the first effective surface and the second effective surface of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part clockwise around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part to the projection of the first longest main axis onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part.The second clamping part advantageously has a main axis line angle between a projection of the second longest main axis onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part, which main axis line angle of the second clamping part is measured in a plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part to the projection of the second longest main axis onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. The main axis line angle of the first clamping part and the main axis line angle of the second clamping part preferably differ by a value in the range from 1° to 10°, particularly preferably in the range from 3° to 6°.

[0032] In such variants, the first active surface of the first clamping part has a curvature and therefore does not lie entirely within the first active surface plane of the first clamping part. The second active surface of the first clamping part also has a curvature and therefore does not lie entirely within the second active surface plane of the first clamping part. Furthermore, in such a variant, the first active surface of the second clamping part has a curvature and therefore does not lie entirely within the first active surface plane of the second clamping part. The second active surface of the second clamping part also has a curvature and therefore does not lie entirely within the second active surface plane of the second clamping part.

[0033] In a preferred variant, the second active surface of the first clamping part adjoins the first active surface of the first clamping part in the transition line of the first clamping part. In a preferred variant, the second active surface of the second clamping part adjoins the first active surface of the second clamping part in the transition line of the second clamping part. In a further preferred variant, the second active surface of the first clamping part adjoins the first active surface of the first clamping part in the transition line of the first clamping part, and the second active surface of the second clamping part adjoins the first active surface of the second clamping part in the transition line of the second clamping part. This has the advantage that the coupling device can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0034] Advantageously, a first of the transition lines of the first clamping part and the transition line of the second clamping part forms a ridge, while a second of the transition lines of the first clamping part and the transition line of the second clamping part forms a groove.

[0035] As an alternative to this variant, it is also possible for the second effective surface of the first clamping part not to connect to the first effective surface of the first clamping part in the transition line of the first clamping part. Likewise, it is also possible for the second effective surface of the second clamping part not to connect to the first effective surface of the second clamping part in the transition line of the second clamping part.

[0036] The transition line of the first clamping part is preferably aligned at an angle in the range of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably in the range of 80° to 100°, very particularly preferably in the range of 85° to 95° to the longitudinal axis of the first clamping part. It is also possible for the transition line of the first clamping part to be aligned at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the first clamping part. Furthermore, the transition line of the second clamping part is preferably aligned at an angle in the range of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably in the range of 80° to 100°, very particularly preferably in the range of 85° to 95° to the longitudinal axis of the second clamping part. It is also possible for the transition line of the second clamping part to be aligned at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the second clamping part.The closer this angle between the transition line of the respective clamping part and the longitudinal axis of the respective clamping part is to 90°, the more effectively the two elements to be connected can be connected with each other using the coupling device.

[0037] As an alternative to these variants, it is also possible for the transition line of the first clamping part to be aligned at an angle of less than 60° or more than 120° to the longitudinal axis of the first clamping part. It is also possible for the transition line of the second clamping part to be aligned at an angle of less than 60° or more than 120° to the longitudinal axis of the second clamping part.

[0038] Advantageously, in the first clamping part, the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part is inclined at an effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part to the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the first clamping part, and in the second clamping part, the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the second clamping part is inclined at an effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part to the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface of the second clamping part.

[0039] Preferably, both the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part and the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part each have a value in the range of 45° to 135°. Particularly preferably, both the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part and the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part each have a value of approximately 90°, in particular 90°. The closer the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part and the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part are to 90°, the more effectively and reliably the two elements to be connected can be connected to one another using the coupling device.

[0040] Alternatively, the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part can be less than 45° or more than 135°. Likewise, the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part can be less than 45° or more than 135°.

[0041] Preferably, the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part deviates from the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part by at most 10°, more preferably by at most 5°, and most preferably by less than 1°. Most preferably, the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part is the same as the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part. The closer the value of the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part is to the value of the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part, the more effectively and reliably the two elements to be connected can be connected to each other with the coupling device.

[0042] As an alternative to these variants, it is also possible for the effective surface cutting angle of the first clamping part to deviate by more than 10° from the effective surface cutting angle of the second clamping part.

[0043] Advantageously, the first clamping part has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line of the first clamping part onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the first clamping part, which transition line angle of the first clamping part is measured in a plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part clockwise around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part to the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part.Furthermore, the second clamping part advantageously has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line of the second clamping part onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part, which transition line angle of the second clamping part is measured in a plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part to the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. The transition line angle of the first clamping part and the transition line angle of the second clamping part preferably differ by a value in the range from 1° to 10°, particularly preferably in the range from 3° to 6°.

[0044] If, as in the assembled state of the coupling device, the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts are each arranged with their first active surfaces facing one another and with their second active surfaces facing one another one behind the other along the longitudinal axis, and then the first clamping part is rotated by a maximum of 10° about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part,In order for the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part to be aligned parallel to one another, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are advantageously moved towards one another by this rotation of the first clamping part about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part. Thus, the two clamping parts are advantageously designed such that, when the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, as in the assembled state of the coupling device,while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other, and the two clamping parts are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing each other and their second active surfaces facing each other, and then the first clamping part is rotated by a maximum of 10° about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part so that the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other,by rotating the first clamping part about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are moved towards each other.

[0045] If the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on a half of the first clamping part lying in the second direction of the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on a half of the second clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part and, in addition, an angle in the plan view of the first effective surface and the second effective surface of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part in a clockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part measured to the second direction of the first clamping part is 90° and an angle in the plan view of the first effective surface and the second effective surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part to the second directionof the second clamping part is 90° and, in addition, the transition line of the first clamping part forms a ridge, while the transition line of the second clamping part forms a groove, this is achieved, for example, by the transition line angle of the first clamping part being greater than the transition line angle of the second clamping part. Therefore, the angle in the plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part in a clockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, measured to the second direction of the first clamping part, is 90° and the angle in the plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, measured to the secondDirection of the second clamping part 90°. In addition, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is preferably arranged on the half of the first clamping part lying in the second direction of the first clamping part, while the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the half of the second clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. In addition, the transition line of the first clamping part preferably forms a ridge and the transition line of the second clamping part forms a groove, wherein the transition line angle of the first clamping part is 1° to 10°, particularly preferably 3° to 6°, greater than the transition line angle of the second clamping part. If, however, angles in the plan view viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part onto the first active surface and the second active surface of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part, measured clockwise around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part to the secondDirection of the first clamping part is 270° and the angle in the plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part to the second direction of the second clamping part is 270° and, in addition, the transition line of the first clamping part forms a ridge, while the transition line of the second clamping part forms a groove, the preceding approximation of the first projection arrangements is achieved in that the transition line angle of the first clamping part is smaller than the transition line angle of the second clamping part. In one variant, therefore, the angle in the plan view of the first active surface and the second active surface of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part in a clockwise direction around theLongitudinal direction of the first clamping part measured in relation to the second direction of the first clamping part is 270° and the angle in the plan view of the first effective surface and the second effective surface of the second clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part measured in relation to the second direction of the second clamping part is 270°. Furthermore, in this variant, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is preferably arranged on the half of the first clamping part extending in the second direction of the first clamping part, while the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the half of the second clamping part extending in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. Furthermore, the transition line of the first clamping part preferably forms a ridge and the transition line of the second clamping part forms a groove, wherein the transition line angle of the firstclamping part is 1° to 10°, particularly preferably 3° to 6°, smaller than the transition line angle of the second clamping part.

[0046] Alternatively, it is also possible for the transition line angle of the first clamping part and the transition line angle of the second clamping part to differ by less than 1° or by more than 10°. It is also possible for the transition line angle of the first clamping part and the transition line angle of the second clamping part to be the same. As an alternative to these variants, in which the first clamping part has a second effective surface and the second clamping part has a second effective surface, it is also possible for the first clamping part to have no such second effective surface and / or for the second clamping part to have no such second effective surface. Accordingly, if the first clamping part only has the first effective surface, the first effective surface of the first clamping part can also be referred to in short as the "effective surface of the first clamping part" or "the effective surface of the first clamping part."If the second clamping part accordingly has only the first effective surface, the first effective surface of the second clamping part can also be referred to in short as "effective surface of the second clamping part" or "the effective surface of the second clamping part".

[0047] Advantageously, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, forms a projection for engaging behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected in a region of a first end of the first clamping part opposite the first active surface of the first clamping part. Furthermore, the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, forms a projection for engaging behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected in a region of a first end of the second clamping part opposite the first active surface of the second clamping part.Since the first end of each of the two clamping parts, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part, is opposite the first active surface of the respective clamping part, the first end of the first clamping part and the second end of the second clamping part face away from each other when the coupling device is assembled. This provides the advantage that the coupling device enables a stable and thus reliable connection of the two elements to be connected.

[0048] Regardless of whether the first projection arrangements of the two clamping parts each form a projection in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part or not, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part advantageously forms a projection in the region of the first active surface of the first clamping part for engaging behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, while the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part advantageously forms a projection in the region of the first active surface of the second clamping part for engaging behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected. This has the advantage that, when connecting the two elements to be connected, comparatively large forces can be absorbed by the two clamping parts because the projections and the first active surfaces are arranged very close to one another.

[0049] If, in addition, the first projection arrangements of the two clamping parts each form a projection in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part, the advantage is also achieved that the coupling device enables a particularly stable and thus reliable connection of the two elements to be connected. In this regard, it is irrelevant whether the projection of the first projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part and the projection of the first projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first active surface of the respective clamping part are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part, or whether the projection of the first projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part and the projection of the first projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first active surface of the respective clamping part are designed as two separate projections.In the first case, the respective first projection arrangement comprises only one projection, whereas in the second case the respective first projection arrangement has at least two projections.

[0050] Advantageously, the coupling device is suitable for connecting two elements to be connected, which two elements each have a groove undercut on both sides, each with at least one undercut, and thus with at least two undercuts. The first clamping part advantageously has a second projection arrangement protruding in the third direction of the first clamping part, and the second clamping part has a second projection arrangement protruding in the third direction of the second clamping part. In a first variant, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected.In a second variant which is an alternative to the first variant, however, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected. In a third variant, however, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part also serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected.In a fourth variant, however, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part also serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected.

[0051] In these four variants, the advantage is achieved that the coupling device enables a particularly reliable connection of the two elements to be connected with the corresponding grooves.

[0052] Advantageously, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part, forms a projection in the region of the first end of the first clamping part opposite the first effective surface of the first clamping part for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected or for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected. Furthermore, the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part, forms a projection in the region of the first end of the second clamping part opposite the first effective surface of the second clamping part for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected orfor engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected. Since, in the case of the two clamping parts, the first end of the respective clamping part, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part, is opposite the first active surface of the respective clamping part, the first end of the first clamping part and the second end of the second clamping part face away from each other when the coupling device is assembled. This provides the advantage that the coupling device enables a stable and thus reliable connection of the two elements to be connected.

[0053] Regardless of whether the second projection arrangements of the two clamping parts each form a projection in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part or not, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part advantageously forms a projection in the region of the first active surface of the first clamping part for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected or for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part advantageously forms a projection in the region of the first active surface of the second clamping part for engaging behind the second of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected or for engaging behind the second of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected.This has the advantage that when connecting the two elements to be joined, the two clamping parts can absorb comparatively large forces, since the projections and the first active surfaces are arranged very close to each other.

[0054] If, in addition, the second projection arrangements of the two clamping parts each form a projection in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part, the advantage is also achieved that the coupling device enables a particularly stable and thus reliable connection of the two elements to be connected. In this regard, it is irrelevant whether the projection of the second projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part and the projection of the second projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first active surface of the respective clamping part are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part, or whether the projection of the second projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first end of the respective clamping part and the projection of the second projection arrangement arranged in the region of the first active surface of the respective clamping part are designed as two separate projections.In the first case, the respective second projection arrangement comprises only one projection, whereas in the second case the respective second projection arrangement has at least two projections.

[0055] In the aforementioned first variant, in which the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is advantageously arranged on the first clamping part starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part in the third direction of the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is advantageously arranged on the second clamping part starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part in the third direction of the second clamping part.This results in the first clamping part and the second clamping part being pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, so that not only the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another, but also the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another.This has the advantage that the first and second projection arrangements of the first clamping part can engage behind the first of the two elements to be connected on both sides of the groove at the respective undercut, while the first and second projection arrangements of the second clamping part can engage behind the second of the two elements to be connected on both sides of the groove at the respective undercut. Accordingly, the two elements to be connected can be pulled evenly towards each other by the coupling device when the two clamping parts are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device. Accordingly, the coupling device enables a very uniform and therefore stable connection of the two elements to be connected. This advantage is particularly pronounced when the first clamping part only has the first active surface and the second clamping part only has the first active surface. That isThis advantage is particularly pronounced in those variants described above in which the first clamping part does not have the second effective surface described above and in which the second clamping part does not have the second effective surface described above.

[0056] In this variant, the two clamping parts can, for example, be designed with a T-shaped or t-shaped cross-section running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part.

[0057] If the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the first clamping part starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part in the third direction of the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the second clamping part starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part in the third direction of the second clamping part, then advantageously the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the half of the first clamping part lying in the second direction of the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the half of the second clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part.This results in the two clamping parts being able to be arranged with their first active surfaces substantially completely lying on top of one another in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the tensioning device is not tensioned and the two clamping parts are therefore not tensioned towards one another along the longitudinal axis, while the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is located in the second direction of the second clamping part, as viewed from the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is located in the fourth direction of the first clamping part, as viewed from the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part.When the clamping device is subsequently tensioned in order to clamp the two clamping parts together along the longitudinal axis and to press the first clamping part and the second clamping part relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other.Since, as explained, the two clamping parts can first be arranged with their first active surfaces essentially completely lying on top of one another in the relaxed state of the clamping device, this arrangement of the second projection arrangements on the respective one of the two clamping parts has the advantage that the two clamping parts can be very stably supported on one another with their first active surfaces, so that the coupling device functions very reliably and stably and thus enables a very reliable and stable connection of two elements to be connected with the corresponding grooves.This advantage is particularly pronounced when both the first projection arrangement and the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part are arranged on the half of the first clamping part which lies in the second direction of the first clamping part and when both the first projection arrangement and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part are arranged on the half of the second clamping part which lies in the fourth direction of the second clamping part.

[0058] In the aforementioned second variant, in which the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is advantageously arranged on the first clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part, in a fifth direction of the first clamping part, which fifth direction of the first clamping part has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part,wherein, in addition, the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is advantageously arranged on the second clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part, in a fifth direction of the second clamping part, which fifth direction of the second clamping part has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part.

[0059] This results in the fact that, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other, the coupling device in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and the two clamping parts are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and rest against the undercuts of the grooves,which undercuts engage behind the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part. As soon as the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are in contact with the respective undercut, the first clamping part and the second clamping part begin to rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal directions upon further tightening of the clamping device, until the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are also in contact with the undercuts.which undercuts engage behind the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part. Thus, when the clamping device is tightened, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device. In addition, due to the abutment of the first projection arrangements against the respective undercuts they engage behind, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are rotated relative to one another about their longitudinal directions. This rotation ultimately results in not only the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part being pressed towards one another,but ultimately, the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are also pressed toward each other. Accordingly, the two elements to be connected can be pulled evenly toward each other by the coupling device when the clamping device clamps the two clamping parts toward each other along their longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the coupling device enables a very uniform and thus stable connection of the two elements to be connected. In addition, however, the advantage is also achieved that the size and dimensioning of the coupling device need not be adapted as precisely to the size of the grooves undercut on both sides in order to optimally connect the two elements to be connected. This allows the coupling device to be used in a wider variety of ways.

[0060] An even more uniform and thus more stable connection of the two elements to be connected is made possible if, in addition, the first clamping part also has the second active surface as described above and the second clamping part also has the second active surface as described above. This advantage is particularly pronounced if the transition line angle of the first clamping part and the transition line angle of the second clamping part differ by a value in the range of 1° to 10°, in particular in the range of 3° to 6°, and if the two clamping parts are designed such that, when the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, as in the assembled state of the coupling device,while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other, and the two clamping parts are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing each other and their second active surfaces facing each other, and then the first clamping part is rotated by a maximum of 10° about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part so that the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part and the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part are aligned parallel to each other,By rotating the first clamping part about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part, the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are moved toward each other. This combination results in the coupling device, in the assembled state, being inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, and the clamping device clamping the two clamping parts toward each other along their longitudinal axis. Due to the interaction of the first active surfaces and the interaction of the second active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are rotated relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device.so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and abut against the undercuts of the grooves, which undercuts engage behind the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part, and that at the same time the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and abut against the undercuts of the grooves, which undercuts engage behind the second projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part. Accordingly, the two elements to be connected can be pulled evenly towards each other by the coupling device,when the clamping device clamps the two clamping parts towards each other along their longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the coupling device enables a very uniform and thus stable connection of the two elements to be connected. In addition, however, the advantage is also achieved that the size and dimensioning of the coupling device need not be adapted much more precisely to the size of the grooves, which are undercut on both sides, in order to optimally connect the two elements to be connected. This allows the coupling device to be used in a much more diverse way. If the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the first clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part, in the fifth direction of the first clamping part,which fifth direction of the first clamping part has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part, and furthermore the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the second clamping part starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part in a fifth direction of the second clamping part, which fifth direction of the second clamping part has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part, then advantageously the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on a half of the first clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the first clamping part and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on a half of the second clamping part lying in the second direction of the second clamping part. This has the advantage,that the coupling device can be designed to be comparatively compact and versatile.

[0061] Preferably, the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part directed in the fourth direction of the first clamping part is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part directed in the third direction of the first clamping part, while the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part directed in the second direction of the second clamping part is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part directed in the third direction of the second clamping part. As a result, the two clamping parts can be constructed in a simple manner such that a region of a projection of the first active surface of the respective clamping part onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part, which region lies between the first projection arrangement and the second projection arrangement of the respective clamping part, has a substantially square cross-section.This allows the first active surfaces to be shaped in such a way that the two clamping parts can be supported very stably against each other with their first active surfaces, so that the coupling device functions very reliably and stably and thus enables a very reliable and stable connection of two elements to be connected with the corresponding grooves.This advantage is particularly pronounced if, in addition, the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the half of the first clamping part lying in the second direction of the first clamping part, while the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the half of the first clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the first clamping part, and if, in addition, the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the half of the second clamping part lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the half of the second clamping part lying in the second direction of the second clamping part.

[0062] As an alternative to these variants, it is also possible for only one of the two clamping parts to have a second projection arrangement or for neither of the two clamping parts to have a second projection arrangement.

[0063] A coupling device according to the aforementioned second variant, in which the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, wherein the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the first clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part, in a fifth direction of the first clamping part, which fifth direction of the first clamping part has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part,wherein, in addition, the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the second clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part, in a fifth direction of the second clamping part, which fifth direction of the second clamping part has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part, can also be designed without the features according to which the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part, and the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the second clamping part has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. Such,A coupling device belonging to a second invention has the following features: Coupling device for connecting two elements to be connected, each of which has two elements with a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts, wherein the coupling device comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part and thus two clamping parts. For each of the two clamping parts, a longitudinal direction, a first direction oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second direction oriented both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction oriented opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction oriented opposite to the second direction are defined. The first clamping part has a first active surface,which first effective surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part. A normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part has a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part. The second clamping part has a first effective surface,which first active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. A normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the second clamping part has a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. The first clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the first clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least two undercuts of the groove in a first of the two elements to be connected, and the second clamping part has a first projection arrangement protruding in the first direction of the second clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least two undercuts of the groove in a second of the two elements to be connected. This coupling device further comprises a clamping device for clamping the two clamping parts toward one another substantially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device.wherein, in an assembled state of the coupling device, the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts are each arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing one another and can be clamped or are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, wherein, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device,Due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another. The first clamping part has a second projection arrangement for engaging behind a second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, while the second clamping part has a second projection arrangement for engaging behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected. The second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is arranged on the first clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part, in a fifth direction of the first clamping part,which fifth direction of the first clamping part has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part. The second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is arranged on the second clamping part, starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part, in a fifth direction of the second clamping part, which fifth direction of the second clamping part has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part.

[0064] Such a coupling device belonging to the second invention has the advantage that it enables a very uniform and thus stable connection of the two elements to be connected. In addition, however, it also has the advantage that the size and dimensions of the coupling device need not be adapted as precisely to the size of the grooves, which are undercut on both sides, in order to optimally connect the two elements to be connected. This allows the coupling device to be used in a wider variety of ways. Such a coupling device belonging to the second invention can have the aforementioned combination of features without including the features otherwise described in the present text as advantageous or according to the invention. However, it can also have one or more of the advantageous features described in the present text as belonging to the present coupling device according to the invention.

[0065] In the aforementioned third variant, in which the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, while the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part also serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected, the second projection arrangement of the first clamping part is advantageously arranged on the first clamping part, as in the aforementioned first variant, starting from the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part in the third direction of the first clamping part, and the second projection arrangement of the second clamping part is advantageously arranged on the second clamping part, as in the aforementioned second variant, starting from the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part in a fifth direction of the second clamping part,which fifth direction of the second clamping part has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part.,

[0066] Preferably, the two clamping parts are each made of a plastic or a metal, in particular aluminum or steel. Manufacturing from plastic has the advantage that the two clamping parts can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively. Manufacturing from metal, on the other hand, has the advantage that the two clamping parts can be manufactured very sturdily. Therefore, a coupling device with two metal clamping parts can be used to connect two elements to be connected very firmly and stably. In particular, very heavy elements to be connected can be connected and held together. This is especially true if the clamping device is also made of metal.Manufacturing the two clamping parts from steel also has the advantage that, if the two elements to be connected are fire protection elements, the coupling device enables a connection between the two fire protection elements that can withstand the high temperatures generated during fires for extended periods. Accordingly, the coupling device is suitable for fire protection applications. This is especially true if the clamping device is also made of steel.

[0067] As an alternative to these variants, it is also possible for one of the two clamping parts to be made of a material other than plastic or metal, or for the two clamping parts to be made of a material other than plastic or metal.

[0068] Preferably, the two clamping parts are manufactured as solid or solid parts. This has the advantage that the two clamping parts are very stable for the material they are made of.

[0069] However, it is also possible for the two clamping parts to be manufactured as non-solid components. In a preferred variant, the two clamping parts are each made of bent sheet steel. This has the advantage that the two clamping parts are highly heat-resistant, making the coupling device suitable for fire protection applications. At the same time, the two clamping parts can be manufactured relatively inexpensively and with relatively little effort.

[0070] A coupling device with two clamping parts made of bent sheet steel can also be designed without the features according to which the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the first clamping part has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part, and the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the second clamping part has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. Such a coupling device belonging to a third invention has the following features: Coupling device for connecting two elements to be connected, which two elements each have a groove undercut with at least one undercut,in particular, a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut each and thus with at least two undercuts, wherein the coupling device comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part and thus two clamping parts. For each of the two clamping parts, a longitudinal direction, a first direction oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second direction oriented both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction oriented opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction oriented opposite to the second direction are defined. The first clamping part has a first active surface,which first effective surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part. A normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface of the first clamping part has a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part. The second clamping part has a first effective surface,which first active surface is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part. A normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface of the second clamping part has a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part. The first clamping part has a first projection arrangement projecting in the first direction of the first clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a first of the two elements to be connected, and the second clamping part has a first projection arrangement projecting in the first direction of the second clamping part for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut of the groove in a second of the two elements to be connected. This coupling device further comprises a clamping device for clamping the two clamping parts toward one another substantially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device.wherein, in an assembled state of the coupling device, the two clamping parts are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, while the first direction of the first clamping part and the first direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part and the second direction of the second clamping part are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts are each arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces facing one another and can be clamped or are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, wherein, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device,Due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another. The two clamping parts are each made of bent sheet steel. Such a coupling device belonging to the third invention has the advantage that the two clamping parts are very heat-resistant, making the coupling device suitable for fire protection applications, and that, at the same time, the two clamping parts can be manufactured comparatively inexpensively and with comparatively little effort. Such a coupling device belonging to the third invention can have the aforementioned combination of features,without including the features otherwise described in this text as advantageous or in accordance with the invention. However, it may also have one or more of the advantageous features described in this text as belonging to the present coupling device according to the invention.

[0071] Independently of the coupling device according to the third invention, in the present coupling device according to the invention, the clamping device preferably comprises a screw. The screw can be guided through a recess in one of the two clamping parts and screwed into the other of the two clamping parts by being guided through the recess in one of the two clamping parts. Alternatively, the screw can be guided through a recess in one of the two clamping parts as well as through a recess in the other of the two clamping parts and can be screwed to a nut by being guided through these recesses in the two clamping parts in order to clamp the two clamping parts toward one another essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device.In the first case, it is irrelevant whether the screw can be guided through a recess in the first clamping part and screwed into the second clamping part, or whether the screw can be moved through a recess in the second clamping part and screwed into the first clamping part. However, the recess in one of the two clamping parts is preferably slightly larger than the screw, so that one of the two clamping parts can move transversely to the screw when the screw is guided through the recess and screwed into the other of the two clamping parts.This makes it possible that, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part can be pressed and moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed apart along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts. In the second case, the clamping device preferably also comprises the nut.In this case, the recess in at least one of the two clamping parts is preferably slightly larger than the screw, so that one or the two clamping parts can move transversely to the screw when the screw is guided through the corresponding recess. This makes it possible that, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the first clamping part and the second clamping part can be pressed and moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are pressed apart along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts.

[0072] If the coupling device is intended for fire protection purposes, the screw is preferably made of steel. If the clamping device also includes the aforementioned nut, the nut is preferably made of steel. However, both the screw and the nut, if present, can also be made of a material other than steel. As an alternative to these variants, it is also possible for the clamping device to not include a screw. For example, instead of a screw, the clamping device can also have a quick-release clamp with a clamping lever to clamp the two clamping parts together essentially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device.

[0073] Advantageously, the clamping device has at least one expandable clamping element. The clamping device is preferably designed to expand the expandable clamping element. The expandable clamping element can preferably be expanded by the clamping device, in particular by tensioning the clamping device. This means that in the assembled state of the coupling device, when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, the expandable clamping element can preferably be expanded when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis, or the expandable clamping element is preferably spread when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis.It is irrelevant whether the clamping device is designed in such a way that when the clamping device is tightened, the expandable clamping part is only spread by interaction with the clamping device and, separately, the two clamping parts are only clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by interaction with the clamping device, or whether the clamping device is designed in such a way that when the clamping device is tightened, the expandable clamping part is spread by interaction with the clamping device and with at least one of the two clamping parts when the two clamping parts are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device.

[0074] If the clamping device comprises a screw as explained above, and the screw can be guided through a recess in one of the two clamping parts and screwed through the recess in one of the two clamping parts into the other of the two clamping parts, the expandable clamping part is arranged in a preferred variant between a head of the screw and the first of the two clamping parts through which the screw can be guided, and can be clamped and thereby expanded by screwing the screw into the other of the two clamping parts between the head of the screw and the first of the two clamping parts.

[0075] If the clamping device comprises a screw as explained above, and the screw can be guided both through a recess in one of the two clamping parts and through a recess in the other of the two clamping parts and can be screwed to a nut guided through these recesses in the two clamping parts in order to clamp the two clamping parts towards one another essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, the expandable clamping part is preferably arranged between the head of the screw and one of the two clamping parts or between the nut and the other of the two clamping parts and can be clamped and thus expanded by screwing the screw into the nut between the head of the screw and one of the two clamping parts or between the nut and the other of the two clamping parts.

[0076] If the clamping device comprises a screw as explained above, the expandable clamping part preferably has an opening for the passage of the screw, wherein in the assembled state of the coupling device the screw is preferably guided through the opening for the passage of the screw.

[0077] A coupling device with a tensioning device having at least one expandable clamping element can also be designed without the first clamping part and without the second clamping part. Such a coupling device belonging to a fourth invention has the following features: Coupling device for connecting two elements to be connected, which two elements each have a groove undercut with at least one undercut, in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut each and thus with at least two undercuts, wherein the coupling device preferably comprises at least one expandable clamping element and a tensioning device for spreading the expandable clamping element. The tensioning device preferably includes a screw and a screw-in element with an opening having an internal thread for screwing in the screw. The screw-in element can be a nut, for example.In the assembled state of this coupling device, the screw is preferably screwed into the screw-in element and the expandable element is preferably arranged between a head of the screw and the nut and can be expanded by further screwing the screw into the nut.

[0078] Such a coupling device belonging to the fourth invention can have the aforementioned combination of features without including the features otherwise described in the present text as advantageous or in accordance with the invention. However, it can also have one or more of the advantageous features described in the present text as belonging to the present coupling device according to the invention. Regardless of the coupling device according to the fourth invention, in the present coupling device according to the invention, if it has at least one tensionable clamping element, the at least one clamping element is made of steel, in particular spring steel.

[0079] In a preferred variant, the at least one expandable clamping element is made of sheet metal, in particular sheet steel or spring steel, and has a bend. Advantageously, the expandable clamping element can be expanded by the clamping device, in that the bend of the expandable clamping element is increased or reduced by tightening the clamping device.

[0080] Preferably, the expandable clamping element has a width in a spread state that corresponds to the width of the grooves in the two elements to be connected. Particularly preferably, the width of the expandable clamping element in the spread state is greater than the width of the grooves in the two elements to be connected.This has the advantage that when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other and the coupling device in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and the expandable clamping element is spread by tightening the clamping device, the expandable clamping element locks itself with its longitudinal edges aligned perpendicular to the width of the expandable clamping element at the edges of the grooves and thereby centers the grooves of the opposing elements relative to each other, whereby the opposing elements are positioned relative to each other.

[0081] In this case, the expandable clamping element preferably has serrations on its longitudinal edges oriented perpendicular to the width of the expandable clamping element. This has the advantage that when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another, and the coupling device, in the assembled state, is inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves, and the expandable clamping element is spread by tightening the tensioning device, the expandable clamping element locks itself against the edges of the grooves with its longitudinal edges oriented perpendicular to the width of the expandable clamping element, and the serrations bite into the edges of the grooves, thereby fixing the coupling device in the grooves. In a variant, however, the expandable clamping element does not have any such serrations.

[0082] As an alternative to these variants, the width of the expandable clamping element in the expanded state can also be smaller than the width of the grooves in the two elements to be connected.

[0083] Advantageously, the coupling device is suitable for connecting two elements to be connected, which two elements each have an undercut groove on both sides, each with at least one undercut, and thus with at least two undercuts. In this case, the expandable clamping element advantageously has an H-shaped cross-section in the expanded state and is dimensioned such that the expandable clamping element in the expanded state, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another, and the coupling device in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves and the expandable clamping element is expanded by tensioning the tensioning device, engages behind the undercuts of the grooves.This has the advantage that the two elements can also be held together by the expandable clamping element. In the case of the aforementioned fourth invention, the two elements can be held together in particular by the expandable clamping element.

[0084] The coupling device is preferably used in an arrangement with two elements to be connected, each of which has a groove undercut with at least one undercut, in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts. Accordingly, an arrangement advantageously comprises two elements to be connected, each of which has a groove undercut with at least one undercut, in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts, as well as at least one or more of the coupling devices according to the invention described above.

[0085] In this case, the one or more coupling devices as well as the grooves of the two elements to be connected which are undercut with the at least one undercut are advantageously dimensioned such that, in order to connect the two elements to be connected, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another, the coupling device in the assembled state can be inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, so that the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected,after which the two clamping parts can be clamped towards one another with their first active surfaces essentially along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, so that due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the two clamping parts are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards one another and so that the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected are pressed towards one another by the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part,To connect the two elements to be connected by clamping them together. Advantageously, the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device, in which direction the two clamping parts are pressed relative to each other due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, is also oriented such that the first clamping part and the second clamping part are also pressed apart along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts, so that the two clamping parts block each other laterally at the two edges of the groove in the first element to be connected and at the edges of the groove in the second element to be connected, in order to correctly position the two elements to be connected in a direction transverse to the grooves in the two elements to be connected when connecting the two elements to be connected.

[0086] Advantageously, the arrangement also comprises at least one sealing element for sealing a gap between the two elements to be connected when connected by means of the at least one or more coupling devices. In a preferred variant, at least one of the two elements to be connected has a sealing groove for partially receiving the at least one sealing element. Advantageously, the sealing groove in each of the two elements to be connected runs parallel to the groove undercut with the at least one undercut, in particular the groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts, in each of the two elements to be connected. The sealing element can, for example, be a sealing cord that can be inserted into the sealing groove or an elongated rubber element that can be inserted into the sealing groove.If only one of the two elements to be connected has a sealing groove, the sealing element, when inserted into the sealing groove, preferably extends slightly beyond the sealing groove, so that the other of the two elements to be connected can be pressed with a surface against this portion of the sealing element extending beyond the sealing groove when the two elements to be connected are connected to the at least one or more coupling devices.

[0087] If, however, both of the two elements to be connected each have a sealing groove, the sealing grooves are preferably dimensioned such that the sealing element fits partially into the sealing groove of one of the two elements to be connected and partially into the sealing groove of the other of the two elements to be connected, and is slightly compressed by the two elements to be connected when the two elements to be connected are connected with the at least one or more coupling devices. For this purpose, the sealing grooves are preferably positioned on the respective one of the two elements to be connected such that they lie one above the other and run parallel to each other, so that the sealing element can be inserted into the sealing grooves when, for connecting the two elements to be connected, the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other.the coupling device, in the assembled state, can be inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, so that the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, after which the two clamping parts can be clamped towards one another with their first active surfaces essentially along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, so that due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the two clamping parts are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device,so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and thus the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected are pressed towards each other by the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part in order to connect the two elements to be connected by clamping the two elements to be connected together.

[0088] Regardless of whether the arrangement comprises such a sealing element or not and whether one or both of the two elements to be connected have a sealing groove or not, in a preferred variant the two elements to be connected each comprise an additional connecting groove with at least one undercut, in particular an additional connecting groove with two undercuts. Furthermore, the arrangement preferably comprises at least one connecting hook element which can be inserted into the connecting groove in one of the two elements to be connected and has a hook in a region extending out of the connecting groove, with which hook the at least one connecting hook element can engage behind the undercut of the connecting groove in the other of the two elements to be connected in order to hold the two elements to be connected together.The at least one connecting hook element can thus form an additional connection between the two elements to be connected in addition to the one or more coupling devices.

[0089] Preferably, the connecting grooves are positioned on each of the two elements to be connected in such a way that they lie one above the other and run parallel to each other, so that at least one connecting hook element can be inserted into the connecting groove in one of the two elements to be connected and extends out of the connecting groove with the hook and can engage behind the undercut of the connecting groove in the other of the two elements to be connected, when, for connecting the two elements to be connected, the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other, the coupling device in the assembled state can be inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves,so that the first projection arrangement of the first clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first projection arrangement of the second clamping part engages behind the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected, after which the two clamping parts can be clamped towards one another with their first active surfaces essentially along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device, so that due to the interaction of the first active surfaces, the two clamping parts are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device,so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other and thus the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the first of the two elements to be connected and the first of the at least one undercut of the groove in the second of the two elements to be connected are pressed towards each other by the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part and the first projection arrangement arranged on the second clamping part in order to connect the two elements to be connected by clamping the two elements to be connected together.

[0090] However, the coupling device may also exist separately from the arrangement and thus be manufactured and sold separately from the arrangement.

[0091] A coupling device not according to the invention can also be designed as a coupling element and, in addition to the coupling device according to the invention or instead of the coupling device according to the invention, be a component of the arrangement described above. Such a coupling device belonging to a fifth invention has the following features: Coupling element for connecting two elements to be connected, each of which has a groove undercut with at least one undercut, in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut and thus with at least two undercuts, wherein the coupling element preferably has a width which corresponds to a width of the grooves in the two elements to be connected. Particularly preferably, the width of the coupling element is greater than the width of the grooves in the two elements to be connected.This has the advantage that when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other and the coupling element is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, it blocks with its longitudinal edges aligned perpendicular to the width of the coupling element at the edges of the grooves and thereby centers the grooves of the opposing elements relative to each other, whereby the opposing elements are positioned relative to each other.

[0092] The coupling element is preferably suitable for connecting two elements to be connected, each of which has a groove undercut on both sides, each with at least one undercut, and thus with at least two undercuts. The coupling element advantageously has an H-shaped cross-section and is dimensioned such that, when the two elements to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves opposite one another, and the coupling element is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves into the space formed by the opposing grooves, the coupling element engages behind the undercuts of the grooves. This has the advantage that the two elements can also be held together by the coupling element.In the case of the fifth invention mentioned above, the two elements can be held together in particular by the coupling element.

[0093] To facilitate insertion of the coupling element into the space formed by the opposing grooves in the two elements to be connected, the coupling element preferably has a reduced cross-section in the region of its ends, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the coupling element. Thus, the coupling element has a rounded or chamfered shape, viewed along its longitudinal direction, which simplifies insertion of the coupling element into the space formed by the opposing grooves in the two elements to be connected.

[0094] Advantageously, the coupling element is made of aluminum or plastic.

[0095] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

[0096] Short description of the drawings

[0097] The drawings used to explain the embodiment show: Fig. 1a, b, c each show a schematic representation of an arrangement with two elements to be connected and a coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0098] Fig. 2a, b, c each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected and a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0099] Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected with a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0100] Fig. 4a, b, c each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected and a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0101] Fig. 5a, b, c, d each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected and a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0102] Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected with a further coupling device not according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0103] Fig. 7a, b, c, d each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected and a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected,

[0104] Fig. 8 different representations of the two clamping parts of the coupling device shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7c,

[0105] Fig. 9a, b, c, d, e a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement with the two elements to be connected with a further coupling device not according to the invention for connecting the two elements to be connected, Fig. 10a, b schematic representations of a further arrangement with two further elements to be connected and a further coupling device according to the invention for connecting the two further elements to be connected,

[0106] Fig. 11a, b schematic representations of a further arrangement with two further elements to be connected and the coupling device shown in Figures 10a and 10b for connecting the further two elements to be connected,

[0107] Fig. 12 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Figures 1 la and 1b, and

[0108] Fig. 13a, b a further modification of the arrangement shown in Figures 1 la and 1b, which, however, has two coupling elements instead of a coupling device according to the invention

[0109] In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical reference symbols.

[0110] Ways to implement the invention

[0111] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c each show a schematic representation of an arrangement 300 with two elements 100, 200 to be connected and a coupling device 1 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. The two elements 100, 200 to be connected each have a groove 101, 201 undercut on both sides with an undercut 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b and thus undercut with two undercuts 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b. Thus, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected each have a groove 101, 201 undercut with at least one undercut 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b.

[0112] In Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are each shown as longitudinal profiles. The longitudinal profiles each have a length that is somewhat shorter than the length of the coupling device 1. Therefore, when the coupling device 1 is assembled, the coupling device 1 extends beyond the elements 100, 200 to be connected at both ends. This clearly illustrates the functionality of the coupling device 1. However, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected can also be much longer than shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. Furthermore, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected with the coupling device 1 according to the invention can also be more solid and larger than shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, as long as they each have a groove with at least one undercut.For example, the two elements to be connected could be square aluminum profiles with a groove in each side. However, the two elements to be connected could also be entire facade elements for the facade of a building or window elements for a building. These elements can each have a groove running around the respective element. This groove can be undercut on one side with an undercut running along the groove around the respective element. However, this groove can also be undercut on both sides with an undercut running along the groove around the respective element.

[0113] Figure 1a shows an oblique view of an exploded view of the coupling device 1 and the two elements 100, 200. In the illustration of Figure 1a, a longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1 runs from top left to bottom right. Figure 1b shows an oblique view of the coupling device 1 and the two elements 100, 200 from the same perspective as shown in Figure 1a. In contrast to Figure 1a, however, in Figure 1b the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 1.

[0114] As can be seen in Figures 1a and 1b, the coupling device 1 comprises a first clamping part 2 and a second clamping part 3 and thus two clamping parts 2, 3. Furthermore, the coupling device 1 comprises a screw as a clamping device 4 for clamping the two clamping parts 2, 3 towards one another essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1. For each of the two clamping parts 2, 3, a longitudinal direction, a first direction oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second direction oriented both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction oriented opposite to the first direction and a fourth direction oriented opposite to the second direction are defined.In the illustration in Figures 1a and 1b, the two clamping parts 2, 3 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 2, 3 the longitudinal direction runs from top left in the illustration to bottom right in the illustration, such that for both clamping parts 2, 3 the first direction in the illustration points from bottom left to top right, while the second direction in the illustration points from bottom to top. Accordingly, in Figures 1a and 1b, the two clamping parts 2, 3 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 2, 3 the third direction in the illustration points from top right to bottom left, while the fourth direction in the illustration points from top to bottom.

[0115] In Figure 1a, it can be seen that the first clamping part 2 has a first active surface 5, which first active surface 5 is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2. Therefore, a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2 is not aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2, but has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2. Furthermore, the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2 has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part 2 and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part 2.In the first clamping part 2, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first effective surface 5 and the first direction is 45°, while an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first effective surface 5 and the second direction is 45°.

[0116] The first clamping part 2 has a first projection arrangement 7 protruding in the first direction of the first clamping part 2 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 102a of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. Furthermore, the first clamping part 2 has a second projection arrangement 9 protruding in the third direction of the first clamping part 2 for engaging behind a second of the two undercuts 102b of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. The second projection arrangement 9 of the first clamping part 2 is arranged on the first clamping part 2, starting from the first projection arrangement 8 of the first clamping part 2 in the third direction of the first clamping part 2. The first projection arrangement 7 of the first clamping part 2 and the second projection arrangement 9 of the first clamping part 2 are arranged on a half of the first clamping part 2 lying in the second direction of the first clamping part 2, i.e., in Figure 1a on the upwardly facing half of the first clamping part 2.

[0117] The first projection arrangement 7 of the first clamping part 2, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2, forms, in a region of a first end of the first clamping part 2 opposite the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2, a projection for engaging behind the first of the two undercuts 102a of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. Furthermore, the first projection arrangement 7 of the first clamping part 2 also forms, in the region of the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2, a projection for engaging behind the first of the two undercuts 102a of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected.The projection of the first projection arrangement 7 arranged in the region of the first end of the first clamping part 2 and the projection of the first projection arrangement 7 arranged in the region of the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2 are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2. The first projection arrangement 7 of the first clamping part 2 therefore consists of a projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2.

[0118] The second projection arrangement 9 of the first clamping part 2 forms, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2, in the region of the first end of the first clamping part 2, a projection for engaging behind the second of the two undercuts 102b of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. Furthermore, the second projection arrangement 9 of the first clamping part 2 also forms, in the region of the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2, a projection for engaging behind the second of the two undercuts 102b of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. The projection of the second projection arrangement 9 arranged in the region of the first end of the first clamping part 2 and the projection of the second projection arrangement 9 arranged in the region of the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2 are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2.The second projection arrangement 9 of the first clamping part 2 therefore consists of a projection running along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2.

[0119] In Figure 1a, it can be seen that the second clamping part 3 has a first active surface 6, which first active surface 6 is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3. Therefore, a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3 is not aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3, but has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3. Furthermore, the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3 has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part 3 and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part 3.In the second clamping part 3, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the first active surface 6 and the third direction is 45°, while an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the first active surface 6 and the fourth direction is 45°. The second clamping part 3 has a first projection arrangement 8 protruding in the first direction of the second clamping part 3 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 202a of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected. Furthermore, the second clamping part 3 has a second projection arrangement 10 protruding in the third direction of the second clamping part 3 for engaging behind a second of the two undercuts 202b of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected.The second projection arrangement 10 of the second clamping part 3 is arranged on the second clamping part 3, starting from the first projection arrangement 8 of the second clamping part 3 in the third direction of the second clamping part 3. The first projection arrangement 8 of the second clamping part 3 and the second projection arrangement 10 of the second clamping part 3 are arranged on a half of the second clamping part 3 lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part 3, ie, in Figure 1a, on the downward-facing half of the second clamping part 3.

[0120] The first projection arrangement 8 of the second clamping part 3, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3, forms, in a region of a first end of the second clamping part 3 opposite the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3, a projection for engaging behind the first of the two undercuts 202a of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected. Furthermore, the first projection arrangement 8 of the second clamping part 3 also forms, in the region of the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3, a projection for engaging behind the first of the two undercuts 202a of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected.The projection of the first projection arrangement 8 arranged in the region of the first end of the second clamping part 3 and the projection of the first projection arrangement 8 arranged in the region of the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3 are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3. The first projection arrangement 8 of the second clamping part 3 therefore consists of a projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3.

[0121] The second projection arrangement 10 of the second clamping part 3 forms, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3, in the region of the first end of the second clamping part 3, a projection for engaging behind the second of the two undercuts 202b of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected. Furthermore, the second projection arrangement 10 of the second clamping part 3 also forms, in the region of the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3, a projection for engaging behind the second of the two undercuts 202b of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected. The projection of the second projection arrangement 10 arranged in the region of the first end of the second clamping part 3 and the projection of the second projection arrangement 10 arranged in the region of the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3 are designed as a continuous projection extending along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3.The second projection arrangement 10 of the second clamping part 3 therefore consists of a projection running along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 3.

[0122] In an assembled state of the coupling device 1, the two clamping parts 2, 3 are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1, while the first direction of the first clamping part 2 and the first direction of the second clamping part 3 are aligned substantially parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part 2 and the second direction of the second clamping part 3 are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts 2, 3 are each arranged with their first active surfaces 5, 6 facing one another one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1 and can be tensioned or are tensioned towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the tensioning device 4, wherein, when the two clamping parts 2, 3 are tensioned towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the tensioning device 4, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 5,6 the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 are pressed relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1, so that the first projection arrangement 7 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the first projection arrangement 8 arranged on the second clamping part 3 are pressed towards each other and so that the second projection arrangement 9 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the second projection arrangement 10 arranged on the second clamping part 3 are pressed towards each other.

[0123] As already explained, the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 5 of the first clamping part 2 has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 2 as well as a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part 2 and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part 2. Furthermore, the normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 6 of the second clamping part 3 has a component pointing in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 3 as well as a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part 3 and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part 3.This results in the first clamping part 2, 3 being clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1 by the clamping device 4. Due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 5, 6, the first clamping part 2 is pressed relative to the second clamping part 3 in a direction which has a component directed both in the third direction and in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 2, while the second clamping part 3 is pressed relative to the first clamping part 2 in a direction which has a component directed both in the first direction and in the second direction of the second clamping part 3. Therefore, as already described, the first projection arrangement 7 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the first projection arrangement 8 arranged on the second clamping part 3 are pressed towards one another.Therefore, as already described, the second projection arrangement 9 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part.

[0124] 3 arranged second projection arrangement 10 are pressed towards each other.

[0125] More precisely, the first projection arrangement 7 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the first projection arrangement 8 arranged on the second clamping part 3 are thereby pressed toward one another in a direction of approach, while the second projection arrangement 9 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the second projection arrangement 10 arranged on the second clamping part 3 are also pressed toward one another in the direction of approach. This direction of approach has a component along an axis defined by the second direction and the fourth direction of the two clamping parts 2, 3. In addition, the direction of approach also has a component along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts 2, 3.Along this axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts 2, 3, the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 are pressed apart, so that the two clamping parts 2, 3 lock laterally at the two edges of the groove 101 in the first element 100 to be connected and at the edges of the groove 201 in the second element 200 to be connected. This leads to the fact that when connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, when the clamping device.

[0126] 4 is clamped, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are not only clamped together, but are also precisely and reproducibly positioned relative to one another in a direction transverse to the grooves 101, 201.

[0127] In the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, the two clamping parts 2, 3 are each made as solid plastic parts. The screw forming the tensioning device 4 is made of steel and has a self-tapping thread for screwing into a threadless opening in a plastic element. The second clamping part 3 has a recess running through its longitudinal direction, which has a larger cross-section than the screw. The first clamping part 2, on the other hand, has a recess running through its longitudinal direction, which has a slightly smaller cross-section than the screw. The screw can thus be guided through this recess in the second clamping part 3 and screwed self-tappingly into the first clamping part 2 in order to clamp the two clamping parts 2, 3 towards one another essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1.Since the recess in the second clamping part 3 has a larger cross-section than the screw, the second clamping part 3 can move transversely to the screw when the screw is guided through the recess in the second clamping part 3 and screwed into the first clamping part 2.This makes it possible that, when the two clamping parts 2, 3 are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device 4, the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 can be pressed and moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1 due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 5, 6, so that the first projection arrangement 7 and second projection arrangement 9 arranged on the first clamping part 2 and the first projection arrangement 8 and second projection arrangement 10 arranged on the second clamping part 2 can be pressed towards one another and the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 can be pressed apart along an axis defined by the first direction and the third direction of the two clamping parts 2, 3.

[0128] Figure 1b shows an oblique view of the coupling device 1 and the two elements 100, 200 from the same perspective as in Figure 1a. In contrast to Figure 1a, however, in Figure 1b the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to each other by the coupling device 1.

[0129] In Figure 1c, as in Figure 1b, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 1. In contrast to Figure 1b, however, Figure 1c shows a plan view of the arrangement 300 with the coupling device 1 and the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, in which view the viewing direction runs along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 1.

[0130] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement 320 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 21 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 21 is constructed in many aspects in the same way as the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. Analogous to Figures 1a and 1b, Figure 2a shows an oblique view of an exploded view of the coupling device 21 and the two elements 100, 200, while Figure 2b shows an oblique view from the same perspective, wherein the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 21.Figure 2c, analogous to Figure 1c, shows a top view of the arrangement 320 with the coupling device 21 and the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, in which view the viewing direction runs along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 21. The two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 21.

[0131] In contrast to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, in the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, the first clamping part 22 and the second clamping part 23 are interchanged, or the screw forming the tensioning device 24 is guided through a recess in the first clamping part 22 and screwed into the second clamping part 23. The recess in the first clamping part 22 has a larger cross-section than the screw.

[0132] In contrast to Figures 1a and 1b, in Figures 2a and 2b the directions defined for the two clamping parts 22, 23 are shown reversed. Thus, in the illustration in Figures 2a and 2b the two clamping parts 22, 23 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 22, 23 the longitudinal direction runs from the top left in the illustration to the bottom right in the illustration, that for both clamping parts 22, 23 the first direction in the illustration points from the top right to the bottom left, while the second direction in the illustration points from the top to the bottom. Accordingly, in Figures 2a and 2b the two clamping parts 22, 23 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 22, 23 the third direction in the illustration points from the bottom left to the top right, while the fourth direction in the illustration points from the bottom to the top.

[0133] The further coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c is, as already mentioned, constructed in many aspects identically to the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. Thus, in the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the first active surfaces 25, 26 are aligned in the same way as in the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. Also, in the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the first clamping part 22 has the same first projection arrangement 27 protruding in the first direction of the first clamping part 22 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 102a of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected.Likewise, in the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the second clamping part 23 has the same first projection arrangement 29 projecting in the first direction of the second clamping part 23 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 202a of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected.

[0134] In contrast to the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, however, in the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the second projection arrangements 29, 30 are arranged differently on the two clamping parts 22, 23. Thus, the second projection arrangement 29 of the first clamping part 22 serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts 202b of the groove 202 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected, while the second projection arrangement 30 of the second clamping part 23 serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts 101b of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. Therefore, the second projection arrangement 29 of the first clamping part 22 is arranged on the first clamping part 22 starting from the first projection arrangement 27 of the first clamping part 22 in a fifth direction of the first clamping part 22, which fifth direction of the first clamping part 22 has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part

[0135] 22 and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part 22. In addition, the second projection arrangement 30 of the second clamping part 23 is arranged on the second clamping part 23, starting from the first projection arrangement 28 of the second clamping part 23, in a fifth direction of the second clamping part 23, which fifth direction of the second clamping part 23 has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part 23 and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part 23. The component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part 22 directed in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 22 is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part 22 directed in the third direction of the first clamping part 22, while the component in the second direction of the second clamping part

[0136] 23 directed component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part 23 is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part 23 directed in the third direction of the second clamping part 23. As a result, the second projection arrangement 29 of the first clamping part 22 is arranged on a half of the first clamping part 22 lying in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 22 and the second projection arrangement 30 of the second clamping part 23 is arranged on a half of the second clamping part 23 lying in the second direction of the second clamping part 23.

[0137] This arrangement of the first projection arrangements 27, 28 and the second projection arrangements 29, 30 results in the following: when the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are aligned with their grooves 101, 201 parallel to one another and brought into contact with their grooves 101, 202 opposite one another, the coupling device 21 in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves 101, 201 into the space formed by the opposing grooves 101, 201, and the two clamping parts 22, 23 are clamped towards one another along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device 24, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 25, 26, the first clamping part 22 and the second clamping part 23 are pressed relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 21,so that the first projection arrangement 27 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the first projection arrangement 28 arranged on the second clamping part 23 are pressed towards one another and abut against the undercuts 102a, 202a of the grooves 101, 201, which undercuts 102a, 202a engage behind the first projection arrangement 27 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the first projection arrangement 28 arranged on the second clamping part 23. As soon as the first projection arrangement 27 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the first projection arrangement 28 arranged on the second clamping part 23 are in contact with the respective undercut 102a, 202a, the first clamping part 22 and the second clamping part 23 begin to rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal directions upon further tensioning of the tensioning device 23, until the second projection arrangement 29 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the second projection arrangement 30 arranged on the second clamping part 23 are also in contact with the undercuts 202b, 102b,which undercuts 202b, 102b engage behind the second projection arrangement 29 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the second projection arrangement 30 arranged on the second clamping part 23. Thus, when the clamping device 24 is tightened, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 25, 26, the first clamping part 22 and the second clamping part 23 are pressed relative to one another in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 21. In addition, due to the abutment of the first projection arrangements 27, 28 against the respective undercuts 102a, 202a engaged by them, the first clamping part 22 and the second clamping part 23 are rotated relative to one another about their longitudinal directions. This rotation leads to the fact that ultimately not only the first projection arrangement 27 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the first projection arrangement 28 arranged on the second clamping part 23 are pressed towards one another,but ultimately also that the second projection arrangement 29 arranged on the first clamping part 22 and the second projection arrangement 30 arranged on the second clamping part 23 are pressed towards each other. Accordingly, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected can be pulled evenly towards each other by the coupling device 21 when the two clamping parts 22, 23 are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device 24. Accordingly, a very uniform and thus stable connection of the two elements 100, 200 to be connected is thereby enabled by the coupling device 21. In addition to this, however, the advantage is also achieved that the size and dimensioning of the coupling device 21 need not be adapted as precisely to the size of the grooves 100, 200, which are undercut on both sides with undercuts 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b, in order to clamp the two elements 100,200. This allows the coupling device 21 to be used in a wider variety of ways.

[0138] Figure 3 shows a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement 340 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 41 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 41 is practically identical to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c. In contrast to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, however, the two clamping parts 42, 43 in the coupling device 41 shown in Figure 3 are not made of plastic, but of aluminum. The recess in the second clamping part 43, into which the screw of the clamping device 44 is screwed to clamp the two clamping parts 42, 43 towards one another essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 41, has an internal thread. Accordingly, the screw of the clamping device 44 does not have a self-tapping thread.

[0139] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement 360 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 61 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 61 is practically identical to the coupling devices 21, 41 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c and 3. In contrast to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, in the coupling device 61 shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c the two clamping parts 62, 63 are not made of plastic, but of aluminum as in the coupling device 41 shown in Figure 3. However, in the coupling device 61 shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, both the recess in the first clamping part 62 and the recess in the second clamping part 63 have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the screw of the clamping device 64.Thus, when the screw of the clamping device 64 is guided through the recess in the first clamping part 62 and the recess in the second clamping part 63, both the first clamping part 62 and the second clamping part 63 can be moved slightly transversely to the screw. In order to still be able to clamp the two clamping parts 62, 63 together essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 61 using the clamping device 64, the clamping device 64 has a nut 71 that matches the screw. This nut 71 has a square profile on the outside to support itself on the inside of the grooves 101, 201. When the coupling device 61 is assembled, the screw is guided through the recesses in the two clamping parts 62, 63 and then screwed to the nut 71.Since the nut 71 is supported with its outer edges on the inside of the grooves 101, 201, the screw can be rotated to tighten the clamping device 64, while the nut 71 does not rotate, since it is prevented from rotating at the grooves 101, 201 due to this support.

[0140] Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement 380 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 81 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 81 is constructed in many aspects in the same way as the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. Analogous to Figures 1a and 1b, Figure 5a shows an oblique view of an exploded view of the coupling device 81 and the two elements 100, 200, while Figure 5b shows an oblique view from the same perspective, wherein the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 81.Figure 5c, analogous to Figure 1c, shows a plan view of the arrangement 380 with the coupling device 81 and the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, in which view the viewing direction runs along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 81. The two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 81. Figure 5d additionally shows a side view of the arrangement 380 with the coupling device 81 and the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, in which view the viewing direction runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 81 and in which the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 81 runs horizontally in the plane of the representation. In contrast to Figures 1a and 1b as well as Figures 2a, 2b and 4a and 4b, in Figures 5a and 5b the directions defined for the two clamping parts 82, 83 are shown reversed.Thus, in the illustration in Figures 5a and 5b, the two clamping parts 82, 83 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 82, 83 the longitudinal direction runs from the top left in the illustration to the bottom right in the illustration, such that for both clamping parts 82, 83 the first direction in the illustration points from the top right to the bottom left, while the second direction in the illustration points from the bottom to the top. Accordingly, in Figures 5a and 5b, the two clamping parts 82, 83 are shown aligned in such a way that for both clamping parts 82, 83 the third direction in the illustration points from the bottom left to the top right, while the fourth direction in the illustration points from the top to the bottom.

[0141] The coupling device 81 shown in Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d is, as mentioned, constructed in many aspects identically to the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. In particular, the arrangement of the first projection arrangements 87, 88 and the second projection arrangements 89, 90 on the first clamping part 82 and on the second clamping part 83 is the same as in the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c. In contrast to the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, however, the two clamping parts 82, 83 in the coupling device 81 shown in Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are not made of plastic, but of bent sheet steel. Accordingly, the two clamping parts 82, 83 are also not designed as solid parts.In both clamping parts 82, 83, a central region of the steel sheet is cut sufficiently wide so that the two lateral edges running along the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part 82, 83 simultaneously form the respective first projection arrangement 87, 88 and the respective second projection arrangement 89, 90. In the longitudinal direction of the respective clamping part 82, 83, a somewhat narrower section of the steel sheet is bent at a first end adjacent to the central region of the steel sheet as an active surface region and a section of the steel sheet is bent at another end as an end region. The active surface region is bent relative to the central region of the steel sheet in such a way that it forms the respective first active surface 85, 86, which has an orientation like the first active surfaces 5, 6 of the respective clamping part 2, 3 of the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c.The end regions of the steel sheet of both clamping parts 82, 83 are bent at right angles to the central region of the respective steel sheet. In both clamping parts 82, 83, the respective active surface area has a central cutout. Furthermore, the two end regions each have a recess. These cutouts or recesses serve as a passage for the clamping device 84, which is designed as a screw. In contrast to the screw of the clamping device 4 of the coupling device 1 shown in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, however, the screw of the clamping device 84 is designed as a metal screw. Furthermore, the recess in the end region of the steel sheet of the first clamping part 82 has an internal thread so that the screw of the clamping device 84 can be screwed into the second clamping part 82 essentially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device 81 to clamp the two clamping parts 82, 83 toward one another.

[0142] Figure 6 shows a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement 400 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 401, not according to the invention, for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 401 corresponds to the previously mentioned second invention. It is practically identical to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c. Also, in the illustration in Figure 6, the directions defined to the first clamping part 402 and the second clamping part 403 correspond to the directions defined to the first and second clamping parts 22, 23 in the illustrations in Figures 2a and 2b.

[0143] In contrast to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, however, in the coupling device 401 shown in Figure 6, the first active surfaces 405, 406 of the two clamping parts 402, 403 are aligned differently. Thus, the first active surface 405 of the first clamping part 402 is oriented relative to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 402, wherein a perpendicular to the first active surface

[0144] 405 of the first clamping part 402 has a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part 402, but has neither a component pointing in the first direction nor a third direction of the first clamping part 402. The first effective area

[0145] 406 of the second clamping part 403, however, is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 403, wherein a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 406 of the second clamping part 406 has a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part 403, but neither a component pointing in the first direction nor a third direction of the second clamping part 403. However, the first and second projection arrangements 407, 408, 409, 410 of the two clamping parts 402, 403 are arranged as in the two clamping parts 22, 23 of the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c. The clamping arrangement 404 of the coupling device 400 shown in Figure 6 also has the same screw as the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c.

[0146] In a variation of the coupling device 401 shown in Figure 6, the two clamping parts can also be made of bent sheet steel, but the first active surfaces of the two clamping parts are aligned as in the coupling device 401 shown in Figure 6.

[0147] Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7c each show a schematic representation of a further arrangement 500 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 501 according to the invention for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. Figure 7a shows an oblique view of an exploded view of the coupling device 501 and the two elements 100, 200. Figures 7b and 7c each show an oblique view of the coupling device 501 and the two elements 100, 200 from the same perspective as shown in Figure 7a. In both Figures 7b and 7c, the coupling device 501 is shown in the assembled state inserted into the space formed by the grooves 101, 201 in the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. In Figure 7b, the tensioning device 504 of the coupling device 501 is shown untensioned, while in Figure 7c the tensioning device 504 is shown tensioned.Thus, in Figure 7c, the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 501. Analogous to Figure 2c, Figure 7d shows a plan view of the arrangement 500 with the coupling device 501 and the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, in which view the viewing direction runs along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 501. The two elements 100, 200 to be connected are shown connected to one another by the coupling device 501, with the tensioning device 504 being shown in the tensioned state, as in Figure 7c.

[0148] In Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, the directions defined for the two clamping parts 22, 23 are shown as follows. In the illustration in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, the two clamping parts 502, 503 are shown aligned such that for both clamping parts 502, 503 the longitudinal direction runs from the top left in the illustration to the bottom right in the illustration, such that for both clamping parts 502, 503 the first direction in the illustration points from the top right to the bottom left, while the second direction in the illustration points from the bottom to the top. Accordingly, in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c the two clamping parts 502, 503 are shown aligned such that for both clamping parts 502, 503 the third direction in the illustration points from the bottom left to the top right, while the fourth direction in the illustration points from the top to the bottom.

[0149] Figure 8 shows two views of each of the two clamping parts 502, 503. In particular, the first active surfaces 505.1, 506.1, the second active surfaces 505.2, 506.2, and the transition lines 513, 514 of the two clamping parts 502, 502, described in more detail below, are more clearly visible.

[0150] The further coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d is similar to the coupling devices 21, 41, 61 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 and 4a, 4b and 4c. In contrast to the coupling device 21 shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d the two clamping parts 502, 503 are not made of plastic, but of aluminum as in the coupling devices 41, 61 shown in Figures 3, 4a, 4b and 4c. However, as in the coupling device 61 shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d both the recess in the first clamping part 502 and the recess in the second clamping part 503 have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the screw 511 of the clamping device 504.Thus, when the screw 511 of the clamping device 504 is guided through the recess in the first clamping part 502 and the recess in the second clamping part 503, both the first clamping part 502 and the second clamping part 503 can be moved slightly transversely to the screw. In order to still be able to clamp the two clamping parts 52, 53 together essentially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 501 using the clamping device 504, the clamping device 504 has a nut 512 that fits the screw 511. This nut 512 has a square profile on the outside to support itself on the inside of the grooves 101, 201. In the assembled state of the coupling device 501, the screw 511 is guided through the recesses in the two clamping parts 502, 503 and then screwed to the nut 512.Since the nut 512 is supported with its outer edges on the inside of the grooves 101, 201, the screw 511 can be rotated to tighten the clamping device 504, while the nut 512 does not rotate, since it is prevented from rotating at the grooves 101, 201 due to this support.

[0151] As in the coupling devices 21, 41, 61 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 and 4a, 4b and 4c, in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the first clamping part 502 has the same first projection arrangement 507 projecting in the first direction of the first clamping part 502 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 102a of the groove 101 in the first of the two elements 100 to be connected. Likewise, in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the second clamping part 503 has the same first projection arrangement 509 projecting in the first direction of the second clamping part 503 for engaging behind a first of the two undercuts 202a of the groove 201 in the second of the two elements 200 to be connected.Furthermore, the second projection arrangement 509 of the first clamping part 502 is arranged on the first clamping part 502, starting from the first projection arrangement 507 of the first clamping part 502, in a fifth direction of the first clamping part 502, which fifth direction of the first clamping part 502 has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 502 and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part 502. Furthermore, the second projection arrangement 510 of the second clamping part 503 is arranged on the second clamping part 503, starting from the first projection arrangement 508 of the second clamping part 503, in a fifth direction of the second clamping part 503, which fifth direction of the second clamping part 503 has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part 503 and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part 503.The component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part 502 directed in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 502 is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part 502 directed in the third direction of the first clamping part 502, while the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part 503 directed in the second direction of the second clamping part 503 is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part 503 directed in the third direction of the second clamping part 503. As a result, the second projection arrangement 509 of the first clamping part 502 is arranged on a half of the first clamping part 502 lying in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 502, and the second projection arrangement 510 of the second clamping part 503 is arranged on a half of the second clamping part 503 lying in the second direction of the second clamping part 503.

[0152] As with the coupling devices 21, 41, 61 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 and 4a, 4b and 4c, in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the first clamping part 502 has a first active surface 505.1 and the second clamping part 503 has a first active surface 506.1. In the first clamping part 502, an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first active surface 505.1 and the first direction is 45°, while an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first active surface 505.1 and the second direction is 45°.

[0153] In contrast to the coupling devices 21, 41, 61 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 and 4a, 4b and 4c, in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the first clamping part 502 has, in addition to the first active surface 505.1, a second active surface 505.2, which second active surface 505.2 is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502 and to the first active surface 505.1 of the first clamping part 502. In addition to the first active surface 506.1, the second clamping part 503 has a second active surface 506.2, which second active surface 506.2 is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503 and to the first active surface 506.1 of the second clamping part 503. A normal vector perpendicular to the second active surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 has both a component pointing in the third direction of the first clamping part 502 and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 502.

[0154] The normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 505.1 of the first clamping part 502 defines a first effective surface plane of the first clamping part 502 at its position on the first effective surface 505.1 and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 defines a second effective surface plane of the first clamping part 502 at its position on the second effective surface 505.2, wherein the first effective surface plane of the first clamping part 502 and the second effective surface plane of the first clamping part 502 intersect in a transition line 513 of the first clamping part 502. In the first clamping part 502, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the second effective surface 505.2 and the third direction is 45°, while the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the second effective surface 505.2 and the fourth direction is 45°.

[0155] Furthermore, a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 has both a component pointing in the first direction of the second clamping part 503 and a component pointing in the second direction of the second clamping part 503. The normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 506.1 of the second clamping part 503 defines, at its position on the first effective surface 506.1, a first effective surface plane of the second clamping part 503, and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 defines, at its position on the second effective surface 506.2, a second effective surface plane of the second clamping part 503, wherein the first effective surface plane of the second clamping part 503 and the second effective surface plane of the second clamping part 503 intersect at a transition line 514 of the second clamping part 503.In the second clamping part 503, the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the second effective surface 506.2 and the first direction is 45°, while the angle measured in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the second effective surface 506.2 and the second direction is 45°.

[0156] In the assembled state of the coupling device 501, the two clamping parts 502, 503 are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces 505.1, 506.1 facing each other and also with their second active surfaces 505.2, 506.2 facing each other and are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis and can be clamped or are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device 504, wherein, when the two clamping parts 502, 503 are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device 504, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces 505.1, 506.1 and the second active surfaces 505.2, 506.2, the first clamping part 502 and the second clamping part 503 are pressed and rotated relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 501, so that the first projection arrangement arranged on the first clamping part 502 507 and the first projection arrangement 508 arranged on the second clamping part are pressed towards each other.

[0157] In the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, the first active surface 505.1 of the first clamping part 502 lies entirely in the first active surface plane of the first clamping part 502, while the second active surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 lies entirely in the second active surface plane of the first clamping part 502. Furthermore, the first active surface 506.1 of the second clamping part 503 lies entirely in the first active surface plane of the second clamping part 503, while the second active surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 lies entirely in the second active surface plane of the second clamping part 503. The second active surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 adjoins the first active surface 505.1 of the first clamping part 502 in the transition line of the first clamping part 502. Furthermore, the second active surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 adjoins the first active surface 506.1 of the second clamping part 503 in the transition line of the second clamping part 503.The transition line of the first clamping part 502 forms a ridge, while the transition line of the second clamping part 503 forms a groove. The transition line of the first clamping part 502 is aligned at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the first clamping part 502, and the transition line of the second clamping part 503 is aligned at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the second clamping part 503.

[0158] In the first clamping part 502, the perpendicular to the first effective surface 505.1 of the first clamping part

[0159] 502 is inclined at an effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part 502 to the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502. Furthermore, in the second clamping part 503, the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 506.1 of the second clamping part 503 is inclined at an effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part 503 to the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 506.2 of the second clamping part

[0160] 503. Both the effective surface intersection angle of the first clamping part 502 and the effective surface intersection angle of the second clamping part 503 each have a value of approximately 90°.

[0161] The first clamping part 502 has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line of the first clamping part 502 onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502 and the first direction of the first clamping part 502, which transition line angle of the first clamping part 502 is measured in a plan view of the first effective surface 505.1 and the second effective surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part 502 clockwise around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502 to the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part 502 onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502.Furthermore, the second clamping part 503 has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line of the second clamping part 503 onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503 and the second direction of the first clamping part 503. This transition line angle of the second clamping part 503 is measured in a plan view of the first active surface 506.1 and the second active surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part 503 in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503 to the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part 503 onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503. The transition line angle of the first clamping part 502 and the transition line angle of the second clamping part 505 differ by a value of 5°.If the two clamping parts 502, 503 are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 501, as in the assembled state of the coupling device 501, while the first direction of the first clamping part 502 and the first direction of the second clamping part 503 are aligned parallel to one another and the second direction of the first clamping part 502 and the second direction of the second clamping part 503 are aligned parallel to one another, and the two clamping parts 502, 503 each face each other with their first active surfaces 505.1, 506.1 and each face each other with their second active surfaces 505.2, 506.2 are arranged facing one another one behind the other along the longitudinal axis, and then the first clamping part 502 is rotated by 5° about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part 503 so that the projection of the transition line of the first clamping part 502 onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502 and the projection of the transition line of the second clamping part 503 onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503 are aligned parallel to one another, by this rotation of the first clamping part 502 about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part 503, the first projection arrangement 507 arranged on the first clamping part 502 and the first projection arrangement 508 arranged on the second clamping part 503 as well as the second projection arrangement 509 arranged on the first clamping part 502 and the second projection arrangement 510 arranged on the second clamping part 503 are each moved towards one another.

[0162] In the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the angle in the plan view of the first active surface 505.1 and the second active surface 505.2 of the first clamping part 502 viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502, starting from the first direction of the first clamping part 502 in a clockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 502 measured to the second direction of the first clamping part 502, is 270°, and the angle in the plan view of the first active surface 506.1 and the second active surface 506.2 of the second clamping part 503 viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503, starting from the first direction of the second clamping part 503 in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 503 measured to the second direction of the second clamping part is 270°. The transition line angle of the first clamping part 502 is 5° smaller than the transition line angle of the second clamping part 503.

[0163] As can be seen in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the coupling device 501 has two expandable clamping elements 520, 530. These two clamping elements 520, 530 are each made from a sheet of spring steel and each have a bend, so that they have a V-shape. In their center, the two clamping elements 520, 530 each have an opening through which the screw 511 can be guided. In the assembled state of the coupling device 501, one clamping element 520 is arranged between the head of the screw 511 and the first clamping part 502, with the screw 511 being guided through the opening in the clamping element 520. Furthermore, the other clamping element 530 is arranged between the second clamping part 503 and the nut 512, with the screw 511 being guided through the opening in the clamping element 530.

[0164] Therefore, the two clamping elements 520, 530 can be clamped and thus spread apart by screwing the screw 511 into the nut 512. This means that the V-shape of the two clamping elements 520, 530 can be widened by this clamping, whereby the clamping elements 520, 530 assume a width in a spread state, which width in the spread state corresponds to a width of the grooves 101, 201 in the two elements 100, 200 to be connected or is slightly larger than the width of the grooves 101, 201 in the two elements 100, 200 to be connected.

[0165] Both clamping elements 520, 530 each have a toothing 521.1, 521.2 on their longitudinal edges, which are oriented perpendicular to the width of the respective expandable clamping element 520, 530. With these toothings 521.1, 521.2, the clamping elements 520, 530 bite into the edges of the grooves 101, 201 of the two elements 100, 200 to be connected when the clamping device 504 is tensioned, thereby spreading the two clamping elements 520, 530.

[0166] As can be seen in particular in Figure 7d, the expandable clamping elements 520, 530 have an H-shaped cross-section in the expanded state and are dimensioned such that the respective expandable clamping element 520, 530 in the expanded state, when the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are aligned with their grooves 101, 201 parallel to one another and are brought into contact with their grooves 101, 201 opposite one another and the coupling device 501 in the assembled state is inserted with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the grooves 101, 201 into the space formed by the opposing grooves 101, 201 and the expandable clamping elements 520, 530 are spread by tensioning the tensioning device 504, engage behind the undercuts of the grooves 101, 201. This illustrates how the clamping device 504 is designed to spread the expandable clamping elements 520, 530.

[0167] The expandable clamping elements can also be shaped and bent differently than the clamping elements 520, 530 described in connection with the coupling device 501. For example, instead of a V-shape, they can also be bent into a rhombus-like shape, like the clamping element 620 shown in Figures 9a to 9e. This means that in the coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, for example, a clamping element 620 shown in Figures 9a to 9g can also be used instead of one or both clamping elements 520, 530. The coupling device 501 shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d can also be designed entirely without such a clamping element.

[0168] A coupling device can also be designed without two clamping parts, but instead with a tensioning device and at least one clamping element. This is shown in Figures 9a to 9e, where such a coupling device 601 is shown.

[0169] Figure 9a shows a schematic exploded view of a further arrangement 600 with the two elements 100, 200 to be connected, with a further coupling device 601, not according to the invention, for connecting the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. This further coupling device 601 corresponds to the fourth invention mentioned above. The further coupling device 601 has a clamping device 604, which is formed by a screw 611 and a nut 612. Furthermore, the coupling device 601 has a clamping element 620 formed from bent sheet spring steel. This clamping element 620 has, as already mentioned, a rhombus-like shape. Figure 9b shows a top view of the assembled coupling device 601, which is inserted into the grooves between the two elements 100, 200. Furthermore, Figure 9c shows a plan view along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device 601.In both Figure 9b and Figure 9c, the clamping device 604 is not tensioned. Accordingly, it can be seen in Figure 9c that the clamping element 620 is not supported on the edges of the grooves in the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. In Figure 9d, as in Figure 9b, a top view is shown, although in Figure 9d the clamping device 604 is tensioned, whereby the clamping element 620 is spread apart. Accordingly, in Figure 9d the clamping element 620 is shown spread apart. In Figure 9e, as in Figure 9c, a top view is shown, whereby here too in Figure 9e the clamping element 620 is spread apart. It can be seen that the spread apart clamping element 620 is supported on the edges of the grooves of the two elements 100, 200 to be connected. As a result, the two grooves of the two elements 100, 200 to be connected are aligned with each other and the two elements 100, 200 are connected to each other by the coupling device 601.Figures 10a and 10b show schematic representations of a further arrangement 700 with two further elements 1100, 1200 to be connected and a further coupling device 701 according to the invention for connecting the two further elements 1100, 1200 to be connected. In Figure 10a, only the first clamping part 702 and the second clamping part 703 of the coupling device 701 are shown, while in Figure 10b the two further elements 1100, 1200 to be connected are shown connected by means of the coupling device 701. Accordingly, in Figure 10b, the entire arrangement 700 with the entire coupling device 701 is shown.

[0170] In Figure 10a, the first clamping part 702 is shown aligned such that the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part 702 runs vertically from top to bottom in the illustration. The first direction of the first clamping part 702 runs from top right to bottom left in the illustration, while the second direction of the first clamping part 702 runs from bottom right to top left in the illustration. Furthermore, the third direction of the first clamping part 702 runs from bottom left to top right in the illustration, while the fourth direction of the first clamping part 702 runs from top left to bottom right in the illustration. Furthermore, in Figure 10a, the second clamping part 703 is shown aligned such that the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part 703 runs vertically from top to bottom in the illustration.The first direction of the second clamping part 703 also runs from top right to bottom left in the illustration, while the second direction of the second clamping part 703 runs from top left to bottom right in the illustration. Furthermore, the third direction of the second clamping part 703 runs from bottom left to top right in the illustration, while the fourth direction of the second clamping part 703 runs from bottom right to top left in the illustration.

[0171] As can be seen in Figure 10a, the first clamping part 702 and the second clamping part 703, with their first projection arrangement and their second projection arrangement, are designed similarly to the first clamping part 502 shown in Figures 7a to 7d and the second clamping part 503 shown in Figures 7a to 7d. The two clamping parts 702, 703 each also have an opening extending along their longitudinal direction for receiving the screw of the tensioning device 704. In contrast to the coupling devices described above, however, the first active surface 705.1, 706.1 and the second active surface 705.2, 706.2 of the first clamping part 702 shown in Figures 10a and 10b and of the second clamping part 703 shown in Figures 10a and 10b are shaped differently. These active surfaces 705.1, 705.2, 706.1, 706.2 are arranged spirally around the opening of the respective clamping part 702, 703, which extends along its longitudinal direction. The first active surface 705.1, 706 is arranged accordingly.1 and the second effective surface 705.2, 706.2 of the two clamping parts 702, 703 are curved. Nevertheless, a normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 705.1 of the first clamping part 702 has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part 702 and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part 702, while a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 705.2 of the first clamping part 702 has both a component pointing in the third direction of the first clamping part 702 and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the first clamping part 702. The normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 705.1 of the first clamping part 702 defines a first effective surface plane of the first clamping part 702 at its position on the first effective surface 705.1 and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 705.2 of the first clamping part.

[0172] 702 defines at its position on the second effective surface 705.2 a second effective surface plane of the first clamping part 702, wherein the first effective surface plane of the first clamping part 702 and the second effective surface plane of the first clamping part 702 intersect in a transition line of the first clamping part 702.

[0173] Furthermore, a normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface 706.1 of the second clamping part 703 has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part 703 and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part 703, while a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface 706.2 of the second clamping part

[0174] 703 has both a component pointing in the first direction of the second clamping part 703 and a component pointing in the second direction of the second clamping part 703. The normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface 706.1 of the second clamping part 703 defines, at its position on the first active surface 706.1, a first active surface plane of the second clamping part 703, and the normal vector perpendicular to the second active surface 706.2 of the second clamping part 703 defines, at its position on the second active surface 706.2, a second active surface plane of the second clamping part 703, wherein the first active surface plane of the second clamping part 703 and the second active surface plane of the second clamping part 703 intersect in a transition line of the second clamping part 703.

[0175] As already mentioned, Figure 10b shows the entire arrangement 700 with the coupling device 701 and the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected. The two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected differ from the two elements 100, 200 to be connected described in connection with the previous figures. Although the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected shown in Figure 10b also each have a groove with an undercut on both sides, into which the coupling device 701 can be inserted to connect the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected. However, on both sides of this groove, both elements 1100, 1200 to be connected additionally each have a sealing groove 1103.1, 1103.2, 1203.1, 1203.2 running parallel thereto. In the state of the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected by means of the coupling device 701, these sealing grooves 1103.1, 1103.2, 1203.1, 1203.2 are opposite one another and each form a cavity.This means that one such cavity runs on each side of the groove, which is undercut on both sides. A sealing cord is inserted into each of these two cavities as a sealing element 1001.1, 1001.2. These two sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2 are also part of the arrangement 700. When the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected are connected to one another by the coupling device 701, these sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2 are pressed together by the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected, so that any gaps between the two elements 1100, 1200 to be connected are sealed by the two sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2.

[0176] Figures 11a and 11b show schematic representations of a further arrangement 800 with two further elements 2100, 2200 to be connected and the coupling device 701 shown in Figures 10a and 10b for connecting the further two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected. In contrast to the arrangement 700 shown in Figures 10a and 10b, the further two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected are shaped differently in the present case. The further two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected of the fogirem 11a and 11b also have sealing grooves 2103.1, 2103.2, 2203.1, 2203.2, in which sealing cords are arranged as sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2. However, the two further elements 2100, 2200 to be connected shown in Figures 11a and 11b each have an additional connecting groove 2104, 2204 undercut with an undercut 2104a, 2204a.

[0177] Furthermore, the arrangement 800 shown in Figures 11a and 11b comprises two connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2, which can be inserted into the connecting groove 2204 in one of the two elements 2200 to be connected and have a hook 851 in a region extending from the connecting groove 2204, with which hook the two connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2 can engage behind the undercut 2104a of the connecting groove 2104 in the other of the two elements 2100 to be connected in order to hold the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected together. The two connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2 can thus form a connection between the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected in addition to the one or more coupling devices 701.If the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected are, for example, facade elements, the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected can be aligned such that the grooves in the elements 2100, 2200 to be connected, into which the coupling devices 701 are inserted, are arranged on the building side, while the connecting grooves 2104, 2204 are located on the outside. As a result, the coupling devices 701 can absorb the main force or main load, while the connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2 hold the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected together on the building exterior to such an extent that the gap between the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected can be well sealed with the sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2.

[0178] Figure 12 shows a modification of the arrangement 800 shown in Figures 11a and 11b. Thus, the arrangement 900 shown in Figure 12 has an elongated connecting hook element 950 instead of the connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2. While the connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2 of the arrangement 800 from Figures 11a and 11b are made of aluminum, the connecting hook element 950 of the arrangement 900 from Figure 12 is made of plastic and is inserted into the connecting grooves with its longitudinal axis parallel to the connecting grooves.

[0179] Figures 13a and 13b illustrate a further modification of the arrangement 800 shown in Figures 11a and 11b. As can be seen in Figure 13a, this further modification also comprises the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected, sealing elements 1001.1, 1001.2, and the connecting hook elements 850.1, 850.2. However, instead of the coupling device 701, the arrangement 940 shown in Figure 13a has two coupling elements 920.1, 920.2. These coupling elements 920.1, 920.2, which are not according to the invention, for connecting the two elements 2100, 2200 to be connected, are each formed in one piece and made of plastic. They correspond to the aforementioned fifth invention. Figure 13b shows one of the two coupling elements 920.1 in a larger size. The longitudinal axis of the coupling element 920.1 runs from the bottom left to the top right in the illustration.

[0180] The two coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 shown in Figures 13a, 13b serve to connect two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected. These two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 each have a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut each, and thus with at least two undercuts. The coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 have a width which corresponds to a width of the grooves in the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected. More precisely, the width of the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 is slightly larger than the width of the grooves in the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected. Therefore, if the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their grooves opposite each other and the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2.2 are inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves with their longitudinal axes aligned parallel to the grooves, block off the edges of the grooves with their longitudinal edges aligned perpendicular to the width of the respective coupling element 920.1, 920.2 and thereby center the grooves of the opposing elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 relative to one another, whereby the opposing elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 are positioned relative to one another.

[0181] The coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 have an H-shaped cross-section and are dimensioned such that, when the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected are aligned with their grooves parallel to each other and brought into contact with their opposite grooves, and the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 are inserted into the space formed by the opposing grooves with their longitudinal axes aligned parallel to the grooves, they engage behind the undercuts of the grooves. As a result, the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected are additionally held together by the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2.

[0182] In order to be able to insert the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 more easily into the space formed by the opposing grooves in the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected, the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 have a reduced cross-section in the regions of their ends in the longitudinal direction of the respective coupling element 920.1, 920.2. Thus, the coupling elements 920.1, 920.2 have a rounded or chamfered shape when viewed along their longitudinal direction, which simplifies the insertion of the respective coupling element 920.1, 920.2 into the space formed by the opposing grooves in the two elements 100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200 to be connected. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the context of Figures 1a to 12. Further variants and variations are immediately apparent to the person skilled in the art.

[0183] In summary, it can be stated that a coupling device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset is created which, when connecting the two elements to be connected, enables a correct positioning of the two elements to be connected in a direction transverse to the grooves in the two elements to be connected in a simple and reliable manner and in a reproducible manner.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) for connecting two elements (100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200) to be connected, which two elements (100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200) each have a groove (101, 201) undercut with at least one undercut (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b), in particular a groove (101, 201) undercut on both sides with at least one undercut (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) and thus with at least two undercuts (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b). 201), a) wherein the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) comprises a first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and a second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) and thus two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703), wherein for each of the two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703) a longitudinal direction, a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,a second direction oriented both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction oriented opposite to the first direction and a fourth direction oriented opposite to the second direction, wherein the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) has a first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1), which first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702), and the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) has a first effective surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1), which first active surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703), wherein the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) has a first projection arrangement (7, 27, 87, 507) projecting in the first direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut (102a) of the groove (101) in a first of the two elements (100, 1100, 2100) to be connected, and the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) has a first projection arrangement (8, 28, 88, 508) projecting in the first direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) for engaging behind a first of the at least one undercut (202a) of the groove (201) in a second of the two elements (200, 1200, 2200) to be connected, b) wherein the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) comprises a clamping device (4, 24, 44, 64, 84, 504, 704) for clamping the two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703) towards one another substantially along a longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701), wherein in an assembled state of the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) the two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703) are each aligned with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701), while the first direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and the first direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) are aligned substantially parallel to each other and the second direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and the second direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) are aligned substantially parallel to each other, and the two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703) are each arranged with their first active surfaces (5, 6, 85, 86, 505.1, 506.1, 705.1, 706.1) facing each other one behind the other along the longitudinal axis and by the Clamping device (4, 24, 44, 64, 84, 504, 704) along the longitudinal axis can be clamped towards each other or are clamped towards each other, wherein, when by the clamping device (4, 24, 44, 64, 84, 504, 704) the two clamping parts (2, 3, 22, 23, 42, 43, 62, 63, 82, 83, 502, 503, 702, 703) are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis, due to the interaction of the first active surfaces (5, 6, 85, 86, 505.1, 506.1, 705.1, 706.1) the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) are pressed so that the first projection arrangement (7, 27, 87, 507) arranged on the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and the first projection arrangement (8, 28, 88, 508) arranged on the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) are pressed towards one another, characterized in that a perpendicular to the first active surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) has both a component pointing in the first direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and a component pointing in the second direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702), and that. a normal vector perpendicular to the first active surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1) of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) has both a component pointing in the third direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703).

2. Coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) according to claim 1, characterized in that - in the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) and the first direction is at least 30°, that - in the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) and the second direction is at least 30°, that - in the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703), an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the first effective surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.2) and the third direction is at least 30°, and that - in the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703), an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the first active surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1) and the fourth direction is at least 30°.

3. Coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - in the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the first direction between the first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) and the first direction is at most 60°, that - in the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702), an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the second direction between the first effective surface (5, 85, 505.1, 705.1) and the second direction is at most 60°, that - in the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703), an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the third direction between the first effective surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1) and the third direction is at most 60°, and that - in the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703), an angle measured in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction between the first active surface (6, 86, 506.1, 706.1) and the fourth direction is at most 60°.

4. Coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first projection arrangement (7, 27, 87, 507) of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) is arranged on a half of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and that the first projection arrangement (8, 28, 88, 508) of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) is arranged on a half of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703).

5. Coupling device (501, 701) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first clamping part (502, 702) has a second active surface (505.2, 705.2), which second active surface (505.2, 705.2) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502, 702) and to the first active surface (505.1, 705.1) of the first clamping part (502, 702), and in that the second clamping part (503, 703) has a second active surface (506.2, 706.2), which second active surface (506.2, 706.2) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503, 703) and to the first active surface (506.1, 706.1) of the second clamping part (503, 703) is inclined, - wherein in the assembled state of the coupling device (501, 701), the two clamping parts (502, 503, 702, 703) are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis with their first active surfaces (505.1, 506.1, 705.1, 706.1) facing each other and also with their second active surfaces (505.2, 506.2, 705.2, 706.2) facing each other and are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis and can be clamped or are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device (504, 704), wherein, when the two clamping parts (502, 503, 702, 703) are clamped towards each other along the longitudinal axis by the clamping device (504, 704), due to the interaction of the first active surfaces (505.1, 506.1, 705.1, 706.1) and the second effective surfaces (505.2, 506.2, 705.2, 706.2) the first clamping part (502, 702) and the second clamping part (503, 703) are pressed relative to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (501, 701), so that the first projection arrangement (507) arranged on the first clamping part (502, 702) and the first projection arrangement (508) arranged on the second clamping part (503, 703) are pressed towards each other, - wherein a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface (505.2, 705.2) of the first clamping part (502, 702) has both a component pointing in the third direction of the first clamping part (502, 702) and a component pointing in the fourth direction of the first clamping part (502, 702), wherein the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface (505.1, 705.1) of the first clamping part (502, 702) defines a first effective surface plane of the first clamping part (502, 702) at its position on the first effective surface (505.1, 705.1) and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface (505.2, 705.2) of the first clamping part (502, 702) at its position on the second effective surface (505.2, 705.2) defines a second effective surface plane of the first clamping part (502, 702), wherein the first effective surface plane of the first clamping part (502, 702) and the second effective surface plane of the first clamping part (502, 702) intersect in a transition line (523) of the first clamping part (502, 702), and. - wherein a normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface (506.2, 706.2) of the second clamping part (503, 703) has both a component pointing in the first direction of the second clamping part (503, 703) and a component pointing in the second direction of the second clamping part (503, 703), wherein the normal vector perpendicular to the first effective surface (506.1, 706.1) of the second clamping part (503, 703) defines a first effective surface plane of the second clamping part (503, 703) at its position on the first effective surface (506.1, 706.1) and the normal vector perpendicular to the second effective surface (506.2, 706.2) of the second clamping part (503, 703) at its position on the second effective surface (506.2, 706.2) defines a second effective surface plane of the second clamping part (503, 703), wherein the first effective surface plane of the second clamping part (503, 703) and the second effective surface plane of the second clamping part (503, 703) intersect in a transition line (514) of the second clamping part (503, 703).

6. Coupling device (501) according to claim 5, characterized in that - the first clamping part (502) has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line (13) of the first clamping part (502) onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502) and the first direction of the first clamping part (502), which transition line angle of the first clamping part (502) in a plan view of the first active surface (505.1) and the second active surface (505.2) of the first clamping part viewed along the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502) (502) starting from the first direction of the first clamping part (502) is measured clockwise around the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502) to the projection of the transition line (513) of the first clamping part (502) onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502), and that - the second clamping part (503) has a transition line angle between a projection of the transition line (514) of the second clamping part (503) onto a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503) and the second direction of the second clamping part (503), which transition line angle of the second clamping part (503) in a plan view of the first active surface (506.1) and the second active surface (506.2) of the second clamping part (503) viewed along the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503), starting from the first direction of the second clamping part (503) in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503) to the projection of the transition line (514) of the second clamping part (503) onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503), wherein the transition line angle of the first clamping part (502) and the transition line angle of the second clamping part (503) differ by a value in the range of 1° to 10°, in particular in the range of 3° to 6°, and wherein, when the two clamping parts (502, 503) are each arranged with their longitudinal direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (501),while the first direction of the first clamping part (502) and the first direction of the second clamping part (503) are aligned parallel to each other and the second direction of the first clamping part (502) and the second direction of the second clamping part (503) are aligned parallel to each other, and the two clamping parts (502, 503) are each arranged with their first active surfaces (505.1, 506.1) facing each other and each with their second active surfaces (505.2m 506.2) facing each other one behind the other along the longitudinal axis, and then the first, The clamping part (502) is rotated by a maximum of 10° about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part (503) so that the projection of the transition line (513) of the first clamping part (502) onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clamping part (502) and the projection of the transition line (514) of the second clamping part (503) onto the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping part (503) are aligned parallel to one another, by this rotation of the first clamping part (502) about its longitudinal direction relative to the second clamping part (503), the first projection arrangement (507) arranged on the first clamping part (502) and the first projection arrangement (508) arranged on the second clamping part (503) are moved towards one another.

7. Coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) is suitable for connecting two elements (100, 200) to be connected, which two elements (100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200) each have a groove (101, 201) undercut on both sides with at least one undercut (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) and thus with at least two undercuts (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b), wherein the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) has a second projection arrangement (9, 29, 89, 509) projecting in the third direction of the first clamping part (2, 22, 42, 62, 82, 502, 702) and the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503, 703) has a second projection arrangement (10, 30, 90, 510) projecting in the third direction of the second clamping part (3, 23, 43, 63, 83, 503), wherein either a) the second projection arrangement (9, 89) of the first clamping part (2,82) serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts (102b) of the groove (101) in the first of the two elements (100) to be connected, while the second projection arrangement (10, 90) of the second clamping part (200) serves to engage behind a second of the at least two undercuts (202b) of the groove (201) in the second of the two elements to be connected, (200), or b) the second projection arrangement (29, 509) of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) for engaging behind a second of the at least two undercuts (202b) of the groove (201) in the second of the two elements (200, 1200, 2200) to be connected, while the second projection arrangement (30, 510) of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) for engaging behind a second of the at least two undercuts (102b) of the groove (101) in the first of the two elements (100, 1100, 2100) to be connected.

8. Coupling device (1, 81) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second projection arrangement (9, 89) of the first clamping part (2, 82) serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts (102b) of the groove (101) in the first of the two elements (100) to be connected, while the second projection arrangement (10, 90) of the second clamping part (3, 83) serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts (202b) of the groove (201) in the second of the two elements (200) to be connected, wherein the second projection arrangement (9, 89) of the first clamping part (2, 82) is arranged on the first clamping part (2, 82) starting from the first projection arrangement (7, 87) of the first clamping part (2, 82) in the third direction of the first clamping part (2, 82), and wherein the second projection arrangement (10, 90) of the second clamping part (3, 83) starting from the first projection arrangement (9, 89) of the second clamping part (3, 83) in the third direction of the second clamping part (3,83) is arranged on the second clamping part (3, 83)., 9. Coupling device (1, 81) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second projection arrangement (9, 89) of the first clamping part (2, 82) is arranged on the half of the first clamping part (2, 82) lying in the second direction of the first clamping part (2, 82) and that the second projection arrangement (10, 90) of the second clamping part (3, 83) is arranged on the half of the second clamping part (3, 83) lying in the fourth direction of the second clamping part (3, 83).

10. Coupling device (21, 41, 61, 501, 701) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second projection arrangement (28, 508) of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts (202b) of the groove (202) in the second of the two elements to be connected (200, 1200, 2200), while the second projection arrangement (30, 510) of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) serves to engage behind the second of the at least two undercuts (102b) of the groove (101) in the first of the two elements to be connected (100, 1100, 2100), wherein the second projection arrangement (28, 508) of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) is arranged on the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) starting from the first projection arrangement (27, 507) of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) in a fifth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702), which fifth direction of the first Clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) has a component in the fourth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) and a component in the third direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702), wherein the second projection arrangement (30, 510) of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) is arranged on the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) starting from the first projection arrangement (28, 508) of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) in a fifth direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703), which fifth direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) has a component in the second direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) and a component in the third direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703).

11. Coupling device (21, 41, 61, 501, 701) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second projection arrangement (28, 508) of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) is arranged on a half of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) lying in the fourth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) and that the second projection arrangement (30, 510) of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) is arranged on a half of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) lying in the second direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703). 503, 703).

12. Coupling device (21, 41, 61, 501, 701) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) directed in the fourth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) is approximately the same size as the component of the fifth direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702) directed in the third direction of the first clamping part (22, 42, 62, 502, 702), wherein the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) directed in the second direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) is approximately equal to the component of the fifth direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703) directed in the third direction of the second clamping part (23, 43, 63, 503, 703).

13. Coupling device (81) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the two clamping parts (82, 82) are each made of bent sheet steel.

14. Coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the clamping device has at least one expandable clamping element.

15. Arrangement (300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 500, 700, 800, 900) which comprises two elements (100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200) to be connected, which elements (100, 200, 1100, 1200, 2100, 2200) each have a groove (101, 201) undercut with at least one undercut (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b), in particular a groove undercut on both sides with at least one undercut (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) and thus with at least two undercuts (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) undercut groove (101, 201), and which arrangement (300, 320, 340, 360, 380) comprises at least one coupling device (1, 21, 41, 61, 81, 501, 701) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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