Profile and connector for the same

Abstract

To provide a profile which enables adjustment of a rotation direction position of a second profile when the second profile is connected to a first profile in an orthogonal direction, and to provide a connector for the profile.SOLUTION: A connector for a profile connects a second profile described in one of claims 1 to 3 to a first profile in an orthogonal direction. The connector comprises a pair of connector elements. Each connector element includes a holding claw part configured to hold one side of a held part of the first profile at a tip and further includes a pressing part configured to be inserted into a hollow part of the second profile at the base end side. A plurality of engagement projections configured to engage with engagement projections of the second profile are provided at the pressing part. Adjusting rotation direction positions of the engagement projections of the pressing part engaging with the engagement projections of the second profile enables adjustment of a rotation direction position of the held part of the second profile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a profile and a connector for a profile, and more particularly to a device that is devised so that when a second profile is connected to a first profile from a direction orthogonal thereto, the rotational direction position of the second profile can be adjusted.

Background Art

[0002] As an example disclosing the configuration of this type of profile and connector for a profile, there is, for example, Patent Document 1. The profile described in this Patent Document 1 has the following configuration. It has a hollow cylindrical shape as a basic shape, and gripping portions are protruding at four locations on the outer peripheral surface that are orthogonal to each other. Further, engaging recesses are respectively formed on the inner peripheral surface at positions corresponding to the gripping portions.

[0003] On the other hand, the connector for a profile is composed of a pair of connector elements, and on the proximal end side of each of the connector elements, a gripping claw portion that engages with one of the gripping portions on the outer peripheral surface of the profile is provided. The distal end side of each of the connector elements is an insertion portion that is inserted into the hollow portion of the profile, and an engaging convex portion that engages with the engaging recess is provided on this insertion portion.

[0004] When one profile is directed from a direction orthogonal to the other profile and connected by the connector for a profile, when assembling a pair of connector elements of the connector for a profile and tightening them with bolts and nuts, the gripping claw portions of the pair of connector elements approach each other, and the gripping portion of one profile is gripped from both sides. The insertion portions of the pair of connector elements are inserted into the hollow portion of the other profile, and when the pair of connector elements are tightened with bolts and nuts, the respective engaging convex portions move outward and separate from each other, and engage with the engaging recess of the profile. In this way, the other profile is connected to one profile from a direction orthogonal thereto.

[0005] Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose the configurations of the same type of profiles and connectors for profiles. Incidentally, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 are all by the applicant of this patent application.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The conventional configuration had the following problems. That is, in both one profile and the other profile, the engaging recesses on the inner peripheral surface are provided at four locations orthogonal to correspond to the gripped portions on the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, when engaging and connecting the engaging convex portions of a pair of connector elements of the profile connector with the engaging recesses, the rotational direction position of the other profile, that is, the position of the gripped portion on the outer peripheral surface, always ends up in the same position, and there was a problem that it could not meet the requirement of wanting to change the position of the gripped portion to another rotational direction position.

[0008] The present invention has been made based on such points, and the object thereof is to provide a profile and a profile connector capable of adjusting the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the second profile when connecting the second profile to the first profile in a direction orthogonal thereto.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the profile according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a profile body having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, a plurality of gripped portions protruding from a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the profile body, and a plurality of engaging protrusions provided on the inner peripheral surface of the profile body. Further, the profile according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the profile according to claim 1, a plurality of the engaging protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the gripped portions. Further, the profile according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the profile according to claim 2, the engaging protrusions are formed by extending in the longitudinal direction in three strips. Further, the profile connector according to claim 4 is a profile connector for connecting a second profile according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to a first profile according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in a direction orthogonal thereto. It is composed of a pair of connector elements. Each of the connector elements is provided with a gripping claw portion at the tip for gripping one side of the gripped portion of the first profile, and a pressing portion inserted into the hollow portion of the second profile on the proximal end side. The pressing portion is provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions that engage with the engaging protrusions of the second profile. By adjusting the rotational direction position of the engaging protrusions of the pressing portion that engage with the engaging protrusions of the second profile, the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the second profile can be adjusted. Further, the profile connector according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the profile connector according to claim 4, the engaging protrusions of the pressing portion are provided in a larger number of strips than the engaging protrusions of the profile.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the profile according to claim 1 of the present application, it has a configuration including a profile body having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, a plurality of gripped portions protruding from a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the profile body, and a plurality of engaging protrusions provided on the inner peripheral surface of the profile body. Therefore, when connecting to another profile using the plurality of engaging protrusions, the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the other profile can be adjusted. Also, according to the profile according to claim 2, in the profile according to claim 1, since a plurality of the engaging protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the gripped portions, the above effects can be surely achieved. Also, according to the profile according to claim 3, in the profile according to claim 2, since the engaging protrusions are formed by extending in three longitudinal directions, the above effects can be surely achieved. Also, according to the profile connector according to claim 4, in the profile connector for connecting the second profile according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to the first profile according to any one of claims 1 to 3 from a direction orthogonal thereto, it is composed of a pair of connector elements. Each of the connector elements is provided with a gripping claw portion at the tip for gripping one side of the gripped portion of the first profile, and a pressing portion at the base end side for being inserted into the hollow portion of the second profile. The pressing portion is provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions for engaging with the engaging protrusions of the second profile. By adjusting the rotational direction position where the engaging protrusions of the pressing portion engage with the engaging protrusions of the second profile, the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the second profile can be adjusted. Therefore, when connecting to another profile using the plurality of engaging protrusions, the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the other profile can be adjusted. Also, according to the profile connector according to claim 5, in the profile connector according to claim 4, since the engaging protrusions of the pressing portion are provided in a larger number of rows than the engaging protrusions of the profile, the above effects can be surely achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. First, the configuration of the profile 1 will be described. As shown in Figs. 1(b) and 8, the profile 1 includes a profile body 3 having a hollow cylindrical shape as a basic shape. Four gripping portions 5, 5, 5, 5 are provided protruding at four locations orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface of the profile body 3. The gripping portions 5 are extended and formed along the axial direction. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the profile body 3 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 7, 7, 7 are provided at four locations corresponding to the gripping portions 5, 5, 5, 5. The engaging protrusions 7 are extended and formed in three stripes along the axial direction.

[0013] Another profile 1 is arranged with respect to the profile 1 having the above configuration from a direction orthogonal thereto, and these are connected via a profile connector 11 according to this embodiment.

[0014] The profile connector 11 has the following configuration. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the profile connector 11 is composed of a profile connector element 13, a profile connector element 15, and a bolt 17.

[0015] The profile connector element 13 has the configuration shown in Figs. 4 and 5. First, there is a gripping portion 19, which has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is provided with gripping claw portions 21 at its ends. The gripping claw portions 21 are engaged with one side of the gripping portion 5 of the profile 1. A female screw portion 23 is formed on the gripping portion 19.

[0016] There is also an insertion portion 31, which is bent and formed in a spiral shape, and a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 33 are provided at a predetermined pitch on the outer peripheral surface of its substantially semi-cylindrical shape. Further, a spiral mating surface 35 is formed on the insertion portion 31.

[0017] The profile connector element 15 has the configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. First, there is a gripping portion 41, which has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and gripping claw portions 43 are provided at the tip. The gripping claw portions 43 are engaged with one side of the gripped portion 5 of the profile 1. A through hole 45 is formed in the gripping portion 41.

[0018] There is also an insertion portion 51, which is formed in a spiral shape, and a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 53 are provided at a predetermined pitch on the outer peripheral surface of its semi-cylindrical shape. Further, a spiral mating surface 55 is formed on the insertion portion 51.

[0019] The profile connector elements 13 and 15 having the above configuration are combined by mating their respective mating surfaces 35 and 55, and the bolt 17 is screwed into the female screw portion 23 through the through hole 45. Thereby, a profile connector 11 is formed.

[0020] Based on the above configuration, its operation will be described. First, the profile connector elements 13 and 15 having the above configuration are combined by mating their respective mating surfaces 35 and 55, and assembled in a state where the bolt 17 is slightly screwed into the female screw portion 23 through the through hole 45.

[0021] Next, both sides of an arbitrary gripped portion 5 of one profile 1 are gripped by the gripping claw portions 21 of the gripping portion 19 of the profile connector element 13 and the gripping claw portions 43 of the gripping portion 41 of the profile connector element 15. Further, the insertion portion 31 of the profile connector element 13 and the insertion portion 51 side of the profile connector element 15 are inserted into the hollow portion of the other profile 1.

[0022] Next, by further screwing the bolt 17, the gripping claw portions 21 and 43 are brought closer to each other to grip both sides of the gripped portion 5 of one profile 1. At the same time, as the mating surfaces 35 and 55 of the insertion portions 31 and 51 approach each other and the outer peripheral ends are separated from each other and the diameter is increased, they are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the profile 1, and a plurality of engaging protrusions 33 and 53 of the insertion portions 31 and 51 engage with the engaging protrusions 3, 3, 3 on the other profile 1 side. Thereby, the other profile 1 is connected and fixed to one profile 1 from a direction orthogonal thereto.

[0023] At that time, by appropriately rotating the other profile 1 and changing the positions of the engaging protrusions 33 and 53 of the insertion portions 31 and 51 that engage with the engaging protrusions 3, 3, 3 of the other profile 1, the rotational direction positions of the gripped portions 5, 5, 5, 5 of the other profile 1 are adjusted and connected and fixed. Thereby, the variation in the extension direction of another profile 1 connected to the other profile 1 increases.

[0024] For example, in FIG. 1(c), the four gripped portions 5, 5, 5, 5 of the other profile 1 that are orthogonal are arranged vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the extension direction of another profile 1 connected thereto is the vertical and horizontal directions. On the other hand, if it is connected and fixed at a position where the other profile 1 is rotated by 45°, the four gripped portions 5, 5, 5, 5 of the other profile 1 that are orthogonal are shifted by 45° from the vertical and horizontal. Therefore, the extension direction of another profile 1 connected thereto is shifted by 45° with respect to the vertical and horizontal.

[0025] According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. First, the rotational direction positions of the gripped portions 5, 5, 5, 5 of the other profile 1 can be changed. This is because three engaging protrusions 3, 3, 3 are provided at four locations on the inner peripheral surface of the profile 1 that are orthogonal to each other, while eight engaging protrusions 33, 53 are provided at the insertion portions 31, 51 of the profile connectors 13, 15, respectively, and the positions of the engaging protrusions 33, 53 that engage with the engaging protrusions 3, 3, 3 can be changed. As a result, the variations in the extension direction of another profile 1 connected to the other profile 1 will increase. Also, the inner peripheral surface of the profile 1 has a circular basic shape instead of the shape in which engaging recesses are formed at four orthogonal locations as in the prior art, so the shape is simplified and the manufacturing becomes easier.

[0026] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. First, the shape, number, etc. of the engaging protrusions on the inner peripheral surface of the profile are not particularly limited, and various shapes and numbers are conceivable. In addition, the illustrated configuration is merely an example.

Industrial Applicability

[0027] The present invention relates to a profile and a profile connector, and in particular, to an invention devised so that when connecting a second profile to a first profile from a direction orthogonal thereto, the rotational direction position of the second profile can be adjusted, and is suitable for connecting columns and beams constituting various structures, for example.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0028] 1 Profile 3 Profile body 5 Gripped portion 7 Engaging protrusion 11 Profile connector 13 Profile connector element 15 Profile connector element 19 Gripping portion 21 Gripping claw portion 31 Insertion part 33 Engagement protrusion 35 Alignment surface 41 Gripping part 43 Gripping claw part 51 Insertion part 53 Engagement protrusion 55 Alignment surface

Claims

1. a profile body having a slightly hollow cylindrical shape, a plurality of gripped portions protruding from a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the profile body, a plurality of engaging protrusions provided on the inner peripheral surface of the profile body, and a profile characterized by comprising the above.

2. The profile according to Claim 1, wherein a plurality of the engaging protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the gripped portions.

3. The profile according to Claim 2, wherein the engaging protrusions are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction in three strips.

4. In a profile connector for connecting a second profile according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 to a first profile according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 from a direction orthogonal thereto, which is composed of a pair of connector elements, each of the connector elements includes a gripping claw portion at the tip for gripping one side of the gripped portion of the first profile, and a pressing portion at the base end side to be inserted into the hollow portion of the second profile, wherein a plurality of engaging protrusions for engaging with the engaging protrusions of the second profile are provided on the pressing portion, and a profile connector characterized in that the rotational direction position of the gripped portion of the second profile can be adjusted by adjusting the rotational direction position of the engaging protrusion of the pressing portion that engages with the engaging protrusion of the second profile.

5. The profile connector according to Claim 4, wherein the engaging protrusions of the pressing portion are provided in a larger number of strips than the engaging protrusions of the profile.

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