AU2008324400A1

AU2008324400A1 - Connecting fitting and installation arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2008324400A1
Application number: AU2008324400A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Manfred-Wilhelm Brinkmann; Steffen Feld; Frank Nolte; Patrick Schirwandt
Original assignee: Hettich Heinze GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hettich Heinze GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2007-11-09
Filing date: 2008-08-07
Publication date: 2009-05-14
Also published as: CN101855459B; RU2010122682A; CN101855459A; TW200928134A; KR20100106367A; EP2207974A1; DE202007015605U1; RU2466303C2; WO2009059821A1; JP2011503456A

Description

Verification of Translation I, Jeffrey J. Waldock, akad.U. (university trained translator), c/o Quick Translation Vienna, Tomaschekstrasse 30, A-1210 Vienna, Austria declare as follows: 1. That I am well acquainted with both the English and German languages, and 2. That the attached document represents an accurate translation made by me to the best of my knowledge and belief of PCT/EP2008/059821 with application date 7 August 2008. 12 April 2010 (Date) (Signature of Translator) A connection fitting and mounting arrangement The present invention relates to a connection fitting for lightweight building panels, especially honeycomb panels, comprising two housing parts which are positioned at a distance from one another and which can each be inserted into an opening on a lightweight building panel, with the housing parts being connected to each other via a clamping device, and a mounting arrangement with two adjacently arranged lightweight building panels. A fitting for hollow panels is known from DE 20 2006 002 648, in which one housing part is inserted into a receiver of a hollow panel. The housing part comprises an upper protruding edge which is placed on a cover panel of the hollow panel and is then fixed via several screws. The housing part is then clamped together via a connecting rod and a rotatable clamping part with a further housing part in an adjacent hollow panel. The mounting of such a connection fitting is comparatively difficult because a large number of components need to be positioned and fixed. Moreover, the connecting rod with the clamping part can fall out when the clamping device is released. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a connection fitting which is easy to mount and requires only few components. This object is achieved by a connection fitting with the features of claim 1. In accordance with the invention, the connection fitting comprises at least one locking means in order to secure the connection fitting from falling out of the opening of the lightweight building panel. As a result, there is no necessity to secure the connection fitting via individual fastening means such as screws in the opening of the lightweight building panel. It is rather sufficient to insert the connection fitting into the opening of the lightweight building panel and latching occurs there, so that the connection fitting is no longer able to fall out of the lightweight building panel. This simplifies mounting to a considerable extent and the connection fitting can be made of only very few components.

According to a preferred development of the connection fitting, the locking means comprise at least one resilient web which engages behind a cover panel of the lightweight building panel. The cover panel has a higher stability than the intermediate structure of a lightweight building panel which is provided with cavities, so that the locking means can find secure engagement in the cover panel. The locking means can comprise two outwardly expanding resilient webs which can be inserted into a groove in the lightweight building panel. The locking means can also be fixed in their location. For simple mounting of the connection fitting, the clamping device may comprise a connecting rod which couples the housing parts, on which one or several locking means are arranged. The locking means can be arranged as U-shaped clips which are mounted on the connecting rod. One or several locking means can enclose the connecting rod in a U-shaped manner, depending on the length of the connecting rod, with the locking means also being displaceable in a longitudinal direction. The housing parts can be arranged in a sleeve-like or shell-like manner for stable support of the housing parts within the opening of a lightweight building panel. The term "shell like" comprises all possible bent shapes in which a wall section of the housing part is supported in the opening of a lightweight building panel. The connection fitting for each housing part can comprise a cover cap for a visually appealing appearance. A smooth external surface is thus formed, with each cover cap being fixable by means of a web protruding into the housing part. For continuous clamping of the housing parts, the clamping device can comprise at least one nut for clamping the housing parts. Other clamping mechanisms can also be used. According to a further development of the invention, the locking means are arranged integrally with the housing parts. The connection fitting can thus be produced with only very few components. Preferably, a leg for location positioning is provided adjacent to the locking means. This leg can be inserted into a groove in a cover panel, so that the alignment of the housing parts is ensured. In order to enable performing a precise height positioning of the housing parts in relation to the lightweight building panel, locking means are preferably each provided on opposite sides of the clamping device. The locking means can each cooperate with a cover panel, so that height positioning is achieved. The housing parts can be arranged in the same way for simple mounting. Furthermore, the housing parts can be arranged symmetrically in relation to a central plane parallel to the lightweight building panels, so that incorrect mounting is securely prevented because the housing parts can be mounted both on opposite sides and rotated by 1800 about the clamping device. In accordance with the invention, a mounting arrangement with two adjacently arranged lightweight building panels is provided which each comprise two spaced cover panels with interposed lattice structure which are held together via a connection fitting. The housing parts of the connection fitting can each be inserted in a pot-shaped receiver and rest on a top cover panel and a bottom cover panel, with a recess for the housing part being formed in the bottom cover panel. It is thus ensured that during the clamping of the connection fitting the housing parts are supported both in the upper and the bottom cover panel because the cover panels have a higher strength than the interposed lattice structure. In order to ensure that the connection fitting is accommodated completely within the lightweight building panel, the two pot-shaped receivers can be connected with each other via a groove in which the locking means for securing the connection fitting within the lightweight building panel are fixed. For location positioning, preferably one leg is arranged in a groove in one cover panel, so that the housing part can be aligned via the leg. A groove can be arranged in each cover panel, so that one locking means each rests on the two grooves. Preferably, one leg is also inserted for location positioning in both grooves. A precise positioning of the housing parts in relation to one another is thus achieved. Moreover, the housing parts can easily be fixed in a preliminary way in the lightweight building panel. The invention is now explained in closer detail below by reference to several embodiments shown in the enclosed drawings, wherein: Figs. IA to ID show several views of a first embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention; Figs. 2A to 2C show several views of a second embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention; Figs. 3A to 3D show several views of a third embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention; Figs. 4A to 4D show several views of a fourth embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention; Figs. 5A to 5C show several views of a fifth embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention, and Figs. 6A to 6E show several views of a sixth embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention. Figs. lA to ID show a connection fitting 1 for connecting two adjacent lightweight building panels 2 and 3 which each comprise a bottom cover panel 4 and an upper cover panel 6, between which a lattice structure 5 with cavities (not shown in closer detail) is disposed, preferably in a honeycomb structure. The lightweight building panels 2 and 3 are each glued together on one front edge with an end edge 7. In order to join the two lightweight building panels 2 and 3, e.g. for furniture, each lightweight building panel 2, 3 comprises a pot-shaped receiver 8 which is formed by an opening in the upper cover panel 6 and the lattice structure 5 and by a recess in the bottom cover panel 4. One groove 9 is arranged for connecting the two openings 8 in the lightweight building panels 2 and 3, which groove is arranged in the upper cover panel 6 and the lattice structure 5. A connection fitting 1 is inserted into these receivers 8 and grooves 9. The connection fitting 1 comprises a first housing part 10 which is arranged as a segment of a sleeve and has a curvature which corresponds to the curvature of the circular receiver 8. A connecting rod 11 is provided between the housing parts 10 and 12 which is a component of a clamping device. For clamping the housing parts 10 and 12, a clamp 13 can be placed on one end of the connecting rod 11 which can be clamped via a nut 14 against the housing part 10. A head 15 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting rod 11, which head presses against a clamp 16 which rests on the housing part 12. The connection fitting 1 can be clamped in a continuous manner with the housing parts 10 and 12 by turning the nut 14. U-shaped clips are each mounted as locking means 17 on the connecting rod 11 adjacent to the housing parts 10 and 12, which locking means have upwardly facing, outwardly expanding spring legs 18. These spring legs 18 can be compressed during the insertion of the connection fitting I into the groove 9 and will latch in such a way that they engage behind the upper cover panel 6 and the connection fitting I is thus secured against falling out. In order to ensure a visually appealing appearance, the openings 8 in the lightweight building panels 2 and 3 are sealed via cover caps 19 and 20 which each comprise at least one inwardly facing web 21 which can latch onto the upper cover panel 6 of the lightweight building panels 2 and 3 or can be fixed there in a clamping manner. It is also possible to latch the cover caps 19 and 20 together with another component of the connection fitting 1. In the following embodiments, the same components are designated with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

In the embodiment as shown in Figs. 2A to 2C, the clamps 13 and 16 adjacent to the housing parts 10 and 12 are omitted. As a result, the nut 14 rests directly on the housing part 10 within the receiver 8 and can ensure clamping of the housing parts 10 and 12 by twisting. On the opposite side of the connecting rod 11, the head 15 rests on the inside of the housing part 12. The number of components of the connection fitting is thus further reduced. Apart from that, latching of the connection fitting occurs via the locking means 17 on the connecting rod 11, as in the preceding embodiment. In the embodiment as shown in Figs. 3A to 3D, an opening is formed in the housing part 10 on which an inside thread 31 is provided. The inside thread 31 is penetrated by a threaded section 20 of the connecting rod 11. An adjustment of the distance of the housing parts 10 and 12 in relation to one another can thus occur by turning the connecting rod 11 relative to the housing part 10. A clamping element 32 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting rod 11, which clamping element rests on an inside wall of the housing part 12 and is provided with fastening openings. Fig. 3D shows the latching of the connection fitting via locking means 17 in detail. The locking means 17 are formed by U-shaped clips which engage around the connecting rod 11 and are held there. The locking means comprise outwardly expanding spring legs 18 which rest on an inner side of the upper cover panel 6 and thus prevent the connection fitting from falling out of an opening 8 of the lightweight building panels 2 and 3. Legs 35 are further provided for location positioning which reach into the groove 9 and rest there on a narrow face side of the cover panel 6, so that the locking means 17 are precisely positioned via the legs 35. Housing parts 10' and 12' are provided in the embodiment as shown in Figs. 4A to 4D which have a larger thickness and a rounded outer contour. The outer contour is adjusted to the inside wall of the opening 8 in the lightweight building panels 2 and 3, and rests in an interlocking manner there. A receiver 13' is further formed on the housing part 10', into which a nut 14' can be inserted. The receiver 13' is arranged in such a way that the nut 14' is arranged in a torque-proof manner therein. An axial adjustment of the housing parts 10' and 12' relative to one another can thus occur upon insertion of the nut 14' into the receiver 13' by twisting the connecting rod 11 relative to the nut 14' or housing part 10'. A clamping element 32 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting rod 11 which rests on the housing part 12'. Figs. 5A to 5C show a further embodiment of a connection fitting in accordance with the invention. The housing parts 10" and 12" consist not only of segments of a sleeve, but are arranged in a sleeve-like manner and comprise a slit 35 which is arranged for the insertion of the connecting rod 11. Higher stability is achieved by the sleeve-like arrangement of the housing parts 10" and 12". A clamp 13 which can be clamped by a nut 14 against the housing part 10" rests on the inner side of the housing parts 10" and 12". A clamping element 32 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting rod 11, which clamping element rests on the inner side of the housing part 12". Two locking means 17 in form of U-shaped clips are provided on the connecting rod 11, which locking means ensure the latching of the connection fitting within the opening 8 or grooves 9 on the lightweight building panels 2 and 3. In the illustrated embodiments, the locking means are formed by U-shaped clips which are mounted on the connecting rod 11. It is naturally also possible to provide respective locking means on the housing parts 10 and 12. Locking means for fixing the connection fitting within the lightweight building panels 2 and 3 can also be provided on other components of the clamping device. Figs. 6A to 6E show a further embodiment of a connection fitting, comprising two shell like housing parts 10"' and 12"' which can be inserted into a pot-shaped receiver 8 of a lightweight building panel 2, 3, as in the preceding embodiments. The housing parts 10"' and 12"' are connected with each other via a connecting rod 11. The housing parts 10"' and 12"' comprise locking means 18' in form of two expanding spring legs 18' on the side facing each other, which legs are arranged integrally with the housing parts 10"' and 12"'. The spring legs 18' are arranged integrally with a web 17' which ends in the end region with a spring leg 18'. Webs 17' and four spring legs 18' are arranged for each housing part 10"' and 12"'. A leg 35' is provided adjacent to the spring legs 18', which leg can be inserted into a groove 9 of a lightweight building panel 2 and 3, and is used for location positioning. The leg 35' is arranged in such a way that it rests on a front edge of a cover panel 4 or 6. These housing parts 10"' and 12"'are arranged symmetrically in relation to a central vertical plane through the axis of the connecting rod 11, so that erroneous mounting can be prevented securely. The housing parts 10"' and 12"' can be installed to be twisted at random to the right and left and by 1800. A connecting rod 11 is provided for clamping the housing parts 10"' and 12"', which rod is connected to the housing part 10"' with a clamp 13 which has a thread and is screwed onto the connecting rod 11. In order to avoid a rotation of the clamp 13, projections 40 which are directed parallel to the connecting rod 11 are provided on the outwardly facing side of the housing part 10"'. The projections 40 block a rotation of the clamp 13. A clamping element 32 is provided on the housing part 12"' on the opposite side, which clamping element is arranged in rectangular manner and rests on the housing part 12"' on the rear side. Projections 40 which face towards the outside are also arranged on the housing part 12"', which projections prevent a twisting of the clamping element 32. The clamping element 32 encloses an end section of the connecting rod 11 and comprises a mounting opening which faces perpendicularly relative to the connecting rod 11 and into which a drive means 33 is provided for clamping the connecting rod 11. This allows a rough adjustment by the clamp 13 and a fine adjustment via the drive means 33. As is shown in Fig. 6E, the spring legs 18' have an outwardly expanding contour, with one end-side edge 18" being bent towards the inside again. This end-side edge 18" is used in the dismounting of the housing parts 10"' and 12"' by using a tool, e.g. a screwdriver. A respective screwdriver is inserted into the groove 9 of a lightweight building panel 2 or 3 and can be applied there in the gap between cover panel 6 and the boundary edge 18" in order to press the spring leg 18' to the inside. When both spring legs 18' are pressed to the inside, the housing part 10"' and 12"' can be lifted and dismounted.

The housing parts 10"' and 12"' can be location-positioned on the two cover panels 4 and 6, with the web-like legs 35' which are aligned parallel to the plane of the cover panels 4 and 6 being used for this purpose on the one hand, which legs are inserted into the respective groove 9 in the cover panel 4 and 6, and the locking means in form of the spring legs 18' on the other hand. Location positioning both in respect of height and alignment can thus be made. In particular, the housing parts 10"' and 12"' can be pre mounted on the lightweight building panels 2 and 3.

Claims

1. A connection fitting (1) for lightweight building panels (2, 3), especially honeycomb panels, comprising two housing parts (10, 12) which are positioned at a distance from one another and which can each be inserted into an opening (8) on a lightweight building panel (2, 3), with the housing parts (10, 12) being connected to each other via a clamping device (11), characterized in that at least one locking means (17) is provided in the connection fitting (1) in order to secure the connection fitting (1) from falling out of the opening (8) of the lightweight building panel (2, 3).

2. A connection fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (17) comprise a resilient web (18) which engages behind a cover panel (4) of the lightweight building panel (2, 3).

3. A connection fitting according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking means (17) comprise two outwardly expanding resilient webs (18) which can be inserted into a groove (9) in the lightweight building panel (2, 3).

4. A connection fitting according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping device comprises a connecting rod (11) which couples the housing parts (10, 12), with one or several locking means (17) being arranged on said rod.

5. A connection fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means (17) are arranged as U-shaped clips which are mounted on the connecting rod (11).

6. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 5, characterized in that the housing parts (10, 12) are arranged to be sleeve-like or shell-like.

7. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 6, characterized in that the connection fitting (1) comprises a cover cap (19, 20) for each housing part (10, 12).

8. A connection fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that each cover cap (19, 20) can be fixed by means of at least one web (21) protruding into the housing part (10, 12).

9. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 8, characterized in that the clamping device comprises at least one nut (14) for clamping the housing parts (10, 12).

10. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 3, characterized in that the locking means (18') are arranged in an integral manner with the housing parts (10"', 12"').

11. A connection fitting according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a leg (35, 35') for location positioning is provided adjacent to the locking means (18, 18').

12. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 11, characterized in that locking means (18') are each provided on opposite sides of the clamping device (11).

13. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 12, characterized in that the locking means comprise two outwardly expanding spring legs (18') which have an inwardly bent edge (18") on the end side.

14. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 13, characterized in that the housing parts (10, 12; 10"', 12"') are arranged identically in construction.

15. A connection fitting according to one of the claims I to 14, characterized in that the housing parts (10"', 12"') are arranged symmetrically in relation to a central plane parallel to the lightweight building panels (2, 3).

16. A mounting arrangement with two adjacently arranged lightweight building panels (2, 3) which each comprise two spaced cover panels (4, 6) with an interposed lattice structure (5) which are held on each other via a connection fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

17. A mounting arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that the housing parts (10, 12) are each inserted in a pot-shaped receiver (8) and the housing parts (10, 12) rest on a top cover panel (4) and a bottom cover panel (6), with a recess for the housing part (10, 12) being formed in the bottom cover panel (6).

18. A connection fitting according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the two pot shaped receivers (8) are connected with each other via a groove (9), with the locking means (17) being fixed to said receivers.

19. A mounting arrangement according to one of the claims 16 to 18, characterized in that one leg (35, 35') is arranged in a groove (9) of a cover panel (4, 6).

20. A mounting arrangement according to one of the claims 16 to 19, characterized in that a groove (9) is arranged on each cover panel (4, 6) and a locking means (18') rests on both grooves (9).

21. A mounting arrangement according to claim 20, characterized in that one leg (35') is inserted into both grooves (9) for location positioning.