CH265873A - Device for connecting elements of generally cylindrical shape. - Google Patents

Description

Device for connecting elements of generally cylindrical shape. The subject of the invention is a device for connecting elements of generally cylindrical shape for the construction of toys, models and other similar objects. Said elements can be rods, tubes or metal wires, and the connecting device which is the subject of the invention is intended to fix such elements to one another, in order to constitute a model, a toy or another assembled object.

The connecting device which is the subject of the invention comprises two Plates intended to be assembled facing each other with the aid of at least one bolt and of which at least two of the Edges are curved so as to form flanges sen - slightly perpendicular to the plane of said Plate. These edges are each intended to partially surround one of said elements so that a contaet is established between said Plate and this element. A support means is Drevu on said Plate to press said Element against said rim.

The accompanying drawing represents, ä. By way of examples, five embodiments of the device object of the invention.

fig. 1 represents, in perspective, a first form of execution connecting two rods. fig. 2 is a view similar to Gelle of FIG. 1 of a second embodiment. fig. 3 is a plan of a third embodiment.

fig. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment. fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment.

The. fig. 6 is a plan showing an example of the use of two pliers such as Gelle represented in FIG. 5, and fig. 7 is an example of construction made using pines such as Gelles shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 respectively.

The Link device shown in FIG. 1 is intended to connect two rods at right angles. This device comprises two metal plates 1, present.ant each two parallel longitudinal Lords and extreme Lords l.ca perpendicular to each other. Each of the ends of the Plate 1 is folded over to form along its Edges 1a, flanges substantially perpendicular to its main plane and intended to partially surround the rods 2 and 3, with which the device is to be used. These flanges are formed in such a way as to provide a line or points of contact between the Plates 1 and the rods 2 and 3. Each of the Plates 1 further comprises two projections 4, each arranged at a short distance from one of Edges 1a. These RTI ID="0001.0269" WI="11" HE="4" LX="1115" LY="1981"> projections are in the form of nipples disposed in the concave or inner face of the Plate. Each of the Plates is pierced with a central hole.

Two Plates 1 are used to form a gripper and are placed face to face. A bolt 5 is placed in the holes of the Plates and a nut 6, screwed onto the bolt 5, is used. applying the Plates 1 against each other, and clamping the rods 2 and 3, perpendicular to each other in the same plane, between the Edges 1a and the projections 4.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the projections 4 in the form of nipples are replaced by elongated projections 4a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the Plates 1 are somewhat wider and each of them has a rounded groove 7, crossing the Plate 1, perpendicular to its parallel edges. In each Plate, a hole is provided on each side of the groove, to receive two bolts 5 and 5a. When the Plates 1 are arranged face to face, a circular recess is formed by the grooves to receive a third rod 8, inline with the other rods 2 and 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the projections 4 or 4a are replaced by a circular depression 9, surrounding the hole provided for the bolt, and arranged in such a way that, when the two Plates 1 are connected to each other, the depressions 9 constitute a support for the inner edges of the rods 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the edges 1a are not perpendicular to one another, but a similar circular depression could very well be provided in Plates 1 such as Gelles of FIGS. 1 or 2, provided for connecting rods perpendicular to one another.

In the device shown in FIG. 5, each of the Plates 1 has two perpendicular edges, one of which is longer than the other. The Shorter Edge has two Projections 1b, separated by an interval, and the end 1a of each of the Projections 1b is curved as already described, a Projection 4 being formed at the Base of each Projection 1b.

Similar projections 1c, separated by gaps and projections 4, are provided along the longer edge.

A hole is drilled approximately in the center of each of the Plates 1. Two Plates 1 are clamped together by a bolt 5, to pinch the rods 2 and 3 between the Curved Edges 1a. and the projections 4, as seen in FIG. 5.

The projecting parts 1b and 1c and. the gaps have such widths and are arranged as shown in 1a. fig 6, pliers can be placed at the same place on a rod 2, by interealting the projecting parts 1b of one clamp between the projecting parts 1c of the other clamp. The RTI ID="0002.0275" WI="8" HE="4" LX="1147" LY="624"> two clamps can thus be arranged on the rod 2 in any different planes.

It is obvious. that, although in the embodiments shown, with the exception of Gelle in FIG. 4, the clamps are provided to connect two perpendicular rods Tune to 1'autre, the edges 1a of the pines can form between them angles different from the angle droh.

fig. 7 shows, by way of example, a wheelbarrow model constructed with rods and pines such as Gelles represented in FIG. 1 and in fig. 4. The pliers described can be used in various other ways to build a wide variety of models and toys.

If desired, instead of rods or tubes, Plates, Strips or planks can be clamped in the pins, or only part of a clamp can be used, fixed to a Plate, at the end. Band, ä. a board or other similar object, for example to attach a rod or tube to it.

The end or one or more parts of the rods or tubes may be shaped so as to be able to cooperate with the end of a clamp or with a projection formed in the clamp, in order to prevent the rod from being torn from the pine. .

The longitudinal edges of the Plates 1 can be rolled or folded inwards, so as to reinforce the Plates and prevent them from bending. Washers or other spacers can also be placed between Plates 1, around Bolt 5, to prevent them from being bent by overtightening. Before or after each Plate 1 has been shaped, its edges may all be folded over or rolled over to form a reinforcing rib.

Claims (4)

CLAIM: Device for connecting elements of generally cylindrical shape for the construction of modals, toys and other similar objects, characterized by two Plates intended to be assembled face to face using at least one bolt and of which at least two of the Edges are curved in such a way as to form rims substantially perpendicular to the plane of the said Plate, each intended to partially surround one of the said elements so that a contact is established between the said Plate and this element, a means of support being provided on said Plate to support said element against said rim. 1. Device according to claim, characterized in that said flanges are discontinuous and each have at least two parts separated by a gap and arranged so that two devices can be arranged around the same element, at least a portion of the rim of each of these devices surrounding the element in the space between two rim portions of the other. 2. Device according to claim, characterized by at least one projection provided on the inner face of each plate and constituting said support means. 3. Device according to claim and las sub-claims 1 and 2. 4. Device according to claim, characterized by a recessed groove across each of the plates to receive an additional element, intended to converge with the other elements and arranged in the same plane as the latter.