DE202020105060U1 - System for the detachable connection of components - Google Patents

Abstract

System for the detachable connection of components, whereby
at least one groove (12) is made in each of the components (10) to be connected, wherein
one or more connecting elements (20) can be inserted into the grooves (12) of the components (10) to be connected, so that the components (10) can be positively connected to the connecting elements (20) in the groove width direction and
the grooves (12) each comprise two groove edges and a groove base, wherein
the connecting element (20) geometrically consists of several parts, a first cross-section of a first part of the connecting element (20) in a first groove depth direction from the first groove edges to the first groove bottom a wide section of constant width (202), later a section of increasing width ( 204) and at the end comprises an end section (206) with decreasing width, so that a first component (10) and the first part of the connecting element (20) can also be positively connected in the first groove depth direction,
characterized in that
the connecting element (20) comprises at least a second part, the second cross-section of which in a second groove depth direction from the second groove edges to the second groove base in turn a wide section of constant width (202), later a section of increasing width (204) and at the end an end section ( 206) with decreasing width, so that a second component (10) and the second part of the connecting element (20) can be positively connected both in the groove width direction and in the groove depth direction.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the detachable connection of components with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Screwless, releasable connections by means of tongue and groove are known, which are form-fitting in one direction and apply no or only very low holding forces in the other two directions. It will be understood that such a connection is only conditionally suitable for fastening boards to a sub-framework and is not at all suitable for fastening wall or ceiling panels on a sub-framework.

To achieve a positive fit in a second direction, it is also known to use tongue and groove, as in FIG WO 2005/005746 to be provided with toothed strips which are positively engaged with one another. The toothed racks shown here are obliquely shaped in the assembly direction in order to promote easy assembly and, contrary to the assembly direction, i.e. in the disassembly direction, the flanks of the toothed racks are at right angles to the assembly direction. The latter promotes a strong holding force, but on the other hand can make dismantling more difficult. In addition, the acute-angled toothed racks can break off during dismantling or wear out with frequent dismantling and assembly.

The latter potential problems can be counteracted with a tongue and groove connection in accordance with German utility model G 93 13 625. The utility model comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1 and furthermore that the organs of tongue and groove producing a form-fitting connection enclose a cavity for receiving an optional locking rail. In order to detach the tongue and groove from one another, the locking rail must be removed from the cavity, which can lead to problems if the installation space is restricted at both ends of the connection.

Complex screwless connections such as the quarter-turn lock in EP 0 989 359 A2 can require a high manufacturing effort and require instructions with regard to the assembly and disassembly steps to be carried out.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a screwless system for the detachable connection of components, which advantageously develops the state of the art in that it is simple, self-explanatory and inexpensive to manufacture. The system should be suitable for attaching floorboards or wall or ceiling panels to a substructure. The system should leave at least one visible surface of these components untouched, so that, for example, water is prevented from penetrating screw holes in decking.

This object is achieved by a system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the system emerge from the dependent claims.

A tongue-and-groove connection system is generically provided which comprises components with grooves and at least one connecting element designed as a separate component - the tongue. The components can thus be positively connected in one direction. In this case, the connecting element consists geometrically of several parts, each of which either interact with a groove or can connect parts engaging in grooves with one another. The cross-section of a part of the connecting element that engages in a groove comprises, in a groove depth direction from the groove edges to the groove base, first a wide section of constant width, later - not necessarily directly afterwards - a section of increasing width and at the end an end section of decreasing width, so that a The component and the part of the connecting element that engages in its groove can also be positively connected in the first groove depth direction.

According to the invention it is provided that the connecting element comprises at least one second part engaging in a groove of a second component, the cross section of which also has a wide section of constant width in its groove depth direction from the groove edges to the groove base, later a section of increasing width and at the end an end section with decreasing width Width includes, so that a second component and the second part of the connecting element - and thus also the two components - can be positively connected both in the groove width direction and in the groove depth direction.

It is preferably provided that the cross section of the connecting element is symmetrical with respect to its two axes. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the cross section is rotationally symmetrical about the center point of its center line. Both forms of symmetry mean that the assembly of the system is self-explanatory.

The section of increasing width and the end section preferably form an obtuse angle to one another, each of the two sections further preferably having an acute angle, preferably of the same amount, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connecting element. Thus, the connecting element and the groove can slide on one another easily and with a force that can be determined via the acute angle, both in the assembly and in the disassembly direction. The components can thus be easily connected and solvable. Furthermore, the obtuse angles on the part of the connecting element and groove at the respective ends of the section of increasing width are less prone to damage and wear than the acute-angled teeth according to the cited prior art.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the greatest width of the connecting element is at least 0.1% and at most 20% greater than the greatest width of the groove, so that the profiles can be connected in the second direction not only in a form-fitting but also in a force-fitting manner. The greatest width of the connecting element is preferably approximately 2% to 3% greater than the greatest width of the groove and, furthermore, the difference between the two widths is preferably greater than their manufacturing tolerance.

It is also particularly preferred that at least one of the parts of the connecting element, starting from a surface opposite the groove base in the assembled state, has a recess which extends at least to the section of increasing width and at most to the wide section of constant width, the cross section of the Groove in the area of the recess, the recess is preferably bridged in an arc shape. The recesses are preferably arranged in the middle of the spring so that the remaining walls of the spring are mirror-symmetrical. Furthermore, the recess preferably ends near the wide section of constant width, particularly preferably at a distance from the wide section of constant width which corresponds to the wall thickness of the remaining walls at the end of the recess. In the manner described here, the remaining walls form resilient cheeks, so that assembly and disassembly of the profiles require less force than if there were no recesses. In particular, the dismantling or assembly force can be influenced by choosing the wall thickness.

Furthermore, an intermediate section is preferably arranged between the wide section of constant width and the section of increasing width, which intermediate section comprises either an abrupt reduction in width and a narrow section of constant width or a section of decreasing width. The cross-section can therefore be tapered in this area, which in the case of the particularly preferred embodiment of the connecting element with a recess described above leads to the remaining walls of the connecting element being easier to bend, making the system easier to dismantle and assemble. The cross section of the grooves does not follow this constriction, but bridges the intermediate section in that its section of constant width merges directly into a section of increasing width. Thus, during assembly, the thickened end of the connecting element can slide through the (narrower) section of constant width of the groove until it engages in the thickened area of the groove and remains there, still under mechanical tension. Conversely, the thickened end of the connecting element and the section of constant width of the groove must first be deformed during dismantling by the dismantling force until the thickened end of the connecting element into the (narrower) section of constant width of the groove and finally through the section of constant width the groove can slide through.

Compared to the height of the toothed strips in the cited prior art ( WO 2005/005746 ) the thickening of the connecting element is relatively small or thin in a further preferred embodiment. In particular, the difference between the largest width of the cross section and the width of the section of constant width can be less than the smallest remaining wall thickness between the recess and the section of increasing width. This gives the designer a wide scope for the proportions of non-positive and positive locking when designing the connection system and can in particular increase the proportion of non-positive locking compared to the toothed racks that are dominated by positive locking, which ultimately offers a broad design scope when designing the dismantling and assembly forces causes. The difference in width is preferably about 30% to 40% of the smallest remaining wall thickness.

In order to achieve a greater holding force when loosening the connection at the beginning of the necessary deformation of the thickened end of the connecting element and (narrower) section of constant width of the groove, it can be provided in a preferred embodiment that the section of increasing width and the end section as concentric outer circular arcs are designed with the same radius. Thus, at the transition from the section of constant width of the groove to the section of increasing width of the groove, with otherwise the same dimensions, a steeper angle is formed than with a straight ramp, which leads to the greater holding force described.

In an embodiment without an intermediate section but with a recess, a more uniform stress distribution can be achieved in the deforming walls of the connecting element compared to a rectangular recess if the end of the recess is designed as an inner circular arc with an angle of at least 180 ° and concentric to the outer circular arcs . In addition, a circular shape of the recess has a favorable effect on the wear resistance of an extrusion or extrusion tool that may be used to manufacture the connecting element.

In particular in the event that the two profiles are made of materials with significantly different moduli of elasticity, the two ends of the cross section of the connecting element can be designed to be of different widths in order to achieve at least approximately the same holding force of the connecting element in both profiles. In this case, a greater width of the groove is preferably provided in the material with the smaller modulus of elasticity than in the material with the greater modulus of elasticity. In the case of different widths of the cross-section ends, symmetries of the cross-section can of course only be achieved with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cross-section.

The profiles can be used directly as a substructure or floorboards or wall or ceiling panels. However, because of a discrepancy between the desired mechanical and optical properties or material costs, it is also conceivable to use the profiles in components made of a different material. In this way, profiles and connecting elements can be produced from materials that best correspond to the desired mechanical properties and the material of the components can be selected according to optical and / or cost criteria. One embodiment of the invention therefore provides that at least one of the profiles is inserted into a further component, which can consist of a different material.

The system can preferably be used as floorboards, wall or ceiling panels, in all three cases with a substructure. For this purpose, the profiles or the components are preferably arranged at right angles to one another and the spring is arranged horizontally.

Another embodiment therefore provides that the groove of a first of the two profiles is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first profile or a first component and the groove of a second of the two profiles is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second profile or a second component, so that the both profiles or the two components or a profile and a component can be connected at right angles.

For the same reason, a longitudinal axis of the connecting element is preferably arranged horizontally.

A floor covered with planks or a wall or ceiling clad with panels is preferably obtained in that a first plurality of first profiles or components forms a substructure for a second plurality of second profiles or components, the second plurality of second profiles or components being planks, Includes wall or ceiling panels.

The boards are particularly preferably designed as patio boards. Compared to known terrace planks screwed to a substructure, the advantage of a screwless releasable connection is particularly evident in the embodiment of the invention with terrace planks, in that the penetration of water into screw holes is reliably avoided.

The two profiles and the spring can consist of the same or different materials. You can choose from metal, plastic and wood. Preferably, the profiles, but particularly preferably the connecting element, are made from a material that does not creep much, i.e. with a high creep modulus, for example glass fiber reinforced plastic, wood, in particular hardwood, steel, stainless steel, brass, zinc or aluminum-magnesium alloys.

If the system includes components in each of which a profile is inserted, the components can be made of metal, plastic, wood, natural stone or artificial stone.

Component and profile can be connected to one another by means of screws, adhesive and / or form-fitting. For a positive connection, for example, two lateral outer surfaces of the profiles are interlocked in a manner analogous to the toothed strips of FIG WO 2005/005746 into consideration.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform,
• 2 Seitenansichten einer zweiten Ausführungsform mit mehreren bevorzugten Merkmalen,
• 2a eine Detailansicht des Verbindungselements von 2,
• 2b eine Detailansicht der freiliegenden Nuten von 2 und
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawings show:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment,
• 2 Side views of a second embodiment with several preferred features,
• 2a a detailed view of the connecting element of 2 ,
• 2 B a detailed view of the exposed grooves of 2 and
• 3 a perspective view of a third embodiment.

1 shows two further components connected at right angles to one another with respect to their longitudinal axes 302 , 304 in which three components 10 , 10 , 10 are used. Here are a first further component 302 two components 10 , 10 used, the longitudinal direction of which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first further component 302 is. Near the end of the second further component 304 is a component 10 used, its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second further component 304 runs. The two other components 302 , 304 are profiles with a rectangular cross-section, for example squared timber.

Two of the three components 10 , 10 are by means of a connecting element 20th connected with each other; the groove 12 of the third component 10 is exposed and can preferably be used for connection to a third further component (not shown), the front side to the second further component 304 connects.

At the in 1 The embodiment shown is conceivable that the first further component 302 Part of a substructure and that the second further component 304 and the third further component, not shown, form panels or floorboards.

2 shows three components 10 , 10 , 10 , being close to both ends of a central component 10 two grooves 12 , 12 located on a single side of the central component 10 are introduced. Opposite the two grooves 12 , 12 in the middle component 10 there are grooves 12 two lateral components 10 , 10 . One of the pair of grooves 12 , 12 is exposed for the purpose of a clear graphic representation of the groove cross-sections in the other pair of grooves 12 , 12 is a connector 20th inserted. The longitudinal axes of the two lateral components 10 , 10 can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central component 10 be aligned.

2a shows a detailed view of the connecting element 20th from 2 . The connecting element 20th consists of two mirror-symmetrical parts with a first plane of symmetry 230 each of which in turn is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry 230 standing second plane of symmetry 232 is. Each of the two parts consists, starting from the first plane of symmetry 230 and, in the order described, from a wide portion of constant width 202 , an intermediate section either - as shown - with an unnamed abrupt reduction in width and a narrow section of constant width 208 or corresponding to a portion of decreasing width, a portion of increasing width 204 and an end portion 206 with decreasing width. The section of increasing width 204 and the end section 206 are designed as concentric outer circular arcs with the same radius. The narrow section of constant width 208 is shorter than the wide constant width section 202 which in turn is shorter than the section of increasing width 204 and the portion of decreasing width 206 is the longest of the four sections mentioned.

In addition, the two parts each have a recess 220 on, being the end of the recess 220 is designed as an inner circular arc with an angle of about 300 ° and concentric to the outer circular arcs. The beginning of the recess is designed as a slot with parallel walls, the width of the slot being approximately half as large as the diameter of the inner circular arc and approximately the length of the wide section of constant width 202 corresponds. A wall with the wall thickness BW remains between the inner circular arc and the outer circular arcs, which - like the length of the wide section of constant width 202 - corresponds approximately to the width of the slot.

The greatest width BV of the connecting element is slightly larger than the width of the wide portion of constant width 202 .

2 B shows a detailed view of the immediate vicinity of the exposed pair of grooves 12 , 12 from 2 . The two grooves 12 , 12 are each in a component 10 brought in. The depth of the grooves 12 , 12 is slightly greater than the height of the two parts of the connecting element 20th . Thus, the grooves 12 , 12 the recesses 220 , 220 of the connecting element 20th bridge in an arch.

The grooves 12 , 12 also bridge the narrow sections of constant width 208 and part of the increasing width sections 204 of the connecting element in a straight line and thus form groove sections of constant width 122 from whose width the width of the wide sections of constant width 202 of the fastener. The sections of constant width follow towards the bottom of the groove 122 Sections of decreasing width 124 and unsigned portions of decreasing width. The greatest width of the grooves BN is slightly larger than the greatest width of the connecting element BV.

3 shows four middle components arranged side by side 10 that have a groove near their ends 12 have on a single side of the four central components 10 are introduced and their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the four central components 10 are aligned. Opposite each of the two groups of four grooves each lying on one axis 12 in the four middle components 10 there is one groove each 12 in one of two side components 10 . In the opposite grooves 12 are two connecting elements 20th inserted.

At the in 3 The embodiment shown is conceivable that the two side components 10 Are part of a substructure and that the four middle components 10 Form panels or planks.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2005/005746 [0003, 0015, 0027]
• EP 0989359 A2 [0005]

Claims (15)

System for the detachable connection of components, with at least one groove (12) being made in each of the components (10) to be connected, one or more connecting elements (20) being insertable in the grooves (12) of the components (10) to be connected, so that the components (10) can be positively connected to the connecting elements (20) in the direction of the width of the groove and the grooves (12) each comprise two groove edges and a groove base, the connecting element (20) geometrically consisting of several parts, with a first cross section of a first part of the connecting element (20) in a first groove depth direction from the first groove edges to the first groove bottom a wide section of constant width (202), later a section of increasing width (204) and at the end an end section (206) of decreasing width, so that a first Component (10) and the first part of the connecting element (20) can also be positively connected in the first groove depth direction, thereby marked It follows that the connecting element (20) comprises at least a second part, the second cross section of which in a second groove depth direction from the second groove edges to the second groove base in turn a wide section of constant width (202), later a section of increasing width (204) and at the end comprises an end section (206) with decreasing width, so that a second component (10) and the second part of the connecting element (20) can be positively connected both in the groove width direction and in the groove depth direction. System according to Claim 1 , the greatest width of each part of the connecting element (BV) being at least 0.1% and at most 20% greater than the greatest width of the groove (BN) assigned to the part, so that the components (10) not only form, but are also non-positively connectable. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the parts of the connecting element (20), starting from a surface opposite the groove base in the assembled state, has a recess (220) which extends at least to the section of increasing width (204) and at most to to the wide section of constant width (202), the cross section of the groove (12) bridging the recess in the region of the recess (220). System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the wide section of constant width (202) and the section of increasing width (204) an intermediate section is arranged, which either an abrupt reduction in width and a narrow section of constant width (208) or a section decreasing Comprises width, wherein the grooves (12) bridge the intermediate sections (208) by a section of constant width of the grooves (122) merges directly into a section of increasing width of the grooves (124). System according to the preceding claim, wherein the difference between a largest width of the cross section (BV) and the width of the wide section of constant width (202) is less than a smallest wall thickness (BW) between the recess (220) and the section of increasing width (204) . System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the section of increasing width (204) and the end section (206) are designed as concentric outer circular arcs with the same radius. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the end of the recess (220) is designed as an inner circular arc with an angle of at least 180 ° and concentric to the outer circular arcs. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two parts of the connecting element (20) have different widths and / or different heights. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the components (10) is inserted into a further component (30). System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein components (10) and / or further components (30) can be connected at right angles to one another with respect to their longitudinal axes by the groove (12) of a first component (10) being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first component (10) or a first further component (30) and the groove (12) of a second component (10) is designed at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the second component (10) or a second further component (30). System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (12) are arranged horizontally. System according to the preceding claim, wherein a first plurality of first components (10) or first further components (30) forms a substructure for a second plurality of second components (10) or second further components (30), the second plurality of second components ( 10) or second further components (30) includes floorboards, wall or ceiling panels. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the planks are designed as terrace planks. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein materials of the components (10) and the connecting element (20) comprise one or more of metal, plastic and wood. System according to one of the Claims 9 to 14th , materials of the further component (30) or of the further components (30) comprising metal, plastic, wood, natural stone or artificial stone.

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