DE20309049U1 - Device for holding a crossbar supported by support arms - Google Patents

Abstract

The device serves to detachably hold a traverse rod ( 7 ), which is supported by a least two supporting arms ( 3 ) and which is a provided for suspending hangers, particularly clothes hangers, therefrom. The supporting arms ( 3 ) can be suspendded in differently configured holding devices, e.g. profiled vertical tracks ( 2 ). The hangers are provided for hanging objects, particularly articles of clothing, and can be freely displaced on the transverse rod ( 7 ). Devices of this type are typically used on presentation walls or on fixed or mobile merchandise racks in stores. The supporting arms ( 3 ) are, via their first en ( 31 ), fixed in a detachable or fixed manner in a supporting structure ( 2 ). A connecting means ( 5,6 ) is mounted at the second end ( 30 ) of each supporting arm ( 3 ) in order to receive the transverse rod ( 7 ), said second en projecting into the room, and is provides with a fork-like design while having an opening, which receives the cross-section of the transverse rod ( 7 ) and which partially surrounds the transverse rod ( 7 ) while clamping it. The connecting means ( 5,6 ) is comprised of an adapter ( 5 ), which is to be spaced on the second end ( 30 ) of the supporting arm ( 3 ), and of an insert ( 6 ), which is made of elastic material, is to be placed on the adapter ( 5 ) and which produces the clamping forces.

Description

File: 2704/PAF/sb

Applicant: Visplay International A(fc-

Device for holding a crossbar supported by support arms Field of application of the invention

The invention relates to a device for holding a crossbar supported by at least two support arms, which is intended for hanging support hangers, in particular clothes hangers. The support arms can be hooked into differently configured holders, such as profiled horizontal or vertical rails, grid elements or point-type plug sleeves. The support hangers are intended for hanging objects, in particular items of clothing, and can be moved freely on the crossbar. Such devices are typically used on presentation walls or permanently installed or movable product stands in the shop area.

State of the art

In the company catalog "Manual A", p. 90, issue 01.02, of the Visplay Group, CH-4127 Birsfelden / Switzerland, a device of the type relevant here is disclosed in its simplest form. A crossbar is fixed, e.g. welded, between two support arms that can be hung in rear brackets, so that a U-shaped frame is created. This structure is only suitable for certain applications and has the disadvantage of very limited design freedom due to the rigid frame. Appropriate frames must be manufactured for different spans and for the differently configured support arms with their diverse connection pieces.

In the company catalogue "Manual R", p. 63, issue 01.02, of the Visplay Group, CH-4127 Birsfelden / Switzerland, a device is described where an eyelet-shaped holder for the crossbar is provided at the front end of the support rod that protrudes into the room. To secure the inserted crossbar, the eyelet has a radially oriented threaded hole for a clamping screw, the screw tip of which rests on the outer casing of the crossbar when mounted. This device has several disadvantages, first of all you have to thread the crossbar axially into the eyelet, which is particularly difficult with

longer rods requires free space and can be cumbersome. The screw used to secure the inserted crossbar is relatively small. The screw could get lost and the threads are sensitive. A tool is also required for the difficult screw connection. Finally, the eyelet that surrounds the crossbar represents a lateral limitation. This means that support brackets moved on the crossbar hit the eyelet and cannot be moved freely along the entire length of the crossbar, which usually extends laterally beyond the support arms. The support brackets must therefore be lifted over the eyelet.

In "Manual A", p. 106, top, a device is shown in which retaining pins pointing in the direction of the support arms to be attached are screwed onto the crossbar. A support arm is pushed axially onto each mounted retaining pin and secured with screws. Although this device allows support brackets suspended from the crossbar to be pushed freely over the connection points with the support arms, the design and assembly are complex. The crossbars must be provided with fastening holes and the retaining pins must be configured and attached depending on the cross-sectional profile of the support arms.

Object of the invention

In view of the imperfections of previously existing devices for holding a crossbar supported by at least two support arms, the invention is based on the task of simplifying the connecting means for detachably fastening an inserted crossbar to the support arms. This requires the free movement of attached support brackets on the crossbar beyond the docking point between the crossbar and the support arms. The requirements here are uncomplicated handling when installing a crossbar, the safe and rotationally stable locking of an inserted crossbar, the fulfillment of aesthetic aspects and, finally, low material and manufacturing costs in order to maintain low production and assembly costs in series production. Ultimately, the device should be suitable for differently configured support arms and the holders that accommodate them.

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ments, such as profiled horizontal or vertical rails, supports with grids or point-mounted plug-in sleeves. The support arms should preferably have a connector that can be detachably fixed in the brackets.

Overview of the invention

The device relates to a detachable holder for a crossbar supported by at least two support arms. The support arms are detachably or firmly fixed in a support structure with their first end. The crossbar is intended for hanging support hangers, in particular clothes hangers, whereby the support hangers serve to hang objects, primarily items of clothing, and can be freely moved on the crossbar. Connecting means for receiving the crossbar are arranged on the second end of each support arm, which protrudes into the room. The connecting means is fork-shaped with an opening for

is designed to accommodate the cross-section of the crossbar, whereby the crossbar is partially clamped.

The following features relate to specific embodiments of the invention: The connecting means consists of an adapter attached to the second end of the support arm or formed on, for example, by welding, machining or non-machining. The connecting means also comprises an insert that is placed on the adapter, which provides elastic clamping forces and is made of elastic material - e.g. polycarbonate and/or is provided with spring elements. The support arm can, for example, be made of material that is round, tubular or flat in cross-section. The insert has an opening that extends over the upper area with a span that initially widens when the crossbar is inserted and then narrows again, whereby an inserted crossbar is clamped underneath. The insert extends radially beyond half the circumference of the crossbar.

The adapter consists of a base body and has an arched cutout with a passage direction transverse to the support arm, which

surface is axial to the held crossbar. On both sides of the cutout there is a bracket that runs around the cutout and extends upwards. At the free upper ends of the brackets there is a continuing nose, with the noses pointing towards each other and into the cutout. The insert is basically a half-shell-shaped body. This has two ends that protrude into the room and leave an opening between them. The insert has a curved inner surface and a curved outer surface. A circular groove on the outer surface, which ends at a distance from the ends, is intended for partially holding the adapter. At the end of the groove there is an opening for the noses to engage.

The lugs on the adapter are in principle arranged at a distance that corresponds to the diameter of the crossbar. This means that when assembled - even with an insert - a crossbar inserted into the adapter is clamped between the lugs, which means that the crossbar is sufficiently secured against twisting. A groove is formed at the base of the adapter cutout, while a raised web runs in the groove of the insert, which lies in the groove in the adapter when the insert is in place.

Alternatively, the connecting means consists of a pliers element arranged at the second end of the support arm with at least two opposing jaws that are elastically movable in relation to one another and leave an opening at the top for the insertion of the crossbar. When the crossbar is inserted, the pliers element initially expands and then narrows again. The elasticity of the pliers element is based on the use of elastic material or the arrangement of a spring element between the jaws or on the arrangement of an elastic extension on at least one jaw. When the crossbar is inserted, the jaws of the connecting means grip the crossbar radially beyond half its circumference.

In a further alternative, the connecting means consists of a clamp element arranged at the second end of the support arm with a fixed

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Jaw and a spring-loaded jaw opposite it, acting in the direction of the fixed jaw, with an opening between the two jaws for the insertion of the crossbar. When the crossbar is inserted, the spring-loaded jaw initially moves away from the fixed jaw, which widens the opening. Finally, the spring-loaded jaw moves back towards the fixed jaw, which narrows the opening.

In a next alternative, the connecting means consists of a pliers element arranged at the second end of the support arm with a fixed jaw and a movable, fixable jaw opposite this, with an opening between the two jaws for inserting the crossbar. When the crossbar is inserted, the movable jaw can first be removed from the fixed jaw so that the opening initially widens. Finally, the movable jaw can be moved back towards the fixed jaw, which narrows the opening. In the end position of the movable jaw, means are provided for fixing it. In the two additional alternatives, when the crossbar is inserted, the jaws of the connecting means also grip the crossbar radially beyond half its circumference.

The support structure consists, for example, of a panel wall permanently mounted in a building or a free-standing frame with brackets attached to it. The preferred brackets are profiled horizontal or vertical rails or point-mounted plug-in sleeves. The support arms have a connector at the first end that is designed to be detachably attached to the brackets. A circular cross-section is preferred for the crossbars. However, it could also be a round cross-section that tapers above a maximum width.

Brief description of the attached drawings
Show it:

Figure 1A: a panel wall with two vertical rails attached, support arms suspended therein and a crossbar supported by two support arms in the lower arm plane, in perspective view;

Figure 1B: a movable, multi-equipped frame with, among other things, vertical rails, support arms suspended therein and a crossbar supported by these, in perspective view;

Figure 2A: a support arm of the first embodiment with a tubular rod piece, an adapter attached to its second end and a connector attached to the first end, in perspective

view;

Figure 2B: the enlarged detail X2 from Figure 2A;

Figure 3A: an insert, in perspective view;
is Figure 3B: the insert according to Figure 3A, from a different perspective;

Figure 3C: the insert according to Figure 3A, again from a changed perspective;

Figure 4: a crossbar, in perspective view;

Figure 5A: the support arm according to Figure 2A with the adapter inserted, in perspective view;

Figure 5B: the arrangement according to Figure 5A, with the insert inserted in the adapter;

Figure 5C: the enlarged detail X3 from Figure 5B;

Figure 6A: a support arm of a second embodiment with a flat rod piece, an adapter attached to its second end and a connector attached to the first end, in perspective view;

Figure 6B: the arrangement according to Figure 6A, with the insert inserted in the adapter;

Figure 7A: the support arm according to Figure 5B, with approximate crossbar, in side view;

Figure 7B: the arrangement according to Figure 7A, with the crossbar inserted;
Figure 7C: the enlarged detail X4 from Figure 7B;

Figure 8�Agr;: the enlarged detail X1 from Figure 1A; and

Figure 8B: the arrangement according to Figure 8A ₁ in a different perspective.

Implementation example

Below is a detailed description of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with two fundamentally different support structures and two configured support arms as well as the components used therein.

Figure 1A

On a panel wall 1, which could be firmly fixed to a part of a building, two vertical rails 2 are attached, spaced parallel to one another. These vertical rails 2 are each equipped with two support arms 3 in an upper first level and a lower second level. A support arm 3 on the upper level is stepped, while the adjacent support arm 3 extends straight into the room; both are unoccupied. In the lower level, both support arms extend straight and hold the horizontally placed crossbar 7 of round cross section in an adapter 5 and an insert 6, which are arranged at the front of the support arms 3. The adapter 5 and the insert 6 together form a detachable connecting means 5,6. The crossbar 7 clamped therein bridges the space between the two support arms 3 and extends beyond them on both sides. The support arms 3 are suspended in the vertical rails 2 with their connecting pieces 4. The panel wall 1 and the vertical rails 2 placed thereon form the supporting structure 1,2 for the device according to the invention.

Figure 1B

Alternatively, the support structure 1, 2 is formed by a movable frame 1 and vertical rails 2 pointing upwards from it. The vertical rails 2 are arranged in pairs so that they can be equipped on both sides. Support arms 3 suspended in the vertical rails 2 again hold a crossbar 7 clamped onto adapters 5 and inserts 6.

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Fiouren 2A and 2B

The first embodiment of the support arm 3 has a first end 31 and a second end 30 on its tubular section, with the connecting piece 4 being arranged at the first end 31, while the adapter 5 is located at the second end 30, which is attached or molded on, for example by welding, machining or non-machining. In the example shown here, the adapter 5 consists of an attached, essentially flat base body 50, with an upwardly open, arched cutout 51 with a passage direction R transverse to the support arm 3. On both sides of the cutout 51 there runs an upwardly extending bracket 54, on the free upper ends of which there are lugs 52 which point towards each other and into the cutout 51. The lugs 52 leave a distance d between them, which corresponds to the diameter of the crossbar 7. The groove 53 is present at the base of the cutout 51.

is Figures 3A to 3C

The insert 6 to be placed on the adapter 5 is made of elastic material, e.g. polycarbonate, and basically has the shape of a half-shell extending over 180° with an opening at the top of the span a between the two ends 60, 61 projecting into the room. The insert also has a curved inner surface 63 and a curved outer surface 64, with a circular groove 65 on the outer surface which ends at a distance from the ends 60, 61. An opening 62 is provided at the end of the groove 65. A raised web 66 runs in the groove 65.

Figure 4

The crossbar 7 is formed by a straight pipe section with the diameter d, which has a first end 70 and a second end 71. Upwardly projecting limiting elements 72 are provided at both ends 70, 71 in order to prevent support brackets attached to the crossbar 7 from falling down.

Figures 5A to 5C

In the support arm 3 with the connector 4 at the first end 31

and the adapter 5 attached to the second end 30, the insert 6 is placed on the adapter 5 to completely construct the connecting means. In the assembled state, the insert 6 comes to rest in the cutout 51 of the adapter 5, the latter being partially received in the groove 65 of the insert 6. The lugs 52 of the adapter 5 reach through the openings 62 of the insert 6, and the web 66 rests in the groove 53 in the adapter. The upwardly projecting ends 60, 61 of the insert 6 leave an opening between them with the span a for receiving the crossbar 7.

Figures 6A and 6B

Alternatively, a support arm 3 of the second embodiment can have a strut made of flat material instead of a pipe piece, on the second end 30 of which the adapter 5 is formed, which has identical contours to the adapter 5 on the support arm 3 of the first embodiment according to Figure 2A. At the first end 31 of the flat

The support arm 3 is provided with a connecting piece 4 for hanging in a holder 2, e.g. a horizontal rail.

Figures 7A to 8B

This sequence of figures illustrates the insertion of the crossbar 7 into the connecting means formed by the adapter 5 and insert 6 with the upwardly directed fork-shaped opening for clamping, partial enclosing of the cross-section of the crossbar 7. When the crossbar 7 is pressed into the opening of the insert 6 with the span a , its two ends 60,61 spread as soon as a cross-section of the crossbar 7 comes to lie between the ends 60,61 that is larger than the span a. When the crossbar 7 is fully engaged, its two ends 60,61 narrow again above the diameter d of the crossbar 7, so that the insert 6 radially grasps more than half the circumference of the crossbar 7.

Due to the elasticity of the insert 6, the crossbar 7 is secured in the upward direction and can only be removed from the connecting means 5,6 if a pull-out force is applied to overcome the clamping effect of the insert 6. The anti-twisting device of the inserted crossbar 7 is

&iacgr; ·

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This causes the lugs 52 of the adapter 5 to clamp onto the outer circumference of the crossbar 7. This ensures that the crossbar 7 is maintained in a stable rotational position and any limiting elements 72 present at the ends 70, 71 of the bars remain in an upwardly directed position. An inserted crossbar 7 is held by at least two support arms 3 and, depending on the lateral load, can extend with its ends 70, 71 to a corresponding extent beyond the connecting means 5, 6.

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Claims (11)

1. Device for the detachable mounting of a crossbar (T) supported by at least two support arms ( 3 , 3 ), wherein a) the support arms ( 3 , 3 ) are fixed with their first end ( 31 ) detachably or firmly in a support structure ( 1 , 2 ); b) the crossbar ( 7 ) is intended for hanging hanging hangers, in particular coat hangers; c) the support brackets are designed for hanging objects, in particular items of clothing, and can be freely moved on the crossbar (T); d) connecting means for receiving the crossbar (T) are arranged on the second end ( 30 ) of each support arm ( 3 , 3 ) projecting into the space, characterized in that e) the connecting means is fork-shaped with an opening to accommodate the cross section of the crossbar (T) and partially encloses the crossbar (T) in a clamping manner. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means ( 5 , 6 ) consists of: a) an adapter ( 5 ) attached or formed on the second end ( 30 ) of the support arm ( 3 , 3 ), e.g. by welding, machining or non-machining; b) an insert ( 6 ) to be placed on the adapter ( 5 ), which consists of elastic material, e.g. polycarbonate, and/or, provided with spring elements, provides elastic clamping forces; c) the support arm ( 3 , 3 ) can consist, for example, of material with a round, tubular or flat cross-section. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insert ( 6 ) a) has an opening of span (a) which extends over the upper area and initially widens and then narrows again when the crossbar ( 7 ) is inserted, whereby an inserted crossbar (T) is clamped underneath; and b) extends radially beyond half the circumference of the crossbar ( 7 ). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a) the adapter ( 5 ) consists of a base body ( 50 ) and has: a) an arcuate cutout ( 51 ) with a passage direction (R) transverse to the support arm ( 3 , 3 ) which is axial to the supported crossbar ( 7 ); b) a bracket ( 54 ) extending upwards around the cutout ( 51 ) on each side; and c) one nose ( 52 ) extending from the free upper ends of the brackets ( 54 ) each, which are directed towards each other and into the cutout ( 51 ); and b) the insert ( 6 ) is essentially a half-shell-shaped body and has: a) two ends ( 60 , 61 ) projecting into the space, leaving between them the opening with the span (a); b) a curved inner surface ( 63 ) and a curved outer surface ( 64 ); c) a circular groove ( 65 ) on the outer surface ( 64 ), which ends at a distance from the ends ( 60 , 61 ) and is intended for the partial reception of the adapter ( 5 ); and d) an opening ( 62 ) at the outlet of the groove ( 65 ) for the engagement of the lugs ( 52 ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a) the lugs ( 52 ) on the adapter ( 5 ) are arranged in principle at a distance (d) which corresponds to the diameter (d) of the crossbar (T); whereby b) in the assembled state, even with insert ( 6 ), a crossbar (T) inserted into the adapter ( 5 ) is clamped between the lugs ( 52 ) to prevent rotation. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a) a groove ( 53 ) is provided at the bottom of the cutout ( 51 ) of the adapter ( 5 ); and b) a raised web ( 66 ) runs in the groove ( 65 ) of the insert ( 6 ), which comes to lie in the groove ( 53 ) in the adapter ( 5 ) when the insert ( 6 ) is fitted. 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the connecting means consists of a pliers element arranged at the second end ( 30 ) of the support arm ( 3 , 3 ) with at least two opposing jaws which are elastically movable in relation to one another and which leave an opening at the top for the introduction of the crossbar (T); b) the clamp element initially expands and then narrows again when the crossbar ( 7 ) is inserted; and c) the elasticity of the clamp element is based on: (a) the use of elastic material; or b) the arrangement of a spring element between the jaws; or c) the arrangement of an elastic extension on at least one jaw. 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the connecting means consists of a pliers element arranged at the second end ( 30 ) of the support arm ( 3 , 3 ) with a fixed jaw and a spring-loaded jaw opposite the latter acting towards the fixed jaw, wherein an opening for introducing the crossbar ( 7 ) is present between the two jaws; b) when the crossbar ( 7 ) is inserted, the spring-loaded jaw initially moves away from the fixed jaw, thereby widening the opening, and the spring-loaded jaw finally moves back towards the fixed jaw, thereby narrowing the opening. 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the connecting means consists of a pliers element arranged at the second end ( 30 ) of the support arm ( 3 , 3 ) with a fixed jaw and a movable, fixable jaw opposite thereto, wherein an opening for introducing the crossbar (T) is provided between the two jaws; b) when the crossbar (T) is inserted, the movable jaw can initially be moved away from the fixed jaw, thereby widening the opening; (c) the movable jaw can finally be moved back towards the fixed jaw, thereby narrowing the opening; and d) means are provided for fixing the movable jaw in the end position. 10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that when the crossbar (T) is inserted, the jaws of the connecting means grip the crossbar ( 7 ) radially beyond half its circumference. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a) the supporting structure ( 1 , 2 ) consists of a panel wall ( 1 ) permanently mounted in a building or a free-standing frame ( 1 ) with brackets ( 2 ) attached thereto; b) the supports ( 2 ) are formed by profiled horizontal or vertical rails or by point-mounted sockets; c) the support arms ( 3 , 3 ) have at the first end ( 31 ) a connecting piece ( 4 ) which is intended to be detachably fastened in the holders ( 2 ).