DE29801303U1 - Springy claw - Google Patents

Description

Dr.-Ing. ERNST STRATMANN

PATENTZj-JWALT

D-40212 Düsseldorf · Schadowplatz 9

28 January 1998
9801 Gm

WEMEFA Horst Christopeit GmbH
42555 Velbert

Spring -loaded holding claw

The invention relates to a holding bracket, in particular for a bracket for fastening radiators, the bracket consisting of a lower bracket or a vertical rail with a lower bracket, and/or an upper bracket and/or an upper bracket fastened to the upper end of the rail or a rail, the upper bracket comprising a metal angle with a first leg running essentially parallel to the fastening plane, such as the wall, and a second leg extending perpendicularly away from the plane.

A holding claw similar to the type mentioned above can be found in the applicant’s DE 196 04 933 A1.

This known holding claw represents an improvement on the holding claw already known from an older utility model, G 87 11 485.2. A predecessor model of this is an arrangement as known from GB 2 148 097 A.

What all three publications have in common is that they show a holding device for a radiator in which the radiator is provided with two suspension points,

whereby a first, lower suspension point of the radiator is first hooked into a lower bracket of the console and then pivoted with the upper holding point in the direction of the upper bracket of the console. When the radiator is pivoted with its upper holding point, in particular in the form of a holding tab, the holding bracket on the upper bracket is pressed upwards against spring force by an edge of this holding tab, which spring force then allows the holding bracket to slide back into a holding position, whereby the upper fastening point of the radiator is held in place.

The arrangement according to GB 2 148 097 A is particularly simple, but cannot be secured after the radiator has been installed; rather, anyone can lift the retaining bracket again without tools and the radiator will be released from its installation position.

The holding claw according to the utility model G 8711485.2 can be secured, but the holding claw gives way by tilting around an imaginary axis, which means that the effective angle of the bevel of the claw-like holding part, which is captured by a radiator tab, for example, changes with respect to the edge of the tab when it is swung up. The slope of this bevel therefore becomes steeper as the tilt angle increases, and therefore increases the pressure force to be applied by the radiator and at the same time the friction moment. It can happen that the slope becomes so great during the pushing up that the arrangement jams and the locking process is prevented. Another disadvantage is the complexity of this design, which not only affects reliability, but also makes assembly more difficult.

In the case of the holding claw according to DE 196 04 933 A1, the holding claw performs a translational movement during the evasive process when the radiator bracket is swiveled in, instead of tilting, which has certain advantages. It is also possible to lock the claw afterwards.

There are now use cases where you want to avoid

Radiator bracket to move a claw from its rest position against spring force, because this requires particularly precise assembly if the inclined surface for the moving effect is not to be too large.

The object of the invention is therefore to further develop the holding claw known from DE 196 04 933 A1 in such a way that it is in such a position from the outset that a holding tab or the like of a radiator or the like can be swung into the receiving area of the holding claw without it having to be moved or swung beforehand; rather, the holding claw should only be brought into engagement with the holding tab or the like after it has been swung in with a tool or by hand and then secured.

Compared to previously known secure holding claws, this is intended to simplify and reduce the cost of the construction, with essentially the same or even reduced assembly effort.

The design should also be such that the holding bracket does not accidentally move from a raised first position, in which it allows the radiator to be swung into an assembly position, to another position in which this swinging in process is hindered due to shaking or rattling movements during assembly. Such a risk exists, for example, with a design as described in DE 37 90 110 C2. In this case, the holding bracket must be pulled against spring force into a raised position and locked there, whereupon after the radiator is swung in, the latter releases the lock and the holding bracket grips the retaining tab. There is a risk that the lock will be released prematurely and that the radiator can no longer be swung in.

The above-mentioned task is solved in that the holding claw comprises a foot part which is U-shaped in side view and open towards the fastening plane, the upper leg of which forms or carries a holding claw on its outer surface, and a spring device is provided on its inner surface which presses in the direction of the lower leg of the foot part, and that between the spring device and

the second leg of the metal angle is located on the lower leg of the foot part, and that the upper leg and the parts adjacent to it are penetrated by a fastening screw through corresponding openings in these parts, which is received in a thread or nut carried by the lower leg of the foot part.

Through these measures, the holding claw is automatically pressed into a raised position due to the spring force of the described spring device, so that, for example, the upper edge of the upper tab of the radiator can be swiveled into the position that then makes it possible to press the holding claw onto the holding tab and thus carry out the assembly. According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous for the holding claw to have an opening in its base part, such as an elongated hole, through which a fastening screw passes, which extends through a hole in the leg of the base part that carries the holding claw and through an opening in the leg of the metal angle to a thread, such as a nut, into which the fastening screw is screwed so far before the radiator or similar is assembled that the spring device is not yet or only slightly tensioned. By subsequently tightening this fastening screw further, the retaining bracket with its retaining claw is then placed against the force of the spring device on the tab or the seam or similar of the radiator or similar and retracted and finally locked.

Numerous further developments of the above invention are possible.

The opening in the base of the holding claw can be a slotted hole running perpendicular to the fastening plane, in order to make the distance of the claw from the wall adjustable. The opening in the metal bracket can be a slotted hole running parallel to the wall plane, in order to make it possible to adjust the holding claw parallel to the wall plane, for example for the purpose of finding suitable holes in a radiator cover for the hooks of the holding claw.

The nut for the fastening screw can be a square nut that fits particularly well into the shape of the retaining bracket.

Furthermore, the holding bracket can have a holding claw that is split so that the holding claw can be hooked into, for example, two grille openings that may be formed by a cover grille of a compact radiator.

In the construction described here, as in the prior art, the retaining claw can advantageously have an inlet slope, which an edge of a tab or the like approaches when a radiator or the like carrying this edge or tab is pivoted around the lower holder against the upper holder. Here, however, the inlet slope serves to precisely position the retaining claw in relation to the tab or the cover grille of a radiator and to facilitate the insertion of, for example, the hook ends into the grille.

The spring device can preferably be formed by at least one plastic strip which extends in one piece from the edge of the leg of the U-shaped plastic part carrying the holding claw and which extends with its free end in the direction of the inner surface of the other leg of the U-shaped part. This represents a particularly simple and effective spring device.

Alternatively, the spring-loaded device can also be formed by two plastic strips that extend in one piece from opposite edges of the leg of the U-shaped plastic part that carries the retaining claw and whose free ends curve towards the inner surface of the other leg of the U-shaped part. A greater force can be applied here and the spring-loaded device leads to a more uniform pressure force.

It is also advantageous if the leg surface of the U-shaped plastic part that carries the retaining claw has guide edges extending from it in one piece for axial guidance of the retaining claw in a direction perpendicular to the fastening plane. This further increases the fastening security and makes assembly even easier.

simplified.

The rail carrying the upper bracket can have a hat profile that is open towards the mounting surface (such as a wall) and the metal angle can then be mounted in an axially adjustable manner in the opening formed between the wall and the rail hat profile.

This represents a particularly compact and stable arrangement.

For similar reasons, it is advantageous if the leg of the metal angle, which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane, is bent in such a way that one, as the upper part of the leg, rests on the fastening surface for the rail (wall), and the other, as the lower part, rests on the inner web surface of the profile of the rail, which is open towards the fastening surface.

In order to enable the most direct possible fastening (with a short lever arm) to the wall, it is advantageous if the leg of the metal angle, which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane, has an axial slot for a wall fastening screw in the area of its connection, which is aligned with a corresponding slot in the web of the rail.

It also helps to ensure greater stability on the wall if the leg of the metal bracket, which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane, has a threaded hole for a rail fastening screw at the lower end outside the area of its offset, which is aligned with a corresponding additional slot in the web of the rail. This allows a certain adjustment of the height of the support bracket in relation to the radiator or its fastening devices.

It is clear that the rail can have additional mounting holes for fastening screws.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments,

7
which are shown in the drawings.

It shows:

Fig.1

in a side view a holding claw constructed according to the invention in connection with a wall bracket;

Fig.2

in a perspective view a metal angle as used for the holding claw according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C

in three different views of a foot part made of plastic, as used here in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 for the holding claw;

Fig.4

an enlarged detail from Fig. 3B;

Fig.5

a perspective view of the holding bracket according to Fig. 1, but in connection with a slightly differently designed wall rail and differently designed lower bracket;

Fig.6

a lower bracket with a different design; and

Fig.7

a unique upper bracket.

In Fig. 1, a side view of a bracket 10 for fastening a radiator 12 can be seen, wherein the bracket 10 consists of a vertical rail 14

with a lower holder 16 for receiving a retaining tab 18 attached to the radiator 12 and an upper holder 20, the upper holder 20 comprising a metal angle 22 with a first leg 26 running essentially parallel to the fastening plane 24 (wall) and a second leg 28 extending perpendicularly away from the fastening plane 24, see also Fig. 2, which shows a perspective view of this component made of stamped metal, in conjunction with a dashed rail 14, which preferably has a hat-shaped profile, as will be explained later.

In Fig. 1, a U-shaped foot part 30 can also be seen in side view, open towards the fastening plane 24, which is shown again in detail in Fig. 3A in a sectional view, in Fig. 3B in a front view and in Fig. 3C in a view from above and is injection-molded from plastic. This U-shaped foot part has an upper leg 32, on the outer surface 34 of which a holding claw 36 can be placed, which can be seen in Fig. 1 as well as in Fig. 5. A spring device is arranged on the inner surface 38 of the upper leg 32 of the foot part 30, which presses in the direction of the lower leg 44 of the foot part 30. A suitable compression coil spring can be provided for this, or also a metal leaf spring, but the most favorable embodiment is one such as that explained in more detail in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. A spring device is formed by two plastic strips 140, 240 which extend in one piece from opposite edges 46, 48 of the leg 34 of the foot part 30 carrying the holding claw and whose free ends (Fig. 4 shows this end enlarged) extend in the direction of the inner surface 42 of the other leg 44 of the U-shaped part 30, see Fig. 3B. These strips 140, 240 develop their spring effect when they are bent inwards, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3B. They then exert a pressure on the component 28, which has been inserted, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 3B. This pressure leads to the fact that when the screw 58 is loosened, the component 30 together with the retaining claw 36 carried by it slides upwards and thus positions the hook edge 50 over the upper edge 52 of the fastening tab 118, so that the radiator 12 with its tab 118 can slide unhindered by the edge 50 under the

Holding claw 36 can be pivoted as shown in Fig. 1.

The foot of the retaining claw 36 is guided by guide edges 54, which also enable an axial displacement of the retaining claw in a direction perpendicular to the fastening plane 24, provided that the foot 56 of the retaining claw 36 has a corresponding slot for a fastening screw 58, which rests with its head on the foot 56 of the retaining claw 36 and extends with its shaft through the slot of the foot 56 of the retaining claw 36, further through an opening 60 formed by the upper leg 32, then between the ends of the strips 140, 240, through an opening 62 in the leg 28 of the metal angle 22 to a square nut 64, which rests on the lower leg 44 of the foot 30, and possibly extending further through an incision 66 made in the lower leg 44. This overall arrangement is achieved by the spring force of the spring device described is pressed into the position shown in Fig. 1, from which it can then be moved by tightening the screw 58 so that the retaining claw 36 moves downwards and thereby engages the tab 118. The strips 140, 240 are pressed against the surface 38 of the leg 32 and the leg 32 comes to rest firmly on the upper leg 28 of the metal angle 22, thus providing a secure, locked holder for the radiator 12.

Before final tightening, however, the distance of the upper end of the radiator, namely that of the tab 118 to the wall plane 24, can be adjusted by moving the retaining claw 36 relative to the screw 58 in a direction perpendicular to the wall plane 24.

In a similar way, the elongated opening 62 according to Fig. 2 allows a displacement of the screw 58 and thus of the retaining claw 36 in a direction parallel to the wall plane 24 and thus makes it possible, if necessary, to align the edge 50 of the retaining claw to the sides of the retaining tab 118, or e.g. to a grid formed by a cover plate of the radiator, not shown here.

A vertical alignment parallel to the wall 24 is also possible by, for example, providing an axial slot 72 in the rail 14 or 114 for the fastening screw 68, which holds the metal angle 22 via a threaded hole 70.

The hook device 50 formed by the holding claw 36 can be split or have an incision, see Fig. 5, in order to enable adaptation, for example, to a grid structure of a cover grille for a radiator.

Fig. 5 shows a further detail particularly clearly, namely that the rail has a hat profile that is open towards the fastening surface, the wall, whereby, according to Fig. 1 and 2, the metal angle 22 is mounted in an axially adjustable manner in the opening formed between the wall 24 and the rail hat profile. As can be seen particularly in Fig. 2, the leg 26 of the metal angle 22 that is parallel to the fastening rail has a connection 72 such that it rests with one, namely the upper area 74 of the leg 26 on the fastening surface 24 (wall), and with the other, lower area 76 on the inner web surface 78 of the hat profile of the rail 14.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the leg 26 of the metal angle 22, which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane, has an axial slot 80 for a wall fastening screw 82 in the area of its connection 72, which slot corresponds to a corresponding slot in the web of the rail, see Fig. 5, reference number 84.

This rail 14, 114 can have further wall fastening openings 86, 88, see Fig. 5. The holding claw 36 shown in the figures has a lead-in slope 90, which serves to guide, for example, the upper edge of the holding tab 118 into the receptacle 92 of the hook 50 when the claw 36 is pressed down.

In Fig. 1, the lower end of the console is designed as a one-piece bracket 16, while in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, lower brackets 116, 216 are screwed to a wall rail 114. By means of these other brackets shown in Figs. 5 and 6

Designs allow for greater flexibility in terms of radiator height and design.

In particular, in this case, an adjustment to certain radiator heights can be made by axially shifting the lower bracket in relation to the rail.

The claw can also be attached to a rail 314 without a lower holder 16,116 as shown in Fig. 7 if this lower holder is not required or is mounted separately as shown in Fig. 6.

Claims (17)

drying. Ernst Stratmann Patent Attorney d-40212 düsseldorf ' schadowplatz 9 28.Januar 1998 9801 Gm WEMEFA Horst Christopeit GmbH 42555 Velbert Protection claims: 1. Holding claw, in particular for a bracket (10) for fastening radiators (12), the bracket (10) consisting of a lower holder (16) or of a vertical rail (14) with a lower holder (16), and/or of an upper holder (20) and/or of an upper holder (20) connected to the upper end of the rail (14) or a rail (14), the upper holder (20) comprising a metal angle (22) with a first leg (26, 28) running essentially parallel to the fastening plane (24), such as a wall, and a second leg (26, 28) extending perpendicularly away from the fastening plane (24), characterized in that the holding claw comprises a foot part (30) which is U-shaped in side view and open towards the fastening plane (24), the upper leg (32) of which forms or carries a holding claw (36) on its outer surface (34), and that on the inner surface (38) of the upper leg (32) of the foot part (13) there is a resilient device (40) which presses in the direction of the lower leg (44) of the foot part (30), and that the second leg (28) of the metal angle (22) is located between the resilient device (40) and the lower leg (44) of the foot part (30), and that the upper leg (32) of the foot part (30) and parts (56, 28) adjoining it are penetrated by a fastening screw (58) through corresponding openings (e.g. 62) in these parts (e.g. 28), which is received in a thread or nut (64) carried by the lower leg (44) of the foot part (30). 2. Holding claw according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding claw (36) has a foot (56) and an opening in this through which the fastening screw (58) passes, which extends through a hole (60) in the leg (26) of the foot part (30) carrying the holding claw (36) and through an opening (62) in the leg (28) of the metal angle (22) to a thread into which the fastening screw is screwed so far before the installation of a radiator or the like that the spring device is not yet or only slightly tensioned. 3. Holding claw according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening in the holding claw (36) represents an elongated hole running perpendicular to the fastening plane. 4. Holding claw according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the leg (28) of the metal angle (22) supporting the upper leg (34) of the foot part (30) has an elongated hole (62) which is aligned parallel to the fastening plane (24). 5. Holding claw according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the thread is formed by a nut (64) which is held by the lower leg (44) of the foot part (30). 6. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding claw (36) of the holding claw is divided. 7. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding claw (36) has an inlet slope (90) in order to guide the edge (52) of a holding tab (118) of a radiator (12) or the like into the receiving space (92) of the holding claw (36). 8. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the resilient device is formed by at least one plastic strip, which extends in one piece from the edge of the leg (32) of the U-shaped plastic foot part (30) carrying the holding claw (36) and extends with its free end in the direction of the inner surface (42) of the other leg (44) of the U-shaped foot part (30). 9. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the resilient device is formed by two plastic strips (140, 240) which extend in one piece from opposite edges (46, 48) of the leg (32) of the U-shaped foot part (30) carrying the holding claw (36) and extend with their free ends in a curved manner in the direction of the inner surface (42) of the other leg (44) of the U-shaped foot part (30). 10. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the leg surface (34) of the U-shaped foot part (30) carrying the holding claw (36) has guide edges (54) extending integrally from it for axial guidance of the holding claw (36) in a direction perpendicular to the fastening plane (24). 11. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rail (14) (carrying the upper holder (30)) has a hat profile that is open towards the fastening surface (wall) (24) and the metal angle (22) is mounted in an axially adjustable manner (72) in the opening formed between the wall (24) and the rail hat profile. 12. Holding claw according to claim 11, characterized in that the leg (26) of the metal angle (22) which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane (24) is cranked (72) in such a way that it rests with one, such as the upper region (74) of the leg on the fastening surface (24) for the rail (wall), and with the other, such as the lower region (76) on the inner web surface (78) of the profile of the rail (14) which is open towards the fastening surface. 13. Holding claw according to claim 12, characterized in that the leg (26) of the metal angle (22) which is essentially parallel to the fastening plane has an axial slot (80) in the region of its crank (72) for a Wall fastening screw (82) which is aligned with a corresponding slot (84) in the web of the rail (14). 14. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the area (76) resting on the web surface (78) of the fastening rail (14) has a threaded bore (70) into which a fastening screw (68) can be screwed, which is guided through an elongated hole (72) in the fastening rail (14,114). 15. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by use with a one-piece or screwed-on (168) rail (114, 214) having a lower holder (116, 216). 16. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by use with a rail having no lower holder. 17. Holding claw according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by use with a drilling bracket, angle bracket or the like.