DE9100606U1 - Device for detachably connecting preferably flat parts - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for releasably connecting preferably flat parts.

Flat parts or elements of any kind have to be connected to one another in a wide variety of technical areas. This is the case, for example, with room dividers or partition walls, but also particularly with reusable packaging or so-called returnable containers. The walls of these reusable containers must be securely connected to one another, but must also be easy to separate from one another for unpacking or dismantling the walls, etc.

The problem that arises when joining preferably flat parts is described below using the example of so-called reusable containers.

With increasing environmental concerns and in view of the future legal situation, packaging material should generally be designed in such a way that it can be used multiple times. This is particularly true for heavy goods packaging in so-called containers. Until now, such containers were made of wooden walls nailed or screwed together, and the container material was thrown away after transport. Nowadays, for the reasons mentioned above, there is an increasing effort to make containers of the type in question reusable.

As part of such efforts, containers with side walls that are hinged together are known. Folcixe containers or the side walls of such containers can be folded up or folded up after use. However, they still take up a considerable amount of storage space.

Furthermore, reusable containers are already known whose side walls are held together by clamps or similar. With such a design of reusable containers, handling is extremely problematic, especially since the side walls have to be moved ^to certain positions so that the clamps can be attached to the appropriate places. At least two workers are always required for this.

1 The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device

1 ' _) device for detachably connecting preferably flat parts

i admit that the structurally simple and convenient to handle

1. In particular, it should be ensured that the connection

'; between the parts by a single person

I can become»

I The device according to the invention solves the above problem by the features of claim 1. According to this, a

I device of the type in question is designed in such a way that

I to connected parts in their respective other part

I assigned at least one connecting element to the edge area

&iacgr; net and that the connecting elements of the

~ Parts can be engaged in pairs.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that the handling of the parts to be connected is particularly simple and convenient when the connecting parts are not already firmly connected to one another before assembly * and also not with connecting elements that are completely detached from the parts - after complex rGSioiGüierViny — VciTjjüiKiCii wczXicii IuIiS 5 eil. Vicj-iüciiiT x£»L UCIl üu

&Kgr; connecting parts in the inventive manner each at least

i n least one connecting element is assigned. The connecting elements of the parts to be connected can be brought into engagement - in pairs - in such a way that the parts are

are effectively connected to each other. The connected parts can therefore be easily separated from each other, whereby the connecting elements remain assigned to the respective parts.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the connecting elements could each be an integral part of the parts to be connected. This would mean that the connecting element is either molded directly onto the part or manufactured in one piece with the part. However, such a design would have the disadvantage that the connecting element cannot be detached from the respective part. The connecting element would have a corresponding engagement area for mutual engagement.

However, the connecting element could also be a component that is separate from the part. In this case, the connecting element would have an engagement area for mutual engagement, as in the integrated design. In addition, the connecting element would have to have a fastening area for attachment to the parts to be connected. This fastening area would have to be matched to the respective part so that it can be effectively connected to it.

With regard to the structural design of the previously discussed connecting element, it is particularly advantageous, on the one hand from a constructional point of view and, on the other hand, from the point of view of easy attachment, if the connecting element is designed to be approximately U-shaped, so that it has a U-profile in cross section. The legs of the U-profile would then form the fastening area, so that the part is inserted into the U-profile from the open side at a distance from the base of the U-profile and secured there.

If the connecting elements are designed as separate components, they can be permanently connected to the respective parts.* For this purpose, the connecting elements could be glued to the respective parts at their fastening areas. Alternatively, the connecting elements could be nailed, stapled or fastened to the respective parts using their fastening areas with staples or similar. To create a detachable connection between the connecting element and the part, the connecting element can be screwed to the respective part at its fastening area. Finally , a strong connection could be created by pressing the connecting elements to the respective parts at their fastening areas. In addition, any conceivable detachable and permanent connection technology can be used to fasten the connecting elements to the parts to be connected.

With regard to the design of the connecting elements, it could also be advantageous if the legs of the U-profile are of different lengths. This different length design of the legs could be implemented in such a way that the longer leg either provides secure support for the connecting element on the part to be connected or even strengthens the fastening area and the corresponding area of the part to be connected. Depending on the thickness of the parts to be connected, the connecting elements are further advantageously dimensioned accordingly. In other words, the connecting elements and in particular their connecting areas are tailored to the respective parts to be connected so that they can securely accommodate them or can be securely connected to them.

In order to ensure a secure engagement between the connecting elements a U-shaped design is required

of the connecting elements, the closed part of the U-profile is advantageously designed as an engagement area. It is particularly advantageous that this closed part of the U-profile is extremely rigid due to its closed design and can therefore withstand mechanical stress to a large extent. In terms of construction, this engagement area is designed in detail so that it has recesses and lugs or the like, so that the connecting elements of the parts to be connected can be brought into engagement by inserting the engagement areas into one another, i.e. by inserting the lugs of one connecting element into the recesses of the other connecting element and vice versa. The connecting elements designed in this way can therefore be inserted into one another in the sense of a toothing or a zipper and can be locked into one another if necessary depending on the design of the recesses and lugs. In addition to the recesses and lugs, the connecting elements can have insertion openings running in the longitudinal direction. These recesses are then designed in such a way that the connecting elements can be pushed into one another or pushed against one another in the insertion openings after the lugs have been inserted into the recesses. In a particularly advantageous manner, the insertion openings of the engaging connecting elements are designed to complement one another. In other words, one connecting element engages with its insertion openings in the respective insertion opening of the other connecting element. The insertion openings of one connecting element could also, for example, encompass the material surrounding the recesses of the other connecting element.

The connecting elements are designed to be complementary to one another in a particularly advantageous manner, so that a perfect mutual engagement of the engagement areas is possible.

ij So that the interconnectable flat parts can be connected to form a box, a container or the like, the connecting elements preferably have a flat area in the longitudinal direction with which they protrude beyond the parts assigned to them - possibly on both sides. These flat areas form a system for, for example, a pallet and/or a lid or the like at the edge of the respective parts. These flat areas can also form a system or a boundary or a frame for a base and/or a lid . To secure the lid, these flat areas can be bent over after the lid has been inserted or additional holding means for holding the lid and/or base or the like can be attached to them.

The connecting element could be designed in such a way that it extends continuously along the entire edge area of the respective part. In the case of the wall of a container, the connecting element would run along the entire edge of the wall. The connecting element could also be designed partially along the edge area of the respective part. Such a design would have the advantage that

Because of the only partial design, material is saved, which reduces the overall strength of the container.

In particular, when constructing a box, a container or the like with the device according to the invention, it is of further advantage if the flat parts associated with the connecting elements that are brought into engagement form an approximately right angle to one another, i.e. more or less predetermine this right angle. This would already predetermine the geometry of the container or the packaging - through the device. The connecting elements of the respective interconnected

The connected parts could each form an edge, so that, for example, the edges of a box can be defined by the connecting elements. This also provides additional protection against mechanical impact.

If, however, one wishes to use the device according to the invention to join parts together to form a flat whole, the flat parts associated with the engaging connecting elements would have to form a surface lying in a common plane. The device according to the invention could already provide this plane due to its structural design, so that further adjustment work is not necessary.

In order for the connecting elements to withstand mechanical stress, i.e. to withstand extreme bending or torsion, it is also advantageous if the connecting elements have an embossing, preferably running in the longitudinal direction, to increase their strength. This embossing could, for example, be in the form of several channels or recesses running parallel to one another. The flat areas of the connecting elements that protrude beyond the parts could also be provided with an embossing to increase their strength, so that no deformation of the connecting elements occurs when the parts are placed on a pallet, or when a dachshund is placed on the box or similar.

In particular, with regard to space-saving storage of the parts that can be put together to form a box, for example _, it could be advantageous if the sides of the box could be further subdivided for storage. It would be particularly advantageous if the parts with the connecting elements attached to them could also be designed to be plugged onto one another . Thus, the device according to the invention would not only enable a

angular connection or a connection in the longitudinal direction, but also a connection of parts relating to the construction height.

Having discussed the structural design of the connecting elements, the following briefly describes the material that can be used to manufacture the connecting elements. The connecting elements can primarily be made of metal. Commercially available sheet steel is particularly suitable due to its low price. The connecting elements can also be made of plastic, or, if they are subject to high stress, of fiber-reinforced plastic.

The flat parts to be connected are made of wood, especially for use in boxes for transporting heavy parts. However, the flat parts can also be made of plastic or metal. Here, too, the use of sheet steel is recommended, although the parts should always be reinforced with embossing.

If, however, the parts are to be connected to form a partition wall or similar, the parts must have heat-insulating and/or sound-absorbing properties. It is particularly advisable to manufacture the parts as composite parts, for example by connecting wooden panels at a distance from one another using a nail strip as part of a so-called sandwich technique, with a fire-resistant or sound-absorbing layer being inserted between the wooden panels.

With regard to the use of the flat parts and thus also with regard to the use of the device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous to join the flat parts together as side walls of a container.

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A standard pallet, such as a Euro pallet, forms the base of the container. The parts would then be placed on such a pallet with the protruding flat areas of the connecting elements. For the purpose of such use, the parts should be dimensioned in such a way that they are roughly matched to the dimensions of standardized pallets. A lid could also advantageously be placed on the parts placed on the pallet, which in turn is held in place by the flat areas of the connecting elements that protrude upwards. It would also be particularly advantageous if the pallets with the attached parts could be stacked. For this purpose, the connecting elements could form a stiffening of the edges required for stacking, as well as a support surface or support points.

The flat parts to be connected could also form the side walls of a box. Either a base and possibly a lid would then be placed on the parts forming the side walls of a box, as described above, which would be held in place by the flat areas of the connecting elements that protrude upwards or downwards.

Furthermore, the flat parts could be assembled using the device according to the invention to form a partition wall that preferably serves as a room divider. Reference is made to the above explanations.

Finally, it would also be entirely conceivable to assemble the flat parts into a shelving system or the like using the device according to the invention, whereby it is also important here that the parts are assembled either at a predetermined angle or to form a flat surface.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to the following explanation of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred ^embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows

' J Fig. 1 in schematic representation, partially enlarged,

a device according to the invention for detachably connecting two flat parts, wherein the parts are connected to each other at right angles,

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of a connecting element of the device from Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a container assembled from side walls, a pallet and a lid using the device from Fig. 1 and

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention which can be made from flat parts.

a partition wall composed of a room divider.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for detachably connecting flat parts 1, wherein the flat parts

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According to the invention, the parts 1 to be connected are provided with a connecting element at their edge region 2 facing the other part 1.

connection element 3. The connecting elements 3 of the
connecting parts 1 can be engaged in pairs.

Fig. L v-ei gh furthermore, that the connecting elements 3 have a i'

Eii?grif "Provide 4 for mutual üingrxif uracr, a Bef- f

fastening area 5. The fastening area 5 serves ^: for fastening to the parts 1.

Fig. 1 indicates that the connecting elements

ments 3 Are approximately U-shaped and that the legs J

6 of the U-profile form the fastening area 5, so that the |.

Part 1 from the open side 7 with a distance to the fade. 8 of |

^Ü profile is inserted into it and fixed there. Fig. j

1 further shows clearly that the connecting elements 3 \

by means of their fastening areas 5 to the respective parts &iacgr; I

are clamped, so that clamps 9 are used to fasten the |„

bindingsel^^.enfce 3 have been used on parts 1 üind. Jf

Fig. 2 shows the connecting element 3 according to the invention in cross-

section. The legs 6 of the U-profile are different f"

lently long, with the longer leg 6 on the one hand

a supporting function/ on the other hand a special fastening j

function. &idiagr;

The, Fig. 1 and 2 show together that the connecting elements
3 depending on the thickness d of part 1 appropriately dimensioned
Mounting area 5.

The enlarged part of Fig. 1 clearly shows that the closed area of the U-profile is designed as an engagement area 4. The engagement area 4 has recesses 10 and
Noses 11, so that the connecting elements 3 of the parts 1 to be connected by inserting the engagement areas A ₁
ie by inserting the lugs II of one connecting element

T*"" ·"—■

ments 3 can be brought into engagement with the recesses 10 of the other connecting element 3 and vice versa.

The larger part of Fig. 1 also clearly shows that the connecting elements 3 have insertion openings 12 running in the longitudinal direction in addition to the recesses 10 and lugs 11. Accordingly, after the lugs 11 have been inserted into the recesses 10, the connecting elements 3 can be pushed into one another or pushed against one another in the longitudinal direction into the insertion openings 12. As a result, the insertion openings 12 of the engaging connecting elements 3 are designed to be complementary to one another. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the connecting elements 3 are designed to be complementary to one another overall. (

Fig. 1 also shows that the connecting elements 3 protrude in the longitudinal direction with a flat area 13 beyond the parts 1 assigned to them. The flat areas 13 form a system for a pallet 14 serving as a base and a lid 15 serving as a closure.

The figures show overall that the connecting elements 3 run continuously along the entire edge region 2 of the respective part 1. The flat parts 1 assigned to the engaged connecting elements 3 form approximately a right angle to one another, so that they determine the shape of the container. Furthermore, the connecting elements 3 of the parts 1 connected to one another always form the edge of the container.

In the embodiment chosen here, the connecting elements 3 are made of sheet steel. The flat parts 1, on the other hand, are made of wood.

Fig. 3 shows particularly clearly that the parts 1 with the protruding flat areas 13 of the connecting elements 3 can be plugged onto a pallet 14. The parts 1 are dimensioned in such a way that they are roughly matched to the dimensions of standardized pallets 14. A cover 15 can also be placed on the parts 1 plugged onto the pallet, which is held by the upwardly projecting flat areas 13 of the connecting elements 3. Such pallets with the plugged parts 1 can be easily stacked, not least due to the stiffening caused by the connecting elements 3.

Finally, Fig. 4 shows in an indicative manner that, by means of the device according to the invention, flat parts 1 can also be assembled or plugged together to form a surface lying in one plane, for example a partition wall 16 serving as a room divider. Further explanations on this are superfluous, with reference to the explanations concerning plugging together at right angles, which also apply here accordingly.

Finally, it should be noted that the core of the present invention - detachable connection of preferably flat parts by means of connecting elements assigned to the parts to be connected - can also be implemented with other flat parts - regardless of their type.

Claims (1)

Protection claims 1. Device for detachably connecting preferably flat parts (I)/ characterized in that the parts (1) to be connected have at least one connecting element (3) assigned to their edge region (2) facing the other part (1) and that the connecting elements (3) of the parts (1) to be connected can be brought into engagement in pairs. J 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are each an integral part of the parts to be connected (1). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) have an engagement region (4) for mutual engagement. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) have an engagement area (4) for mutual engagement and a fastening area (5) and that the fastening area (5) serves for fastening to the parts (1). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are approximately U-shaped and that the legs (6) of the U-profile form the fastening area (5), so that the part (1) is inserted into the U-profile from the open side (7) at a distance from the base (8) of the U-profile and is fixed there. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are non-detachably connected to the respective parts (1). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that
the connecting elements (3) at their fastening areas (5)
are glued to the respective parts (1). 8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that
the connecting elements (3) by means of their fastening areas (5) are nailed, stapled or fastened with £ clamps or the like to the respective parts (1). j 9. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are screwed to the respective parts (1) at their fastening areas (5). 10. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are pressed together with the respective parts (1) at their fastening areas (5). | 11. Device according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the legs (6) of the U-profile are of different lengths. 5 2. Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, &aacgr;&agr; iurch ge- indicates that the connecting elements (3) depending on the thickness ! I of the parts (1) appropriately dimensioned fastening areas 1 (5). \ 13. Device according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the closed part of the U-profile is designed as an engagement area (4). 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that | the engagement area (4) has recesses (10) and lugs (11) and that the connecting elements (3) of the parts to be connected Parts (1) can be brought into engagement by inserting the engagement areas (4) into one another, i.e. by inserting the lugs (11) of one connecting element (3) into the recesses (10) of the other connecting element (3) and vice versa. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) have, in addition to the recesses (10) and noses (11), insertion openings (12) running in the longitudinal direction and that the connecting elements (3) after the noses (11) have been inserted into the recesses (10) in the longitudinal direction ' ' direction into the insertion openings (12) can be pushed into one another or against one another. 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the insertion openings (12) of the engaging connecting elements (3) are designed to be complementary to one another. 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are designed to be complementary to one another. 18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) project in the longitudinal direction with a preferably flat region (13) beyond the parts (1) assigned to them and thereby form a system for a pallet (14) and/or a lid (15) or the like. 19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) protrude in the longitudinal direction with a preferably flat area (13) beyond the parts (1) assigned to them and thereby form a support or a boundary or a frame for a base and/or a cover (15) or the like. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the connecting element (3) extends continuously along the entire edge region (2) of the respective part (1). 21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the connecting element (3) is partially formed along the edge region (2) of the respective part (1). 22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the flat parts (1) associated with the engaged connecting elements (3) form an approximately right angle to one another. 23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) of the parts (1) connected to one another form an edge. 24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the flat parts (1) associated with the engaging connecting elements (3) form a surface lying in one plane. 25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) have an embossing, preferably running in the longitudinal direction, to increase the strength. 26. Device according to claim 18 or 19 and optionally one of the Claims SC bris 25, characterized in that the flat areas (13) of the connecting elements (3) projecting beyond the parts (1) are provided with an embossing to increase strength. 27. Device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the parts (1) with the connecting elements (3) attached thereto are designed to be plugged onto one another. 28. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are made of metal. 29. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are made of sheet steel. 30. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are made of plastic. 31. Device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the flat parts (1) are made of wood. 32. Device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the flat parts (1) are made of plastic. 33. Device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the flat parts (1) are made of metal. 34. Device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the flat parts (1) have heat-insulating and/or sound-absorbing properties. 35. Device according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the flat parts (1) form side walls of a container. 36. Device according to claim 18 and optionally one for claims 20 to 35, characterized in that the parts (1) with the protruding flat areas (13) of the connecting elements (3) can be plugged onto a pallet (14). 37. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the pallets (1) are dimensioned in such a way that they are adapted in ^tv/a to the dimensions of ^standardized pallets (14)- 38. Device according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that ^a cover (15) can be placed on the table (1) placed on the pallet (14), which is held by the upwardly projecting flat areas (13) of the connecting elements (3): 39. Device according to one of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that the pallets (14) with the attached parts (1) are stackable. ^- 4G. Device according to claim 19 and optionally one of claims |||f 20 to 35, characterized in that the flat parts (1) form side walls of a box- 41. Device according to claim 40, characterized in that a base and/or a dock (15) can be placed on the parts (1) forming the side walls of a box, which is held by the flat areas (13) of the connecting elements (3) projecting downwards or upwards. I &igr; &bgr; 42. Device according to claim 1 and optionally one of the claims i/is 34, characterized in that the flat parts (1) can be assembled to form a partition wall (16) which preferably serves as a room divider, 43. Device according to claim 1 and optionally one of claims to 34, characterized in that the flat parts (1) can be assembled to form a shelving system.