EP0157124A2 - Connection node for joining adjacent building parts - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Junction part for the connecting of adjacent components (14; 25), said junction part having at least approximately a spherical shape and, at its poles and the regions between said poles, comprising elements (4, 4', 4") provided with attachment surfaces for the components (14; 25) as well as openings (3, 3'; 11) penetrating said elements for the accepting of fixing screws (16), characterized in that the junction part is in the form of a one-piece structure (7), in that a multiplicity of strip-shaped sections (8, 9, 10) originates from each of the elements (4, 4') disposed at the two poles of said structure (7) which elements are provided with attachment surfaces, in that, viewed in cross section, said strip-shaped sections (8, 9, 10) are each polygonal in shape and re-unite at the element (e.g. 4') of the opposite pole, said element being provided with an attachment surface, the planes of said strip-shaped sections (8, 9, 10) each forming an angle with one another, and in that openings (30) are provided between the strip-shaped sections (8, 9, 10) in the near-equatorial regions, said openings (30) permitting access to the interior (17) of the structure (7) and to the fixing screws (16) to be provided there.

Description

The invention relates to a node part for connecting adjacent components, with a structure in which radially directed bores for receiving fastening screws are incorporated, the heads of which bear against the inside of the structure and whose threaded shafts are designed to engage in corresponding threaded bores of components to be fastened.

DE-C 841 351 discloses a node part for bars in which the longitudinal axes of all connected bars intersect at one point. This node part has the shape of a ball, which is provided on one side with a closable opening in order to be able to fasten or detach the individual rods from the inside of this part by means of screws. The disadvantage here is, on the one hand, that no rods can be fastened in the area of the closable opening, that is to say a blind spot is created, and that the screws are partially very difficult to access through this opening, so that their twisting - if at all - is very difficult is possible. This makes assembly and disassembly very expensive and cumbersome.

From DE - C 309 431 a node part in the form of a half shell is known, to which a total of 6 rods can be attached. Since the half-shell is open on one side, the rods can be attached in a simple manner by means of screws, but here there is a very large blind angle, within which no rods can be attached.

Furthermore, from DE-C 901 955 a node part is known which has a large number of internal threads is so that rods can be attached to it at different angles. The disadvantage here, however, is that individual rods cannot be replaced or can only be replaced with considerable difficulty after assembly. In addition, such node parts have a considerable weight, which need not be a disadvantage for scaffolding, but is unnecessary for lighter structures, for example exhibition stands.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a node part which has a simple structure, enables many components to be fastened, and which, after assembly, can be easily installed or removed from a rod system without this a change to this rod system would be necessary.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a node part mentioned at the outset in that the structure has approximately band-shaped, rigid, polygonal in cross section or else ring-shaped structural parts, openings being formed in regions between these band-shaped structural parts through which access to the radially directed parts is made Bores or the fastening screws arranged there, preferably designed as screws with hexagon socket, are possible. One thus obtains a structure which has openings between its band-shaped structure parts, through which even with a fully occupied node part there is still easy access to the interior of this node part and the screws located there, so that, for example, a screw can be loosened when a rod to be removed, or a screw can be used if a rod is added. Further fastening parts can also be inserted into these lateral openings, which engage behind the adjacent band-shaped structural parts and to which additional components, for example rods, can then be fastened. One can, for example, on one Fasten 14 bars without additional fasteners and 18 bars with additional fasteners. Such a node part does not need tapped holes, but simple punched holes are sufficient. Such a node part is therefore a spherical skeleton composed of several polygon ring sections. - With particular advantage, the node part is designed so that the structure is composed of two parts, each of which has claw-shaped, band-shaped sections from the poles, and that these sections are connected to one another along the equator. Since such a node part can be almost spherical, one can speak of poles and an equator. The production of such a part from two - preferably identical - basic parts is very simple and at the same time enables very precise production with the necessary tight tolerances. Appropriately, the procedure here is such that the two parts from which the structure is composed each have approximately the shape of a four-armed cross in plan, the arms of which are preferably of essentially the same length. Such a part is very simple to manufacture and can also be easily processed, for example by embossing, punching, deep drawing, etc.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen Blechschnitt zur Herstellung einer Hälfte eines Knotenpunktteils nach einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
• Fig. 2 zwei klauenförmige, aus Blechschnitten gemäß Fig. 1 hergestellte identische Teile vor ihrer Verbindung längs des gemeinsamen Äquators, in der Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 3 ein gemäß Fig. 2 hergestelltes erfindungsgemäßes Knotenpunktteil in der Seitenansicht, in einer gegenüber Fig. 2 um 90° verdrehten Stellung,
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht in Richtung des Pfeiles B der
• Fig. 3 auf das in Fig. 3 dargestellte Knotenpunktteil, wobei seitlich mittels eines zusätzlichen Befestigungsteiles ein Stab befestigt ist,
• Fig. 5 eine raumbildliche Darstellung des Knotenpunktteils der Fig. 3 und 4, zusammen mit einem zu befestigenden Stabende,
• Fig. 6 die Befestigung des Knotenpunktteils auf dem in Fig. 5 dargestellten Stabende,
• Fig. 7 eine raumbildliche Darstellung des Knotenpunktteils der Fig. 3 und 4 mit vier Stabenden, die sich in unterschiedlichen Richtungen erstrecken, und
• Fig. 8 die Darstellung des vorderen Endes eines im Handel erhältlichen Sechskant-Schraubenziehers mit einem kugelig ausgebildeten Eingriffsende.

Further details and advantageous developments of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and shown in the drawing, which are in no way to be understood as a restriction of the invention, and from the subclaims. It shows:

• 1 is a plan view of a sheet metal section for producing a half of a node part according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
• Fig. 2 two claw-shaped, made of sheet metal cuts according to FIG. 1 identical parts in front of it Connection along the common equator, in side view,
• 3 is a side view of a node part according to the invention produced according to FIG. 2, in a position rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. 2,
• Fig. 4 is a plan view in the direction of arrow B of the
• 3 onto the node part shown in FIG. 3, a rod being fastened laterally by means of an additional fastening part,
• 5 is a spatial representation of the node part of FIGS. 3 and 4, together with a rod end to be fastened,
• 6 the attachment of the node part on the rod end shown in FIG. 5,
• Fig. 7 is a spatial representation of the node part of FIGS. 3 and 4 with four rod ends that extend in different directions, and
• Fig. 8 shows the front end of a commercially available hex screwdriver with a spherical engagement end.

1 shows a sheet metal section 1 with four arms 2 of equal length and fastening holes 3 and half fastening holes 3 'at the free ends of the arms 2.

2, the four arms 2 are each opposite to the pole faces 4 and 4 ', which are square and whose width is equal to the width of the arms 2 Angle alpha of 135 ⁰ bent, and then bent again at a point 5 by the same angle alpha of 135, so that four claws 6 each protrude from the pole faces 4 and 4 'towards each other and along an equator brought to bear against each other and with each other can be connected, for example by butt welding, gluing, brazing or the like.

Fig. 3 shows the structure 7 of the node part formed in this way, which can also be thought of as composed of three structural parts, namely a continuous ring 8 with the diameter D and in the form of a regular polygon, here an octagon, and two attached to it and at right angles this ring 8 extending polygon sections 9 and 10, which, comparable to a bridge, connect the two pole faces 4 and 4 'to each other. The individual surfaces or tab parts of the spatial polygon formed in this way are designated 4 "and each have an opening 11 in their center, which openings correspond to the openings 3 and 3 'of FIG. 1. The central axes 12 of these openings 11 meet, as shown in Fig. 3, in the center of the node part 7, designated 13, thus run radially.

The node part 7 has between the structural parts 8, 9 and 10 four elongated openings 30, which in the view have approximately the shape of squeezed hexagons and which serve as assembly openings. Their opposite central sections 31 and 32 (FIG. 7) each run parallel to one another and therefore allow, according to FIG. 4, the insertion of a fastening part 33 which is rectangular in plan and which engages behind the adjacent tabs 4 "with two laterally projecting, opposite strips 34. It serves for Attachment of a rod 25 which is supported against the parallel edges 31 and 32 and which is secured by means of an Allen screw 35 (with a round head 37) is held on the fastening part 33, wherein it penetrates this part 33 and is screwed into an internal thread of the rod 25. In this way, a fastening part 33 can be inserted into each of the openings 30 and a rod 25 can be fastened thereon. The remaining eight triangular openings then still allow access to the entire interior of the node part 7 in this case as well.

If the node part 7 is to be connected to the end 14 of a rod 15 shown in FIG. 5, a fastening screw 16 must first be introduced into the space 17 surrounded by the structural parts 8, 9 and 10, the threaded shank 18 of this screw 16 then reaching this point through the opening 11 in question is that the screw head 19 fits snugly against the inside 20 of the tab part 4 "in question. Then the node part 7 is placed on the end 14 of the rod 15, then by means of a screwdriver 21 indicated in FIG. 6 to set the screw 17 in rotation and thus to screw the threaded shaft 18 into the axial threaded bore 22 located in the rod end 14. To ensure a secure fit of the screwdriver 21 and thus also a secure screwing in of the screw 16, so-called Allen screws are expediently used , ie screws with a hexagon socket in the head 19. The use of such Imbu Screwing has the further advantage that such a screwdriver 21 can also be attached obliquely to the screw head 19, so that the screwdriver 21 can also be inserted through the spaces 23 between the components 8-10. It is particularly advantageous to use a commercially available hexagon screwdriver with a profile according to FIG. 8. Its shaft 40 has the cross section of a regular hexagon. At the tip, the shaft 40 is initially tapered and leaves at a point 41 while maintaining its hexagonal profile then over into a ball 42, which also has a hexagonal cross section everywhere. Such a screwdriver can still be attached to an Allen screw at an angle of approximately 25 ° and therefore enables the screw 16 or 37 to be turned very conveniently through the side openings 30. When using other screwdrivers, a cardan joint can be used, as is possible found in many tool boxes.

7 finally shows a node part 7 to which the ends 24 of different rods 25, each with different directions, are already screwed.

If an additional rod is to be inserted between two such node parts 7, which are already firmly inserted into a rod system, this can be done easily and simply by inserting the rod in question between the two opposite node parts and screwing them to these node parts by means of the fastening screws 16 . If an existing rod is to be removed, the procedure is reversed. In both cases, the node parts 7 can maintain their original position, so that it is not necessary to dismantle or even partially dismantle the rod system that has already been created.

A node part according to the invention can be viewed as a combination of at least two mutually penetrating band-shaped polygon or circular rings of essentially the same diameter and with the same center. Where they intersect, these polygonal or circular rings have elements in common, and preferably - as in the exemplary embodiment - their longitudinal axes are perpendicular to one another. However, e.g. but also polygon ring structures possible, in which polygon rings are each arranged at equal angular distances from each other, e.g. three rings with intervals of 120 °. Naturally, a polygon ring can also cross with a circular ring. Such and other variations are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. Node part for connecting adjacent components (14; 25), with a structure (7) in which radially directed bores (3, 3 ', 11) for receiving fastening screws (16) are incorporated, the heads (19) of which rest against the inside of the building body (7) and its threaded shafts (18) are designed to engage in corresponding threaded bores (22) of components (15) to be fastened,
characterized,
that the structure (7) has approximately band-shaped, rigid, cross-sectionally polygonal or even ring-shaped structural parts (8, 9, 10), openings (30) being formed in regions between these approximately band-shaped structural parts (8, 9, 10) which allows access to the radially directed bores (5, 11) or the fastening screws (16) arranged there, preferably designed as screws with hexagon socket. 2. node part according to claim 1, characterized in that the polygonal cross section of the structural parts (8, 9, 10) is substantially rotationally symmetrical. 3. node part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diameter (D) of the approximately band-shaped structural parts (8, 9, 10) are substantially the same size. 4. node part according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the structural parts (8, 9, 10) is that of an approximately equiangular hexagon or octagon. 5. node part according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the approximately band-shaped structural parts (8, 9, 10) located bores (3, 3 ', 11) are arranged at substantially equal angular distances from one another. Junction part according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (7) is composed of two parts (Fig. 2), each of which has band-shaped sections (6) bent from the poles (4, 4 '), and that these sections (6) are connected to one another approximately along the equator, Junction part according to claim 6, characterized in that a square fastening surface is provided on the poles (4, 4 '), and in that the width of the band-shaped sections (6) corresponds approximately to the edge length of such a square fastening surface. Junction part according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the two parts (Fig. 2), from which the structure (7) is composed, each have approximately the shape of a four-armed cross (1) in plan (Fig. 1), the Arms (2) are preferably of substantially the same length. Junction part according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fastening part (33) is arranged in the area of the equator in at least one of the openings (30), which engages behind the edges (31, 32) of two adjacent structural parts (4 '') there , and to which a component (25) can be fastened (FIG. 4),

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