EP0496025A1 - Means for providing a separable connection of elements e.g. flat elements - Google Patents

Abstract

A means for providing a separable connection of elements, preferably flat elements (1), having simple design and simple and easy handling, is designed such that at least one connecting element (3) is assigned to the elements (1) to be connected at their edge region (2) that faces the respective other element (1) and that the connecting elements (3) of the elements (1) to be connected can be engaged in pairs, the connecting elements (3) being in each case integral components of the elements (1) that are to be connected and having an engagement zone (4) for mutual engagement, or the connecting elements (3) having an engagement zone (4) for mutual engagement and a securing zone (5) and the securing zone (5) being used for securing to the elements (1). <IMAGE>

Description

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

Flat parts or elements of any kind are to be connected to each other in the most varied technical areas. This is the case, for example, with room dividers or partition walls, but in particular also with reusable packaging or with so-called reusable containers. The walls of these reusable containers must be securely connected to one another, but must also be easily detachable from one another for unpacking or dismantling the walls or the like.

In the following, the problem that arises when connecting preferably flat parts is described using the example of the so-called reusable containers.

With increasing environmental awareness and in view of the future legal situation, packaging material should in principle be such that it can be used several times. This applies in particular to heavy goods packaging in so-called containers. Such containers were previously nailed or screwed together from wooden walls, the container material was sent to waste after transport. Nowadays, for the reasons mentioned above, efforts are increasingly being made to make containers of the type in question reusable.

In the context of such efforts, containers with side walls which are hinged to one another are known to date. Such containers or the side walls of such containers can be folded or folded after use. However, you still take up a considerable amount of storage space during storage.

Furthermore, reusable containers are also known, the side walls of which are held together by brackets or the like. With such a design of reusable containers, handling is extremely problematic, especially since the side walls have to be moved into certain positions, so that the clips can be attached at appropriate locations. This always requires at least two workers.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device for releasably connecting preferably flat parts which is structurally simple and convenient to use. In particular, it should be ensured that the connection between the parts can be accomplished by a single person.

The device according to the invention achieves the above object by the features of patent claim 1. A device of the type in question is designed in such a way that the parts (1) to be connected have at least one on their edge area (2) facing the other part (1) Connecting element (3) is assigned and that the connecting elements (3) of the parts to be connected (1) can be brought into engagement in pairs, that the connecting elements (3) have an engagement area (4) for mutual engagement and a fastening area (5) and that Fastening area (5) is used for fastening to the parts (1).

According to the invention, it has thus been recognized that the handling of the parts to be connected is particularly simple and convenient if the parts to be connected are not already firmly connected to one another before assembly and are also not connected to connecting elements that are completely detached from the parts - after complex positioning Need to become. Rather, it is too connecting parts in the manner according to the invention each assigned at least one connecting element. The connecting elements of the parts to be connected can be brought into engagement in pairs in such a way that the parts are effectively connected to one another by the engagement. Accordingly, the connected parts can be easily detached from one another again, the connecting elements remaining assigned to the respective parts.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the connecting elements could also 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 is produced in one piece with the part. However, such an embodiment would have the disadvantage that the connecting element cannot be detached from the respective part. For mutual engagement, the connecting element would have a corresponding engagement area.

The connecting element is preferably a component detached from the part. As in the integrated embodiment, the connecting element has an engagement area for mutual engagement. In addition, the connecting element has a fastening area for fastening to the parts to be connected. This fastening area is matched to the respective part so that it can be effectively connected to it.

With regard to the structural design of the connecting element discussed above, it is particularly advantageous in terms of construction technology, on the one hand, and from the point of view of simple attachment, if the connecting element is 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 from the open side of the U-profile is inserted into the U-profile at a distance from it and fixed there.

In the event that 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. As an alternative to this, the connecting elements could be nailed, clamped or fastened to the respective parts by means of their fastening regions or fastened with staples or the like. For the releasable connection between the connecting element and the part, the connecting element can be screwed to the respective part at its fastening area. Finally, a non-positive connection could be created in such a way that the connecting elements are pressed at their fastening areas with the respective parts. Otherwise, any conceivable releasable and non-releasable connection techniques 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 be further advantageous that the legs of the U-profile are of different lengths. This differently long configuration of the legs could be implemented in such a way that the longer leg in each case either securely supports the connecting element on the part to be connected or even strengthens the fastening region and the corresponding region of the part to be connected. Depending on the thickness of the parts to be connected, the connecting elements are advantageously dimensioned accordingly. In other words, the connecting elements and in particular their connecting areas are matched to the respective parts to be connected, so that they can securely receive them or can be securely connected to them.

So that a secure engagement between the connecting elements is now possible, the closed part of the U-profile is advantageously designed as an engagement area in the context of a U-shaped configuration of the connecting element. It is particularly advantageous that this closed part of the U-profile - due to its closed design - is extremely stiff and thus largely withstands mechanical stress. Structurally, this engagement area is now designed in detail so that it has recesses and lugs or the like, so that the connecting elements of the parts to be connected by plugging the engagement areas into one another, ie by inserting the lugs of one connecting element into the recesses of the other connecting element and vice versa, can be brought into engagement. The connecting elements formed in this way can thus be mutually plugged into one another in the sense of a toothing or a zipper and, if appropriate, can be latched into one another in accordance with the configuration 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 such that the connecting elements can be pushed into one another or pushed against one another in the longitudinal direction into the insertion openings after the lugs have been inserted into the recesses. In a particularly advantageous manner, the insertion openings of the connecting elements which can be brought into engagement are complementary to one another. In other words, the one connecting element engages with its insertion openings in the respective insertion opening of the other connecting element. Likewise, the insertion openings of the one connecting element could, 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 correct mutual engagement of the engagement areas is possible.

So that the flat parts that can be connected to one another can now be connected to form a box, a container or the like, the connecting elements have a preferably flat area in the longitudinal direction, with which they protrude beyond the parts assigned to them, possibly on both sides. These flat areas form an attachment for, for example, a pallet and / or a cover or the like at the edge area of the respective parts. Likewise, these flat areas can also form an attachment or a delimitation or a frame for a base and / or a cover. To secure the lid, one could bend these flat areas after inserting the lid or attach further holding means for holding the lid and / or bottom or the like.

The connecting element could overall be designed such that it extends continuously along the entire edge region 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 formed only partially along the edge area of the respective part. Such a configuration would have the advantage that material is saved due to the only partial configuration, this reducing the overall strength of the container.

In particular in the construction of a box, a container or the like. With the device according to the invention, it is a further advantage if the flat parts assigned to the connecting elements brought into engagement are approximately right Form angles to each other, so more or less specify this right angle. As a result, the geometry of the container or packaging would already be predetermined by the device. The connecting elements of the parts connected to each other could each form an edge, so that, for example, the edges of a box can be specified by the connecting elements. At the same time, this represents additional protection against mechanical influences.

If, on the other hand, one wants to use the device according to the invention to join parts into a flat whole, the flat parts assigned to the engaged connecting elements would have to form a surface lying in a common plane. The device according to the invention could already specify this level due to its structural design, so that further adjustment work is not necessary.

So that the connecting elements can now withstand mechanical loads, that is to say, for example, can also be subjected to extreme loads such as bending or torsion, it is a further advantage if the connecting elements are embossed preferably in the longitudinal direction to increase the strength. This embossing could, for example, take the form of a plurality of channels or recesses running parallel to one another. Likewise, the flat areas of the connecting elements projecting beyond the parts could be provided with an embossing to increase the strength, so that on the one hand when the pallet is placed on the other hand, when the lid is placed on the box or the like, no deformations of the connecting elements take place.

In particular with regard to a space-saving storage of the parts that can be assembled into a box, for example, it could be advantageous for the side walls of the box for storage can be further subdivided. It would be particularly advantageous if the parts with the connecting elements attached to them were also designed to be pluggable onto one another. Thus, not only an angled connection or a connection in the longitudinal direction, but rather also a connection of parts relating to the overall height could be achieved with the device according to the invention.

After the structural design of the connecting elements has been discussed so far, the material in question for producing the connecting elements is briefly described below. First of all, the connecting elements can be made of metal. Commercial steel sheet is particularly suitable due to the low price. Likewise, however, the connecting elements can also be made of plastic, in the case of high loads from fiber-reinforced plastic.

The flat parts to be connected are especially made of wood 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 lends itself, whereby the parts should always be reinforced by embossing.

If, on the other hand, the parts are to be connected to form a partition or the like, the parts should have heat-insulating and / or noise-insulating properties. It is particularly advisable to produce the parts as composite parts, namely, for example, in the context of a so-called sandwich technique, to connect wooden panels at a distance from one another by means of a nail tape, a fire-resistant or noise-insulating layer being introduced 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. A standard pallet, for example a Euro pallet, could form the bottom of the container. The parts would then be placed on such a pallet with the outstanding flat areas of the connecting elements. For the purpose of such use, the parts should be dimensioned such that they are approximately matched to the dimensions of standardized pallets. In a further advantageous manner, a cover could be placed on the parts plugged onto the pallet, which in turn is held by the flat areas of the connecting elements which project upwards. Furthermore, it would be particularly advantageous if the pallets with the attached parts can be stacked. For this purpose, the connecting elements as a whole could form a stiffening of the edges required for stacking as well as a contact surface or contact points.

The flat parts to be connected could also form the side walls of a box. On the parts forming the side walls of a box, then, in accordance with the above explanations, either a bottom and possibly a lid would be placed, which is held by the flat areas of the connecting elements which project upwards or downwards.

Furthermore, the flat parts could be put together by means of the device according to the invention to form a partition wall which preferably serves as a room divider. In this regard, reference is made to the above explanations.

Finally, it would also be quite conceivable to assemble the flat parts into a shelving system or the like by means of the device according to the invention, it also being essential here that Parts are either assembled at a given angle or to form a flat surface.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung, teilweise vergrößert, eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum lösbaren Verbinden zweier flächiger Teile, wobei die Teile rechtwinklig miteinander verbunden sind,

Fig. 2

in einem Querschnitt ein Verbindungselement der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen mittels der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 aus Seitenwandungen, Palette und einem Deckel zusammengesetzten Container und

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung aus flächigen Teilen zu einer Trennwand zusammengesetzter Raumteiler.

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

Fig. 1

in a schematic representation, partially enlarged, a device according to the invention for releasably connecting two flat parts, the parts being connected to one another at right angles,

Fig. 2

in a cross section a connecting element of the device of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

in a schematic representation of a container assembled by means of the device from FIG. 1 from side walls, pallet and a cover and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a room divider assembled by means of the device according to the invention from flat parts to form a partition.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for releasably connecting flat parts 1, wherein the flat parts 1 are partially - broken - shown.

According to the invention, the parts 1 to be connected are assigned a connecting element 3 at their edge area 2 facing the other part 1. The connecting elements 3 of the parts 1 to be connected can be brought into engagement in pairs.

1 further shows that the connecting elements 3 have an engagement area 4 for mutual engagement and a fastening area 5. The fastening area 5 serves for fastening to the parts 1.

Fig. 1 indicates 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 from the open side 7 from the bottom 8 of the U Profile is inserted into this and fixed there. Fig. 1 further clearly shows that the connecting elements 3 are clamped to the respective parts 1 by means of their fastening regions 5, that is to say clips 9 have been used for fastening the connecting elements 3 to the parts 1.

Fig. 2 shows the connecting element 3 according to the invention in cross section. The legs 6 of the U-profile are of different lengths, the longer leg 6 having a supporting function on the one hand and a special fastening function on the other.

1 and 2 show together that the connecting elements 3 have correspondingly dimensioned fastening areas 5 depending on the thickness d of part 1.

The enlarged part from 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 lugs 11, so that the connecting elements 3 of the to be connected Parts 1 can be brought into engagement by inserting the engagement areas 4 into one another, ie by inserting the lugs 11 of the one connecting element 3 into the recesses 10 of the other connecting element 3 and vice versa.

The enlarged part from FIG. 1 further clearly shows that the connecting elements 3 have, in addition to the recesses 10 and lugs 11, longitudinal insertion openings 12. Correspondingly, the connecting elements 3 can be pushed into one another or pushed against one another in the longitudinal direction after insertion of the lugs 11 into the recesses 10. As a result, the insertion openings 12 of the engaging connecting elements 3 are designed to be complementary to one another. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the connecting elements 3 are designed to be complementary to one another.

Fig. 1 further shows that the connecting elements 3 protrude in the longitudinal direction with a flat area 13 over the parts 1 assigned to them. The flat areas 13 form a system for a pallet 14 serving as a base and a cover 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 specify 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, however, consist 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 such that they are approximately matched to the dimensions of standardized pallets 14. Furthermore, a cover 15 can be placed on the parts 1 plugged onto the pallet 14 and is held by the flat areas 13 of the connecting elements 3 which project upwards. Such pallets 14 with the attached parts 1 can be stacked easily, not least because of the stiffening caused by the connecting elements 3.

4 finally shows 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 to form a partition wall 16 which serves as a room divider. No further explanations are necessary with reference to the versions relating to right-angled mating, which also apply here accordingly.

In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the essence of the present invention - releasable connection of preferably flat parts by means of connecting elements assigned to the parts to be connected - also with other flat parts - regardless of what type - can be realized.

Claims (11)

Device for the detachable connection of preferably flat parts (1), characterized in that at least one connecting element (3) is assigned to the parts (1) to be connected at their edge region (2) facing the respective other part (1) and that the connecting elements (3 ) of the parts to be connected (1) can be brought into engagement in pairs, that the connecting elements (3) have an engagement region (4) for mutual engagement and a fastening region (5) and that the fastening region (5) for fastening to the parts (1) serves. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are approximately U-shaped, that the legs (6) of the U-profile, which are preferably of different lengths, form the fastening region (5), so that the part (1) of the open side (7) from here at a distance from the bottom (8) of the U-profile and inserted therein that the closed part of the U-profile is designed as an engagement area (4) that the engagement area (4) has recesses ( 10) and lugs (11) and that the connecting elements (3) of the parts to be connected (1) by inserting the engagement areas (4), ie can be brought into engagement by inserting the lugs (11) of the one connecting element (3) into the recesses (10) of the other connecting element (3) and vice versa. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) have, in addition to the recesses (10) and lugs (11), longitudinal insertion openings (12), that the connecting elements (3) after inserting the lugs (11) in the recesses (10) in the longitudinal direction into the insertion openings (12) can be pushed into one another or against one another and that the insertion openings (12) of the connecting elements (3) which can be brought into engagement are complementary to one another or that the connecting elements (3) are designed to be complementary to one another. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) protrude in the longitudinal direction with a preferably flat area (13) over the parts (1) assigned to them and thereby a system or a limitation or a frame for one Form floor or for a pallet (14) and / or a lid (15) or the like. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are nailed, clamped, fastened with screws or the like to the respective parts (1) by means of their fastening areas (5). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting element (3) extends continuously along the entire edge region (2) of the respective part (1). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting element (3) along the edge region (2) of the respective part (1) is partially formed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flat parts (1) assigned to the engaged connecting elements (3) form an approximately right angle to one another. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flat parts (1) assigned to the engaged connecting elements (3) form a surface lying in one plane. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the connecting elements (3) are made of metal, preferably sheet steel. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flat parts (1) form side walls of a box or a container and that the parts (1) are dimensioned such that they are approximately matched to the dimensions of standardized pallets (14) are.

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