EP1020653A1 - Hinge, particularly for connecting ladder stiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The link has two arms swiveling in relation to each other on an axle (4). One of the link-arms forms an outer part (5) with outer shells (7) and support (8). The other link-arm is in the form of an inner part (6) with inner discs (9) and supports (10). At least one spring-loaded locking element is movable radially or tangentially in relation to the link's axle and catches into at least one recess (35,42) in the link-arm. The inner discs have cavities (12,16) through which the locking element extends crosswise to the plane of the inner discs. The locking element operates in conjunction with a lever(25) which swivels on a bearing (33) spaced apart from the link-axle.

Description

The invention relates to a joint, in particular for connection of ladder stiles of a foldable multi-purpose ladder the genus specified in the preamble of claim 1.

DE 32 11 164 C2 is a foldable multi-purpose ladder described, the spars by paired and joints that can be locked in several working positions are connected. These joints point two by one common joint axis pivotable joint parts, wherein one of these joint parts is a double-shell locking disk forms. This locking disc has in the area of its circumference Grooves distributed according to the work schedule. In these grooves engage a spring-loaded locking piece that Purpose of pivoting the joint parts from the grooves is. This locking piece consists of a cross section essentially rectangular bar, the height of which in is approximately equal to the width of the second joint part. The Locking piece is in a recess in the side walls of the guided second joint part and includes one to the Bolt adjoining guide part, the height of which is only slight is smaller than the height of the second joint part, wherein the width is larger than the width of the recess. Around return the locking piece to the locking position, an abutment is provided for the return spring. The locking piece is through one on the second joint part pivoted and with an operating lever connected release lever from the respective groove of the locking disc can be raised. The release levers of the two spars Joints are connected by a rod, so that the locking pieces are unlocked in pairs Arranged joints can be operated simultaneously. The recess has sections of different widths so that a storage surface is formed in which the Latch is held in its disengaged position. The Grooved lock washer is next to the grooves lying noses provided as a stop surface for the Latch of the locking piece is used so that in the direction of folding the spars the locking piece from the shelf is pushed and thus automatically engages in the groove.

The present invention is based on the object Joint of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 to create that simple in structure and inexpensive is in the making.

This object is achieved by a joint with the Features of claim 1 solved.

Some advantages of the invention can be seen in the fact that Joint while maintaining all the necessary functions and meeting security requirements from an extreme there is a small number of individual parts and these individual parts are easy to manufacture and assemble. In addition, the movable elements such as locking member and Lever as well as those required to engage the locking member Recesses in an essentially encapsulated area inside the outer shell, so that the joint from contamination is well protected. Only the slots for the locking members are open to the outside and a handle element or an operating button or a bracket if necessary bilateral actuation from one hand are as movable elements outside the joint.

According to a preferred development of the basic idea the present invention is the lever outside the contour the outer shell in an adjacent to the joint socket Area arranged between the inner panes, this one Lever interacts with one end of a locking slide, who carries at least one locking member. That way the shape of the required parts further simplified, wherein the gate valve in one piece also two Can include locking members that are preferably in alignment with each other are aligned. This way the respective Requirements to be transferred Forces both through the strength of the material used as well as the number of blocking elements become. In order to generate a corresponding restoring force, a spring is preferably provided between the Inner panes is arranged and with one end on the Gate valve works. This is preferably around a leaf or spiral spring, which has an offset of the gate valve attacks.

According to a first embodiment variant, the lever is in the Articulated socket of the inner joint part, the The pivot axis of the lever runs parallel to the hinge axis. It is useful that the lever one between the pivoting cover or guide part and at least one actuator carried by it as well as a bearing bush, the actuators through an opening in the joint socket protrude outwards. With such a configuration is due the defined distance of the lever between them enclosing parts of the joint socket, the thickness of the Corresponds to the cover or guide part with corresponding play, a jamming-free pivoting of the lever ensures and the ingress of dirt is avoided. Is between the actuator and the bearing bush a recess is provided in the lever into which the hook of the gate valve is attached. That way a positive connection between lever and gate valve given.

In another embodiment of the invention is the lever in a cover attached to the inner hinge part stored, the pivot axis of the lever orthogonal runs to the joint axis. It is in the cover a pressure plate acting on the lever is provided, which are firmly connected with a pin mounted in the hinge axis is. This pressure plate is used to unlock the joint, the lever moving the pressure plate in implements a transverse movement of the locking slide.

To the locking member when unfolding the ladder stiles to snap into the recesses automatically is expedient a spring is provided with the gate valve interacts and this in the locking direction charged. The spring can, for example, as a leaf spring or Spiral spring to be formed and is with one of its ends held on the inner pane.

Since the locking members for unlocking or locking essentially be moved radially to the hinge axis the recesses in the inner panes are also essentially radial. There is one in each inner pane Cutouts a narrow section as well as a wider one Section closer to the hinge axis, as well as a between the two sections arranged paragraph on which the locking member can be supported. This paragraph serves to keep the locking member in the unlocked position, so that when folding the ladder stiles the joint parts can be pivoted without the locking members in Snap the intermediate recesses into place. So that position of the Locking member upright when folding the ladder stiles is retained, but in the opposite direction of rotation is lifted, it is advantageous that on sliding surfaces next to each recess in the outer shell radially to Joint axis directed elevation is provided, this Curvature in the direction of the folding of the joint socket the shape of a ramp and in the opposite direction has a steeply rising flank. This part rising edge acts as a stop for the locking member, so that this is pushed away from the paragraph and with it can penetrate into the recess in the outer shell. If provided, the locking members of two joints together at opposite ladder stiles press, one that extends between the joints Bracket provided. It is advantageous to use the temple ends in one formed on the inner joint parts Bearing opening to store each of the two joints. The coat hanger can directly with the actuators of the lever Active connection.

Fig. 1

ein Gelenk in Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 2a bis 2c

drei verschiedene Ansichten eines Sperrschiebers,

Fig. 3a bis 3c

drei verschiedene Ansichten eines Hebels,

Fig. 4

die Innenansicht eines Gelenkes mit inneren und äußeren Gelenkteilen und eingebautem Hebel und Sperrschieber in verriegeltem Zustand des Gelenks in gestreckter Stellung,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung gemäß Fig. 4 in entriegeltem Zustand und einer Stellung der Gelenkstutzen, in der diese einen relativ spitzen Winkel einschließen,

Fig. 6

eine Außenansicht des Gelenks gemäß Fig. 4 mit einem Bügel für die Betätigung des Hebels,

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht des Gelenks gemäß Pfeil VII in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Gelenks in Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 9a und 9b

zwei verschiedene Ansichten eines Hebels,

Fig. 10

eine Außenansicht des Gelenks gemäß Fig. 8,

Fig. 11

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XI-XI in Fig. 10 im verriegelten Zustand,

Fig. 12

eine Darstellung gemäß Fig. 11 im entriegelten Zustand,

Fig. 13

die Ansicht gemäß Linie XIII-XIII in Fig. 10.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

an exploded joint,

2a to 2c

three different views of a gate valve,

3a to 3c

three different views of a lever,

Fig. 4

the inside view of a joint with inner and outer joint parts and built-in lever and locking slide in the locked state of the joint in the extended position,

Fig. 5

4 in the unlocked state and a position of the joint socket, in which they enclose a relatively acute angle,

Fig. 6

4 with a bracket for the actuation of the lever,

Fig. 7

6 shows a view of the joint according to arrow VII in FIG. 6,

Fig. 8

a second embodiment of a joint according to the invention in an exploded view,

9a and 9b

two different views of a lever,

Fig. 10

8 shows an external view of the joint according to FIG. 8,

Fig. 11

10 shows a section along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10 in the locked state,

Fig. 12

11 in the unlocked state,

Fig. 13

the view along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 10th

The joint shown in the exploded view in Fig. 1 consists of an outer joint part 5 and an inner one Joint part 6, the outer joint part 5 consisting of two outer shells 7 with joint piece 8 and the inner joint part 6 formed from two inner disks 9 with joint piece 10 are. The outer shells 7 are in an inward direction Vault provided with a central opening 34 and in the inner panes 9 is one of a passage surrounded central opening 17, which are congruent and through the one hinge axis 4 in the form of a bolt or Rivets is led. The outer joint part 5 and the inner Joint part 6 can be pivoted relative to one another about the joint axis 4. The joint pieces 8 and 10 are to increase the stiffness with beads 18 and for connection with a ladder bar or the like with recesses 19.

The outer shells 7 with the joint pieces 8 are mirror images executed, as are the inner discs 9 with the hinge connector 10 mirror image. The inner panes 9 have a raised edge 37 along their circumference provided so that between the two assembled inner panes 9 a cavity is formed. In this cavity a gate valve 20 is arranged, which is shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c is shown in three views. As Fig. 2a to 2c show, the gate valve 20 is made of a flat material molded in one piece and includes two locking members 24 and 30. There are two between the locking members 24 and 30 Offsets 22. On the beyond the locking member 30 A hook 23 is provided at the end of the locking slide 20, for the positive connection of the gate valve serves with a lever 25.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3a to 3c, the lever comprises 25 a bearing bushing 27 which is on an inner joint part 6 journal formed by material deformation 33 (Fig. 1) is attached, and a cover or guide part 29, which has the shape of a flat plate. At the Cover or guide part 29 is a recess 28 for Hooking the hook 23 of the locking slide 20 is provided. In addition, 29 are on both flat sides of the guide part Actuators 26 arranged that substantially protrude orthogonally from the plate plane and a have such a height that - as shown in FIG. 1 - by Openings 32, which are formed in passages 31 of the joint socket 10 protrude to the outside.

To guide the locking slide 20 in the inner joint part 6 is on the inner disks 9 a parallel to the edge 37 Ring 43 shaped in about radial to the axis of rotation 4 extending recesses 12 and 16 are arranged. In is the cavity formed between the inner panes 9 a spring 11 is used, which on the slide valve 20 in Locking direction works.

The outer shells 7 consist of a cover section 40 and a peripheral edge 39 and at a radial distance this is a ring 36 directed towards the inner disks 9 provided in which recesses 35 are arranged, which form radial slots. In the recesses 35 and 42 can engage the locking members 24 and 30 or be pushed out of these for the purpose of unlocking. Instead of the ring 36, ring segments can also be used corresponding gaps may be provided, the to accommodate the locking members 24, 30 serving spaces have a shape and size comparable to the recesses 35, 42. On the radially inner side of the Arc-shaped recesses 36 is one Slide surface 38 for the locking members 24 during pivoting of the joint parts.

In Fig. 4, a joint 1 is shown, which consists of two joint legs 2 and 3. The joint legs 2 and 3 include Articulated socket 8 and 10, for inclusion in ladder stiles are provided. The two joint legs 2 and 3 have a common hinge axis 4 and are around this pivotable against each other. 4 is the outer shell 7 shown hidden, whereas the inner disc 9 of the joint leg 3 can be seen. It is also shown that the Spring 11 the gate valve 20 on one of its bends 22 loaded and in a direction in which the locking member 24 into a narrow section 13 of the recess 12 is pushed. The locking member 30 is located in the recess 16. The recess 12 also includes a wider one Section 14, which is arranged radially further inside, and a paragraph provided between sections 13 and 14 15. The lever 25 is in this position of the Locking slide 20 in its end position towards the hinge axis 4. The position of the bearing journal 33 can also be seen from FIG. 4, onto which the bearing bush 27 is attached. in the the rest agree with the reference numerals for the same parts those of Fig. 1 match.

4 the joint 1 in the locked position in the extended position of the articulated connectors 8, 10 shows, Fig. 5 shows the arrangement in the unlocked Position, wherein the joint pieces 8 and 10 against each other are pivoted and an angle of approx. Include 30 °. The locking slide is in this position 20 moved transversely to the hinge axis 4, the locking member 24 towards the hinge axis 4 and the locking member 30 from the hinge axis 4 is moved. This takes the position Locking slide 20 when the lever 25 counterclockwise is pivoted about the journal 33, what with With the help of the actuator protruding from the joint 26 takes place. The locking member 24 is complete from the narrow section 13 of the recess 12 in the moved wider section 14, the spring 11 moves due to their direction of force with which they are applied to the bend 22 acts, the locking member 24 somewhat in the circumferential direction of the joint 1 so that the front edge of the locking bolt 24th comes to lie behind paragraph 15. Otherwise, they are correct the reference numerals in Fig. 4 for the same parts with those of the figures described above.

The outer view of the joint 1 shown in FIG. 6 becomes the location of the recesses 35 and 42 for snapping the Locking elements of the locking slide clearly. At 35 denotes the recesses into which this is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 shown locking member 24 engages, and with 42 are Designated recesses provided for the locking member 30 are. Since it is shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 Joint parts 5 and 6 are sheet metal parts are in Fig. 6 shows the inner contours of the outer shell 7. It follows that the sliding surface 38 next to the recesses 35 a radially directed to the hinge axis 4 elevation 44, which on one side in the form of a flat rising ramp 45 and on the other hand as steep rising edge 46 is formed. This steeply rising Flank 46 runs at least approximately parallel to the radial direction, related to the central opening 34 in the Outer shell 7.

Was the joint completely folded and then the joint pieces 8 and 9 are pivoted against each other again, so when a first locking position is reached, which is achieved, for example, at an angle according to FIG. 5 can be, the locking member 24 hits against the flank 46 of the survey 44, so that the locking member 24 within the wide section 14 of the recess 12 shifted in this way is that the locking member 24 is adjacent to paragraph 15. Because of the force of the spring 11, the locking slide 20 is moved, so that the locking member 24 in the recess 35 and the locking member 30 is moved into the recess 42. On this takes place when the joint legs are pivoted apart 2, 3 automatically engages the locking members. In Fig. 6, a bracket 49 is also shown, which with the Actuator 26 interacts, this one Bracket 49 for easier actuation for pivoting the lever 25 is provided. The bracket 49 can in engage the journal 33 if this journal 33 is hollow, for example by sheet metal forming. Instead of the bracket 49 can also be used for one-handed operation of two joints that are opposite to the Posts of a multi-purpose ladder are arranged in pairs, more suitable Bracket may be provided.

Fig. 7 shows a view of the joint 1 in the direction of Arrow VII of Fig. 6. It can be seen that each two outer shells 7, the outer joint part 5 and two inner disks 9 form the inner joint part 6. Otherwise, they are correct the reference numerals in Fig. 7 for the same parts with those of the figures described above.

8 is a second embodiment of the invention Joint shown in an exploded view. This joint 51 comprises an outer joint part 55 and an inner one Joint part 56. The outer joint part 55 is made of two outer shells 57 with adjoining joint piece 58, these are almost identical in terms of their design are with the outer shells 7 of Fig. 1. There are at only no recesses are provided in the articulated socket 58, but only beads. The gate valve 20 and the spring 11 are identical to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2c. the lock slide 20 is also guided in the inner joint part 56 in the same way as in the joint part in Fig. 1. The inner joint part 56 is made of two Inner discs 59 are formed, the upper inner disc in FIG. 8 or an adjoining connecting piece 60 has a recess 61. Protrudes through this recess 61 an arm 62 of a lever 65, which is closer in Fig. 9a and 9b is shown. As a result, the lever includes 65 two arms 62 and 63, each of a bearing bush 64 go out and essentially an angle of about 90 ° lock in.

The arm 62 serves to interpose in a recess 74 to grip the hook 23 and the locking member 30. The outer shells 57 also have central openings 34 and Inner discs 59 central openings 17 through which a Hollow rivet is guided as a hinge axis 54. There are also two Screws 66 provided through screw holes 67 in Joint socket 60 are inserted to 68 in threaded sleeves a cover 70 to be screwed. This cover 70 covers the upper outer shell 57 and extends over an essential part of the joint socket 60. Die Cover 70 has a bore 71 for receiving a pressure plate 72 is used, which in the bore 71st is movable. There is a on the pressure plate 72 Coaxially arranged on this pin 73, which in the as a hinge axis 54 serving rivet is guided.

Fig. 10 shows a plan view of the hinge 51 that from there are two joint legs 52 and 53. From this illustration the shape and extent of the cover 70 can be seen, being central to the substantially circular Section of the cover 70 arranged the pressure plate 72 is.

FIG. 11 shows a section along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10. It can be seen that the lever 65 with its bearing bush 64 mounted on a pin 69 in the cover 70 is. The arm 63 of the lever 65 engages under it Pressure plate 72, whereas the arm 62 through the recess 61 protrudes and into the 30 formed between hook 23 and locking member Deepening takes hold. The locking member 30 is located in the recess 42 and the locking member 24 in the recess 35, that is, Fig. 11 shows the locked position. In this position, the pressure plate 72 takes its upper end position and the pin 73 closes at least approximately flush with the underside of the joint 51.

To unlock the joint 51, the pressure plate 72 in bore 71 of cover 70 pushed in as shown in FIG Fig. 12 is shown. As a result, the lever 65 with his two arms 62 and 63 pivoted, whereby the Gate valve 20 is shifted to the left in Fig. 12, so that the locking members 24 and 30 out of engagement with the recesses 35 and 42 arrive. In this position the Pin 73 out of the outer joint part 55 clearly, so that it is easy to see from the outside that the joint 51 is in the unlocked position. The provision the locking slide 20 is carried out as in the arrangement 1 to 7 by the spring 11 shown in FIG. 8.

Fig. 13 shows a view along line XIII-XIII, wherein it is essentially an exterior view and only a section through the mounting arrangement the cover 70 is guided on the joint 51. It is from it can be seen that the screws 66 from below through the Screw holes 67 inserted and in the cover 70th molded threaded sleeves 68 are rotated.

Claims (11)

Joint, in particular for connecting ladder bars of a collapsible multi-purpose ladder with two joint legs (2, 3; 52, 53) which can be pivoted relative to one another about an axis (4, 54), each of which consists of molded parts assembled in pairs, one of the joint legs (2, 52) forms an outer joint part (5, 55) with outer shells (7, 57) and a joint socket (8, 58), and the other joint leg (3, 53) as an inner joint part (6, 56) with inner disks (9, 59) and Articulated socket (10, 60), and with at least one spring-loaded locking member (24, 30) which can be moved essentially radially or tangentially to the joint axis (4, 54) and in at least one recess (35, 42) of the joint leg (2, 52) can be snapped into place,
characterized in that recesses (12, 16) are provided in the inner disks (9, 59), and the locking member (24, 30) extends transversely to the plane of the inner disks (9, 59) through the recesses (12, 16), the locking member (24, 30) cooperating with a lever (25, 65) which is pivotable about a bearing (33, 69) arranged at a distance from the articulation axis (4, 54). Joint according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one recess (35, 42) is arranged in the outer shell (7, 57) such that at least one locking member (24, 30) in the direction of the hinge axis (4, 54) from the recess (35, 42 ) can be pushed out. Joint according to claim 1,
characterized in that the lever (25) is mounted in the joint socket (10) of the inner joint part (6), the pivot axis of the lever (25) running parallel to the joint axis (4) and the lever (25) with a locking slide ( 20) interacts. Joint according to claim 3,
characterized in that the lever (25) comprises a cover or guide part (29) which can be pivoted between the articulated connections (10) and at least one actuating element (26) carried by the latter and a bearing bush (27), the actuating elements (26) being provided with an opening (32) protrudes outwards into the joint socket (10). Joint according to claim 1,
characterized in that the lever (65) is mounted in a cover (70) attached to the inner joint part (56), the pivot axis of the lever (65) being orthogonal to the joint axis (54) and the lever (65) with a Gate valve (20) interacts. Joint according to claim 5,
characterized in that in the cover (70) a pressure plate (72) acting on the lever (65) is provided, which is fixedly connected to a pin (73) mounted in the hinge axis (54), the pin (73) being self-supporting is in the locked position of the joint (51) within the contour of the joint and protrudes clearly recognizable from the joint in the unlocked position. Joint according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that a spring (11) is arranged between the inner disks (9, 59), which is held on the one hand on the inner disks (9, 59) and on the other hand acts on the locking slide (20). Joint according to one of claims 3 to 7,
characterized in that the locking slide (20) comprises two locking members (24, 30) which are aligned with one another. Joint according to one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that a recess (12) is provided in each of the inner disks (9) which extends essentially in the radial direction and has a narrow section (13) and a wider section (14) with a shoulder (15) located between them . Joint according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the outer shells (7) have a circumferential edge (39) directed towards the inner shells (9) and in that at a radial distance from the edge (39) a ring (36) directed towards the inner pane with recesses (35, 42) is provided or ring segments are provided with corresponding gaps, which serve to receive the locking members (24, 30). Joint according to claim 10,
characterized in that sliding surfaces (61) are formed on the radial inside of the ring (36) and, in addition to at least one recess in the outer shell (7), there is an elevation (44) directed radially to the hinge axis (4), this elevation (44 ) has a steeply rising flank (46) in the direction of the unfolding of the joint sockets and has the shape of a ramp (45) in the opposite direction.

Images