EP1033442B1 - Device for bridging expansion joints in roadways - Google Patents

Abstract

The finger plate (7) for spanning an expansion joint in a roadway has cavities (10) in which bridging components (13) are arranged that extend from the base (14) of the cavity between the fingers (9) in the direction of their length over the finger point(15). An Independent claim is included for a device for spanning an expansion joint in a roadway.

Description

The invention relates to finger plates for bridging expansion joints or to a device for bridging expansion joints in roadways, as described in the preambles of claims 1 and 9.

To be able to compensate for strains between two different parts of the structure, such as the abutment and the structure of a bridge, these expansion joints are bridged by inserted finger joints. In such known from the prior art arrangements, however, at low temperatures, a distance between the fingertips and the opposite base of the recess is so large that the traffic safety or ride comfort of cyclists is substantially reduced. Furthermore, it is also necessary to reduce this distance for traffic safety reasons to meet any regulatory requirements for bicycle traffic.

The DE 1 237 159 B shows a device for bridging expansion joints of bridges or the like., Which has connected to the edges of both adjacent to the joint roadway parts, comb-like interdigitated fingers and in which in the gap between the root and of two Fingers formed groove and the end face of engaging in the groove finger cover means are arranged in the form of a sheet-metal plate or a roll closure.

The present invention has for its object to significantly increase the ride comfort and traffic safety for cyclists when crossing devices for bridging expansion joints.

This object of the invention is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. By arranging bridging arrangements in the recesses, the distance between the fingertips of the fingers of a finger plate and the bases of the recesses between the fingers of another finger plate can be reduced. Such a bridging element is easy to install or easy to replace in the event of fatigue. The surprising advantage of this solution lies in the fact that the bridging element or the spring leaf in each position of the finger plates to each other adapts to the circumstances and so is given optimal safety for a cyclist. This is achieved with a simple construction that does not require any major structural changes and is self-sufficient to the alternating intervals between the finger plates.

Also advantageous are other embodiments according to claims 2 to 5, whereby an optimal meshing of the two finger plates is made possible and so optimal bridging the expansion joint is made possible without larger openings.

Due to the construction according to claim 6, it is possible that the bridging element optimally covers the expansion of the recess between the fingers and so accidentally entering a wheel of a bicycle can be avoided secured.

Also advantageous is a development according to claim 7, whereby an easy replacement of a tired bridging element is possible.

Through the development according to claim 8 ensures that the bridging element or the spring leaf is loaded only by narrow tires of preferably bicycles and is not burdened when crossing the lock-up device of vehicles with wider tires, whereby the life of such a bridging element can be substantially increased.

The object of the invention is also achieved independently by the characterizing features of claim 9. The advantage here is that the bridging elements, which are arranged in the recesses of a finger plate, are guided or deformed by the fingers of the other finger plate and so no further structural changes to the bridging device must be made.

Advantageously, an embodiment according to claims 10 to 14, wherein here an optimal deformation or guidance of the bridging element or the spring leaf is achieved and in turn can increase the life of such a bridging element.

But are also possible embodiments according to claims 15 and 16, which can achieve other advantageous embodiments of the bridging element or the fingers of the finger plates.

But are also advantageous embodiments according to claims 17 and 18, whereby a positional fixation of the bridging element against the fingers of the finger plate can be realized and so no unwanted noise or loosening of the bridging elements can arise.

Due to the advantageous embodiment of claim 19, the advantage can be achieved that under adverse circumstances, a material fatigue of the bridging element can be compensated by the arrangement of an additional spring device and the necessary bias of the bridging elements can be ensured in the bridging devices.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Überbrücken einer Dehnfuge mit in Fahrbahnlängsrichtung quer liegenden Fingerplatten in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung;

Fig. 2

die erfindungsgemäßen Fingerplatten der Vorrichtung zum Überbrücken einer Dehnfuge bei einem Temperaturbereich, der in etwa der Raumtemperatur entspricht, in Draufsicht;

Fig. 3

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in Seitenansicht geschnitten;

Fig. 4

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung nach Fig. 3 bei einer Temperatur weit unter dem Gefrierpunkt, in der Seitenansicht geschnitten;

Fig. 5

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung nach Fig. 3 bei einer Temperatur über der Raumtemperatur, in Seitenansicht geschnitten;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, in Seitenansicht geschnitten;

Fig. 7

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, in Seitenansicht geschnitten;

Fig. 8

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, in Seitenansicht geschnitten.

Show it:

Fig. 1

the device according to the invention for bridging an expansion joint with finger plates lying transversely in the roadway longitudinal direction in a schematically simplified representation;

Fig. 2

the finger plates according to the invention of the device for bridging an expansion joint at a temperature range which corresponds approximately to the room temperature, in plan view;

Fig. 3

the device according to the invention of Figure 2 cut in side view.

Fig. 4

the device according to the invention of Figure 3 at a temperature well below freezing, cut in side view.

Fig. 5

the device according to the invention of Figure 3 at a temperature above the room temperature, cut in side view.

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, cut in side view;

Fig. 7

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, cut in side view;

Fig. 8

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in Side view cut.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals and component names. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as up, down, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figures and are mutatis mutandis transferred to the new situation in a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

FIG. 1 shows a bridging device 1 for bridging expansion joints 2 in a roadway 3, in particular on bridges between an abutment 4 and a supporting structure 5 of a bridge 6.

According to FIG. 1, this bridging device 1 consists of finger plates 7 arranged on the supporting structure 5, the bridge 6 or the abutment 4 of the roadway 3. These finger plates 7 in turn consist of a supporting plate 8 and fingers 9 protruding beyond this supporting plate 8 in the longitudinal direction of the roadway The fingers 9 of a finger plate 7 recesses 10 are formed, which serve for receiving the fingers 9 of the further finger plate 7.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the bridging device 1 for bridging an expansion joint 2 between the abutment 4 and the supporting structure 5 of a bridge 6 is shown.

In principle, it should be noted here that the special design of the fingers 9, the recesses 10 and the bridging element 16 are shown and described only in some areas of the embodiments. Of course, the embodiments are also applicable to the entire bridging device or they can be used only in some areas of the lock-up device.

As shown here, the fingers 9 having finger plates 7 are fastened by means of fastening devices 11 on the abutment 4 and the supporting structure 5 of the bridge 6, wherein the finger plates 7 holder fixing devices 11 in turn via connecting elements 12 in the abutment 4 and the supporting structure fifth the bridge 6 are poured. As is apparent from Fig. 2, are between the fingers 9, the recesses 10 are arranged, which allow a meshing of the fingers 9 in a change in length of the bridge 6 due to temperature influences. In the recesses 10 between the fingers 9 now bridging arrangements 13 are arranged which extend projecting from a base 14 of the recess 10 between the fingers 9 of the finger plate 7 in the finger longitudinal direction via fingertips 15. The bridging arrangement 13 is in this case designed as a bridging element 16 or as an elastically designed spring leaf 17, which is fastened by fastening means 18 on the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7. Basically, it should be noted that the spring leaves 17 can be mounted on any of the known fastening methods on the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7.

The support plate 8 of the finger plate 7, starting from the base 14 of the recess 10 in the direction of the fastening devices 11 extending recesses 19 which serve to receive or fastening the bridging elements 16 and the spring leaves 17. A depth 20 of this recess 19 is preferably slightly larger than a thickness 21 of the spring leaf 17, whereby one of the lane 3 facing top 22 of the spring leaf 17 is slightly offset from a road surface 23 is arranged.

In such a bridging device 1, it is possible that a measured transverse to the longitudinal direction of the finger width 24 of the fingers 9 over its entire length is the same, at the same time measured transverse to the finger longitudinal direction opening width 25 of the recesses 10 equal to or greater than the measured width 24 in the same direction the finger 9 is formed.

It is advantageous, however, that the width 24 of the fingers 9 is reduced by the support plate 8 in the direction of the fingertips 15 and at the same time increases the opening width 25 of the recesses 10 of the base 14 in the direction of the fingertips 15.

In order to be able to arrange the bridging element 16 or the spring leaf 17 in the recesses 10 between the fingers 9, it is advantageous to form a width 26 of the bridging element 16 or of the spring leaf 17 equal to or slightly smaller than an opening width 25 of the recesses 10. The spring leaf 17 may now have over its entire length the same width 26, but may also be in the direction of the fingertips 15 widening or tapering formed, however, an approximately adapted to the recess 10 shape is advantageous to the most accurate coverage of the recess 10th to achieve. The spring leaf 17 is further in which the finger 9 receiving support plate 8 of the finger plate 7 attached via releasable fastening means 18, so that the spring leaf 17 and the bridging element 16 can be replaced at any time if necessary.

As can further be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, each recess 10 of a finger plate 7 is arranged opposite a corresponding finger 9 of the further finger plate 7 in the longitudinal direction of the roadway and at the position as described in FIGS. 2 and 3 Distance 27 from the base 14 of the recess 10 spaced. In order to compensate for any known heat-specific expansions or shrinkages of bridges 6 between the abutment 4 and the structure 5, such finger joints are used, wherein the change in length of the bridge 6 over the distance 27 between the fingertip 15 of the finger 9 and the base 14 of Recess 10 is regulated. The definition of the maximum permissible gap width or distance 27 is usually made via information in the invitation to tender or corresponding technical standards or legal requirements.

In such finger joints or bridging devices 1, dangerous situations may arise due to the distance 27 between the fingertips 15 of the fingers 9 and the bases 14 of the recesses 10, in particular for cyclists, if a wheel penetrates into the bridging device 1 in the region of the distance 27. To prevent such dangerous situations for cyclists, the fingers 9 on the side facing away from its upper side 28 29 of the fingertip 15 in the direction of the finger 9 receiving support plate 8 of the finger plate 7 inclined to the top 28 extending guide surface 30. As is the case here, the bridging device 1 has at least two finger plates 7 which are arranged in mirror images of one another and which are offset by the extent of the width 24 of a finger 9 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the finger. Here, the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17, which is arranged between the fingers 9 of a finger plate 7, guided by the fingers 9 of the further finger plate 7 in a direction away from the top 28 of the finger 9 direction or formed deformable and vice versa.

By the arrangement of the guide surface 30 on the underside 29 of the fingers 9 and by the projection of the fingers 9 by the bridging element 16, the bridging element 16 comes to rest on the underside 29 of the fingers 9 and on the guide surface 30 and is opposite to the top 28 of Fingers 9 deformed.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a position of the bridging device 1 or of the two finger plates 7 relative to one another which corresponds approximately to a temperature range of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. It can be seen that the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 is deformed in the change in length of the bridge 6 by the influence of temperature by the guide surface 30 on the bottom 29 of the finger 9 down to the top 28 opposite, as it slides along the guide surface 30 slides. Due to the resilient design of the bridging element 16 and of the spring leaf 17, this exerts a bias on the guide surface 30 or on the underside 29 of the finger 9, whereby it can withstand a load on a bicycle which strikes the spring leaf in the region of the distance 27 and so can absorb this load without further deformation. This has the consequence that the tire of the bicycle can not enter the free space of the distance 27, so that the safety for cyclists when crossing such bridging devices 1 can be substantially increased.

This is achieved in that that portion of the spring leaf 17, which is not surmounted by the finger 9 of the other finger plate 7, strives to equalize the top 28 of the adjacent finger 9 by its bias and so the sinking of a wheel of a bicycle as low as is possible. In addition, the upper side 28 of the fingers 9 is designed as a roadway surface 23 and the bridging element 16 or the spring leaf 17 with its surface 23 facing the road surface 23 is slightly recessed relative to the upper side 28 of the fingers 9. By this training, the advantage can be achieved that the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 by other road users, such. Cars or trucks, is not charged, since tires of such vehicles are wider than an opening width 25 of the recesses 10, whereby premature fatigue of the material of the spring leaf 17 is additionally avoided.

As indicated further in FIG. 3, a scraper 31, which consists of a non-metallic material, preferably of plastic or polyamide, can be arranged on the underside 29 of the finger 9 or on the guide surface 30, as a result of which the undersides 29 of the fingers are corroded 9 can be avoided by the contact with the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17.

It should also be noted that for the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 each of the above-described requirements fulfilling material can be used.

3, between the abutment 4 and the supporting structure 5 of the bridge 6, a collecting device 32 is arranged, wherein this collecting device 32 is made of a flexible material and is fixed on the abutment 4 and the supporting structure 5 of the bridge 6 and for collecting and discharging liquids passing through the recesses 10 between the fingers 9.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, approximately the maximum expansion or shrinkage states of the bridge 6 are now shown. The representation of FIG. 4 corresponds approximately to a temperature of minus 35 degrees Celsius and the representation of FIG. 5 approximately at a temperature of plus 45 degrees.

The illustration of Figs. 4 and 5 substantially correspond to the representation of Fig. 3, whereby a further detailed description of the details is omitted, since the same reference numerals are used for the same parts.

The bridging device 1 in this case has the maximum distance 27 in FIG. 4, which is achieved at a temperature range of approximately minus 35 degrees Celsius. In this position, the fingertips 15 overlap just transversely to the longitudinal direction of the finger and in that the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 extends in the finger longitudinal direction over the fingertips 15, this in turn comes to the bottom 29 of the opposite finger 9 and on the guide surface 30 to the plant.

Since one of the guide surface 30 associated end portion 33 of the spring leaf 17 and the bridging element 16 rests in this position, the bridging device 1 rather in the fingertip 15 on the guide surface 30, the deformation of the spring leaf 17 is correspondingly low and thereby allows almost two One third of the distance 27 between the base 14 of the recess 10 and the fingertip 15 of the opposite finger 9 can be completely bridged by the spring leaf 17. In the area of the remaining third, a depth 34 between the upper side 28 of the finger 9 and the upper side 22 of the spring leaf 17 is so small that the ride comfort or traffic safety of a cyclist entering this area is hardly appreciably impaired.

5, the position of the largest extension of the bridge 6 is now shown, in which the distance 27 between the base 14 of the recess 10 and the fingertip 15th of the opposite finger 9 has the lowest value. In this position of the supporting structure 5 and the abutment 4, the bridging element 16 or the spring leaf 17 undergoes the greatest deflection by the opposite finger 9, so that the spring leaf 17 protrudes with respect to a bottom 29 of the opposite finger 9.

In this position, the distance 27 is very low or is bridged in addition to a part by the spring leaf 17, so that here negative influences on the bicycle traffic when crossing such bridging devices 1 can be excluded in their entirety. The nature of the material of the spring leaf 17 is designed so that the spring leaf 17 undergoes no permanent deformation in such a position of the Überbrükkungsvorrichtung 1 and at an increase in the distance 27 by temperature influence again while maintaining the bias against the guide surface 30 of the finger 9 becoming larger Distance 27 sufficiently covers.

As indicated by dashed lines, it is again possible in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 to arrange a scraper 31 on the guide surface 30 of the finger 9, which at the same time can serve as protection for the steel surface provided with a normal coating, since there is no metallic contact between the bridging element 16 or spring leaf 17 and the finger 9 takes place. Additional advantages by the arrangement of the scraper 31 can be achieved by minimizing the wear of the fingers 9 and the spring leaves 17 and by excluding the formation of a noise during an adjustment movement of the lock-up device 1. In addition, on the road surface 23 remote from the underside of the bridging device 1, as already described in the preceding figure, a collecting device 32 for discharging passing through the recesses 10 liquids or impurities provided.

The thickness 21 - see Fig. 3 - of the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 can of course be chosen arbitrarily, but it makes sense to keep them as low as possible in order to bring about no impairment of the function of the bridging device 1. The goal here is to form the bridging element 16 or the spring leaf 17 made of spring steel in order to achieve the necessary restoring properties of the spring leaf 17, however, it is possible to other materials having the same properties or approximately the same properties are used here to let. Also, the attachment of the bridging elements 16 run on the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7 arbitrarily, which ensures a function of the lock-up device 1 according to the invention.

Of course, it is also possible to support the restoring properties of the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 to ensure proper functioning. For this purpose, it is possible to arrange on a lower side 35 of the bridging element 16 a spring device 36 which increases the prestressing of the bridging element 16 in the direction of the upper side 28 of the fingers 9 or the pressure of the bridging element 16 against the guide surface 30. This spring device 36 is shown schematically in dashed lines in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and presses on the underside 35 of the bridging element 16 via a piston 38 acted upon by a spring 37 and thus increases the prestressing of the bridging element 16 relative to the guide surface 30 of the finger 9th

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment variant of the bridging device 1 or another embodiment of the fingers 9 guiding or deflecting the bridging elements 16 or spring leaves 17.

FIG. 6 now shows a partial region of the bridging device 1. In this embodiment, the fingers 9 opposite the bridging elements 16 have a cavity 39 extending from the fingertip 15 in the direction of the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7 or extending into it, which cavity is in the adjustment of the two finger plates 7 for receiving and guiding the finger plates 7 Bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 is used. This cavity 39 may have the same width as the bridging element 16, but preferably a height 40 of the cavity 39 is greater than the thickness 21 of the spring leaf 17 to allow movement of the spring leaf 17 or an adjustment thereof in the cavity 39.

The cavity 39 extends in its longitudinal direction from the fingertip 15, starting from the base 14 of the recess 10 out into the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7 in order to ensure a complete recording of the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 at the lowest possible distance 27. The leadership of the bridging element 16 is carried out in this embodiment by a leading edge 41, which lies in the region of the fingertip 15 of the finger 9, which in turn makes sense to arrange a scraper 31 to the already to be able to turn off mentioned disadvantages.

In FIG. 7, the fingers 9 facing the bridging elements 16 and the spring leaves 17 are designed as U-shaped or C-shaped profiles 42 which are open at the bottom or on their lower side 29. As a result of the formation of the fingers 9 in the area of the fingertips 15, they again have a leading edge 41, which in turn can be provided with a scraper 31, which serves to guide or deflect the bridging element 16 or the spring leaf 17. Through the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to dispense with the guide surface 30 - see previous figures - which runs at an angle in the direction of the support plate 8 of the finger plate 7, since this is replaced by the guide edges 41. This advantageous embodiment, the fingers 9, as known from the prior art, are made more stable, as can be seen from the illustrations. By this more stable formation of the fingers 9, it is also possible to form the fingers 9 with the cavity 39 and the fingers 9 themselves as at its bottom 29 open U- or C-profiles 42 form.

By offset in the direction of the road surface 23 leading edge 41, a deformation of the bridging element 16 is reduced or a deflection in the direction of the bottom 29 of the fingers 9 is lower, creating an even better coverage of the distance 27 between the base 14 of the recess 10 and the fingertip 15 of the opposite finger 9 is achieved. Also, the depth 34 between the road surface 23 and the top 22 of the bridging element 16 can be reduced, whereby the traffic safety and ride comfort for a cyclist can be substantially increased.

In the illustration of Fig. 7, the bridging element 16 and the spring leaf 17 is guided transversely to the finger longitudinal direction between two legs 43 of the U- or C-profile 42, which in addition a lateral deflection of the bridging element 16 can be secured secured, as well as in the embodiment of Fig. 6 is the case.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment variant of the bridging device 1 according to the invention, in which case the guide surface 30 is concave on the underside 29 of the finger 9, ie the guide surface 30 forms an arc whose vertex 44 is the top 28 of the finger 9 is facing.

Due to the concave design of the guide surface 30, the spring leaf 17 is convexly deformed or guided. Through this advantageous embodiment, a gentler guidance of the bridging element 16 or of the spring leaf 17 is provided by the bottom 29 of the finger 9 or by the guide surface 30, whereby the life of such a bridging element 16 can be substantially increased. In addition, the load on the bridging element 16 can be reduced in that the contact surface is formed not only linear, but flat.

Finally, it should be noted that it is of course also possible to recessed such bridging elements 16 on the top 28 of the fingers 9 of the finger plates 7 and bias this tool 16 bridging elements 16 in the direction of the top 28 of the fingers 9. Furthermore, the bridging element 16 can also have a C, U or T-shaped cross section.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the finger plates or bridging devices according to the invention, these or their components have been shown partially unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

Above all, the individual in Figs. 1; 2, 3; 4, 5; 6, 7; 8 embodiments form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

bridging device

2

expansion joint

3

roadway

4

abutment

5

Structure

6

bridge

7

finger plate

8th

support plate

9

finger

10

recess

11

fastening device

12

connecting element

13

bridging arrangement

14

Base

15

fingertip

16

bridging element

17

spring leaf

18

fastener

19

recess

20

depth

21

thickness

22

top

23

road surface

24

width

25

opening width

26

width

27

distance

28

top

29

bottom

30

guide surface

31

scraper

32

catcher

33

end

34

depth

35

bottom

36

spring means

37

feather

38

piston

39

cavity

40

height

41

leading edge

42

profile

43

leg

44

vertex

Claims (19)

1. Finger plate for bridging expansion joints in roadways, on bridges or similar, in which recesses (10) are provided in the finger plate between the fingers (9) and bridging arrangements (13) are disposed in the recesses (10), which extend outwards from a base (14) of the recess (10) between the fingers (9) of the finger (plate (7) in the finger longitudinal direction beyond the finger tips (15) and are formed by a bridging element (16) secured to a support plate (8) of the finger plate (7), characterised in that the bridging element (16) is provided in the form of a leaf spring (17) preferably made from spring steel.
2. Finger plate as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a width (24) of the fingers (9) measured transversely to the finger longitudinal direction is of constant size.
3. Finger plate as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that an opening width (25) of the recess (10) measured transversely to the finger longitudinal direction is the same size as or bigger than the width (24) of the fingers (9) measured in the same direction.
4. Finger plate as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the width (24) of the fingers (9) becomes smaller from a support plate (8) in the direction towards the finger tips (15).
5. Finger plate as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening width (25) of the recesses (10) becomes bigger from their base (14) in the direction towards the finger tips (15).
6. Finger plate as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a width (26) of the bridging element (16) is the same size as or slightly smaller than an opening width (25) of the recesses (10).
7. Finger plate as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the leaf spring (17) is replaceably secured in the support plate (8) of the finger plate (7) accommodating the fingers (9) by means of releasable fixing means (18)
8. Finger plate as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the finger plate (7) has a top face in the form of a road surface (23) and the leaf spring (17) is disposed with its top face (22) directed towards the road surface (23) but recessed relative to the top face (28) of the fingers (9).
9. Device for bridging expansion joints in roadways, bridges or similar, with at least two finger plates as claimed in one of the preceding claims disposed in mirror image, which finger plates are offset transversely to the finger longitudinal direction by the dimension of a width of a finger, characterised in that the leaf spring (17) of the bridging element (16) is guided by the fingers (9) of the other finger plate (7) in a direction remote from the top face (28) of the fingers (9) or is deformable.
10. Device as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the fingers (9) have a guide surface (30) on the bottom face (29) facing away from the top face (28), extending at an angle with respect to the top face (28) from the finger tip (15) in the direction towards the support plate (8) accommodating the fingers (9).
11. Device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the guide surface (30) is concave.
12. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the finger tips (15) of the fingers (9) taper in an arrow-shaped design.
13. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the leaf spring (17) is convexly deformed by the guide surface (30).
14. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that a cavity (39) is provided in the fingers (9) for accommodating the bridging element (16).
15. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterised in that the bridging element (16) is provided in the form of a section with a T-shaped cross-section.
16. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 15, characterised in that the fingers (9) or bridging elements (16) have a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.
17. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 16, characterised in that the bridging element (16) is biased in the direction of the top face (28) of the fingers (9).
18. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 17, characterised in that the bridging element (16) is biased away from the top face (28) of the fingers (9).
19. Device as claimed in one or more of claims 9 to 18, characterised in that, in order to increase the biasing action of the bridging element (16) in the direction of the top face (28) of the fingers (9), a spring mechanism (36) co-operates with the bridging elements (16).

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