EP1196064B1 - System of supporting bars - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system of supporting bars for hanging articles or fixing a rack, comprising a support bar (1) and a socket (2) with a bushing (22). The support bar (1) can be inserted and locked in place in an axial plug-in opening (22) that extends through the bushing (22). The socket (2) is placed on the front face of a support structure or inserted in a through-opening in said support structure. The support bar (1) is provided with an insert end (10) at its very front that has a hooked contour (15) and that is adapted to provide a form-fit link with a spring element (23) in the plug-in opening (22). The inserted support bar (1) is locked in place by locking the spring element (23) into the hook contour (15). The spring element (23) is leaf-shaped and extends in one part from the bushing (21). The spring element (23) adjoins the bushing (21) with a web (235) that radially projects into the plug-in opening (22). A vertically flexible tongue (230) adjoins the web (235) at an angle and with an axial extension along the plug-in opening (22). Said tongue (230) has a wedge-shaped contour (231) that is complementary to the hooked contour (15). The socket (2) and the spring element (23) are preferably configured as a single piece plastic molded part while the support bar (1) usually consists of metal.

Description

The invention relates to a support rod assembly for suspending articles or for holding a tray with an insertable into a support structure plug-in receptacle and a plug-in in this carrier rod. Panels, back panels and columns are typical support structures. Such support bar arrangements are used primarily in shops and at exhibitions for the presentation of goods. The support bar assemblies are also used for attaching decorative or shielding and as a holder for information carrier. The articles to be held - e.g. Clothing articles, accessories and packages of goods - can be attached directly to the carrier bar or the carrier bar forms a console for the actual carrier which has a tray attached to one or more carrier bars, e.g. in the form of a crossbar, a tray, a box or a basket, can be.

State of the art

Especially for shop and trade fair equipment is nowadays a great variability, aesthetic design but also cost-effective solution for support bar arrangements desirable. Such a support rod assembly is in the EP 0 716 825 B1 disclosed. The sockets are used individually or systematically distributed in a rear wall. The support rod assembly consists of a plug-in receptacle and a support rod, which in the plug-in receptacle with a few simple steps can be inserted or released from this. It is possible to put the plug-in receptacle on a presentation wall forward or backward or insert it into a wall. Likewise, it is provided to put the plug-in receptacle in or on a shelf component. The support rod has a plug-in plate and a piece of pipe attached thereto. In the angled state, the plug-in plate can be inserted through the window-like insertion opening into the housing and locked after a slight displacement behind bounce edges. The piece of pipe itself is used for attaching goods, or it is held on a goods carrier. Also, a goods carrier can sit on the pipe sections of several adjacent support bars or can several pieces of pipe by means Connect crossbars. For this purpose, systematically distributed plug-in receptacles are attached. This support bar arrangement has proven itself very well. However, it is primarily designed for square-shaped plug receptacles and vordemst requires on the support bar a plug-in board. The design principle requires a certain minimum size of the components and you need by the tilting of the support bar when switching on and notching a certain freedom of movement.

On the same principle, the support rod assembly is based on the DE 299 21 495 U1 , wherein the insertion opening is located in a sleeve piece, which is surrounded by a recessed Aufsetzflansch. In the assembled state, the mounting flange comes to lie on the back of the support structure, while the sleeve piece protrudes into an opening prepared in the support structure.

The DE 299 22 163 U1 has a support rod assembly to the object, which consists of a insertable into a support structure housing-shaped plug-in receptacle and a plug-in support rod therein. The plug-in receptacle has an insertion opening which extends between a front entry and a rear boundary. The insertion has a chamfer at the top, which rises to the entrance, upwards and thereby forms an upper margin. At the bottom, the insertion opening has a slope that slopes down towards the boundary, thereby forming a lower clearance. Furthermore, the insertion opening at the top has an undercut, which is upstream of the boundary in the direction of entry. The carrier has at least one insertable into the insertion tongue, which has an upwardly directed hook, which is intended to engage in the undercut. The insertion is in turn in a sleeve piece, which is surrounded by a reset Aufsetzflansch. In the assembled state of the Aufsetzflansch lies on the back of the support structure and the sleeve piece protrudes into an opening prepared in the support structure.

Another proven support bar arrangement is in the WO97 / 26809 proposed. This arrangement also consists of a plug-in in the few handles a support rod is inserted. The type of plug-in receptacles, primarily round in shape, can be used directly in a rear wall or in a panel. Also possible is the rear attachment to the panel or on or on a shelf component. The pipe-shaped support rod has a latching mechanism arranged in its plug-in end with an actuatable lever element which has a movable latching pawl. This latch claws in the assembled state for locking in a provided in the socket engaging engagement contour. Here, no plug-in board is needed at the front of the carrier bar. The plug-in receptacle has a relatively simple inner contour and can therefore be produced inexpensively. However, arranged in the plug locking mechanism increases the design effort and requires corresponding cavity in the mating end, so that the components must have a certain dimension.

Finally is from the WO 99/20094 a support rod assembly known, which consists of a recorded from a support structure in a breakthrough receptacle and a plug-in in this carrier rod. The socket has a capsule-like shape and can be fixed in a wall, in a panel or in a shelf component. At the mating end of the support rod a hook contour is provided, which serves in the socket for fixing. In the socket is a projecting into the insertion opening leaf spring, which is pushed onto a tongue portion of the socket. When inserting the carrier rod engages a V-shaped contoured portion of the leaf spring in the hook contour on the support rod. The socket has a front mounting flange, while at the rear a threaded portion is present. The socket is usually inserted into a hole in a panel, so that the Aufsetzflansch can be supported on the front panel at the edge of the hole. On the back of the panel, the protruding thread section is screwed to a locknut. This socket is made with the main body, the lock nut and the leaf spring inserted from three components, so that the production requires considerable effort.

Object of the invention

Starting from the support rod assembly according to the WO 99/20094 , The invention has the object, while maintaining the support rod with the hook contour at the mating end to simplify the receptacle and thus reduce the manufacturing cost. The socket must be as easy as possible to be mounted on a rear wall, a panel, a shelf component or other support structure. The internal configuration of the socket for Fixation of the inserted support rod should have a low-cost, but functionally reliable shape. Nevertheless, the support bars must sit securely in the plug-in receptacles and appear aligned without great installation effort in a row arrangement. Several support bars should combine or be provided with goods trays, such as shelves or open boxes.

The support bar must reliably engage in the socket, i. be reliably locked even with lively public traffic, and unproblematically remove again, so that you can redesign a field with numerous sockets with just a few simple steps. The inserted support bars must have sufficient load capacity. Desirable are multiple variations and combinations as well as the requirements of the product presentation appealing design. In turn, smaller dimensions of the components are to be made possible and the support bar arrangements must be manufactured in series at an efficient cost.

Overview of the invention

The support rod assembly for suspending articles or for holding a tray has a support rod, which is insertable locking in an axial insertion opening which extends through a socket of a socket. The plug-in sleeve is placed on the front side of a support structure or fixed in an opening in the support structure. The support rod has vorderst a mating end with a hook contour, which is provided for positive engagement with an internally the insertion opening arranged spring element. The locking of the inserted carrier bar is effected by engagement of the spring element in the hook contour. The spring element is leaf-shaped and extends in one piece from the socket.

Specific embodiments of the support rod assembly are described below: The spring element engages with a radially projecting into the insertion opening web on the socket. Angled and axially extending along the insertion opening, this tongue is followed by a tongue which is elastically bendable in the vertical direction. The tongue has a wedge contour complementary to the hook contour. At the bridge is a pointing to the front edge of the jack stop available. The wedge contour ends frontally with a first chamfer and has this lying opposite, an inwardly facing second bevel, which merges into a basically flat contact surface. Below and above the tongue free spaces for receiving the hook contour or for free bending of the tongue are provided. '

The present at the plug end hook contour is as follows: At the outer plug end is starting at the end face over a longitudinal section, from the rod top or bottom side ago, material recessed up to half the rod thickness, down to the level of a ledge. Near the end face of this ledge a V-shaped, transverse notch is provided, the bottom of which is oriented to the rod underside or rod top. The edge-shaped transition is rounded or bevelled from the end face to the notch. The notch forms the hook contour, which is steeper to the end face than in the opposite direction, where the material recess ends at the outlet of the ledge in a stop surface. To prevent rotation of the inserted carrier rod, the tongue is at least almost as wide as the hook contour. The flat contact surface sits on the ledge.

The carrier bar has a round cross-section. The wedge contour on the spring element of the socket is directed downward and the hook contour on the support rod is directed upward. Thus, when the carrier bar is loaded, the flat ledge increasingly presses against the flat contact surface. The socket of the socket has a Aufsetzflansch which is perpendicular to the socket, opposite the front edge, is arranged. The insertion opening exits on the back of the mounting flange. On the back of the Aufsetzflansches, laterally of the opening insertion, two raised strips are provided which extend beyond the end face of the inserted support rod. The insertion opening runs in relation to the horizontal axis, towards the front, ascending. The socket together with the spring element forms a one-piece plastic injection-molded part, while the support rod is preferably metallic.

Brief description of the attached drawings

FIG. 1A

a systematically populated with sockets panel as a design example in perspective view;

FIG. 1B

an enlarged vertical section on the line A-A of Figure 1A;

FIG. 1C:

the enlarged detail X of Figure 1 B;

FIG. 2A

a support bar assembly with the receptacle and an approximate mating end of a support bar in the front perspective view;

FIG. 2B:

the representation according to Figure 2A in the mated condition;

FIG. 3A:

the support rod assembly with the socket and an approximate mating end of a support rod according to Figure 2A in the perspective view from behind;

FIG. 3B:

the representation according to Figure 3A in the mated condition;

FIG. 4A

the representation according to Figure 3A in partial section; and

FIG. 4B:

the representation according to Figure 3B in partial section.

embodiments

Below is the detailed description of an embodiment of the inventive support rod assembly. Following the description, possible practical modifications are mentioned.

FIGS. 1A to 1C

In a support structure 3 - here a tabular panel - sockets 2 are systematically used in horizontal rows and vertical rows. The upper three rows of receptacles 2 are unoccupied, while in each receptacle 2 of the bottom row, a support rod 1 of preferably round cross-section is again releasably inserted.

The single plug-in sleeve 2 has a forwardly projecting sleeve 21 and a rear-mounted Aufsetzflansch 20 . Axially through the sleeve 21 extends an insertion opening 22 for the locked receiving the plug end 10 of the support rod first The Aufsetzflansch 20 comes to rest in the mounted state on the back 32 of the support structure 3 and is used to attach the receptacle second The bush 21 protrudes into an opening 30 provided in the support structure 3 , with the front edge 210 of the bush 21 preferably terminating flush with the front side 31 of the support structure 3 . The flush termination results from an axial length of the bush 21 corresponding thickness of the attached Support structure 3. If the support structure 3 of lesser thickness, it can be supplemented with a slid onto the sleeve 21 spacer - such as a disc or plate - the lack of thickness to achieve the flush conclusion. The Aufsetzflansch 20 has screw holes 200 for attachment to the back 32 of the support structure 3. Essentially, the per se known hook contour 15 at the mating end 10 of the support rod 1 and the inventive spring element 23 which internally attaches the socket 21 and projects into the course of the insertion opening 22 to come with the hook contour 15 of the inserted support rod 1 in locked engagement.

The leaf-shaped spring element 23 has a resilient tongue 230 in the vertical direction , the vorste, at its free end, a downwardly tapered wedge contour 231 with an end-facing, outwardly facing bevel 232 and an inwardly facing bevel 233 has. The tongue 230 continues behind the inwardly facing chamfer 233 with a basically flat contact surface 234 and then goes into an upwardly angled web 235 , which opens internally in the insertion opening 22 in the socket 21 and against the front side 31 of Support structure 3 directed stop 236 forms. At the mating end 10 of the support rod 1 a stop 236 to the receptacle 2 complementary stop 17 is provided. In the maximum inserted, ie latched state, meet the stops 17,236 and thus limit the insertion depth of the support rod 1, while the wedge contour 231 engages in a complementary notch 19 at the mating end 10 .

On the back 202 of the Aufsetzflansches 20 22 two raised strips 205 are provided laterally of the opening insertion opening, which project beyond the end face 16 of the inserted support rod 1 . These strips 205 serve to provide a distance to avoid the unintentional pushing out of the support rod 1 from the receptacle 2 when it is pushed against the back 32 of the support structure 3 , for example, with the back 32 of another opposing support structure . 3

It is advantageous, the insertion opening 22 in the socket 21 to the front side 31 of the support structure 3 down - in relation to the exact horizontal - minimal increase to give, so that the inserted support rods 1 receive a slight upward tendency and thus a visually troublesome sagging down is avoided even at greater load.

FIGS. 2A. 3A and 4A

The hook contour 15 at the mating end 10 of the support rod 1 is formed by a material recess of the rod top 12 . At the outer plug 10 is about a locking portion between the end face 16 and the vertical stop 17, from the rod top side 12 ago, the material recessed approximately to half the rod thickness on a ledge 18 . Near the end face 16 of this ledge 18, a V-shaped, transverse notch 19 is provided, the bottom of which is oriented to the rod bottom 13 . This notch 19 forms the hook contour 15, which is formed steeper to the end face 16 , as the stop 17. The edge-shaped transition 14 from the end face 16 to the notch 19 is chamfered. The thus geometrically shaped hook contour 15 can be produced by metalworking or injection molding in plastic.

The socket 21 rises vertically from the center of the front side 201 of the plate-shaped Aufsetzflansches 20. The insertion 22 extends beyond the stop 236 narrows and exits at the rear 202 of the Aufsetzflansches 20 to below the tongue 230 in Aufsetzflansch 20 space 203rd to create for the male end 10 to be inserted. Above the tongue 230 , a cutout 204 is provided in the fitting flange 20 , which allows an elastic bending up of the tongue 230 when the transition 14 at the plug end 10 moves under the wedge contour 231 and thereby lifts the tongue 230 .

Figures 2B, 3B and 4B

In the inserted state protrudes from the insertion opening 22 into the space, the plug end 10 opposite rod end 11. The proper insertion depth of the support rod 1 in the socket 21 of the receptacle 2 is optically indicated by a marker 110 , which at the front edge 210 of Jack 21 comes to rest. Acoustically, one can perceive the engagement of the wedge contour 231 of the tongue 230 in the notch 19 at the plug end 10 . The tapered transition 14 to the hook contour 15 together with the inner chamfer 233 on the wedge contour 231 facilitate the engagement of the support rod 1 during insertion. The face 16 facing the steeper surface of the V-shaped notch 19, in conjunction with the steeper, forward facing bevel 232, cause a more intense locking the locking connection between the wedge contour 231 of the tongue 230 and the notch at the mating end 10. When pulling out the support rod 1 , therefore, a noticeable resistance must be overcome.

• Für die Trägerstange 1 verwendet man vorzugsweise Rundmaterial, aber auch kantiges Stangenmaterial ist einsetzbar. Ist auch das Steckende 10 von kantigem, z.B. quadratischem oder rechteckigem Querschnitt, müsste die in den Figuren dargestellte, im Querschnitt kreisförmige Einstecköffnung 22, komplementär gestaltet sein.
• Gestalterisch effektvoll lassen sich die Steckhülsen 2 auf einer Tragstruktur 3 über ein Feld verteilen, die dann unterschiedlich bestückt werden können, wobei auch Trägerstangen 1 einsetzbar sind, die zwei und mehrere Steckhülsen 2 überbrücken und dort mit ihren Steckenden 10 einzusetzen sind.
• Die Einstecköffnung 22 muss nicht an der Rückseite 202 des Aufsetzflansches 20 austreten, was fertigungstechnisch vorteilhaft ist, massgeblich sind der Freiraum 203 und der Freischnitt 204 oberhalb und unterhalb der Zunge 230.
• Die Trägerstange 1 kann aus Metall oder Kunststoff gefertigt sein, je nach gewünschter Optik und Belastungswerten. Die Steckhülse 2 wird man vorzugsweise als Kunststoffspritzteil in einem Stück herstellen.
• Als Tragstruktur, in die die Steckhülse 2 einsetzbar ist, kommen auch Regalbauelemente, Rohrkonstruktionen oder Rahmenteile in Betracht.
• Anstatt den Aufsetzflansch 20 auf der Rückseite 32 der Tragstruktur 3 zu verschrauben, kommen auch sonstige fachgemässe lösbaren und unlösbaren Verbindungstechniken in Betracht.
• Für die Befestigung der Steckhülse 2 auf der Frontseite 31 der Tragstruktur 2 wird man den Aufsetzflansch 20 zumindest etwa mit der Voderkante 210 der Buchse 21 bündig vorsehen.
• Insgesamt ist ohne weiteres in der vertikalen Ebene eine konstruktive Drehung der Steckhülse 2 und der Trägerstange 1 möglich, so dass die Keilkontur 231 nach oben weist, während die komplementäre Hakenkontur 15 dann an der Stangenunterseite 13 vorgesehen ist. Die in den Figuren gezeigte Positionierung der abwärts gerichteten Keilkontur 231 am Federelement der Steckhülse 2 und der aufwärts gerichteten Hakenkontur 15 an der Trägerstange 1 sind jedoch bei einer im Querschnitt runden Trägerstange 1 von Vorteil. Bei Belastung der Trägerstange 1 wird der flache Sims 18 gegen die flache Kontaktfläche 234 gedrückt, was zur Rotationsstabilität der eingesteckten Trägerstange 1 beiträgt.

Explicitly mentioned are the following modifications of the previously described support bar arrangement:

• For the support rod 1 is preferably used round material, but also edged rod material is used. Is also the mating end 10 of angular, for example, square or rectangular cross-section, would have shown in the figures, circular in cross-section insertion opening 22, designed to be complementary.
• In terms of design, the receptacles 2 can be distributed on a support structure 3 over a field, which can then be differently equipped, whereby support rods 1 can be used, which bridge two and more receptacles 2 and are to be inserted there with their mating ends 10 .
• The insertion opening 22 does not have to emerge on the rear side 202 of the attachment flange 20 , which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology; the free space 203 and the clearance 204 are authoritative above and below the tongue 230.
• The support bar 1 can be made of metal or plastic, depending on the desired appearance and load values. The plug-in sleeve 2 is preferably produced as a plastic injection-molded part in one piece.
• As a support structure in which the socket 2 is used, also shelf components, pipe structures or frame parts come into consideration.
• Instead of screwing the Aufsetzflansch 20 on the back 32 of the support structure 3 , also other professional solvable and unsolvable connection techniques come into consideration.
• For the attachment of the receptacle 2 on the front side 31 of the support structure 2 , the Aufsetzflansch 20 will provide at least approximately flush with the Voderkante 210 of the socket 21 .
• Overall, a constructive rotation of the receptacle 2 and the support rod 1 is readily possible in the vertical plane, so that the wedge contour 231 facing upward, while the complementary hook contour 15 is then provided on the rod bottom 13 . However, the positioning shown in the figures of the downwardly directed wedge contour on the spring element 231 of the socket 2 and the upwardly directed hook contour 15 on the carrier rod 1 are in a round shape in cross-section support rod 1 of advantage. When the carrier bar 1 is loaded, the flat ledge 18 is pressed against the flat contact surface 234 , which contributes to the rotational stability of the inserted carrier bar 1 .

Claims (11)

1. Carrying-rod arrangement for suspending articles or for securing a bearing means, having a carrier rod (1) and a plug-in sleeve (2), it being possible for the carrier rod (1) to be plugged with arresting action into an axial plug-in opening (22) which extends through a bushing (21) of the plug-in sleeve (2), it being the case that

   a) the plug-in sleeve (2) is positioned on the front side (31) of a carrying structure (3) or is accommodated in a fixed state in a through-passage (30) in the carrying structure (3);

   b) the carrier rod (1) has, at the front, a plug-in end (10) with a hook contour (15) which is provided for form fitting with a spring element (23) arranged inside the plug-in opening (22); and

   c) the plugged-in carrier rod (1) is arrested by virtue of the spring element (23) being latched into the hook contour (15), characterized in that

   d) the spring element (23) is of leaf form and extends integrally from the bushing (21).
2. Carrying-rod arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (23)

   a) extends from the bushing (21) by way of a crosspiece (235) projecting radially into the plug-in opening (22);

   b) a tongue (230) which can be flexed elastically in the vertical is angled from this crosspiece (235) and extends axially along the plug-in opening (22); and

   c) the tongue (230) has a wedge contour (231) which complements the hook contour (15).
3. Carrying-rod arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

   a) a stop (236) which is oriented in the direction of the front edge (210) of the bushing (21) is provided on the crosspiece (235);

   b) the wedge contour (231) terminates, on the end side, with a first bevelled formation (232) and, opposite this, has a second bevelled formation (233) which is oriented inwards and merges into a basically flat contact surface (234); and

   c) free spaces (203,204) in which, respectively, the hook contour (15) can be accommodated and the tongue (230) can be flexed freely are provided beneath and above the tongue (230).
4. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hook contour (15) provided at the plug-in end (10) is made as follows:

   a) at the outer plug-in end (10), beginning on the end surface (16), material is removed from the top side or underside (12,13) of the rod, over a length portion, to the level of a ledge (18), this resulting approximately in half the rod thickness;

   b) in the vicinity of the end surface (16) a V-shaped, transversely running notch formation (19) is provided to extend from this ledge (18), the base of the notch formation being oriented in the direction of the underside or top side (13,12) of the rod; and

   c) the edge-like transition (14) from the end surface (16) to the notch formation (19) is rounded or bevelled.
5. Carrying-rod arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the notched formation (19) forms the hook contour (15), which is designed to be steeper in the direction of the end surface (16) than in the opposite direction, where the location at which material has been removed terminates in a stop surface (17) at the outlet of the ledge (18).
6. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in order to secure the plugged-in carrier rod (1) against rotation,

   a) the tongue (230) is at least more or less as wide as the hook contour (15); and

   b) the flat contact surface (234) is positioned on the ledge (18).
7. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

   a) the carrier rod (1) has a round cross section;

   b) the wedge contour (231) on the spring element of the plug-in sleeve (2) is directed downwards;

   c) the hook contour (15) on the carrier rod (1) is directed upwards, as a result of which

   d) when the carrier rod (1) is subjected to loading, the flat ledge (18) pushes increasingly against the flat contact surface (234).
8. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bushing (21) of the plug-in sleeve (2) is provided with a positioning flange (20).
9. Carrying-rod arrangement according to Claim 8, characterized in that

   a) the positioning flange (20) is arranged vertically on the bushing (21), opposite the front edge (210) of the latter;

   b) the plug-in opening (22) exits on the rear side (202) of the positioning flange (20); and

   c) two raised strips (205) are provided on the rear side (202) of the positioning flange (20), to the sides of the plug-in opening (22) which opens out therein, the strips projecting beyond the end surface (16) of the plugged-in carrier rod (1).
10. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plug-in opening (22) slopes up in the forward direction in relation to the horizontal axis.
11. Carrying-rod arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the plug-in sleeve (2), together with the spring element (23), is a single-piece plastic injection moulding.

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