EP2527550A2 - Fitting for connecting the planks of a terrace covering with a substructure beneath it - Google Patents

Abstract

The fitting (1) has a base body including a boundary surfaces to be provided parallel to each other and aligned parallel to plane of an underlying sub-structure (3). A material tongue rises in a height region of a plank (2), and is rested on the plank that is connected with the sub-structure by a screw (4). The tongue represents a stop surface for an appropriate positioning of the fitting in a longitudinal edge of a lower side of the plank. A center of gravity of the fitting lies in a region of roof volumes from the plank, where the fitting is connected with the plank by another screw (5).

Description

The invention relates to a fitting for connecting the planks of a patio cover with an underlying substructure.

"Planks" in this sense are rods, profiles or elongated boards, which are typically made of wood. To form a cover they are parallel to each other, with a small lateral distance from each other, on a substructure, which is usually present in the form of a transverse battens attached.

On the Internet at least on the 3.5.2011 under the address http://www.holz-verbindersysteme.ch/downloads/flyer_hvs_dielenfix.pdf under the product name "DielenFix" a generic fitting for the "invisible" attachment of planks was published on a substructure.

The fitting has the shape of an elongated U-profile with a relatively wide cross-sectional area. When made connection between planks and a substructure, each fitting extends in the space between planks and substructure under two adjacent planks. By means of two screws which run through screw through holes in the base surface of the fitting through each fitting is connected to the underside of a screed. With the under that screed, to which the fitting is screwed, excellent longitudinal area every second fitting is screwed to the substructure and indeed also by means of a screw which passes through a screw through hole in the base surface of the fitting. The remaining group of fittings is held on the substructure only by the fact that those longitudinal regions, which protrude from the respective screed, to which the fittings are screwed, are inserted into the gap between the respectively adjacent screed and the substructure and thus against upward movement or are positively locked down below. From the base surface of the fitting Material tongues are punched free and bent up. These serve when mounting the fitting on a screed as stop surfaces to a side surface of the screed and thus define the position of the fitting to the screed. The front ends of the flanks of the U-profile are rounded, which compared to a non-rounded version of the fitting can be easily inserted into the gap between the substructure and adjacent screed. A disadvantage is felt that attaching a fitting to the underside of the still loose screed is perceived as a relatively complicated and time-consuming operation. Another disadvantage is that the fitting with the end faces of its flank surfaces is often pressed too deeply into the material of the substructure, whereby the assembly is difficult and further consequential damage can be caused.

The US 4844651 A also shows a fitting, each of which projects below two adjacent planks, each connected to a screed by a screw and is connected only in every other case with the substructure by a screw. The fitting is made of a flat sheet metal plate. A metal tongue is punched out of the base, bent up and bent with its pointed free end again in a plane parallel to the base plane. During assembly, only this pointed end portion is hammered by means of a hammer in a flank surface of a screed and then the base of the fitting is screwed by means of a screw on the underside of the screed, to which the screw passes through a through hole in the base of the fitting. Compared to the embodiment described above, the assembly process can be simplified because the prefixing can be done quite quickly with the help of said tip on a screed. In the case of very hard or brittle plank material, however, it is precisely this prefixing that can become very difficult or even impossible, since the tip then barely penetrates into the material of the screed and / or because the screed penetrates the required hard hammers on that surface part is damaged, with which they must necessarily rest on a base. Since the remaining gap between planks and substructure only one sheet thickness is strong, there is considerable risk of waterlogging in this gap and on the bearing surfaces of the fitting.

Also the WO 8600361 A1 shows a fitting which is suitable for connecting planks with a substructure and projects in each case under two adjacent planks, each with a screed is connected by a screw and only in every other case is connected to the substructure by a screw. The fitting is a flat plate whose plane is pierced by several screw holes. One of these holes has a square cross-sectional area and at its edge lines are bent low triangular Blechzungen at right angles to the plane of the plate. By these sheet metal tongues are attached to the underside of a screed and beaten by hammering on the fitting, the sheet metal tongues penetrate into the material of the screed and thus form a pre-fixation of the fitting to the screed, so that the subsequent screwing is relatively easy. The fitting has about the same disadvantages as those according to the US 4844651 A , An additional disadvantage is that the fitting has no stop surface by means of which its position relative to the screed to which it is screwed down would be helpful restricted.

The WO 2008/068329 A1 shows a fitting for a modified connection principle for connecting planks to a substructure. The fitting is essentially a flat sheet metal plate, which rests with its predominant surface area on the underside of a screed and with this by screws, which pass through through holes in the plate, is connected. Some of the through holes have slot cross-section, others are circular. A small area of the Platelets protrudes under the screed into the gap to the next screed. In this outstanding area, the fitting is connected to the substructure by means of a screw which extends through a long hole in the outstanding area. The position of the fitting in the direction normal to the longitudinal direction of the planks in the plane of the substructure is defined by an unfolding of the base of the plate, which is intended to bear against a flank surface of the screed. Compared to the previously discussed designs, a higher number of screws is required. Since the gap between planks and substructure is only equal to the platelet thickness of the fitting is high and because the fitting rests very large area of substructure and planks, there is considerable risk of waterlogging.

Based on this prior art, the object underlying the invention is to provide a fitting for connecting planks and substructure of a patio cover according to that design, after each fitting each protrudes under two adjacent planks, each with a screed by a screw is connected and only in every other case is connected to the substructure by a screw. Compared with the construction method published on the Internet under the product name "DielenFix" - which is considered to be advantageous compared to the other construction methods discussed, above all because of the lower risk of waterlogging, - the new fittings to be created should be quicker and less skillful to assemble ,

• welcher einen Grundkörper aufweist,
• welcher zwei zueinander parallele Begrenzungsflächen aufweist, welche bei fertig montiertem Beschlag parallel zur Ebene der Unterkonstruktion ausgerichtet sind,
• wobei der Beschlag mit einer dieser Flächen auf der Unterkonstruktion aufliegt,
• wobei auf der zweiten dieser Flächen die unteren Flächen von zwei benachbarten Bohlen aufliegen,
• wobei der Grundkörper durch normal zu den besagten Flächen verlaufende Schraubendurchgangsbohrungen durchbrochen ist und wobei aus jener Fläche an der die Bohlen aufliegen eine Materialzunge emporragt, welche bestimmungsgemäß eine Anschlagfläche für die passende Positionierung des Beschlages an einer

To solve the task is assumed by a fitting

• which has a basic body,
• which has two mutually parallel boundary surfaces which are aligned parallel to the plane of the substructure when the fitting is completely assembled,
• wherein the fitting rests with one of these surfaces on the substructure,
• wherein on the second of these surfaces rest the lower surfaces of two adjacent planks,
• wherein the base body is interrupted by extending normally to the said surfaces Schraubendurchgangsbohrungen and wherein from the surface on which the planks rest a material tongue protrudes, which intended a stop surface for the proper positioning of the fitting to a

Longitudinal edge of the underside of a plank represents.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by the fitting is designed so balanced that its center of gravity when properly mounted in the range of the covered volume of the screed and not next to this volume.

By this amazingly simple - but for generic fittings new measure - namely achieved that the fitting during installation on the screed, if this is stored with its underside up, can be stored in the matching position relative to the screed on the screed and lying in this position also remains without having to be held. Thus, in a later but otherwise temporally independent step comfortably a screw can be suitably recognized and screwed the fitting. It is thus also possible to hang up all fittings for a plurality of planks fitting them and then screw them all in a further operation without ever having to put the screwing tool out of the hand or a fitting must be taken from somewhere, set up and kept ,

Fig. 1:

zeigt einen ersten beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Beschlag 1 in Einbausituation an zwei Bohlen 2 auf einer Unterkonstruktion 3. Die Blickrichtung ist parallel zur Bohlenlängsrichtung; der Beschlag 1 wird von der Seite her gesehen.

Fig. 2:

zeigt den Beschlag von Fig. 1 allein in Ansicht von oben.

Fig. 3:

zeigt den Beschlag von Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 von vorne.

Fig. 4:

zeigt den Beschlag von Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 in seitlicher Schnittansicht auf die Schnittebene "A-A" gemäß Fig. 3.

Fig. 5:

zeigt einen zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Beschlag allein in Ansicht von oben.

Fig. 6:

zeigt den Beschlag von Fig. 5 in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht gemäß der in Fig. 5 angedeuteten, mehrfach geknickten Schnittfläche A-A.

Fig. 7:

zeigt den Beschlag von Fig. 5 in Schrägrissansicht von unten.

The invention will be illustrated with reference to drawings of two exemplary fittings according to the invention.

Fig. 1:

shows a first exemplary fitting 1 according to the invention in an installation situation on two planks 2 on one Substructure 3. The viewing direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the planks; the fitting 1 is seen from the side.

Fig. 2:

shows the fitting of Fig. 1 alone in top view.

3:

shows the fitting of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 from the front.

4:

shows the fitting of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 in a sectional side view on the cutting plane "AA" according to Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 5:

shows a second fitting according to the invention alone in top view.

Fig. 6:

shows the fitting of Fig. 5 in a side sectional view according to the in Fig. 5 indicated, repeatedly kinked cut surface AA.

Fig. 7:

shows the fitting of Fig. 5 in oblique view from below.

When fitting 1 according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 said body is an elongate piece of U-profile with a relatively wide, flat cross-sectional area. As in Fig. 1 recognizable, is in its installed state, its longitudinal direction parallel to the plane of the substructure 3 and normal to the longitudinal direction of the planks. 2

The base surface 1.1 of the U-profile lying above in the installation situation is characterized by screw through holes 1.6, 1.7 (FIG. Fig. 2 ), wherein a free-punched tongue of material 1.4 is bent up from the base surface, which is a stop surface for the proper positioning of the fitting 1 on a longitudinal edge of the underside of a screed 2 intended.

With the underside of a screed 2, the fitting 1 is connected by two screws 5 which extend through screw through holes on its upper base surface 1.1 and are in threaded engagement with the material of the screed 2.

The position of the fitting 1 on that plank 2, to which it is screwed, is defined by the angle range between the base surface 1.1 and a normal surface of the two of the base surface 1.1 punched and bent material tongues 1.4 by these two surfaces a stop surface for the form the lower surface of the screed 2 or for a longitudinal side surface of the screed 2.

By the material tongues 1.4 of the fitting 1 is divided into two longitudinal regions 10, 20, wherein a longitudinal portion 10 is below that plank 2, with the fitting 1 is connected by screws 5, and wherein the second longitudinal region 20 is not below this plank 2, but protrudes from the volume covered by the screed 2. As already explained above including the reason is of inventive importance that the focus of the fitting 1 is in that longitudinal region 10, which is below that plank 2 (- ie in that volume, which is covered by that plank 2 -), with the the fitting 1 is connected by screws 5. Focusing on appropriate dimensioning of the fitting in accordance with this rule is in the area of expert action and need not be discussed further here.

The fitting 1 also has further features, by which the assembly process is facilitated:

The free end portions of the side surfaces 1.2 of the fitting are bent in a plane parallel to the base surface 1.1 and thus form support surfaces 1.3 which are significantly enlarged compared to versions with non-curved free end portions of the side surfaces 1.2. This reduces the risk that the fitting will be pressed into the substructure when loaded. In addition to other disturbing effects, this indentation would have the effect of reducing the distance between screed 2 and substructure 3 is and more fittings 1 difficult or impossible to be inserted into this gap.

The size of the bearing surface of the fitting on the substructure should be at least 15% better at least 20% further at least 30% of the area covered by the fitting of the substructure.

By the described embodiment of the bearing surfaces 1.3 as a curved free end portions of the side surfaces 1.2 of the transition between side surfaces and bearing surfaces 1.3 of the fitting is rounded. This additionally achieves the important advantage that the fitting 1 relative to the substructure 3 and screed 2 is still laterally - ie in the beam longitudinal direction - displaced when it is already plugged into the gap between screed and substructure. This makes it very easy to set up the position of a screed to be fastened in its longitudinal direction.

By means of a screw 4, which passes through the screw through hole 1.5 in the base surface 1.1 and is threadedly engaged with the material of the substructure 3, each second fitting 1 is connected to the substructure 3 in conventional mounting manner. By the region of the base surface 1.1 adjacent to the screw through bore 1.5 is lowered from the plane of the base surface 1.1 approximately to the height of the free ends of the side surfaces 1.2, several advantages are achieved: It is prevented that the fitting 1 is bent when the screw 4 is attracted too much. So you do not have to be too careful when screwing. Furthermore, it is achieved that the head of the screw 4 does not protrude above the (overhead) base surface 1.1. If desired, this upward projection would mean that an adjacent screed to the screed to which the fitting is screwed could only be arranged with a relatively large minimum distance to the first screed. The distance of the center of the bore 1.5 to the material tongues 1.4, which is measured normally to the plank longitudinal direction, preferably lies in the length range between the radius of the head of the screw 4 which is to be inserted through the bore 1.5 and 1.1 times thereof. Thus, the said screw 4, which serves to attach the fitting to the substructure, are very close to that board on which the fitting is screwed. Thus, the adjacent screed can be created as close as possible to the first screed and the screw 4 still remains accessible to a tool.

The fitting 1 has at the front end of that longitudinal portion 20 which is not covered by the screed 2, to which the fitting 1 is screwed, a ramp surface 1.8, through which the transition between the lower surface of the fitting and the vertical part of the end surface rounded or beveled diagonally. This ramp surface is required in order to be able to insert the longitudinal region 20 of the fitting 1 into the gap between an already attached screed and the substructure. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the ramp surface 1.8 also extends to the front ends of the bearing surfaces 1.3. ( Fig. 4 ).

Typically, the fitting 1 is formed by stamping, stamping and bending from an originally flat sheet steel. Preference is given to those parts of the ramp surface 1.8, which are also part of the end face of the bearing surfaces 1.3 by beveling the corresponding longitudinal sections of the edges of the original flat sheet metal blank before bending by a stamping process to a phase or rounding.

If you did not pull the support surface 1.3 to the front of the longitudinal portion 20, or if you would draw them there, but they would not chamfer in the manner described, the fitting 1 in the gap between a screed 2 and the substructure would be little more displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the planks, because he would dig too much to the substructure.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the two Schraubendurchgangsbohrungen 1.6, 1.7, which are mounted in the base surface 1.1 of the fitting 1 in the longitudinal region 10 and serve for screwing with a screed 2, a Schraubendurchgangsbohrung 1.6 formed as a slot and a Schraubendurchgangsbohrung with the same length as wide cross-sectional area. The longitudinal dimension of the elongated hole formed as a screw through hole 1.6 is in the direction normal to the plank longitudinal direction significantly greater than the shaft diameter of this screw through through hole to be guided screw 5. The design with two different screw through holes 1.6, 1.7 brings when mounting the fitting 1 to planks 2, which have longitudinal grooves at the bottom, considerable advantages:

If both screw through holes are the same length as wide and thus accurately define the position of a screw in the plane normal to the screw axis, grooved planks always present a problem when the theoretically correct attachment point for a self-tapping screw or drill is on a sloping flank surface a groove in the screed lies. The drill bit of the screw or the drill and with this the fitting then slips when attaching to the screed and it is very difficult to mount the fitting in the correct position.

If both screw through holes are made as a slot, the screws or the drill can be easily positioned so that the bore axis cuts the bottom of a groove, which hardly slipping is possible. A problem arises, however, when the pressure with which the screws tighten the fitting to the board 2 over time - typically by swelling and shrinkage of the material of the screed - decreases. The screed 2 can then slip relative to the fitting 1.

Due to the version with a screw through hole 1.6 as a slot and another screw through hole 1.7 with the same length as wide cross-sectional area, the first screw 5 can be screwed easily through the trained as a slot screw through hole 1.6 during assembly. If thus the fitting 1 is fixed to the screed 2, the second screw can be screwed; she is guided by the now immovable edges of the screw through hole 1.7 safe match. If, over time, the pressure decreases, with which the screws press the fitting to the screed 2, then the fitting is still held by a form fit largely free of play on the screed 2.

The in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 Fitting 1 shown is typically made of metal, preferably made of sheet steel, possibly also of an aluminum extruded profile to form.

The in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 shown further fitting 11 is best to form plastic injection molding. But it could also be formed as a metal casting, typically zinc-aluminum or magnesium diecasting.

The main body of the fitting 11 has approximately the Außenkontor a flat elongated cuboid, in which all edges are rounded. By this rounding is the fitting well inserted into the gap between an already-mounted screed and the substructure and even then slidable in the beam longitudinal direction. Instead of rounding off all the edges, one could also provide them with a phase for the same purpose.

In the Fig. 7 well visible - lower surface of the body of the fitting 11 know many depressions 11.8, between which runs a network of ribs whose faces represent the support to the substructure. Preferably, this contact surface is again at least 15% better 20%, more preferably at least 30% of the area covered by the fitting 11 of the substructure. For the arrangement and dimensions of the Screw through holes 11.6, 11.7, 11.5 through the fitting 11 apply the same - formulated above - considerations as for the Schraubendurchgangsbohrungen 1.6, 1.7, 1.5 through the fitting. 1

By the execution of the fitting 11 as a casting, it is easier to make rounded all outer edges than when the fitting is formed by punching and bending a sheet.

If the fitting 11 is formed of plastic, it is further advantageous that its material has a relatively low modulus of elasticity and high attenuation for structure-borne noise. Thus, the fitting acts somewhat as impact sound insulation. The impact sound insulation effect can be further improved by providing the fitting with a separate, particularly soft-elastic material layer, preferably on the upper surface of the base body (on which the planks rest). This material layer can be subsequently applied to the base body (for example in the form of a soft adhesive tape) or it can already be produced in a multi-component injection molding tool by spraying the base body. But you can also attach this separate soft elastic material layer on the underside of the body, so on that side with which the fitting rests on the substructure 3.

Claims (11)

Fitting (1, 11) for connecting the planks (2) of a patio cover to an underlying substructure (3), each fitting (1, 11) each protruding below two adjacent planks (2), each with a screed (2) at least one screw (5) is connected and only optionally with the substructure by a screw (4) is connected, wherein the fitting (1, 11) has a base body which has two mutually parallel boundary surfaces, which in the assembled fitting parallel to Level of the substructure are aligned, wherein the fitting (1, 11) rests with one of these surfaces on the substructure, wherein on the second of these surfaces, the respective lower surfaces of two adjacent planks rest, wherein the main body extending through normal to said surfaces Schraubendurchgangsbohrungen ( 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7) and from which of these surfaces on which the planks (2) rest egg ne material tongue (1.4, 11.4) in the height range of the planks (2) rises, which is intended a stop surface for the proper positioning of the fitting on a longitudinal edge of the underside of a plank (2).
characterized in that
the center of gravity of the fitting (1, 11) lies in the area of the volume covered by the screed (2), to which the fitting is connected by a screw (5). Fitting (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body has the shape of an elongated U-profile that from the plane of the base surface (1.1) of the U-profile out a material tongue (1.4) in the height range of the planks (2). protrudes, and that the base surface (1.1) opposite bearing surface (1.3) of the fitting (1) by the in a to the base surface (1.1) parallel plane curved free end portions of the side surfaces (1.2) of the U-profile is formed. Fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that the end face of that longitudinal region (20) of the fitting, which is not covered by the screed (2) to which the fitting is screwed, has a ramp surface (1.8) through which the transition between the bottom surface of the fitting and the vertical part of the end face is rounded and / or diagonally bevelled, this ramp surface (1.8) also extending to the front ends of the bearing surfaces (1.3). (Fig. 4) Fitting (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of plastic and that all outer edges of the base body are rounded or provided with a chamfer. Fitting (11) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower surface of the base body recesses (11.8), between which a network of ribs extends whose faces represent the contact surface of the fitting (11) with the substructure (3). Fitting (1, 11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the material area adjacent to that bore (1.5, 11.5), via which the fitting (1, 11) is to be connected by a screw to the substructure of the fitting is lowered relative to the upper surface of the base body. Fitting (1, 11) according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower end face of the bore (1,5, 11.5) is approximately at the height of the contact surface of the fitting with the substructure (3). Fitting (1, 11) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has two mutually different screw through holes (1.6; 1.7 or 11.6, 11.7) for fastening to a screed (2), wherein a screw through hole (1.6 or 11.6) is designed as a slot whose cross-sectional dimension is larger in the direction normal to the plank direction than in the direction normal thereto and wherein the cross-sectional area of the second screw through hole (1.7) is the same length as wide. Fitting (1, 11) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact surface of the fitting is greater with the sub-construction (3) than 20% of the covered through the fitting on the substructure surface. Fitting (1, 11) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the basic body at the contact surface with the piles (2) and / or on the contact surface comprises a layer of a material with the substructure (3), which is opposite to the material from which the rest of the fitting (1, 11) is made, has a lower modulus of elasticity. Fitting (1, 11) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the normal measured to the plank longitudinal direction distance of the center of the bore (1.5 or 11.5) through which the fitting to the substructure (3) is to be attached to the Material tongues (1.4) or to the material tongue (11.4) is at least the same size as the radius of the head of the screw (4), which is to be inserted through the bore (1.5, 11.5) and is at most as large as the 1,1- fold this radius'.

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