EP2868837B1 - Spacer element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a spacer element for the arrangement between two components which are to be arranged or mounted at a distance. It is already known a spacer strip for terrace construction. It is made of plastic and has a wavy meandering shape. The spacer strip has a continuous constant height and is screwed with screws on a bar forming the base.

Also known is a spacer strip for screwing onto a support beam for floorboards. The spacer strip is made of plastic and has a wavy shape. Their two ends are designed to be complementary so that two spacer strips can be connected together for extension ( WO 2010/142581 A1 ).

Furthermore, it is known to connect rigid strips of fixed size in a grid by means of separate connecting elements at their ends in a cross shape with each other ( DE 638942 ).

The invention is based on the object to provide a spacer which is flexible in use and in particular allows a suitable water drainage and air circulation.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a spacer element with the features mentioned in claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

The spacing element thus contains the plurality for forming the distance blocks of the same height whose height defines the distance. Under height is to be understood as the extension between the two support or end faces of the blocks, while the web connects the sides of the blocks together. The end faces of the blocks are to be arranged in each case a common plane to all blocks. In other words, therefore, when resting on a flat surface, both the upper end faces of all blocks are aligned with each other and the lower end faces of all blocks should be aligned. Due to the elasticity of the webs, the two bearing or end surfaces but also in each case a surface, for example, a circular cylindrical surface, be arranged, in which case all upper or all lower end surfaces of the blocks lie on the surface. The blocks are arranged in strands at a mutual distance and two successive blocks are each connected by a web.

The web can serve not only to save material, but also to elastically design each strand laterally without reducing the stability of the strand in the direction of loading, which is determined by the stability of the blocks, thereby.

The individual pairs connected to each other at the connection points sections may be formed in particular identical.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the width of the spacer element is variable perpendicular to the laying direction, for example by deforming the spacer element. This should make it possible to adapt the spacer to different widths substructures. For example, if the substructure is constructed of battens with a mutual distance, it should be possible to arrange the spacer so that it bridges the slats.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that a section has two strands of blocks, wherein the end faces of the blocks of the one strand lie in each case in the same plane as the end faces of the blocks of the other strand.

For example, both strands of a section may meet at the same junction at the respective ends of the section.

It may be provided in a development that the two strands of blocks of a section approach each other in the direction of the connection point, where appropriate, meet there. In the remaining area, d. H. in the area between the joints of the sections, however, they have a greater distance. For example, the distance in the middle between two joints may be greatest.

It is also possible and within the scope of the invention that both strands of the spacer element are rectilinear and run parallel to one another. In this case, the sections of the spacer element, as far as the strands are concerned, can merge directly into one another. At the junction, the two strands can still be connected to each other or connectable to each other.

It has already been mentioned that the web connecting the blocks serves to save material and to make the respective strand more flexible, and in particular is narrow for this purpose. Its main purpose is to connect the blocks to form a unit that can be handled in a uniform manner.

In a further development it can be provided that also the height of the web connecting the blocks is smaller than the height of the blocks. In order to Then the water permeability and the air circulation is improved because the water can flow past the bridge.

In particular, it can be provided that the web has a distance from the planes of both end faces of the blocks. It is then no longer possible to enable the water permeability to the orientation of the spacer.

The connection point can be formed in a further embodiment of the invention such that it has a connection node, which is common to both adjacent sections. The strands of both sections thus meet in a common connection node.

However, it is also possible and is proposed by the invention in a further embodiment, that the two strands, in particular when they are parallel to each other, are connected by a transverse web, so that the connection point both for connection of the portions of the spacer element as well as for connection the two strands of a section is used. This crossbar may in particular be connected in a hinge-like manner with one block of each strand. Then, a change in the distance between the two strands and thus the width of the spacer element can be achieved by pivoting the cross bar. Also possible is the deformation of the crosspiece in itself.

It can be provided in a further embodiment that the height of the connection point is smaller than the height of the blocks. In particular, it can be provided that an end face of the connection point is aligned with the plane of the one end face of the blocks of both adjacent sections.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the joint has a through hole parallel to the direction of the height of the blocks. The joint can therefore be used, for example, to set the spacer to the pad with a nail or a screw.

Since the spacer element is modularly constructed from a plurality of sections, it may be necessary to shorten a spacer element. For this purpose, it can be provided in a development of the invention that the spacer element has weak points at which one can separate the spacer element. It makes sense that the weak points are arranged in the region of the connection points, but it is also possible to arrange these alternatively or additionally between adjacent blocks.

By using weak points, it is advisable to produce the spacer in relatively long lengths, so that it can also be rolled up and stored as a profile material.

It can be provided according to a further feature that at least one strand has two rectilinear parts or sections which enclose an angle between them.

It is also possible that at least one strand is bent.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the arrangement of the strands is formed symmetrically to a line connecting the connection points of a section.

In particular, the invention proposes to produce the spacer from a biodegradable plastic.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein Abstandselement mit drei Abschnitten;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht des Abstandselements der Figur 1 von rechts;

Figur 3

in vergrößertem Maßstab eine Verbindungsstelle zwischen zwei Abschnitten;

Figur 4

ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab eine Seitenansicht der Verbindung zweier Blöcke eines Strangs;

Figur 5

in perspektivische Darstellung einen Ausschnitt aus einem Abstandselement einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 6

die Seitenansicht des Abstandselements der Figur 5 ähnlich wie in Figur 2;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf das Abstandselement der Figur 5 und 6 in einer der Figur 1 entsprechenden Darstellung.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the claims, the wording of which is incorporated herein by reference, the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawing. Individual features of the various embodiments and the drawings may be combined in any manner without departing from the scope of the invention. Hereby show:

FIG. 1

a plan view of a spacer element with three sections;

FIG. 2

a side view of the spacer of the FIG. 1 from the right;

FIG. 3

on an enlarged scale, a joint between two sections;

FIG. 4

also on an enlarged scale a side view of the connection of two blocks of a strand;

FIG. 5

in perspective view a section of a spacer element of a second embodiment;

FIG. 6

the side view of the spacer of the FIG. 5 similar to in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 7

a plan view of the spacer of the FIGS. 5 and 6 in one of the FIG. 1 corresponding representation.

The FIG. 1 shows a spacer element, which is composed of three substantially identical sections 1. Each section 1 extends between two joints 2, with the outer sections on a junction 2 ends. Normally, a spacer element is made up of a much larger number of sections 1, but for presentation, three sections 1 are sufficient. Each section 1 has two strands 3 of spacer blocks 4, which are connected by a continuous web 5 with each other and with the connection points 2. In the illustrated embodiment, each strand 3 of spacer blocks 4 has two rectilinear sections 3a, 3b which enclose an obtuse angle with each other.

The web 5 is much narrower than the spacer blocks 4. In its respective last section between the last spacer block 4 and the connection point 2, the web 5 is formed wider and has the transition to the actual joint 2 a decreasing width, which in a tip ends.

The spacer element has a longitudinal direction which coincides with a connecting line between the connection points 2 of a section 1. With regard to this longitudinal direction, the two strands 3 are formed and arranged symmetrically. Approximately in the middle between the two connection points 2, the two strands 3 have their greatest mutual distance.

All blocks 4 are the same size.

How to get the FIG. 2 can also take all blocks 4 have the same height. The bridge 5, the in FIG. 2 is visible at the location of the maximum distance between two strands 3, has a lower height than the blocks 4. The same applies to the connection point 2.

The FIG. 3 now shows on an enlarged scale a joint 2 between two sections 1 of the spacer element. The connection point 2 is designed as an annular connection node 6, which has a central hole 7. The end portions 8 of both webs 5 have over the remaining part of the webs 5 a greater width. In the transition to the connection node 6, however, its width decreases almost to a peak. As a result, a weak point is formed directly on the circumference of the connection node 6, at which it is easy to tear off the webs 5 from the connection point 2.

Each spacer block 4 has a hole 9, which passes from the one end face 10 of each spacer block 4 to the opposite end face.

While the FIG. 2 the spacer element from the lateral direction of the FIG. 1 represents, and the line of sight in Fig. 2 so obliquely meets the webs 5, shows the FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale a side view of two spacer blocks in a direction perpendicular to the course of the web 5. Each block 4 has two mutually parallel opposite end faces 10, 11. The distance between the two end faces 10, 11 from each other forms the height of the spacer block 4. The in FIG. 4 upper end surfaces 10 of all spacer blocks of both strands 3 of a section lie in one plane, as well as the lower end faces 11 in FIG. 4 of all spacer blocks 4 of both strands 3.

The web 5 connecting the spacer blocks 4 is not only, as has already been pointed out, narrower than the spacer blocks 4, but also has a smaller height. Both longitudinal edges 12 of the web 5 have a distance from the planes in which the respective end faces 10 and 11 of the spacer blocks 4 are located. As a result, when the spacer blocks are arranged between two elements to be mounted at a distance, the water can flow below and optionally also above the web 5.

The hole 7 in the connection node 6 can serve the spacer element fix it to the pad with a nail or screw.

Due to the spread-out shape of the two strands 3 of each section 1 and the elasticity of the web 5 can be during assembly, the joints also approach each other or to some extent from each other, if this should be required by the circumstances in the attachment.

In the embodiment shown and also described so far, the spacer blocks 4 are formed as a cuboid with a rectangular plan. Of course, it is also possible and within the scope of the invention that the spacer blocks have other basic shapes, for example a cube shape.

The FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the invention proposed by the spacer element. The same reference numerals are used for the same elements of this spacer.

First to the FIG. 7 that one of the FIG. 1 corresponding plan view of a portion 1 of the second embodiment of the spacer shows. The section 1 in turn consists of two strands 3 of a mutual distance blocks 4 of the same height. The blocks 4 are connected to each other by respective sections of a web 5. Unlike the embodiment of the preceding FIGS. 1 to 4 the two strands 3 of blocks 4 each extend in a straight line and parallel to one another. They are connected by the junction 2 forming transverse webs 13 with each other. These transverse webs 13 are in FIG. 7 shown canceled.

How to get the top view of the FIG. 7 can take, the webs 5 between the blocks 4 have the same width as this. The two strands 3 connecting transverse webs 13 is significantly narrower than the strands 3, since it should be deformed. For example, if you have the in FIG. 7 moves lower strand 3 in its own longitudinal direction, approach the two strands 3 due to the parallelogram effect of the transverse webs 13 to each other. This can be done both by the fact that the transverse webs 13 remain in a straight line to pivot at their points of application, as well as by deforming themselves in an S-shape. In this way, the distance between the two strands 3 of spacer blocks 4 can be changed.

From the side view of FIG. 6 , from below in FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the web 5 is formed in the height direction approximately in the middle between the two end faces 10, 11 of the blocks 4, so that both above and below the webs 5 remains a gap through which water can flow. Between two specially formed blocks 4 ', the web 5 is offset downwards in the height direction, so that its underside 14 lies here at a height with the underside of the individual blocks 4. At this point, the web 5 'is slightly longer than between the other blocks 4. The web has at this point an opening 19 for the insertion of a screw or a nail. This arrangement has over the arrangement of the hole 9 in the blocks 4 has the advantage that a screw head 4 at this point does not protrude beyond the upper end face 10 of the blocks 4 and therefore does not bother.

The FIG. 5 shows a section of a spacer in a broken representation. It can be seen that the transverse web 13 is also narrower in the height direction than the blocks 4.

As in the previous embodiment, the width of the spacer element, ie in this case the distance between the each outer strand facing away from outer sides of the strands 3, changeable. The maximum distance is determined by the length of the transverse webs 13. To reduce the distance, the two strands 3 are moved approximately parallel to one another.

In the foregoing embodiment, the width of the spacer may be changed by approximating two joints 2, thereby pushing the kinks of the two strands 3 outward. In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 For example, the width of the spacer can be changed individually for each section.

The spacer element of both embodiments is produced in one piece as an injection-molded part, for example in lengths of 0.5 m. The number and arrangement of the blocks in each section can be chosen arbitrarily.

Claims (16)

1. A spacer element for purposes of arrangement between two components that are to be arranged spaced apart, with

   - a multiplicity of modular sections (1), arranged at least one behind another, forming a row,

   - of which each pair of adjacent sections (1) are connected with one another at a connecting point (2), and

   - of which each section (1) has at least two strings (3) of blocks (4) of the same height that are mutually spaced apart, extending between the two connecting points (2) of the section (1), which blocks (4)

   - are in each case connected with one another by means of an elastically formed web (5), and whose two end faces (10, 11) are arranged in each case in a surface common to all blocks (4), which in particular is plane, wherein

   - the spacer element is manufactured in one piece as an injection casting.
2. The spacer element in accordance with claim 1, in which
   the width of the spacer element can be altered.
3. The spacer element in accordance with claim 1 or 2, in which
   at least one section (1) has at least two strings (3) of blocks (4), wherein the end faces (10, 11) of the blocks (4) of both strings (3) are arranged in each case in a plane common to the blocks (4) of both strings (3).
4. The spacer element in accordance with claim 3, in which
   the two strings (3) converge towards one another in the direction towards the connecting point (2), and have a greater spacing in a region that is located centrally between the connecting points (2).
5. The spacer element in accordance with claim 3, in which
   the strings (3) of blocks (4) run parallel to one another.
6. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
   the height of the web (5) connecting the blocks (4) is less than the height of the blocks (4).
7. The spacer element in accordance with claim 6, in which
   the web (5) is spaced apart in the height direction from the planes of both end faces (10, 11) of the blocks (4).
8. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
   at least one connecting point (2) is formed by means of a connecting node (6) common to both adjacent sections (1).
9. The spacer element in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 7, in which
   the connecting point (2) is formed by means of a transverse web (13), which is connected at each of its ends with in each case one block (4) of a string (3) of blocks (4).
10. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    the height of the connecting point (2) is less than the height of the blocks (4).
11. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    one end face of the connecting point (2) is aligned with the plane of the one end face (10, 11) of the blocks (4).
12. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    the connecting point (2) has a hole (7) running parallel to the direction of the height of the blocks (4) .
13. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    a weak point is formed in the region of the connecting point (2) for purposes of separating adjacent sections (1) .
14. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    at least one string (3) has two sections (3a, 3b) running linearly, which subtend an angle between them.
15. The spacer element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which
    at least one string (3) runs in a curve.
16. The spacer element in accordance with one of the claims 3 to 15, in which
    the arrangement of the strings (3) is formed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis connecting the connecting points (2).

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