EP2954139B1

EP2954139B1 - An improved tightening square with fixed pins for angular connection of sections

Info

Publication number: EP2954139B1
Application number: EP14702638.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vladimiro Monticelli
Original assignee: LM dei Flli Monticelli Srl
Current assignee: LM dei Flli Monticelli Srl
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2014-02-05
Publication date: 2017-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-05
Also published as: PT2954139T; RS56364B1; PL2954139T3; EP2954139A1; WO2014122181A1

Description

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to an improved tightening square with fixed pins, adapted to provide connection between adjacent profiles disposed at right angle.
Squares used to connect adjacent sections at 90° are known. Such a square comprises two plates connected at right angle, each of them being adapted to be inserted into the end of a section cut at 45°. In order to obtain the connection, each section is provided with a hole for insertion of a corresponding pin provided on each of the two plates of the square.
Two types of squares are known, which differ in the structure of the pins adapted to be inserted into the holes provided on the sections. Said squares can have fixed pins, which are obtained in one piece with a portion the square from which they protrude, or mobile pins contained in a housing provided on the square.
The squares with fixed pins are impaired by the difficult fixing of the square between the upright and the crosspiece of a frame. Difficulties and wasted time are experienced during the fixing operation, especially in case of less expert operators.
In case of the squares with mobile pins, the plates of the square are provided with housings for insertion of the pins that protrude from the surface of the plate, being subject to the expulsive force of an elastic element inserted inside the housing. The plates with mobile pins are dimensioned in such manner to be inserted into the cavity of the section only when the pin is retracted; in other words, said mobile pins are basically buttons that need to be pressed in order to insert the plate into the cavity of the section. The sliding of the plate ends when the pin is inserted into the hole, as soon as the pin and the hole are aligned.
The squares with mobile pins require longer manufacturing time compared to the squares with fixed pins, because of the correct assembly of the elements of the mobile buttons; likewise, said squares have higher manufacturing costs compared to the squares with fixed pins.
CH466909 discloses a connecting element with fixed pins according to the preamble of claim 1, which is provided with two non-threaded holes in the two plates, wherein an adjustment screw is engaged.
EP1172511 , in the name of the same applicant, discloses a connecting element with fixed pins that provides for two plates connected by an adjustment screw and wherein the pins are fixed to the plates by means of springs.
The connecting elements disclosed in documents CH466909 and EP1172511 are impaired by the difficulties encountered when placing the two plates of the connecting element inside the sections because the position of the plates only depends on the adjustment screw.
The purpose of the present invention is to devise an improved square with fixed pins capable of remedying the drawbacks of the prior art.
Another purpose of the present invention is to devise a square with fixed pins characterized by low manufacturing costs and easy installation on sections.
Another purpose is to devise an improved square with fixed pins that, in addition to achieving the aforementioned purposes, is automatically fixed to the sections; more precisely, as soon as the plates are completely inserted into a pair of adjacent orthogonal sections, the square is automatically positioned with its fixed pins inside the holes provided on the two sections and fixed to the sections.
These and other purposes are achieved by the improved square with fixed pins according to the first attached claim.
The tightening square with fixed pins for connecting two adjacent sections at right angle comprises two plates provided with adjustment means adapted to bring the two plates closer or farther.
The adjustment means comprise an adjustment screw that allows for tightening the two plates, thus making the square diverge, when the two plates are not tightened, in such manner that the internal sides of the two plates are mutually inclined by an angle higher than 90°.
The peculiar characteristic of the invention consists in that the square comprises an elastic element that comprises a helical spring, inside which the adjustment screw is inserted. The helical spring is positioned between two wings of the plates of the square in order to oppose the diverging movement of the square and dispose the two plates of the square in orthogonal position.
The use of the helical spring between the two wings of the square facilitates the assembly of the square inside the sections because it guarantees the stable position of the two plates inside the sections.
For explanatory reasons, the description of the square with fixed pins according to the present invention as defined by the claims, continues with reference to the attached drawings, which only have an illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric exploded view of the square of the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are two axonometric views of the square of the invention taken from a different angle;
Figures 4a, 4b, 4c show the first plate of the square of the invention; said figures are respectively an axonometric view, a side view and a plan view of said first plate;
Figures 5a, 5b, 5c show the second plate of the square of the invention; said figures are respectively an axonometric view, a side view and a plan view of said second plate;
Figures 6 and 7 show the square of the invention respectively with a side view and a side view sectioned along a plane passing through the axis of the pins obtained on the two plates;
Figures 8 to 12 are sectional views that show the operating steps used to put the square of the invention in operation, connecting a pair of adjacent sections at right angle;
Figures 13 to 14 are diagrammatic views of two portions of adjacent sections, respectively in stepped configuration and non-coplanar configuration;
Figures 15a and 15b are two axonometric views of the square of the invention taken from a different angle, according to a second alternative embodiment;
Figures 16a and 16b are two axonometric views of the square of the invention taken from a different angle according to a third alternative embodiment;
Figures 17a and 17b are two axonometric views of the square of the invention taken from a different angle, according to a fourth alternative embodiment;
Figure 17c is a sectional side view of the square of Figures 17a and 17b, which is inserted into a pair of adjacent profiles at right angle, and is about to make the automatic fixing of said pair of sections.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 12, the square of the invention comprises a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) connected in correspondence of a vertex (V) of the square.
Each plate (1, 2) is provided with an external side (1 a, 2a) and an internal side (1 b, 2b) which is adapted to be stopped against an internal wall of a section (M1, M2, T1, T2). A fixed pin (12, 22) is obtained on the internal side (1 b, 2b) of each plate.
Each plate (1, 2) comprises:

a first free end (11, 21) in correspondence of which said fixed pin (12, 22) is obtained and adapted to be inserted inside a corresponding hole (F1, F2) obtained on the section (M1, M2, T1, T2);
a second end (13, 23) in correspondence of the vertex (V) of the square.

The two plates (1, 2) are provided with adjustment means (14, 24, 4) adapted to get said two plates (1, 2) mutually closer or farther.
Said adjustment means (14, 24, 4) comprise:

a first wing (14) obtained on the first plate (1) in correspondence of said second end (13) of the first plate, and a second wing (24) obtained on the second plate (2) in correspondence of said second end (23) of the second plate;
a threaded hole (F4) obtained in the first wing (14), and a non-threaded hole (F5) obtained in the second wing (24) and aligned with respect to said threaded hole (F4);
an adjustment screw (4) inserted into said non-threaded hole (F5) and screwed inside said threaded hole (F4); said adjustment screw (4) being provided with axis (X-X).

The rotation of said adjustment screw (4) in clockwise or anticlockwise direction gets the two plates (1, 2) closer or farther.
The two plates (1, 2) can be:

in tightening position, wherein the two internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the plates (1, 2) are inclined by a 90° angle (α) and the adjustment screw (4) is tightened;
in non-tightening position, wherein the two internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the plates (1, 2) are inclined by a 90° angle (α) and the adjustment screw (4) is not tightened.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 12, during the assembly step shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the square of the invention can be in diverged position, wherein the two internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the two plates (1, 2) are inclined by an angle (α) higher than 90°.
The diverging position allows the square of the invention to be inserted inside two perpendicular adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) that, in order to be connected by the square, must be brought closer, while maintaining their mutual orthogonal position.
The peculiarity of the square consists in the fact that it can be diverged when the plates (1, 2) are in non-tightening position, so that the angle (α) changes from a 90° angle to an angle higher than 90°, preferably 100°; said diverging movement is permitted by the fact that clearance is obtained between the non-threaded hole (F5) obtained on the second plate (2) and the adjustment screw (4) inserted into the non-threaded hole (F5) in order to allow the adjustment screw (4) to oscillate with its axis (X-X) along a plane perpendicular to both internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the two plates (1, 2).
The non-threaded hole (F5) has an elliptical profile with major axis directed according to a direction perpendicular to said internal side (2b) of the second plate (2).
Alternatively, said non-threaded hole (F5) can be circular and have a higher diameter than the stem of the adjustment screw (4).
As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, as soon as it is inserted inside a pair of sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) disposed at right angle, the square of the invention is automatically disposed in diverged position - α higher than 90° - and the pins (12, 22) are pushed against a first internal side (P1) of the section (M1, M2, T1, T2) with the hole (F1, F2).
Said automatism occurs because the two plates (1, 2) of the square of the invention comprise stop means (17, 27) adapted to be stopped against a second internal wall (P2) of the section (M1, M2, T1, T2) opposite to said first internal wall (P1) with the hole (F1, F2), as soon as the square is inserted into a pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2), as shown in Fig. 9.
Said stop means (17, 27) are provided in correspondence of the vertex (V) of the square, as shown in Figs. 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, 17A, 17B and 17C.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, said stop means (17, 27) of the two plates comprise a pair of side edges (17, 27) protruding from the external side (1 a, 2a) of the two plates (1, 2) and favoring the correct position of the square inside the pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2).
Referring to Figs. 9 to 11, the height of said side edges (17, 27) is basically identical or in any case slightly lower (preferably 4 mm) - see Fig. 12 - with respect to the distance between the internal sides (P1, P2) of the adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) inside which the square is inserted.
As shown in Fig. 9, as soon as each plate (1, 2) is inserted inside the section (M1, M2, T1, T2), the side edges (17, 27) are stopped against the second internal wall (P2) of the section and the pins (12, 22) are brought closer to the holes (F1, F2) obtained on the first internal wall (P1) of the section.
The pin (12, 22) rubs against said first internal wall (P1) of the section (M1, M2, T1, T2) until it is aligned with the hole (F1, F2); said alignment is provided when the square is completely inserted inside the pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2), as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, the square comprises an elastic element (5) disposed between the two wings (14, 24). The elastic element (5) tends to bring both the two plates (1, 2) and the pair of pins (12, 22) farther. Said elastic element (5) consists in a helical spring (5) inside which the adjustment screw (4) is inserted.
Said spring (5) facilitates assembly because it guarantees the stable position of the two plates (1, 2), which exclusively depends on the adjustment screw (4).
Referring to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, it must be noted that during the setting of the square of the invention, the action of the spring (5) is fundamental, because it tends to bring the two plates (1, 2) farther and oppose the diverging movement of the plates (1, 2) in such manner to keep the two internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the two plates (1, 2) in orthogonal position.
Because of the combined action of the non-threaded hole (F5), of the two wings (14, 24) and of the spring (5), the square is automatically placed in diverged position when it is inserted inside a pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2).
Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, during the insertion of the square inside the pair of adjacent profiles (M1, M2, T1, T2), the adjacent profiles are in orthogonal position, the square is in diverged position and the spring (5) tends to bring the plates back to the orthogonal position. When the square is completely inserted inside the adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) and the pins (12, 22) are aligned with the holes (F1, F2), the pins (12, 22) are automatically fitted inside the holes (F1, F2) because of the action of the spring (5) that tends to bring the plates (1, 2) back with the internal sides (1 b, 2b) in orthogonal position, as shown in Fig. 11.
As shown in Fig. 12, in order to stabilize the coupling between the two adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) it is simply necessary to tighten the adjustment screw (4) with a suitable device, which specifically consists in an Allen screw (C).
Still referring to Fig. 12, when seen laterally and sectioned along a plane perpendicular to the internal side (1 b, 2b) of the plate (1, 2), each pin (12, 22) is provided with a perpendicular edge (12a, 22a) facing the vertex (V) of the square, and an inclined edge (12b, 22b) facing the side opposite to said vertex (V).
Specifically, a tooth (12c) protrudes from the perpendicular edge (12a, 22a), which faces the vertex (V) of the square and provides for fixing the pin (12, 22) to the hole (F1, F2).
The inclined edge (12b, 22b) favors the insertion of the pin (12, 22) into the hole (F1, F2), avoiding any undesired interference when the square is automatically placed with the pair of holes (12, 22) aligned with the pair of holes (F1, F2), as shown in Fig. 10 and 17c.
Because of the combined action of the non-threaded hole (F5), of the two wings (14, 24), of the spring (5) and of the inclined edge (12b, 22b), the square of the invention is fitted to the sections by simply moving the sections, without the empirical use of the Allen screw (C).
According to a preferred embodiment, one of the two wings (14, 24), specifically the second wing (24), is provided with a stop tooth (25) that is stopped above the end border (15) of the other wing (14, 24), specifically the first wing (14). The provision of said stop tooth (25) guarantees that the internal sides (1b, 2b) of the two plates (1, 2) form a 90° angle when the adjustment screw (4) tightens the two plates (1, 2).
More precisely, the stop tooth (25) is suitably dimensioned in order not to prevent the diverging movement of the two plates (1, 2) when the square is inserted inside a pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2), and in order to prevent the so-called stepped phenomenon between the two adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) connected by the square of the invention, as shown in Fig. 13.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4c, 5c, the two plates (1, 2) comprise alignment means (16, 26) that guarantee the correct position of the square between the two plates (1, 2). Because of the alignment means (16, 26), the two plates (1, 2) cannot rotate with respect to the axis (X-X) of the adjustment screw (4) that connects them.
Moreover, said alignment means (16, 26) guarantee the correct coplanarity of the external walls of the adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) to be connected by the square. More precisely, the alignment means (16, 26) guarantee that the axes of the two pins (12, 22) lie on the same plane, which is orthogonal to both internal sides (1 b, 2b) of the two plates (1, 2).
The alignment means (16, 26) comprise two tabs (16) that protrude from the second end (13, 23) of one of the two plates (2, 1), specifically the first plate (1), and are slidingly inserted inside a pair of housings (26) provided in correspondence of the second end (13, 23) of the other plate (1, 2), specifically the second plate (2).
The provision of said alignment means (16, 26) guarantees that the two adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) connected by the square of the invention are not disposed in non-coplanar position, as shown in Fig. 14.
Instead of the threaded hole (F4), the first wing (24) of the first plate (1) of the square can be provided with a threaded bush or a nut for insertion of the adjustment screw (4).
Referring to Figs. 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 17c, according to additional embodiments, the square of the invention is provided with strengthening wings (D) from which the stop means (17, 27) protrude. Referring to Figs. 17a, 17b, 17c, said stop means (17, 27) are disposed in correspondence of the stop tooth (25).

Claims

A tightening square with fixed pins (12, 22) for connection of two adjacent sections disposed at right angle; each section (M1, M2, T1, T2) comprising a first internal wall (P1) wherein a hole (F1, F2) is obtained for penetration of one of said fixed pins (12, 22), and a second internal wall (P2) opposite to said first internal wall (P1);
comprising:
a) a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) connected in such manner to define a vertex (V) of the square and adapted to be inserted into two end sections of a pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2); each plate having an external side (1 a, 2a), an internal side (1 b, 2b), a first free end (11, 21) and a second end (13, 23) in correspondence of the vertex (V) of the square;

b) two fixed pins (12, 22) disposed in correspondence of the first free end (11, 21) of each of said two plates (1, 2);

c) adjustment means (14, 24, 4) adapted to get said two plates (1, 2) mutually closer or farther, adjustment means (14, 24, 4) comprising:
c1) a first wing (14) obtained on said second end (13) of the first plate (1) and a second wing (24) obtained on said second end (23) of the second plate (2);

c2) a hole (F4) obtained in said first wing (14),

c3) a non-threaded hole (F5) obtained in said second wing (24) and aligned with respect to said hole (F4) of the first wing; and

c4) an adjustment screw (4) provided with axis (X-X) and inserted into said non-threaded hole (F5) of the second wing and into said hole (F4) of the first wing; wherein a clearance is provided between said non-threaded hole (F5) and said adjustment screw (4), which allows the axis (X-X) of the adjustment screw (4) to oscillate along a plane perpendicular to both internal sides (1 b, 2b) of said two plates (1, 2) in such manner that the square can assume a diverged position, in which said two internal sides (1 b, 2b) of said two plates (1, 2) are tilted by an angle (α) higher than 90°;
characterized in that
said hole (F4) of the first wing is a threaded hole and
said square comprises an elastic element (5) that comprises a helical spring (5) wherein said adjustment screw (4) is inserted, said helical spring being positioned between said two wings (14, 24) in such manner to oppose the diverging movement of the square and dispose the two plates (1, 2) of the square in mutual orthogonal position.
The square of claim 1, wherein said non-threaded hole (F5) of the second wing has an elliptical profile with major axis directed according to a direction perpendicular to said internal side (2b) of said second plate (2).
The square of claim 1, wherein said non-threaded hole (F5) has a circular profile and higher diameter than the diameter of said adjustment screw (4) inserted inside said non-threaded hole (F5).
The square of any one of the preceding claims, comprising stop means (17, 27) situated in correspondence of said vertex (V) of the square and adapted to be stopped against said second internal wall (P2) of said section (M1, M2, T1, T2) when said square is inserted into said pair of adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2).
The square of claim 4, wherein said stop means (17, 27) comprise at least one pair of identical side edges (17,27), which are situated on said two plates (1,2) and protrude with respect to said external side (1 a,2a) of said two plates (1,2); said side edges (17,27) being provided with slightly lower height, preferably by 4mm, than the distance between said first (P1) and said second internal wall (P2) of the section (M1, M2, T1, T2).
The square of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pin (12, 22), when seen laterally and cut along a plane perpendicular to the internal side (1 b, 2b) of the plate (1, 2), is provided with a perpendicular edge (12a, 22a) facing said vertex (V) of the square, and an inclined edge (12b, 22b) facing the side opposite to said vertex (V); said pin also comprising a tooth (12c) protruding from said perpendicular edge (12a, 22a) and facing said vertex (V) of the square to guarantee the fixing of said pin (12, 22) into the corresponding hole (F1, F2).
The square of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said two wings (14, 24) is provided with a stop tooth (25) engaged above an end border (15) of the other wing (14, 24); said stop tooth (25) guaranteeing that said internal sides (1 b,2b) of said two plates (2) form a 90° angle when said adjustment screw (4) tightens the two plates (2).
The square of any one of the preceding claims, comprising alignment means (26) between said two plates (2) to allow for coplanarity of said two adjacent sections (M1, M2, T1, T2) connected by the square.
The square of claim 8, wherein said alignment means (16, 26) comprise two tabs (16) that protrude from said second end (13, 23) of one of said two plates (1, 2), and are slidingly inserted into a pair of housings (26) provided in correspondence of the second end (13, 23) of the other plate (1, 2).