EP3323972B1 - Sleeper connector and its use - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multi-part sleeper connector for connecting a hollow chamber profile to the top of a sleeper with a sleeper holder and a filler core that can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile, and to a system with a hollow chamber profile, sleeper and multi-part sleeper connector.

Technical field

Threshold connectors according to the present invention are used to connect a hollow chamber profile, in particular a post or frame profile with an approximately T, L or Z-shaped cross section, to a threshold profile, the threshold profile not having a flat surface. Basically, two different methods are used in the prior art for connecting hollow chamber profiles with such sleepers: in the first method, the end face of the hollow chamber profile is milled in such a way that it corresponds exactly to the surface contour of the threshold profile. In the second method, the end face of the hollow chamber profile is generally cut to length and connected to the threshold profile using a sleeper connector, the sleeper connector compensating for the uneven surface contour of the sleeper, at least in partial areas. The invention relates to a system according to the second method.

The end face of the hollow chamber profile usually has to be sealed against the top of the sleeper connector. For this purpose, permanently elastic seals are often used, which, in order to achieve the desired sealing effect, have to be compressed at least a few tenths of a millimeter when the sleeper connector is installed.

State of the art

From the DE 200 22 411 U1 a frame-post connection is known in which a hollow chamber profile by means of an eccentrically guided connecting element on the end face of the post presses the frame and compresses a seal. However, such designs require extremely complex connector designs.

From the DE 20 2007 015 357 U1 a mechanical connector for connecting a hollow chamber profile to a frame is known, in which the connector consists in one piece of a base body and a filling core which projects vertically from it and can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile. Due to the special arrangement of the fastening elements between the sleeper connector and the frame profile, sealing in this area is not required.

From the DE 197 34 876 A1 is a connecting element for connecting a hollow chamber profile with a butting profile part in door or window construction with a plug-in holding element into the hollow profile, in which a spreading element is arranged in the holding element, which is displaceable or rotatable such that surfaces of the holding element against the Hollow chamber profile can be pressed. Such a construction is complex on the one hand and on the other hand does not solve the problem of a seal between the abutting profile part and the connector.

From the WO 2015/011092 A1 A generic multi-part sleeper connector with a base body (sleeper holder) and a separate filling core that can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile is known. In this construction, however, the filling core must first be positioned exactly in the hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile and screwed there to the hollow chamber profile, in order to then achieve a sufficient contact force between the end face of the hollow chamber profile and the top by at least one screw connection protruding through the threshold and the sleeper holder into the filling core to enable the threshold holder. This exact positioning of the filling core in the hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile when screwing is, however, complex and, if carried out incorrectly, leads to the connection being unsealed.

task

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-part generic threshold connector for connecting a hollow chamber profile to the top of a threshold, which offers simplified assembly while ensuring a tight connection.

Presentation of the invention

The terms threshold connector and threshold holder are often used interchangeably. In the present application, however, the basic body of a multi-part sleeper connector is referred to as a sleeper holder which, when used as intended, rests with its underside on the top of the sleeper and with its top against the end face of the hollow chamber profile. Correspondingly, in the present application, the combination of threshold holder and the filler core which can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile is referred to as a threshold connector.

The invention achieves the above-mentioned object by a sleeper connector according to claim 1, preferably in conjunction with one or more of the features of dependent claims 2-6, or by a system according to claim 7 and a method according to claim 8.

The essence of the present invention is that the threshold holder and filling core are flexible, but spaced apart, before final assembly. The distance between the end face of the filling core facing the sleeper holder to the top of the sleeper holder is a few tenths to a few millimeters, preferably 0.2 to 6 mm. When the filling core is later fixed in the hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile, this flexible but spaced attachment of the filling core to the sleeper holder allows without additional measures an exact positioning of the filling core, so that when the connection is subsequently screwed on, the end face of the hollow chamber profile can be pressed together with the sleeper holder or a seal arranged between them. Due to the flexible but spaced attachment of the filling core to the sleeper holder according to the invention, the actual assembly is made considerably easier and the sealing function between the end face of the hollow chamber profile and the sleeper holder is ensured.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the spaced-apart, flexible fastening of the filling core to the sleeper holder is effected by elastic elements, preferably spring-elastic elements such as resilient tongues, webs or the like, in connection with latching elements or the like. Alternatively or in conjunction with elastic elements, fixed stops, for example small cams, webs or the like, can also be used which have a predetermined breaking point, tear off under a defined load and thus bring about the necessary flexibility.

According to the invention, the sleeper holder has a seal on its upper side facing the filling core and thus the end face of the hollow chamber profile, which is compressed during final assembly or when the connection is subsequently tightened. This seal can be a flat seal, for example made of foam rubber, which at least partially covers the outer contour of the end face of the hollow chamber profile during final assembly. This seal can lie loosely on the top of the sleeper holder or, for example, glued to the top of the sleeper holder, connected in a force-fitting, material-locking or positive-locking manner or mechanically fastened. Alternatively, the threshold holder can also have a completely or partially circumferential linear seal, for example made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), foam rubber or another foam, the linear seal, for example, with the top of the threshold holder glued, non-positively, materially or positively connected or mechanically attached and which at least partially covers the outer contour of the end face of the hollow chamber profile during final assembly.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeper holder has a full or partial surface seal on its underside facing the sleeper, which seal can consist, for example, of foam rubber. Alternatively, the underside of the sleeper holder can also have a completely or partially circumferential linear seal, for example made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), foam rubber or another foam, the linear seal being glued to the underside of the sleeper holder, for example, non-positively, materially or positively connected or mechanically attached.

The filling core is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably by injection molding. This makes it possible in a particularly efficient manner to provide spring-elastic elements, in particular one or more spring tongues, on the underside of the filler core facing the sleeper holder. Corresponding resilient elements can alternatively also be provided on the top of the sleeper holder.

The threshold holder is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably by injection molding. This enables locking elements and guide pins or the like in a particularly rational manner. provided.

These elastic elements, together with correspondingly arranged fastening means, preferably one or more clip connection (s), bring about the flexible but spaced fastening of the filling core to the sleeper holder provided according to the invention.

If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment between the sleeper holder and the filling core is made by means of at least one clip connection, this can consist, for example, of one or more latching hooks on the top of the sleeper holder and corresponding undercut webs on the underside of the filling core Filling core engage the locking hooks behind the webs on the top of the sleeper holder.

Insofar as the resilient but spaced attachment of the filling core to the sleeper holder is effected with elastic means such as spring tongues, spring bars or the like, the length of the latching hook (s) is advantageously chosen so that the spring tongues or the like do not or only little load and thus not or at least not fully pressed in, so that a desired elastically flexible but spaced fastening of the filling core to the sleeper holder is achieved.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a different type of spaced elastic fastening of the filling core to the sleeper holder, for example by using a screw connection that is not fully tightened in combination with at least one other resilient element, for example foam or a metal spring, in particular also in the form of a spiral spring.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more spring webs connected in one piece to the filling core or the sleeper holder are used, the connection between the spring webs and the filling core or the sleeper holder being designed as a predetermined breaking point at one of the two ends. When the screw protruding through the sleeper and the sleeper holder into the filler core is tightened during final assembly, the predetermined breaking point breaks open and enables better compliance between the filler core and the sleeper holder. At the same time, this ensures that in the preassembly of the sleeper holder and filler core to the sleeper connector, a connection that is still elastic but relatively stiff, but is easier to yield after breaking the predetermined breaking point.

For assembly, the filler core is first flexibly spaced from the sleeper holder and the sleeper holder is firmly connected to the top of the sleeper. The order of these two process steps is not critical. However, the sleeper connector is preferably delivered pre-assembled, i.e. the filling core and sleeper holder are already flexibly connected at the factory. The threshold holder and sleeper are preferably connected - as is known in the prior art - by screws which are rotated either from the underside of the sleeper into the sleeper holder or preferably from the top of the sleeper holder into the sleeper.

The hollow chamber profile is then placed on the sleeper connector or the filling core is inserted into the hollow chamber. Then the filling core is firmly connected to the hollow chamber profile, in particular by a screw connection. By means of at least one screw, which is screwed from the underside of the sleeper through the sleeper holder into the filling core, the hollow chamber profile is pressed onto the upper side of the sleeper holder and / or the seal arranged between the hollow chamber profile and the upper side of the sleeper holder, the distance between the filling core and Threshold holder reduced accordingly and the seal is compressed.

Insofar as, according to the description of this application, the filling core is introduced into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile, this of course also includes the possibility of inserting the filling core into a reinforcement profile, which in turn has been introduced into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile.

Brief description of the drawing

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht in Form einer Explosionszeichnung mit Schwelle, Schwellenverbinder und Blendrahmenprofil,

Fig. 2

den Schwellenverbinder vor dem Zusammenbau,

Fig. 3

den Füllkern in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 4

den Füllkern in perspektivischer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 5

den Schwellenhalter in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 6

den Schwellenhalter in perspektivischer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 7

Detail "C" gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 8

die fertige Verbindung mit Schwelle, Schwellenverbinder und Blendrahmenprofil,

Fig. 9

einen Horizontalschnitt durch das mit der Schwelle verbundene Blendrahmenprofil,

Fig. 10

einen Vertikalschnitt "AA" gemäß Fig. 9 vor dem Verschrauben,

Fig. 11

einen Vertikalschnitt wie in Fig. 10 nach dem Verschrauben.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view in the form of an exploded view with threshold, threshold connector and frame profile,

Fig. 2

the threshold connector before assembly,

Fig. 3

the filling core in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 4

the filling core in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 5

the threshold holder in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 6

the threshold holder in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 7

Detail "C" according to Fig. 5 .

Fig. 8

the finished connection with threshold, threshold connector and frame profile,

Fig. 9

a horizontal section through the frame profile connected to the threshold,

Fig. 10

a vertical section "AA" according to Fig. 9 before screwing,

Fig. 11

a vertical section as in Fig. 10 after screwing.

Best way to carry out the invention

In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a system in the form of an exploded view with threshold 1, the threshold connector 11 consisting of threshold holder 11 and filler core 12 and the hollow profile 20 extruded as a Z-shaped frame profile made of plastic before assembly. The threshold 1 is made in several parts in a manner known per se and essentially comprises the threshold base body 2, the plastic strip 3 and the threshold cover 4.

The sleeper connector 10 essentially consists of the sleeper holder 11 forming the base body 13 and the fill core 12. Before assembly, the sleeper holder 11 and the fill core 12 elastically resiliently connected ("pre-assembled state"). The distance between the bottom of the filling core 12 and the top 14 of the sleeper holder 11 is 3.5 mm in the preassembled state.

In the 2 to 6 Different perspective views of the sleeper holder 11 and the filling core 12 are shown. The filling core 12 is injection molded from thermoplastic, for example ABS, polycarbonate or rigid PVC. A central bore 33 receives the screw 8 during later assembly.

On the bottom ( Fig. 4 ) of the filling core 12, two spring bars 25 can be seen, which enable an elastically spaced connection between the filling core 12 and the sleeper holder 11. The spring bars 25 are integrally connected to the filling core 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the spring bars 25 are connected at both ends to the filling core 12, one of them on one side via a predetermined breaking point. It is hereby achieved that the filling core 12 is initially connected to the threshold holder 11 relatively stiffly, but at a distance from it. When the screw 8 is tightened later, this predetermined breaking point breaks, so that the spring bars 25 are only connected on one side to the filling core 12 and the screw 8 can be screwed in more easily.

The threshold holder 11 has on its upper side 14 a plurality of centering pins 19 which engage in various hollow chambers of the hollow chamber profile 20 during later assembly, rest on the inner walls of these hollow chambers and thus ensure a torsionally rigid connection between the hollow chamber profile 20 and the threshold 1. The two guide pins 27 also perform a similar function in relation to a torsionally rigid connection between the sleeper holder 11 and the filling core 12.

In Fig. 7 is the detail "C" of the threshold holder 11 according to Fig. 5 shown enlarged. One recognizes on the upper side 14 two latching hooks 28 which, when the sleeper connector 10 is preassembled, i.e. when the filler core 12 is placed on the upper side 14 of the sleeper holder 11, behind the two undercut webs 26 ( Fig. 9 ) to grab. The length of these latching hooks 28 and the position of the two webs 26 are designed such that the distance caused by the spring webs 25 between the underside 34 of the filling core 12 and the top side 14 of the sleeper holder 11 is approximately 3.5 mm and thus the seal 16 is not compressed in the pre-assembled state.

For assembly, the sleeper connector 10 is first placed on the upper side 31 of the sleeper base body 2 in such a way that the centering pins 18 ( Fig. 6 ) engage in the holes 6 of the sleeper base body 2 and, when the screw 32 is screwed into the sleeper base body 2, the underside 15 is pressed in a sealing manner while compressing the seal 17 onto the sleeper base body 2 and into the vertebral canal 7.

At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, a rollover cover 5 is additionally used, which replaces the threshold cover 4 in the end region of the threshold 1 and the inner rollover 21 ( Fig. 8 ) of the hollow chamber profile 20 on the inside 24 closes down. The rollover cover 5 has a plurality of centering pins 29 on its upper side, which engage in hollow chambers of the inner rollover 21 of the hollow chamber profile 20 when the hollow chamber profile 20 is later placed on it and further increase the torsional rigidity of the connection. The rollover cover 5 is fastened to the threshold 1 by means of the two screws 9.

After attaching the sleeper connector 10 to the sleeper base body 2, the hollow chamber profile 20 is thus with its end face on the top 14 of the pre-assembled sleeper connector 10 that the filling core 12, which at this time is still flexibly spaced and connected to the sleeper holder 11, projects completely into the hollow chamber 22. In the next step, by screwing in the two screws 30 through the wall of the hollow chamber profile 20 into the filling core 12, a firm connection between the filling core 12 and the hollow chamber profile 20 is established.

Finally, the central screw 8 is screwed from the underside of the sleeper base body 2 through the sleeper holder 11 into the filling core 12. Since the filling core 12 with its underside 34 on the one hand has a distance of approximately 3.5 mm to the top 14 of the sleeper holder 11 and on the other hand is firmly connected to the hollow chamber profile 20 by the screws 30, this becomes when screwing the screw 8 into the filling core 12 Hollow chamber profile 20 pulled axially with its end face in the direction of the upper side 14 of the threshold holder 11 and the seal 16 pressed against the corresponding contour of the end face of the hollow chamber profile 20. Here, the seal 16 is compressed and the sealing function is established. After tightening the screw 8, the filling core 12 does not have to touch the top 14 of the sleeper holder 11. Rather, the original distance of approximately 3.5 mm from the top 14 of the sleeper holder 11 is designed such that even larger tolerances when inserting the sleeper connector 10 with the filling core 12 into the end face of the hollow chamber profile 20 can be compensated for.

In the 9 to 11 the threshold connection with the threshold connector 10, the hollow chamber profile 20 and the threshold 1 is shown in different sections. In the 9 and 10 the filler core 12 is already firmly connected to the hollow chamber profile 20 by means of the two screws 30, but is still 3.5 mm apart connected to the sleeper holder 11 by the latching connection consisting of the latching hooks 28 and the webs 26. By screwing in the screw 8, the filling core 12 and the hollow chamber profile 20 firmly connected to it are pulled with their end face onto the upper side 14 of the sleeper holder 11, whereby the seal 16 compresses and the end face of the hollow chamber profile 20 is pressed firmly onto the upper side 14 of the sleeper holder 11. Here, the two spring bars 25 are elastically deformed, as in Fig. 11 in comparison to Fig. 10 can be seen.

In Fig. 8 Finally, the finished connection between the hollow chamber profile 20 and the threshold 1 is shown in an oblique view from the outside 23. The inner rollover 21, which projects laterally beyond the threshold 1, lies against the inner wall of a building in the installed state, as is customary in particular in France.

Legend

1

threshold

2

Emerging body

3

Plastic strip

4

threshold cover

5

Breakdown cover

6

holes

7

spinal canal

8th

screw

9

screw

10

sill connector

11

sill holder

12

filling core

13

body

14

top

15

bottom

16

Gasket (top)

17

Gasket (bottom)

18

Centering pin (underside)

19

Centering pin (top)

20

Hollow chamber profile (frame profile)

21

internal rollover

22

hollow

23

outside

24

inside

25

spring Bars

26

Stege

27

spigot

28

latch hook

29

spigot

30

screw

31

Top (threshold)

32

screw

33

drilling

34

Bottom (filling core)

Claims (8)

1. Sleeper connector (10) for connecting a cavity profile (20), having at least one cavity (22), to the upper side (31) of a sleeper (1), comprising at least one sleeper holder (11) and a filler core (12) that can be inserted into the cavity, wherein the sleeper holder (11) has a seal (16) on its upper side (14) facing the filler core (12), characterized in that the filler core (12) and/or the sleeper holder (11) have means which attach the filler core (12) to the sleeper holder (11) in a flexible, spaced-apart manner.
2. Sleeper connector (10) according to Claim 1, characterized by means for securely connecting, in particular screwing, the filler core (12) to the cavity profile (20).
3. Sleeper connector (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeper holder (11) has a seal (17) on its underside (15) facing the sleeper (1) .
4. Sleeper connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filler core (12) is made of synthetic material.
5. Sleeper connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flexible, spaced-apart manner in which the filler core (12) is secured to the sleeper holder (11) is elastic.
6. Sleeper connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flexible, spaced-apart manner in which the filler core (12) is secured to the sleeper holder (11) has a predetermined breaking point.
7. System comprising a sleeper (1) a cavity profile (20) and a multi-part sleeper connector according to one of Claims 1 to 6.
8. Method for connecting a cavity profile (20), having at least one cavity (22), to the upper side (31) of a sleeper (1), using a sleeper connector (10), which comprises a filler core (12) and a sleeper holder (11), according to one of Claims 1 to 6, with the following method steps:

   a) the filler core (12) is connected to the sleeper holder (11) in a flexible, spaced-apart manner;

   b) the sleeper holder (11) is securely connected to the upper side (31) of the sleeper (1);

   c) the cavity profile (20) is placed onto the sleeper connector (10), or the filler core (12) is introduced into the cavity (22);

   d) the filler core (12) is securely connected to the cavity profile (20), in particular by means of a screw connection (30) ;

   e) at least one screw (8), which is screwed from the underside of the sleeper (1) through the sleeper holder (11) into the filler core (12), is used to press the cavity profile (20) onto the upper side (14) of the sleeper holder (11) and/or to compress the seal (16) arranged between the cavity profile (20) and the upper side (14) of the sleeper holder (11), and in so doing the distance between the filler core (12) and the sleeper holder (11) is reduced as the seal (16) is compressed,

   wherein method steps a) and b) can also be carried out in reverse order.

Images