EP3348780A1 - Conductor connector and assembly comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor connector (2) for connecting at least two conductors (1, 11, 20). The conductor connector (2) has a first connection element (6) which can be attached to an outer side (8) of a first ladder stile (3) of a first conductor (1), wherein the first connection element (6) has at least one fastening device (9) for Connecting to the first ladder stile (3) and at least one hook (10) for holding a second conductor (11) on one of its ladder rungs (5). Furthermore, the conductor connector (2) has a second connecting element (7), which can be attached to an outer side (12) of a second ladder stile (4) of the first ladder (1), wherein the second connecting element (7) has at least one fastening device (9). for connecting to the second ladder stile (4) and at least one hook (10) for holding the second ladder (11) on one of its ladder rungs (5).

Description

The invention relates to a conductor connector for connecting conductors. The invention also relates to an arrangement with such a conductor connector.

Ladder concepts in which ladders are lengthened or shortened are already known in practice in various variants. In the case of the so-called boot ladder, shorter joint segments can easily be folded away or folded over by many joints in order to lengthen or shorten the trunk ladder. If the trunk ladder is used together with a ladder lift, then the many joints are correspondingly strong to dimension, which drives up the price and weight of the trunk ladder in the air. Apart from that, in the trunk ladder individual conductor segments can not be omitted if they are not needed. This makes handling the trunk ladder at low altitudes more difficult than would require such a low height.

As an alternative, sliding ladders are used. These offer the opportunity to reach high altitudes. However, the extension ladder can also be disassembled into individual conductor segments. Accordingly, the weight of the extension ladder on the individual conductor segments can be divided for transport, and the total length of the individual conductor segments of the extension ladder is adapted to common transport vehicles. Next, common sliding ladders include encompassing brackets through which the overhead conductor segments are held together. However, these brackets would collide with the eccentric discs of a ladder lift, which are needed for a stop in the event of a break in the breaker of the conductor lift. These eccentric discs are by design on the narrow top of the ladder stile on. Accordingly, the use of a conductor lift together with an extension ladder is not suitable.

The invention has for its object to provide a conductor connector with which conductors can be quickly and easily connected. In particular, a conductor connector is to be provided, in which the use of a conductor lift is not impaired, for which a constant over the entire conductor length, or approximately constant, track or conductor width is necessary. It is also an object of the invention to provide an arrangement with such a conductor connector.

This object is achieved by a conductor connector according to claim 1. Likewise, an arrangement will be described with such a conductor connector. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the further claims.

Accordingly, a conductor connector for connecting at least two conductors is provided. The conductor connector has a first connection element, which can be attached to an outer side of a first ladder stile of a first conductor, wherein the first connection element has at least one fastening device for connecting to the first ladder stile and at least one hook for holding a second conductor to one of its ladder rungs. Furthermore, the conductor connector has a second connecting element, which can be attached to an outer side of a second ladder stile of the first ladder, wherein the second connecting element has at least one fastening device for connecting to the second ladder stile and at least one hook for holding the second ladder on one of its ladder rungs.

The fact that the second conductor is held by means of the hooks on their ladder rungs, it can be prevented that the ladder struts of the second conductor, as in a sliding ladder, are embraced. Thus, on the top of the ladder spars the second conductor no holders, as in a sliding ladder, arranged. Thus, a ladder lift, which is supported by the second conductor, is not affected in its movement by such brackets. The conductor connector can thus be used in particular in arrangements in which a conductor lift is used.

By means of the conductor connector, it is possible to build an arrangement of two conductors quickly and easily. In this case, each of the conductors can be designed, for example, as a simple ladder, Anliegeleiter, step ladder, extension ladder or trunk ladder. These combinations can be lengths of the arrangement of about 2.4 m to about 10 m reach.

If the conductor connector is not needed to connect two conductors, then the connection members can be easily mounted on the outside of a ladder stile of a conductor so as not to be lost. Furthermore, the connecting elements can be easily moved along the ladder stile.

In practice, the connecting elements of the conductor connector for stability reasons are always used in pairs. However, it is also possible that a conductor connector has only one connecting element.

Another advantage of the conductor connector is that the walkable ladder rungs are not or only slightly reduced in their width, so that extended ladders can be easily climbed by people.

By means of the concept of the conductor connector, conductors or conductor elements can be easily and quickly connected while maintaining the track width and flexibility in the body lengths.

According to one embodiment of the conductor connector, the first and the second connecting element are formed with respect to a plane mirror-symmetrical to each other. In this case, the plane extends in particular perpendicular to the ladder rungs of the first ladder.

Furthermore, the first and the second connecting element can be arranged parallel to one another and parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction or parallel to one another and not offset in the longitudinal direction.

According to a further embodiment of the conductor connector, the first and the second connecting element each have a base element which has a plurality of openings for saving weight. For example, the base element may have a grid-like structure, and in particular a plurality of longitudinal and / or transverse struts, in order to realize the desired structure with the openings. In this way, the base element can be stable and light at the same time.

Furthermore, the connecting element and / or the base element can consist of a plurality of subelements, the subelements having different materials. In this way, it is possible to use for certain sub-elements particularly lightweight materials, so as to save weight.

According to a further embodiment of the conductor connector, the first and the second connecting element are formed to engage around the respective ladder stile of the first conductor. In particular, the first and the second connecting element can be formed in a form-fitting manner with respect to the respective ladder stile of the first ladder. This can lead to an undercut. A power transmission in the longitudinal and transverse directions is possible.

A ladder stile can in principle have any desired shape. It is possible that the ladder stile has a rectangular shape, and three outer sides or four outer sides of the respective ladder stile are in contact with the respective connecting element. If the respective connecting element engages completely around the respective ladder stile, ie four outer sides of the ladder stile are in contact with the connecting element, then the connecting element can be pushed onto the ladder stile from one end of the stile. Or the connecting element is first pushed on one longitudinal edge of the ladder stile, which surrounds it, and then attached to the other longitudinal edge of the ladder stile, which does not surround the connecting element. On the other hand, if the connecting element does not completely encompass the ladder stile, ie only three outer sides of the ladder stile with the connecting element are in contact, then the connecting element can be easily plugged from the outside, ie in the direction of ladder direction, on the ladder spar. In this case, the connecting element is held on the fastening means on the ladder spar.

According to a further embodiment of the conductor connector, the at least one hook of the first connecting element and the at least one hook of the second connecting element are arranged on an inner side of the respective ladder stile. Accordingly, the hook of a connecting element is connected to the base element of the connecting element in such a way that the hook extends at least to a certain extent on the inside of the ladder stile. The smaller the distance between the at least one hook of the first connecting element and the at least one hook of the second connecting element, the smaller can be the distance of the ladder struts of the second conductor, so that the second conductor can be hung in the hooks.

Preferably, the hooks are arranged on the connecting element, that when hooking a ladder into the hook, the ladder rungs of the first and the second ladder are at the same height in order to climb the ladders safely. At least one of the hooks can have a heavy and / or spring-actuated fuse, so that a hinged ladder does not fall unintentionally out of the hook in unnatural force direction.

According to a further embodiment of the conductor connector, the respective at least one fastening device has a bolt which is adapted to engage in a recess on a ladder rung of the first ladder or in a recess provided thereon on the respective ladder rail, to the respective connecting element to the respective ladder rail fasten. Advantageously, by using a recess of a ladder rung on the first conductor no additional effort for any receiving points, since the recesses of the ladder rungs of the first ladder already exist anyway. However, it is also possible to provide recesses on the ladder stile, which do not coincide with a ladder rung.

Next, instead of the bolt, another suitable element can be used.

According to a further embodiment of the conductor connector, the respective connecting element has a further fastening device, which is adapted to engage in a recess of a ladder rung another conductor to connect the other conductors at one end of the other conductor flush with one end of the first conductor. Advantageously, the first conductor and the further conductors can be connected in a row in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the first conductors and the further conductors are aligned, i. not offset from each other, arranged. The further fastening device can also engage in a recess of the further conductor, which does not coincide with a recess of a ladder rung.

Also results in this type of connection no significant gap in the longitudinal direction of the ladder struts, which in conjunction with a ladder lift or a slide / device which moves on the ladder, the unwinding or sliding significantly easier and ensures smooth operation.

Accordingly, the conductor connector can be used to interconnect conductors in two different ways.

Further, an arrangement is provided. The assembly includes a conductor connector as described, a first conductor and a second conductor and / or another conductor. In this case, the first conductor is connected by means of the conductor connector to the second conductor and / or the other conductor.

By combining only the three components of the arrangement, lengths of approx. 2.4 m to approx. 10 m can be easily realized. By choosing the conductors and the connection of the conductors by means of the conductor connector, the desired length can be adjusted. With the described concept, however, larger or smaller lengths than those mentioned can be achieved.

The arrangement can be decomposed into the individual components. This allows a weight reduction when wearing, by the components can be worn individually. It also does not always need the complete material, ie all Components with a maximum length of up to approx. 10 m, if a lower height is sufficient for a specific application.

The conductors of the arrangement can also be used individually. This allows a very flexible and variable installation of the components. For example, a ladder can be used as a normal ladder or ladder.

Advantageously, the entire assembly or disassembly of the arrangement can be done without tools.

According to one embodiment of the arrangement, the first conductor and / or the second conductor and / or the further conductor is designed as a post conductor, which has a first post-conductor section, a second post-conductor section and a hinge. In this case, the first block conductor section and the second block conductor section are rotatably connected to one another by means of the hinge. Advantageously, a step ladder is versatile.

According to a further embodiment of the arrangement, the first conductor and / or the second conductor and / or the further conductor has a lift rail for a conductor lift. The arrangement with the conductor connector is particularly suitable for a conductor lift, since the handling of the conductor lift is not affected by the conductor connector.

The embodiments and features described for the proposed conductor connector apply to the proposed arrangement accordingly and vice versa.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of features described above or below. The skilled person will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Leiter mit einem Leiterverbinder;
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung aufweisend eine erste Leiter, eine zweite Leiter und einen Leiterverbinder;
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung aufweisend eine erste Leiter, eine weitere Leiter und einen Leiterverbinder;
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Leiterverbinders;
• Fig. 5 eine Rückansicht eines Verbindungselements des Leiterverbinders aus Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer in Fig. 4 dargestellten Befestigungseinrichtung; und
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer alternativen Befestigungseinrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show in

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first conductor with a conductor connector;
• Fig. 2 a perspective view of an arrangement comprising a first conductor, a second conductor and a conductor connector;
• Fig. 3 a perspective view of an arrangement comprising a first conductor, a further conductor and a conductor connector;
• Fig. 4 a perspective view of a conductor connector;
• Fig. 5 a rear view of a connecting element of the conductor connector Fig. 4 ;
• Fig. 6 a perspective view of an in Fig. 4 illustrated fastening device; and
• Fig. 7 a perspective view of an alternative fastening device.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals. It should also be noted that the illustrations in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first conductor 1 with a conductor connector 2. The first conductor 1 has a first ladder stile 3, a second ladder stile 4 and ladder rungs 5. In this case, the ladder rungs 5 connect the first ladder stile 3 to the second ladder stile 4.

The conductor connector 2 has a first connection element 6 and a second connection element 7. The first connection element 6 is attached to the outside 8 of the first ladder stile 3. In this case, the in Fig. 1 illustrated first connecting element 6 has two fastening means 9, with which the first connecting element 6 is attached to the first ladder stile 3. Next, the first connecting element 6 has two hooks 10, with which a second conductor 11 (see Fig. 2 ) can be held on one of its ladder rungs 5.

The second connecting element 7 is attached to the outer side 12 of the second ladder stile 4. In this case, the second connecting element 7 has two fastening devices 9, with which the second connecting element 7 is fastened to the second conductor rail 4. Next, the second connecting element 7 shows two hooks 10, with which a second conductor 11 can be held on one of its ladder rungs 5.

The number of fasteners 9 and the hook 10 is not on in the Fig. 1 number shown limited. In principle, any number of fastening devices 9 and hooks 10 per connecting element 6, 7 can be used. It is sufficient if a connecting element 6, 7 has only one fastening device 9 and / or one hook 10. In particular, a connecting element 6, 7 may have one, two, three, four, five or six fastening devices 9 and / or hooks 10.

As Fig. 1 shows, the first connecting element 6 and the second connecting element 7 are mirror-symmetrical to each other. In this case, the plane of symmetry runs parallel to the conductor bars 3, 4 and perpendicular to the ladder rungs 5 of the first conductor. 1

The connecting elements 6, 7 are formed so that they embrace the respective ladder stile 3, 4 of the first conductor 1. In this case, the connecting elements 6, 7 a substantially C-shaped profile, wherein, however, the edges of the profile at the opening of the C-shaped profile are still bent. Next, the connecting elements 6, 7 form-fitting manner with the ladder struts 3, 4 are formed. In this respect, the connecting elements 6, 7 can contact four outer sides of the ladder stiles 3, 4, so that a force transmission between the connecting elements 6, 7 and the ladder struts 3, 4 is possible.

Alternatively, the edges of the profile of the connecting elements 6, 7 may not be bent at the opening of the C-shaped profile. In this case, for example, only three outer sides of the ladder stiles 3, 4 contacted, and the connecting elements 6, 7 can be easily attached from the outer sides 8, 12 ago on the ladder stiles 3, 4. Thus, the connecting elements 6, 7 not easy from the Ladder rails 3, 4 can fall, they are fixed by means of fasteners 9 to the ladder struts 3, 4.

Furthermore, the first conductor rail 3 has an inner side 13 and the second conductor rail 4 has an inner side 14. The hooks 10 of the first connecting element 6 can be arranged on the inner side 13 of the first ladder stile 3. The hooks 10 look forward beyond the first ladder stile 3. In particular, the hooks 10 of the first connecting element 6 can run substantially parallel to the inner side 13 of the first ladder stile 3. The hooks 10 of the second connecting element 7 may be arranged on the inner side 14 of the second ladder stile 4. The hooks 10 look forward beyond the second ladder stile 4. In particular, the hooks 10 of the second connecting element 7 may extend substantially parallel to the inner side 14 of the second ladder stile 4. Alternatively, an inclination of the hook 10 would be conceivable.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an arrangement 15 comprising a first conductor 1, a second conductor 11 and a conductor connector 2. In this case, the first conductor 1 is connected by means of the conductor connector 2 with the second conductor 11.

The second conductor 11 is designed as a block conductor 16. The block ladder 16 has a first buck conductor section 17, a second buck conductor section 18 and a hinge 19. By means of the hinge 19, the second block conductor section 18 can be rotated relative to the first block conductor section 17.

The block ladder 16 may include a lift rail for a ladder lift (not shown in the figures). Since the block ladder 16 can be connected in different positions with the first conductor 1, it is possible for the ladder lift to achieve a low loading height.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an arrangement 15 comprising a first conductor 1, a further conductor 20 and a conductor connector 2. Both the first conductor 1 and the other conductors 20 have recesses 23 in the ladder rungs 5. By means of the conductor connector 2, the further conductor 20 is fastened in the longitudinal direction of the conductors 1, 20 to the first conductor 1. Specifically, the end 21 of the first conductor 1 is flush with connected to the end 22 of the other conductors 20. For this purpose, two fastening devices 9 are provided on each connecting element 6, 7 of the conductor connector 2. In this case, a fastening device 9 engages in a recess 23 of a ladder rung 5 of the first conductor 1 and a fastening device 9 in a recess 23 of a ladder rung 5 of the other conductor 20 a.

With a single conductor connector 2 and three conductors 1, 11, 20 could be connected to each other. Furthermore, arrangements can also be realized which have more than one conductor connector 2. For example, such an arrangement could have two conductor connectors 2 and three conductors.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a conductor connector 2. The first connecting element 6 and the second connecting element 7 can be seen. Each connecting element 6, 7 has two fastening devices 9 and two hooks 10. The hook 10 of the first connecting element 6, which in Fig. 4 shown right, additionally has a lift-off 24, which prevents two conductors 1, 11 can be easily separated.

The connecting elements 6, 7 of the conductor connector 2 are preferably made of steel and / or aluminum. In this case, the connecting elements 6, 7 each have a base element 25, at least one fastening device 9 and at least one hook 10. As in Fig. 4 As can be seen, the base elements 25 contain no openings. Alternatively, however, the base members 25 could also have openings to save weight and thus make the conductor connector 2 lighter. In addition, variants are conceivable in which the base element consists of several sub-elements of different material in order to achieve weight reductions.

Fig. 5 shows a rear view of the first connecting element 6 of the conductor connector 2 from Fig. 4 , You can see the fastening device 9 and the hook 10 with the lift-out 24. The ladder rung 5 and the ladder stile 3 are shown only schematically, by dashed lines. The profile of the first connecting element 6 and the profile of the ladder stile 3 are matched to one another. In particular, the first connecting element 6 and the conductor rail 3 are positively connected with each other.

The fastening device 9 has a Bolzano 26. The bolt 26 protrudes when the connecting element 6 is locked to the ladder stile 3, into the cavity 27 of the base member 25. In this cavity 27 is the ladder stile 3. Next, the bolt 26, when locked, snaps into a recess 23 of a ladder rung 5 of the first conductor 1, to connect the connecting element 6 with the ladder stile 3.

The bolt 26 may be spring-biased and self-locking. In particular, the bolt 26 has a round profile. However, other profile shapes are conceivable. In contrast, the recess 23 of the ladder rung 5 preferably has a square profile. Again, other profile shapes are possible.

The connecting elements 6, 7 can be moved on the ladder rails 3, 4 in the longitudinal direction thereof. For this purpose, the bolts 26 must be withdrawn. At the desired location, the bolts 26 then engage again in the corresponding recesses 23 of the ladder rungs 5. This latching can be spring-loaded automatically. Alternatively, the locking can also be done manually.

In principle, it is sufficient for reasons of stability if, per connecting element 6, 7, a bolt 26 with a conductor rail 3, 4 is engaged.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an in Fig. 4 The fastening device 9 has a lever 27 which can be rotated to move the pin 26. The movement of the bolt 26 is predetermined by an inclined surface 28.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative fastening means 9. The fastening means 9 has a lever 27 which can only be rotated when the lever 27 is pulled back against the force of a spring 29 until a locking element 30 allows rotation. In this way it can be prevented that the bolt 26 jumps on its own from the recess 23 of a ladder rung 5.

Claims (10)

Conductor connector (2) for connecting at least two conductors (1, 11, 20), comprising a first connecting element (6) which can be attached to an outer side (8) of a first ladder stile (3) of a first ladder (1), wherein the first connecting element (6) has at least one fastening device (9) for connecting to the first ladder stile (3 ) and at least one hook (10) for holding a second conductor (11) on one of its ladder rungs (5), and a second connecting element (7) which can be attached to an outer side (12) of a second ladder stile (4) of the first ladder (1), wherein the second connecting element (7) has at least one fastening device (9) for connecting to the second ladder stile (4 ) and at least one hook (10) for holding the second conductor (11) on one of its ladder rungs (5). Conductor connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second connecting element (6, 7) are formed with respect to a plane mirror symmetry to each other. Conductor connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and the second connecting element (6, 7) each have a base element (25) which has a plurality of openings for saving weight. Conductor connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second connecting element (6, 7) are formed to engage around the respective conductor rail (3, 4) of the first conductor (1). Conductor connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hook (10) of the first connecting element (6) and the at least one hook (10) of the second connecting element (7) on an inner side (13, 14) of the respective ladder spar (3, 4 ) are arranged. Conductor connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective at least one fastening device (9) has a bolt (26), which is adapted to engage in a recess (23) on a ladder rung (5) of the first ladder (1) or in a recess provided thereon on the respective ladder stile (3, 4), to the respective connecting element (6, 7) on the respective To fix the ladder spar (3, 4). Conductor connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective connecting element (6, 7) has a further fastening means (9) which is arranged to engage in a recess (23) of a ladder rung (5) of another ladder (20) to the other Conductor (20) at one end (22) of the other conductors (20) flush with one end (21) of the first conductor (1) to connect. Arrangement (15), with a conductor connector (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, a first conductor (1), and a second conductor (11) and / or another conductor (20), wherein the first conductor (1) is connected by means of the conductor connector (2) to the second conductor (11) and / or the further conductor (20). Arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor (1) and / or the second conductor (11) and / or the further conductor (20) is designed as a stile conductor (16), which has a first stile conductor section (17), a second stile conductor section (17). 18) and a hinge (19), and wherein the first block conductor section (17) and the second block conductor section (18) are rotatably connected to each other by means of the hinge (19). Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first conductor (1) and / or the second conductor (11) and / or the further conductor (20) comprises a lift rail for a ladder lift.

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