FR2787150A1 - DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING TWO OBJECTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an assembling device consisting of two parts (1, 2). Each part has a male element (10, 20) and a female element (11, 21) which has a shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the male element (10, 20). The male and female elements are located on either side of a plane. The male (10, 20) and female elements are respectively provided with a groove (21, 22) and a rib (13, 23) in the proximity of their intersection with said plane.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly device

  two objects as well as bodies fitted with a

parts of the assembly.

  Both in construction toys and in removable assemblies, we tried to find

  means for making such assemblies

  versible or not, to connect them, temporarily

or not, different bodies.

  Thus, in document DE-A-27 13 543 there are described receptacles provided on one face with necks whose cross section perpendicular to the face in the shape of a dovetail. Another face is provided with a longitudinal groove of shape and dimension corresponding to the dovetail section mentioned above. Thus, it is possible to insert a neck of one container into the groove of another and thus form an assembly of

two or more containers.

  Document FR-A-2 063 175 describes a spherical bottle provided with cylindrical cells of a size identical to that of the stopper. Thus, the stopper of another bottle can be introduced and fixed in one of these cells thus forming an assembly. Intermediate pieces, for example spacers twice the length of a plug, can be used to form

  more complex shapes.

  In document EP-A-0 301 049 of the present inventor, juxtaposable containers are described, each consisting of a hollow modular cell comprising at least

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  at least one neck and at least one recess provided with means so that the neck of a container can be assembled by snap-fastening to the recess of another container and thus form a construction set o more simply retaining together a certain number of these individual packages to form a larger whole. This construction facilitates storage and transport, because the assembly has a certain rigidity compared to assemblies where the containers are simply juxtaposed and superimposed. In all of these assemblies described in the aforementioned documents, each body must be provided with two kinds of means to allow such assemblies, namely and by simplifying, a male part and at least a female part, which limits the possibilities of assembly. ,

  whether for a game or for other reasons.

  The aim of the present invention is to propose a device for assembling two objects which do not have

  not the disadvantages of the prior art.

  The assembly device according to the invention is characterized in that it consists of two identical parts mounted on said objects or coming in one piece with the respective object, that each part comprises a male element and an element female arranged on either side of a plane, the shape and dimensions of said elements being complementary, only near the intersection of each of said elements with said plane and with the exception of their common wall,

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  the male element is provided with a groove and the female element with a rib or vice versa, said ribs and grooves are of complementary shape and dimensions so that when the two parts are assembled, the ribs and grooves interpenetrate to ensure

snap-in assembly.

  The advantage of this device is the fact that each of the parts which compose it comprises a male element and a female element which makes it possible to assemble it to another object provided with the same identical parts. The manufacture of such parts is simple and these parts can either come in one piece with the object, or be

  subsequently set according to the nature of the object.

  For example, one could very well have a liquid soap bottle provided with one of these parts, for example on a side face, the other part being fixed against the wall of the bathroom or shower, for example by a suction cup. This arrangement makes it possible to "hang" the bottle on the wall by the collaboration of the two parts, one of which is fixed to the suction cup and

  the other is an integral part of the bottle.

  In another case, we could have two suction cups, one that is fixed on the bottle and the other on the wall and, each time we change the bottle, it is enough to fix the suction cup on the soap bottle liquid. T

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  It is therefore an assembly device that could be described as universal provided that the

  dimensions of the two parts correspond.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the intersection of the plane with the male element and the female element forms a regular polygon having an even number of sides or a circle or an ellipse, the choice being dictated more by

  a question of aesthetics only by a functional side.

  According to another embodiment, the device comprises at least two male elements and two female elements arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis perpendicular to said plane, the male elements being truncated over at least half their height around the axis of symmetry to allow interpenetration

between the two parties.

  Such a device having at least two male parts and two female parts can, in certain situations present a more stable assembly in the sense that during the manufacture of two parts, certain inaccuracies can cause a bad register and engagement of the grooves and ribs. The fact of subdividing these elements and creating a larger number having a smaller individual length makes it possible to ensure the assembly even if one of these elements does not have, for example, the dimensions

  desired and does not allow an ideal attachment.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the male element or the male elements are hollow, which makes it possible to obtain

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  usable parts on both sides with respect to said plane, the only difference being that seen on one side the male part will have a groove, while seen on the other side, it will have a rib and vice versa for the female parts. Such hollow elements can for example be adapted on a surface or in a body which could, for example, be used as a kind of spacer to join other elements. According to another embodiment, the upper surfaces of the male elements are inclined which slightly decreases the volume of these elements, the female parts having a

conjugate configuration.

  According to another variant, the surfaces on

  of the male parts are spherical sectors

  ques and the female elements have a corresponding configuration. According to another alternative embodiment, the truncated parts of the male elements form a female element provided with a rib intended to receive a conjugate female part provided with a groove thus making it possible to create a second possibility of assembly by snap-fastening. This way of doing things makes it possible, in certain situations, to use the parts in question for assemblies with elements provided with nipples of conjugate shape which increases the possibilities of using this device. This device allows, for example, to assemble an object provided with a part according to the invention an object much

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  smaller cannot be fitted with part of

same dimension as the first.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the face of the plane situated opposite the male elements is provided with means for being assembled on a body which is provided with conjugated means. Thus, for example, such a device provided with grooves or other assembly devices can be snapped into a body which is provided with conjugated means which allows, for example, in certain situations to form a cover for a container while keeping the possibility of assembling these

different elements.

  According to another embodiment, to ensure axial holding of the assembly in addition to that provided by the interpenetration of ribs and grooves, the male and female elements have been provided with additional means in the form of nipples provided with a head in the form of fungus and conjugate orifices. The dimension in the peripheral direction of the male elements is less than that of the female elements which allows after the engagement of the nipple in the orifice and after having turned a few degrees one of the parts of

  the assembly to obtain an axial blocking.

  Finally, the invention relates to a body provided with one or more assembly devices to allow

  the assembly of such bodies together.

  The invention will be described in more detail using the

attached drawing.

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  Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention showing the two parts. Figures 2 to 4 are schematic sectional views of different variants of part of a device

assembly according to the invention.

  Figures 5 to 7 are schematic representations of the different embodiments of one of the elements of the

assembly device.

  Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-

VIII of figure 5.

  Figure 9 is a sectional view of the element of the

Figure 5 along line IX-IX.

  Figure 10 is a bottom view of part of the

  device intended to be assembled on a body.

  Figure 11 is a bottom view of a body provided with

  means for receiving the part of FIG. 10.

  Figures 12 and 13 are views from the opposite side of the

Figures 10 and 11.

  Figure 14 is a sectional view along XIV-XIV of the

figure 13.

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  Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure 14 of another embodiment, and Figure 16 is a top view of the previous figure. In Figure 1 we have shown schematically and in section an assembly device according to the invention composed of two parts 1 and 2. Part 1 has a male element 10, in this case of rectangular shape, and an element female 11 which is also rectangular in shape and

  dimensions corresponding to those of the male element 10.

  The male and female elements are on either side of a plane which is here perpendicular to the plane of the section and the male and female elements are respectively provided with a groove 12 and a rib 13 near their intersection with said plane. The second part of this assembly 2 has a male element 20 and a female element 21 of shape and dimensions corresponding to those of part 1. They are also provided respectively with a groove 22 and a rib 23 arranged on either side. other of a plan

of symmetry.

  As shown in this figure 1, the assembly is carried out when the male elements 10 and 20 are embedded in the female elements 11 and 21 and the rib 23 engages in the groove 12 and the rib 13

  engages in groove 22 in part 2.

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  It would also be possible to have the same assembly by swapping the place of the ribs and grooves, that is to say that the male elements would be provided

  of a rib and the female parts of a groove.

  In Figure 2 we have represented a single part 3

  having a male element 30 and a female element 31.

  The upper surface 34 of the male element is inclined. The surface 35 of the female element is of shape and dimensions combined with that of the male element. The male element has a groove 32 and the female element a rib 33. This configuration can be considered lighter and in addition, during assembly, the inclined surfaces allow, by sliding the surfaces 34 and 35 on the surfaces. the other party, an implementation of

easier assembly.

  In FIG. 3 we have represented a view similar to that of FIG. 2. A part 4 has a male element 40 and a female element 41 provided respectively with a groove 42 and a rib 43. The part 4 comes from a part with a body on which this part is formed. The upper surface of the male element 44 and the bottom of the female element 45 are spherical sectors which facilitates nesting during

  assembly as previously indicated.

  In FIG. 4 we have shown a part 5 having a male element 50 and a female element 51 provided respectively with a groove 52 and a rib 53. The difference compared to what has been shown previously is that the male element is hollow, which allows us to use this part 5 from two sides. That is to say once with respect to direction A and, once again with respect to direction B, which means that, for example, part 5 could serve as an intermediate part between two other parts, one which could be built in direction A and another in direction B. The only construction difference for part 5 if it is used on the side of arrow A or arrow B is the fact that in direction A , the male element has a groove, while in direction B the male element 51 has a rib and vice versa for the female parts. This part 5 could very well be integrated for example in a flat surface allowing to assemble on two sides of this surface

  plan elements for any construction.

  In Figure 5 we have shown, seen in plan, a part 6 provided with male and female elements which are indicated respectively by M and F, the upper surface of the male element can be massive like that of Figure 1 or inclined like that of figure 2 or a spherical sector like that of figure 3. Likewise the bottom of the female elements has

a similar configuration.

  It is understood that the male and female elements in the present case have a symmetrical configuration with respect to an axis I and the male parts are truncated around this axis over at least half of their height in order to allow the interpenetration of two elements of type 6. To better understand this truncated part, it suffices to refer to FIG. 8 which is

  a section along line VIII-VIII of this figure.

  FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of the figure except that the intersection of the plane of part 7 with the male and female elements forms a regular hexagon and the male and female elements are also indicated here by the letters M and F, follow one another and are also symmetrical with respect to an axis I. The male elements also have a truncated part around the axis I over at least half their height in order to allow the interpenetration of two

parts of type 7.

  Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, except that the plane of the part 8 forms with the intersection with the male and female elements a circle. The male and female elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis I and the male elements which are also truncated over approximately half of their height allow the interpenetration of two parts 8. The upper surfaces of the male elements can also be inclined or massive like those in Figure 1 or even specific sectors. FIG. 9 represents a section along line IX-IX of FIG. 5 where a male element M and a female element F are distinguished, the male element has a part

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  inclined Ml which corresponds to the truncated part

  necessary for interpenetration during assembly.

  Figures 10 and 11 show an element 11 and a body 13 seen from below. The element 11 seen from below is a part of an assembly according to the present invention intended to be fixed below a body 12 which has the shape of a hemisphere. The body 12 has on its face opposite to that which can be seen in FIG. 10 a part of an assembly device according to the present invention, this part coming from a part with the

body 12.

  Figures 12 and 13 show the elements shown in Figures 10 and 11 seen from above, while Figure 14 is a section along line XIV-XIV of the

figure 13.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the part in question of the assembly device has two male elements 111 and 112 having respectively a cutout 113 and 114 near the center for the reasons explained above and two female elements 115 and 116. The shape male elements 111 and 112 are spherical sectors and the bottom of female elements 115 and 116 have surfaces of spherical sectors seen from the inside. The male elements have a rib 117,118 while the female elements have

ribs 119 and 120.

  Referring now to FIG. 10, we distinguish the opposite face of the male elements 111 and

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  112, respectively the other side of the female elements 116, 115. To allow the assembly of this part 11 on the body 13 there are provided below part 11 of the grooves 121 cut in a flange located near the periphery of element 11 of the female elements 115 and 116 and of the grooves 122 also provided in two enhancements located closer

  from the center of the circle of female elements 111 and 112.

  These grooves and ribs will collaborate with corresponding elements of the body 13 to allow their assembly by turning for example the part 11 of 90

  to get a kind of screw connection.

  The body 13 as shown in FIG. 13 has two male elements 131, 132 and two female elements 133 and 134. The male elements are truncated near the axis here representing recesses 135 and 136. This body 13 which is a half-sphere and has a nipple 137 and a recess 138 of shape conjugated to that of 137. These particular elements allow

  also to assemble two similar elements,

  ie by inserting the stud 137 in the corresponding recess 138 of another body 13 which allows

also to have an assembly.

  In Figure 11 we see the same elements seen from below. the body 13 in FIG. 11 also has two sets of grooves 139 and 140 which, in collaboration, allow the grooves 122 and 121 to

  the part 11 to obtain the assembly of the two elements.

  Thus, by folding the piece 11 on the bottom of the body 13 and in principle turning 90 until engagement

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  respective one obtains an assembly which can also be sealed if provision is made for the interposition of a seal. The part thus obtained has two assembly parts according to the invention, one on the upper face of the body 13 and one on the lower face which allows for example the assembly with another half sphere of the same shape to form a

complete sphere.

  Such assemblies allow, for example, either the creation of different structures, or the packaging of products. By using a complete sphere we can in a half sphere put a product and in the other half sphere put another product having a different destination or put in each of the half spheres two components necessary to obtain by a simple mixture a compound product. The packaging after the use of this product can be used to form structures in collaboration with other bodies having different shapes, the spherical shape shown here is given only by way of example. We could very well have other simple geometric shapes, be it a cube, pyramids or cylinders, etc. It should also be noted that the truncated parts 136 of the body 13 of the male elements of the body 13 and also 113 and 114 of the element 11 have a particular shape, namely they have a spherical shape and a groove which allows for example engage the pin 137 and thus also obtain an assembly between the body which carries the pin 137 and the

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  body which carries the assembly part, or the body

13, or of element 11.

  The means for assembling the element 11 on the body 13 is given by way of example, other means could be used such as a simple screwing, snap-fastening,

see collage.

  Finally, in order to improve the axial strength of the two parts of the assembly device according to the invention, we presented in Figures 15 and 16 a variant similar to that of Figures 13 and 14. The same reference numerals were used to identify

  the identical parts of two variants.

  The essential differences are as follows: each male element 131, 132 is provided with an orifice 181 and has in the peripheral direction a dimension smaller than that of the female elements 133,134. The female elements 133, 134 have a stud 180 provided with a mushroom-shaped head. The pins 180 and the orifices 181 are located at a position allowing interpenetration. After the engagement of two parts of the device which would imply the penetration of pins 180 in the orifices 181, one of the parts is rotated by a few degrees which ensures an axial holding of the assembly since the heads of the pins 180 prevent the separation of the two parts unless one of the parts is turned in the opposite direction to allow

  the nipple-opening disengagement.

-T1

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Claims (11)

CLAIMS.   1. Device for assembling two objects, characterized in that it consists of two identical parts (1,2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 11) mounted on said objects or coming from one piece with the respective object, that each part includes a male element (10,20,30,40,50, M, 111,112,131,132) and a female element (11,21,31,41,51, F, 115, 116,133,134) arranged on either side of a plane, the shape and dimensions of said elements being complementary, only near the intersection of each of said elements with said plane and with the exception of their common wall, the male element is provided with a groove (12,22,32,42,52,117,118) and the female element with a rib (13,23, 33,43,53,119,) or vice versa, said ribs and grooves are of complementary shape and dimensions so that when the two parts are assembled, the ribs and grooves interpenetrate to ensure the assembly by snap-fastening.   2. An assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection of said male element and said female element with said plane forms a regular polygon (6,7) having an even number   sides or a circle (8) or an ellipse.   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that each part (1,2,3,4,5, 6,7,8) comprises at least two male elements (M, 111,112,131,132) and two female elements (F, 115,116,133,134) arranged alternately and 17 2787150   symmetrically with respect to an axis (I) perpendicular to said plane, that the male elements (M, 111,112,131,132) are truncated over at least half their height around said axis of symmetry (I) to allow the interpenetration of two parts during assembly.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized by the fact that the male elements (50) are hollow, which makes it possible to obtain usable parts on both sides (A, B) relative to said plane, the only difference being that the grooves (52)   and the ribs (53) are swapped.   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the upper surfaces (34) of the male elements (30) are inclined, their height decreasing from the axis of symmetry, the female elements (31) having a corresponding configuration.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized by the fact that the upper surfaces (44) of the male elements (40,111,112,131,132) are spherical sectors, the female elements (41,115,116,   133,134) having a corresponding configuration.   7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6,   characterized in that the truncated part (113,114,135,136) of the male elements (111,112,133,134) forms another female element provided with a rib intended to receive a male part (137) of shape and q 18 2787150 conjugate dimensions, provided with a groove to ensure   another possibility of snap-on assembly.   8. Device according to one of claims 1, 2, 3,   5, 6, 7, characterized by the face of the plane of a part (11) situated opposite one or more male elements (111, 112) is provided with means (121, 122) for being assembled   on a body (13) provided with combined means (139,140).   9. Device according to any one of claims   1 to 3 or 5 to 8, characterized in that the male (132) and female (134) elements are provided with means (180,181) ensuring an axial hold of two parts in addition to that provided by the interpenetration grooves and ribs.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said means consist of a stud provided with a mushroom-shaped head (180) integral with each of the female elements (134), with an orifice (181) made in each of the male elements (132), that the dimension of the male elements (132) in the peripheral direction is less than that of the female elements (134) thus allowing after the introduction of the stud (180) in the orifice (181 ) turn one of the two parts of the assembly device a few degrees and obtain the axial hold. 11. Geometric body (13), characterized in that it is provided on its lateral surface with one or   several of said parts according to claims 1 to 10.