GB2333120A

GB2333120A - Suspension device of mutually orthogonal members clipped together, for objects to be coated

Info

Publication number: GB2333120A
Application number: GB9822594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: H Kan Toerefors
Original assignee: TOERESTORPS TR D AB
Current assignee: TOERESTORPS TR D AB
Priority date: 1997-10-24
Filing date: 1998-10-19
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-19
Also published as: GB2333120B; GB9822594D0; SE9703905L; SE510709C2; DE19848671A1; SE9703905D0

Abstract

The device as shown includes a rigid rod (6), suspension rails (1) and clips (7) are secured at the rod (6) in optional position with the aid of resiliently yieldable engagement members (15,16). The clips are provided with lugs (11, 12) to retain the suspension rails (1), and having recesses (13) and projections (14) respectively (see also figs 3,6). The rails (1) include suspension means (15).

Description

2333120 SUSPENSION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for suspending objects which are to be surface-coated, and comprising a number of suspension rails which are disposed mutually superjacent one another and are interconnected in the vertical direction by the intermediary of a connection arrangement, in which rails the objects are suspended.

BACKGROUND ART

In the surface-coating of objects with paints or lacquers, the coating material is sprayed out in the form of a mist or a powder cloud towards the objects. In order that these can be coated throughout, they are suspended in a suspension device which in its turn may, for example, be transported by means of a conveyor.

Suspension devices of normal type comprise suspension rails which extend in the horizontal direction and which are suspended in one another by the intermediary of hooks, pendulums or similar atrangements. Such a suspension apparatus is not configurationally stable but must depend from some form of carrier.

In many contexts, there is a need to be able to realise a suspension device which may be handled as a configurationally stable unit and in which the surface-coated objects may be removed from the suspension device, for example in that the suspension device is inverted and shaken.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE The present invention has for its object to design the device intimated by way of introduction such that it forms a handleable, configurationally stable unit which is not dependent upon being able to be suspended in some form of carrier. The present invention also has for its object to, design the device such that it may be built up in several different ways, at the same time as it is 2 simple and convenient to assemble and dismantle. In addition, the present invention has for its object to realise a device which is economical to manufacture and simple to operate.

SOLUTION The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the device disclosed by way of introduction is characterized in that the connection arrangement comprises a substantially rigid rod, as well as coupling fittings which may be secured in optional positions along the rod, the fittings being in positionally fixing engagement with the suspension rails.

In one preferred embodiment, it moreover applies that the coupling fitting has first engagement members by means of which the coupling fitting, by spring action in the material of the coupling fitting, is securable in any optional position along the rod, and second engagement members which, in the iixed state of the coupling fittings on the rod, are disposed to retain the suspension rails in positionally fixing fashion.

In that the coupling fittings are in positive and positionally fixing engagement both with the rod and with the suspension rail, a configurationally stable assembly will be obtained. Further, the coupling fitting may be secured in any optional longitudinal position along the rod, and also the suspension rail may be displaced in its longitudinal direction to any optional position in the coupling fitting. Hereby, an extremely flexible build-up of the device according to the present invention.

Further advantages will be attained according to the present invention if the device as herein disclosed is also given one or more of the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaims 3 to 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

3 Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 shows one example of a suspension device according to the present invention; shows the union region between a rod included in the suspension device, a suspension rail and a coupling fitting; is a side elevation of the coupling fitting, i.e. in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the coupling fitting according to Fig. 3, i.e. in the same manner as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 shows the coupling fitting according to Figs. 3 and 4 seen from beneath; and Fig. 6 shows the deformation cycle of the coupling fitting in a view corresponding to that of Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description given below, expressions such as "upwardly", "upper", "downwardly", "lower", etc., will be employed. Despite the fact that the device according to the present invention is a configurationally stable unit which, without being deformed or coming apart, may be given any optional orientation in space, the above-exemplified expressions refer to a position of use in which the objects which are to be surface-coated may be suspended in the device according to the invention. One example of a position of use and a configuration of the device according to the invention is given in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 relates to a number of suspension rails (four in number in the Figure), of which only the uppermost is completely illustrated. The suspension rail 1 is per se of conventional type and has, along its upper edge, an upwardly directed, thin edge portion 2 with a series of holes or apertures (not shown), which may be employed for suspending the suspension rail. Beneath the upwardly directed edge portion, the suspension rail has an inner accommodation space which is defined by two 4 mutually approximately parallel plates 3 of which only that facing towards the observer of Fig. 1 is visible in the Figure. The parallel plates 3 have, along their lower edges, portions bent away from one another so that an elongate channel-shaped formation 4 is created. The channel-shaped formation has approximately V-shaped cross section (see Fig. 6) and is in communication with the space in between the two parallel plat?s 3. Furthermore, the suspension rail has suspension members 5 on which hooks or the like may be hung within the space between the two parallel plates 3.

The suspension device further includes at least one vertical rod 6, as well as coupling fittings 7 which, in a configurationally stable manner, interconnect the suspension rails 1 with the rod 6.

In one preferred embodiment, the rod 6 is of circular cross section, but it may 15 also be of square or other cross section, if desired.

As an alternative to the suspension device illustrated in Fig. 1, suspension devices may also be constructed which have two mutually approximately parallel rods which are arranged at opposite ends of the mutually 20 superjacent suspension rails 1.

In Fig. 1, the suspension rails are shown as disposed in one plane, but, at least if the rod 6 is of circular cross section, the suspension rails may assume any optional rotational positions about the centre axis of the rod.

The coupling fitting 7 has first engagement members by means of which the fitting is, by spring action in its material, clampable in any optional position along the length of the rod 6. Furthermore, the coupling fitting may be arranged in optional rotational positions about the centre axis of the rod. The coupling fitting further includes second engagement members by means of which the suspension rails are held positionally fixed, at least as long as the coupling fitting is located fixedly clamped on the rod. When, on the other hand, the coupling fitting is released from the rod, the suspension rails may also be longitudinally displaced in the coupling fitting and also be removed entirely therefrom. In such operations, the resilient spring properties in the material of the coupling fitting 7 are employed.

It wW be apparent from Figs. 3-5 taken as a whole that the coupling fitting 7 has an elongate band- or strip-shaped main portion 8 which, in its opposite ends, has an upper angled portion and a lower angled portion 10. The first engagement members for fixing the coupling fitting 7 on the rod 6 are 5 located on these angled portions 9 and 10.

The angle between the upper angled portion and the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8 is acute and may, in the unloaded state, amount to approx. 20-40'. The lower angled portion 10 suitably has a more obtuse angle, i.e. is more transversely directed in relation to the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8.

At the upper and lower ends of the central section of the main portion 8, i.e. between the angled portions 9 and 10, the coupling fitting has an upper pair of projecting lugs 11 which are approximately at right angles to the plane of the central section of the main portion 8 and which extend away from this portion in the same direction as the angled portions 9 and 10 are bent.

The second engagement members, which are intended for interconnecting the coupling fitting 7 and the suspension rail 1, are located on these upper and lower lugs 11 and 12, respectively, and are disposed a distance from the plane of extent of the central section of the main portion 8. By bending the main portion 8 (as will be described in greater detail with reference to Fig. 6), it is possible to bring the second engagement members in a direction towards one another when the main portion is bent in one direction, and away from one another when it is bent in the opposite direction.

The upper lugs 11 are provided with recesses 13 which are intended to form accommodation spaces for the upper, thin edge portion 2 of the suspension I rail. Consequently, the recesses 13 are placed in the lower edges of the lugs 11. Correspondingly, the lower lugs 12 have, on their upper edges, upwardly directed projections 14 which are intended to be capable of being moved into the downwardly open, channel-shaped space 4 of the suspension rail 1.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, by bending the main portion 8, it is possible to bring the recesses 13 and the projections 14 to positions where 6 they are located more proximal one another than is shown in Fig. 2. In ' Elis case, the main portion is bent such that it is concave on the left- hand side. By a bending of the main portion 8 in the opposite direction, i.e. with the concave side turned to face to the right, the recesses 13 and the projections 14 will, on the other hand, have a greater mutual spacing.

The engagement members of the angled portions 9 and 10, i.e. the first engagement members, consist of an aperture 15 in the upper angled portion 9. The lower angled portion 10 has its engagement member designed in the form of a catch member which includes an aperture 16 to which is connected a slot 17.

Fig. 6 shows the coupling fitting 7 in a view corresponding to that of Fig. 3. In Fig. 6, the coupling fitting is shown in solid fines prior to deformation and in broken lines approximately how a deformation may conceivably take place on catching of the coupling fitting on a rod 6.

It will be apparent from the solid lines that the rod 6 may be moved through the aperture 15 of the upper angled portion 9 and be pivoted towards the main portion 8 approximately in the position illustrated in the Drawing. The reason for this is that the aperture 15 is dimensioned in such a manner that it does not permit exaggerated pivoting of the rod 6. If the rod 6 is to be brought closer to the main portion 8 and be able to be caught fast in the catch member of the lower angled portion 10, a deformation of the coupling fitting is required. In such instance, this deformation will take place approximately as intimated by broken lines in the Figure. It will be apparent that the upper angled portion is bent in a counterclockwise direction, such that the angle between this portion and the longitudinal direction of the main portion 8 is increased. It will further be apparent that the central section of the main portion will be bent somewhat so that, in Fig. 6, it will be concave on its upper side. Finally, the lower angled portion 10 will also be angled upwards (pivoted in a clockwise direction) towards the upper angled portion.

Above all the bending of the main portion 8 implies that the lugs 11 and 12 35 are pivoted closer to one another, as intimated by broken lines 18 and 19. As a result of this tendency to pivoting of the recesses 13 and projections 14 7 towards one another, there occurs a powerful clamping action against the suspension raid 1 so that this is reliably positionally fixed in the coupling fitting 7.

If, in Fig. 6, the state according to the solid lines is considered, and the coupling fitting is bent in the opposite direction to what is the case when the rod 6 is hooked fast in the lower, angled portion 10, it will readily be perceived that the pivoting of the two broken lines 18 and 19 will be opposite to that which applies above. From this it will be readily perceived that the recesses 13 and the projections 14 will have greater mutual spacing, whereby it is possible to disengage the narrow, upwardly directed edge portion 2 of the suspension rail 1 out of the recess 13.

In order to facilitate the snap-in of the upwardly directed edge portion 2 of the suspension rail 1 into the recesses 13, the lugs 11 are provided with ramp surfaces 20.

Fig. 2 shows the union region between a suspension rail 1 and the rod 6, and it will be clearly apparent that the rod 6 extends from the rear side of the angled portion 9 through the aperture 15 and on the front side of the suspension rail 1 in order once again to pass through the aperture 16 of the lower angled portion 10 to its rear side.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the foregoing, one example of a suspension rail has been shown. However, suspension rails with greatly varying cross sections may also be employed. The only difference will be that the design of the engagement members grasping about or cooperating with opposing (upper and lower) edge portions of the suspension rail must be configurationally adapted to the form of these edge portions. If, for example, the suspension rail has two mutually approximately parallel and vertical walls which, along the upper edge of the suspension rail, are united by the intermediary of a gently arched upper edge portion (for example an arc of a circle), the counterpart to the recess 13 (Fig. 6) is also gently arcuate and approximatelyr-omplementary to the outer profile of the upper edge. If, furthermore, the parallel walls of the 8 suspension rail have straight lower edges in spaced apart relationship to one another, counterparts to the projection 14 in Fig. 6 are suitably a projection which fits in between these parallel walls. Possibly, the lower lugs 12 may also be provided with upwardly open recesse. in which the lower edge portion of the suspension rail may be accommodated. A combination of features is also possible.

Claims

The present invention may be modified further without departing from the scope of the appended Claims. i i 9 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for suspending objects which are to be surface-coated, and comprising a number of suspension rails (1) which are disposed mutually superjacent one another and are interconnected in the vertical direction by the intermediary of a connection arrangement (6, 7), in which rails the objects are suspended, characterized in that the connection arrangement comprises a substantially rigid and straight rod (6), as well as coupling fittings (7) which may be secured in optional positions along the rod, the fittings being in positionally fixing engagement with the suspension rails (1).

2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the coupling fitting (7) has first engagement members (15, 16) by means of which the coupling fittin& by spring action in the material of the coupling fitting, is fixable in any optional position along the rod (6), and second engagement members (13, 14) which, in the secured state of the coupling fitting on the rod (6), are disposed to retain the suspension rails in positionally fixing fashion.

3. The device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the coupling fitting (7) has a main portion (8) with one of the first engagement members (15, 16) at each end; and that the second engagement members (13) are interconnected with the main portion (8) between the first engagement members and are designed for cooperation with opposing, preferably upper and lower portions (2, 4) on the suspension rail (1), said second engagement members being disposed a distance from the main portion (8), whereby, by bending of the main portion, they are movable towards and away from one another.

4. The device as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the main portion (8) is elongate and band-shaped, and has an angled portion (9, 10) in each end; that said first engagement members include a catch member (16, 17) in the one angled portion (10), and an aperture (15) in the second angled portion (9), the aperture (15) being dimensioned to permit through passage of the rod (6) at right angles or approximately at right angles to the plane of extent of said second angled portion (9), but to cause a bending of said second angled portion and the main portion when the rod is pivoted in the aperture in a direction towards the main portion and the catch member for being fixedly caught there.

5. The device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said second engagement members and said angled portions are located on the same side of the main portion (8).

6. The device as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said second engagement members include, on the one hand, opposing first lugs (11) which extend from opposite edge portions of the main portion, which are approximately at right angles to the plane of the main portion and which, a distance therefrom, have recesses (13) for accommodating an upper edge portion (2) of the suspension rail (1), and, on the other hand, opposing second lugs (12) extending from opposite edge portions of the main portion (8), which are approximately at right angles to the plane of the main portion and which, a distance therefrom, have projections (14) for insertion in a channel-shaped space at a lower edge portion (4) of the suspension rail (1).

7. The device as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the angled portion (9) with the aperture (15) makes an acute angle with the longitudinal direction of the main portion (8).

8. The device as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the catch member includes an aperture (16) provided in the first angled portion (10) for accommodating the rod (6), said aperture being can. nected via a groove or slot (17) to a side edge of the angled portion.

9. The device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the suspension rails (1) are interconnected by the intermediary of two or possibly more rods (6).

10. A device for suspending objects which are to be surface-coated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

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