JPS6048646B2 - A connecting device that removably connects two workpieces. - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connection structure suitable for removably connecting two workpieces, particularly plate-shaped parts of furniture, in which a recess formed in one of the workpieces is connected. The first fixed to
the member, a second member fixed within a recess formed in another workpiece, and engaged with either the first or second member;
It consists of a threaded element that moves between a released state and an engaged state so that it can be engaged with or disengaged from either the first or second member.

This type of connection structure is especially useful in the field of furniture because the fixing device does not appear on the outside of the item, and it connects two items without protruding the fixing device from the connecting surface as much as possible. This is because the appearance of furniture is important, and if the fixing devices are visible, it may spoil the appearance.Also, these connectors are not used when assembling cupboards etc. from separate parts, storing them, or transporting them. The device must be able to be disassembled conveniently, and for this purpose it must be removable and securely clamp the individual parts.

Conventionally, various wedge-type devices have been used to removably connect two objects.

One example is a threaded insert into which a flanged head screw is threaded and fixed in one workpiece, and a wedge-shaped or Ξ-sun-shaped disc mounted in the other workpiece, which can be turned. Therefore, the disk is closely behind the screw head and there is something pulling the screw. In another example, a rotatably supported clamping wedge engages under the head of a spreading element fixed to a mating workpiece to produce a coupling effect. The known examples mentioned below are not suitable, for example, for fixing partition walls of cupboards. Both of the above-mentioned known examples do not exhibit particularly strong clamping forces, so they have the disadvantage that the plates that have been clamped together have to be re-tightened frequently. In addition, in the case of the first known example, in order to apply an axial prestress force to the tightening screw, a relatively large pocket-shaped bushing with a large diameter and high friction is rotated within the recess of the workpiece. I have to. The bushings are pre-fitted into the workpiece by the manufacturer and are hot and tight, so the torque required to tighten them is low.
Therefore, the screwing moment itself is also relatively low. In the case of the later known example, the tensile torque is not reduced as much as in the earlier known example, but instead the load per unit area between the clamping wedge and the expansion element is locally very high, so that the plastic If it is made of steel, it will undergo plastic deformation and must be retightened frequently.

There is another problem when attaching a bulkhead to furniture such as cupboards, and it is not suitable for such furniture. In this respect, the previous known examples can in principle be used for this purpose, but are accompanied by difficulties in installation. In other words, since all the bolt-head screws must be installed in the vertical walls, all the horizontal walls must be connected to the vertical walls together. In other words, since the screws protrude from the vertical wall, once it is assembled and put away, it becomes impossible to attach the horizontal wall that will serve as the partition wall or top plate later. Therefore, to use this connector, two people must assemble the cupboard. An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device that can reliably and satisfactorily permanently fasten plate-shaped parts such as furniture, and that can be easily assembled.
This problem is solved by ensuring that both connecting members are each essentially completely embedded in the workpiece, protruding only slightly above the surface of the workpiece to be clamped, and
The solution is that the threaded element is movably held in one connecting member and engaged in an opening in the other connecting member.

Since the connecting structure according to this invention avoids protrusions,
For example, a large cupboard containing several partitions formed by vertical and horizontal boards is essentially simplified. First, the horizontal intermediate plate allows installation without the need to upright the outer frame of the cupboard stand, reducing installation costs and avoiding damage during installation. The screw element of the present invention is preferably a self-tapping screw that is held in the inner cylinder of one connecting member and threads into the opening of the other connecting member.

The mutually connected pieces are placed side by side in advance, screws are inserted, and the screws are tightly tightened. When screws are used, the radius of friction is small, and as a result, the torque does not decrease so much that it becomes a problem. In this way, the two objects are firmly and seamlessly connected to each other, and yet can be removed. An embodiment of the present invention includes: one connecting member installed in a recess formed in a surface of a workpiece; an opening inserted obliquely to the center line of the recess and communicating with the connecting surface of the workpiece; A screw is prepared which is passed through the inner cylinder of the other connecting member and screwed onto the other connecting member.

Since this screw is oblique, the head of the screw can be embedded in the corresponding connecting member and does not protrude. In one embodiment of the invention, one coupling member is provided with an outer wall that engages and retains the side walls of the recess in the workpiece, and includes a central recess on the side facing the open surface of the recess in the workpiece. the central recess is oblique to the centerline of the connecting member, preferably substantially parallel to the axis of said screw, and the central recess extends laterally from the bottom also obliquely to the centerline of the connecting member. , and has a wall provided with an inner cylinder through which the screw passes. The central recess formed in this coupling element has its bottom preferably parallel to the screwing direction and forms a guide for the screw head, so that the screw can be inserted obliquely. When screwed in, the head of the screw comes into pressure contact with the diagonal wall extending laterally from the bottom, absorbing prestress stress. The bottom of this central recess may be concavely arched with a radius approximately equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the screw head and serve as a guide for the screw head. Alternatively, one of the connecting members may be provided with an opening and a cover cap having a protrusion that is tightly held by passing through the opening.

In this case, the cover cap may be separate from the connecting member, or if the connecting member is molded from a suitable plastic, it can be integrally molded with a thin web connected to the connecting member, and the web can be bent to connect the cover cap. It may be fixed to a member. The connecting member is appropriately inserted into a recess provided in the workpiece so that it is self-retained.

If the recess of the workpiece is mouth-shaped, the outer wall of the connecting member is
It is constructed in at least one arcuate wall with a retaining device, preferably serrated, on the outside and interrupted in the region of the inner cylinder through which the screw passes. The connecting member can then be installed in an immersive manner by simply tapping it into the preferably circular recess. Further, if a slot is provided to receive the tip of a screwdriver, if the connecting member is not in the proper state, even after installation, the connecting member can be turned with the screwdriver to correct it to the proper state. When this connecting member is molded from elastic plastic, it is preferably pot-shaped so that it is slightly compressed when installed in the recess of the workpiece.

In this case, the rigidity of the connecting member can be made sufficient by providing the connecting member with reinforcing ribs. Also, if there is a protruding part, it will protrude and get in the way of items stored or stored in a cupboard, so it is better not to have it, but in that case it is better to have it because it will allow you to position the workpiece when assembling it. .

Therefore, in this invention as well, it is preferable that one of the connecting members is provided with a nose portion that slightly protrudes above the workpiece connecting surface so that it can be positioned and temporarily held with the other member. If the connecting member is made into a pot shape and the end of the pot is aligned with the plate, the nose portion will protrude only slightly, so multiple plates can be stacked on top of each other. All you have to do is tilt the board by the amount that protrudes above the surface. In an embodiment of the invention, the other connecting member is in the form of a bush with a central inner cylinder, and the outer wall of the bush is provided with a retaining device, preferably in the form of a serration, for fixing it in the inner cylinder of the corresponding workpiece. let

This bushing may also be molded from plastic. The inner cylinder that receives the screw and is screwed into it has a conical shape that guides the tip of the screw that is passed diagonally, so that it can be effectively screwed into the inner cylinder of the bushing. The wall of the inner cylinder may be formed from tongues which are interconnected by a membrane and which can pivot outwardly in a radial direction. If the bushing is provided with a collar, preferably circular, which projects on the connecting surface, positioning can be effected by this collar.

Therefore, in this case, the other party's. Providing a nose portion on the connecting member can be omitted. Since this bushing is usually installed from the surface of the workpiece, this collar prevents the boards from coming into close contact with each other even when the boards are stacked and stored. The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows two boards 10, 11 made of wood, chipboard, etc., which are clamped together by the connector of the present invention, and the connector consists of two mounting members 12 and 13.

One member 12 is mounted in a generally circular recess 14 formed inside the plate 10. Since the length from the end face 16 of the plate 10 to the center 15 of the recess 14 is slightly shorter than the radius of the recess 14, the recess 14 is open with an opening 17 in the end face of the plate. Member 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-8. This member is integrally molded from plastic and has a plate-like front part 18.
and arcuate walls 19, 20 integrally formed at right angles to the front portion 18.
The outer peripheral surface of the plate 10 is provided with serrated teeth 21, and can be fixed by biting into the inner peripheral surface of the recess 14 of the plate 10.

The walls 19 and 20 are plate-shaped walls 2 parallel to the axis 15 of the member 12.
2 are connected to each other at one end. Member 12 is wall 2
On the opposite side from wall 22, there is a flat fence section 23 parallel to wall 22.

The other ends of the arcuate walls 19, 20 are connected to the wall 22 by webs 24, 25 perpendicular to the wall 22. These webs 24, 25, in addition to firstly reinforcing the element 12, also serve to define a recess 26 formed by a bottom 27 oblique to the center line 15 and to the plane of the plate 10. The bottom 27 of the recess is a concave arc surface, and the center line 15
A hole 28 centered at is drilled. Extending perpendicularly from the bottom 27 is a wall 29 of the recess 26, which wall 29 has an inner cylinder 30 inclined with respect to the centerline 15 and the plane of the plate 10 (e.g. at an angle of 20° to the plane of the plate 10). It is provided. Unlike the bottom 27, the walls 29 are flat. A nose 31 is integrally formed on the underside of the wall 29 and has an arched recess 32 on its side facing the inner cylinder 30 (see FIG. 8).
The nose 31 projects slightly from the end face 16 of the plate 10, as will be explained later. Especially Figures 6 and 7
As can be seen, the member 12 is held firmly in the plate recess 14 only by the walls 19,20. Part 1
Since the dimensions of 2 are very shortened by the flat walls 22 and 23, very little material is needed for molding.
33 is a cover cap which covers the recess 14 together with the member 12 and is securely held in the hole 28 by a pin-shaped projection 34.

The wall 22 is integrally formed with a projection 35 which has a slot 36 on the front side for receiving the tip of a screwdriver, so that the position of the member 12 within the recess 14 can be changed.

In the recess 26 of the member 12, a self-tapping screw 37 with a head 38 is inserted into the inner cylinder 30 while being brought into close contact with the recess 32; Pass through.

When the screw 37 is completely inserted, the lower side of the head 38 is attached to the wall 2.
Comes on top of 9. The second part 13, which is installed in a blind hole 39 formed in the other plate 11, is designed as a push-in bushing with serrations on the outer wall part 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). ).

Inside the bushing 13, four tongues 41 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference, and these four tongues converge toward the center and form a conical inner cylinder 42 and its tip (lower end). A thin cylindrical portion 43 is formed. Adjacent tongues 41 are connected to each other by a membranous web 44, and can be rotated in an oscillating manner. To connect the plates 10, 11, the nose 31 of the member 12' is positioned over the top hole portion 46 of the bushing.

Then, insert the screw 37 into the inner cylinder of the bushing and screw it into place. The threads of the screw 37 thread into the inner cylinders 42, 43 and draw the members 12, 13 together tightly, thereby also tightening the plates 10, 11 together.
Its strength is such that there is no need to retighten it after a certain period of use. After screwing in the screws, attach the cap 3. The other embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 differ from the previous embodiment only in a few points, so the same parts are given the same numbers.

In contrast to the previously described embodiments, the plate 10 has a completely round recess 14.
' and is opened to the end surface 16 of the plate 10 by the inner cylinder 50. And instead of providing a nose on member 12, bushing 13' is provided with a circular collar 52 which projects above surface 51 of plate 11 and provides centering and positioning with inner cylinder 50. The member 12 is substantially the same as in the previous embodiment, except that the front part 18' does not have the flat wall part 23, but is in the form of a circular segment, so that the corresponding arcuate wall 1
The arcs 9' and 20' are a little longer.

The operation of tightening the plates 10 and 11 is the same as in the previous embodiment. Member 12 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 20
'' is also roughly the same as before.

This member has a cylindrical wall 60 generally surrounding the circumference which is missing only at points 61, and walls 62, 63.
reinforces the cylindrical wall 60 and forms a recess 26'', which has a base 27'' with a 29'' perpendicular to the bottom, the wall 29 extending in the plane of the plate 10. The bushing 13" is similar to the bushing 13' of FIG. There is only a tube 42". And board 1
0,11, the screw 37'' is connected to the inner cylinder 42'' as shown by the broken line.
It is connected by being screwed onto. A collar 52 is also seated within the inner cylinder 50 of the plate 10. Cover/cap 6
4 is connected to the front end of the side wall 2' of the recess 2' through a thin web (not shown) integrally formed with the member 12''.
When the cap 64 is raised and placed against the surface of the plate 10 to close the recess, the pin 65 is held in the opening 66 in the bottom 27''.
The cap 64 may be formed so as to be parallel to the plane of the member 12''.As is clear from the above, the bushing 13, which is the second connecting member fixed in the recess of the second workpiece of the present invention,
13', 13'' is a cone that is swingable by a plurality of tongues arranged at equal intervals on the circumference and converging toward the center, and a membranous web connecting adjacent tongues. The distal end of the threaded element, which has a shaped inner cylindrical portion 42, 42'', is passed through the first connecting member fixed in the recess of the first workpiece, and projects from the joint surface of the first workpiece, is connected to the conical shape. Receive it into the inner cylinder and engage it with a screw.

For this reason, the conical inner cylinder portions 42, 4 are
Even if the center of 2" is slightly off or tilted, the conical inner cylinder part will guide the tip of the threaded element and swing its head to align the center with the center of the threaded element. Therefore, the tip of the threaded element The first workpiece and the second workpiece can be reliably connected in a predetermined state even if the conical inner cylindrical part of the second connecting member and the second connecting member do not match exactly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the coupling device of the present invention shown attached to two plate-shaped workpieces, Fig. 2 is a side view of the coupling screw, and Fig. 3 is a portion of the cover cap. Cross section, 4th
The figure is a front view of the cap shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a plan view of the bushing of the connector shown in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a front view of the other member of the connector shown in Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a front view of the bushing of the connector shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a rear view of the member shown in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a plan view of the member shown in Figures 6 and 7 viewed from below, and Figure 9 is a rear view of the member shown in Figure 1.
A sectional view of another embodiment in a similar state to that shown in the figure, FIG.
11 is a partial sectional view of the cover cap, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the bushing of the connector in FIG. 9, and FIG. 13 is a connector in FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a front view of the other member in FIG. 13, and FIG.
Figure 5 is a plan view from below of the members in Figures 13 and 14, and Figure 16.
The figure is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment in the same state as FIG.
17 is a partial sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a plan view of the bushing of the connector shown in FIG. 16, and FIG. 19 is a partial sectional view of the connector shown in FIG.
20 is a rear view of the member shown in FIG. 17. In the figure, 10 and 11 are workpieces,
13', 13'' are connecting members, 14, I' are recesses in the workpiece, 37 is an interlocking element exemplified as a tapping screw, 39 is a recess exemplified as a blind hole, 42, 42'',
43 indicates an inner cylinder illustrated as an opening into which a mating element is screwed.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The first of two workpieces to be joined at right angles;
A first connecting member 12 fixed in the recess of the workpiece and a second connecting member 1 fixed in the recess of the other second workpiece 11
3, and an elongated screw element 37 which is passed diagonally through the first connecting member 12 and whose tip end protruding from the joint surface 16 of the first workpiece is screwed into the second connecting member 13 fixed to the second workpiece. In a connecting device for removably connecting two workpieces, the second connecting member 13 receives and threadably engages the tip of the threaded element protruding from the joint surface of the first workpiece. A conical inner cylinder part 42 is configured to be swingable by a plurality of tongue parts 41 arranged at equal intervals on the circumference and converging toward the center, and a membranous web 44 connecting adjacent tongue parts. A connecting device characterized in that it is equipped with and is molded from plastic. 2. In the coupling device according to claim 1, the screw element 3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a connecting device that is a tapping screw that is held in the inner cylinder 30 of the first connecting member 12 and threads into the conical inner cylinder part 42 of the second connecting member 13. 3. In the coupling device according to claim 2, the first coupling member 12 is fitted into the recess 14 of the workpiece 10, and the threaded element 37 is introduced obliquely to the center line of said recess to connect the first coupling member. 12 inner cylinder 30 and a second connecting member through an opening 17 formed in the joint surface 16 of the workpiece 10. 4. In the connecting device according to claim 3, the first connecting member has openings 28, 66, and a cap 33,
A connecting device in which a cap is attached by inserting the protrusions 34 and 65 of 64. 5. The connecting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first connecting member 12 has a slot 36 into which the tip of a screwdriver is inserted. 6. In the coupling device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the first coupling member 12 not only has outer walls 19 and 20 which are held in engagement with the wall surface of the recess 14, but also has an outer wall 19, 20 that is held by engaging with the wall surface of the recess 14. on the side facing the plane a central recess 26, the bottom 27 of which is oriented obliquely to the center line of the first coupling member and preferably substantially parallel to the axis of the threaded element 37; Similarly, the side wall 29 of the recess extends perpendicularly from the bottom portion 27, although it is diagonal to the center line of the first connecting member 12.
This side wall 29 is provided with an inner cylinder 30 through which a threaded element 37 passes. 7. The connecting device according to claim 6, wherein the bottom portion 27 is concave in an arch shape. 8. In the coupling device according to claim 6 or 7, the recess 14 of the first workpiece is substantially circular, and the first coupling member 12,
The arcuate walls 19, 20, 60 of 12' are preferably provided with a serrated retaining device 21 on the outer surface, and the arcuate walls are provided with a threaded element 37.
The coupling device is interrupted in the area of the inner cylinder 30 through which the connecting device passes. 9 In the connecting device according to claim 8, two arcuate walls 19 and 20 are provided facing each other, and one end of each wall is connected to the first
A connecting device connected by a wall 22 parallel to the center line 15 of the connecting member 12. 10 In the connecting device according to claim 8 or 9,
A coupling device having reinforcing ribs 24, 25 connected to the arcuate walls 19, 20 and extending laterally from the bottom 27 of the recess 26, preferably parallel to the centerline 15 of the first coupling member 12. 11 In the coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the first coupling member 12 is connected to the joint surface 1 of the first workpiece.
6, the connecting device comprises a nose 31 which projects slightly above 6 and also cooperates with the second connecting member 13 to center and hold it. 12. In the coupling device according to any one of claims 8 and 11, the nose 31 is integrally formed on the underside of the wall 29 and has an arched recess 32 parallel to the center line of the inner cylinder 30 of the wall 29. A coupling device with. 13. In the coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the second coupling member 13 is a bushing, the outer wall of which is preferably serrated for fixing in the bore 39 of the second workpiece 11. Coupling device with retention device. 14. The coupling device according to claim 13, wherein the bushing 13 has a small diameter cylindrical portion 43 connected to a small diameter portion of the conical inner cylinder portion 42. 15 In the coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 13 and 14, the second coupling member 13', 13
" is a coupling device having a collar 52 which projects onto the joint surface 51 of the second workpiece 11 and cooperates with the inner cylinder 50 of the first workpiece for centering and holding. 16. The coupling according to claim 13 or 15. In the device, the bushings 13', 13'' have a protruding collar 52, preferably of circular shape.