PT731231E - LIGHTING MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has a connecting plate (61) with suitable openings (62) which coincide with guide openings (15) in the profiled strips (60) for connection by screw nuts. The openings (62) in the connecting plate are oblong holes (62) open towards the edge of same. Indentations (67) on the top side of the connecting plate are associated with protrusions on the underneath side of the plate to receive the nut. The connecting plate is made from sheet metal whereby the protrusions and indentations are formed together by a stamp. The height of the protrusions is less than the height of the guide opening (15). The protrusions and/or indentations can each be circular at the closed end of the openings (62)

Description

DESCRIPTION " CONNECTION MODULE " The invention relates to a connector module according to the generic concept of claim 1, for interconnecting profiled slats.

Such a connection module has become known from GB-A-558909, which deals with a building for a plant oven. In this construction, the corners of the greenhouse are joined by means of an angularly shaped connecting element which is applied either from the outside or from the inside to the profiled rails. The connecting element has recesses that engage suitably shaped channels in the profiled tracks. Simultaneously, the screw heads or the nuts of the threaded connection rest on the bottom of these recesses, so they do not protrude in relation to them.

According to the present state of the art, profiled rulers are used for a wide variety of applications with a guide groove extending over the entire length of those rulers. C-shaped profiled rails are often used to serve as profiled slats, which are for example applied for lifting a lightweight, pole-based construction wall. Since the profiled rulers are cut to length according to their use and the arrangement of a profiled ruler with respect to one another is effected from a wide range of angles, it is necessary to create at the attachment points to provide the wall of lightened building with poles of adequate stability. Profiles of this type can for example be used to overcome voids in sanitary facilities, using

wall mounting. To serve as a connecting means for the profiled slats it is well known the application of connecting plates, which simultaneously connect several profiled slats, in the guiding slots of each of which are fastening elements that engage in corresponding openings in the union plates. It has, however, been found during assembly at the installation site that the connection of the profiled slats has become quite complex, in that the more profiled slats are connected to each other by means of the connecting plate, the more complex the alignment of one trough relative to the next. This may even come to the point where, when connecting several profiled slats together, it is necessary to carry out these work by at least two assemblers.

In US Pat. No. 3,415,554 there is disclosed a tie plate which, through a stamping process, is provided with recesses on one side and protrusions on the other. The circular protrusions fit into correspondingly shaped openings of the uprights to be connected. Furthermore, the connecting plate is provided with at least one hole for the introduction of a fastening means.

A further connecting module has for example been known from patent FR 21 41 012. This unit serves to connect C-shaped profiled chutes by means of recessed head bolts and nuts arranged on the C-shaped profiled chutes, which are immobilized to rotation within the gutter tears.

From FR 24 99 173, there is known to be an element for connecting tubular profiles which may have a cavity at their ends. A protrusion in the profiled tubes is inserted into this cavity, the connection between both parts in this zone being effected by means of a screw. 2

In DE-B 1276315, a connecting bracket has been disclosed for joining together C-shaped profiled rails, which corner grooves conform to the guide grooves of the C-shaped profiled rails having long holes opening towards the side of the edge of the angle bracket.

A structure for a car chassis has become known from EP-A-0136264. In this structure two H-shaped profiles are connected to each other, which on the one side have a configuration identical to that of a C-shaped profile. As a connecting element, there is used a plate bracket which has an adjustment spring formed in each of its arms, which spring engages a corresponding aperture of the profiled track. In front of the adjusting springs are formed grooves in the arms, in each of which the head of a screw can be inserted. For this purpose there are corresponding openings in the sheet metal brackets.

In view of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to provide a congener connection module, which allows a connection of profiled slats, which is of simple embodiment. which can be produced simply and economically.

This object is achieved by the adoption of the combination of features set forth in claim 1. The projection of the connecting plate serves as a guide to the profiled slats, since that projection is inserted with a perfect fit essentially in the guide groove of those rules. Of course, it is sufficient to use two projections on a profiled ruler so that the position thereof can only be varied over a single space coordinate. In the case of profiled slats cut to the frame it will be seen that in most cases it suffices that a profiled rule is aligned by means of a single projection and by the abutment of the front side of the profiled ruler 3 to the side surface of the other profiled ruler . In this way it is also ensured that the side surfaces of certain profiled slats can automatically form the abutment surfaces for other profiled slats, so that also the position of those slats between them is unequivocally defined. This makes the assembly very simplified, since the assembler, for joining the profiled slats to one another, only needs to insert the guiding slots in the protrusions and tighten the provided securing means. The subsequent alignment of the parts is largely unnecessary. The connecting plate provided with recesses situated on the opposite side of the projections has the great advantage that, by a slight screw-tightening of the nuts on the screws, the projections are now optimally positioned in the guiding slots of the profiled slats, it is possible to slide the profiled slats without the screw and nut composite elements from being diverted from their position relative to the connecting plate. This brings with it a huge simplification of the handling of the connection module, since the composite screw and nut elements can not inadvertently change position within the long hole during the adjustment operation. For this reason the assembler no longer needs to be aware of this slip. In addition, it is possible, by means of a drawing operation, to simultaneously obtain protrusions and recesses at a certain point on the connecting plate. There is thus a simple process for obtaining the protrusion and recess. The apertures have the configuration of long holes which open to the side of the edge of the connecting plate, the recesses disposed on the underside of the connection plate being associated with recesses on the top side of the plate, which serve to house a part of the nut . Preferably, all the open ends of the long holes of a connecting plate may be pointed in different directions. The long open holes on one side favor the insertion of a spindle which is immobilized on the profiled rule, so that said screw does not have to be first complicatedly threaded into a closed opening on the connecting plate and then inserted into the guide groove of the profiled rule.

Each of the protrusions and / or recesses is formed close to the closed end of the apertures and has an essentially circular shape. A circular shape ensures that the profiled slats can be engaged in different angular positions on the protrusions. The circular shape of the recesses prevents the displacement of the nut in the long hole, while ensuring that the nut can continue to be tightened.

Advantageously, the screws may be square-lapped round cap screws, which square collar may be inserted into the apertures of the connector plate so that it can not be rotated. This form of configuration offers the advantage that when the semi-round head bolt is once inserted into the guide groove of the profiled rule, it is held in position within that guide groove without being rotatable so that the assembler does not you need any additional tools to prevent the screw head from turning.

In order for the nut to be positioned in the recess with a perfectly perfect fit, it may comprise a cylindrical guide portion which can also be inserted into the recess with a perfectly perfect fit.

In order to be able to use round semi-round head bolts in the special case where it is desired to connect thin-walled profiled boards and thin-walled connecting plates, the nut may have a drilling widening especially designed to fit the square neck of the head screw semi-round. In this way it is ensured that a standard half-round head bolt is provided independently of the thickness of the connecting plate and the profiled rule to provide a locking of the rotation of the screw within the guide groove of the profiled rule.

In the vast majority of cases the profiled slats may preferably be C-shaped profiled rails which are tightened against the connecting plate by means of the enlarged head of the semi-round head bolt. C-shaped rails are widely used, which is why they can be obtained at relatively inexpensive prices. In addition, standard dimensions have been imposed on the market for these C-shaped profile rails.

Since the profiled strips for mounting a lightweight building wall with posts generally are perpendicular to each other, it will be advantageous in accordance with yet another embodiment that the apertures, including the recess and the overhang, are arranged along two or three rows perpendicular to each other. With the aid of the correspondingly shaped connecting module it is therefore possible very quickly to obtain connections to the miter that extend in a plane or that are three-dimensional.

In order to also connect several C-shaped profiled rails in a parallel alignment, it will be advantageous according to yet another embodiment of the invention that, in a row of apertures, the parallel spacing between the center of the recesses and that of the projections corresponds essentially to the sum of half the widths of the C-shaped profiled tracks to be connected. With this measure it is also ensured that C-shaped rails of different widths can be connected together. The protrusions and recesses in the connecting plates will then be disposed accordingly. 6

A further variant of the invention consists of providing a connecting rod to be attached to the connecting plate, which bracket also has projections arranged around apertures with a suitable spacing from each other, such projections of which at least two are arranged in a flap, which can be inserted into the recess of the connection plate. In this way it is possible to simply realize a three-dimensional arrangement of C-shaped profile rails, for example by automatically effecting the alignment of the C-shaped profile rails with one another, due to the predefined angle by the connecting angle and due also to the correspondence of the protrusions in the flaps of the angle and the recesses in the connecting plate. The invention is hereinafter described in more detail by means of embodiments in conjunction with a drawing. The drawing figures show:

1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention, in a perspective and partly exploded representation,

Fig. 2 is a variant of the arrangement of mounting wall elements according to the present invention,

Fig. 3 the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in a front view,

Fig. 4 the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, in side elevational view,

Fig. 5 a second embodiment according to the present invention, in a front view, Fig.

Fig. 6 the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, in side elevation view,

7 shows the assembly of the angular locking joint in an exploded and perspective view,

Fig. 7a is a locking angular connection with a screw, in a front view,

7b the angular locking connection of Fig. 7a, in a section along the line VII-VII,

8 shows a schematic representation of the possibilities of adjustment by means of the splice and the angular locking connection,

Fig. 9 is a transverse pillar with angular engagement and splined joints mounted, in a front view,

10 shows the transverse stud shown in FIG. 9, in plan view, with bolt-

11 shows a clamping nut with the respective guide rail and upright, in an exploded and perspective view,

12 shows a tightening nut inserted in a guide rail and a vertical upright, in a bottom view,

13 shows a connection point between a vertical upright and a crosspiece, in an exploded and perspective view,

Fig. 14 is a vertical upright, in plan view,

Fig. 15 shows a cutout XV of Fig. 14, in an enlarged representation, 8

Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. 16 an adapter for flushing, in a front view, the flushing adapter of Fig. 16, in a section along line XVII-XVII, 18 the flushing adapter of Fig. 17, in a section along the line XVIII-XVIII, the zone XIX of Fig. 17, in an enlarged representation, a connection point between a vertical upright and a flush toilet, with the aid of a flush fitting, in a schematic representation, a fixing plate, for the connection of C-shaped profiles, in a representation in perspective, a connecting module with a connecting plate according to fig. 21, in a side elevational view and in partial cross-section, a first variant of the connection point of C-shaped profiles with the connecting module of Fig. 22, 24 a second variant of the C-shaped profile connecting point with the connector module of Fig. 22, 25 a third variant of the C-shaped profile connecting point with the connector module of Fig. 22, 26 a connecting point of C-shaped profiles with a variant of the connecting plate, 26a another variant of connecting plate, in side elevational view,

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Fig. 26b the variant of Fig. 26a, in a front view,

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a cross-sectional view of a cross-sectional view of a cross-

Fig. 28 is a connecting bracket, in plan view,

Fig. 29 is the connecting bracket of Fig. 28, in a side elevational view from the left side,

Fig. 30 the connecting bracket of Fig. 28, in a side elevational view from the right side,

Fig. 31 is a cross-member with a connecting plate, in a perspective representation,

Fig. 32 is the connecting plate of Fig. 31, in a perspective representation,

Fig. 33 the cross-member and the connecting plate of Fig. 31 arranged in a guide stud, in cross-sectional view,

Fig. 34 is a variant of transverse decoupling beam, in a front view, and

Fig. 35 is the cross-sectional view of Fig. 34, in plan view. The mounting wall element 1 used in sanitary installations may be modified according to the different purposes of application. Thus, for example, Figs. Figures 1, 3 and 4 show a mounting wall element for installing a sanity and Figs. 5 and 6 a wall mounting element suitable for assembling a washbasin and accessories therefor. 10 more

ZgGL. the different possible configuration forms will be described in more detail below. However, it is also possible to carry out other combinations of wall elements, in particular with regard to the assembled sanitary components, which are adapted to different applications, such as shower, bathtub, urinal, household furniture of bath, etc. The mounting wall element 1 comprises a structure 2 composed of two vertical uprights 3 formed by hollow profiles and a transverse upright 4 formed by an open hollow profile, preferably a C-shaped profile, which keeps the uprights apart 3. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 7, the hollow profile of the vertical uprights 3 is comprised of a box-shaped profile, molded by rolling, having a rectangular preferred section and a longitudinal ruler 5 unilaterally shaped in that profile, in the middle of one of its shorter sides. The longitudinal ruler 5 is three times the material thickness of the rest of the hollow profile, since it was produced by folding one end of the sheet onto the other end of the sheet. The material used will preferably be galvanized steel sheet, which before the molding is looped or coated with a colored film.

In this example the C-shaped profile of the transverse stud 4 and the box-shaped profile of the upright studs 3 preferably have the same cross-sectional area on the inside thereof. The openings 6 and 7 at the ends of the upright 3 and the transverse upright 4 serve as recesses for an angular locking connection 8, which with its locking parts 9 and 10 is inserted into the end openings 6 and 7, which is essentially perfect. As is recognized in the figures, the two engaging portions 9 and 10 each form an angle of 90 ° such that the angled engaging joint 8 is in the form of an L and the engaging portions 9, 10 represent the flaps 11 of the L-shaped profile. The angled engagement joints 8 form at least the upper corners of the structure 2. A central section 11 of the angled engaging joint 8 then constitutes the visible corner. For this purpose the central section 11 is preferably adapted to the outer contour of the upstanding uprights 3 and transverse upright 4 or protrudes thereto. This way of forming the joints causes stop surfaces 12, in which the vertical uprights 3 and the transverse upright 4, cut in a direction perpendicular to that of their longitudinal axis, to rest with their entire front section. By attaching the uprights 3, 4 by means of the snap-fit joint 8, a high dimensional accuracy is automatically achieved.

Furthermore, each engaging part 9, 10 is provided with a threaded hole 13, 14 which extends in the direction perpendicular to the engaging screw and in which screws suitable for fastening to the uprights 3, 4 can be screwed. In the transverse studs 4 you can use for this purpose the guide groove 15, which is parallel to the longitudinal extent thereof. To this end, the upright 3 may be provided with an aperture 16 suitable for this purpose. The fastening with respect to the vertical upright 3, for example, may also be effected so as to be screwed into the threaded hole 13 a recessed head screw which does not protrude with respect to the outer surface of the engaging part 9, whereby the aperture 16 has a smaller diameter than that of the screw head used, but large enough to ensure access to the screw head with the aid of a tool. The screw head can then be tightened against the inner wall of the upright 3, the angled socket 8 already assembled. In this embodiment the attachment of the angular locking connection 8 to the uprights 3 can also be effected from the front side of the frame 2, since the securing means does not protrude. 12

In Figs. 8 and 9 it is recognized that the angular locking connection 8 with its engaging parts 9, 10 may also be carried out for example in the form of a die-cast aluminum part or a piece of synthetic material molded by and may therefore have reinforcing ribs or cavities 17 suitable for avoiding the accumulation of liquid.

In the central zone 11 the angular locking joint 8 is provided with a fixing point 18 in the form of a through hole, into which a screw 19 can be threaded onto which rod is clamped a retaining washer 19a for securing the bolt 19 in the through hole without it being unable to be turned, which bolt, the thread of which at the rear side of the angled socket 8, extends a fairly large length, for example 10 cm. The screw 19 constitutes the pivotal axis for a fastening splice 20 which is provided with a threaded bush 21 integral with it and which is intended to be properly screwed onto the screw 19. The fastening splice 20 serves to fix the wall element of the mounting wall 1 and for this purpose has a long hole 22, in which it is possible to fasten screws for a fixing to the wall. By turning the screw 19 it is possible to adjust the spacing between the securing wedge 20 and the frame 2, so that the corresponding mounting wall elements 1 can be used to adjust a relatively large range of spacings from the wall. In Fig. 8 various mounting situations are shown.

According to another variant shown in Figs. 7a and 7b a retaining washer 19b is disposed in the through-hole of the angled engaging joint 8 in such a manner that it retains the head of the screw 19 in the axial direction of the through-hole. The screw 19 is then secured in relation to the angular locking connection 8, but can be rotated. The main bearing force is then transmitted by the nut 19c screwed onto the bolt 19 and the plate washer 19d which tighten against the upright 3.

In continuation of the above, it can be seen from fig. 8 that the fastening splint 20 may for example also be produced in the form of a die-cast aluminum element or a synthetic element. In Fig. 8 it is also recognized that on the back side of the securing wedge 20 a hook element 23 is disposed recessed with respect to the remaining seating surface of the securing wedge 20. The hook element 23 may be engaged in an appropriate guiding slot of a C-shaped profiled track fixed to a mounting wall. This makes it possible to greatly simplify the assembly of the mounting wall elements 1. If necessary, the fastening to the C-shaped profiled track can be effected by a vent 24. In fig. 9 it is further recognized that the securing splice 20 may have several long holes 22 to increase the number of possible securing variants. Since the securing splice 20 can be rotated about the axis passing through the central zone 11 of the angular locking coupling 8, it is possible to secure it to the mounting wall in various positions. The terminal zone 25 of the fastening spline 20, which is developed around the threaded bush 21, has a curvature concentric with the axis of rotation, having a radius essentially corresponding to the minimum spacing A of the axis of rotation near the angular junction of engages 8 with respect to the outer edge thereof or with respect to the upper edge of the transverse stud 4. It is thus ensured that the upper edge of the end zone 25 and the upper face of the engaging angular connection 8 are both in a plane perpendicular to the the front side of the frame 2. This arrangement will be especially advantageous in cases where it is intended to use the top side of the mounting wall element 1 as a support for a bearing surface thereon. These elements, which form the laying surface and which will for example be fibrocement boards with plaster or sheets of pressed and coated cardboard 14, then also rest on the region of the mounting wall in the bearing parts of the end zones 25, whereby they are automatically oriented at a correct angle to the front of the mounting wall element 1. The embodiment of the above-mentioned structure 2 also provides the advantage that it is not necessary to weld the posts 3 and 4 in a subsequent operation. simple engagement of these components results in a not only solid but also extremely precise configuration of the structure 2, so that a juxtaposition of several mounting wall elements entails considerably fewer problems than in the embodiments according to the current state of the art. Moreover, the assembly of the mounting wall elements is greatly simplified by the fact of the fact that the fixing splines 20 are rotatable and connected to the angular locking couplings 8. In order to complete the exposure it should be noted that it is possible to mount fastening 20 of this type at other points of the wall element 1 to support the sanitary equipment to be installed.

In each of Fig. 5, 6, 11 and 12 there is shown a form of configuration of the mounting wall element 1 in which the lower openings 6 at the ends of the vertical uprights 3 serve for the housing of guide rails 26 which essentially fit into them just and which are immobilized within these vertical uprights 3 so as to be able to carry out an extension movement. The guide rails 26 are arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of a lower transverse upright or a flooring beam on the floor 27 and fixed thereto. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, guide rails 26 are shaped in the form of a C. The flooring crosspiece 27 is provided with fixing apertures not shown in the ground anchoring drawing or in a profiled shaped track c-

on the floor. At the lower end of the uprights 3 there is also an aperture 16 in which a screw 28 can be threaded. Within the uprights there is introduced a tightening nut of a special configuration, nut in which is a threaded hole 30 which serves to screw the screw 28. The clamping nut 29 is thus held in position within the lower end zone of the upstanding uprights 3. The clamping nut 29 has a cross-section which is approximately that of a V, so that in the two clamping legs 31 are formed. At one end of the clamping nut 29 there is a spigot 32 in which a spring in the form of a stirrup 33 is inserted through its central zone. The stirrup- 33 has two spring arms 34 which are flexible in the direction transverse to the insertion of the guide rails 26. The clamping nut 29 is then designed in such a way that, when the respective screw 28 has been r, it can be housed inside the guide rail 26, while the nut continues to be connected with the upright 3 through the screw 28. Meanwhile the screw 28 enters the guide groove 15 of the guide rail 26. FIG. 12 is the one that best shows this arrangement (screw 28 not shown). By tightening the screw 28, the clamping legs 31 then exert pressure on the guide rail 26 and immobilize it relative to the upright 3. In this context the stirrup spring 33 has the function, through its spring arms 34 and already in the state in which the clamping nut 29 is released, exerts a spring effect on the lateral portions of the guide rails 26. Preferably this spring effect is chosen in such a way that the mounting wall element 1 in its all is not automatically mis-adjusted by loosening the screws 28, but remains in position. Sliding of the guide rails 26 into the vertical uprights 3 is only possible when an additional displacement force is exerted, which in particular

great advantages cutter when assembling the wall mounting elements 1, since it is no longer required to hold them warm certain extension position. The exact position or height of the mounting wall element 1 is then defined by the tightening of the screws 28. The adjustment range thus created makes the flexibility of the mounting wall element 1, for its adaptation to different heights, greatly increased. Thus, the installer is no longer required to adhere to certain heights of mounting wall elements and can adjust that height according to the wishes of the customer. At this point it should further be noted that the clamping nut 29 may also be for example a die-cast aluminum part or a piece of injection molded synthetic material with a suitable forming blade spring, said clamping nut 29 ribs and cavities to avoid accumulation of material. The shape of configuration described above, integrating the extendable guide rails 26, furthermore offers the advantage that in the case of upwardly extending assemblies it is possible to overlap two or more mounting wall elements in such a way that the ends of the vertical uprights 3 provided with the guide rails 26 point in opposite directions so that in one of the mounting wall elements the flooring beam is now on the upper side and can be connected to the partition ceiling (in this context, the right-hand part of Figure 2). This design makes it possible to compensate for differences in height of the rooms without difficulty by simply moving the guide rails 26 relative to the vertical uprights 3.

From Figures 1, 3, 5 and 13 it is recognized that the mounting wall element 1 is equipped with a number of cross-members 35 which extend in a direction which is essentially parallel to that of the transverse stud 4,

connected to the vertical uprights 3 and which are essentially used to fix and position sanitary equipment. As already mentioned above, the uprights 3 are provided with a longitudinal ruler 5 which accompanies the longitudinal extension of the uprights and which has a triple wall thickness of that of the remainder of this profile (see also in this regard Figure 14 and 15). The triple wall thickness of the longitudinal ruler 5 gives it a particularly high strength as well as the necessary stiffness to the upright 3. In addition, the longitudinal ruler 5 has a continuous perforation with square grooves 36, which also runs along of the longitudinal extent of the vertical upright 3. The recess holes 36 of two vertical uprights 3, which form a common structure 2, are always at the same height. For the distance between centers of two engaging holes 36, it will preferably be chosen such a small scale that it allows a large number of notches to be provided along the longitudinal ruler 5. In a specific embodiment of the invention this spacing between centers is about 1 cm. The crosspiece 35 is essentially constituted by a bent plate so as to form a U-shaped profile, at the ends of which are formed snap-fit projections 37, which enter the engagement holes 36. For this purpose the U-web is separated from the flaps 39 at the ends of the crosspiece 35, the web being recessed parallel to itself inwardly by a step 38, so that a profile with the approximate shape of an H. is obtained in the end regions. flaps 39 of the U are provided with embossed apertures in such a way that the snap shoulders 37 and the apertures 40 are created. The measurement of the aperture 40 is such that its depth is less than the thickness of the longitudinal ruler 5, in terms of width, covers the front area of the longitudinal ruler 5, when the engaging shoulder 37 is in its position 18

of fitting. A locking plate 41 with a screw 42 is attached to each end zone of the crosspiece 35. The locking plate 41 abuts the seating surface 43, recessed toward the rear side, through a step of the flap 39 at U-shape, whereby the engagement lugs 37 are engaged in the engagement holes 36, while the screw 42 is screwed into the threaded hole 44 in the terminal region of the crosspiece 35. This causes the engagement lugs 37 to be firmly tightened into the engaging holes 36, while the bottom of the aperture 40 rests on the longitudinal ruler 5. In this way the beams can be fixed at any height relative to the frame 2, depending on the row of engaging holes, which is achieved by a simple insertion of the engaging shoulders 37 into the engaging holes 36 and by the tightening of the screw 42 in conjunction with the engaging plate 41. In this context it should also be noted that for simp it is possible to place on the vertical uprights marking rulers or stickers, which indicate the mounting position for a particular tray, for example a toilet bowl or a shower tray.

It should also be mentioned in advance that a tray 35 configured in the manner indicated may, by no more than slight modifications, be used for numerous mounting situations. For this purpose, the crosspiece 35 has at its central part, appropriately shaped plug holes or threaded bores. More detailed reference will now be made elsewhere in this specification.

It should further be noted that the figures do not indicate the existence of at least one acoustic damping element mounted between the longitudinal slit 5 and the crosspiece 35, which serves to dampen the vibrations caused by the sanitary components mounted on the sleepers when operation. 19 < < α5 & 7

With reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 16 to 19, it is recognized that to mount a flushing box 45 disposed between the two upstanding uprights 3 a suitably shaped flushing box adapter 46 is used on each side thereof. The flushing box adapter 46 has the advantage of allowing the most different flap boxes 45 to be mounted in the row of holes of the longitudinal flap 5. Like the flushing box 45 the flushing box adapter 46 is preferably made of material whereby it can very simply form a single piece produced by means of an injection molding technique. The flushing valve 46 has a base plate 47 for securing a corresponding flanged flange 48 integral with the flushing device 45. The base plate 47 is provided with hook elements 49 which are essentially T-shaped, which engages in corresponding openings 50 of the flanged rule 48 to be supported by the rear side on said flanged ruler 48. To prevent inadvertent disengagement of the hook elements 49, there are provided at the side of the hook elements cutouts 51 in the form of U so as to form compressive shoulders 52 that functionally engage the flange 48. The base plate 47 is followed by two longitudinal flap members with two corner flaps 53, 54 disposed perpendicularly to one another the other and in the other. The corner tabs 53, 54 also show together, as is shown in particular in Fig. 16, a substantially U-shaped cutout 55, which causes two blade-shaped elements 56, vertically disposed on the base plate, to be formed in the vertical grille flap 53. On the side of the spring elements 56, which is opposite to that of the base plate 47, there are formed in this element three triangle shaped engaging elements 57. On a base surface 58 of the angle flap 54, which extends parallel to the base plate 57, there are arranged engagement prongs 59 in the shape of a pyramid trunk, the size and spacing of which between them have been chosen in such a manner which can be inserted into the engaging holes 36 of the longitudinal slit. In order that the engaging elements 57 may be engaged in the longitudinal slit 5 with respect to the base surface 58 of the cant flap 54, the parallel spacing B between the base surface 58, with respect to which the engaging lugs 59 protrude, and the engaging member 57 is essentially the same as the thickness of the longitudinal ruler 5. This is especially explicit in FIG. 20. By means of the flushing adapter 46, it is now possible to easily and easily fix commercial flushing cisterns on vertical uprights 3 of mounting wall elements 1 which have a row of holes. Releasing the flushing adapter 46 from the longitudinal strip is also very simple, since the engaging elements 57 have suitable inclined planes of attack, both to withdraw and also to engage the flush. Another advantage of the autoclave adapter 46 is that of synthetic material, that it serves simultaneously as an acoustic decoupling element.

FIG. 2 and 21 to 26 will now be described in greater detail below, variants of connection of hollow and open profiles, namely of C-shaped profiled rails.

In Fig. 2 it is recognized that during the assembly of the mounting wall elements 1 it is also necessary to overcome voids between the different sanitary equipment provided along an assembly wall, which spaces are however covered by cement or asbestos cement sheets with plaster or by pressed and coated cardboard plates arranged on the wall elements, which plates are then preferably coated with tiles. In order to ensure a sufficiently solid support for these elements, connection studs 60 are mounted between the different mounting wall elements 1, preferably in the form of C-shaped profiled rails. In order to facilitate the erecting of the above- 60, there is provided an appropriate connection module which essentially consists of a connecting plate 61 which is provided with apertures 62 in the form of long holes which open to the side of the edge of the connecting plate 61 and screws 63 which can be conveniently inserted into the aperture 62, preferably square-capped round cap screws, associated with the corresponding nuts 64. The apertures 62 have at their closed end a stamped recess 65, approximately circular, of so that one of the sides of the connecting plate 61 is formed protrusions 66 and on the other side the corresponding recesses 67. the diameter D of the projection 66 is dimensioned in such a way that it corresponds essentially to the width of the guide groove 15 of a C-shaped profiled track to be connected. The height of the protrusion E is dimensioned such that it is equal to or less than the wall thickness of the attachment strut 60. Preferably the height E is somewhat less than that thickness. The semi-round head screw 63 used for this purpose has a lupine head 68, the diameter of which is greater than the width of the guide groove 15 of the attachment stud 16. For this reason it is possible to insert, the screw 63, the free end regions delimiting the guide groove 15 from the attachment stud 16 between the underside of the head 68 and the connecting plate 61. In doing so the attachment stud 60 is guided with a substantially perfect by the protrusion 66. The semi-round head screw 63 has underneath its head 68 a square-shaped collar 69, which can be slidably inserted into the aperture 62 of the connecting plate 61, but can not rotate inwardly this opening. The hexagonal nut 64 has at its end facing the connecting plate 61 a guide part 70 which can be inserted, essentially with perfect fit, in the recess 67. In this configuration, therefore, the connection of the connecting plate 61 with an attachment amount 60 is very simple and may in certain circumstances be even made with one hand. 22

If a standard semi-round head screw 63 is used, the nut 64 may, as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 22, has a hole enlargement 71 for engagement of the area of the square collar 69. In order to be connected to each other of the other connecting pins 6U, the parallel spacing C between the centers of the recesses 67 and the protrusions 66 corresponds essentially to the width G of the attachment stud 60. In addition, the apertures 62 including the recesses 67 and the protrusions 66 are disposed in two rows perpendicular to one another. In the example shown one row has three openings 62 and the other two rows two openings 62. For this reason the connecting plate 61 has an approximately triangular configuration, since the row with two openings 62 sits perpendicularly over the middle of the row with the three apertures 63, so that the middle aperture 62 of this row also belongs simultaneously to the other row. The open sides of the apertures 62 therefore all point in different directions. The connecting module can also be used to connect profiled slats of different types, whereby appropriate changes in the corresponding dimensions need to be changed accordingly.

In Figs. 23 to 25 are now shown some connecting variants.

In Fig. 23 there is shown a connection point in which they are attached to a connecting post 60 which passes without interruption two connecting posts 60 which abut top and perpendicularly on that other post. Because the suitably disposed protrusions 66 are guided in corresponding guide slots 15, the two rows of apertures are automatically disposed parallel and perpendicular to the connecting strut 60 which passes without interruption. With the bolt 23 and the nut 64 being loose, it is possible very simply to slide the connecting plate 61 along the 23

As the connecting studs 60 are cut in the vast majority of cases in a manner exactly perpendicular to their longitudinal extent, the front sides of the two attachment studs 60 to be connected to the attachment stud 60 which pass uninterruptedly, can rest on the latter, each of which is furthermore guided by a projection 66 of the connecting plate 61. This makes the work of aligning the connecting uprights relatively simple.

In Fig. 24 there is shown a connecting point in which two attachment studs 60 are interconnected by a joint to the mullion. In the drawing it is clearly seen that the .61 attachment plate has a triangular shape, with two legs of equal length, which form a 90 ° angle therebetween. Accordingly, the third leg forms an angle of 45 ° with the two forelegs. The recesses and protrusions 66 associated with each end of the triangular plate are, when viewed in a row, arranged parallel to the hinges, so that a fastening to the frame is automatically achieved, as shown in Fig. 24. Furthermore, the diameter of the recess has been chosen such that the shorter distance K between the perimeter of the recess 67 and the centerline of a row to which this recess 67 does not belong corresponds to half the width of the upright connection 60. Accordingly, the projection outside the attachment bolts 60 may be used for guiding. Furthermore, this type of fastening shows that only two screws 63 and nuts 64 are required to ensure a firm fixation. FIG. 25 shows a connecting variant in which two mounting wall element structures 2 are interconnected. For this purpose, the fixing points 18, as well as the threaded holes 13, 14 and the aperture 16 in the vertical uprights for fixing the connecting plate 61 are used in each of the structures. The spacings of the perforations 13, 14 and 18 of the socket 24 were selected accordingly. FIG. 26 shows an embodiment in which the tie plate 61 has been slightly modified. In order to also enable a connection of connecting uprights 60 in two planes perpendicular to one another, the part 72 of the connecting plate 61 has been folded 90ø from the base plane of the remaining part of the connecting plate 61, such that the cutout 73 thus obtained essentially corresponds to the outer dimensions of an attachment strut 60 to be mounted. The part 72 also has an aperture 62 with the respective projection 66 and the respective recess 67, which continues to be aligned with at least one aperture 62 of the base plane of the connecting plate 61, although turned 90 ° to the side from above. This allows, for example, to connect a vertical connecting jig 16 which passes without interruption with two connecting uprights 60 which terminate close to the upstream amount, without major alignment work becoming necessary, since the two adjacent connecting uprights are automatically secured by the connecting plate 61 so as to form a flat surface next to the connecting stud 16 which passes without interruption.

In the variant according to Figs. 26a and 26b there is provided a connecting bracket 161 which can be mounted on the connecting plate 61, which bracket correspondingly to that of the connecting plate 61 has recessed portions 65 to provide protrusions 66 and recesses 67 in its angle flaps . The angle formed by the angle flaps is preferably 90Â ° so that an appropriate three-dimensional arrangement of C-shaped profiled rails 60 can be realized. In order to automatically perform an exact positioning, each two projections 66 of the angle bracket connected to each other have a size and a spacing from each other such that they can be inserted with perfect fit into the corresponding recesses 67 located on the connecting plate 61. The spacing of the 25

which is projected towards the outside and which, due to the protrusions 66 of the other angle flap, which are inserted, is situated, in terms of its three-dimensional alignment, precisely with respect to the connecting plate, from the parallel marginal edge of the connecting plate 61 essentially corresponds to the perpendicular measurement of the width G of the C-shaped profile of the C-shaped profiled track 60 used. The use of a separate connecting bracket 161 together with the connecting plate 61 allows numerous possibilities of combining their arrangement, so that a corresponding enhancement of the functionality of a mounting wall element is obtained.

Preferably the connecting plate 61 is made of sheet metal, the flange 66 and the recess 67 being produced by recessed portions 65. It is nevertheless quite possible to fabricate the connecting plate 61 from other materials and other manufacturing methods.

Referring to Figures 1, 10 and 27 to 30, the structure and mode of operation of a seating angle is described, which can also be used simultaneously as a connecting element. The seating corner 74 has a substantially planar seating surface 75 and an attachment surface 76 disposed to the miter relative to that other surface, and further a support surface 77. The securing and support surfaces 76, 77 are disposed to squared one against the other. The securing and support surfaces 76, 77 each have two securing tears 78 in the form of long open holes on one side. The open side of the locking groove 78 faces the side opposite the one of the seat surface 75. The spacing L between the centers of the two locking slots 78, one of the locking surface 76 and the other of the bearing surface 77 , corresponds to the width G of a C-shaped profile to be connected by means of the settling bar 74, which can be an upright 26

60 or a transverse pillar 4 which are part of mounting wall elements 1. Moreover, the perpendicular clearance M of the seating surface 75 relative to the axis of the screws 79 to be introduced later in the securing strips 78 corresponds essentially to half of the width G / 2 of the C-shaped profile. In this way, for example by screwing the frame to a transverse beam 4, the bedding surface 75 is coplanar on the upper side of the transverse stud 4 or end regions 25 of the securing tabs 20. In Fig. 27 is further shown the way in which two C-shaped profiles can be connected to one another by means of a seating canker of the type in question. The settling bar 74 thus enables the connection of C-shaped profiles in two planes, resulting therefrom and through a corresponding arrangement of the settling bar, a plurality of connection possibilities. In addition, the seating frame 74 may well be used for supporting and securing cover elements to be secured to the mounting wall element 1, for example in the case of fiber cement sheets or pressed board and plastered.

Furthermore, two rows of knobs 80 are disposed on both the attachment surface 76 and the bearing surface 77, essentially parallel to the seating surface 75. The knobs 80 have a parallel outer spacing P corresponding to the width of the guide groove 75 16 of a C-shaped profiled trough 4, 60. In addition the axis of symmetry of the two rows has a spacing M relative to the laying surface 75 which corresponds essentially to half the width G / 2 of the profile. The knobs 80 serve to guide and align the seating angle 74 on the guiding slot 15 of a C-shaped profiled track 4, 60. In this way it is possible to very simply align the seating angle 74 in a profile shaped rail C 4, 60 and connecting it, by using the screw 79 and the nut 78, with the C-shaped profiled rails 4, 60. 27

The seating surface 75 has an approximately L-shaped access opening 82, which L-flaps have a parallel arrangement with respect to the corresponding securing and abutment surfaces 76, 77. The access aperture 82 allows a tool, a key for locking the fastening means 79, 81 which is behind the corresponding fastening groove 78. In addition, the access aperture 82 serves as a fastening aperture during the mullion wall mounting or during above head height. In order to complete the description it is to be noted that attachment features and buttons can be provided on the seating surface 75, as seen in Fig. 28 which nevertheless need not necessarily have the predefined measurements for the securing features 78 on the attachment surface 76 and the support surface 77. Both the attachment surface 76 and the support surface 77 have bores 76a, 77a, serving for fixing to a wall of lightweight building construction, which fastening will be done by means of self-tapping screws. The settling bar 74, as shown in the figures, is preferably produced from a sheet in the form of a stamped and bent piece. From the foregoing it results that the seating angle 74 can fulfill several functions, becoming a multifunctional element. On the one hand it serves as a seating surface on a mounting wall element 1 and on the other hand can be used for numerous variants of connection different from each other of C-shaped profiled rails 4, 60. Next, and through Figures 1 to 4 and 31 to 33 will be described in more detail a variant of crosspiece for the assembly of sanitary components. The beam 35 is constituted, as previously described, by a beam having a cross-section which essentially

is that of a U. In addition the crosspiece 35 is provided with apertures 83 in its U-shaped flaps 39. On both U-shaped flaps 39 a connecting plate 84 is attached, joined to said flaps by means of screws. The connecting plate 84 protrudes downwardly with respect to the crosspiece 35 and has a shape which is approximately that of a T. The upper transverse beam of the T-shaped profile covers the rear side of the crosspiece 35 and improves and thus their flexural strength properties. At each opening 83 of the beam 35 there is associated in the connecting plate 84 a flexible blade 85 which is formed in the connecting plate 84 and which is an integral part thereof. The flexible blades 85 are provided in their end zone facing away from their fixed end from a spring shoulder 86 which in the direction of the crosspiece 35 protrudes from the remaining surface of the connecting plate 84. The spring shoulder 86 is situated in the region of the aperture 83 or, as in the example shown below, somewhat below this. The apertures 83 form a guide socket capped by the connecting plate 84 which serves to fasten adjustable upright guide struts 87. By each mounting wall element 1 there are provided two guide uprights 87 mounted on a flooring beam 27 and fixed thereto. The guide uprights 87 project parallel to the upright uprights 3 and have a width and a thickness that allow essentially perfect fit into the apertures 83 or the guide aperture. The material used for the guide uprights 87 will preferably be a U-shaped bent steel flat bar in order to provide a structure that resists flexing when requested in the direction of incidence of the load but which is nonetheless relatively light. There are arranged covering elements 88 with guiding functions on the connecting plate 84 and in the extension of the guide grooves. This is achieved on the one hand and as Fig. 1 shows through a plate fixed to the crosspiece 35 or to the connecting plate 84 or by means of two plates with 29

a shape which is essentially that of a U, as shown in Fig. 31. The guide studs 87 which are inserted in the guide grooves are subjected, by means of the spring lugs 86, as seen in Fig. 33, to an elastic force, so that the displacement of the seating plate on the floor 27 or the guide uprights 87 relative to the crosspiece 35 and thus in relation to the entire structure 2 of the mounting wall element 1 is only possible after a predetermined resistance has been overcome. Preferably this resistance is chosen in such a way that the sliding does not occur due to the proper weight of the elements constituting the mounting wall element 1.

An immobilization of the crosspiece 25 with the respective connecting plate 84 relative to the flooring crosspiece 27 is effected by means of a height-adjustable stop device which projects outwardly from the lower ends of the upstanding uprights 3. The device is essentially constituted by an extension of the vertical uprights 3 and consists of a threaded pin 90, which can be screwed and screwed by means of the respective adjusting nut 89. For this purpose it is mounted in an immovable manner at the lower end of each upright 3 is a plug 91 which allows passage of the threaded shank 90 and further forms a counter-support for the adjusting nuts 89. The plug 91 can be supported by a collar integrated therein at the top of the vertical uprights 3 or is connected to these uprights by means of other securing means. The lower end of the threaded stud 90 rests on the flooring cross member 27. In order to permit a quick adjustment the nut 89 is configured as a tilt nut, so that the installer can make the adjustment extremely quickly. The threaded spindle 90 allows, in conjunction with the nut 89, a very precise and sensitive adjustment of the height required for the crosspiece 35 and the connecting plate 84. 30

In order to secure the intended sanitary components there are appropriate threaded holes in the connecting plate 84 (Figure 32) or in the cover elements 88 (Figure 1), whereas in the embodiment shown in Figs. 31 to 33 the cover elements 88 present for this purpose from their front side corresponding bolt openings 93. In this context also the open configuration on the inside of the guide uprights 87 helps to facilitate the above-mentioned fixing. In order that the pressure exerted by the assembled elements can be distributed over a large surface, the front side of the cover elements 88 is coplanar on the front side of the crosspiece 35. Since, for example, when mounting a suspended toilet, very bending bends occur the cover elements 88 are supported on the guide posts 87, whereby the flexing can be kept very easily within tolerable limits.

If it becomes necessary, by virtue of the mounting of heavy loads, to limit the allowable deformation to a certain value, even when high bending torques occur, provision may be made for the additional support of the crosspiece 35 or of the connecting plate 84 one foot for heavy loads 94 (fig.1), which provides additional support to these parts, which foot is mounted so as to rest on the surface of the floor and which is fixed to the back of said parts, supporting them. A support of the crosspiece 35 may also be effected by means of the securing wedges 20, which for this purpose will be suitably mounted thereon. The constitution and mode of operation of the securing wedges 20 have already become known from the foregoing description.

To improve the guiding of the guide stud 87 it can be mounted in the lower end zone of the uprights 3 plus another crosspiece 35 with apertures 83 suitable for engaging the guide studs 87. 31

The fastening of the sleepers 35, for which acoustic damping elements are used under certain conditions, has also been previously described.

In Fig. 33 it is seen that the attachment of the cover members 88 to the connecting plate 84 is effected by means of locking lobes 104 which can be inserted into corresponding engaging holes 103, and then folded. To this end, the apertures created by forming the flexible sheet 85 can also be used. This will be the case, for example, when both the connecting plate 84 and the cover elements 88 are made of sheet metal by means of a quilling and to stamp The flexible blades 85 with their spring shoulders 86 are then formed in the connecting plate 84 by a simple stamping operation, followed by a bending operation. The cover member 88 (Figure 1) or the connecting plate 84 (Figure 32) are provided with a holding aperture 95 for securing and passing a discharge tube 96 from the flushing box 45. In order to achieve an acoustic damping, a rim, preferably rubber, is placed in the clamping aperture 95 to hold the discharge tube 96 in place while providing acoustic damping. In addition, a support 98, preferably made of synthetic material, is provided which through an enclipsing clamp 99 can be engaged in the discharge tube 96. In the fixture 98 there is furthermore provided a catchable stirrup 100 which can be assembled and disassembled, through which the outlet tube 101 can be secured to the holder 98, while providing acoustic damping.

To complete the disclosure it is further noted that the securing screw holes 96 of the connector plate 84 are positioned in the area of sheet metal parts 102, 32 (τ ') such that these sheet metal sheet portions 102 are firmly tightened against the guide studs 87 by screwing the bolts, further contributing to a safe positioning of the sanitary components to be assembled.These plate elastic parts 102 also have the function of a tolerance compensation to compensate for the manufacturing tolerances.

In addition, it is also possible to provide for an embodiment in which, for fixing to the frame 2 of all the sanitary fitting components, regardless of whether this fastening is effected by the crossbeams 35 or other elements, such as, for example, adapters 46 for flushing cisterns, if acoustic damping elements are used. In addition, those elements can also simultaneously have the function of acoustic dampers. These measures result in a drastic reduction of the noise emitted and provide greater comfort to the end user.

In Figs. 34 and 35 there is shown a variant of crosspiece in which an acoustic decoupling has been advantageously carried out. The beam 35 comprises a beam base body 105, in which numerous fastening possibilities in the form of apertures 106, 107 and 108 can be applied for the attachment of components that can be covered by a fluid. This crosspiece 35 may for example be used, as for example seen in Figs. 5 and 6, for the attachment of sanitary components. Each of the end zones 109 of the header base body 105 facing the uprights 3 are secured by means of screws of synthetic material to a connecting piece 111, a damping element 112 being interposed. The connecting piece 111 has a stepped cross-section, with terminal flaps 113 and 114 essentially parallel to one another. The first end flap 113 overlies a certain distance from a portion of the cross-member base body 105 so that it is possible to interleave the damping member 112.

The damping member 112 has holes suitable for the bolts 110. The securing holes 115 are provided in the second end flap 114 whose spacing is adapted to the modular measurement of the row of holes disposed in the longitudinal strip 5 of the uprights 3. To connect the crosspiece 35 to the uprights 3 a locking plate not shown in the figure is also used, which has a similar arrangement to that of the locking plate 41, so that the longitudinal ruler 5 of the vertical uprights 3 lies between the second end flap 114 and the locking plate. The locking plate not shown in the figure is preferably provided with at least one engagement shoulder, which suitably engages an engagement hole 36. The acoustic uncoupling achieved with this cross-member variant satisfies the highest requirements with regard to tending to reduce the emission of noise. In addition, it is not mandatory to independently decouple each component, although it may still be performed.

Especially from FIG. 2 it is possible to recognize the multiple possibilities of arrangement of the mounting wall elements 1, for which the means described above are used. These forms of configuration provide a wide variety of forms of disposal of sanitary equipment in the space available.

Lisbon, September 28, 2001

1NDUSTRIAL PROPERTY LOFICIAL 34

Claims (8)

Connecting module for joining profiled strips (60) having at least in the region of the connection a guide groove (15) extending in the longitudinal direction, the connecting module comprising a connecting plate (61) with suitable apertures (62) and screw and nut elements (63, 64) that can be inserted into the apertures (62) and guiding slots (15) to secure the connecting plate (61) to the profiled slats (60) that at least around a portion of the apertures 62 is disposed a projection 66 adapted to the free width of the guide slots 15 and engageable therein, the apertures 62 of the connecting plates 61 being disposed, oriented towards each other in accordance with the desired angles of engagement for the profiled strips (60) and being associated with the protrusions (66) arranged on the underside of the connecting plate (61) recesses (67) arranged on the upper side of the plate (61), intended to re- (64), and the connecting plate (61) is manufactured from a metal sheet and the projections (66) and recesses (67) have been formed together by a stamping (65) in the sheet, characterized in that the apertures (62) are in the shape of long holes (62) which open to the side of the edge of the connecting plate (61) and that the projections (66) and / or the recesses (67) are shaped in each closed end of the apertures (62) and have an essentially circular configuration. Connecting module according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections (66) have a height E which is smaller than the height of the guide groove (15). Connecting module according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the screws (63) are 1-square-square screws, the square (69) of which is inserted into the opening (62) of the connecting plate (61). ), and can not rotate relative to it. Connecting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nut (64) has a guide extension which can be engaged in the recess with a perfectly perfect fit. Connecting module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the nut (64) has a hole widening (71), namely intended to house the square (69) of the square collar screw (63). Connecting module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the profiled strips (60) are C-shaped profiled rails which are tightened by means of the enlarged head (68) of the square collar screw (63) against the connecting plate (61). Connecting module according to claim 6, characterized in that the apertures (62), including the recesses (67) and the projections (66), are arranged in two or three rows perpendicular to each other. Connecting module according to claim 7, characterized in that in a row of apertures (62) the parallel spacing C and between the center of the recesses (67) and the projections (66) corresponds essentially to the sum of half the widths G / 2 of the C-shaped profiled tracks (60) to be connected. Connecting module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that connecting angles (161) which can be fixed to the connecting plate (61) are provided, which angles also have projections (66) which are arranged (62) and at a certain distance from each other, protrusions of which at least two are arranged in each corner flap, and can be inserted with perfect fit into the recesses (67) of the connecting plate (61). 3