ZA200705693B

ZA200705693B - Universally adjustable holding device

Info

Publication number: ZA200705693B
Application number: ZA200705693A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Eschbach Bernd; Baumstark Erwin
Original assignee: Dambach Werke Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-07-24
Filing date: 2007-07-11
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Also published as: EP1882878B1; ATE428887T1; DE502006003456D1; EP1882878A1

Description

The present invention relates to a universally adjustable holding device, which serves to hold an object, especially a housing, on not precisely vertical or horizontal surfaces, especially curved walls.

As is known, in tunnels numerous traffic signs have to be installed which serve to ensure the safety of the traffic in the tunnel and give the persons participating in the traffic suitable instructions (for example a speed restriction).

The particularity when such traffic signs accommodated in a frame must be fixed in a tunnel is that as a rule they have to be mounted on the curved wall of the tunnel.

The greater the tubular size of the tunnel that must be bored, the more expensive it is.

For this reason attempts are made to produce an only minimal tube size, which must take into account the space required for the traffic guiding systems and the signs.

The object of the present invention is to provide a universally adjustable holding device, especially for use on not precisely vertical and/or horizontal surfaces and curved walls as found in tunnels and the like, with which a minimal distance from the mounting surface is realised.

This object is addressed by the characteristics of claim 1.

According to the invention the adjustable holding device comprises at least one anchoring element that can be anchored in an element, e.g. a curved tunnel wall that carries the holding device. Two pipe pieces are provided which have an essentially identical diameter, and a guide sleeve serves as connection for the two pipe pieces, wherein the width of the guide sleeve is slightly smaller than the overall width of the two pipe pieces and the guide sleeve is arranged inside the pipe pieces. A centring plate serves to centre the guide sleeve in relation to the anchoring element, which preferably is formed by a threaded anchor, and accordingly also serves to centre the pipe pieces.

F 2007/05893

A pressure plate provided with an opening can be stuck onto the threaded anchor and with suitable means it can push and fix the object to be held against the relevant edge of the nearest of the two pipe pieces, by which the holding device can be fixed to the mounting surface of the element.

To ensure an optimal alignment of the object to be held, the two pipe pieces have a first flat edge which lies in a first plane that extends perpendicular to the pipe axis, and a second edge which lies in a second plane that extends at a slant in relation to the first plane.

By the suitable arranging of the slanting planes, it is possible on the one hand to adjust a maximum tilt of the object to be held in relation to the mounting wall and on the other hand, by a compensatory arranging of the slanting second planes an alignment per- pendicular to the axis of the threaded anchor can be obtained.

In this way, with simple means a form-locking and friction-locking holding device with three adjustment planes is advantageously obtained, with the special advantage that a minimum distance from the mounting surface together with an infinitely adjustable tilt adjustment can be realised.

The holding device according to the invention furthermore has the great advantage that the ‘object held with same is held adjustable in the three space axes, so that an optimal alignment of the object in the space can be realised.

When the slant of the second plane in relation to the first plane of each of the pipe pieces is identical or essentially identical, this has the advantage that only one type of pipe pieces need be used, i.e. per holding device two identical pipe pieces, which leads to a more economical production because of the greater quantity. :

oo | 3

Preferably the pipe pieces are round pipe pieces, which permit an easier installation. To adjust the tilt or the minimum distance from the mounting surface, the tilt of the pipe pieces can be adjusted relative to the mounting surface as well as relative to the object.

Furthermore an optimal adjustment possibility is obtained when the pipe pieces can also be turned relative to one another.

For a particularly advantageous easy turning of the pipe pieces, one of the pipe pieces, preferably both pipe pieces have an engaging device for a tool. This engaging device may advantageously be an opening in the wall of the pipe piece, into which a suitable tool, e.g. a hook wrench can engage. By applying one hook wrench to the one pipe piece and another hook wrench to the other pipe piece it is possible to turn the two pipe pieces relative to one another and relative to the mounting wall and the object to be held respectively, and to thus ensure in the simplest possible manner an infinitely variable adjustment.

Finally it is advantageous that the pipe pieces may be made of metal or of plastic.

Further characteristics, details and advantages of the present invention can be noted from the description of a preferred exemplified embodiment of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in an explosion-like diagrammatic view an embodiment of the holding device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the holding device according to the invention of Figure 1 in the mounted state;

Fig. 3 shows the holding device according to the invention with tilt of the object to be held;

Fig. 4 shows that the holding device according to the invention without tilt of the object to be held; )

i: 2007/0593

Fig. 5 shows two hook wrenches for turning the pipe pieces, and

Fig. 6 shows the holding device according to the invention wherein the two hook wrenches of Fig. 5 each engage into one of the pipe pieces.

In the following, with reference to Fig. 1 which diagrammatically illustrates the construction of a holding device 1 according to the invention, same will be described in more detail.

The holding device 1 according to the invention serves to hold an object, especially a housing 3, which is used for example to hold traffic light signs.

The holding device 1 must be held in or by an element 5, e.g. a mounting wall 7. The holding device 1 comprises an anchoring element, for example a threaded anchor 9 which has a threaded bolt 11 which is anchored in the mounting wall 7.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the holding device 1 comprises two pipe pieces 13 and 14, the wall thickness of which is indicated by the broken line. Each one of the pipe pieces has a first flat edge 15 and 16 respectively which each lie in a plane that extends perpendicularly to the axis X, which is the axis of the two pipe pieces 13 and 14. In the exploded view of Fig. 1 the axis of the two pipe pieces 13 and 14 coincides with the axis of rotation Y of the threaded anchor 9, whereas in the mounted state (see Fig. 2) the axes X and Y do not coincide.

To connect the two pipe pieces 13 and 14 for their installation and connection to the threaded anchor 9, a guide sleeve 17 is provided which in the preferred exemplified embodiment has a slot 19 extending parallel to the axis X. :

As can furthermore be noted from Fig. 1, each pipe piece 13, 14 has a second edge 21 and 22 respectively which each lie in a plane that extends at a slant relative to the plane of the first edge. The slant may, for example, have an angle of inclination of 7,5°, so that an assembled maximum slant of 15° can be obtained. Naturally, depending on the application other angles of inclination are possible.

As can also be noted from Fig. 1, on the threaded anchor 9 a centring plate 23 is provided, which serves to centre the guide sleeve 17 in relation to the threaded anchor 9. The centring plate 23 has a central opening 25 for the passing through of the threaded anchor 9. The centring plate 23 preferably is fixed in a simple manner by means of nuts 27 and 28.

The holding device 1 according to the invention furthermore comprises a pressure plate 31, which in turn has a central opening 33 through which a threaded section 12 of the threaded anchor 9 can pass. To fix the housing 3 to the second edge 22 of the pipe piece 14, a nut 35 is provided which can be screwed onto the threaded section 12 and a locking plate 37 is provided for securing same. a

Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically the holding device according to the invention in the mounted state. Identical elements in Fig. 2 have been given the same reference numerals. The outside diameter of the guide sleeve 17 in the unmounted state is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the pipe pieces 13 and 14. During the inserting into one of the pipe pieces the guide sleeve 17 is compressed and after it has been inserted into the pipe piece it springs back again and comes into friction-locking contact with the inside surface of the pipe piece. As can be seen, the axis Y of the threaded anchor 9 and the axis X of the pipe pieces 13 and 14 intersect one another.

Reference will now be made to Figures 3 and 4, in which two different alignments of the housing 3 are illustrated, which shows how by a simple adjustment or turning of the pipe pieces 13 and 14, the required tilt of the housing 3 is realised. Fig. 3 shows a

. | 6 maximum tilt and Fig. 4 a minimum tilt in which the relevant side wall of the housing 3 is essentially held without a tilt.

Figures 3 and 4 also show that the pipe pieces 13 and 14 are provided with an engaging device 39 for the pipe piece 13 and 41 for the pipe piece 14 in the form of an opening in the side wall of the pipe piece.

Fig. 5 shows corresponding tools in the form of hook wrenches 43, which each have a hook 45 that can engage into the engaging devices 39 and 41 respectively.

The use of the two hook wrenches is illustrated in Fig. 6. From this it can readily be seen that by turning the hook wrench 43 a turning of the pipe piece 13 or 14 engaged therewith is made possible, which permits a simple and accurate adjusting of the required tilt of the housing 3.

The slot 19 according to Fig. 1 provided in the guide sleeve 17 ensures that the guide sleeve 17 can be compressed resiliently and can thus be introduced into the respective pipe piece 13 or 14 and can spring back again after it has been put in, as a result of which a friction-locking connection is obtained between guide sleeve and the relevant pipe piece 13 or 14.

On the whole, therefore, with the holding device 1 according to the invention an effective, very efficient, easily mounted and easily and universally adjustable holding device is created, which is suitable especially for inclined or curved mounting surfaces, and creates a smallest possible space requirement for the mounting.

Advantageously, the holding device can be used not only on walls, but on all surfaces whether inclined or not. Thus it can be used, for example, on steel girders of bridges, where it can easily be installed. In this case a connection cable can advantageously be provided through the holding device and be connected to the indicating device in the ke. 2007/0593 housing 3, which creates a secure cable feed which is advantageously protected against vandalism.

Claims

Rl) Claims

1. Universally adjustable holding device, which serves to hold an object, comprising - at least one anchoring element in the form of a threaded anchor which can be anchored in an element that carries the holding device, - two pipe pieces which have an essentially identical diameter, - a guide sleeve which serves as connection for the two pipe pieces, wherein the width of the guide sleeve is slightly smaller than the overall width of the two pipe pieces and the guide sleeve can be arranged inside the pipe pieces, - a centring plate which serves to centre the guide sleeve in relation to the threaded anchor and which has a through-opening for the threaded anchor, - a pressure plate with an opening for the threaded anchor, - wherein the two pipe pieces have a first flat edge which lies in a first plane that extends perpendicular to the pipe axis, and a second edge which lies in a second plane that extends at a slant in relation to the first plane, and - wherein the pressure plate by means of suitable fastening means pushes and fixes the object to be held against the relevant edge of the nearest pipe piece, and by this the holding device can be fixed to a mounting surface of the element.

2. Holding device according to claim 1, characterised in that the object is a housing.

3. Holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the slant of the second plane in relation to the first plane of each of the pipe pieces is identical or essentially identical.

4. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pipe pieces are round pipe pieces.

.~ 9 | os N

5. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that by turning the pipe pieces relative to the mounting surface as well as relative to the object, the tilt of the object in relation to the mounting surface can be adjusted.

6. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the pipe pieces can be turned relative to one another.

7. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one of the pipe pieces, have an engaging device for a tool.

8. Holding device according to claim 7, characterised in that both pipe pieces have "an engaging device for a tool.

9. Holding device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the engaging device is an opening in the wall of the pipe piece, into which a suitable tool, can engage.

10. Holding device according to claim 9, characterised in that the tool is a hook wrench.

11. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the guide sleeve has a slot in its side wall which extends essentially parallel to its axis of rotation.

12. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the pipe pieces are made of metal or plastic. :

13. Holding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the guide sleeve is made of an elastically resilient material.

IE 2007/058693 DATED THIS 11™ DAY OF JULY 2007 YORE / ors FISHER PPLCIANTS PATENT ATTORNEYS