DE202014002205U1 - Connector and carrier with connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector for a supporting device (1), for connecting at least two support element elements (2, 4), in particular for connecting a support foot (2) to a support tube (4), wherein the connector (6) has a substantially cylindrical male connection section (40 ) which is frictionally and / or frictionally connected to a recess (50) of one of the support device elements (2, 4), and wherein the connector (6) has a female connecting portion (52) with which a projection (14) of another the support device elements (2, 4) is operatively connected, characterized in that at least the connecting portions (52, 40) are made of die-cast metal.

Description

The invention relates to a connector for connecting at least two elements of a support device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a support device with such a connector according to claim 10.

In Tragvorrichtung or scaffolding Tragvorrichtungs- or scaffolding elements via connecting elements, hereinafter referred to as connectors connected. Examples are supporting devices in exhibition construction or presentation stands, scaffolding for production or production facilities or the like. The challenge is to ensure the connection with as little device technical and assembly-technical effort.

In particular, for connecting a supporting role or a support foot with a support tube connectors are known, which are designed substantially cylindrical and frictional or non-positively connected to an end-side recess of the support tube. The connection of the support foot to the support tube via a female connecting portion of the connector, for example, has an internal thread into which a threaded rod of the support foot is screwed.

One such connector is, for example, the Foot Connector M16G from Green Frame LLC. The connector has on the male connecting portion outside circumferentially transversely to the direction of insertion circumferential lamellae, which are elastically deformed when pressing the connector into the rod, so that a frictional connection is made.

A similar connector shows the Applicant's catalog Ecoshape as threaded sleeve D28L with order number 3842541185 , This is formed in three parts, with two shells embrace a mother-shaped insert form-fitting, so that the latter is fixed in the assembled state rotationally fixed and shear-resistant between the two shells. The advantage here is that can be changed by replacing the insert in a simple way to different threads to be connected support feet / rollers.

Both solutions have the disadvantage that, in particular when operating with a steerable support roller, a breakage of the connector, in particular at the transition to the recess into which it is inserted, can occur.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to provide a more robust connector and a support device with such a connector.

The first object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1, the second by a support device with this connector having the features of claim 16.

Advantageous developments of the connector are described in claims 2 to 15.

A connector for connecting at least two Tragvorrichtungs- or scaffolding elements, in particular for connecting a support foot or a support roller with a support tube, has a substantially cylindrical, male connecting portion which is insertable into a recess of the support tube and frictionally and / or frictionally connected thereto , In addition, the connector has a female connecting portion operatively engageable with a projection of another supporting member. According to the invention, at least the connecting sections of the connector are made of die-cast metal, in particular zinc die-cast.

Compared with the solutions of the prior art, in which the connecting portions or the entire connector made of polyamide or is, the connector according to the invention has a higher stability and robustness. This is particularly advantageous in an operation in which one support member is a support tube and the other is a castor. The fractures occurring in conventional solutions in the transition region between the female and the male connecting portion are so better preventable or even excludable.

In a preferred development, at least two guide elements, spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, are arranged on the outside of the male connecting section. For guiding an insertion movement into the recess and / or for preventing rotation of the connector in the support tube, the two guide elements of the connector are preferably engageable with complementary guide elements of the recess of the support tube. Since the function of the anti-rotation device is thus distributed over more than one guide element, the individual guide element can be made narrower compared with solutions of the prior art. This has the advantage that each guide element has only a small accumulation of material, which is necessary to avoid distortion during cooling and internal stresses of the die-casting. This results in an increase in strength at previous fractures. Preferably, the two guide elements of the Connector parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector and the recess.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the two guide elements are designed such that for rotation either only mutually facing flanks of the two guide elements or only opposite flanks of the two guide elements in contact with flanks of the complementary guide elements of said recess can be brought.

Preferably, the rotation takes place in both possible directions of rotation by a tension of the flank pairs against each other.

Preferably, the at least two guide elements of the connector are designed as guide webs or guide ribs. Alternatively, it is of course possible that the said two guide elements, or at least one of the two, are formed as a groove or is.

In a particularly preferred development, the connector on the outside on the male connecting portion, in particular in the circumferential direction spaced from the at least two guide elements of the male connecting portion, at least one at least elastically deformable clamping projection. About the elastic deformability of the frictional or frictional connection of the connector with the recess is possible. When the connector is inserted into the recess, the clamping projection undergoes elastic deformation resulting in a normal force acting on an inner circumferential surface of the recess.

In a preferred embodiment, a contact surface of the clamping projection or clamping web is formed uneven, so that a first end portion of the clamping protrusion arranged in the insertion direction protrudes radially less than a second end portion of the clamping protrusion. As a result, at the beginning of an insertion process, a frictional engagement between the connector and the recess is still comparatively small, so that the insertion of the connector, during which it does not yet experience strong guidance via the guide elements, has a comparatively low frictional force and does not apply too great a force for the assembly must become. This has the advantage that at this time an unwanted tilting when inserting is well avoidable. Only when the second end portion comes into abutment with the inner circumferential surface of the recess, the applied force increases for insertion of the connector. But then the connector is already sufficiently guided in the recess of the one support element. So tilting is less likely.

In order for the force applied to the connector to rise as abruptly as possible, in a preferred embodiment, the clamping projection or clamping web is configured such that only its first and second end sections, but not an intermediate section arranged therebetween, can come into contact with the inner circumferential surface. For this purpose, the middle section jumps back radially against the two end sections. Thus, a radially projecting bump is formed in each case via the two end sections.

For fixing the connector in the recess of the one support element, in a preferred embodiment, the connector on the outside male connection portion, in particular circumferentially spaced from the at least two guide elements of the male connection portion, at least one radially projecting, notch effective, in particular pointed clamping projection for positive connection with the Recess on. This burrows during the insertion process on the one hand in the inner circumferential surface of the recess, whereby the additional positive locking of the connector is secured against pulling out of the recess. On the other hand, he experiences at least one elastic deformation, which leads to an additional increase in its holding power. Preferably, it is designed so that it also has a plastic deformation after the insertion process. Preferably, this clamping projection has a triangular or pyramidal shape.

For easier insertion of the connector into the recess, the latter has, at its end section arranged in the insertion direction, an insertion chamfer which is at least partially circumferential, in particular full-circumference.

In a possible development of the female connecting portion is adapted to the projection that the two are directly connected to each other. The above-mentioned operative connection between the female connecting portion and the projection is thus immediate.

In an alternative, preferred development, the connector has an insert part which can be inserted at least in sections into the female connection section. In this case, the insert has a recess which is adapted to the projection in such a way that the two are directly connected to each other. The operative connection between the female connecting portion and the projection is thus on the insert, so indirectly formed.

The respective connection is preferably kraft- and / or friction and / or form and / or cohesively formed.

Preferably, a screw connection or a clip connection between said connection partners, in particular between the projection and the recess of the insert part is provided. Particularly preferably, the recess of the insert part has an internal thread into which an external thread of the projection can be screwed.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector is particularly versatile, when the insert is detachable from the rest of the connector. The connector is thus made of several parts. Due to the solubility of the insert, the connector is capable of adapters. This means that with one and the same male connecting portion different insert parts, and thus also different for connection to the projection provided recesses, can be combined.

In a preferred development, the detachable insert part is encompassed by the female connection section in a form-fitting manner, at least in sections, whereby the connection of the male connection section to the insert part is configured in a particularly simple manner in terms of device technology.

Preferably, this positive Umgriff is designed so that the connection is rotationally fixed and / or shear-resistant.

Particularly preferably, an outer circumferential surface of the detachable insert part in the form of a multiple flax and an inner lateral surface of the female connecting section are designed in a complementary shape.

Particularly preferably, the insert is designed as a hex nut made of aluminum rod material with a cut internal thread.

For the shear-resistant connection, an abutment shoulder for the insert part is preferably provided on the inside for each thrust direction on the female connecting portion.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the male and female connecting portion are formed on two separable shells, of which the insert part is embraced or encased. The change of the insert is then particularly easy, simply by lifting the shells from the insert.

A support or scaffold device has at least two support member elements and a connector formed according to at least one aspect of the foregoing description. In this case, one of the support device elements has the above-described recess, in which the substantially cylindrical, male connecting portion of the connector is non-positively and / or frictionally engaged. Another of the support members has the above-described projection which is operatively connected to the female connection portion of the connector.

The support device is preferably designed in the sense of a truss or a pipe construction and is preferably used in exhibition construction or in production or production facilities or the like.

Due to the use of the connector according to the invention, the framework or the support device has the advantage that the connection of the support element elements is less susceptible to breakage and therefore more robust. On a new mention of the advantages of the individual developments of the connector when it is installed in the support device or scaffold is omitted here, as they result from the foregoing description.

The support element, which has the recess, is preferably a profile, in particular an extruded profile. It may be formed as a support tube or rod and preferably has the complementary to the two guide elements of the male connecting portion guide elements. These are designed as grooves, provided that the guide elements of the male connecting portion are formed as webs or ribs.

Accordingly, they can be configured as ribs or webs, provided that the guide elements of the male connecting portion are formed as grooves. Also mixed forms are of course possible (rib, groove and Komplementärnut, rib).

Preferably, mutually facing flanks of the two guide elements of the male connecting portion in abutment with two mutually adjacent flanks of two complementary guide elements, or are mutually remote flanks of the two guide elements of the male connecting portion into contact with flanks of the complementary guide elements.

In the connected state of the clamping projection, in particular in the region of its two end portions, at least elastically deformed, so that the connector is non-positively or frictionally connected to the recess.

Preferably, the first end portion of the clamping projection is radially less deformed than its arranged in the direction of removal second end portion.

The notch-active, in particular pointed clamping projection of the male connecting portion engages for the positive connection with the recess preferably in the Innenwandfläche- the recess.

In the following, an embodiment of a supporting device according to the invention and a connector in three figures will be explained in more detail. Show it:

1 an exploded view of a support device with a connector,

2 the carrying device in the assembled state, and

3 a partial section through a connector of the support device, perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

A carrying device 1 has according to 1 a carrying foot 2 , A designed as a profile tube or support tube supporting element 4 and a connector 6 with an insert 8th in the form of a hexagon nut. The support foot 2 has a substantially circular cylindrical base plate 10 on, at the top of the center and along a longitudinal axis 12 a threaded pin 14 which extends into an internal thread 80 of the insert part 8th can be screwed. On the threaded pin 14 are two lock nuts 16 . 18 screwed over which the support foot 2 to a position relative to the insert 8th is fixed.

The support tube 4 is hollow cylindrical and made of extruded aluminum. Its wall thickness is essentially constant. An inner jacket surface 22 of the support tube 4 has four circumferentially equally distributed, formed as grooves guide elements 24 of which according to 1 only one is provided with a reference numeral. Due to the predominantly constant wall thickness also has an outer circumferential surface 26 of the support element 4 longitudinal grooves 28 on, which are provided for engagement with a, not shown, externally arranged, other connector.

The connector 6 is designed in several parts and has two identical shells 30 . 32 on, over their their respective contact surfaces 34 can be brought into abutment with each other, wherein in the contact surfaces 34 every shell 30 . 32 two truncated cone alignment projections each 36 and complementary recesses 38 are formed. The alignment projections 36 every shell 30 . 32 extend substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 34 and the complementary recesses 38 every shell 32 . 30 are to the associated Ausrichtvorsprünge 36 adapted with little play.

The connector 6 has a male joint portion divided due to the bipartite 40 that extends along the longitudinal axis 12 extends substantially cylindrical. A female connecting portion of the connector 6 is at least partially over an inner circumferential surface 52 the shells 30 . 32 educated. The connector has an end portion opposite to the insertion direction 6 a radially extended waistband 42 , via its annular end face 44 a stop of the connector 6 with a face 46 of the support element 4 is trained. At its end portion located in the insertion direction, the connector has 6 an on the outside and fully extending Einführfase 48 , about the insertion of the connector 6 in one of the inner circumferential surface 22 limited recess 50 of the support tube 4 is relieved.

For the positive reception of the formed as a hexagon insert part 8th is the inner lateral surface 52 - The female connecting portion - complementary to the outer circumferential surface of the insert part 8th designed so that this in the assembled state of the connector 6 rotatably, with the two shells 30 . 32 connected is. To the insert part 8th also shear-resistant in the female connecting portion, that is, with respect to the longitudinal axis 12 immovable between the cups 30 . 32 set, the latter have an upper, arranged in the insertion direction, radially inwardly radially projecting radial collar 54 and one at the fret 42 extending, also radially inwardly radially projecting radial collar 56 on. In the assembled state gets an end face 58 of the insert part 8th with a radial shoulder of the covenant 54 and a face 60 of the insert part 8th with a radial shoulder of the covenant 56 in attack.

The Radial Union 54 forms a through hole through which the threaded pin 14 , as far as he should be screwed in so far, the insert 8th can leave. The Radial Union 56 forms a passage recess for entry of the threaded pin 14 in the connector 6 out.

The following description is limited to the shell 30 of the connector 6 , but of course applies mutatis mutandis to the identical shell 32 , The shell 30 extends as a half-shell with a circumferential angle of about 180 ° about the longitudinal axis 12 , On the outside of the shell 30 , ie on the outside of the male connection section 40 , is at about 60 ° and at about 120 ° (starting from the contact surface 34 ) Each designed as a guide web guide element 62 arranged, extending from the ring end face 44 of the federal government 42 right up to the chamfer 48 extends and in its end by the Einführfase 48 bevelled. Between the two guide elements 62 are two also rib-like, but flatter, also designed as webs clamping projections 64 arranged to abut with the inner circumferential surface 22 of the support element 4 are provided.

Each of the guide elements 62 is in the circumferential direction immediately adjacent each one of the clamping projections 64 assigned. guide element 62 and clamping projection 64 each form a compact unit.

Around a little further spaced to each guide element 62 (about 10 ° and 170 °, starting from the contact surface 34 ) is in each case a further clamping projection 66 , also rib-like, arranged. Each of the clamping projections 64 . 66 has a arranged in the insertion direction, radially protruding and therefore humpy, first end portion 70 and a hump-like, second end portion arranged in the opposite direction 72 , The latter jumps out more radially than the end portion 70 , Between the end sections 70 . 72 , a middle section lowers 74 of the clamping projection 64 . 66 radially off.

2 shows the carrying device 1 in their assembled state, the connector 6 with his two bowls 30 . 32 far into the recess 50 of the support element 4 is inserted that its ring end face 44 with the face 46 of the support element 4 is in attack. In this state, the notch-active clamping projection digs 68 in the inner circumferential surface 22 of the support element 4 and locks in this way the connector 6 in the support tube 4 , The lock is characterized by a plastic and elastic deformation of the clamping projection 68 strengthened. A diameter of the end sections 70 . 72 the clamping projections 64 . 66 , relative to the longitudinal axis 12 , exceeds the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 22 so that the end sections 70 . 72 are elastically deformed and the connector 6 in addition to the notch-resistant clamping projection 68 a friction-based holding force in the recess 50 having.

For a better understanding of the rotation of the connector 6 with the help of the guide elements 62 look at the 2 and 3 , In 3 is the connector 6 cut and without insert 8th shown. His guiding elements 62 are in accordance with the 2 and 3 so on the grooves 24 matched, that flanks facing each other 76 the guide elements 62 the particular shell 30 . 32 with opposite flanks 78 two grooves 24 are in plant. The grooves 24 are arranged adjacent to each other in the case shown. But it is of course possible that one or more other grooves are arranged between them.

Disclosed is a connector for connecting at least two scaffolding or supporting device elements, which has a substantially cylindrical, male connecting portion, which is non-positively and / or frictionally inserted in a recess of a scaffolding element. Furthermore, the connector has a female connecting portion with which a projection of another frame element is operatively connected. The connector is made of die-cast metal to increase its stability.

Disclosed is still a support or scaffold device with at least two supporting or scaffolding elements which are connected via such a connector.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

carrying device

2

supporting foot

4

supporting member

6

Interconnects

8th

insert

10

baseplate

12

longitudinal axis

14

threaded pin

16, 18

locknut

22

Inner surface area

24

guide element

26

Outer casing surface

28

longitudinal groove

30, 32

Bowl

34

contact surface

36

orienting

38

recess

40

male connection section

42

Federation

44

Annular face

48

chamfer

50

recess

52

Inner surface area

54, 56

radial collar

58

face

60

face

62

guide element

64, 66

clamping projection

68

notch-active clamping projection

70, 72

end

74

midsection

76, 78

flank

80

inner thread

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Applicant's catalog Ecoshape as threaded sleeve D28L with order number 3842541185 [0005]

Claims (16)

Connector for a carrying device ( 1 ), for connecting at least two support elements ( 2 . 4 ), in particular for connecting a support foot ( 2 ) with a support tube ( 4 ), wherein the connector ( 6 ) a substantially cylindrical, male connecting portion ( 40 ) which is frictionally and / or frictionally engaged with a recess ( 50 ) one of the support elements ( 2 . 4 ), and wherein the connector ( 6 ) a female connecting portion ( 52 ), with which a projection ( 14 ) of another of the support elements ( 2 . 4 ) is operatively connected, characterized in that at least the connecting sections ( 52 . 40 ) are made of die-cast metal. A connector according to claim 1, wherein on the outside of the male connecting portion (FIG. 40 ) at least two guide elements ( 62 ) are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction, which are in engagement with complementary guide elements for guiding an insertion movement and / or for preventing rotation. 24 ) of the recess ( 50 ) are brought. A connector according to claim 2, wherein flanks facing each other for preventing rotation ( 76 ) of the two guide elements ( 62 ) of the connector ( 6 ) and / or mutually remote flanks of the two guide elements of the connector in contact with flanks ( 78 ) of the complementary guiding elements ( 24 ) are brought. A connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least two guide elements ( 62 ) of the connector ( 6 ) are designed as guide webs. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the outside on the male connecting portion ( 40 ) at least one at least elastically deformable clamping projection ( 64 . 66 ) for non-positive or frictional connection of the connector ( 6 ) with the recess ( 50 ) is arranged. A connector according to claim 5, wherein a first end portion (FIG. 70 ) of the clamping projection ( 64 . 66 ) protrudes radially less than its second end portion ( 72 ). A connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a middle section ( 74 ) of the clamping projection ( 64 . 66 ) against both end sections ( 70 . 72 ) of the clamping projection ( 64 . 66 ) springs back radially. Connector according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4 and one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the clamping projection ( 64 ) in the circumferential direction on one of the two guide elements ( 62 ), or wherein the clamping projection ( 66 ) spaced in the circumferential direction to at least one of the two guide elements ( 62 ) is arranged. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the outside on the male connecting portion ( 40 ) at least one notch-active clamping projection ( 68 ) for positive connection with the recess ( 50 ) is arranged. Connector according to one of the preceding claims with an insert part ( 8th ), which at least in sections from the female connecting section ( 52 ) is positively encompassed, and the one recess ( 80 ), which so on the projection ( 14 ) that the two are directly connectable. A connector according to claim 10, wherein the recess of the insert part ( 8th ) an internal thread ( 80 ) into which an external thread of the projection ( 14 ) can be screwed. A connector according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the insert part ( 8th ) from the female connecting section ( 52 ) is solvable. A connector according to claim 13, wherein the releasable insert ( 8th ) rotatably and / or shear-resistant with the female connecting portion ( 52 ) connected is. A connector according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the detachable insert part ( 8th ) a form of a multi-flax and the female connecting portion ( 52 ) has a complementary shape. A connector according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the insert part ( 8th ) is designed as a hex nut. Carrying device with at least two support elements ( 2 . 4 ) and a connector ( 6 ) formed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the support elements ( 2 . 4 ) a recess ( 50 ), with which a substantially cylindrical, male connecting portion ( 40 ) of the connector ( 6 ) is frictionally and / or frictionally connected, and wherein another of the support device elements ( 2 . 4 ) a lead ( 14 ) connected to a female connecting section ( 80 ) of the connector ( 6 ) is operatively connected.

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