Joints and connections – Manually releaseable latch type – Having operating mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-09-04
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Manually releaseable latch type
Having operating mechanism
C403S245000, C024S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283671
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a connecting element for providing a releasable connection between two objects, with a basic body element, for which an essentially L-shaped hook is provided, with a hook body running essentially parallel to the basic body element.
Such connecting elements are used in general for a wide variety of applications. As an example of the simplest embodiment, for example, towel holders might be mentioned, which feature a basic body element, the rear face of which is, for example, adhesively bonded to a wall, or which is secured to the wall with the aid of a screw inserted through a borehole leading through the basic body element.
Such a connecting element is also used for the suspension of containers, such as bicycle panniers or beverage crates, and is known from applicant's German patent application P 195 31 836. The elements described therein feature the advantage that they can be used, for example, to connect containers together in pairs, such that, for instance, two bicycle panniers can be connected to form one single container, of the nature of a suitcase, for the purpose of transport without the bicycle, with the result that the user can keep one hand free.
The known connecting elements feature the disadvantage, however, for use under load, that the retaining surfaces of the hooks are arranged in a different manner in order for this connecting capacity to be achieved. This reduces the loading capacity, and leads to the use of large-volume connecting elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Taking this state of the art as a starting point, the invention is based on the objective of providing connecting elements of the type described in the Background which will allow, in a simpler manner, for containers provided with such connecting elements to be more simply combined, transported, and separated again.
This objective is resolved according to the invention by means of a connecting element to provide a separable connection of two objects with one another, having a basic body element, on which provision is made for a hook, essentially L-shaped, having a hook bow and a hook body running essentially parallel to the basic body element, wherein the L-shaped hook features a lateral cutout in the area of the hook bow.
As a result of the fact that material has been removed from the hook in the hook bow, two identical hooks, secured to two objects located opposite one another, such as the bicycle panniers referred to, are pushed into one another, in which situation, when the objects are raised, the load will then in each case rest essentially on half of each of the two hook bows.
In one advantageous embodiment, a longitudinal aperture is provided in the bow of the L-shaped hook and in the basic body element in which a locking bar can be fitted. This is hinged to a horizontal axis of the L-shaped hook, in which situation the locking bar can be pivoted against the force of a spring provided on the axis, into the space between the hook and the basic body element. In addition to this, the hook is not necessarily provided with an aperture, although this is preferential, the said aperture being provided in the section located beneath the cutout, the form and size of the aperture being designed especially to accommodate the locking bar of a second connecting element.
The application possibilities for such a hook are many and varied. Closure elements for jackets and coats can be created, which, thanks to the symmetry of the two connecting elements, can be used in a simple manner and are, in addition, attractive in form. These connecting elements can be used for tarpaulins for covering loads on heavy goods vehicles. These hooks can also be used for binding shoes and other similar applications.
In one embodiment, with which the connecting element is integrated with its basic body element in an object, the connecting element can be used in a large number of applications. One possibility relates to the use and transport of beverage crates. For products for which the manufacturer requires the facility of stacking, the basic body element integrated in the object is provided with an aperture, through which the hook of a second connecting element can be introduced, with which, to advantage, and in order that no hook elements project beyond the edge of a pallet, provision is made for a corresponding number of additional cutouts on the sides located opposite the connecting elements, into which the connecting elements of a second object of the same nature can be introduced and removed. As a result, a pallet layer of objects can be obtained, such as beverage crates in particular, without a single element projecting beyond the lateral edge of the crates.
In a smaller embodiment of the integrated connecting elements, plug-in cards and other computer elements can also be provided with these connecting elements.
A further possible application, which is not exhaustively described here, lies in the connection of individual chairs to form a row of chairs, in which situation the connecting elements are in each case provided on both sides of a chair.
A further advantage of the connecting elements lies in the fact that, in addition to connecting objects one above another, they can also be used to suspend an object from a bar, a tube, or a similar longitudinal or flattish element. This might, for example, be the frame of a luggage deposit box, a bicycle carrier frame, or a handrail.
Other advantageous embodiments are described below and in the sub-claims.
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
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