Joints and connections – Rod to member to side – e.g. – plate – rod side – etc. – Rod side to member to side
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-18
2002-12-31
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Rod to member to side, e.g., plate, rod side, etc.
Rod side to member to side
C403SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06499907
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a connecting means for the releasable connection of a first component and a second component, in particular, for the releasable connection of furniture or machine parts, comprising
a first connecting element arranged on the first component and
a second connecting element arranged on the second component,
wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are releasably connected to one another in the connected state of the components and one of the connecting elements comprises a retaining part which, in a retaining position, interacts with the other one of the connecting elements such that any relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along a direction of connection is prevented and which, in a release position, allows a relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along the direction of connection.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for releasing a connection between a first component, on which a first connecting element is arranged, and a second component, on which a second connecting element is arranged, wherein one of the connecting elements comprises a retaining part which, in a retaining position, interacts with the other one of the connecting elements such that any relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along the direction of connection is prevented, and wherein to release the connection the retaining part is moved from the retaining position into a release position, in which the retaining part allows a relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along the direction of connection.
Such connecting means and methods are known.
It is known, in particular, to use cabinet catches each comprising an eccentric disk and a stay bolt for the releasable connection of furniture components.
With the known connecting means it is of disadvantage that the retaining part is moved into the release position by means of a tool which engages in the connecting means and so direct access to the connecting means must be provided for the tool.
Particularly in the case of cabinet catches which comprise eccentric disks and stay bolts the components to be connected to one another are weakened by the crossing bores required in these components in such a manner that with the slightest load, in certain circumstances even during normal use of the furniture, the connection will break down due to the connecting elements breaking out of the respectively associated component. Since the eccentric disk absorbs the transferable traction force of the connection due to stress on the wall of the component hole, into which the eccentric disk is inserted, by way of bearing tension, a minimum distance between the eccentric disk and a contact surface, with which the component accommodating the eccentric disk abuts on the additional component, is necessary in order to ensure that the admissible limit shearing strain of the material of this component is not exceeded. On account of this minimum distance the stay bolt which engages in the eccentric disk in the connected state must be of such a length that it is susceptible to breaking out of the component, in which it is accommodated, when any lateral impact occurs. Furthermore, the spatially varying bearing tension at the wall of the hole, in which the eccentric disk is accommodated, leads to tilting of the eccentric disk which may result in the eccentric disk protruding beyond the component, in which it is accommodated.
A further disadvantage of the known connecting means consists in the fact that these always remain at least partially visible even in the connected state of the components on account of the direct access required for the tool, which impairs the optical impression of the piece of furniture produced from these components or the machine produced from these components.
The object underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a connecting means of the type specified at the outset which makes a reliable releasable connection of two components with one another possible without weakening the relevant components unnecessarily due to channels.
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a connecting means having the features of the preamble to claim
1
, in that the retaining part can be moved from the retaining position into the release position by means of a driving magnetic field which acts on the connecting means from outside the connecting means and is variable with time.
The inventive concept offers the advantage that the retaining part can be moved into the release position without a direct mechanical engagement in the connecting means being required. On the contrary, the movement of the retaining part is brought about from outside the connecting means without any direct contact of a corresponding drive device with the connecting means being necessary.
Consequently, it is no longer necessary to provide direct access to the connecting means for a tool through one of the components connected to one another for the mechanical actuation of the retaining part. Since, as a result, additional access passages or access bores can be dispensed with, the components connected to one another are not weakened unnecessarily by additional channels.
Furthermore, no visible connecting elements or cover flaps impair the optical appearance of the product assembled from the components, for example, the finished piece of furniture.
In the field of mechanical engineering, connections may be realized by means of the inventive connecting means, with which an additional channel in the component surfaces has to be avoided for constructional reasons. Furthermore, it is also possible to connect an additional component when it is no longer possible to connect an additional component by means of one of the known connecting means due to components already connected.
As a result of the fact that it is no longer necessary to have crossing bores at the edge of the components to be connected, these components are weakened to a lesser extent. The risk of the connecting elements breaking out of the components is thus reduced.
In order to establish the releasable connection between the two components to be connected to one another, a driving magnetic field is not absolutely necessary. On the contrary, it may be provided for the retaining part to be movable from the release position into the retaining position, for example, by means of elastic forces during the establishment of the connection.
In a preferred development of the inventive connecting means it is, however, provided for the retaining part to be movable from the release position into the retaining position by means of a driving magnetic field. As a result, any unintentional establishment of the connection between the two components can be prevented.
No further details have so far been given concerning the type of time variation of the driving magnetic field.
It is, for example, possible for the retaining part to be movable by means of a rotating driving magnetic field. Such a rotating driving magnetic field can interact directly with a magnetic element comprising a magnet in order to cause this to move.
Alternatively or supplementary hereto, it may also be provided for the retaining part to be movable by means of a driving magnetic field with an amplitude variable with time. In particular, an alternating magnetic field which varies periodically and with time can be used. An induction current, which can be used for bringing about the movement of the retaining part into the release position, can, for example, be generated in the connecting means by means of such a driving magnetic field.
In principle, it is possible for the retaining part to be movable directly as a result of interaction of the retaining part with the driving magnetic field.
In preferred developments of the invention, it is, however, provided for the connecting means to comprise a coupling means, as a result
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Lipsitz Barry R.
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