Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Enlarged head in complementary recess – e.g. – dovetail – etc.
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-23
2003-07-29
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Enlarged head in complementary recess, e.g., dovetail, etc.
C052S071000, C160S135000, C016S225000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06599055
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a connection element for connecting two components of a partition wall, comprising two clamping flanges interconnected via a connection stay. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a connection element for connecting a partition element of a partition wall to a column, or for interconnecting two partition elements of a partition wall.
There is a vast range of different partition walls which are made up by joining prefabricated components (partition elements and if applicable, columns). This large number of different systems primarily reflects the fact that such partition walls are designed for use in a host of different applications. One typical area of application is the subdivision of open plan offices into individual zones, either open areas or closed cells, for example conference rooms. Such partition walls are also used for shielding individual workplaces, for example from view and/or from undesired light incidence. Furthermore, the use of such partition walls is widespread in the area of exhibitions and trade fairs.
Interconnection of the individual components of the partition wall can be in various ways. Known are in particular connections by means of Velcro material (e.g. CH-632034-A5, FR-2570408-A1, DE-4207644-A1), by means of magnetic forces (e.g. DE-9218938-U1, EP-087723-A2, EP-0178504-A1), by means of hooks provided on the partition elements (e.g. DE-7222826-U1) or by means of mechanical connection elements of the type mentioned in the introduction. In the context of interconnecting partition wall components of the type last mentioned, in particular U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,232,724, 4,777,777, FR-2479306-A1, GB-2051916-A and WO-95/28532 form a relevant state of the art. However, all these documents only relate to interconnection of two partition elements by means of the connection elements stated in the introduction. In contrast, there are no provisions for connecting partition elements to columns.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,539 too describes the use of connection elements of the type mentioned in the introduction for connecting two components of a partition wall. The respective connection element comprises two prismatic clamping flanges of triangular cross section; it can be used both for rigidly interconnecting two aligned partition elements and for rigidly connecting a partition element to a column.
It is the object of the present invention to achieve increased flexibility in the design and application options of partition walls where the individual components are interconnected by using the connection elements stated in the introduction, while using identical parts as far as possible. This last criterion is important against the background of keeping production costs and inventory holding costs as low as possible.
According to the present invention, this object is met in that the connection element is asymmetrical; in that the cross section of the two clamping flanges is different, with the contour of a first clamping flange being out-of-round at least in some areas, and with the contour of the other, second clamping flange being round at least in some areas. The connection element being used within the scope of the present invention thus is of asymmetrical construction such that the cross section of the two connection flanges differs. The contour of one of the two clamping flanges is round at least in some areas. This is essential for pivotability of this clamping flange (which for the sake of simplicity is hereinafter referred to as “round”) in a corresponding groove of a partition wall component which accommodates said clamping flange. The contour of the other clamping flange is out-of-round at least in some areas. This is again essential for non-pivotable torsionally resistant accommodation of this clamping flange (which for the sake of simplicity is hereinafter referred to as “out-of-round”) in a corresponding groove of a second partition wall component which is to be connected to the first partition wall component, using the connection element according to the invention.
For clarification it must be pointed out that the transition region between each of the clamping flanges and the connection stay can neither be regarded as being “round” nor “out-of-round” in the sense of the present invention. When determining the cross-sectional shape of the clamping flanges, this transition region is not taken into account.
As is shown in the following explanations concerning the present invention, the construction of the connection element according to the invention, as explained above, is of central importance for the ability of said connection element to be used in the same way for interconnecting two partition elements and for interconnecting a partition element to a column which is in particular provided in the region of a corner connection. It is above all in the context of this partition element-to-column connection where the invention distinguishes itself by a hitherto unknown degree of flexibility in regard to the design of the partition wall. When the connection element according to the invention is used for connecting a partition element of a partition wall to a column, the out-of-round clamping flange of the connection element is accommodated in a groove of the column so as to be positive-locking and torsionally resistant. By contrast, the round clamping flange of the connection element is accommodated so as to be pivotable on its longitudinal axis, within a specified angular range, in a groove of a connection profile provided on the margin-side of the partition element.
Positive-locking torsionally resistant accommodation of the out-of-round clamping flange of the connection element in a groove of the column results in positive fastening of the connection element to the column in a specified defined position. By contrast, accommodation of the round clamping flange of the connection element in a groove of a connection profile of the partition element, said clamping flange being pivotable along its longitudinal axis within a specified angular range, results in infinitely variable positions, within said angular range, of the partition element in relation to the column. In this context it is significant that for connecting a partition element to a column, only one connection element, if necessary comprising several segments arranged axially in a row, is provided to enable pivotability of the partition element on the axis of the round clamping flange of the connection element. Because the out-of-round clamping flange is accommodated in a groove of the column so as to be positive-locking and torsionally resistant, so that as previously explained, the position of the connection element to the column is clearly determined, the groove aperture in the region of the surface of the column can be particularly narrow. The inside clearance of the aperture of the groove needs to be only slightly larger than the thickness of the connection stay of the connection element. This is significant in particular in the context of the visual appearance of the column, for in this way, even if there is a substantial number of grooves arranged so as to be spaced around the circumference, it maintains a columnar character with a relatively closed surface.
The groove of the connection profile of the partition element explained above is configured such that within a specified angular area said groove is not only pivotable on the longitudinal axis of said angular area and able to accommodate the round clamping flange of the connection element, but it is also suitable for non-pivotable positive-locking torsionally resistant accommodation of the out-of-round clamping flange of the connection element. This double function of the groove is of significant importance with a view to the use of a connection element according to the invention for interconnecting two partition elements of the same type. Accommodating the out-of-round clamping flange of the connection element in a positive-locking and torsionally resistant way in the groove of the connection
Auer Karl-Heinz
Liebrich Nicole
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Katten Muchin Zavis & Rosenman
Preform GmbH
LandOfFree
Connection element for connecting two components of a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Connection element for connecting two components of a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Connection element for connecting two components of a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3006438