Supports: cabinet structure – Show-case type – Joints and connectors
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-11
2003-03-11
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3637)
Supports: cabinet structure
Show-case type
Joints and connectors
C403S170000, C403S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06530627
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a glass display case being held together by clamping fittings and a clamping fitting for the corner connection of three adjoining wall structures, especially glass panes or the like.
The invention also relates to a clamping fitting for the corner connection of three adjoining walls, especially glass panes or the like.
2. Background of the Invention
European Patent Application No. 0 784 129 A1 deals with a suspension device for the connection of four adjacent single glass panes arranged in-plane. This is not a corner connection like the species described hereafter. In European Patent Application No. 0 784 129 A1, a suspension member is used comprising four arms stretching out from a central attachment body, including the structure attachment, at the arms' free ends, of which the glass panes are suspended. The glass panes' connection at the arms' free ends is realized, in well-known manner, via glass adapter elements, whereby lens-like supporting members are arranged for the necessary tolerance compensation between the glass adapter elements and the arms' free ends.
On the contrary to the above description, the present invention relates to a corner connection of three walls or wall structures, especially glass panes, which are not exposed in-plane, but are arranged towards each other at an angle, for example, at a right angle. Such corner connections are required, for example, when conceiving large volume glass showcases or glass display cases. For this purpose, aesthetically appealing connection components are desired. In other words, the connection means should not detract from a glass display case or its holdings. The connection means should especially allow for tolerance compensation between the adjoining glass panes, tolerances being caused, for example, by different dimensions of the glass panes or by tolerances of the boreholes or of the apertures arranged, in well-known manner, in the panes for the connection with the respective adapter element of the clamping fitting. Moreover, the inventive clamping fitting should make possible corner connections where the wall structures, preferably glass panes, can be interconnected when their relative position towards each other includes angles of more or less than 90 degrees.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to propose a clamping fitting belonging to the aforementioned species meeting the specified criteria.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention solves the given problem in a clamping fitting for the corner connection of three adjoining walls, especially glass panes or the like. The clamping fitting can present a central coupling member with three locating bearings for the connecting axles, therein rotatably and lockably supported. Each axle has a center longitudinal axis that runs radially with regard to the coupling member and respectively include between each axle an angle of approximately 120 degrees. The connecting axles can present, at their free end opposite to the coupling member, a connector articulation that can be made rigid for the connection of an adapter element, preferably a glass adapter element. Further features of the invention are described herein below.
According to the above technical teaching, the clamping fitting presents a central coupling member with three locating bearings with therein rotatably and lockably supported connecting axles, the center longitudinal axes of which run radially from the coupling member and respectively include between each other an angle of approximately 120 degrees, whereby, at their free end opposite to the coupling member, the connecting axles present a connector articulation that can be stiffened for the attachment of an adapter element, preferably a glass adapter element. Thanks to the rotating support of the connecting axles in the locating bearings of the central coupling member on the one hand, and to the connector articulation between the connecting axles and the adapter element on the other hand, with regard to the whole clamping fitting, virtually three universal joints are realized, which can allow for essentially complete adjustment of the respective adapter element towards the glass panes to be connected, regardless of their angle positions towards each other. Substantially simultaneously, the front edges of the glass panes facing each other can essentially be precisely adjusted, whereby, once the adjustment is realized, the position of the connecting axle in the respective locating bearing of the central coupling member, as well as the position of the connector articulation between the connecting axle and the adapter element, can be made rigid. In one possible embodiment, the above positioning can be made rigid by tightening the respective clamp screws and threaded pins.
The central coupling member could principally comprise a disc or a disc-shaped body containing the locating bearings, but it can be preferably realized as a sphere or a sphere-shaped body, whereby the locating bearings are executed as three pocket borings displaced at angles of about 120 degrees from one another.
Locking the connecting axle in the central coupling member can be preferably realized in such a way that the connecting axles are rotatably supported with an axle journal presenting an undercut groove in the locating bearing of the coupling member. The connecting axles are lockable by means of a threaded pin that is inserted into the coupling member and engages the groove. By this means, an aesthetically appealing and simple locking of the connecting axle with regard to the central coupling member is achieved.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connector articulation between the connecting axles and the adapter elements can be realized in such a way that the connector articulation of the connecting axles is made of a bracket, which presents an oblong hole and engages into a fork of the adapter element. The oblong hole in the bracket of the connecting axles allows for additional tolerance compensation through respectively differently configured lengths of the individual connecting brackets, prior to stiffening of the connector articulation.
In further execution of the invention, in order to stiffen the connector articulation, the connector articulation can be conceived so that one fork leg of the adapter element's fork presents a borehole with a female thread and the other fork leg presents an indentation for the reception of a clamp screw. In addition, the clamp screw can fit into the indentation and the borehole in the respective fork legs of the fork of the articulating connector, and can pass through the oblong hole in the bracket of the connecting axle to connect them. The connector articulation can be stiffened when the clamp screw is tightened.
The invention results in the realization of a clamping fitting for the corner connection of three adjoining wall structures, which can provide not only a corner connection of substantially high stability, but also one which is especially suitable to realize, with sufficient possible tolerance compensation, the corner connection of adjoining panes, if these panes are inclined towards each other at different angle positions. In addition, the invention can substantially reduce the need for numerous connecting devices, thus essentially affording a less-obstructed and more attractive view of a glass display case and its holdings.
In at least one possible embodiment, the invention relates to the formation of a clamping fitting for the corner connection of three adjoining wall structures, especially glass panes or the like, comprising a central coupling member, the central coupling member comprising three locating structures, three protruding elements, the three protruding elements being rotatably and lockably supported in the three locating structures of the central coupling member, each of the three protruding elements being configured to have a center longitudinal axis extending radially from the coupling me
DORMA GmbH + Co. KG
Nils H. Ljungman & Associates
Wilkens Janet M.
LandOfFree
GLASS DISPLAY CASE BEING HELD TOGETHER BY CLAMPING FITTINGS... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with GLASS DISPLAY CASE BEING HELD TOGETHER BY CLAMPING FITTINGS..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and GLASS DISPLAY CASE BEING HELD TOGETHER BY CLAMPING FITTINGS... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3034585