Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Processes – Assembling exposed modules
Patent
1993-07-23
1995-05-02
Mai, Lanna
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Processes
Assembling exposed modules
525921, 525924, 52271, E04B 160
Patent
active
054108551
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of joining profiled members into structural units, and more specifically to an improved snap type connection method, members employed in such method and resulting structural units provided by such method.
The so-called snap connection principle has been known and employed for several decades now to build larger structural units like panels, side boards, etc. DE 1,140,330 discloses one embodiment of such structural unit based on a resilient interlocking of abutting complementarily shaped edges of connected members by means of projecting tabs and engaging recessing grooves, respectively. Additionally, a loose fit locking bar is inserted extend transversely inwardly between the frictionally engaged resilient tabs to secure the connection against unlocking.
However, in the case of exposure to larger loads or forces it is often necessary and customary to employ some further connection principle such as e.g., screwing/bolting, (spot) welding or gluing. Different drawbacks are inherent with the use of such connecting methods, such as local material weakening due to perforating and temporary heating of members, or in the case of gluing there are rather strict. requirements to clean surfaces and considerable drying/curing time is involved. Generally, these methods are characterized as complex and time-consuming, something which influences negatively the cost of joining.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a new method of joining profiled members avoiding the above difficulties and resulting in simple and strong connections based solely on mutual interlocking engagement of the members.
This and other objects are achieved by provision of suitable special profiled members and a new method of joining as as discussed in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiment(s) referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows schematically in a cross-sectional view a configuration of abutting edge regions of two profiled members to be joined,
FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a first step of a joining process,
FIG. 3 illustrates a subsequent joining step and the resulting connection between the profiled members,
FIG. 4 shows in enlarged cross-sectional view details of a joint area, and
FIG. 5 shows a structural unit comprising a plurality of joined members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, basic profiled members 1,2 are shown in transversal cross-section as elongated hollow shapes extruded of light metal material, e.g. aluminum or Al-alloy, having central portions 10,20 reinforced by transverse partition walls 13,23 and longitudinally extending edge portions 14,24 being mutually complementarily shaped to ensure an interlocking connection between the members when abutted and forced into engagement. The edge portion 14 of the first member 1 is provided with two parallel longitudinally extending ribs 15 terminating slightly converging walls 11,12 defining the central portion 10 of the member 1. The ribs 15 are configurated as lateral undercut recesses 17 in the shape walls 11,12 and adjacent outwardly protruding tabs 18.
The edge portion 24 of the second member 2 orientated in facing relation to the edge portion 14 of the first member is provided with locking tabs 25 transversely projecting into a slot 26 defined by a transverse wall 27 connecting the substantially parallel walls 21,22 of the central portion 20.
The ribs 15 are further integrally connected to each other by a transversely extending web 16 that is co-extruded with a length larger than the perpendicular distance between the ribs and illustrated as a V-shaped transverse web having reduced wall thickness compared to the wall thickness of the edge portion and ribs.
The reasons for providing the first member 1 with slightly converging walls 11,12 will be apparent from FIG. 2 illustrating a first step of a joinin
REFERENCES:
patent: 3077703 (1963-02-01), Bergstrom
patent: 3411261 (1968-11-01), Soddy
patent: 3460304 (1969-08-01), Braeuninger et al.
patent: 3741593 (1973-06-01), Toti
patent: 3760548 (1973-09-01), Sauer et al.
Clausen Edvin L.
Gundlach Peter
Mai Lanna
Norsk Hydro a.s.
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