Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-01
2003-01-14
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
C052S606000, C052S582200, C403S255000, C403S187000, C403S188000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06505453
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a T-link of two profile bars, with a link comprising two elongate clamping jaws which can be tightened transversely by a fixing element and can be locked in position, closing like tongs, in undercut casing grooves of a second profile bar, and which engage endwise in a cavity of a first profile bar and can be clamped onto cylindrically parallel inner webs of the first profile bar that are arranged between said clamping jaws.
2. Description of Prior Art
A T-link having the aforesaid features is known from GB A 1,557,693. The first profile bar, configured as a rectangular tube whose narrow walls are provided with the mutually assigned inner webs, is connected to the second, polygonally implemented profile bar. One clamping jaw is arranged between each pair of inner webs and the wide wall of the tube and protrudes from the first profile bar, the fixing element being disposed inside the tube and actuated through a hole in the first profile bar. If the clamping jaws are tightened by means of the fixing element, the clamping jaws bear against and pinch the webs in the vicinity of the fixing element. At the same time, the end edges of the clamping jaws spread apart and grip, by a hook-shaped portion, the inner walls of the first profile bar, enabling the jaw portions of the clamping jaws protruding from the first profile bar to be locked in position, tong-like, in the undercut casing grooves of the second profile bar. Each clamping jaw is therefore braced at three locations, i.e., on both sides of the fixing element and at its edges inside the tube. However, the clamping locations, particularly those in the first profile bar, are small in area, and the T-link therefore seems to merit improvement in this respect. It is limited to the use of a rectangular first profile bar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is, therefore, to improve a T-link having the features cited in the introduction hereto in such a way that increased connection strength is achieved, particularly with the use of profile bars of arbitrary cross section.
This object is accomplished in that the first profile bar comprises more than two inner webs evenly distributed about its inner circumference, in that tightened clamping jaws exclusively clamp inner webs with longitudinally linear and/or planar contact, and in that the clamping jaws engage by each of their longitudinal edges in a respective clearance provided between the clamped inner web and the inner web adjacent thereto.
It is of significance for the invention, first, that the first profile bar has more than two inner webs evenly distributed about its inner circumference. Such multiple inner webs can be distributed as needed, especially in the case of profile bars of arbitrary cross section. In such arrangements, the clamping jaws can be positioned at locations where they are of pre-eminent importance with regard to connection strength. It is of significance, further, that tightened clamping jaws exclusively clamp inner webs. There is no need for contact with the inner walls of the first profile bar. The inner contour of the first profile bar, and thus its outer contour as well, are of no importance with regard to the connection strength of the T-link. The requisite connection strength is instead achieved by the fact that the clamping is effected with longitudinally linear and/or planar contact. This consequently produces long and/or large-area clamping regions that make it possible to obtain an adequate force fit between the clamping jaws and the inner webs. The large contact areas of the jaws on the inner webs prevent stress peaks that might deform the inner webs or the first profile bar. At the same time, the inner webs make it possible for the link to be inserted to its full clamping length into the first profile bar and thus for its position to be adjusted as need be. It is of significance, further, that the clamping jaws engage by each of their longitudinal edges in a clearance-provided between the clamped inner web and the inner web adjacent thereto. The clamping jaws are therefore realized with the largest possible cross section. Their longitudinal edges can be disposed near the inner wall of the first profile bar, thereby permitting a large jaw cross section. In this way, clamping forces acting on the inner webs are not adversely affected by instabilities of the clamping jaws caused by unsatisfactory cross-section design.
An advantageous T-link is realized so that the inner webs are distributed about the inner circumference of the first profile web at intervals of forty-five angular degrees. Thus, there are three different options for arranging the clamping jaws in the first profile bar, and the second profile bar can thus be arranged in three different angular positions with respect to the first. This is of significance in particular when the profile bars have rectangular or non-round cross sections that must be used to capacity in order to impart particular loading and/or shape characteristics to a structure made from profile bars. To promote the secure retention of the link in the first profile bar, the inner webs of the first profile bar are arranged diametrically opposite each other and evenly distributed about the circumference of the inner wall of the first profile bar. In this way, the clamping jaws of the first link embrace two inner webs at a time, thereby achieving good retention. Tolerance in obtaining a firm seat for the clamping jaws is provided in that the inner webs can be clamped more forcefully than necessary without causing problems, and can even undergo some plastic deformation without any adverse effect on the stability and functional efficiency of the first profile bar or the link. This is especially advantageous with regard to nonprofessional users, since the proper locking force is not always applied. If the inner webs are evenly distributed about the circumference of the inner wall of the first profile bar, the link can be applied in different positions of the first profile bar, thereby permitting greater flexibility and easy assembly.
The T-link can be realized so that each of the inner webs is aligned with one of the casing grooves. This embodiment is especially advantageous if the first profile bar is provided outwardly with casing grooves over at least some portions of its circumference. This improves the bending rigidity of the first profile bar and further stiffens its inner wall, especially in the region of a casing groove.
An advantageous improvement of the T-link is distinguished by the fact that each inner web has a thick base and, extending radially therefrom, a thinner clamping strip that can be clamped between the clamping jaws. The thick base is designed to improve stability: not only the stability of the first profile bar, but also, and more important, the stability of the inner webs, to the extent that they are realized to extend comparatively far into the interior of the first profile bar. The thinner clamping strips might cause instabilities if, for structural reasons, the clamping jaws did not extend near enough to the inner walls of the profile bar. The stability of the thin clamping strips would then be inadequate near the inner wall of the first profile rod. This is particularly a concern when a structural system is designed to employ first profile bars of different cross sections that are to be used with same-sized clamping jaws. It is then necessary to use wider inner webs, i.e., inner webs that project farther radially inward.
In accordance with the foregoing, the T-link can be improved in such a way that, the width of the clamping jaws being given, the extension of the thick bases of the inner webs in the radial direction is determined by the distance between two diagonally opposite clamping strips. Such embodiments find application particularly in connection with the use of first profile bars in which oppositely disposed inner webs are of unequal width, for example because the cross sections comprising i
Pies Gerrit
Rixen Wolfgang
Friedman Carl D.
Glessner Brian E.
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
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