DE29603402U1 - Framework with angle or corner connections of metal profiles, in particular made of light metal - Google Patents

Description

AB 1

Note: Erbslöh Aktiengesellschaft

File: 33-589 ern/sw

23.08.1996

CHANGED DESCRIPTION

&iacgr;&ogr; Framework with angle or corner connections of metal profiles, especially made of light metal

The invention relates to a framework with angle or corner connections of metal profiles, in particular made of light metal, with the features listed in the preamble of claim 1.

Such a framework has become known through DE-GM 94 13 840. In this case, hollow metal profiles with a square cross-section are connected at the front with cubic elements, each of which has three adjacent side surfaces and opposite free sections. Screws are passed through central holes in the wall sections, which interact with threaded sleeves that are inserted into central inner tubes of the metal profiles. The open sides after the cubic elements have been connected to the metal profiles are covered by a suitable hood in this state of the art.

The problem with these previously known frameworks is that no additional metal profile can be attached to an existing angle or corner connection in continuation of the direction of the existing metal profile.

Even with another "cube-shaped" connecting element according to DE-GM 9 115 210, it is not possible to connect a metal profile to the free cube surface. This possibility is, however, available with a corner connecting cube according to DE-GM 9 414 000, which has threaded holes on all sides into which threaded bolts protruding on all sides can be screwed. This type of all-round fastening of metal profiles is not stable enough, however, because when screwing in the

�iacgr;&ogr; Threaded pins in the threaded holes result in an indeterminate rotational position of the pins as soon as the front face of the cube hits the front face of the metal profile to be connected. Metal profiles that are prismatic in cross-section cannot therefore be connected stably to form a frame.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a framework, based on the aforementioned prior art, in which the juxtaposition of metal profiles as well as angle or corner connections is easily possible without any significant change in the structure of the framework.

{Continued on page 2 of the original version)

_ 2 —

The solution to this problem according to the invention results from the characterizing features of claim 1.

The individual angle or corner connection is then formed by a specially designed cube, which preferably also has an outer surface that continues the outer contour of the metal profiles to be connected. This cube was originally solid-walled and is hollow in the interior due to intersecting holes, with the holes at one end being designed as a threaded hole and at the other end as a step-shaped tapered through hole. This design of the cubes makes it possible to insert screws with their screw heads through the inner cross-section of the larger threaded hole until the screw heads reach the step of the through hole and fill this step. These screws are connected to the butt-connected metal profile by the screw thread either engaging in a threaded sleeve or penetrating the inner wall of the central inner tube of the metal profile as a self-tapping screw. A cube connected to a metal profile in this way allows the connection of another metal profile to another cube surface without any problems, because the screw head of the screw already screwed in does not prevent the movement of another screw inserted transversely.

However, problems arise when another metal profile is to be attached to a cube of an angle or corner connection as an extension of an existing metal profile.

In this case, the invention provides the features of claims 2 to 4.

Based on the basic concept of the cube according to the invention, a threaded hole that is open to the outside usually remains if a metal profile is already screwed onto the opposite side of the cube. The invention exploits this circumstance by screwing a connecting bolt into the open threaded hole using a threaded head on the connecting bolt, the shaft of which protrudes outwards over the cube and engages the central inner tube of the metal profile to be connected. This creates a plug-in connection. In order to secure this plug-in connection against loosening, screws, pins or the like can be provided according to the invention that are inserted transversely to the metal profile.

An alternative connection option is to connect two cubes, each forming a corner of a plate, together by screwing the threaded head of a threaded bolt into the threaded hole of one cube and then guiding the smooth shaft of the threaded bolt, which then protrudes outwards, through the threaded hole of the other cube. This shaft has a cross hole that must be aligned with the still free threaded hole of the second cube, through which a connecting screw is then guided. This cross hole in the shaft can be designed as a threaded hole into which a threaded shaft of the connecting screw engages, the screw head of which then does not need to be additionally provided with a thread. The firm connection of the cubes is thus the result of crosswise bracing.

In a similar way, the invention solves the problem of connecting base plates, castors or the like to an existing framework, whereby furniture of any type can be formed.

The cube according to the invention can also be used for this application without changing its spatial shape by using the features of claim 7. In this case, the double function of a screw for connecting the cube to a metal profile is particularly worth mentioning. Allen screws are usually used for this, which have a blind hole with a hexagon socket in the screw head. This blind hole is used for the

&iacgr;&ogr; used for the purpose of the invention to guide and support the free end of the pin of the base plate, roller or the like. This pin is guided through the inner cross section of the threaded hole of the cube and supported with the help of a spring ring or the like against this threaded hole, so that a central guidance of the pin in the cube is guaranteed.

Such a frame construction according to the invention can be easily designed to form furniture of any kind. Metal profiles are used for this purpose, as is known from DE-GM 93 19 206. These metal profiles have longitudinal and parallel wall-weakening notches on their outer surfaces. The wall strips located between them can therefore easily be torn off the metal profile, peeled off or removed in some other way.

Based on this prior art, the invention teaches the measure according to claim 7, according to which the individual edge of a plate, designed as a raised tongue, is inserted into the groove of the metal profile, which has been formed by cutting off the aforementioned wall strip. It depends on the dimensions of the plate and its tongue whether the plate surface is arranged flush with the framework or offset from it.

The particular advantage of this measure according to the invention is that the tongue and groove connection between the plate and the metal profile does not need to be subject to any tolerance regulations, because the connection between the metal profile and the plate is in any case made by the cubes, which are arranged at the front end of the metal profiles and screwed together. If the plate has a curved edge, it is recommended that the metal profile associated with the curve be made less pronounced.

&iacgr;&ogr; bend. When the metal profile is placed on the tongue of the individual plate and when the end cubes are connected, the different curvature of the metal profile and the plate edge is achieved by screwing while overcoming a pre-stress.

In claims 10 and 11, useful suggestions for the design of table-like furniture are disclosed if they are intended to create a preferably oval spatial impression. The same effect is achieved if barriers or other similar furnishings are to be connected to one another in such a way that a circular or oval structure of the arrangement is created. It has proven to be useful to form the individual plate segments with their straight front edges at an angle of 60°. When it comes to oval arrangements, the features of claim 11 prove to be particularly advantageous because a maximum of unique oval designs is possible with a minimum of bending tools.

These and other features of the invention emerge from the drawing. The invention is shown schematically and by way of example. They show:

Figure 1: a cross section through a hollow

metal profile,

·

Figure 2: a side view of the metal profile according to Figure 1,

Figure 3: a cross-section through a cube for angle or corner connection of the metal profiles,

Figure 4: a cross-section through a corner connection of two metal profiles,

&iacgr;&ogr; Figure 5: a cross section through a

Connection of a metal profile to an existing corner connection,

Figure 6: a cross-section through a cube in an enlarged view for connecting a

Footplate, roller or similar,

Figure 7: a plan view of the corner joints of two joinable panel elements,

Figure 8: a partial cross-section through a framework with a connection of a plate to a metal profile and

Figure 9: a partial plan view of a multi-component

Furniture assembled from segments.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the individual components of the framework (1) according to the invention are shown separately.

A metal profile (2) according to Figures 1 and 2 is square and hollow in cross-section. It has a central inner tube (4) and an outer tube (5), both of which are connected to one another by webs (6). The cross-section of the inner tube (4) can be square, prismatic or circular as well as oval.

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If you want to spatially connect such metal profiles (2) to one another, you need an angle or corner connection (3), which in the embodiment of Figure 4 contains a cube (9) that, for example, continues the outer contours of the metal profiles (2) in its outer surface or deviates slightly from them.

The outer tube (5) of the individual metal profile can - but does not have to - have wall weakenings (7) that run parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the metal profile (2). Between the wall weakenings (7) there are detachable wall strips (8) that are important if the measures according to Figures 7 and 8 are to be implemented. However, the invention does not require these detachable wall strips (8) to be necessary.

The cube (9) shown in Figure 3 has intersecting holes, which are designed as a large threaded hole (10) on one side of the cube and as a stepped through hole (11) on the opposite side. The intersecting holes (10, 11) create an interior space (37) that allows connecting elements to be passed through.

Figure 4 shows that in the individual stages

(12) of the stepped through hole (11) the screw head (14) of a screw (13) engages. In the right part of Figure 4 it is shown that the screw

(13) interacts with a threaded sleeve (15) which is pressed into the interior of the centric inner tube (4). The lower part of Figure 4 shows another screw (13) which engages the wall of the inner tube (4) with a self-tapping thread.

It can be seen from Figure 4 that two metal profiles (2) can be connected at an angle to one another with a cube (9). If the angle of the metal profiles (2) is not 90°, the associated cubes (9) would have to be designed accordingly or intermediate elements would have to be inserted between the cubes (9) and the metal profiles (2).

It is now a problem to connect another metal profile (2) to, for example, a corner connection (3) according to Figure 4, which usually means extending the direction of an already connected metal profile. Figure 4 shows that the cube (9) in the angle corner connection (3) still has open, external threaded holes (10).

The invention uses this circumstance with the example of Figure 5 to equip a connecting bolt (16) with a threaded head (17) that can be screwed into the free threaded hole (10). This connecting bolt (16) has a cylindrical shaft

(18) that fits into the interior of the centric inner tube (4). A metal profile to be connected can therefore be pushed onto the cylindrical shaft (18) of the connecting bolt (16) screwed into the cube (9). If this connection is to be fixed, it is recommended to provide a screw (19), pin or similar transverse to the longitudinal axis of the metal profile (2). In the embodiment of Figure 5, the screw (19) penetrates both the inner tube (4) of the metal profile (2) and the cylindrical shaft (18) of the connecting bolt (16), which has the advantage that the screw (19) can cause tension by hitting the inside of the outer tube (5).

However, it is also possible to provide a circumferential groove or a blind hole in the shaft (18) of the connecting bolt (16), into which the free end

a grub screw or similar can be used to lock it in place.

It can be seen from the example in Figure 5 that a framework (1) designed as a basic element can be extended in any way.

The embodiment of Figure 6 shows how a base plate, roller or the like (20) can be attached to a framework (1) according to Figures 1 to 5. It is assumed here that a cube (9) is usually present as a connecting element for the base plate (20) or the like.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the foot plate

(20) (or a roller or the like, which is only symbolically shown in the figure), provided with a pin (21) that engages in the individual cube (9). This pin (21) is guided through the threaded hole (10) of the cube (9) and meets the screw head (14) of a screw (13) that connects the cube (9) to a metal profile (2). An Allen screw is usually used for such screw connections, which has a blind hole (22) with the hexagon socket. The pin (21) engages in this blind hole (22), in particular with a tapered pin attachment (23), which causes the pin (21) to be centered in the axis of the screw (13). In addition, the pin (21) has a hollow groove (25) around its circumference, into which a spring ring (24) or the like can be inserted. The diameter of the inserted spring ring (24) or the like corresponds to the inner width of the threaded hole (10), which brings about additional stabilization of the guidance of the pin (21) in the cube (9).

- 10 -

If its longitudinal movement should be prevented, a locking screw would have to be screwed through the additional free threaded hole (10).

The embodiment in Figure 7 assumes that two plate elements (40), each of which is already framed with metal profiles (2) and corner connections (9), are connected to one another. The individual cube (9) of these corner connections (3) is already screwed to the associated metal profiles (2). Two threaded holes (10) therefore remain open for each cube (9).

As in the example in Figure 5, the threaded head (17) of a connecting bolt (38) is now screwed into the free threaded hole (10) of one cube (9), which has a cross hole (39) in the protruding shaft (18). This cross hole (39) can be smooth, but can also be equipped with an internal thread.

When assembling the plate elements (40), the protruding shaft (18) of the connecting bolt (38) is guided through the threaded hole (10) of the adjacent cube (9) until the axis of the transverse hole (39) is aligned with the threaded axis (10) of the adjacent cube (9).

You can now screw a screw (13) into the threaded hole (10) of the adjacent cube (9), which has a shaft that passes through the smooth cross hole (39) of the connecting bolt (38). The shaft can also be conical for this purpose. You can also screw a screw (41) into the internal thread of the cross hole (39), for which it is recommended to guide the screw head in the internal thread (10) of the adjacent cube (9).

In this or a similar way, the screw measures in the adjacent cube (9) can overcome prestresses that, for example, are caused by non-aligned

- 11 -

In this or a similar way, the screw measures in the adjacent cube (9) can be used to overcome prestresses that arise, for example, due to edges of the plate elements (40) that are not parallel to one another.

The embodiments of Figures 8 and 9 show how a framework according to Figures 1 can be further developed to form a piece of furniture or the like.

It is assumed here that furniture or the like is usually made of panels (26) which are connected to one another to form a framework (1). In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, it is shown that the front edge (31, 32) of a panel (26) is provided with a protruding tongue (27). This tongue engages in a groove (28) of a metal profile (2) which was created by cutting a wall strip (8) of the desired length from the metal profile (2). It goes without saying that the distance between the wall weakenings (7) according to Figure 1 corresponds approximately to the thickness of the tongue (27).

Such a plug connection between plate (26) and metal profile (2) does not, however, ensure that the plate (26) is firmly held in the metal profile (2). This hold is, however, brought about by the metal profiles (2) which surround the edges of the plate (26) being connected to one another with cubes (9), as is shown, for example, in Figure 4. By screwing the cubes (9) together, the plates (26) located between the metal profiles (2) are fixed.

In the example of Figure 9, a particularly advantageous geometric arrangement of frameworks (1) and plates (26) is shown, whereby it is assumed that the plates are in the form of curved plate segments

(29,30) can be put together to create an optimal structure, for example a conference table with free interior space.

The example in Figure 9 shows that short plate segments (29) are connected to longer plate segments (30). The straight front edges (32) of these plate segments (29, 30) should, according to the invention, be at an angle of 60° to each other, regardless of the length of their curved edges (31).

In addition, it is taught that the outer radius (35) of the small segment (29) should correspond to the inner radii (36) of the large segments (30).

Such a geometric specification results in an oval structure of frameworks (1) and plates (26) being created with a minimum of tooling. The bending devices for the individual metal profiles (2) can be used for both one segment (29) and the other segment (30).

The outer radius (34) of the large segment (30) as well as the inner radius (33) of the small segment (29) can be freely selected depending on the circumstances. If the same tools are to be used for these radii (33,34), some experimentation is required to harmonize the external appearance of the furniture in the top view.

It is therefore clear that this geometric rule can be used to create basic concepts for furniture of different types, provided that they have a square, oval or circular base.

- 13 PARTS LIST

1 Framework

2 metal profile

3 Angle corner connection

4 centric inner tube

5 Outer tube

6 Bridge

7 Wall weakening

8 detachable wall strips

9 dice

10 threaded hole

11 stepped through hole

12 Gradation 13 Screw

14 Screw head

15 Threaded sleeve

16 connecting bolts

17 Threaded head

18 cylindrical shaft

19 Screw, pin or similar

20 Footplate, castor or similar

21 cones

22 Blind hole, hexagon socket 23 Tenon neck

24 Spring ring

25 cove

26 Plate

27 Spring 28 Groove

29 Plate segment

30 plate segment

31 curved edge

32 Front edge

33 Inner radius small segment

34 Outer radius large segment

35 Outer radius small segment

- 14 -

36 Inner radius large segment

37 Interior

38 connecting bolts

39 Cross hole

40 Plate element

41 Screw

Claims (11)

AN 1 Annu Erbslöh Aktiengesellschaft File: 33-589 ern/sw 23.08.1996 AMENDED PROTECTION CLAIMS &iacgr;&ogr; 1. Framework (1) with angle or corner connections (3) of metal profiles (2), in particular made of light metal, in which the metal profiles (2) have a hollow square cross-section with a central &igr; ⁵ inner tube (4) which is connected to an outer tube (5) via diagonal webs (6) and in which the angle or corner connections (3) are designed as hollow cubes (9) with stepped bores (10, 11) located centrally in the side walls, through which screws (13) engaging in the inner tubes (4) of the metal profiles (2) are guided, characterized in that the individual cube (9) of the angle or corner connection (3) is designed as a solid wall and has intersecting bores (10, 11) forming a hollow interior (37), which are designed on one side of the cube (9) as a large threaded bore (10) and on the opposite side as a step-shaped tapered through-bore (11), the step (12) of the through-bore (11) being approximately the height of a screw head (14) and the inner diameter of the threaded bore (10) being approximately the diameter of the screw head (14) or slightly larger than it. 2. Framework according to claim 1, characterized in that a connecting bolt (16) is provided for connecting a metal profile (2) to a cube (9) already arranged in the framework (1), which has a threaded head (17) that can be screwed into the free cube threaded hole (10) from the outside and a cylindrical shaft (18) that can be inserted into the inner tube (4) of the metal profile (2) to be connected, the position of the metal profile (2) being secured by a screw, pin or the like (19) running transversely to its axis. (Continued on page 16 of the original version) - 16 - 3. Framework according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaft (18) has a circumferential groove at the height of the screw axis. 4. Framework according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaft (18) has a transverse bore at the height of the screw or pin axis for passing through the screw (19) or the pin or a transverse bore (39) provided with an internal thread for screwing in a screw (41). 5. Framework according to claim 1, characterized in that for connecting a foot plate, roller or the like (20) to a cube (9) already arranged in the framework (1), a pin (21) is provided which can be inserted into the cube (9) and is connected to the foot plate, roller or the like (20), which is supported with its free end in a blind hole (22) of the screw head (14) located in the cube (9) in the pin extension and is guided by means of a spring ring (24) or the like on the threaded hole (10) of the cube (9). 6. Framework according to claim 5, characterized in that the pin (21) has at its free end a pin attachment (23) rounded on the front side, which is guided and supported in the hexagon socket (22) of the screw head (14), wherein a circumferential groove (25) for receiving the spring ring (24) or the like is arranged in the shaft of the pin (21). 7. Framework according to one of claims 1 to 6 with a metal profile (2), in the outer wall of which longitudinally and parallel to each other extending wall-weakening - 17 - Predetermined breaking points (7) for separating the wall strip (8) located therebetween, characterized in that for connecting panels (26) to the framework (1) the individual panel edge (31, 32) has a raised tongue (27) which can be inserted into the groove (28) of the metal profile (2) exposed by the separated wall strip (8). 8. Framework according to claim 7, characterized in that the bracing of the framework (1) with the plate (26) is formed by screwing the cubes (9) located in the corner region of the plate (26). 9. Framework according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the case of panels (26) with curved edges (31), the associated metal profile (2) has a less great curvature. 10. Framework according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by framed plate segments (29, 30) whose straight front edges (32) are at an angle of 60° to one another, independently of the arc length of the curved side edges (31). 11. Framework according to claim 10, characterized in that for the formation of oval table groups from framed plate segments (29, 30), the outer radius (35) of the shorter plate segment (29) corresponds to the inner radius (36) of the longer plate segments (30).