WO2009141285A1

WO2009141285A1 - Holding arrangement and method for connecting first and second elements

Info

Publication number: WO2009141285A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/055947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Schmidt; Uwe Fischer
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 2008-05-19
Filing date: 2009-05-15
Publication date: 2009-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-19
Also published as: DE102008024212A1

Abstract

This application describes a holding arrangement comprising a first (3) and a second element (5), as well as a fastening element (11), said first element having at least one passage opening and, located adjacent thereto, an abutment surface, said second element having an abutment surface matching the abutment surface of the first element and having at least one projection (20) extending beyond the abutment surface, said projection being dimensioned so as to extend into the passage opening of the first element when the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are in contact with each other, and said fastening element being dimensioned so as to extend through the passage opening of the first element and at least partially into a recess of the second element in order to draw the projection of the second element into the passage opening of the first element and, in so doing, draw the abutment surfaces of said elements toward each other.

Description

HOLDING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING FIRST

AND SECOND ELEMENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holding arrangement comprising a first and a second element as well as a fastening element, and to a method for connecting first and second elements, said elements having matching abutment surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the most diverse fields, for example in the construction of frames for technical installations such as, for example, printing machines, that several elements need to be fastened to each other. In the case of metal elements, such elements that need to be fastened to each other are frequently welded to each other. Before being welded, the respective elements are aligned and positioned relative to each other and are subsequently welded together in the regions of contact. As a rule, special holding devices are provided for arranging and holding the elements in a proper relationship with respect to each other. Some of these holding devices are highly complex and some of them are suitable only for a specific arrangement of two elements relative to each other. This means that in cases where different elements, or just elements having different sizes, need to be fastened to each other, a new holding device must be provided therefore.

Of course, it is also known to use screws or rivets for fastening elements to each other. However, such fastening is not suitable for fastening plate elements that are fastened to each other in perpendicular alignment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a holding arrangement, as well as a method for connecting first and second elements, wherein two elements are positioned and held relative to each other in a simple and cost-effective manner.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a holding arrangement in accordance with Claim 1 as well as with a method in accordance with Claim 14. Additional embodiments of the invention are obvious from the respective sub claims.

In particular, a holding arrangement is provided, said holding arrangement comprising a first and a second element as well as a fastening element. Said first element has at least one passage opening and, located adjacent thereto, an abutment surface, whereas said second element has an abutment surface matching the abutment surface of the first element and has at least one projection extending beyond the abutment surface, said projection being dimensioned so as to extend into the first passage opening of the first element when the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are in contact with each other. The fastening element, in turn, is dimensioned so as to extend through the passage opening of the first element and at least partially into a recess of the second element in order to draw the projection of the second element into the passage opening of the first element and, in so doing, draw the abutment surfaces of said elements toward each other. With such a holding arrangement, the respective elements that are to be connected possess inherent structures that ensure a proper positioning of the elements relative to each other. In addition, a fastening element is provided, said fastening element promoting proper positioning by drawing the projection of the second element into the passage opening of the first element. Furthermore, the fastening element is suitable to hold the two elements in this position. In particular, such a holding arrangement is of advantage during a pre-assembly stage when the two thusly positioned and held elements are to be subsequently connected to each other in a permanent manner, for example, by being welded together. A complex holding device for properly positioning the respective elements relative to each other is not necessary. Also, such a holding arrangement can be advantageous in prototype construction or when machines need to be frequently assembled and disassembled.

In one embodiment of the invention, the projection of the second element has a projection depth that is smaller than the depth of the passage opening in order to thus ensure that the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are securely drawn toward each other when the fastening element is being drawn appropriately. Preferably, the first element is a plate element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess in the second element extends centred through the projection in order to be able to provide the most balanced possible draw on the second element relative to the projection. For this, the recess in the second element, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, is a structure that interacts with the fastening element, in particular a threaded structure. For a simplified design of the second element, an alternative embodiment of said element has an additional recess forming an undercut that communicates with the aforementioned recess into which a holding part interacting with the fastening element can be inserted. With this design, the second element need not have a special structure, beside the two recesses, that interacts with the fastening element. Such an active communication is achieved between the fastening element and the holding part, said holding part being accommodated in the additional recess. Preferably, the holding part has a fastening structure interacting with the fastening element and comprises means for positioning the fastening structure in the region of the additional recess in order to provide proper positioning of the fastening structure in a simple manner. This holding part preferably has at least one fastening section as well as, at an angle relative thereto, a handling section permitting a simple manual positioning.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the undercut of the additional recess is set back relative to the abutment surface of the second element. Thus, it is achieved that, when the holding part is accommodated in the additional recess and acts on the undercut due to the fastening element, the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are firmly drawn toward each other. In a further embodiment of the invention, the first element has a plurality of passage openings and the second element has a plurality of projections, said projections being dimensioned so as to extend into the passage openings of the first element. There may be more passage openings in the first element than projections in the second element in order to permit different arrangements of the first and second elements relative to each other, for example. Preferably, at least two of the projections have recesses for the accommodation of a respective fastening element in order to be able to provide at least two holding points in particular in larger elements. For this, it is not necessary that each of the projections of the second element display a matching recess. Rather, a few of the projections may be used only for positioning the elements relative to each other. In this case, they do not have structures extending beyond the normal engagement with the passage opening.

Preferably, the fastening element is a screw or a rivet.

The holding arrangement in accordance with the invention is particularly suitable for first and second plate elements that are to be positioned and held upright, in particular perpendicular to each other.

In a method for connecting first and second elements having matching abutment surfaces, first a projection of the second element is arranged in a passage opening in the first element, and then a fastening element is guided through the passage opening of the first element in such a manner that said fastening element extends at least partially into a recess of the second element. Subsequently, the projection of the second element is drawn by means of the fastening element into the passage opening of the first element in order to draw their abutment surfaces toward each other and to hold the elements in this position. On the one hand, the above method is suitable for a permanent connection of the elements to each other; however, on the other hand, said connection is also suitable to temporarily hold said elements, for example, for welding the elements together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second elements are also welded together while the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are drawn toward each other by the fastening element. Preferably, the fastening element is then removed after welding the first and second elements.

In order to firmly draw the first and second elements toward each other, the projection preferably has a projection depth that is smaller than the depth of the passage opening. In particular in the case of a permanent connection, the recess in the second element has a structure that interacts with the fastening element, in particular a threaded structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the second element has an additional recess forming an undercut, said recess communicating with the aforementioned recess in the second element. Furthermore, a holding part interacting with the fastening element and the undercut of the recess is inserted into the additional recess in order to act as an abutment for the fastening element. As a result of this, a suitable structure for a detachable connection of the fastening element is provided in a simple and cost-effective manner, without the necessity of providing complex structures such as, for example, threads on the second element. For this, preferably, a fastening structure of the holding part inter- acting with the fastening element is automatically positioned in the additional recess when the holding part is inserted into the additional recess. In order to ensure a secure drawing together of the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements, the above undercut is preferably set back with respect to the abutment surface of the second element. When the fastening element is removed, the holding element is also preferably removed after the first and second elements have been welded together. Preferably, the method comprises the arrangement of a plurality of projections of the second element in a corresponding plurality of passage openings in the first element, and comprises the use of at least two fastening elements in corresponding passage openings of the first element in order to position the first and second elements relative to each other and to draw them together.

The above method is particularly suitable for plate elements that are positioned perpendicular to each other.

Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in detail with reference to drawings.

They show in:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 a perspective view of a holding arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 an enlarged partial view of region II in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 an enlarged partial view of region III in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 an enlarged partial view of region IV in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of two elements that are to be fastened to each other in the area of a fastening region; Fig. 6 a view of the arrangement in accordance with Fig. 5, along line VI-

VI; Fig. 7 a schematic enlarged plan view of a plate element in the region of a fastening projection; and

Fig. 8 a schematic enlarged plan view of a plate element in the region of a passage opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The terms used in the description hereinafter such as, for example, top, bottom, front, rear and the like, relate to the illustration in the drawings and are in no way whatsoever intended as being restrictive. The figures show different views of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention not being restricted to the specifically shown arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary holding arrangement 1 in accordance with the invention. The illustrated holding arrangement 1 comprises three plate elements 3, 5 and 7 that are to be connected to each other, and comprises a plurality of holding parts 9 as well as fastening elements 11.

In the drawing in accordance with Fig. 1, the plate element 3 is a flat plate element having an essentially rectangular basic shape. However, the plate element 3 may also have any other shape and need not necessarily be flat. Rather, it is also possible that the plate element 3 be bent. The plate element 3 has a front side 13 as well as a rear side 15, as can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6.

The plate element 3 has a plurality of passage openings 18 that are at a distance from the circumference of the plate element. The passage openings 18 have the form as illustrated in Fig. 8, for example. The passage opening 18 shown in Fig. 8 has an elongated, square basic shape and a round shape in the center region, said passage opening being disposed to accommodate a shank part of a fastening element 11, for example, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.

Depending on the height of the passage opening 18, it is also not necessary, of course, to provide a corresponding rounding in the center region, in particular, when the diameter of the shank part of the fastening element 11 that is to be received is smaller than the height of the passage opening 18 in accordance with Fig. 8.

The passage openings 18 are received inside the plate element 3 in a prespecified pattern in order to allow a proper positioning of fastening projections of additional elements, in particular additional plate elements, and thus a proper positioning of these relative to the plate element 3, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The peripheral edge of the plate element 3 has a plurality of positioning projections 20 as well as a plurality of fastening projections 22 that can be received, for example, by various passage openings of an additional element, for example an additional plate element. Fig. 7 shows an enlargement of the structure in the region of the fastening projections 22. The projection 22 projects beyond the plate element 3 by a distance 'a', said edge acting as an abutment edge for an additional element. In the region of the projection 22, the plate element 3 has a first recess 24 that is open toward the peripheral edge and is centered with respect to the projection 22. The recess 24 extends beyond the depth of the projection 22 into the body of the plate element 3. Further, the plate element 3 has a second recess 26 extending transversely to the first recess 24, said recess 26 intersecting the recess 24 in such a manner that an undercut 28 is formed. The undercut 28 is set back by a distance 'b' relative to the peripheral edge of the plate element 3.

Even though the first and the second recesses 24, 26 have been described as separate recesses, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that said recesses may also be viewed as a combined recess having an undercut 28. In particular, said recesses may be formed in the course of one combined work step such as, for example, a punching step.

The positioning projections 20 as well as the fastening projections 22 are provided at prespecified distances, preferably equidistantly, on peripheral edges of the plate element 3. As is obvious from Fig. 1, the upper edge of the plate element 3 does not have any positioning or fastening projections 20, 22 whatsoever, because this edge is not intended for fastening an additional element. The plate element 5, again, is a flat plate element having a generally rectangular shape. A few of the corners of the rectangular shape are rounded, and one fastening edge of the plate element has recesses 29.

At a distance from the peripheral edges of the plate element 5, a plurality of passage openings 30 is provided, said passage openings having, for example, the same shape as the passage openings 18 in the in the plate element. 3. As is also obvious from the enlarged illustration in accordance with Fig. 4, the passage openings 30 need not have the same shape, rather a few of the passage openings may have a strictly rectangular shape, whereas others may be rounded in the center region.

Along the edge facing the plate element 3, the plate element 5 has a plurality of positioning projections that cannot be recognized because they are set in corresponding passage openings of the plate element 3. Beyond that, a plurality of fastening projections 32 (three in this case) are provided along said edge. Such a fastening projection 32 is shown schematically by the enlarged illustration in accordance with Fig. 2 and in greater detail by the sectional view in accordance with Fig. 5. The fastening projection 32 has the same shape as the fastening projection 22 in the plate element 3. Also, a corresponding recess structure having first and second recesses 24, 26 and an undercut 28 are provided in the region of the fastening projection 32.

The plate element 7, again, may be provided as a flat plate element that has a plurality of positioning and fastening projections along an edge facing the plate element 5, as is obvious from the schematic enlarged illustration in accordance with Fig. 4. These projections may have the same shape and structure as the positioning and fastening projections 20, 22 of the plate element 3.

The holding part 9 which can be best seen in Fig. 4, has a handling part 40 as well as a positioning and fastening part 42. The handling part 40 and the positioning and fastening part 42 extend at an angle of 90° relative to each other and are connected to each other via a bent connecting section 43.

The handling part 40 has a size that allows for easy manual grasping by an assembling technician.

The fastening and positioning part 42 has a main part as well as a projection 44 projecting relative thereto, said projection being provided with a passage opening 46. The projection 44 is dimensioned in such a manner that it fits into the recesses 26 and may interact with the corresponding undercut 28. One edge of the main part, which may be adjacent to the projection 44, may act here as a positioning edge in order to position the passage opening 46 in the projection 44 within the depth of the plate element in which the holding element 9 is located. Furthermore, the projection 44 is dimensioned in such a manner that the passage opening 46 is properly positioned inside the recess 26. When the holding part 9 is located in a corresponding recess 26 of a plate element, this effects a precise positioning of the passage opening 46 relative to the plate element and the corresponding recess structure.

Preferably, the passage opening 46 has a fastening structure that may interact with the fastening element 11, said structure in particular being an internal thread.

Considering one illustrated embodiment, the fastening element 11 may be a screw with a threaded shank 50 and a head 52.

The threaded shank 50 is dimensioned in such a manner that it may come into screwed engagement with the passage opening 46 of the holding part 9, as shown by Fig. 5.

Hereinafter follows a detailed description of the assembly of the holding arrangement 1 in according with Fig. 1 and with reference to the figures. In order to assemble the arrangement in accordance with Fig. 1, the holding element 3 is first held in a suitable position, preferably an upright position. Then the appropriate projections 32 on the plate element 5 are inserted into the corresponding passage openings 18 in the plate element 3, said passage openings being provided for proper arrangement of the plate element 5. As a result of this, a proper positioning of the plate element 5 relative to the plate element 3 is achieved. Subsequently, the holding parts 9 are inserted into the corresponding recesses 26 in the plate element 5. Subsequently, a corresponding fastening element 11 is inserted from the rear side of the plate element 3 through the passage opening 18 in the plate element 3 and into the recess 24 of the plate element 5 in order to interact there with the holding part 9 in the recess 26. If the passage opening in the holding part 46 has an internal thread and if the fastening element 11 is a screw, said screw is screwed into the passage opening 46, thus causing the holding part 9 to come into contact with the undercut 28 of the recess 26 in the plate element 5 and tightly drawing the plate element 5 against the plate element 3. As a result of the fact that the undercut 28 is set back relative to the abutment edge of the plate element 5, it is ensured that the plate element 5 is tightly drawn against the plate element 3. This is also promoted in that the depth of the fastening projection 32 on the plate element 5 is smaller than the depth of the passage opening 18, i.e., the thickness of the plate element 3.

In a corresponding manner, it is possible to subsequently fasten the plate element 7 to the plate element 5, i.e., first the projections of the plate element

7 are inserted into the corresponding passage openings in the plate element 5, and subsequently the holding parts 9 are positioned and fastened by the fastening elements 11.

In this manner, it is possible to construct essentially any structure that comprises further elements. The elements may be permanently held in this manner; however, it is also possible for the elements to be welded to each other in such a fastened position, and for the holding parts 9 and the fastening elements 11 to be removed again after said elements have been welded together. In this case, the holding parts 9 and the fastening elements 11 are only used for a pre-assembly and may subsequently be removed and reused again.

If the holding parts 9 and the fastening elements 11 are to remain in their fastening positions, it is possible to use, for example, rivets instead of screws as fastening elements 11. As a result of this, it is possible, among other things, to simplify the assembly of the holding parts 9, because it is not necessary to provide a thread in the passage opening 46. Moreover, if the holding parts 9 are to remain permanently in position, it is possible to omit the handling part 40 because the elements need to be brought into their positions only once and will remain there. This does not necessarily require the handling part 40. In addition, the handling part 40 may prove an interference in case of a permanent arrangement in the device.

When the elements are welded together, they may be welded together in the region of the abutment edges in the usual manner. However, it is also possible to weld together the elements, in particular in the region of engagement of the positioning projections 20 of one element, in the passage openings of the other element. Referring to Fig. 4, for example, it is possible that the welding of the element 5 with the element 7 is accomplished from the top in the region of engagement of the positioning projections of the plate 7 with the engagement openings 30 of the plate element 5, while the plate elements are held in position by means of the corresponding fastening projections 22, 32 and the holding part 9, and the fastening element 11. After removing the holding parts 9 and the fastening elements 11, the region of the corresponding fastening projections 22, 32 may be additionally welded.

In the above description, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, without being restricted to specific embodiments. In particular, the present invention is not restricted to plate elements that are arranged perpendicularly upright relative to each other, even though they are particularly suited for this. In addition, it is also possible, for example, to omit the holding parts 9, provided the corresponding recesses in the plate elements have appropriate structures for the interaction with the fastening element 11. For example, it is possible for the recesses to have a threaded structure, or that there is, for example, an undercut inside a corresponding plate element, said undercut acting as a point of engagement for a rivet.

Claims

1. Holding arrangement comprising a first and a second element as well as a fastening element, the first element having at least one passage opening and, located adjacent thereto, an abutment surface, the second element having an abutment surface matching the abutment surface of the first element and having at least one projection extending beyond the abutment surface, said projection being dimensioned so as to extend into the passage opening of the first element when the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are in contact with each other, and the fastening element being dimensioned so as to extend through the passage opening of the first element and at least partially into a recess of the second element in order to draw the projection of the second element into the passage opening of the first element and, in so doing, draw the abutment surfaces of said elements toward each other.

2. Holding arrangement as in Claim 1, with the projection having a projection depth that is smaller than the depth of the passage opening.

3. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the first element being a plate element.

4. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the recess in the second element extending through the projection.

5. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the recess in the second element having a structure that interacts with the fastening element, in particular a threaded structure.

6. Holding arrangement as in one of Claims 1 through 5, with the second element having an additional recess forming an undercut communicating with the aforementioned recess, and with a holding part being provided which interacts with the fastening element and is suitable for being received in the additional recess.

7. Holding arrangement as in Claim 6, with the holding part having a fastening structure interacting with the fastening element, and having means for positioning the fastening structure in the region of the additio nal rece s s .

8. Holding arrangement as in Claim 6 or 7, with the holding part having at least one fastening section and, at an angle with respect thereto, a handling section.

9. Holding arrangement as in one of Claims 6 through 8, with the undercut being set back with respect to the abutment surface of the second element.

10. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the first element having a plurality of passage openings, and the second element having a plurality of projections, said projections being dimensioned so as to extend into the passage openings of the first element.

11. Holding arrangement as in Claim 10, with at least two of the projections having a recess for the accommodation of a respective fastening element.

12. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the fastening element being a screw or a rivet.

13. Holding arrangement as in one of the previous claims, with the first and the second elements being plate elements that are arranged perpendicularly upright relative to each other.

14. Method for connecting first and second elements, said elements having matching abutment surfaces, said method comprising the following steps: a) arranging a projection of the second element in a passage opening in the first element; b) guiding a fastening element through the passage opening of the first element so that it extends at least partially into a recess of the second element; and c) drawing the projection of the second element by means of the fastening element into the passage opening of the first element in order to thus draw the abutment surfaces of said elements toward each other and hold said elements in this position.

15. Method as in Claim 14, wherein the first and the second elements are welded to each other, while the abutment surfaces of the first and second elements are drawn toward each other.

16. Method as in Claim 15, wherein the fastening element is removed after welding the first and the second elements.

17. Method as in one of Claims 14 through 16, wherein the projection has a projection depth that is smaller than the depth of the passage opening.

18. Method as in one of Claims 14 through 17, wherein the recess in the second element has a structure that interacts with the fastening element, in particular a threaded structure.

19. Method as in one of Claims 14 through 18, wherein the second element has an additional recess forming an undercut, said recess communicating with the aforementioned recess in the second element, and wherein a holding part interacting with the fastening element is inserted into the additional recess in order to act as an abutment for the fastening element.

20. Method as in Claim 19, wherein, when the holding part is inserted into the additional recess, a fastening structure interacting with the fastening element is automatically positioned in the region of the additional recess.

21. Method as in one of Claims 19 or 20, wherein the undercut is set back with respect to the abutment surface of the second element.

22. Method as in Claims 19 through 21, wherein the fastening element is removed after welding the first and second elements.

23. Method as in one of the Claims 14 through 22, wherein in step a) a plurality of projections of the second element is arranged in a corresponding plurality of passage openings in the first element.

24. Method as in Claim 23, wherein in step b) at least two fastening elements are arranged in corresponding passage openings of the first element.