WO2016051388A1

WO2016051388A1 - Connection device for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions

Info

Publication number: WO2016051388A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057557
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco FEBBO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2015-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-02

Abstract

A connection device (1) for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions, has at least one support (12) with a first vertical plate (21) horizontally projecting from one of the two elements (2); a second vertical plate (42) is fixed to the other element (3), is coplanar to the first plate (21) and rests on the first plate (42) only at an inclined plane, oriented so as to mutually force the two elements in response to a downward sliding of the second plate (42) along the inclined plane; the plates are vertically locked by a system (50) configured to vertically pull the second plate (42) towards the first plate (21) in response to a tightening action and to maintain vertically locked the position that has been reached after the tightening.

Description

"CONNECTION DEVICE FOR FASTENING TWO ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connection device for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions .

BACKGROUND ART

The Italian patent application TO2013A000192 and the published International patent application WO/2014141073A1, on behalf of the same Applicant, disclose a connection device for fastening two elements, in particular a beam to a post for building constructions. The end of the beam is provided with two vertical slots, while the post supports two vertical plates engaging a lower area of the slots. The slots house respective upper plates, which are fastened to the beam and rest on the upper edge of the other plates.

The connection device also has a latch that is slidable to lock the plates and prevent a lifting of the beam.

A need is felt to improve this solution by means of a retention system to give greater locking guarantees. For example, when the latch does not click into the corresponding retaining seat to lock the beam, due to errors, tolerances or expansion, it would be appropriate to force the beam downwards until it clicks. Moreover, the presence of the latch involves a somewhat burdensome machining of the plates to make the retaining seat and a guiding seat for the latch.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions, which allows to solve in a simple and economically way the above drawbacks and, preferably, ensures a firm and safe locking.

According to the present invention it is provided a connection device for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions, as defined in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non- limitative embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connection device for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions, according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a section according to a vertical section plane, of the connection device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective that shows, with parts removed for clarity, a variant of Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are similar to Figure 2 and show other variants of the connection device of the present invention .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates a connection device for fastening two elements. The connection device 1 finds advantageous, but not exclusive, application in building constructions, for example for building wooden frames for prefabricated houses, for gates or railings, etc. Alternatively, the device 1 could also be used for assembling furniture elements (shelves, cupboards, etc . ) .

The connection device 1 comprises two elements, indicated by the reference numbers 2 and 3, and defined in particular by a wooden post and by a wooden beam.

The post 2 extends along a vertical axis and includes a connecting portion 5 having a side face 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion 5 has two vertical slots, which are not visible in Figure 1, are parallel, are mutually spaced apart horizontally and have respective openings at the side face 8.

For each of these slots, the device 1 comprises a relative support 12, made of more rigid and/or more resistant material than the material of the post 2, preferably made of metallic material. The supports 12 comprise respective attachment portions 13 which are fastened to the post 2, for example by means of screws or bolts, and engage the aforesaid slots. According to the variant of Figure 3, the portions 13 rest on the side face 8, while the portion 5 is free of slots. Preferably, the portion 5 is clamped by bolts between two pairs of supports 12 (partially shown) arranged on opposite sides of the post 2.

With reference to Figure 1, the supports 12 further comprise respective plates 21 which are vertical and planar, protrude horizontally from the portion 5 and have respective upper edges 22.

Each of the plates 21 comprises an arm 24 and an end portion 25, which is connected to the portion 13 through the arm 24 and defines an upward projection relative to the arm 24. At said projection, the upper edge 22 comprises an inclined plane 26, which forms a support and is inclined from top downwards, going towards the side face 8.

The beam 3 extends along a substantially horizontal axis 34 and axially ends with a portion 35 having a face 36, which is transverse to the axis 34 and rests against the side face 8.

The portion 35 has two vertical slots 39, which are parallel to the axis 34 and horizontally are as spaced apart as the plates 21. As shown in Figure 2, the slots 39 comprise respective lower areas 44 which, at the face 36, have respective openings engaged by the arms 24 of the plates 21. The areas 44 are also open downwards, namely on a lower surface 41 of the portion 35, as well as on the face 36, in order to insert the plates 21 in the areas 44 by lowering the beam 3 during the assembly. The portions 25 therefore remain hidden in the portion 35 of the beam 3. Moreover, the thickness of the plates 21 is substantially equal to the width of the lower areas 44 of the slots 39.

For each slot 39, the device 1 further comprises a relative vertical plate 42, which is housed in an upper area 43 of the slot 39, is fixed to the portion 35 in a known, not shown in detail manner, and is therefore coplanar to a corresponding plate 21. Each plate 42 has a lower edge comprising an inclined plane 46 (Figure 3) resting on the inclined plane 26 of the corresponding plate 21.

The plates 42 are made of a material which is stiffer and/or more resistant than the material of the beam 2, and in particular they are made of metallic material.

Advantageously, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lower edge of each plate 42 defines a recess or a seat 45 which is engaged by the portion 25 of the corresponding plate 21. The device 1 can possibly comprise at least one latch 48, which is slidable between an inactive position, where the portions 25 are free to engage the corresponding seats 45 during the assembly, and a locking position, where it prevents a possible upward movement of the plates 42 relative to the plates 21 so as to vertically lock the beam 3 after the assembly.

During the assembly, after having positioned and locked the supports 12 to the post 2 and after having positioned and locked the plates 42 to the beam 3, the portion 35 is lowered so as to insert the plates 21 in the slots 39 and, therefore, the portions 25 in the seats 45. Conveniently, a first part of this operation is carried out by exploiting the weight of the beam 3. During this insertion, the inclined surface 46 slides on the inclined plane 26 until the face 36 rests against the side face 8. When the beam 3 reaches this position, the plates 21 and 42 are supported only at the inclined planes 26 and 46. In other words, throughout the remaining part of the edges of the plates 42 and 21, there is an empty space or "gap" in the vertical direction. At this point, due to the weight of the beam 3, the slope of the planes 46, 26 acts as a wedge that horizontally forces the portion 35 against the side post 2.

In particular, the vertical load is transferred from the wooden portion 35 to the plates 42 and, therefore, from the inclined planes 46 of the plates 42 on the inclined planes 26 of the plates 21: thanks to the slope of the planes 46 and 26, the vertical load is split into a vertical component and a horizontal component, whose reaction fastens the portion 35 against the side face 8 of the post 2.

This horizontal component, which is transferred onto the post 2, reduces the vertical stresses in the coupling areas between the wood of the beam 3 and the plates 42. The magnitude of the horizontal component depends on the slope of the inclined planes 26 and 46 relative to the vertical. Advantageously, this slope is less than 25°.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the device 1 comprises a locking system 50 to further force down the plates 42 and keep then vertically locked the beam 3 in the position that has been reached at the end of the assembly. In particular, the forcing of the plates 42 tends to cause a further sliding of the inclined plane 46 on the inclined plane 26, when the beam 3 can no longer be lowered only due to its own weight, but requires an additional forcing action. As shown in Figure 2, the system 50 comprises :

an upper element 51, having a bottom surface 52 vertically facing a shoulder edge 53 of the plates 42 so as to rest against said edge 53;

- a lower element 54, having an upper surface 55 vertically facing a shoulder edge 56 of the plates 21 so as to rest against said shoulder edge 56; and two tie rods 58, which are arranged next to the plates 21, 42, are coupled to the elements 51 and 54, are rotatable about their axis and are configured so as to pull the elements 51, 54 towards each other and then bring nearer the shoulder edges 53, 56 in response to a rotation of the tie rods 58.

The material of the components of the system 50 is stiffer and/or more resistant than the material of the post 2 and of the beam and, preferably, is a metallic material. Advantageously, the elements 51 and 54 are respective bars or brackets, which are horizontal, parallel, and mutually vertically aligned.

In the particular example shown in Figure 2, the element 51 engages a seat 60, made through portion 35 and plates 42. The seat 60 comprises a hole 61 made in each of the two plates 42: the edge of the holes 61 defines the shoulder edge 53.

The shoulder edge 56, in turn, is defined by the edge of the lower end of the plates 21. Advantageously, the surface 41 of the portion 35 has a recess housing the element 54.

Again in the particular example of Figure 2, the tie rods 58 are defined by respective screws, whose heads 65 rest (directly or using spacers or washers) against the lower surface of the element 54. The two screws comprise respective stems 66, which are threaded at their ends, pass with some play through respective holes 67 made in the element 54 and are screwed in respective threaded holes 63, made in the element 51. The stems 66 engage respective vertical holes made in the portion 35, thus remaining hidden in the latter.

According to a not shown variation, it is provided a single tie rod 58 in an intermediate horizontal position between the plates 21.

According to a further variation, not shown, the two screws are arranged on opposite sides of the portion 35, thus remaining exposed.

According to a further variation not shown, the device

1 comprises a single support 12 and a single plate 42, conveniently arranged in the middle of the portion 35.

According to a further variation not shown, the element 51 is arranged above the portion 35 so as to rest against the edge of the upper end of the plates 42 without having to form the seat 60.

According to a further variation not shown, the heads 65 rest on the upper surface of the element 51, the holes 67 are made in the element 51, and the threaded holes 63 are made in the element 54. According to the variation of Figure 4, the element 54 engages a horizontal seat 70 formed by the portion 35 and the plates 21. The seat 70 is constituted by holes 71 made in the plates 21 and by a vertical slot 72 made in the portion 35; the edge of the holes 71 defines the shoulder 56; the slot 72 is slidingly engaged by the element 54 in a vertical direction, so that the element 54 can come closer to the element 51.

Moreover, the portion 35 has two holes 73, which end at the surface 41 and have a diameter larger than those housing the stems 66, to allow the heads 65 to rest against the element 54 and to be easily operated from the outside.

In the variation of Figure 5, the elements 51 and 54 are preferably free of the holes 61 and 67, while each tie 58 comprises:

two eyelets 75, respectively fitted on the ends of the elements 51 and 54;

two threaded stems 76, which are fixed with respect to the eyelets 75 and extend vertically towards each other (the two threads, not shown, are the one clockwise and the other anticlockwise) ;

a rotatable member 78, manually operable and having, at its upper and lower end, two nut screws 79 in which the stems 76 are screwed.

Therefore, by rotating the member 78 about its vertical axis, the eyelets 75 may get closer in order to pull the elements 51 and 54 towards each other.

According to a variation, not shown, the tie rods 58 are housed in respective side recesses made in the flanks of the portion 35.

According to a further variation not shown, the two vertical slots 39 are missing, and the plates 21 and 42 are arranged on the outer sides of the portion 35.

Obviously, the features of the aforesaid variations can be combined.

It is clear from the above that the system 50 allows to vertically tighten the plates 21 and 42 towards each other and gives the device 1 a high degree of safety and stability in coupling the beam 3 to the post 2.

In fact, by rotating the tie rods 58, the latter act on the elements 51 and 54, which rest against the edges 53 and 56 and then tend to bring them vertically closer. The components of the system 50 act on the material of the plates 21, 42, and not only on the wood of the beam 3 and the post 2, so that the properties of the portion 35 are not altered or damaged.

At the same time, thanks to the fact that the coupling between the plates 21, 42 occurs only at the inclined planes 26 and 46, the beam 3 is forced against the side face 8. After the forcing, the system 50 keeps the beam 3 locked in the reached position.

Moreover, the tightening of the bolts 58 can be performed manually and requires the use of a relatively simple equipment.

Furthermore, the solution of Figures 1-3 is relatively simple to make and to assemble, since the element 54 simply rests on the surface 41, without having to form the seat 70 and without having to insert horizontally the element 54 in said seat 70.

On the other hand, while being bulkier than the simple screws, the tie rods of Figure 5 are relatively simple and fast to install at the ends of the elements 51, 54.

Moreover, the use of threaded members to clamp the plates 21, 42 towards each other allows to regulate the forcing in relation to the angle of rotation of these elements. In applications not needing this regulation, the threaded members can be replaced by other types of rotating tie rods, for example by tie rods provided with a cam mechanism.

From the aforesaid it is clear that the device 1 described with reference to the attached figures may be subject to modifications and variations which do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

In particular, the locking system of the supports 12 and of the plates 42 could be other than as disclosed above. For example, the plates 42 may be part of brackets that are shaped so as to have flaps resting on the outer faces of the portion 35.

Moreover, one or both of the inclined planes 26 and 46 could be replaced by edges which can be differently shaped but are always able to perform the function of a wedge and cause a sliding of the plates 42 towards the portion 5 during the lowering of the plates 42 in the assembling phase.

Furthermore, the orientations of the axes of the beam 3 and the post 2 may be different from those indicated above .

As previously mentioned, the device 1 could be used in a field different from building constructions; in this case, the plates 21, 42 and the components of the system 50 could be made of plastic material.

Finally, the device 1 could be used to fasten elements which are different from the beam 3 and the post 2 (e.g. a shelf) .

Claims

1.- A connection device (1) for fastening two elements, in particular for building constructions, the device comprising:

a) a first element (2) ;

b) a second element (3) comprising an end portion (35); c) at least one support (12) fixed to said first element (2) and comprising a vertical first plate (21), which protrudes horizontally with respect to said first element ( 2 ) ;

d) at least one vertical second plate (42), which is coupled to said end portion, is coplanar to said first plate (21) and is arranged above said first plate (21) ;

e) locking means (50) for preventing a lifting of said second plate (42) from said first plate (21);

f) an inclined plane defining a rest coupling between said first and second plates (21, 42) and configured so as to bring said end portion (35) horizontally in contact against said first element (2) in response to a downward displacement of said second plate (42) along the inclined plane;

characterized in that

said first and second plates (21,42) are in direct contact only at said inclined plane, so as to force said end portion (35) horizontally against said first element (2) in response to a forcing of said second plate (42) downwards along said inclined plane ;

- said locking means (50) are configured so as to vertically pull said second plate (42) towards said first plate (21) in response to a tightening action, and, afterwards, to maintain vertically locked the position reached as a result of said tightening action.

2.- The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (50) comprise:

a) a lower element (54) having an upper surface designed to come into contact against an edge (56) of said second plate (42);

b) an upper element (51) having a lower surface designed to come into contact against an edge (53) of said first plate (21); and

c) at least one tie rod (58), which is arranged beside said first and second plates (21,42), is coupled to said upper and lower elements (54,51) and is configured so as to bring nearer said upper and lower elements (54,51) in response to a rotation of the tie rod about its axis.

3.- The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the axis of the tie rod (58) is vertical.

4.- The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said tie rod (58) comprises at least one threaded stem (66,76) .

5.- The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said threaded stem (66) is housed in said end portion (35) .

6.- The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said tie rod (58) is defined by a screw; said threaded stem (66) forming part of said screw and being screwed into a threaded hole (63) made in one (51) of said upper and lower elements; said screw also comprising a head resting against the other (54) of said upper and lower elements.

7.- The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said threaded stem (66) passes through a hole (67) made in the other (54) of said upper and lower elements.

8. - The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said tie rod (58) comprises at least one eyelet (75) fitted on a side end of one of said upper and lower elements.

9. - The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said threaded stem (76) is fixed with respect to said eyelet (75); said tie rod (58) further comprising a rotatable member (78) having a nut screw (79) screwed on said stem.

10. - The device according to any of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said lower surface (52) rests against an upper end edge of said second plate (42) and/or said upper surface (55) rests against a lower end edge of said first plate (21) .

11. - The device according to any of the claims 2 to

10, characterized in that said lower surface (52) rests against an edge of a hole (61) of said second plate (42) and/or said upper surface (55) rests against an edge of a hole (71) of said first plate (21) .

12. - The device according to any of the claims 2 to

11, characterized by comprising two said tie rods (58) arranged on opposite sides of said first and second plate (21, 42) .