WO2018199867A2

WO2018199867A2 - A connection element that enables formation of various geometric shapes by establishing connections at different angles

Info

Publication number: WO2018199867A2
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050654
Authority: WO
Inventors: İlker Özcan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-12
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-12
Also published as: TR201618387A2; WO2018199867A3

Abstract

This invention is related to connection elements that enable the formation of desired shapes modularly by easy connection of structures with each other without being limited to fixed angles. In the connection element of the invention, the external connection element (1), the intermediate connection element (2) and the internal connection element (3) are fixed to each other without requiring another fixing element or screw. Here, the goal is to enable precise adjustment of angle between the external connection element (1) and the external connection element (3) with high precision. This adjustment is performed through the intermediate connection element (2).

Description

A CONNECTION ELEMENT THAT ENABLES FORMATION OF VARIOUS GEOMETRIC SHAPES BY ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS

AT DIFFERENT ANGLES

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention is related to a connection element that enables easy coupling of structures with each other.

More specifically, the invention is related to a connection element that enables formation of desired shapes modularly by establishing connection between structures at different angles without being limited by fixed angles.

Background of the Invention

The connection elements used in buildings, space truss structures, car chassis, tents, bridges etc. can be elements which are connected by bolts at the tip of the pipes to a specifically manufactured interface and which transfer loads, that enable the system to function integrally by joining several rods at a junction via a specifically manufactured interface as well as being welded or riveted structures. Therefore they cannot be used modularly. The modular ones have connection parts at certain fixed angles (such as 30 - 45 - 60 - 75 degrees) and they can be joined at a limited number of geometries. There is a need for developing connection elements that enable configuring a set of modular three-dimensional structures by a plurality of rods or extensions at a plurality of angles.

In the United States patent document filed on 17.05.2005 No.US20060460430Al of the known state of the art, an intermediate linking system for obtaining connections at various angles is mentioned. In said intermediate linking system, a housing, an intermediate link that can be fixed on the housing at various angles and an external connection element that can be fixed on the intermediate link at various angles are mentioned. Also, a locking part is used to fix the external connection element to the housing.

In the United States patent document filed on 18.08.1995 No.US5689999 of the known state of the art, a linking system that can be connected to each other at various angles is mentioned. In said linking system, there are two connection elements between which the angle can be adjusted. There are connection holes machined at various angles on both surfaces of one of said connection elements. First, this connection element is connected to a different part through the connection holes on its one surface, then the other connection element can be connected to the other surface of this connection element. It is mandatory to use many screws and pins for these connections.

The United States patent document filed on 01.02.2013 No. US2014045403A1 of the known state of the art mentions a hub system that enables formation of structures with many shapes at desired angles by slotted structures hooked on a rod-like support structure via hook-like structures.

In the present techniques, in the linking systems that enable connections at different angles, it is mandatory to use a lot of parts. Therefore, there is a need for embodying a connection element that enables easy connection without using a large number of parts. In the present invention, a connection element with high strength without using a large number of parts is embodied.

Objects and Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is to realize a connection element that enables formation of structures by linking parts to each other. Another object of the invention is to realize a connection element that does not have any fixed angle and where the structures can be obtained by connecting the parts to each other. Yet another object of the invention is to realize a connection element that enables obtaining modular free shaped robust structures.

In its basic form, the connection element of the invention comprises of; · external link

• intermediate link,

• internal link.

The external link, intermediate link and the internal link are fixed to each other such that there is no need for another fixing part or screw.

Here, the goal is to enable adjusting the angle between the external connection element and the internal connection element with high precision. This adjustment is performed through the intermediate connection element.

Due to the housing with the parts, the housing recess, the protrusion, the housing protrusion and the edge protrusions, the parts can be fixed to each other. Among these three elements, the housing recess, the housing protrusion or the edge protrusions located on the intermediate connection element are at two different amounts (angles). One of these angles is such that it matches with the housing protrusion or housing recess on the external connection element (same amount or angle) and the other angle is such that it matches with the protrusion, the edge protrusion, the housing recess or the housing protrusion on the internal connection element (same amount or angle). Thus, the structures forming the desired shape can be adjusted with small angles and can be fixed at desired positions.

For example, in a model where there is a housing with 9 housing protrusion on the external connection element, there are 9 edge protrusions on the intermediate connection element. In this example, the intermediate connection element can be rotated on the external connection element by 40° angles. In the same example, when it is assumed that there are 8 housing protrusions on the internal connection element, in addition to 9 edge protrusions, there shall be 8 more edge protrusions. Thus, when the internal connection element is connected to the intermediate connection element, the intermediate connection element can be rotated on the internal connection element by 45° angles. In this way, the angle between the external connection element and the internal connection element can be adjusted by 5° precision. It is possible to increase the precision by changing the angles.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The connection element embodied to achieve the objects of the invention is shown in the appended figures.

The figures are;

Figure-1 is a perspective view of an application of the connection element.

Figure-2 is the disassembled view of an application of the connection element. Figure-3 is the disassembled view of an application of the connection element.

Figure-4 is the disassembled view of another application of the connection element. Figure-5 is the disassembled view of another application of the connection element. Figure-6 is the disassembled view of another application of the connection element. Figure-7 is the disassembled view of another application of the connection element. The parts in the figures are given individual reference numbers and these numbers refer to:

1. External connection element

2. Intermediate connection element

3. Internal connection element

4. Housing

5. Housing recess

6. Protrusion

7. Groove

8. Thread

9. Housing protrusion

10. Edge protrusion

11. Fixing element

12. Fastening element

13. Connection tip

14. Space

The connection element of the invention comprises;

an external connection element (1) containing a space (14) in which the internal connection element (3) enters, a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and symmetrical housing protrusions (9) at the edges of the housing (4),

a housing (4) that enters into the space (14) on the external connection element (1) in which the intermediate connection element (2) enters and an internal connection element (3) containing symmetrical housing protrusions (9) at the edges of the housing (4) at a different number than the number of the housing protrusions

(9) of the external connection elements (1), and

an intermediate connection element (2) that contains protrusions (6) at different thicknesses in two stages and that contains symmetrical edge protrusions

(10) at an amount corresponding to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the external connection element (1) at the edges of the protrusions (6) and to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the internal connection element (3).

The connection element of the invention comprises;

- an external connection element (1) that contains a space (14) in the middle in which the internal connection element (3) enters and symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits, an internal connection element (3) that sits in the space (14) located in the middle of the external connection element (1) and that contains symmetrical housing recesses (5) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1), and

an intermediate connection element (2) that contains symmetrical protrusions (6) in two stages at a different amount, wherein the number of protrusions (6) correspond to the housing recesses (5) on the external connection element (1) and the housing recesses (5) on the internal connection element (3).

The connection element of the invention comprises;

an external connection element (1) that contains a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and that contains symmetrical housing recesses (5) inside the housing (4),

an internal connection element (3) that contains symmetrical protrusions (6) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) which sit in the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2),

- an intermediate connection element (2) comprising at one of its sides a housing (4) located on the external connection element (1) and symmetrical protrusions (6) at a number corresponding to the recesses (5) of the housing (4), and a housing (4) into which the internal connection element (3) shall be fitted into and symmetrical housing recesses (5) at a number corresponding to the number of protrusions (6) of the internal connection element (3) located in the housing (4). The connection element of the invention comprises a fastening element (12) in which the internal connection element (3) sits and a fixing element (11) in which the fastening element (12) sits and being slipped around the external connection element (1).

The connection element of the invention comprises;

an external connection element (1) that contains a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and that contains symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4),

- an internal connection element (3) that contains symmetrical edge protrusions (10) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) such that they can be fitted into the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2),

an intermediate connection element (2) that contains, at the edges, symmetrical edge protrusions (10) corresponding to the number of the housing (4) on the external connection element (1) and the housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4) and that contains a housing (4) in the middle in which the internal connection element (3) sits and symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4).

The connection element of the invention comprises;

grooves (7) on the internal surfaces of the housing (4) on the external connection element (1),

threads (8) around the edge protrusions (10) on the internal connection element (3),

threads (8) around the edge protrusions (10) on the intermediate connection element (2) and grooves (7) on the internal surface of the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2). Figure- 1 and Figure-2 show a perspective and exploded view of an application of the connection element of the invention. Here, it is desired to precisely adjust the angle between the connection tips (13) located on the internal connection element (3) and the external connection element (1).

There is a space (14) on the external connection element (1) in which the internal connection element (3) sits. Moreover, there is a housing (4) on the upper part of the external connection element (1) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and there are symmetrical housing protrusions (9) at the edges of the housing (4). In the present example, 9 housing protrusions (9) are shown.

The internal connection element (3) sits into the space (14) inside the external connection element (1) and there is a housing (4) on it in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and at the edges of the housing (4), there are symmetrical housing protrusions (9) at a number different than the number of housing protrusions (9) of the external connection element (1). In the present example, 8 housing protrusions (9) are shown.

The intermediate connection element (2) contains protrusions (6) with different thicknesses in two stages. On the edges of the protrusions (6) at different stages, there are symmetrical edge protrusions (10) corresponding to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the internal connection element (3) and the housing protrusions (9) on the external connection element (1). In the present example, while there are 9 edge protrusions (10) corresponding to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the external connection element (1) at the first stage located at the upper portion, there are 8 edge protrusions (10) corresponding to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the internal connection element (3) at the second stage located at the lower portion. After the internal connection element (3) is placed into the external connection element (1), the angle between the connection tips (13) can be adjusted by 5° precision in the present example. After this adjustment is done, all the elements are locked to each other by assembling the intermediate connection element (2) to the internal connection element (3) and the external connection element (1). In Figure-3, another application of the invention is shown. Here, it is desired to precisely adjust the angle between the connection tips (13) where the external connection elements (1) are connected.

Again, there is a space (14) on the external connection element (1). In Figure-3, since the internal connection element (3) is positioned inside this space (14) on the external connection element (1), the space (14) is shown in the middle of the internal connection element (3) in the drawing, however the space (14) covers the entire center of the edges of the external connection element (1). There are housing recesses (5) on the external connection element (1), i.e. at the area corresponding to the edges of the space (14).

The internal connection element (3) sits into the space (14) located on the external connection element (1). Specifically, the external connection element (1) is sit around the internal connection element (3) through the space (14) thereon. On the internal connection element (3), there are housing recesses (5) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) located on the external connection element (1). In the present example, again an 8-9 example is shown and while there are 9 housing recesses (5) on the external connection element (1), there are 8 housing recesses (5) on the internal connection element (3).

The intermediate connection element (2) comprises protrusions (6) at different numbers in two stages. On the protrusions (6) at different stages, there are symmetrical protrusions (6) corresponding to the number of housing recesses (5) located on the internal connection element (3) and to the housing recesses (5) located on the external connection element (1). In the present example, while there are 9 protrusions (6) corresponding to the number of housing recesses (5) on the external connection element (1) at the first stage located at the outer part, there are 8 protrusions (6) corresponding to the number of housing recesses (5) on the internal connection element (3) at the second stage located at the inner part. After the external connection element (1) sits around the internal connection element (3), the angle between the connection tips (13) can be adjusted by 5° precision in the present example. After this adjustment is done, all the elements are locked to each other by assembling the intermediate connection element (2) to the internal connection element (3) and the external connection element (1).

In Figure-4, another application of the invention is shown. Here, it is desired to precisely adjust the angle between the internal connection element (3) and the external connection element (1). On the external connection element (1), there is a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and symmetrical housing recesses (5) inside the housing (4). The intermediate connection element (2) sits into the external connection element (1) and the internal connection element (3) sits into the intermediate connection element (2). On the lower portion of the internal connection element (3), there are symmetrical protrusions (6) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) such that it sits into the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2). On one side of the intermediate connection element (2), there are symmetrical protrusions (6) corresponding to the number of housing recesses (5) inside the housing (4) and to the housing (4) of the external connection element (1) and on the other side there is a housing (4) in which the internal connection element (3) sits and there are symmetrical housing recesses (5) inside the housing (4) corresponding to the number of protrusions (6) of the internal connection element (3). In Figure-5, another application of the invention is shown. Here, it is desired to precisely adjust the angle between the external connection element (1) and the internal connection element (3). On the external connection element (1), there is a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and there are symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4). The intermediate connection element (2) sits into the external connection element (1) and the internal connection element (3) sits into the intermediate connection element (2). Under the internal connection element (3), there are symmetrical edge protrusions (10) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) such that it sits into the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2). On the intermediate connection element (2), at the edges, there are symmetrical edge protrusions (10) corresponding to the number of housing (4) on the external connection element (1) and to the housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4). Again, in the center of the intermediate connection element (2), there is a housing (4) in which the internal connection element (3) sits and there are symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges of the housing (4). In Figure-6, another application of the invention is shown. The only difference of this application than the application shown in Figure-5 is that there are grooves (7) on the internal surfaces of the housing (4) on the external connection element (1), there are threads (8) around the edge protrusions (10) on the internal connection element (3) and threads (8) around the edge protrusions (10) on the intermediate connection element (2) and there are grooves (7) on the internal surface of the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2).

In Figure-7, another application of the invention is shown. The only difference of this application than the application shown in Figure -4 is that there is a fastening element (12) in which the internal connection element (3) sits and there is a fixing element (11) slipped around the external connection element (1) in which the fastening element (12) sits.

Claims

1. A connection element characterized in that it comprises;

a housing (4) that enters into the space (14) on the external connection element (1) in which the intermediate connection element (2) enters and an internal connection element (3) containing symmetrical housing protrusions (9) at the edges of the housing (4) at a different number than the number of the housing protrusions (9) of the external connection elements (1), and

an intermediate connection element (2) that contains protrusions (6) at different thicknesses in two stages and that contains symmetrical edge protrusions (10) at an amount corresponding to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the external connection element (1) at the edges of the protrusions (6) and to the number of housing protrusions (9) on the internal connection element (3).

2. A connection element characterized in that it comprises;

- an external connection element (1) that contains a space ( 14) in the middle in which the internal connection element (3) enters and symmetrical housing recesses (5) at the edges in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits, an internal connection element (3) that sits in the space (14) located in the middle of the external connection element (1) and that contains symmetrical housing recesses (5) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1), and

3. A connection element characterized in that it comprises;

- an external connection element (1) that contains a housing (4) in which the intermediate connection element (2) sits and that contains symmetrical housing recesses (5) inside the housing (4),

- an internal connection element (3) that contains symmetrical protrusions (6) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) which sit in the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2),

- an intermediate connection element (2) comprising at one of its sides a housing (4) located on the external connection element (1) and symmetrical protrusions (6) at a number corresponding to the recesses (5) of the housing (4), and a housing (4) into which the internal connection element (3) shall be fitted into and symmetrical housing recesses (5) at a number corresponding to the number of protrusions (6) of the internal connection element (3) located in the housing (4).

4. A connection element according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a fastening element (12) in which the internal connection element (3) is fitted into and a fixing element (11) in which the fastening element (12) fits into and being slipped around the external connection element (1).

5. A connection element characterized in that it comprises;

- an internal connection element (3) that comprises symmetrical edge protrusions (10) at a number different than the number of housing recesses (5) of the external connection element (1) such that they can be fitted into the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2),

6. A connection element according to Claim 5, characterized by comprising, grooves (7) on the internal surfaces of the housing (4) on the external connection element (1),

- threads (8) around the edge protrusions ( 10) on the intermediate connection element (2) and grooves (7) on the internal surface of the housing (4) on the intermediate connection element (2).