Plug connector for hollow sections

Description of the invention

The subject of the invention is a straight plug-in connector for hollow profiles with the features of the preamble of the independent claim.

A straight plug-in connector of this type is known from the description of European application No. EP-A-0 283 689. It was designed for hollow profiles of insulating glass struts and has a body that has several sections that are aligned in the direction of insertion. hollow profiles and center bumpers. The plug-in connector has a central wall and two adjacent side walls with several retaining elements located at the same height.

The description of the German utility model DE 295 11 885 U1 shows a similar straight plug-in connector with central stops and stop elements at the same height. In order to connect the rung profiles to the strut frame with the use of staples, the straight plug connector has additional holes in the central rib for the passage of the staples.

US-A-3,643,989 deals with bent or shard-shaped plug-in connectors for furniture components. On one side, the plug-in connectors only have a number of retaining elements arranged one of the other, which engage with the plastic walls of the plug-in or hollow chambers. The plug-in connectors consist of a plastic base body and on one side have a receiving rail for a metal plate that is laterally inserted and held by friction, with obliquely protruding, spring-edged and sharp-edged lances that form the retaining elements. On the opposite side, the plug-in connector has a flat and smooth body wall which rests against the wall of the hollow chamber. In order to avoid folding of the thin plastic walls, the lances may have front edges shaped differently.

The object of the present invention is to indicate a plug connector of the type described with improved retention elements.

The invention solves this object by means of the features of the main claim.

The offset configuration and the mutual spacing of the stop elements transverse to the insertion direction on both side walls have the advantage that the stop elements can mesh at different points on the adjacent side wall of the hollow profiles. This improves the retention of the plug-in connector in the hollow profile as the various retaining members perform their retaining function more and more evenly.

In the prior art, all retention elements are arranged in a series in the insertion direction, one behind the other, so that they have a different retention capacity determined by tolerances. This is especially the case when the retaining elements, when inserted, penetrate the side wall of the hollow profile and, during insertion, form a path or a trough-like depression in the side wall. In particular, the most laterally protruding stop element, which also defines the plunging depth, is inserted into this common path. Other, less protruding retaining members have less or no tactile contact with this path under these circumstances, and have a correspondingly smaller retention function. This problem is eliminated with an offset configuration and the mutual spacing of the stop elements transversely to the insertion direction.

The offset configuration may exist in all parts or only in one part of the retaining members. In particular, it is present on the side walls of the body sections, since these retaining elements act together on the side wall of the hollow profile. Retainers on other side walls or body sections act on other walls of the hollow profiles.

The offset configuration of the retaining elements is preferably designed as a height offset. This is advantageous in particular for conventional plug connectors with an essentially rectangular cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, the inventive design offers advantages for the connection of the rung profiles and for the flow of drying agent at the connection point. For this purpose, advantageously an improved fit and retention of the plug-in connector in the hollow profiles is reflected.

The height offset is preferably constant and of a uniform magnitude. The greatest height retaining element may, optionally, be in the area of ​​the center or the outer face. The next stop elements are then positioned in a constant row below. In this case, at least the greatest height retaining element can project to a height from the side of the flange beyond the side wall of the plug-in connector and provide an additional fastening of the plug-in connector in the hollow profile or rung profile.

The plug-in connector can also be designed in any other way. It may be a straight connector, an angle connector or another similar connector for frames of insulating glass pane struts. Further, the plug-in connector can be a straight connector or a cross connector for rung profiles. These are the preferred fields of application. In addition, the plug-in connectors can also be used for any other application and other hollow profiles. The plug-in connectors can have any cross-sectional shape and be formed, at least in some places, as hollow or solid components.

Particular advantages result for the plug-in connectors which are formed as die-cut metal parts. Here, the displaced stop elements can be formed particularly well and efficiently. In addition, the plug-in connectors can also be made of, for example, plastic, multi-layer material or the like.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention is illustrated in an exemplary embodiment in which Fig. 1 shows a front view of a simple plug-in connector with a hollow profile in section; Fig. 2 shows a variant of the plug-in connector of Fig. 1 in the form of an angle section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the retaining means on the plug-in connector; Fig. 4 is a schematic end view of a plug-in connector in a hollow profile with retaining members of different heights; fig. 5 - a variant of the plug connector of Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 6 is a top view of a straight plug-in connector with additional holes in the center wall; Fig. 7 is a side view of the plug-in connector in the hollow profiles on the rung connection; Figures 8 to 10 show three views of a variant of the plug-in connector with other stop elements and a resilient center stop; Fig. 11 to Fig. 13 a further variant of the plug-in connector with other stop elements and a fixed center stop in two views and a section, and Fig. 14 - enlarged side view of the plug-in connector.

The figures show a plug-in connector 1 for hollow profiles 24. The hollow profiles 24 have any suitable cross-section and are preferably formed as hollow profiles of strut frames or as rung profiles, both of which are used in insulating glass panes. The hollow profiles 24 may contain a granular drying agent 27 as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, the hollow profiles 24 may also have any other configuration and purpose. 1, 2 and 7 show one or two hollow profiles 24 in a side view. Fig. 4 shows the hollow profile 24 in cross-section.

In FIGS. 1 and 5 to FIG. 14, the plug-in connector 1 is formed as a straight connector for hollow profiles 24 for strut-frames or for rung profiles. Fig. 2 shows an angle variant for the same profiles of the hollow spacer frames. In a variant not shown, the plug-in connector 1 can be designed as a cross connector for rung profiles.

The plug-in connector 1 in the illustrated embodiments has a body 2 with a generally substantially rectangular cross-section matching that of the hollow profile. The plug-in connector 1 can in this case be designed as an at least partially hollow U-shaped or box-shaped component. It has particularly wide open end sides 11 and allows the flow of desiccant 27. The plug-in connector 1 can also be largely or completely full. The front sides 11 can be open or closed.

In the straight plug-in connector of FIGS. 1, 5, 8 and 11, the two sections 3, 4 are in line. These plug-in connectors 1 are symmetrical with respect to the center 10. In the angle section of FIG. 2, the body sections 3, 4 are arranged at any suitable angle, preferably at right angles, to each other.

With a preferred rectangular cross-sectional shape, the plug-in connector 1 has a center wall 5 and two side walls 6 folded over its edges. In this design, the plug-in connector 1 has a U-shaped cross section. In a box section, it has a second central wall. In a preferred embodiment, as a simple plug-in connector 1 for the hollow strut profiles, the plug-in connector 1 is mounted in the hollow profiles 24 such that it has a center wall 5 facing the inner strut frame, while the free edges 7 of the side walls 6 face the outside. 8. This arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of the plug-in connector in EP-A-0 283 689. The positioning can also be the opposite.

In the plug-in connector 1, the center wall 5 points towards the outer wall 8. Again, the arrangement may be the opposite.

PL 205 223 B1

The plug-in connector 1 is each inserted into the hollow sections 24 in the insertion direction 9. Here, the travel path is limited by the center stops 20 in the center 10 of the plug-in connector 1.

In the straight connector of Figures 1 and 8 to 10, the central bumpers 20 are formed as opposing spring lugs which are located on the edges 7 of the side walls 6 and are bent sideways. This configuration corresponds to EP-A-0 283 689.

In the straight connector of FIGS. 5 and 11 to 13, the center stops 20 are designed as fixed central stops in accordance with DE-U-94 11 067 or WO 98/05843. Figures 11 to 12 show two different embodiments for this. In one variant, shown in the left half of Figures 11 and 13, as well as in the combined view of Fig. 12, the central stop extends beyond the free edge of the side wall 6 7. 11 and 13 the center bumper 20 is laterally bent outward and projects laterally beyond the sidewall 6.

In the corner connector of FIG. 2, in the corner area, there are central bumpers 20 and lateral rigid wall elements which are projecting there. In addition, the center stops 20 may be formed in any other way or may possibly be absent.

The plug-in connector 1 is provided with several retaining elements 12, 13, 14, which are intended to prevent the plug-in connector 1 from being pulled out of the hollow profiles 24. The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 can be shaped in any suitable way for this purpose. They are located primarily on the side walls 6 and project outwards on the sides. Optionally, they also protrude upwards or downwards. The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 cooperate with the preferably smooth inner sides of the side walls of the hollow profiles 24 and make frictional contact therewith or possibly also form a positive fit.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining elements 12, 13, 14 are formed as laterally projecting retaining lugs 15, which abut with their ends against the side walls of the hollow profiles 24 and, preferably, engage in these side walls as well.

At least some of the retention members 12, 13, 14 of the male connector 1 extend transversely to the insertion direction 9 offset by one another at an interval 16, 17. Figs. 3 and 14 show this configuration in an enlarged side view. In the preferred, substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the plug-in connector 1, the retaining elements 12, 13, 14 have different positions on the side walls 6 at the height h12, h13, h14. In this case, the offset stop elements 12, 13, 14 mesh at different points with the hollow profile 24. During insertion, the stop lugs 15 mark paths 21, 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and situated at different heights. 23 in the side wall of the hollow profile.

In the illustrated embodiments, the offset or spacing 16, 17 is primarily between the retaining members 12, 13, 14 of each separate side wall 6 of the sections 3, 4. Preferably, all retaining members 12, 13, 14 have a mutual spacing 16, 17 so that they all mesh with the adjacent side wall 6 of the hollow profile 24.

The different side walls or sections of the side walls 6 may have the same configuration of the retaining members 12, 13, 14, since they act on different side walls of the different hollow profiles 24. In a variant of the embodiment shown, all the retaining members 12, 13, 14 of the connector plug 1 may have an offset configuration.

In a further variation, not shown, it is possible that the gaps on the different sidewalls also only partially occur between the stop elements there, and some stop elements can also be arranged at the same height, one behind the other and engage with the same axial path. on the associated side wall of the hollow profile.

The shown plug-in connector 1 in a preferred embodiment is formed as a metal element to be bent in a die. It preferably consists of an electrolytically zinc-plated or uncoated cold-rolled steel strip. The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 are freely punched and curved laterally to lugs 15, which are relatively stiff and only slightly elastically susceptible to lateral forces. In a preferred embodiment, three retaining members 12, 13, 14 are provided on four different sections of the side wall 6 each. Figures 1 to 7 and 8 to 14 further show two different embodiments for the configuration of the retaining members 12, 13, 14.

PL 205 223 B1

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in one embodiment the retainer 12 closest to the face 11 is provided on the free edge 7 of the side wall 6. It has a distance from the center wall 5 or a height h12. It is adjacent to it, opposite to the insertion direction 9, an open cut 19 which then rises again to the normal height of the edge 7. The adjacent central stop element 13 is located a distance 16 deeper and has a smaller height h13. To this end, the edge 7 first passes into a depressed axial shoulder 18, at the end of which is a stop element 13. Again, an open blank 19 rests here, which then preferably rises again to the normal edge height. The third stop element 14, adjacent to the center 10, is again situated deeper than the central stop element 13 by a distance 17 and has a height h14. Correspondingly, the shoulder 18 is pushed further away from the edge 7 towards the central wall 5. Again, the open cut-out 19 rests here again with an adjacent elevation to the normal height of the edge.

In the variant of Figures 8 to 14, the configuration and height offset of the retaining members 12, 13, 14 are opposite to the configuration described. As especially shown in Figures 12 and 14, the retaining element 14 closest to the center 10 has the greatest height h14. The next stop element 13 in the insertion direction 9 is positioned lower by a distance 16 and has a lower height h13. The third stop element 12 is again located a distance 17 lower than the previous stop element 13 and has the smallest height h12.

In the variant of FIGS. 8 to 14, the open blanks 19 are larger than in the first embodiment. They are L-shaped and undercut the retaining members to a greater extent, with the undercut at the end having a slightly enlarging rounding. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 14, the retaining element 14, which has the greatest height h14, further extends slightly above the edge 7 of the side wall 6. The end of its nose 15 extends, in the direction of the extension of the side wall 6, beyond the edge 7. The retention element 14 is also bent upwards obliquely towards the edge 7. Fig. 14 shows this configuration.

In this variant, the retaining elements 12, 13 also have an axial shoulder 18 which is lowered in relation to the edge 7. The recess 18 of the central stop element 13 can thereby, rising to the height of the edge 7, pass into a rounding 34, which allows better sliding and support in the hollow profiles 24. The deeper shoulder 18 of the outer retaining element 12, on the contrary, turns into a sharper corner, from which the edge 7 then falls again towards the face 11.

The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 point opposite to the insertion direction 9 and form a clamping engagement on the side walls of the hollow profiles or on tracks 21, 22, 23 or so-called clamping tracks.

The gaps 16, 17 are of equal size in the embodiment shown. However, they can be of different sizes.

The change in height offset is preferably constant, with heights h12 to h14 continuously increasing or decreasing. The shown order of magnitude and the assignment of the stop elements 12, 13, 14 with different heights can also be varied as desired, or in particular be inverted or replaced. The configuration of the retaining members 12, 13, 14 on the further three side walls or sections of the side wall 6 is formed accordingly.

In the embodiment shown, all the stop elements 12, 13, 14 protrude equally to the sides within the possible tolerance. This projection distance may also be of a different size with a modified embodiment. By means of different deflection distances of the stop elements 12, 13, 14, it is possible to adapt to different sensitivities to deformation or bending. Thereby, for example, in Fig. 8 and 11, the higher stop members 14 are further deflected than the lower stop members 13, 12. The configuration can also be the reverse, such as in Fig. 6. In addition, different lateral deflection distances may be adapted to other purposes and requirements and may be shape it differently.

In a further variant of the embodiment shown, the plug-in connectors 1, in particular the straight plug-in connectors of FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 to 14, may have additional retaining elements in the form of freely cut and bent spring lugs on the central wall 5. This is especially the case when the plug-in connector 1 is configured inversely in the hollow profiles 24, where the central wall 5 also faces the outer side. Such a plug-in connector can be designed, for example, in accordance with EP-A-0 698 172 and have a narrow bottom plate at the center or at the junction of the hollow profiles. In other cases, they may exist on the wall of the media

There are also triangular or otherwise shaped recesses for a positive fit with seals on the outer wall of the hollow profile.

The center wall 5 according to FIG. 4 may, moreover, also have deformations 26 extending longitudinally in order to cover or possibly cover the internal perforation lines 25 of the hollow profiles 24.

Further, the central wall 5 according to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 11 can have axial and preferably oval openings 29 on both sides of the center 10, for example for a rung connection 30. Here, fixing needles can be inserted at the connection point 10. 32 through the hollow profiles 24 and the plug-in connector 1 into the connecting plug at the end of the rung profile 31. In addition, on the central wall 5, in the area of ​​the end ends 11, there may also be fixing or centering holes 28.

In a variation of the embodiment shown, the plug-in connector 1 can be formed at least to a large extent as a solid light metal or plastic die-cast element, in particular as a molding. The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 may be designed as laterally projecting ribs, as wedges or in any other suitable manner. The retainers 12, 13, 14 can be largely rigid or also resiliently at least within certain limits. They can also be located anywhere else on the side wall 6 and in particular also in the area of ​​the transition to the middle wall 5. The retaining elements 12, 13, 14 can also have different sizes, in particular lengths or widths, in addition to their mutual spaces 16, 17. . In a preferred and illustrated embodiment, the retaining lugs 15 are largely of the same shape.