Connecting means

Abstract

A connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component is provided, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably. The connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a first component and a second component, the connector comprising: a first connecting element which in a connected condition of the components is arrangeable on the first component and includes a spring element, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arrangeable on the second component and includes a receiving element, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, the spring element is configured to come into engagement with the receiving element, wherein the connector includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element, wherein the reinforcing element is formed in one piece with the spring element and one piece with a base body of the first connecting element; and wherein the spring element and the reinforcing element each protrude separately from a common base body.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the-receiving element includes at least one of a receiving projection or a receiving recess, wherein an engaging portion of the spring element engages behind the receiving element in the region of at least one of the receiving projection or the receiving recess.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of an auxiliary spring element, and wherein the auxiliary spring element has a shape that at least approximately corresponds to the spring element.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of an auxiliary spring element, and wherein the auxiliary spring element includes an abutment portion by means of which the auxiliary spring element is configured to abut against the spring element.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, in a disconnected condition of the connecting elements, the reinforcing element is arranged spaced from the spring element.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element and at least one additional reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element and the at least one additional reinforcing element take the form of a first auxiliary spring element and a second auxiliary spring element, respectively, wherein, for reinforcing the spring force of the spring element, the first auxiliary spring element acts directly on the spring element, and wherein, for reinforcing the spring force of the spring element, the second auxiliary spring element acts directly on the first auxiliary spring element which acts directly on the spring element.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of a stiffening element and is connected to the spring element such that a deformation of the spring element results in at least one of a compression and a shearing of the stiffening element.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening element is made from a material which is a material different from at least one of the material of the spring element and the material of a base body of the first connecting element.

9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of an auxiliary spring element, and wherein the first connecting element further includes a second reinforcing element that takes the form of a stiffening element, wherein an intermediate space between the auxiliary spring element and the spring element is filled, in part or entirely, by the stiffening element.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element includes a clamping portion along which an engaging portion of the spring element is movable for making the connection between the first component and the second component, wherein the spring element is thereby tensioned.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the clamping portion has a substantially parabolic cross section.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is constructed to be resilient, at least in certain regions.

13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is connected, at an end of the receiving element that faces the first connecting element, to a base body of the second connecting element, and in that at least one end of the receiving element that is remote from the first connecting element is constructed to be movable.

14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes at least two spring elements which in the connected condition embrace the receiving element on both sides.

15. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is constructed to be symmetrical in relation to a transverse center plane of the receiving element that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane of the connector.

16. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes at least two spring elements and at least two reinforcing elements, wherein, in relation to a transverse center plane of the first connecting element that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane of the connector, the at least two spring elements and the at least two reinforcing elements are at least one of (i) arranged symmetrically to one another on the first connecting element; and (ii) constructed to be symmetrical to one another.

17. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element includes a base body which is substantially in the shape of a circular-cylindrical segment or a circular-cylindrical portion, and at least one holding projection which is substantially in the shape of a circular arc and by means of which the at least one connecting element is securable in the component.

18. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of the spring element has a sloping face which is configured to come into contact with a sloping face of the receiving element such that in the connected condition the connecting elements are drawn towards one another by means of a connecting force.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through two components and two connecting elements of a connecting means for connecting the two components, in a disconnected condition of the components;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of the components and the connecting means, in an intermediate condition between the connected condition and the disconnected condition;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of the components and the connecting means, in a connected condition of the components and the connecting elements of the connecting means;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a first connecting element of the connecting means;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal section through the first connecting element from FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG. 4, of a second connecting element of the connecting means;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG. 5, through the second connecting element from FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the first connecting element and the first component, in a disconnected condition;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG. 8, of the first connecting element and the first component, in an intermediate condition between the disconnected condition and a mounted condition in which the first connecting element is mounted on the first component;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG. 8, of the first connecting element and the first component, wherein the first connecting element is mounted on the first component;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the second connecting element and the second component, in a disconnected condition;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG. 11, of the second connecting element and the second component, in an intermediate condition between the disconnected condition and a mounted condition in which the second connecting element is mounted on the second component; and

(14) FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG. 11, of the second connecting element and the second component, wherein the second connecting element is mounted on the second component.

(15) Like or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) An embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13, of a connecting means that is designated 100 as a whole serves to connect a first, for example substantially plate-like, component 102 to a second component 104, similarly preferably substantially plate-like.

(17) The two components 102 and 104 may be for example wood panels or plywood panels, but may also be made from any other materials as desired, for example a metal material or a plastics material, for example Plexiglas. Further, it may be provided for the first component 102 and the second component 104 to be formed from mutually different materials.

(18) In the connected condition of the two components 102 and 104, illustrated in FIG. 3, a contact face 106 of the first component 102, arranged for example on a short side or end face of the first component 102, abuts against a contact face 108 of the second component 104, which is for example a main surface of the plate-like second component 104.

(19) In both the first component 102 and the second component 104, at least one groove 110, which is open towards the respective contact face 106, 108, is provided in each case.

(20) The groove 110 includes a base portion 112 which is in the form of a circular-cylindrical segment or a circular-cylindrical portion, and two undercut portions 114 which extend away from the base portion 112 in a through-thickness direction 116.

(21) The radius of curvature of the base portion 112 is larger than a groove depth T (see FIG. 1), with the result that a curved groove base face 118 forms an acute angle with the respective contact face 106, 108.

(22) In particular as regards the further shaping of the groove 110 and the creation of a groove 110 of this kind, explicit reference is made here to EP 1 990 549 A1, which is incorporated in this description by such reference.

(23) For connecting the components 102, 104 to one another, the connecting means 100 includes a first connecting element 120 and a second connecting element 122.

(24) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 to 7, each of the connecting elements 120, 122 includes a base body 124 which is constructed to be substantially in the form of a circular-cylindrical segment or circular-cylindrical portion.

(25) The base body 124 is constructed to be in particular at least in certain regions and at least approximately complementary to the base portion 112 of the groove 110.

(26) Each of the connecting elements 120, 122 further includes two holding projections 126 which extend away from the portion of the base body 124 that is constructed to be complementary to the base portion 112 in the through-thickness direction 116.

(27) The holding portions 126 are curved in an arc shape and are constructed to be at least approximately substantially complementary to the undercut portions 114 of the groove 110.

(28) By means of the holding projections 126, the connecting elements 120, 122 may thus be secured, at least in respect of a connecting direction 128, with positive engagement with the components 102, 104, in particular in the grooves 110 in the components 102, 104.

(29) For this purpose, the connecting elements 120, 122 are configured to be pushed along the undercut portions 114 and into the grooves 110 in the components 102, 104 (see in particular FIGS. 8 to 13).

(30) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, the first connecting element 120 includes the base body 124, the holding projections 126 and a plurality of spring elements 130.

(31) The spring elements 130 are for example leaf springs.

(32) Each spring element 130 has an end 132 facing the base body 124 and an end 134 remote from the base body 124.

(33) By means of the end 132 of each spring element 130 facing the base body 124, the spring element 130 is arranged on the base body 124 and is in particular connected in one piece with the base body 124.

(34) The end 134 of each spring element 130 remote from the base body 124 is configured to move in a deflecting direction 136 that is aligned transversely, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the connecting direction 128.

(35) For this purpose, the spring elements 130 are constructed to be flexible.

(36) In the embodiment of the first connecting element 120 illustrated in the Figures, two spring elements 130 are provided, which for connecting the connecting elements 120, 122 come into direct contact with a receiving element (to be described below) of the second connecting element 122. These spring elements 130 are thus main spring elements 138.

(37) The further spring elements 130 are auxiliary spring elements 140, which for connecting the connecting elements 120, 122 cooperate with the receiving element of the second connecting element 122 only indirectly, namely by means of the main spring elements 138.

(38) The auxiliary spring elements 140 are arranged adjacent to the main spring elements 138 and have abutment portions 142 on the end 134 of the auxiliary spring elements 140 remote from the base body 124, by means of which the auxiliary spring elements 140 are configured to bear against the main spring elements 138 in order to be able to act on the main spring elements 138.

(39) The main spring elements 138 include a respective engaging portion 144 on the end 134 of the main spring elements 138 remote from the base body 124, and by means of these engaging portions 144 the main spring elements 138 are configured to come into engagement with the receiving element of the second connecting element 122, for connecting the connecting elements 120, 122.

(40) In particular, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 are configured to deflect in the deflecting direction 136, in order to come into engagement with the receiving element of the second connecting element 122.

(41) The auxiliary spring elements 140 are arranged on the sides of the main spring elements 138 remote from the engaging portions 144.

(42) In the embodiment of the first connecting element 120, illustrated in the Figures, a total of six spring elements 130 are provided, in particular two main spring elements 138 and four auxiliary spring elements 140.

(43) The spring elements 130 are in this case arranged such that a main spring element 138 and two auxiliary spring elements 140, which are associated with this main spring element 138, on the one hand and a main spring element 138 and two auxiliary spring elements 140, associated with this main spring element 138, on the other hand oppose one another in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement in relation to a transverse center plane 146 of the first connecting element 120 that extends parallel to the connecting direction 128.

(44) The engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 may preferably be moved away from the transverse center plane 146 in mutually opposite deflecting directions 136. In this case, the effect is such that the ends 134 of the auxiliary spring elements 140 remote from the base body 124 are also deflected in the corresponding deflecting directions 136.

(45) The force required for deflection is significantly increased by the additional deflection of the auxiliary spring elements 140, since the spring force which counteracts the deflection is at least approximately the sum of the spring force of the main spring element 138 and of the associated auxiliary spring elements 140.

(46) The auxiliary spring elements 140 thus form reinforcing elements 148 for reinforcing a spring action or spring force of the main spring element 138.

(47) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, it is provided in particular in this case for a first auxiliary spring element 150 to act directly on the main spring element 138 when the main spring element 138 is deflected. A second auxiliary spring element 152 acts directly on the first auxiliary spring element 150 when the main spring element 138 and the first auxiliary spring element 150 are deflected.

(48) Preferably, an intermediate space 154 is formed between the spring elements 130.

(49) In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, a first intermediate space 156 is provided between the main spring element 138 and the first auxiliary spring element 150, and a second intermediate space 158 is provided between the first auxiliary spring element 150 and the second auxiliary spring element 152.

(50) A third intermediate space 160 may be formed for example between the second auxiliary spring element 152 and a portion of the base body 124, for example an insertion projection (to be described below) of the base body 124.

(51) For further reinforcement of the spring action or spring force of the spring elements 130, in particular the main spring elements 138, the intermediate spaces 154, in particular the first intermediate space 156, the second intermediate space 158 and/or the third intermediate space 160, are preferably filled with a filler material, at least in certain regions.

(52) The filler material may for example be an injection-moldable elastomer material and/or a thermoplastic material which is connected to the spring elements 130 and/or the base body 124, preferably over a large surface area, in particular being connected by a substance-to-substance bond.

(53) Because this connection of the spring elements 130 to one another and/or to the base body 124 makes deflection of the spring elements 130 more difficult and thus contributes to stiffening the spring elements 130, each filled intermediate space 154 forms a stiffening element 162 for stiffening the spring elements 130, in particular the main spring element 138.

(54) The stiffening elements 162 are thus also reinforcing elements 148 for reinforcing a spring action or spring force of the spring elements 130, in particular the main spring element 138.

(55) Because the connection of the stiffening elements 162 to the spring elements 130 and/or to the base body 124 is over a large surface area, when the spring elements 130 are deflected the stiffening elements 162 are substantially under shear load.

(56) The first connecting element 120 further includes at least one, preferably two, insertion projections 164 which are configured to come into engagement with receiving pockets (to be described below) of the second connecting element 122, in order to be able to position the connecting elements 120, 122 in relation to one another in controlled manner.

(57) The spring elements 130 and stiffening elements 162 and the insertion projections 164 preferably protrude at least in part beyond a connecting plane 166 over which the components 102, 104 and/or the connecting elements 120, 122 abut against one another in the connected condition thereof.

(58) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7, the second connecting element 122 also includes a base body 124, which is shaped at least in certain regions to be at least approximately complementary to the groove 110 in the components 102, 104.

(59) The second connecting element 122 further includes two holding projections 126 which are curved in an arc shape and are constructed to be substantially complementary to the undercut portions 114 of the groove 110.

(60) Thus, the second connecting element 122 may also easily be inserted into a groove 110 and secured therein.

(61) The second connecting element 122 includes a receiving element 168 by means of which the second connecting element 122 is configured to come into engagement with the first connecting element 120, in particular with the spring elements 130 of the first connecting element 120.

(62) The receiving element 168 is arranged, in particular secured, on the base body 124 at an end 170 of the receiving element 168 facing the connecting plane 166 (see in particular FIG. 6).

(63) The receiving element 168 is arranged between two side walls 172 of the base body 124 of the second connecting element 122.

(64) Recesses 174, in particular openings 176, are provided in the side walls 172 such that the receiving element 168 extending between the side walls 172 extends in part along these recesses 174 and thus, in this region, is not connected to the side wall 172 and thus is not connected to the base body 124.

(65) These regions of the receiving element 168 that are not connected to the side wall 172 of the base body 124 of the second connecting element 122 form receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168.

(66) The receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 are in particular constructed to be flexible.

(67) The receiving element 168 is arranged centrally in the connecting element 122 and is constructed in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement in relation to the transverse center plane 146 of the second connecting element 122. In particular, the receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 are constructed in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement to one another in relation to the transverse center plane 146 and are arranged to be mirror-symmetrical to one another.

(68) An outer surface 182 of the receiving element 168 preferably has at least approximately a parabolic shape, wherein an x axis extends in the connecting plane 166 and a y axis extends in the transverse center plane 146 (see in particular FIG. 7).

(69) The main spring elements 138, in particular the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138, are moved along this surface 182 of the receiving element 168 when the connecting elements 120, 122 are connected to one another. Because of the parabolic shape of the surface 182, during this there is an initially large and then lesser increase in force during deflection of the main spring elements 138.

(70) The spring elements 130, in particular the main spring elements 138, are tensioned as they move along the surface 182 of the receiving element 168, with the result that the surface 182 of the receiving element 168 forms a clamping portion 184 of the receiving element 168.

(71) The second connecting element 122 further includes two receiving pockets 186 for receiving the insertion projections 164 of the first connecting element 120.

(72) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 and the receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 abut against one another in the connected condition, in each case by means of sloping faces 188.

(73) By means of these sloping faces 188, the effect may be achieved on the one hand, in the connected condition of the connecting elements 120, 122, of exerting a pulling force on the connecting elements 120, 122 which draws the connecting elements 120, 122 towards one another. On the other hand, by means of the sloping faces 188, it is possible to ensure that the connecting elements 120, 122 can be moved away from one another without any damage. In particular, because of the sloping faces 188 the main spring elements 138 of the first connecting element 120 can slide along the sloping faces 188 of the receiving element 168, preferably opposite to the connecting direction 128, and as a result of this the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 can be brought out of engagement with the receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168.

(74) In further embodiments (not illustrated) of the connecting means 100, it is possible for example to provide a different number of main spring elements 138, auxiliary spring elements 140 and/or stiffening elements 162. Further, in alternative embodiments it is possible to provide for the main spring elements 138 to be constructed and arranged such that the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 are arranged remote from one another and are configured to move towards one another for the purpose of deflecting the main spring elements 138. The associated second connecting element 122 then preferably includes two mutually spaced receiving elements 168 which, in the connected condition of the connecting elements 120, 122, are arranged on the sides of the main spring elements 138 remote from the transverse center plane 146.

(75) The embodiment of the connecting means 100 that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13 functions as follows.

(76) First the components 102, 104 are provided with the grooves 110 at the locations that oppose one another in the mounted condition of the components 102, 104. In particular, the grooves 110 are milled in the components 102, 104 using a special tool, known for example from EP 1 990 549 A1.

(77) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 8 to 10 and 11 to 13, the connecting elements 120 and 122 may be inserted into the grooves 110 simply by pushing them in.

(78) Because the holding projections 126 of the connecting elements 120, 122 come into engagement with the undercut portions 114 of the grooves 110 during this pushing-in procedure, the connecting elements 120, 122 are secured with positive engagement in the components 102, 104, at least as regards movement of the connecting elements 120, 122 in the connecting direction 128.

(79) Here, the first connecting element 120 is secured in the first component 102.

(80) This may in particular be relevant if the first component 102 is the component 102, 104 which is to be connected by its short side or end face to a main side of a second component 104.

(81) When the grooves 110 and thus the connecting elements 120, 122 are arranged on the short sides or end faces of in particular plate-like components 102, 104, in particular it is not as a rule critical if parts of the first connecting element 120, in particular the push-in projections 164, the main spring elements 138, the auxiliary spring elements 140 and/or the stiffening elements 162, protrude beyond a surface of the component 102, 104, in particular a contact face 106 at which the components 102, 104 abut against one another.

(82) The second connecting element 122 is preferably arranged in a groove 110 arranged in the main surface of the second component 104, wherein the second connecting element 122 does not protrude beyond the main surface, in particular the contact face 106.

(83) The second component 104 may thus be stacked, by means of the main surface, on further, in particular plate-like components 102, 104 despite the fact that the second connecting element 122 is already mounted, without fear of damage to the components 102, 104 or the second connecting element 122.

(84) To connect the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus the components 102, 104 to one another, the components 102, 104 are moved towards one another, together with the connecting elements 120, 122 arranged therein, in the connecting direction 128, which is preferably perpendicular to the connecting plane 166.

(85) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 to 3, during this the main spring elements 138 first come into engagement with the receiving element 168, in particular with the clamping portion 184 of the receiving element 168.

(86) As they move along the clamping portion 184 of the receiving element 168, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 are moved away from the transverse center plane 146 in the deflecting directions 136. During this, the main spring elements 138 are deflected and thus tensioned.

(87) Deflecting the main spring elements 138 also has the effect of deflecting the auxiliary spring elements 140, and moreover the stiffening elements 162 are put under shear load.

(88) Because of the auxiliary spring elements 140 and the stiffening elements 162, the force required to deflect the main spring elements 138 and thus also the spring force of the main spring elements 138 are increased.

(89) Thus, a significantly greater force must be applied to connect the connecting elements 120, 122 to one another than if the main spring elements 138 were provided without the aforementioned reinforcing elements 148.

(90) Because of the parabolic shape of the surface 182 of the receiving element 168, when the first connecting element 120 is pushed onto the second connecting element 122, the main spring elements 138 are initially deflected more quickly and then more slowly.

(91) In particular, this allows a large spring tensioning to be generated in order to connect the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus also the components 102, 104 securely to one another, wherein at the same time a maximum force required for connecting the connecting elements 120, 122 is reduced.

(92) In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, connecting the connecting elements 120, 122 to one another is moreover optimized in that the receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 are constructed to be yielding, in particular flexible. As a result of this, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 may be moved past the receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 more easily.

(93) An undesirable lateral displacement of the connecting elements 120, 122 in relation to one another, in particular perpendicular to the connecting direction 128, is effectively prevented in the connected condition of the connecting elements 120, 122 by the push-in projections 164 and the associated receiving pockets 186.

(94) Because the connecting means 100 includes spring elements 130 and reinforcing elements 148 for reinforcing the spring force of the spring elements 130, the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus also the components 102, 104 may be connected to one another simply and reliably.