Connecting device

Abstract

A connecting device having a hollow-body-like plug-in part which is of variable outer circumference and which interacts with a fixing device which is at least partially insertable into the plug-in part, wherein the fixing device is connectable to an actuation section which projects out of the plug-in part. Here, the plug-in part, with the fixing device inserted therein and with the actuation section connected thereto, has the minimum external shape thereof in terms of the dimensions thereof when the actuation section is in a rest position. The actuation section is moved by means of axial or radial movement relative to the plug-in part into a working position in which the plug-in part has the maximum external shape thereof in terms of the dimensions thereof, wherein the plug-in part has a closed shape on its side situated opposite the insertion side of the fixing device.

Claims

1. A connecting device having a plug-in part of hollow-body type, which part improves the static friction and changes its outer circumference, and which cooperates with a fixing device that is at least partly insertable into the plug-in part, and the fixing device is connectable to an actuation section projecting out of the plug-in part, wherein the plug-in part, with the fixing device introduced into it and with the actuation section connected thereto, in an idle position of the actuation section has its minimum outer shape in its dimensions; and wherein the actuation section with the fixing device, by an axial or ninety degree rotating motion relative to the plug-in part, is put in a working position, in which the plug-in part has its maximal external shape in its dimensions; and wherein the plug-in part, on its end opposite an introduction end of the fixing device, has a closed shape.

2. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the fixing device is at least partly hollow.

3. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the fixing device and the actuation section are in one piece.

4. The connecting device of claim 2, wherein the fixing device and the actuation section are in two pieces.

5. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the fixing device is rotatably supported in the plug-in part.

6. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the fixing device is displaceably supported in the plug-in part.

7. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the outer shape of the plug-in part has a threadlike structure or knoblike or pyramidal or cylindrical structures.

8. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the actuation section has a partly flattened shape or a partly pierced shape.

9. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the plug-in part has at least two recesses in a side in which recesses at least two partly oval portions of the fixing device are received in the idle position of the actuation section, and that in the working position of the actuation section, the partly oval portions can be moved out of the recess.

10. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the plug-in part has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the actuating section is introduced at the second end, wherein the plug-in part includes a recess, wherein the recess receives a portion of the fixing device in the idle position of the actuation section, and that in the working position of the actuation section, the portion can be moved out of the recess, wherein the recess does not axially extend through the first end of the plug-in part.

11. The connecting device of claim 10, wherein the recess does not axially extend through the first and second ends of the plug-in part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plan view in radial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device, located in it in the idle position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view in radial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device, located in it, in the idle position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view in axial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the idle position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the idle position;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a plan view in radial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the working position;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a plan view in radial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the working position;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view in axial section of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the working position;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the plug-in part and the fixing device located in it in the working position.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1 through 8 show a first embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 1 and 2, in a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, both in radial section, show the plug-in part 1 with the fixing device 2 located in it in the idle position; two partly oval portions are received in two recesses 4 of the plug-in part 1. Because of the recesses 4 that extend over almost the entire axial extent of the plug-in part 1 and because of the approximately equal length of the partly oval portions which are entirely received therein, the connecting device in this position has its minimum external dimension in the radial direction.

(11) FIGS. 3 and 4 show the plug-in part 1 and the fixing device 2 located in it in the idle position in an axially sectional and completely closed perspective view, respectively.

(12) In FIG. 3, a hollow embodiment of the fixing device 2 can be seen, as a result of which the plug-in part 1 and the fixing device 2 can be supported for instance in a housing by inserting a screw bolt, for instance, and connected to the housing.

(13) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 through 8, an actuation section 3 embodied in one piece with the fixing device 2 can be seen, which makes it possible to rotate the fixing device 2 by 90 degrees inside the connecting device. The actuation section 3 is embodied here in the form of a lever, so that the plug-in part 1, with the fixing device 2 located in it and with the lever formed onto it, can for instance serve to connect two components. For instance, for a front panel and a lateral part of the drawer. Alternatively, however, the actuation section 3 can also take a different shape, such as that of a handle element, which can then be installed on a drawer or a cabinet door, for instance. The fixing device 2 and the actuation section 3 can also be embodied in two pieces. For instance, the actuation section 3 can also be designed in the form of a tool or adjusting knob that can be made to engage the fixing device 2. In this embodiment, the structural size of the fixing device 2 is less, so that the plug-in part 1 with the fixing device 2 can be used in applications where there is little space.

(14) FIGS. 5 and 6, in a plan view and perspective view, respectively, and in radial section, show the plug-in part 1 with the fixing device 2 located in it in the working position. The two partly oval portions have been unscrewed out of the two recesses 4 in the plug-in part 1 and force the sides of the hollow and flexible connecting device apart. Because the partly oval portions extend over almost the entire axial extent of the plug-in part 1 and because of the closed shape of the plug-in part 1 on its front end, a more-pronounced expansion of the plug-in part 1 at its front end compared to the back end is prevented. The force is then transmitted radially uniformly and over almost the entire axial length of the connecting device to the component, into which component the plug-in part 1 has been inserted. As a result, static friction that acts both radially uniformly and over almost the entire axial length of the plug-in part 1 is achieved. Because of the closed shape on the front end, the penetration of foreign bodies (such as splinters, slivers resulting from drilling, dirt) into the plug-in part 1 is also averted. This prevents an expansion of the plug-in part 1 caused by these foreign bodies during its introduction into a recess of a component to be connected and thus makes that procedure easier.

(15) FIGS. 7 and 8 show the plug-in part 1 and the fixing device 2 located in it in the working position in an axially sectional and completely closed perspective view, respectively.

(16) In a second embodiment, not shown, the fixing device 2 can also be embodied as displaceable. Then, in the idle position of the actuation section 3, a plurality of partly oval portions can be received radially and preferably also axially in the associated recesses 4, which are located in the radial and preferably also axial orientation of the plug-in part 1. In the working position of the actuation section 3, the partly oval portions have been thrust all the way out of the recesses. As a result, the wall of the plug-in part 1 is pushed apart, so that once again a radially uniform static friction, acting over almost the entire length of the connecting device 1, with the connected component is achieved.

(17) The external shape of the plug-in part 1 can furthermore have a threadlike structure and/or button-like or pyramidal or cylindrical structures on its surface. As a result, the static friction between the plug-in part 1 and the surrounding component is additionally increased.

(18) The external shape of the actuation section 3 can furthermore have a flattened or pierced part, which serves as a support for some object to be braced on it, or as an eyelet for an object to be suspended from. The actuation section 3 can for instance be part of a shelf support. In this case, the L-shaped shelf support, or a shelf support having some other form, can act as an actuation section 3. The fixing device 2 is located on the side of the shelf support facing toward the wall and is inserted into the plug-in part 1. By rotating the shelf support by 90°, the fixing device 2 clamps the plug-in part 1 to the wall.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(19) 1 Plug-in part 2 Fixing device 3 Actuation section 4 Recess