Profile Assembly

Abstract

A profile assembly having a first profile and having a second profile connected on its long side to the first profile, which two profiles each have a hook strip integrally formed on the long side, wherein the hook projection of the hook strip of the first profile points in the one direction, and the hook projection of the hook strip of the second profile points in the opposite direction, the hook strips brought into engagement with one another in a claw-like manner. The first profile has an anchoring channel following its longitudinal extent, and the hook strip of the second profile has a clamping strip which is integrally formed thereon, which hook strip is secured by its hook projection and its clamping strip in the anchoring channel of the other profile by a cold joining connection. In order to produce the cold joining connection, one of the two hook strips comprises an adjusting strip which is formed by the cold joining process and which is supported in the produced profile assembly by its free end face while being under prestress. The hook strip secured in the anchoring channel is placed under prestress within the anchoring channel, at two points situated opposite one another in the direction of the height of the profile assembly, with respect to the adjoining portions of the first profile as a result of the cold joining connection.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A profile assembly comprising: a first profile and a second profile connected on its long side to the first profile, which two profiles each have a hook strip integrally formed on their long side, wherein a hook projection of the hook strip of the first profile points in one direction and a hook projection of the hook strip of the second profile points in an opposite direction, and the hook strips are brought into engagement with one another in a claw-like manner, wherein the first profile has an anchoring channel following its longitudinal extension, the anchoring channel provided by the hook strip of the first profile and comprising a bottom, and the hook strip of the second profile has a clamping strip integrally formed thereon, the hook strip of the second profile secured by its hook projection and its clamping strip in the anchoring channel of the first profile by a cold joining connection, wherein, in order to produce the cold joining connection, one of the two hook strips comprises an adjusting strip which is formed by the cold joining process and which is supported in the produced profile assembly by a free end face of the adjusting strip while being under prestress, wherein the hook strip of the second profile secured in the anchoring channel is placed under prestress within the anchoring channel of the first profile at two points situated opposite one another in a direction of the height of the profile assembly, with respect to adjoining portions of the first profile as a result of the cold joining connection, wherein, in the profile assembly, an outer surface of the adjusting strip acts against the bottom of the anchoring channel, whereby the same is inserted into material of the second profile surrounding the anchoring channel as a result of pressure applied to the adjusting strip across the bottom of the anchoring channel.

17. The profile assembly of claim 16, wherein the adjusting strip is molded on a rear side with respect to the hook projection to the hook strip of the second profile and forms the clamping strip in the produced profile assembly, and wherein a distance of the side walls of the anchoring channel against which the hook strip of the second profile engaging therein is prestressed is smaller than a distance of the free end face of the adjusting strip before it is formed across the outer side of the hook strip to the point in the hook projection situated opposite the free end face of the adjusting strip in the profile assembly.

18. The profile assembly of claim 17, wherein the supporting surface has a convex curvature forming a vertex on the hook projection inserted into the anchoring channel.

19. The profile assembly of claim 18, wherein the side wall of the anchoring channel on which the hook projection of the second profile is supported is either not curved or curved at a greater radius than the supporting surface of the hook projection resting thereon.

20. The profile assembly of claim 17, wherein a side wall of the anchoring channel on which the adjusting strip of the hook strip of the second profile is supported is inclined at least at a mouth end section.

21. The profile assembly of claim 17, wherein the hook strip carrying the adjusting strip has a tapering in a region of its connection to the adjusting strip.

22. The profile assembly of claim 21, wherein the tapering is provided by a groove on the outer side of the hook strip in the region where the adjusting strip is connected to the hook strip and follows the longitudinal extension of the hook strip.

23. The profile assembly of claim 16, wherein the profile assembly is produced by cold joining and a bulge locking the strip on the outer side is formed by said cold joining process.

24. The profile assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second profiles are hollow chamber profiles and each comprise an upper flange and a lower flange, and wherein the first and second profiles are interconnected at their upper flanges and lower flanges by said profile assembly.

25. The profile assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second profiles are extruded profiles.

26. The profile assembly of claim 25, wherein the first and second profiles are made of a light metal alloy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The following description uses example embodiments with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a first profile and a second profile according to a first embodiment for forming a profile assembly,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the profile assembly produced from the profiles shown in FIG. 1,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the connecting elements of the two profiles before forming the profile assembly in the section marked by a dashed line in FIG. 2,

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the profiles brought into engagement with one another in the section marked by a dashed line in FIG. 2 before creating a cold joining connection,

[0025] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the profile assembly of FIG. 2 in the marked section,

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a cross section through a profile assembly corresponding to that of FIG. 5, but as a photograph of a specimen, the profiles of which are extruded aluminum profiles,

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a section of a profile assembly to be created from two other profiles in which the profiles are shown with their connecting elements already in engagement with one another, and

[0028] FIG. 8 shows the profile assembly created from the arrangement of profiles of FIG. 7 after creating the cold joining connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a first profile 1 and a second profile 2. Both profiles 1, 2 are identical in the example embodiment shown. The profiles 1, 2 are extruded hollow chamber profiles made of an aluminum alloy. The profiles 1, 2 each have a lower flange 3 and an upper flange 4. Complementary connecting elements are located on the ends of the long sides of the flanges 3, 4, pointing towards one another. Since this example embodiment includes profiles 1, 2 having a lower flange 3 and an upper flange 4, there are two connecting elements on each long side which are brought into engagement with the complementary connecting elements of the other profile for producing a profile assembly and are permanently joined by means of a cold joining process. The first profile 1 has a hook strip on the longitudinal side edges of its lower flange 3 which point to the second profile 2. An anchoring channel 7 is cut into the outer side into a web 6 connecting the lower flange 3 to the upper flange 4. As a complementary connecting means, the second profile 2 also has a hook strip 8 on the longitudinal end pointing to the first profile 1, but with its hook projection pointing in the opposite direction of the hook projection of the hook strip 5. This layout of the hook strips 5, 8 serves the purpose of bringing them into claw-like engagement in the profile assembly (see FIG. 2). An adjusting strip 9 is molded to the rear side of the hook strip 8. The interaction of these connecting elements is described below.

[0030] The same connecting elements, which are at an offset to one another in the transverse direction of the two profiles 1, 2, are disposed in a reversed configuration on the upper flange 4 of the two profiles 1, 2.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the two profiles 1, 2 joined into a profile assembly 10. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a profile assembly 10 using two profiles 1, 2. It will be appreciated that a plurality of such profiles can be interconnected in the same manner into a profile assembly. In the example embodiment shown, hollow chamber profiles are shown as profiles 1, 2. As results from the explanations below, the connecting technology described below can also be used for joining profiles having just one flange.

[0032] The configuration of the connecting elements of the two profiles 1, 2 of the lower flanges 3 when not yet brought into engagement can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 3. The anchoring channel 7 of the first profile 1 is surrounded by a first side wall 11 and a second side wall 12, which two side walls 11, 12 are connected to one another by a bottom 13. The side wall 12 of the anchoring channel 7 is undercut in transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the profile 1 by the hook projection 14 of the hook strip 5. The side wall 11 is inclined towards the bottom 13 of the anchoring channel 7 and is used as an adjusting surface for creating the profile assembly.

[0033] A hook projection 15 is molded to the hook strip 8 of the second profile 2, pointing towards the outer side of the lower flange 3. The adjusting strip 9 is molded to the rear side of the hook strip 8 with respect to the hook projection 15. In the region where the adjusting strip 9 is connected to the hook strip 8, a groove 16 following the longitudinal extension of the hook strip 8 is cut into the outer side pointing towards the first profile 1. A tapering is formed by the groove 16 in the connecting region of the adjusting strip 9 to the hook strip 8. The hook projection 15 provides a hook receptacle 17 in the direction towards the lower flange 3, into which receptacle the hook projection 14 of the first profile engages to form the profile assembly 10.

[0034] In order to form the profile assembly 10, the hook projections 14, 15 of the hook strips 5, 8 are in a first step brought into engagement with one another. The hook projection of the second profile 2 is inserted in the undercut portion of the anchoring channel 7, and the hook projection 14 is inserted in the hook receptacle 17 of the hook strip 8. This position is shown in FIG. 4. The free end face 18 of the adjusting strip 9 is pointing away from the anchoring channel 7 of the first profile 1 in this pre-joining position.

[0035] In the same way as described in FIG. 4 for the connecting elements molded to the lower flanges 3, the connecting elements of the upper flanges 4 of the two profiles 1, 2 are brought into engagement. In this position, the free end faces 18 of the adjusting strips 9 point towards one another. A cold joining step is performed in order to produce the profile assembly, so that the two profiles 1, 2 are permanently connected to one another by a cold joining connection. To this end, a forming tool is drawn through the chamber 19 closed by plugging the two profiles 1, 2 together in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the two profiles 1, 2. Each adjusting strip 9 is pressed into the anchoring channel 7 of the respective other profile by this cold forming step. Pressing in is supported by the inclined side wall 11 of the anchoring channel 7.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the profile assembly 10 produced using a mandrel or two opposing rollers as a forming tool. In this forming process, the adjusting strip 9 is entirely pressed into the anchoring channel 7. Thus the adjusting strip 9 at the same time forms the clamping strip in this example embodiment, since it is secured under prestress in the anchoring channel 7 of the first profile 1 in the profile assembly 10. The free end face 18 of the adjusting strip 9 rests against the side wall 11 in the profile assembly 10 (see FIG. 5). As a result of the forming process, the section of the head of the hook projection 15 situated opposite the formed free end face 18 is pressed against the side wall 12 of the anchoring channel 7, which is situated opposite the side wall 11. Since the distance from the free end face 18 to the point at which the head of the hook projection 15 abuts the side wall 12 is greater in the non-formed state of the adjusting strip 9 than after forming, the hook strip 8 is secured in the anchoring channel 7 under prestress at its free end face 18 of its adjusting strip 9 and the head of the hook projection 15 in a two-point support, wherein the two supporting surfacesthe free end face 18 of the adjusting strip 9 (on the one hand) and the outer side of the hook projection 15 (on the other)are opposite in the direction of the height of the profile assembly (10) with respect to the direction of action of the prestress. Due to forming the adjusting strip 9, the force input has been shifted into a direction transverse to the direction of the force applied, Relaxation is effectively prevented due to the side walls 11, 12 of the anchoring channel, such that the prestress is maintained. The groove 16 defines the pivot point of the adjusting strip 9. The force applied is introduced into the first profile 1 via the free end face 18 of the adjusting strip 9 and the opposite outer side of the hook projection 15. Due to the forming process, the claw surfaces of the hook projections 14, 15 are moved towards one another until they abut, such that the transverse extension of the profile assembly 10 is clearance-free.

[0037] In the example embodiment shown, a metallic seal is formed respectively on the free end face 18 of the adjusting strip 9 and on the opposite outer side of the hook projection by means of the side walls 11, 12 of the anchoring channel 7. This connection is gastight.

[0038] For additionally securing the adjusting strip 9, the forming process in this example embodiment has been performed by means of the forming tool used such that a locking bulge 20 was formed from the material of the first profile 1, which locking bulge engages behind the rear side of the adjusting strip 9 next to its formed free end face. This additionally secures the adjusting strip 9 pressed into the anchoring channel 7 in a positive fit.

[0039] FIG. 5 schematically outlines the contour of a forming tool 21, the forming surface of which is offset to form the locking bulge 20.

[0040] In the example embodiment shown, the outer side of the hook projection 15 which comes into contact with the side wall 12 has a convex shape. The benefit is that the prestressing force is concentrated on the section of the bulge which rests against the side wall 12, which in the example embodiment shown has a greater radius of curvature. In this manner, the prestressing force and the formation of the desired metallic seal are further improved.

[0041] The specialty of the profile assembly 10 is that there is no non-positive connection between the outer side of the hook projection 14 and the hook receptacle 17. Instead, a small gap can remain at this point. In the case of a transverse load, this curved gap and the curvature of the hook strip 8, which curvature provides the hook receptacle 17, are used as a length compensation zone where tensile forces applied in transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the profile assembly 10, particularly tensile forces up to a certain magnitude, can be absorbed elastically. If shear forces should also be absorbed elastically, the gap described above will be formed with a specific gap width. It is worth mentioning that such a length compensation is performed without impairing the cold joining connection between the two profiles 1, 2.

[0042] While the produced profile assembly 10 has been schematically described in the Figures described above, FIG. 6 shows a photograph of a cross section through two profiles whose geometry matches the geometry of the profiles 1, 2. The opposing supporting points which act under prestress in the height direction of the profile assembly, are marked with block arrows 22, 22.1.

[0043] In this specimen, the outer side of the adjusting strip 9 is pressed against the bottom 13 of the anchoring channel 7the same applies to the example embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 5. This induces a moment counteracting a widening movement of the anchoring channel 7. The profile assembly 10 can therefore be configured with particularly high prestressing forces. The respective supporting points are marked in FIG. 6 with the reference numerals 23, 23.1, wherein the hook projections 14, 15, which are in claw-like engagement, serve as abutments for introducing force into the bottom 13 of the anchoring channel 7. Also clearly visible is the gap between the outer side of the hook projection 14 disposed next to the supporting surface marked by block arrow 22.1 and the complementary hook receptacle of the second profile. The prestress acting onto the bottom of the anchoring channel 7 is permanently maintained by securing the free end face of the adjusting strip in the anchoring channel.

[0044] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another profile assembly 24, also produced from two profiles 25, 26 which are permanently connected to one another by means of a cold joining connection. In this example embodiment, the profile 25 is the first profile and the profile 26 is the second profile. The profiles 25, 26 are extruded hollow chamber profiles made of an aluminum alloy. The profiles 1, 2 differ from the example embodiment described above with respect to the configuration of their connecting elements which are brought into engagement with one another. The first profile 25 has an anchoring channel 27 which follows its longitudinal extension. Its side surfaces 28, 29, unlike the design of the first profile 1 of the figures described above, are not disposed opposite one another with respect to the height of the first profile 25, but in transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the profile. An adjusting strip 30 is molded to the side wall 28 projecting downward therefrom. A tapering introduced by a groove 31 on the outer side defines the pivoting axis of the adjusting strip 30 shown in FIG. 7 before the forming process. The adjusting strip 30 has a prestressing bulge 32 on its side facing the anchoring channel 27. The bottom 33 of the anchoring channel 27 comprises a tensioning projection 34 in the section opposite the prestressing bulge 32 of the adjusting strip 30. The prestressing bulge 32 and the tensioning projection 34 define the surfaces on which a metallic seal is to be formed. The free end face of the adjusting strip 30 is rounded.

[0045] The hook strip of the first profile 25 is identified by the reference numeral 36; the hook projection molded to it has the reference numeral 37. In this example embodiment, the hook projection 37 has an additional undercut projection 38 for forming an undercut provided in the region of the side wall 29 of the anchoring channel 27.

[0046] On the hook strip 39 of the second profile 26, the hook projection 40 is equipped with an undercut projection 41 engaging in the undercut of the anchoring channel 27 formed by the undercut projection 38. A clamping strip 42 is molded to the rear side of the hook strip 39 or the hook projection 40, respectively, which clamping strip extends towards the side wall 28 and reaches between the prestressing bulge 32 and the tensioning projection 34.

[0047] For producing the profile assembly 24, the adjusting strip 30 is formed from its pre-tensioning position shown in FIG. 7 into its position shown in FIG. 8 by means of a roller as the forming tool and a respective abutment. This forming process moves the adjusting strip about the pivot point defined by the groove 31 towards the clamping strip 42. In this process, the prestressing bulge 32 is formed to provide a two-point prestressing support in interaction with the abutment provided by the tensioning projection 34, namely as a metallic seal between the two profiles 25, 26, which are also made of an aluminum alloy. As a result of the forming process of the adjusting strip 30, the free end face 35, which is initially rounded, is formed with respect to the outer side of the hook strip 39 and acts under prestress against this outer side, wherein the side of the undercut projection 38 facing the adjusting strip 30 acts as an abutment. Thus the adjusting strip 30 is secured by a locking bulge in the example embodiment as well. Thus metallic seals are formed in this profile assembly 24 at two positions which oppose one another.

[0048] At the same time, the profile assembly 24 is kept clearance-free in the direction of the profiles 25, 26 by pressing in the hook projection 40 between the adjusting strip 30 and the undercut projection 38. In this example embodiment as well, a length compensating zone follows the clamping zone of the hook projection 41 towards the second profile 26, as has been described for the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The profile assembly 24 is also gastight and watertight.

[0049] The invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, a person skilled in the art will see numerous other design options of implementing the invention, which do not have to be explained in detail herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0050]

TABLE-US-00001 1 First profile 2 Second profile 3 Lower flange 4 Upper flange 5 Hook strip 6 Web 7 Anchoring channel 8 Hook strip 9 Adjusting strip 10 Profile assembly 11 Side wall 12 Side wall 13 Bottom 14 Hook projection 15 Hook projection 16 Groove 17 Hook receptacle 18 Free end face 19 Chamber 20 Locking bulge 21 Forming tool 22, 22.1 Block arrow 23, 23.1 Block arrow 24 Profile assembly 25 First profile 26 Second profile 27 Anchoring channel 28 Side surface 29 Side surface 30 Adjusting strip 31 Groove 32 Prestressing bulge 33 Bottom 34 Tensioning projection 35 Free end face 36 Hook strip 37 Hook projection 38 Undercut projection 39 Hook strip 40 Hook projection 41 Undercut projection 42 Clamping strip