Use of an Oversized Threaded Rod in a Locking Oblong Hole

Abstract

A method for securing a first part to a second part where the first part has a locking oblong hole. The method includes passing a locking threaded rod through the locking oblong hole and into the second part. The locking threaded rod is oversized with respect to a width of the locking oblong hole such that the locking threaded rod widens the locking oblong hole as the locking threaded rod is passing through the locking oblong hole.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A method for securing a first part (10) to a second part (20), wherein the first part (10) has a locking oblong hole (11), comprising the step of: passing a locking threaded rod (30) through the locking oblong hole (11) and into the second part (20); wherein the locking threaded rod (30) is oversized with respect to a width of the locking oblong hole (11) such that the locking threaded rod (30) widens the locking oblong hole (11) as the locking threaded rod (30) is passing through the locking oblong hole (11).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the locking oblong hole (11) has at least one constriction (12).

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the locking threaded rod (30) is passed into a circular hole (22) in the second part (20).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the locking threaded rod (30) is oversized with respect to a diameter of the circular hole (22) such that the locking threaded rod (30) enlarges the diameter of the circular hole (22) as the locking threaded rod (30) is passing into the circular hole (22).

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the locking threaded rod (30) has a head.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first part (10) has a pre-fixing oblong hole (15), and further comprising the step of: before passing the locking threaded rod (30) through the locking oblong hole (11) and into the second part (20), pre-fixing the first part (10) on the second part (20) by passing a pre-fixing threaded rod (50) through the pre-fixing oblong hole (15) and into the second part (20); wherein the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) is undersized with respect to a width of the pre-fixing oblong hole (15) such that the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) does not widen the pre-fixing oblong hole (15) as the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) is passing through the pre-fixing oblong hole (15).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the locking threaded rod (30) and the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) have substantially identical dimensions.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first part (10) is a bracket and the second part (20) is a girder.

22. An arrangement, comprising: a first part (10), wherein the first part (10) has a locking oblong hole (11); a second part (20); and a locking threaded rod (30), wherein the locking threaded rod (30) penetrates through the locking oblong hole (11) and into the second part (20); wherein the locking oblong hole (11) has a global width maximum (95) at a position where the locking threaded rod (30) penetrates through the locking oblong hole (11).

23. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the first part (10) is a bracket and the second part (20) is a girder.

24. An installation set, comprising: a first part (10), wherein the first part (10) has a locking oblong hole (11) and has a pre-fixing oblong hole (15); a locking threaded rod (30); and a pre-fixing threaded rod (50), wherein the locking threaded rod (30) and the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) have substantially identical dimensions; wherein the locking threaded rod (30) is oversized with respect to a width of the locking oblong hole (11) such that the locking threaded rod (30) widens the locking oblong hole (11) when the locking threaded rod (30) is passed through the locking oblong hole (11).

25. The installation set according to claim 24, wherein the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) is undersized with respect to a width of the pre-fixing oblong hole (15) such that the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) does not widen the pre-fixing oblong hole (15) when the pre-fixing threaded rod (50) is passed through the pre-fixing oblong hole (15).

26. The installation set according to claim 24, wherein the first part (10) is a bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a system comprising a first part and a second part which is used in a method for securing the first part to the second part;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a highly schematic detail view of the system of FIG. 1, at a stage before the locking threaded rod is passed through the parts of the arrangement, in top view, side view and bottom view. The dot dashed lines are projections of the locking threaded rod. In this state, the system can be also referred to as “installation set”; and

[0024] FIG. 3 is a highly schematic detail view of the system of FIG. 1, at a stage after the locking threaded rod has been passed through the parts of the arrangement, in sectional view A-A, side view and sectional view B-B. In this state, the system can be also referred to as “arrangement”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The figures show a system comprising a first part 10, which is, by way of example, an angle bracket, and a second part 20, which is, by way of example, a girder, preferably a hollow metal girder.

[0026] The first part 10 comprises a locking oblong hole 11. The locking oblong hole 11 is a through hole, which penetrates through the first part 10, and in accordance with the usual understanding of an oblong hole, it is longer than it is wide. The locking oblong hole 11 is provided with constrictions 12, which form local narrowings of the width of the locking oblong hole 11 for centring a threaded rod.

[0027] The first part 10 furthermore comprises a pre-fixing oblong hole 15. The pre-fixing oblong hole 15 is a through hole, which penetrates through the first part 10, and in accordance with the usual understanding of an oblong hole, it is longer than it is wide. In contrast to the locking oblong hole 11, the pre-fixing oblong hole 15 preferably does not have constrictions 12

[0028] The pre-fixing oblong hole 15 has a greater maximum width than has the locking oblong hole 11.

[0029] The system furthermore comprises a locking threaded rod 30 and a pre-fixing threaded rod 50. Both the locking threaded rod 30 and the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 are externally threaded, wherein the thread dimensions of the locking threaded rod 30 and the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 are generally the same. The locking threaded rod 30 is provided with a screw head 39 and the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 with a screw head 59.

[0030] As can be taken from FIG. 1, additional oblong holes and additional threaded rods might also be provided.

[0031] In an embodiment of a method for securing the first part 10 on the second part 20, the first part 10 is initially positioned adjacent to the second part 20.

[0032] Subsequently, the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 is passed through the pre-fixing oblong hole 15 and screwed into the second part 20. In particular, the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 can be tappingly screwed into a corresponding circular hole provided in the second part 20. The pre-fixing threaded rod 50 is tightened until its screw head 59 secures the first part 10 on the second part 20. The resulting state is shown in FIG. 1. The pre-fixing threaded rod 50 is undersized with respect to the pre-fixing oblong hole 15, and the pre-fixing threaded rod 50 generally does not widen the pre-fixing oblong hole 15 as it is passed therethrough.

[0033] Subsequently the locking threaded rod 30 is screwingly passed through the locking oblong hole 11 and screwed into the second part 20. In particular, the locking threaded rod 30 can be tappingly screwed into a circular hole 22 provided in the second part 20. The locking threaded rod 30 is tightened until its screw head 39 hits the first part 10. FIG. 2 shows the system before the above-mentioned this process, FIG. 1 shows the system during this process, and FIG. 3 shows the system at the end of this process. The locking threaded rod 30 is oversized with respect to the locking oblong hole 11. In the present embodiment, both the major diameter d.sub.maj and the minor diameter d.sub.min of the locking threaded rod 30 are oversized with respect to the locking oblong hole 11, but an embodiment in which only the major diameter d.sub.maj is oversized with respect to the locking oblong hole 11 could also be envisaged as an alternative. Since the locking threaded rod 30 is oversized with respect to the locking oblong hole 11, the locking threaded rod 30 threadedly cuts into the hole walls of the locking oblong hole 11 and locally widens the locking oblong hole 11. Consequently, a global width maximum 95 is formed where the locking threaded rod 30 penetrates through the locking oblong hole 11. The locking threaded rod 30 engaging into the global width maximum 95 can provide particularly good lateral locking.

[0034] The locking threaded rod 30 is also oversized with respect to the circular hole 22. Therefore, the locking threaded rod 30 also widens the circular hole 22 as it is passed into the second part 20.

[0035] The locking oblong hole 11 could, for example, have a slot width of 7 mm if the wall strength of the first part 10 is 3 mm, and of 8 mm if the wall strength of the first part 10 is 4 mm. The locking oblong hole 11 can be used multiple times in different positions to allow repositioning. This can be assisted by the constrictions 12. The locking oblong hole 11 might have extension at its opposing ends, which counteract a tendency of the locking threaded rod 30 to move within the locking oblong hole 11 when cutting one of the opposing ends of the locking oblong hole 11 (i.e., when cutting not only the opposite walls of the locking oblong hole 11, but also one of its end walls).