CONNECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR CONNECTING TWO COMPONENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

A connecting assembly for connecting two components in construction, having a first component with an anchor element, which has a connecting portion and a second component with at least one housing part, which has a conical or wedge-shaped inner surface, fixed therein or thereon. A clamping part having a conical or wedge-shaped outer surface is in the housing part, which clamping part, when connected to the anchor element, clamps the connecting portion of the anchor element so that, when a tensile force acts on the connecting portion, the outer surface of the clamping part is pulled against the inner surface of the housing part such that the clamping force acting on the connecting portion increases. When not connected to the anchor element, the clamping part has a range of motion with respect to the inner surface of the housing part; however, the housing part is spatially delimited in all directions.

Claims

1. A connecting arrangement for connecting two components in the construction industry, comprising a first component, a second component, at least one anchor element, fixed in or on the first component, with a connecting portion, at least one housing part, fastened in or on the second component, with a conical or wedge-shaped inner surface, and a clamping part arranged in the housing part, with a conical or wedge-shaped outer surface, wherein in a state connected to the anchor element the clamping part clamps the connecting portion of the anchor element in place in such a manner that in the event of a tensile force acting on the connecting portion the clamping part is pulled with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part, so that the clamping force acting on the connecting portion is increased, and wherein in a state not connected to the anchor element the clamping part has a certain scope for movement with respect to the inner surface of the housing part, characterized in that the scope for movement of the clamping part is spatially limited in all directions in the non-connected state.

2. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component and the second component are each a timber component.

3. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in addition, a spring element is provided which acts upon the clamping part with a spring force in order to press the clamping part with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part.

4. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the anchor element has a tapered free end.

5. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the anchor element comprises on its outer surface, and/or the clamping part comprises on an inner surface, an increased surface roughness or a profiling such as, for example, a grooving or a thread.

6. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping part comprises several, preferentially three, clamping elements and also an elastic element for holding the clamping elements together.

7. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor element is a profiled first rod which is fixedin particular, adhesion-bondedin the first component.

8. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a profiled second rod is provided which is fixedin particular, adhesion-bondedin the second component and serves for fastening the housing part in or on the second component.

9. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hollow cylindrical housing, into which the housing part is capable of being screwed, is fastened in or on the second component.

10. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein for the purpose of fastening in or on the second component the hollow-cylindrical housing is capable of being screwed onto a profiled second rod which is fixedin particular, adhesion-bondedin the second component.

11. The connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising, in addition, a pressure plate or flange nut which is attached to the anchor element and serves for absorbing compressive forces.

12. A connecting unit for a connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting unit comprises: an anchor element for fixing in or on a first component, with a connecting portion, a housing part for fastening in or on a second component, with a conical or wedge-shaped inner surface, and a clamping part arranged in the housing part, with a conical or wedge-shaped outer surface, wherein in a state connected to the anchor element the clamping part clamps the connecting portion of the anchor element in place in such a manner that in the event of a tensile force acting on the connecting portion the clamping part is pulled with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part, so that the clamping force acting on the connecting portion is increased, and wherein in a state not connected to the anchor element the clamping part has a certain scope for movement with respect to the inner surface of the housing part, characterized in that the scope for movement of the clamping part is spatially limited in all directions in the non-connected state.

13. A method for connecting a first component and a second component of a connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting arrangement comprises at least one anchor element, fixed in or on the first component, with a connecting portion, and at least one housing part, fastened in or on the second component, with a conical or wedge-shaped inner surface, and also, in addition, a clamping part arranged in the housing part, with a conical or wedge-shaped outer surface, wherein in a state connected to the anchor element the clamping part clamps the connecting portion of the anchor element in place in such a manner that in the event of a tensile force acting on the connecting portion the clamping part is pulled with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part, so that the clamping force acting on the connecting portion is increased, and wherein in a state not connected to the anchor element the clamping part has a certain scope for movement with respect to the inner surface of the housing part, which is spatially limited in all directions, and wherein the method comprises at least the step that the connecting portion of the anchor element is inserted into the clamping part in order to connect the first component and the second component to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the drawings which are for explanatory purposes only and are not to be construed restrictively. In the drawings:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connection of a vertical pillar and of a horizontal beam;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an intersection with an uninterrupted transom and with two pillars arranged in opposing manner on said transom;

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an intersection with an uninterrupted pillar and with two beams arranged in opposing manner on said pillar;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a connection of a vertical pillar and of an oblique beam;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a connection of another vertical pillar and of an oblique beam;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a connection in each instance of a beam and of a pillar on a further pillar;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further connection of a beam on a pillar;

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a connection of two pillars;

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an intersection with an uninterrupted beam and with two beams arranged in opposing manner on said beam;

[0061] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a connection of two struts;

[0062] FIG. 11a shows a sectional view through a connecting arrangement according to a first embodiment according to the invention, in the non-connected state;

[0063] FIG. 11b shows a sectional view through the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 11a, in the connected state;

[0064] FIG. 12a shows a detailed view of the region bordered in dashed manner shown in FIG. 11a;

[0065] FIG. 12b shows a detailed view of the region bordered in dashed manner shown in FIG. 11b;

[0066] FIG. 13a shows a perspective exploded view of a connecting arrangement according to a second embodiment according to the invention, without first and second components;

[0067] FIG. 13b shows a perspective view of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a, in the non-connected state and without first and second components;

[0068] FIG. 13c shows a perspective view of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a, in the connected state and without first and second components;

[0069] FIG. 14a shows a perspective exploded view of a connecting arrangement according to a third embodiment according to the invention, without first and second components;

[0070] FIG. 14b shows a perspective view of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 14a, in the non-connected state and without first and second components;

[0071] FIG. 14c shows a perspective view of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 14a, in the connected state and without first and second components;

[0072] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the pressure plate of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a;

[0073] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the compression spring of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a;

[0074] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the conical housing of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a;

[0075] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the hollow cylindrical housing of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a;

[0076] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the clamping part of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 13a; and

[0077] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the flange nut of the connecting arrangement shown in FIG. 14a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] FIGS. 1 to 10 show various possible points of intersection or points of connection of components in the construction industry. The connecting arrangement according to the invention is suitable for connecting the components at all the points of intersection or points of connection shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. The components shown are preferably timber components in each case. Accordingly, the connecting arrangement is preferably suitable for use in structural timber-frame construction, in particular in skeleton construction. The timber components may be produced from deciduous wood, or hardwood, or from soft wood. But in principle it is also possible to employ the connecting arrangement according to the invention in other fields of the construction industry, such as in concrete construction, for example. Accordingly, the components shown in FIGS. 1-10 may, for example, also be produced from concrete, plastic or from a metal such as, in particular, steel.

[0079] In all the cases represented in FIGS. 1-10, in each instance at least two components bear against one another with their front faces and/or side faces, as a result of which a point of intersection or point of connection is formed.

[0080] In FIG. 1 a point of connection is shown at which a vertical pillar a bears with its front side against a side face of a horizontal beam c. As a result, the beam c is resting on the pillar a.

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a situation in which a vertical pillar a and a vertical pillar b bear from above and from below, respectively, against a side face of a horizontally extending transom and thereby form a point of intersection.

[0082] In FIG. 3, two horizontal beams c, d bear with their respective front faces against a vertical pillar a from opposing sides.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an obliquely extending beam c which is resting on a front face of a vertical pillar a and thereby forms a point of connection.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows another beam c which likewise is resting on a front face of a vertical pillar a, designed here to be somewhat wider, and is connected to said pillar at the point of connection arising as a result.

[0085] A point of intersection between two pillars a and b and also a beam c is shown in FIG. 6. On the one hand, the two pillars a and b are connected to one another, and on the other hand the beam c is connected laterally to pillar a and also, in the upward direction, to pillar b.

[0086] In the situation shown in FIG. 7, a beam c bears with its front side against a side face of a vertical pillar a and as a result forms a point of connection.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a first pillar a, on the front face of which, pointing away in the upward direction, a second pillar b is arranged in such a manner that the second pillar b constitutes a continuation of the lower first pillar a in the upward direction.

[0088] In FIG. 9 an uninterrupted horizontal beam c is shown, against which two further horizontal beams e and d bear from opposing sides. Beam e constitutes on the opposing side of beam c the continuation of beam d in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0089] In FIG. 10 two diagonal struts g, h are shown which bear against one another frontally and are connected to one another, so that strut h constitutes a continuation of strut g.

[0090] The connecting arrangement according to the invention can be used in each of the situations represented in FIGS. 1 to 10 in order to achieve a firm connection of the respective components a-h at the illustrated points of connection and points of intersection.

[0091] Various embodiments of connecting arrangements according to the invention and also of parts thereof are shown in FIGS. 11a to 14c. Elements having the same or similar functions or effects are provided with the same reference sign in each instance. In FIGS. 15 to 20, individual elements of these connecting arrangements are each shown in a stand-alone position.

[0092] In FIGS. 11a and 11b a connecting arrangement according to a first embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of example for the case of the situation shown in FIG. 8. Whereas the two components a and b in the view shown in FIG. 11a are spaced from one another and consequently unconnected, in the view shown in FIG. 11b they are firmly connected to one anotherthat is to say, fixed to one anotherby means of the elements of the connecting arrangement according to the invention.

[0093] As is readily discernible, for example in FIG. 11a in an overall view together with the detailed view shown in FIG. 12a, for the purpose of connecting the two components a, b two identically designed connecting units are provided, each of which comprises a first profiled steel rod 1, a conical housing 4, a clamping part 5, a hollow cylindrical housing 3, a compression spring 6 and also a second profiled steel rod 2.

[0094] The profiled steel rods 1 and 2 each constitute the anchor elements of the connecting units in components b and a. All these anchor elements are pre-assembled, in each instance preferably already at the factory, in components a and b. The profiled steel rods 1 and 2 are threaded rods in each casethat is to say, the steel rods 1 and 2 each comprise an external thread on their outsides. In the case of profiled steel rods 2, this external thread preferably extends over the entire length of the respective rod. In the case of profiled steel rods 1, the external thread extends over a predominant major part of the length of the rod. In particular if components a and b are timber components, the profiled steel rods 1 and 2 are preferably each adhesion-bonded in shear-resistant manner in a bore of components a and b, respectively. For this purpose, an adhesive is introduced between the outer surface of the respective profiled steel rod 1 and 2 and the inner surface of the bore of component a and b, respectively. The adhesive may be, in particular, an epoxy resin. The external structure of the respective profiled steel rod 1, 2, which is provided with local elevations and depressions by reason of the thread, improves the fixing of the steel rod in the components. In this way, an extremely firm fixing of the profiled steel rods in component a or b can be achieved which is particularly loadable as regards shear and tension.

[0095] The two profiled steel rods 1 anchored in the second component b each comprise a connecting portion 11 which in each instance protrudes a short distance in the downward directionthat is to say, toward the first component a. The connecting portions 11 do not comprise threads on their outside but preferably have a mechanically roughened outer surface. At their respective free end, the connecting portions 11 taper. The connecting portions 11 of the two connecting units visible in FIG. 11a extend parallel to one another in the downward direction from component b.

[0096] Immediately above the connecting portions 11, the profiled steel rods 1 with their external thread are screwed into an internal thread 71 which is provided within a bore of a pressure plate 7. As a result, the pressure plate 7 connects the two profiled steel rods 1 to one another. As can be seen in FIG. 11a, the pressure plate 7 has preferably been arranged in a recess of component b in such a manner that the underside of the pressure plate 7 comes to be situated flush with the surrounding underside of component b. The pressure plate 7 serves, in particular, to absorb and to transmit compressive forces acting from the first component b on the second component a, or in the opposite direction. In addition, the pressure plate 7 ensures a constant spacing of the two connecting portions 11 with regard to any material expansions of component b.

[0097] As can be seen in FIGS. 12a and 12b, the profiled steel rods 2 fixed in the second component b each protrude a short distance into a cylindrical recess which is formed in the region of the upper side of component b.

[0098] The hollow cylindrical housing 3 is screwed onto each of the profiled steel rods 2. The hollow cylindrical housing 3 comprises a corresponding first internal thread 31 for this purpose. In the longitudinal direction above this first internal thread 31, the hollow cylindrical housing 3 constitutes a cylindrical interior space which is open in the upward direction and which in an upper portion is surrounded by a second internal thread 32. The second internal thread 32, which has a considerably larger diameter than the first internal thread 31, serves for screwing the conical housing 4 into the hollow cylindrical housing 3. In the longitudinal direction between the first internal thread 31 and the second internal thread 32 there is preferably a portion of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 that comprises a thread-free inner surface. As a result, the conical housing 4 can be prevented from being screwed too far into the hollow cylindrical housing 3. The outer surface of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 is preferably of smooth design (see also FIG. 18).

[0099] The conical housing 4 (see also FIG. 17) constitutes a housing part that, as a whole, preferably comprises a hollow cylindrical shape with a conical inner surface 42. In the longitudinal direction from top to bottom, the outer surface of the conical housing 4 preferably comprises an upper thread-free portion and also a longer lower portion with an external thread 41. The external thread 41 serves for screwing the conical housing 4 into the second internal thread 32 of the hollow cylindrical housing 3. The thread-free upper portion can serve to prevent the conical housing 4 from being screwed too far into the hollow cylindrical housing 3. The smoothly formed inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4 widens conically in the longitudinal direction from top to bottomthat is to say, in the direction toward the hollow cylindrical housing 3.

[0100] As can be seen in FIG. 12a, the hollow cylindrical housing 3, the conical housing 4 and also the profiled steel rod 2 jointly delimit an interior space in which the clamping part 5 and also the compression spring 6 are arranged.

[0101] In the present embodiment example, the clamping part 5, which is shown on its own in FIG. 19, comprises three identically formed clamping elements 52 which are arranged directly adjacent to one another around a central cylindrical passage opening in the clamping part 5. A spring washer 54, which is arranged in a circumferential groove 53, holds the three clamping elements 52 elastically together. The three clamping elements 52 jointly constitute a smoothly formed conical outer surface 51 of the clamping part 5. As can be seen in FIG. 12a, the conical outer surface 51 of the clamping part 5 is designed complementary to the conical inner surface 42. The clamping part 5 is arranged in the conical housing 4 in such a manner that the conical outer surface 51 widens downward in the longitudinal direction and bears against the conical inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4. The cylindrical inner surface of the clamping part 5 preferably comprises a structure with local elevations and/or depressions, such as, in particular, an internal thread or a grooving. Alternatively, the inner surface may also be mechanically roughened.

[0102] The compression spring 6 (see FIGS. 12a and 16), which constitutes a spring element in the form of a helical spring, is arranged in the interior space of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 between the profiled steel rod 2 and the clamping part 5. The hollow cylindrical housing 3 constitutes a lower stop surface for the compression spring 6. In the upward direction the compression spring 6 bears against the underside of the clamping part 5 in such a manner that it acts upon said clamping part with a spring force directed upwardthat is to say, toward the conical housing 4. The compression spring 6 is centered by the upper free end of the profiled steel rod 2, which protrudes slightly into the interior space of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 and also into the compression spring 6.

[0103] As is evident from FIG. 12a, in the unconnected state of the connecting arrangementthat is to say, when the clamping part 5 is not connected to the anchor element 1the clamping part 5 has a certain scope for movement with respect to the conical inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4: the clamping part 5 can be moved downward into the hollow cylindrical housing 3 once the spring force of the compression spring 6 has been overcome. But at the same time it is ensured at all times by the compression spring 6 that in the unconnected state the clamping part 5 bears with its outer surface 51 against the inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4. But the scope for movement of the clamping part 5 is limited in all spatial directions by the conical housing 4 and the hollow cylindrical housing 3. As a result, already in the course of the storage and transportation of component a the clamping part 5 is located centered at the intended place, in order in the course of assembly to enter into the connection with the connecting portion 11 fixed in the other component b.

[0104] For the purpose of connecting the two components a and b, the connecting portion 11 protruding from component b now simply has to be pushed into the interior of the clamping part 5, as shown in FIG. 12b, through the central passage opening formed on the conical housing 4 until the pressure plate 7 comes into abutment with the conical housing 4. As a result of the connecting portion 11 being pushed in, the clamping part 5 is displaced a short distance in the downward direction into the hollow cylindrical housing 3 contrary to the spring force exerted by the compression spring 6. As a result, the conical outer surface 51 of the clamping part 5 moves away from the inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4, so that the clamping elements 52 can be pushed radially outward. As a result, the connecting portion 11 can be pushed forward without difficulty into the interior of the clamping part 5, whereby the tapered free end of the connecting portion 11 facilitates the insertion of the connecting portion 11 and the pushing apart of the clamping elements 52. But at the same time the compression spring 6 ensures that the clamping part 5 bears with its conical outer surface 51 directly against the conical inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4 when the connecting portion 11 is pushed fully forward into the clamping part 5. As a result, the connecting portion 11 is clamped in place by the clamping part 5 wedged between the conical housing 4 and the connecting portion 11. A retraction of the connecting portion 11 once it has been pushed forward into the clamping part 5 is rendered impossible, since any tensile force acting on the connecting portion 11 has the result that the clamping part 5 with its outer surface 51 is pulled against the inner surface 42 of the conical housing 4, and the clamping elements 52 are thereby pressed even more strongly against the connecting portion 11.

[0105] For the purpose of fixing component b to component a, consequently merely the connecting portion 11 has to be inserted into the clamping part 5. No further actionssuch as, for example, the tightening of screws or of other fastening meansare necessary. As is apparent from FIG. 11b, the connecting arrangement may be equipped in such a way that in the connected state all the elements of the connecting unit are not visible to an observer from outside.

[0106] If the connecting arrangement is to be separable in certain embodiments, said arrangement may, for example, be configured in such a manner that the upper thread-free portion of the conical housing 4 remains accessible from outside in the connected state of the arrangement and can be rotated, for instance with the aid of a special tool. For the purpose of separating the connecting arrangement, the conical housing 4 can then simply be unscrewed from the hollow cylindrical housing 3.

[0107] In FIGS. 13a to 13c a further embodiment of a connecting unit for a connecting arrangement according to the invention is shown, which differs from that shown in FIGS. 11a to 12b merely in that the pressure plate 7 here comprises only a single bore with an internal thread 71. The pressure plate 7 is also shown in FIG. 15.

[0108] In the further embodiment of a connecting unit for a connecting arrangement according to the invention that is shown, in addition, in FIGS. 14a to 14c, in contrast to that shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c a flange nut 8 is provided instead of a pressure plate 7. The flange nut 8, which is shown on its own in FIG. 20, is fastened to the lower end of the profiled steel rod 1 by means of a threaded joint, just like the pressure plate 7. The flange serves to absorb compressive forces from the lower component b and to transmit them to the upper component a, or in the opposite direction.

[0109] The present invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiments described above, and a great number of modifications are possible. For example, the hollow cylindrical housing 3 is not mandatory. Entirely conceivable are embodiments in which the conical housing 4 is screwed directly onto the profiled steel rod 2, or in which the profiled steel rod 2 is even omitted and the conical housing 4 is itself screwed directly into component b, for example with the aid of an external thread, and/or is adhesion-bonded in said component with the aid of an adhesive. If component b is produced from a metal, in addition it would also be conceivable that the connecting portion 11, which constitutes the anchor element, is connected thereto in one piece, or welded thereon. The anchor elements 1, 2 could also be anchored in the respective component by means of a dowel in each instance, in particular in the case of components made of concrete. The compression spring 6 may, in principle, also be omitted if a certain play is tolerated when retracting the connecting portion 11 from the clamping part 5, or when, for example, gravitational force is being exploited in order that the clamping part 5 remains in abutment with the conical housing 4. In addition, the clamping part 5 and the housing part 4 do not necessarily have to comprise conical surfaces. In another embodiment, the clamping part 5 and the housing part 4 could, for example, also be replaced by wedge elements bearing against one another, each with evenly formed oblique surfaces. For example, the wedge element 5 could comprise two opposing wedge-shaped outer surfaces, and the housing part 4 could accordingly comprise two opposing wedge-shaped inner surfaces. The sectional view would then be the same as in FIGS. 12a and 12b. In this case, the connecting portion 11 could also be of plate-like design. A great number of further alterations and modifications are possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0110]

TABLE-US-00001 a, b pillar 4 conical housing c, d, e beam 41 external thread f transom 42 conical inner surface g, h strut 5 clamping part 1 profiled steel rod 51 conical outer surface 11 connecting portion 52 clamping element 12 external thread 53 circumferential groove 2 profiled steel rod 54 spring washer 21 external thread 6 compression spring 3 hollow cylindrical housing 7 pressure plate 31 first internal thread 71 internal thread 32 second internal thread 8 flange nut