CONNECTOR FOR TEMPORARY CONNECTING PROFILES

Abstract

A connector for detachably connecting profiles includes a housing; a first and a second clamping component, each comprising at their ends a clamping hook; an activation mechanism adapted to shift the first and second clamping components concerning the housing; a first and a second pair of guide components adapted to define a trajectory of the first and second clamping components, respectively, during the shift, so that at least during a part of the trajectory the distance in the transverse direction Y between the clamping hooks is varied, and at least during a part of the trajectory the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing and the clamping hooks is varied.

Claims

1. A connector for detachably connecting profiles, said connector comprising: a housing, extending along a longitudinal direction X, which is adapted to be placed within a tubular first profile; a first and a second clamping component, which are partially located, according to longitudinal direction X, within said housing, said first and second clamping components each comprising a clamping hook at their ends, which, at least partially, deflect according to a transverse direction Y, said clamping hooks being adapted to engage undercuts provided on the surface of a second profile; an activation mechanism adapted to move said first and second clamping components with respect to said housing, wherein said movement of each of the respective clamping components is a translation; a first and a second pair of guide elements, each pair comprising a guide element provided on said housing, and a corresponding guide element provided on said first and second clamping component respectively, wherein said first and second pair of guide elements are adapted to define a trajectory of said first and second clamping component during said translation, respectively, so that at least during a part of said trajectory the distance in transverse direction Y between said clamping hooks is varied, and at least during a part of said trajectory the distance in longitudinal direction X between said housing and said clamping hooks is varied.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a front side through which said clamping components protrude, and a rear side opposite to said front side, and wherein said rear side comprises two edges or two undercuts, which are adapted to be engaged by clamping hooks of a neighbouring connector.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said trajectory defined by said first and second pair of guide elements is such that during a first part of said trajectory at least the distance in transverse direction Y between said clamping hooks is varied, and during a second consecutive part of said trajectory, the distance in longitudinal direction X between said housing and said clamping hooks is varied, while the distance in transverse direction Y between said clamping hooks is not varied.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein during said first part of said trajectory the distance in transverse direction Y between said clamping hooks is varied, while the distance in longitudinal direction X between said housing and said clamping hooks is also varied.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein said clamping hooks are each oriented toward the inside of said housing, and wherein during said first part of said trajectory, the reduction of said distance in longitudinal direction X between said housing and said clamping hooks is accompanied by the reduction of said distance in transverse direction Y between said clamping hooks.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said first and second pair of guide elements, each comprise: a protruding element arranged on said first and second clamping component respectively, for example a pin or screw, and a recess arranged in said housing, for example, a groove, slot or slit arranged in said housing, wherein said protruding element is adapted to slide into said recess.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein said recess, comprised in said first and second pair of guide elements, is arranged in the upper surface or the lower surface of said housing, said upper surface and lower surface extending along longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y, and wherein said protruding element, comprised in said first and second pair of guide elements, extends in height direction Z, perpendicular to said longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein said first and second recess, which are comprised in said first and second pair of guide elements, respectively, each comprise: a straight portion, according to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and a slanted portion, according to a direction which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal direction X and with respect to the transverse direction Y, and wherein said slanted portion comprised in said second recess and said slanted portion comprised in said first recess extend according to convergent directions.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein said housing comprises a front side through which said clamping components protrude, and a rear side opposite said front side, and wherein said straight portion connects to said slanted portion, so that, from said front side towards said rear side, first said slanted portion is arranged, and then said straight portion.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said activation mechanism comprises a connection component, which is at least partially positioned between said first and second clamping components, through one or more openings in each of said first and second clamping components, wherein said connection component forms a connection between said first and second clamping components such that said first and second clamping components are moveable with respect to said connection component according to transverse direction Y, while a movement in longitudinal direction X with respect to said connection component is blocked.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein said activation mechanism comprises: a driving component, movable in transverse direction Y and comprising a slanted edge, said slanted edge extending according to a direction which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y; a follower component, movable in longitudinal direction X and in contact with said slanted edge of said driving component, so that moving said driving component in transverse direction Y causes a movement of said follower component in longitudinal direction X, wherein said follower component is comprised in said connection component, so that moving said driving component in transverse direction Y causes a movement of said first and second clamping components, at least in longitudinal direction X.

12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein said follower component comprises a slanted edge, which is parallel to said slanted edge of said driving component, so that when moving said driving component in transverse direction Y, said slanted edges are sliding over each other.

13. The connector according to claim 11, wherein said activation mechanism comprises a screw extending along transverse direction Y, wherein said screw is positioned through a hole in said driving component, said hole having corresponding threads, so that twisting said screw around its axis results in a movement in transverse direction Y of said driving component.

14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector comprises one or more screws adapted to fix said housing within said first profile.

15. A system for connecting two profiles, said system comprising: a connector according to any one of the previous claims; a first profile, comprising a central cavity and open front side; a second profile, comprising an outer surface on which undercuts are arranged, wherein said housing of said connector is adapted to be placed within said cavity of said first profile, so that in an unconnected state of said two profiles, said clamping components protrude through said open front side of said first profile, and wherein said clamping hooks of said connector are adapted to engage said undercuts of said second profile.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 provide a 3D view of a connector according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the front side of the connector is visible, and in the respective figures a different state of the clamping components is shown.

[0056] FIG. 3 provides a detailed view of a first and second pair of guide elements which are present in a connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a 3D view of connector according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the rear side of the connector is visible.

[0058] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a 3D view of an assembly consisting of two clamping components and a connection component, as present within a connector according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows a top view, and FIG. 6 shows a bottom view.

[0059] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the activation mechanism of the connector is visible, and in the respective figures a different state of the clamping components is shown.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a 3D view of a part of a profile, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a profile, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows a 3D view of a connector placed within a profile, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] FIG. 12 illustrates how two profiles are connected together in a T-configuration, using a connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] FIG. 13 shows in more detail the engagement of the clamping hooks on the profile surface, in the connected state.

[0065] FIG. 14 illustrates how two profiles are connected together longitudinally using a connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0066] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 show a connector 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the front side 115 of the connector 100 is visible; in FIG. 4, the rear side 405 of the connector 100 is visible. The connector extends in longitudinal direction X, transverse direction Y and height direction Z. The connector 100 comprises a beam-shaped housing 118, bounded by a front surface 115 and rear surface 405, which are located in a YZ plane, a top surface 113 and bottom surface 406, which are located in an XY plane, and two side surfaces 114, 407, which are located in an XZ plane. The connector 100 further comprises a first clamping component 101, which is provided with a first clamping hook 111 at its front end, and a second clamping component 102, which is provided with a second clamping hook 112 at its front end. The clamping hook 111, 112 deflects with respect to the rest of the clamping component 101, 102, and has an end which is parallel to the transverse direction Y. In the embodiment shown, the clamping hooks 111 and 112 deflect towards each other, i.e., their ends are oriented towards each other.

[0067] In the condition shown in FIG. 1, the clamping components 101, 102 protrude maximally with respect to the housing 118, and the clamping components 101, 102 are opened maximally. The clamping components 101, 102 are thus partially located inside the housing 118, and partially outside the housing 118. The clamping components 101, 102 extend outward through openings 201, 202 in the front surface 115 of the housing 118. In the condition shown in FIG. 2, the clamping components 101, 102 are maximally retracted within the housing 118, and the clamping components 101, 102 are maximally closed. Thus, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 each indicate an extreme state, with a corresponding position of the clamping components 101, 102; moving the clamping components 101, 102 varies their position between these two extreme states. The movement that the clamping components 101, 102 undergo in this process with respect to the housing 118 is a shift or translation. The trajectory or path followed by the first clamping component 101 during this movement is defined by a first pair of guide elements 107, 103. Analogously, the trajectory or path followed by the second clamping component 102 is defined by a second pair of guide elements 108, 104.

[0068] The first pair of guide elements comprises a protruding element 107 attached to the first clamping component 101, and a recess 103 attached to the housing 118. In the embodiment shown, the protruding element 107 is implemented as a pin or screw 107 which extends in height direction Z with respect to the clamping component 101. The protruding element 103 is implemented as a slot 103 which is arranged in the upper surface 113 of the housing 118. During movement of the first clamping component 101, the round head of screw 107 slides into the slot 103 so that the first clamping component 101 is guided in its movement, the shape of the slot 103 determining the followed trajectory. Furthermore, additional pairs of guide elements are provided to guide the first clamping component 101: a third pair of guide elements 109, 105, whose slot 105 is located in the upper surface 113, a fifth pair of guide elements 509, 800 whose slot 800 is located in the lower surface 406, and a seventh pair of guide elements 705, 706, whose slot 706 is located in the lower surface 406. These additional pairs of guide elements are implemented in the same manner as the first pair of guide elements 107, 103. For example, the slots 105, 800 and 706 have the same shape as slot 103.

[0069] Analogously, the second clamping component 102 is guided by a second pair of guide elements 108, 104. The second pair of guide elements 108, 104 comprises a protruding element 108, which is implemented as a screw or pin 108 attached to the second clamping component 102, and a recess 104, which is implemented as a slot 104 attached to the upper surface 113 of the housing 118. Furthermore, additional pairs of guide elements are provided to guide the second clamping component 102: a fourth pair of guide elements 110, 106, whose slot 106 is located in the upper surface 113, a sixth pair of guide elements 507, 801 whose slot 801 is located in the lower surface 406, and an eighth pair of guide elements 508, 704, whose slot 704 is located in the lower surface 406. These additional pairs of guide elements are implemented in the same manner as the second pair of guide elements 108, 104. For example, the slots 106, 801, 704 have the same shape as slot 104.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the pairs of guide elements 107, 103 and 108, 104. FIG. 3(a) corresponds to the condition shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3(b) corresponds to the condition shown in FIG. 2. The slot 103 comprises a slanted portion 300, according to a direction which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal direction X and slanted with respect to the transverse direction Y, followed by a straight section 301, according to a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Viewed from the front side 115 towards the rear side 405, first the slanted portion 300, and then, following the slanted portion 300, the straight portion 301 is located. Analogously, the slot 104 comprises a slanted portion 302 followed by a straight portion 303. Both straight portions 301 and 303 are parallel, while the slanted portions 300 and 302 are oriented according to convergent directions. Viewed from the front side 115 towards the rear side 405, the slanted portions 300, 302 converge, i.e. their mutual distance in transverse direction Y reduces. Analogously, the remaining slots for guiding the clamping components 101, 102, each comprise a slanted portion and a straight portion.

[0071] While moving the clamping components 101, 102, the trajectory traveled is determined by the shape of the slots 103, 104. More specifically, starting from the state of FIG. 1, the pins 107, 116 are first guided within the slanted portions 300, 302. Consequently, during this first part of the trajectory, both the distance in transverse direction Y between the clamping hooks 111, 112 and the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing 118 and the respective clamping hooks 111, 112 is reduced. This means that during the first part of the trajectory, the clamping hooks 111, 112 are both closed, and retracted with respect to the housing 118. Next, the pins 107, 116 are guided within the straight portions 301, 303. During this second part of the trajectory, only the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing 118 and the respective clamping hooks 111, 112 is further reduced, but no more change occurs in the distance between the clamping hooks 111, 112 in transverse direction. After completion of the second part of the trajectory, the state of FIG. 2 is reached, with maximally closed and retracted clamping components 101, 102.

[0072] After placement of the connector 100 within a first profile, a T-connection can be formed with a second profile, by having the clamping hooks 111, 112 engaged on undercuts in the surface of the second profile, as will be further illustrated in FIGS. 11-13. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that on the rear side 405 of the connector 100, a rear wall 400 is placed, with an opening 403, 404 on either side. The rear wall 400 is a plate which is located in a YZ plane, and provided with two edges 401, 402. As can be better seen in FIG. 7, the edges 401, 402 are formed as undercuts or undercut edges, on which the clamping hooks of another connector can engage. The edges 401, 402 are hook-shaped indeed so that a clamping hook 111, 112 can hook around the hook-shaped edge. This way, after placing two connectors in respective profiles, it is possible to form a connection in longitudinal direction between the two profiles, as will be further illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0073] The connector 100 further comprises an activation mechanism, as illustrated in FIG. 5-FIG. 8. The activation mechanism is adapted to move the clamping components 101, 102 with respect to the housing 118. The activation mechanism comprises a screw 703, a driving component 700, and a follower component which is part of a connection component 500.

[0074] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the clamping components 101, 102 and the connection component 500, wherein a top and bottom view are respectively shown. The first clamping component 101 comprises a plate-shaped wall 503, extending in an XZ plane. The clamping hook 111 is placed at the front side of the wall 503. Analogously, the clamping component 102 comprises a wall 504, with clamping hook 112 at the front. Both walls 503 and 504 are formed as plates and are parallel. On the upper edge of the wall 503, pins or screws 107, 109, are located, extending in height direction Z. On the lower edge of the wall 503, also two pins or screws are located. On the upper edge of the wall 504, the pins or screws 108, 110, are located, extending in height direction Z. On the lower edge of the wall 504 also two pins or screws, 507 and 508 are located. The first wall 503 comprises an opening 501, and the second wall 504 comprises an opposite opening 502. A connection component 500 is positioned through the openings 501, 502. The connection component 500 is plate-shaped, with a top surface and bottom surface which are located in an XY plane. The connection component 500 is partially located between the two clamping components 101, 102, and partially protrudes through the openings 501, 502. The clamping components 101, 102 are movable in transverse direction Y with respect to the connection component 500. In this way, the connection component 500 is shifting through the openings 501, 502. On the other hand, the clamping components 101, 102 are not moveable in longitudinal direction X with respect to the connection component 500; the edges of the openings 501, 502 block such a linear relative movement. Consequently, when the connection component 500 is moved according to longitudinal direction X, the clamping components 101, 102 will also be driven in longitudinal direction X.

[0075] The activation mechanism is adapted to drive the connection component 500 along longitudinal direction X, i.e., to initiate a linear movement of the connection component. The connection component 500 comprises a slanted slot 505, wherein a driving component 700 is placed. The slanted slot 505 has two opposite parallel slanted edges 701 and 702. The driving component 700 also comprises two opposite slanted edges, which are in contact with the respective edges 701 and 702. The driving component 700 is movable in transverse direction Y, by means of a screw 703. The screw 703 extends in transverse direction Y, and is positioned through a hole in the driving component 700, this hole being provided with corresponding thread. By rotating the screw 703 around its own axis, the driving component 700 is moved in the Y direction. In the embodiment shown, the head 506 of the screw 703 is adapted to be rotated by means of an Allen key. For this purpose, a small circular opening 116 is provided in the housing 118. The sections of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show two different states wherein the driving component 700 is moved in a transverse direction.

[0076] The portion of the connection component 500 wherein the slanted slot 505 is located serves as the follower component 505. When the driving component 700 is moved in transverse direction Y, the connecting component 500 is driven, thanks to the slanted slot 505, in longitudinal direction X, according to the principle of a cam. During this, the slanted edges 701, 702 of the follower component 505 slide over the respective slanted edges of the driving component 700. When driving the connection component 500 in longitudinal direction X, the clamping components 101, 102 are also moved longitudinally. During the first part of the trajectory, over the slanted portion of the slots 706, 704, the clamping components 101, 102 are moved both in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The movement in the transverse direction is possible due the openings 501, 502. During the second part of the trajectory, over the straight portion of the slots 706, 704, the clamping components 101, 102 are moved only in the longitudinal direction.

[0077] Starting from the state of FIG. 7, in this way, by turning the screw 703, the clamping components 101 are closed and retracted inside the housing, resulting in the state of FIG. 8. By turning the screw 703 in the opposite direction, the reverse movement can be achieved, again reaching the state of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 each depict an extreme state, wherein in FIG. 7 the clamping hooks 111, 112 are maximally opened and maximally protruded from the housing 118, and in FIG. 8 the clamping hooks are maximally closed and maximally retracted. FIG. 8 shows that in the latter state, the front end of the clamping component 101, 102 still protrudes over a small distance beyond the housing 118. Through the activation mechanism, the state of the connector can be varied between these two extreme states, wherein any intermediate state can also be achieved. At such an intermediate state, the clamping components are fixed at a position located between the positions shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0078] FIG. 9 shows a profile 900 extending along a longitudinal direction L. The width and depth directions are indicated on the figure as B and D respectively. For example, this is a profile made of Aluminum. The figure shows only a portion of the full profile; typically the full profile 900 extends over a large length, for example in the order of 6 m in length. The profile 900 is hollow, with an open front side 905. The profile 900 comprises an upper wall 903 and bottom wall 901, which are located in an LD plane, and two side walls 902, 904, which are located in an LB plane. In the embodiment shown, the four walls 901-904 are constructed identically. A central slot or slot 906 is formed in the longitudinal direction L in the surface of each of the walls 901-904, which is adapted, for example, to accommodate a track rail for lighting. On either side of the central slot 906 additional slits or slots 907 and 908 are located, also in the longitudinal direction L. These additional slots 907, 908 allow for example for attaching specific components from a booth construction system.

[0079] The section of FIG. 10 shows that the profile surface is provided with undercut grooves 1002, 1003. These are grooves extending in longitudinal direction L, and each one is bounded by an undercut edge or undercut, 1000 and 1001 respectively. Each of the undercuts 1000, 1001 is formed as a hook-shaped edge. The undercut 1000 is thus hook-shaped, with a portion substantially perpendicular to the wall 901, thus, according to width direction B, and a portion substantially parallel to the wall 901, thus, according to depth direction D. In the embodiment shown, each pair of undercuts 1000, 1001 has ends which are oriented away from each other.

[0080] The beam-shaped housing 118 is adapted to be placed within the cavity of the profile 900, as illustrated in FIG. 11. When placing the connector 100, it is first inserted into the profile 900 through the open front side 905, and then fastened by using screws 117, 119. For this purpose, small circular holes 1100, 1101 are provided in the profile surface, which are adapted to receive the screws 117, 119. In FIG. 11, the clamping hooks 111, 112 are in a state wherein they are maximally open and protrude beyond the housing 118.

[0081] Consequently, via the connector 100, a T-connection can be made between the first profile 900 and a second profile 1200, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The second profile 1200 is formed like the first profile 900, although its length may differ. First, the opened clamping hooks 111, 112 of the connector 100 are placed over the undercut edges 1201, 1202 of the profile 1200. Then, by tightening the screw 703, for example using an Allen key, the clamping hooks 111, 112 are closed. In here, the first part of the trajectory defined by the slanted portions 300, 302 of the slots 103, 104, is travelled by the clamping components 101, 102. Besides closing the clamping hooks 111, 112, during this first part of the trajectory, also the clamping components 101, 102 are already partly retracted with respect to the housing 118. After travelling the first part of the trajectory, the state is reached as shown in FIG. 12.

[0082] Consequently, the connector 100 can be further tightened, by further turning the screw 703, wherein the two profiles 900, 1200 are pulled towards each other. During this second part of the trajectory, defined by the straight portions 301, 303 of the slots 103, 104, only a reduction of the linear distance takes place. The tightening of the connector 100 results in a state wherein the clamping hooks 111, 112 fit perfectly around the undercuts 1201, 1202, so that optimum clamping is obtained. In case a certain deviation is present on the dimensions of the undercuts 1201, 1202, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, wear or thermal expansion, optimal clamping can still be obtained, by tightening the connector more or less. Moreover, bringing the clamping hooks into the best-fit state requires only one control action, namely tightening the screw 703, which allows a quick connection.

[0083] After placing the connector 100 within a first profile 900, it can also be used to form a connection in the longitudinal direction with a second profile 1400, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The second profile 1400 is formed like the first profile 900, although its length may differ. First, a second connector 1404 is inserted into the second profile 1400. The second connector 1404 is constructed identical to the first connector 100, but it is inserted into the profile the other way around, i.e., with its rear side facing the profile opening. The second connector 1404 is fixed in the second profile 1400 by means of screws, for example screw 1405. To allow a connector to be fixed in an inverted way in a profile, additional circular holes are provided in the profile wall at appropriate positions, see for example holes 1102 and 1103 in FIG. 11. After positioning of the second connector 1404, the clamping hooks 111, 112 of the first connector 100 may engage the rear wall 1403 of the second connector 1404, more specifically the undercut edges 1401, 1402. This allows starting from a state with opened clamping hooks 111, 112, and they are gradually closed and tightened via tightening screw 703.

[0084] Although the present invention has been illustrated by means of specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the preceding illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and adaptations without leaving the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects, wherein the scope of the invention is described by the appended claims and not by the foregoing description, and all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are therefore included herewith. In other words, it is understood that this includes all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the underlying basic principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. Moreover, the reader of this patent application will understand that the words comprising or comprise do not exclude other elements or steps, that the word a does not exclude a plural. Any references in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims in question. The terms first, second, third, a, b, c and the like, when used in the description or in the claims, are used to distinguish between similar elements or steps and do not necessarily describe a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms top, bottom, over, under, and the like are used for the purpose of description and do not necessarily refer to relative positions. It should be understood that those terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that embodiments of the invention are capable of functioning according to the present invention in sequences or orientations other than those described or illustrated in the above.