COMPONENT AND PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

A component having at least two parts which contact one another via their narrow faces, includes multiple connection elements which pretension the parts with respect to one another. The connection elements are accommodated in recesses formed as undercuts in the parts. The recesses are aligned transversely to the longitudinal extension of the narrow faces of the parts, the openings of the recesses being open towards the narrow faces of the parts. The connection elements are respectively formed of two wedge-shaped pieces arranged in a diametrically opposed manner. When the pieces of the connection elements are accommodated completely in the recesses, the ribs of the connection elements completely fill out the recesses, so that the parts are pretensioned with respect to one another, and a gap is prevented from forming between the parts or the closing of a previously present gap is achieved.

Claims

1. A component (1), comprising: at least two pieces (2) that adjoin one another along surfaces (5) facing one another; and at least one connecting element (10), the at least two pieces (2) each having at least one recess (6) made undercut with side surfaces (8) and provided with a mouth that is open to the facing surfaces (5) of the at least two pieces (2), the recesses (6) in the region of their mouths being narrower than in the region of their base (7) that is located away from the mouths, wherein the at least one connecting element (10) consists of two wedge-shaped parts (11) with wedge surfaces (12) that placed against one another entirely fill the at least one recess (6).

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element (10) has ribs (14) that have the same cross-sectional shape as the recesses (6) in the at least two pieces (2).

3. The component according to claim 1, wherein the base (7) of the recesses (6) passes via curves (9) into the side surfaces (8) of the recesses (6).

4. The component according to claim 3, wherein the curves (9) are round milling cuts.

5. The component according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces (8) in the region of the mouths of the recesses (6) pass via curves into the facing surfaces (5) of the at least two pieces (2).

6. The component according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (6) are made trapezoidally undercut.

7. The component according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces (8) of the recesses (6) include with one another an angle of 50 to 70.

8. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element (10) consists of glued plywood layers, lightweight metal, injection material, plastic, or a composite material.

9. The component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element (10) is secured against movements relative to the pieces (2) by wooden or metal pins.

10. The component according to claim 1, wherein the wedge surface (12) of the connecting element (10) is aligned essentially transversely to the facing surfaces (5) of the pieces (2).

11. The component according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (6) are aligned transversely to the surface extension of the pieces (2).

12. The component according to claim 1, wherein the wedge surface (12) of the connecting element (10) assumes an angle 25 of 72 to 85 to the plane of the pieces (2).

13. The component according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thicknesses (22, 23) of the parts (11) of the connecting element (10) in the region of the mouth (20) is essentially 3:1.

14. The component according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the pieces (2) is up to 500 mm.

15. A method for producing a component (1) comprising: at least two pieces (2) that adjoin one another along surfaces (5) facing one another; and at least one connecting element (10), the at least pieces (2) each having at least one recess (6) made undercut with side surfaces (8) and provided with a mouth that is open to the facing surfaces (5) of the at least pieces (2), the recesses (6) in the region of their mouths being narrower than in the region of their base (7) that is located away from the mouths, wherein the at least one connecting element (10) consists of two wedge-shaped parts (11) with wedge surfaces (12) that placed against one another entirely fill the at least one recess (6), the method comprising: locating the pieces (2) next to and at a distance from one another with narrow surfaces (5) that point at one another; inserting a first wedge-shaped part (11) of the at least one connecting element (10) with its thicker end forward into recesses (6) of the pieces (2), which recesses are located next to one another; and inserting the second wedge-shaped part (11) of the at least one connecting element (10) with its thinner end forward into the recesses (6) and is forced into the recesses (6) until the narrow surfaces (5) of the pieces (2) adjoin one another free of gaps.

16. The component according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces (8) of the recesses (6) include with one another an angle of 60.

17. The component according to claim 1, wherein the wedge surface (12) of the connecting element (10) assumes an angle of 77 to 81 to the plane of the pieces (2).

18. The component according to claim 2, wherein the base (7) of the recesses (6) passes via curves (9) into the side surfaces (8) of the recesses (6).

19. The component according to claim 2, wherein the side surfaces (8) in the region of the mouths of the recesses (6) pass via curves into the facing surfaces (5) of the at least two pieces (2).

20. The component according to claim 3, wherein the side surfaces (8) in the region of the mouths of the recesses (6) pass via curves into the facing surfaces (5) of the at least two pieces (2).

Description

[0029] Other details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one preferred embodiment based on the drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows two plane pieces of a component according to the invention that are located next to one another,

[0031] FIG. 2 shows in an oblique view one part of the component from FIG. 1 with connecting elements inserted,

[0032] FIG. 3 shows one part of the component from FIG. 1 in a plan view with the connecting element inserted, but not yet in the active position,

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the part of the component from FIG. 3 with the connecting element in the active position,

[0034] FIG. 5 shows pieces of a component that are curved and that are not yet connected to one another,

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a detail from FIG. 5 with the inserted connecting elements in an oblique view,

[0036] FIG. 7 shows in part the pieces of the component from FIG. 5 with the connecting element inserted, but not yet in the active position,

[0037] FIG. 8 shows the pieces of the component from FIG. 5 with the connecting element in the active position,

[0038] FIG. 9 shows one part of the component in a view that is similar to FIG. 6 with the connecting elements in the active position,

[0039] FIGS. 10 to 15 show the sequence of steps when pieces are being joined to form a component,

[0040] FIG. 16 shows a connecting element in a plan view,

[0041] FIG. 17 shows in a view from underneath FIG. 16 the connecting element from FIG. 16, and

[0042] FIG. 18 shows in a view from the left of FIG. 16 the connecting element from FIG. 16.

[0043] A component 1 (not yet completed) that is shown schematically in FIG. 1 and that is, for example, a component for a ceiling comprises two pieces 2 (ceiling elements) that are facing one another via their narrow surfaces 5. In the narrow surfaces 5, in one piece 2 there is a groove 4 and in the other piece 2 there is a tongue 3 (FIG. 2). The tongue 3 can be a self-contained tongue or an outside tongue.

[0044] In the pieces 2 in the region of the narrow surfaces 5, there are recesses 6 that are made undercut; therefore, they each have a base 7 that is wider than the mouths of the recesses 6 that lie in the narrow surfaces 5 of the pieces 2.

[0045] In order to connect the pieces 2 to one another to form the component 1, connecting elements 10 are inserted into the recesses 6. Each of the connecting elements 10 consists of two wedge-shaped parts 11 that adjoin one another via their facing wedge surfaces 12. The wedge-shaped parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 are abutted such that the thicker end of one part 11 is assigned to the thinner end of the other part 11. The situation is shown in FIG. 3. In this state of the wedge-shaped parts 11 of the connecting elements 10, the parts 11 are arranged offset to one another. FIG. 2 also shows this in an oblique view.

[0046] The wedge-shaped parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 abutted to one another and inserted entirely into the recesses 6 yield an external shape of the connecting elements 10 that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the recesses 6 in the pieces 2 of the component 1. This is shown in FIG. 4, in which it is also shown that the connecting element 10 completely fills the recesses 6 into which it has been inserted.

[0047] FIG. 4 also shows that after completely forcing in the wedge-shaped part 11 that first of all (FIG. 2) still projects over the large surface of the pieces 2, the pieces 2 are pretensioned onto one another and are held in a position in which their narrow surfaces 5 adjoin one another, and the tongue 3 on one piece 2 engages in the groove 4 in the other piece 2.

[0048] The depictions in FIGS. 1 to 4 show that the recesses 6 are aligned transversely to the large surfaces of the pieces 2. This means that the recesses 6 are open to the large surfaces of the pieces 2. Here, the recesses 6 are made such that their mouths that are made narrower than the base 7 lie in the narrow surfaces 5 of the pieces 2.

[0049] The recesses 6 have side surfaces 8 that pass via curves 9 into the base 7, and the ends of the side surfaces 8 that lie in the region of the mouth can also be made curved. The curves can be produced by milling.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows that the connecting elements 10, when they are in their active position that is shown in FIG. 4, entirely fill the recesses 6 in the pieces 2, i.e., have a cross-sectional shape and size that correspond to those of the recesses 6.

[0051] The connecting elements 10, which can also be called coupling strips, consist of, for example, plywood, the individual layers of the plywood lying parallel to the surface extension of the pieces 2.

[0052] The individual layers of the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 are glued to one another and can also be secured against relative movements by wooden or metal pins.

[0053] Alternatively, the connecting elements 10 can be cut down from rods (of wood) that have been profiled according to the outer contour of the connecting elements 10 and can then be divided into the parts 11.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows two pieces 2 of one component 1, which have residual stress, i.e., are curved, so that their narrow surfaces 5 do not adjoin one another, and there is a gap 13.

[0055] FIGS. 6 and 7 show how the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 are inserted into the recesses 6 of the components 2, first a part 11 still projecting above the large surface of the pieces 2.

[0056] As soon as the two parts 11 are fully accommodated in the recesses 6, the two pieces 2 of the component 1 are drawn onto one another such that the curves of the pieces 2 are overcome and the gap 13 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) between the pieces 2 is closed, as is shown by FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0057] In particular, FIGS. 4 and 8 show that the connecting elements 10 have ribs 14 that widen away from one another and that are formed by the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10.

[0058] The ribs 14 have side surfaces 15 that pass via curved regions 16 into the end surface 17 of the ribs 14.

[0059] FIGS. 4 and 8 also show that the side surfaces 15 of the ribs 14 of the connecting elements 10 in the middle region (wedge waist 20) of the connecting elements 10 pass into one another via curved regions 18.

[0060] In one possible embodiment of the component 1 according to the invention, the latter can be made as described below.

[0061] The wedge shape of the two parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 is chosen such that enough space remains for the insertion of the second part 11 of the connecting elements 10 when the two pieces 2 that are, for example, ceiling elements are arranged at a distance (gap 13) from one another (for example due to the protruding tongue 3) and the first wedge-shaped part 11 has already been inserted into a recess 6 of the pieces 2 (ceiling elements). The first part 11 is inserted such that its thinner end points up, and the wedge surface 12 is aligned such that the second part 11 with its thinner end forward can be inserted into the recesses 6 of the pieces 2 (ceiling elements). By pressing or driving in the second part 11, the pieces 2 (ceiling elements) are moved onto one another and pretensioned onto one another.

[0062] The recesses 6 have side surfaces 8 that pass via curves 9 into the base of the recesses 6, and the ends of the side surfaces 8 that lie in the region of the mouth of the recesses 6 can also be made curved. The curves 9 can be produced by milling.

[0063] The wedge shape and the definition of the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 determine how large the gap 13 can be between the pieces 2 that lie next to one another and with what force the pieces 2 (ceiling elements) are pressed onto one another while the second part 11 of the connecting elements 10 is being forced in.

[0064] Good results are achieved when the thicknesses of the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 in the region of the wedge waist 20 (the latter lies in the region of the mouths of the recesses 6) assume the ratio of 3:1. In other words, it is preferred if the thicker end of one part 11 in the region of the mouth of the recesses 6 is three times as thick as the thinner end of the other part 11, as is shown in, for example, FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0065] In other words, the thickness on the thinner end of the parts 11 is one-fourth and the thickness on the thicker end of the parts 11 is three-fourths of the thickness of the entire wedge waist 20.

[0066] Deviations of the indicated ratio of thicknesses of the parts 11 are possible (+/15% or 11/16 to 13/16 of the wedge waist 20 for the thicker end, as well as 3/16 to 5/16 of the wedge waist 20 for the thinner end).

[0067] It is advantageous if based on the ratio of 3:1 in the region of the wedge waist 20 and a wedge height 21 (length of the connecting element 10, compare FIG. 17), a wedge angle 25 (FIG. 18), therefore the angle that the wedge surfaces 12 include with the end surfaces of the connecting elements 10, arises in the range from 85 to 72, the range from 81 to 77 being preferred.

[0068] The wedge height 21, therefore the length of the connecting elements 10, is, for example, 40 to 400 mm, and the thickness of the pieces 2 of the component 1 can be up to 500 mm.

[0069] The angle that the side surfaces 8 of the recesses 6 made undercut include with one another determines the maximum distance (gap 13) that is allowable when the pieces 2 (ceiling elements) are being connected to form one piece 1 and the size of the forces acting on the pieces 2 (ceiling elements) and loading the latter onto one another when the second part 11 of the connecting elements 10 is being forced in. With reference to the connecting elements 10, this angle corresponds to the size of the increase of the thickness of the ribs 14, therefore to the definition of the dovetail shape of the ribs 14 of the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 (symbolized by the angle 30 in FIG. 16).

[0070] The definition of the dovetail shape of the ribs 14 of the connecting elements 10 that is determined by the angle 30 (FIG. 16) should be chosen with consideration of the respectively given ratios. An overly small or an overly large angle between the side surfaces 8 of the recesses 6 in certain cases has a disadvantageous effect on the maximum possible distance (gap 13) between the pieces 2 and the forces acting on the pieces 2. The ratios are good when the angle that the side surfaces 8 of the recesses 6 and the side surfaces of the ribs 14 of the connecting elements 10 included with one another is roughly 50 to 70, preferably 60.

[0071] With reference to the attached FIGS. 10 to 15, it is described by way of example how a component 1 according to the invention, which encompasses at least two pieces 2, can be produced by the pieces 2 being connected to one another, a component 1 according to the invention being produced from ceiling elements as pieces 2.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows how pieces 2 in the form of two ceiling elements are arranged next to one another at a distance (gap 13) from one another, on the narrow surface 5 of one piece 2 (ceiling element) there being a rib 3 and in the narrow surface 5 of the other piece 2 there being a groove 4. It is apparent from the sequence of representations of FIGS. 11 and 12 that first of all one part 11 of the connecting elements 10 is inserted into the recesses 6 of the pieces 2 (ceiling elements). As soon as the situation of FIG. 12 has been achieved, the second part 11 of the connecting element 10 is also pushed into the recesses 6 (FIG. 13), this part 11 being pushed with its thinner end forward into the recesses 6 of the pieces 2 and being forced in in the direction of the arrow F. This is possible because the first part 11 of the connecting element 10 has been inserted such that its thinner end points up, so that enough space remains for the insertion of the second part 11 of the connecting element 10 with its thinner end forward. By increasingly forcing in the second part 11 of the connecting element 10 (FIGS. 13 and 14), the pieces 2 (ceiling elements) are drawn closer to one another until they finally are connected to one another seamlessly to form the component 1, as is apparent from FIG. 15.

[0073] This type of connection of ceiling elements is advantageous compared to the state of the art because the clamping devices (so-called panel tensions) that are to be attached to the ceiling elements and that have been used to date for drawing the (horizontal) ceiling elements together are unnecessary.

[0074] In summary, one embodiment of the component 1 according to the invention can be described as follows:

[0075] A component 1 that consists of at least two pieces 2 that adjoin one another via their narrow surfaces 5 comprises several connecting elements 10 that pretension the pieces 2 of the component 1 onto one another. The connecting elements 10 are accommodated in recesses 6 of the pieces 2, which recesses are made undercut. The recesses 6 in the pieces 2 are aligned transversely to the longitudinal extension of the narrow surfaces 5 of the pieces 2, the mouths of the recesses 6 being open to the narrow surfaces 5 of the pieces 2. Each connecting element 10 consists of two wedge-shaped parts 11 that are arranged mirror-inverted. When the parts 11 of the connecting elements 10 are fully accommodated in the recesses 6, the ribs 14 of the connecting elements 10 completely fill the recesses 6 in the pieces 2, so that the pieces 2 are pretensioned onto one another, and the formation of a gap 13 between the pieces 2 is prevented or the closing of a preexisting gap 13 is achieved.