Fastening device for installing a fitting in a holed thin wall

Abstract

A fastening device for installing a fitting or a holding clamp in a hole in a thin wall. The fastening device includes a head area with fitting parts attached thereto for clamping or enclosing a portion of the fitting or holding clamp between the head and the thin wall. The fastening device also includes a body area that proceeds from the head area and penetrates the hole in an installed condition. Proceeding from the end of the body area are two spring legs which are directed rearward toward the thin wall, and which are supported by sloping foot-like ends on two diametrically opposite, parallel edges of the hole. The fastening device forms guide strips which protrude laterally from the body area, and which are guided into suitable notches (between the opposite edges of the hole in the thin wall.

Claims

1. A fastening device for installing a fitting or a holding clamp in a hole in a thin wall, the fastening device comprising: a head with fitting parts attached thereto a portion of the fitting or holding clamp between the head and the thin wall; a body which proceeds from the head and which is configured to penetrate the hole in an installed condition, the body comprising: a first end; and two spring legs, formed at the first end, which, in the installed condition, are directed rearward toward the thin wall, and are supported by sloping ends on two diametrically opposite, parallel edges of the hole; guide strips that protrude laterally from the body, and which, in the installed condition, are configured to be guided into suitable notches between the opposite edges of the hole in the thin wall; and a tubular-profile piece configured as an unlocking tool; wherein, when the fastening device is in the installed condition and the tubular-profile piece is fitted on the body a profile of the tubular-profile piece presses the spring legs together until they are freed from the edges of the hole.

2. The fastening device according to claim 1; wherein the sloping ends have a sloping surface that opens into a stop ledge.

3. The fastening device according to claim 2; wherein the fastening device is injection molded from plastic.

4. The fastening device according to claim 2; wherein the fastening device is bent from a spring steel strip.

5. The fastening device according to claim 1; wherein each of the guide strips narrows at the first end and extends to one of the sloping ends.

6. The fastening device according to claim 5; wherein the fastening device is injection molded from plastic.

7. The fastening device according to claim 5; wherein the fastening device is bent from a spring steel strip.

8. The fastening device according to claim 1; wherein the fastening device is injection molded from plastic.

9. The fastening device according to claim 1; wherein the fastening device is bent from a spring steel strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to embodiment examples which are illustrated in the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the fastening device according to the invention in conjunction with a holding clamp which is held by this fastening device and a face angle with a suitable hole.

(3) FIG. 2A shows another perspective view of the fastening device according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 2B shows the fastening device from yet another viewing direction.

(5) FIG. 2C shows a side view.

(6) FIG. 2D shows a rear view.

(7) FIG. 2E shows a side view rotated by 90.

(8) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled fastening device.

(9) FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the fastening device with an unlocking device.

(10) FIG. 4B shows a sectional view through the arrangement from FIG. 4A.

(11) FIG. 5A shows a side view of a fastening device according to the invention for a grip.

(12) FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention for a grip.

(13) FIG. 6A shows a side view of a fastening device according to the invention for a wall hook.

(14) FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention for a wall hook.

(15) FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of two hinge parts in hinged position.

(16) FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the two hinge parts in unhinged position, wherein the hinge parts are provided in each instance with a fastening device according to the invention.

(17) FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention for the connection of two thin walls provided with hole.

(18) FIG. 8B shows a side view of a fastening device according to the invention for the connection of two thin walls provided with hole.

(19) FIG. 8C shows a side view rotated by 90 of a fastening device according to the invention for the connection of two thin walls provided with hole.

(20) FIG. 8D shows a perspective view of the fastening device according to the invention and the two thin walls prior to installation.

(21) FIG. 8E shows a perspective view of the three parts after installation.

(22) FIG. 8F shows the three parts in axial sectional view after installation.

(23) FIG. 9A shows a side view of a fastening device according to the invention which is bent from spring steel strip.

(24) FIG. 9B shows a suitable piece of spring strip prior to bending.

(25) FIG. 9C shows the associated installation aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(26) It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

(27) The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

(28) FIG. 1 shows a fastening device 10 for installing a holding clamp 12 in a thin wall 14 having a hole 16.

(29) Details of the fastening device 10 are depicted in FIGS. 2A to 2E. It includes a head area 18 with holding ears 20, 20 for clamping two clamp areas 22, 22 of the holding clamp 12 between the holding ears 20, 20 and the thin wall 14 as is shown in FIG. 3.

(30) The fastening device further includes a body area 24 which proceeds from the head area 18 and which penetrates the hole 16 in installed condition. Proceeding from the end 26 of the body area 24 are two spring legs 28 which are directed rearward toward the wall 14 and which are supported by sloping foot-like ends on two diametrically opposite edges 32, 32 of the hole 16, this sloping surface 34 opening into a stop ledge 36. The fastening device 10 which is injection molded from plastic forms guide strips 38 which protrude laterally from the head area 24 and which are guided in suitable notches 40, 40 between the opposed edges 32, 32 of the hole 16. All shear forces are absorbed by this guide; the spring legs can also absorb other forces.

(31) As is shown in the drawings, the sloping surfaces 34 are aligned with ears 20, 20 in the uninstalled condition as well as after installation in the hole 16 of the thin wall 14.

(32) The guide strip 38, 38 is advisably slightly narrowed at the end thereof extending to the foot (see reference numeral 42). This facilitates insertion into the notches 40, 40.

(33) FIGS. 4A and 4B show that with a tubular profile piece 44 the profile of the tubular profile piece 44 is provided such that when slid onto the head area 24 of the fastening device 10 (see arrow 46 in FIG. 3), the spring legs 28 (see FIG. 4A) are pressed together until they are freed from the edges 32, 32 of the hole 16.

(34) The further figures show other embodiment examples of the fastening device according to the invention.

(35) Accordingly, a fastening device according to the invention for a grip 50 is shown in a side view in FIG. 5A and in a perspective view in FIG. 5B. A fastening device according to the invention for a wall hook 52 is shown in a side view in FIG. 6A and in a perspective view in FIG. 6B. Two hinge parts 54 and 56 are shown in hinged position in a perspective view in FIG. 7A and two hinge parts 54, 56 in unhinged position are shown in a perspective view in FIG. 7B. The hinge parts 54, 56 are provided in each instance with a fastening device according to the invention.

(36) A fastening device according to the invention with head 58 for connecting two thin walls 14, 114 provided with suitable hole is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 8A, in a side view in FIG. 8B and in a side view rotated by 90 in FIG. 8C. FIG. 8D shows a perspective view of the fastening device according to the invention and the two thin walls 14, 114 prior to installation, while FIG. 8E shows a perspective view of the three parts after installation and FIG. 8F shows the three parts in an axial sectional view, also after installation.

(37) FIG. 9A shows a side view of a fastening device 210 according to the invention which is bent from spring steel strip, FIG. 9B shows a piece of spring strip 60 (blank) suited to this purpose prior to bending into the shape shown in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C shows the associated insertion aperture.

COMMERCIAL APPLICABILITY

(38) The invention is commercially applicable in switch cabinet construction.

(39) While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(40) 10, 210 fastening device 12 holding clamp 14, 114, 214, 314 thin wall 16 hole, opening 18 head area 20, 20 holding ears 22, 22 clamp areas 24 body area 26 end 28, 28, 228 spring leg 30 foot-like end 32, 32 edges 34 sloping surface 36 stop ledge 38, 38, 238 guide strips 40, 40 notch 42 narrowing 44 tubular profile piece 46 arrow 50 grip 52 wall hook 54 hinge part 56 hinge part 58, 258 head (fastening device) 60 blank