EXTENDABLE CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS TO AT LEAST ONE WOODEN STRUCTURAL ELEMENT

Abstract

A connecting device for connecting at least two structural elements, of which at least one is a wooden structural element. The connecting device comprises a head which has a surface with a circular sector cross section, and the surface has a series of openings as seats for fastening means which are fastenable in the wooden structural element, and wherein the connecting device comprises an element which is fastenable to a second structural element and comprises a connecting element, which is adjustable in length, and a bolt, and wherein the head is connected laterally displaceably and rotably with the fastenable element to a second structural element, and wherein the head has a seat for the bolt, and wherein the head is connected with the fastenable element to the second structural element via the length-adjustable connecting element.

Claims

1. A connecting device for connecting at least two structural elements, of which at least one is a wooden structural element, wherein the connection device comprises a head having a surface with a circular sector cross-section, the circular sector cross-section surface having an opening and the circular sector cross-section surface having a series of openings as seats for fastening means that can be fastened in the wooden structural element, and that the connecting device comprises an element that can be fastened to a second structural element and a length-adjustable connecting element which is adjustable in length and comprises a bolt, and that the head is laterally displaceably and rotatably connected to the an attachable element on a second wooden structural element, and that the head has a seat for the bolt on which the connecting element is arranged so as to be laterally displaceable, and that the head is connected to the second wooden structural element via the length-adjustable connecting element with the a fastenable element.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the circular sector portion of the surface is smaller than 180.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the structural element that can be fastened to the second wooden structural element is a head that has a circular sector surface with an opening of the circular sector portion that has a series of openings as receptacles for fastening means.

4. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the structural element that can be fastened to the second wooden structural element is an anchoring element.

5. The connecting device according to claim 3, wherein the circular sector surface head is formed by two holes formed opposite each other in two side walls connected to the circular sector surface head.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the circular sector surface head is formed at least by a hole in a side wall connected to the circular sector surface head.

7. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a dissipative element.

8. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is replaceable.

9. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting device has an element for acoustic decoupling.

10. An arrangement for connecting at least two structural elements to at least one wooden structural element, characterized in that wherein the connection is made by means of at least one connecting device according to claim 1.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein at least three structural elements are connected to one another, of which at least one structural element is clamped between the other two structural elements.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein at least one wooden structural element has an opening/seat for receiving the head of the connecting device at least partially in the form of a semicircle or a circular sector.

13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein an element for acoustic decoupling is arranged between the connecting device and the wooden structural element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further purposes, features, advantages and possible applications emerge from the following description of some embodiments and the associated drawings. Accordingly, all features described and/or illustrated in the figures, taken alone or in any combination, constitute the subject matter disclosed herein, regardless of their grouping in the claims or their dependencies, wherein:

[0018] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, and 1J show a connection by means of a device according to the invention in front and side sections and exploded with different orientations of the connection,

[0019] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F show a connection by means of a device according to the invention in a second embodiment in front and side sections and exploded with different orientations of the connection,

[0020] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F show a connection by means of a device according to the invention in a third embodiment in front and side sections and exploded with different orientations of the connection,

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a connection by means of a device according to the invention in another embodiment in front and side sections and exploded with different orientations of the connection,

[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a connection by means of a device according to the invention in a further embodiment in front and side section and in exploded view, and

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a circular sector with alpha greater than 180.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A connecting device according to the invention is designated by the reference number 100 in FIG. 1. The connecting device 100 according to the invention connects a first wooden structural element 200 with a second structural element 201. Preferably, the system also includes a third wooden structural element 202 disposed between the first element 200 and the second element 201.

[0025] The connecting device 100 has a circular sector head 101, i.e. a surface with a circular sector-shaped cross-section, wherein the circular sector in this embodiment has an opening a of less than 180. In this way, the head can be aligned before being mounted in the structural element 200, but without leaving the opening/cavity. The circular sector head has a series of holes 101a through which fastening elements 210, e.g. screws, e.g. wood screws, are inserted, which fasten the head 101 to the first wooden structural element 200.

[0026] In a first embodiment, the circular sector head 101 advantageously has two side walls 102 which are connected to the head and are opposite each other. As shown in FIGS. 1C, 1D, the two side walls 102 each have an opposite through hole 102a, which forms a seat for, for example, a bolt 103.

[0027] In a further embodiment, not shown, the receptacle for the bolt is formed by a single wall.

[0028] A connecting element 106 with a head 104 is slidably arranged on the bolt 103. This connecting element 106 has means 105 for adjusting the length of the connecting element 106.

[0029] By a lateral displacement of the connecting element 106 on the bolt 103, the device 100 according to the invention can be aligned and adjusted. Furthermore, the circular sector head 101, which is connected to the connecting element 104 via the bolt 103, can be rotatably aligned within the first wooden structural element 200, whereby the inclination of the forces within the connection can be adjusted. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1E, 1F, in the case of a non-ideal arrangement, e.g. when the connecting element 106 is tilted, the connection can be adjusted by rotating the circular sector head 101 on the connecting bolt 103. In addition, the length-adjustable connecting elements can be used to adjust the tensile force between the first and second wooden structural elements 200, 201 and the force they exert, for example, on the third wooden structural element 202 located between the two wooden structural elements 200, 201.

[0030] FIGS. 1G, 1H, 1I, and 1J show how the connecting device 100 according to the invention can compensate for any lateral displacement. By shifting the head of the connecting element 104 on the connecting bolt 103, possible tolerance in the construction or other assembly problems can be compensated. Advantageously, the connecting element 106 has two threaded parts which are connected to one another via a means 105 which adjusts the length of the connecting element 106.

[0031] Advantageously, the means 105 has means for improved fastening, e.g. by means of a wrench or the like.

[0032] In the present embodiment of the connecting device 100 according to the invention, the connecting element 106 is connected at its opposite end to a circular sector head 101 which has a circular segment surface which is equal to the head arranged at the other end of the connecting element 106. This lower circular sector head 101 also has two side walls 102 which receive a connecting bolt 103 which is connected to the head of the connecting element 104, and the surface of the circular sector head 101 is formed in the shape of a circular sector and has a series of holes as receptacles for fastening elements 210, for example screws or the like, and the lower circular sector head 101 is also fastened to a structural element, in this case also a wooden structural element.

[0033] After fastening the two upper and lower circular sector heads 101 in the respective, preferably wooden structural elements, these two circular sector heads are connected by means of the connecting element 106 and the length of the connecting element 106 is adjusted by means of the connecting element 105. In this way, a force can be generated between the first and second wooden structural elements 200 201, which generates a force on the third wooden structural element 202. Advantageously, the third wooden structural element 202 is a support, a plate or the like and the first two wooden structural elements 200 and 201 are walls.

[0034] Advantageously, the entire connecting element 100 is arranged in a space formed between the three structural elements. This space is advantageously closed, for example, by a closing element 203, 204 made of wood, insulating material or the like. In this way, the connection is not visible from the outside. At a later point, the connection can easily be dismantled or checked for leaks. This may be necessary, for example, at the end of the work in order to check whether the connection formed by the connecting device according to the invention has changed during assembly or whether the load has changed, for example due to the compression of a structural element during the construction progress.

[0035] FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment 310 of the device 100 according to the invention, in which the recess in the first wooden structural element 200 is semicircular, followed by inclined walls which facilitate the insertion of the connecting device 100 according to the invention into the recess.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2D, the operator has access from two different sides during assembly which, after fastening, are closed by the closing elements 204 and 205, so that the operator can assemble the connection while remaining above the support, plate or the like. In order to regulate the pressure which the first wooden structural element 200 and the second wooden structural element 201 exert on the third wooden structural element 202 arranged therebetween, it is advantageously adjusted by means of the length-adjustable connecting element 106, in particular by means of a means for adjusting 105 which is screwed in order to tighten the connection produced by means of the connecting device according to the invention.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1E, the connecting element 106 can be tilted so that the connection can be adjusted even if the two structural elements are not perfectly aligned.

[0038] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3F show a further arrangement 311 in which a wooden structural element 200 is fastened to a reinforced concrete structural element 205, for example a foundation, by means of the connecting device 110 according to the invention. To attach the connecting device 110 to the reinforced concrete component, a connecting element 116 with an anchoring element 117 can be inserted into the formwork into which the reinforced concrete is poured, and during curing the connecting element is fixed in the reinforced concrete by at least partially protruding from it.

[0039] The head of the connecting element 114 is fastened to the side walls 112 of the head surface 111 by means of a connecting bolt 113. Advantageously, the connecting bolt 113 is housed in a slot-shaped hole 111a, which allows a lateral displacement of the bolt.

[0040] Further variants of the arrangement according to the invention with a connecting device 140 according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0041] In the arrangements according to the invention, at least one wooden structural element 200, 201 always has at least a part of the semicircular and/or hoop-shaped receptacle/opening for receiving the head 101, 111, 141 of the connecting device 100, 110, 120, 140 and 300 according to the invention pivotably within the opening/seat.

[0042] FIGS. 5A and 5B show further embodiments of an arrangement 350 with a connecting element 360 having a head circular sector 301 with a greater than 180. In this arrangement, the surface of the circular sector offers a larger contact area with the wooden structural element 200 and more space for screw seats. With the connecting element 306, the distance between the two wooden structural elements 200 and 201 can be adjusted and additionally the pressure on the wooden structural element 202 can be determined. Access to the assembly area can be closed with the closing element 204, which advantages are described above.

[0043] The connecting bolt enables lateral adjustment between the head surface element 301 and the head of the head connecting element 304.

[0044] In certain situations, such as seismic events, it is desirable for the fasteners to be able to dissipate energy during the earthquake. In a variant of the invention, a connecting element 106, 116, 146, 306 is provided which is dissipative or is connected to a dissipative element, i.e. can deform plastically without breaking in order to dissipate energy during an earthquake. This element can also be made of metallic material and dissipate energy through deformation.

[0045] Advantageously, the connecting element is shaped in such a way that it can be replaced after an event, e.g. an earthquake, in order to ensure its dissipative properties even afterwards. For example, the connecting element may be made of elastic material or a spring which no longer guarantees its properties after an event, e.g. an earthquake, or even for maintenance purposes, the connecting element 106, 116, 146, 306 must be replaced and must therefore be replaceable.

[0046] The advantage is that the damping element only acts in one direction and is therefore unidirectional, so that the connection remains under tension in the other direction and thus the connection is guaranteed without the risk of the connection losing its structural stability.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, acoustic decoupling may be present in the arrangement and/or device according to the invention. This acoustic decoupling can, for example, be a material layer (e.g.

[0048] an insulating layer) arranged between the circular sector section head and the structural element, or it can be arranged on the connecting element 106, 116, 146, 306, for example a sleeve that acoustically isolates the connection.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, alpha is less than 180 so that the head can be aligned without protruding from the recess.

[0050] Advantageously, the housing of the head surface 101, 111, 141, 301 is formed at least by a bore in a side wall connected to the surface-segmented head 101, 111, 141, 301. The connecting bolt 103, 113, 143, 303 is inserted into this hole, on which the connecting element is arranged laterally. Advantageously, this side part is positioned centrally to the head.

[0051] The variants of the device and arrangement according to the invention described above serve only to better understand the structure, the mode of operation and the properties of the solution presented; they do not restrict the disclosure by the embodiments. The figures are schematic, with some of the essential properties and effects being clearly enlarged in order to emphasize functions, operating principles, configurations and technical characteristics. Accordingly, each function, principle, technical configuration and characteristic disclosed in the figures or in the text can be freely and can be combined in any way with all claims, each characteristic in the text and in the other figures, other functions, principles, configurations and technical characteristics that are contained in this disclosure or result from it, are combined, so that all conceivable combinations of the solution described can be assigned. This also includes combinations between all individual versions in the text, i.e. in each paragraph of the text, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the text, the dimensions and the figures. The details of the device and method presented above are presented in the link; however, it should be noted that they can also be used independently and also freely combined with each other. The relationships between the individual parts and sections shown in the figures, as well as their dimensions and proportions, are not to be understood as limiting. However, individual dimensions and proportions may differ from those shown. The claims do not limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the characteristics presented. All the features presented are also disclosed individually and in combination with all other features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0052] 100 Connecting device [0053] 101 Upper and lower heads circular sector [0054] 101a Holes in the circular sector [0055] 102 Head side wall [0056] 102a Hole in the side wall of the connector [0057] 103 Connecting bolt [0058] 104 Head of the connecting element [0059] 105 Means for adjusting the length of the connecting element/socket [0060] 106 Connecting element [0061] 110 Connecting device [0062] 111 Head surface with circular sector cross-section [0063] 112 Head side wall [0064] 112a Hole in the side wall of the connecting element [0065] 113 Connecting bolt [0066] 114 Head connecting element [0067] 115 Means for adjusting the length of the connecting element/socket [0068] 116 Connecting element [0069] 117 Anchoring element [0070] 140 Connecting device [0071] 141 Head surface segment circular sector cross-section [0072] 142 Head side wall [0073] 142a Hole side wall connector [0074] 143 Connecting bolt [0075] 144 Connecting element for the head [0076] 145 Means for adjusting the length of the connecting element/socket [0077] 146 Connecting element [0078] 147 Anchoring element [0079] 200 First wooden structure element [0080] 201 Second wooden structure element [0081] 202 Third wooden structure element [0082] 203 Closing element opening/cover [0083] 204 Closing element opening/cover [0084] 205 Concrete construction element [0085] 210 Fastening element/screw [0086] 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350 arrangement [0087] 301 Head surface with circular sector section [0088] 302 Head side wall [0089] 302a Connector side wall hole [0090] 303 Connecting bolt [0091] 304 Head connecting element [0092] 305 Means for adjusting the element length [0093] 306 Connecting element [0094] 311 Further arrangement [0095] 350 Arrangement [0096] 360 Connecting element [0097] Angular opening of the circular sector (central angle of the circular sector)