The invention relates to a component comprising at least two pieces that adjoin one another over one of their surfaces and at least one connecting element that holds the pieces in their adjoining position.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a component according to the invention.
Components of the initially-named type are known in various embodiments.
Reference is made to FR 1,570,606 A, AT 12 597 U1, EP 2 264 323 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,985,992 A. These documents disclose components in which the connecting means have two widening ribs that are opposite one another and that are inserted into longitudinally-running grooves that are made undercut in the adjoining narrow surfaces of the pieces.
Similar pieces are known from AT 505 737 B1 and WO 2014/153574 A1. In order to simplify the assembly and the tensioning of the pieces together to form the component, the connecting elements are divided into two parts that can be shifted along one wedge surface against one another in the longitudinal direction.
FR 1 518 263 A discloses a beam-shaped piece that consists of two profile rods that are connected to one another using two coupling rods. The coupling rods are made similarly to the connecting elements of WO 2014/153574 A1. The design of the profile rods, on the one hand, and the design of the coupling rods of FR 1 518 263 A, on the other hand, do not make it possible to move, for example, panel-shaped pieces onto one another during connection.
EP 0 886 016 A1 shows and describes a component of two panels that have been joined to one another. The joining takes place using a coupling rod that has a dovetailed cross-section. The one-piece, therefore not divided, coupling rod of EP 0 886 016 A1 also makes it possible to connect only already tightly adjoining panels to one another.
DE 93 12 052 U discloses a one-piece coupling rod for connection of panels that are to be joined to one another by beveling. The connection of panels that is known from DE 93 12 052 U has the same properties as the connection of EP 0 886 016 A1 and does not allow the panels to move onto one another when being connected. Rather, the panels must already be located adjoining one another when being connected.
Ceilings and similar components that consist of prefabricated pieces in the form of panel-shaped ceiling elements and that are generally only joined together at the construction site often have residual stresses and are not straight.
Often, the surfaces of the components that are to be connected to one another and that are to be abutted to one another have a curved or twisted shape.
The tensioning of these pieces together to form a gapless component is time-consuming and requires mechanical clamping devices. When the pieces are being tensioned together, they are screwed to one another with screws, generally woodworking thread screws, via a facing board that has been installed in a step fold.
This type of connection has the disadvantage that the pieces that are to be connected to one another can only be held in their uppermost region by the facing board using screws and the components can open to the inside by a gap being formed there again.
This is disadvantageous since wooden ceilings and other components are being increasingly used as decorative ceilings or decorative components in which gaps are perceived as disruptive.
The object of the invention is to present a component that consists of pieces and in which gaps between the pieces are avoided and there is no risk of a gap forming between the adjoining pieces.
This object is achieved according to the invention with a component and with a method.
Preferred and advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
Since, in the component according to the invention, the at least two pieces are connected to one another via connecting elements that are able to pretension the pieces onto one another, it is possible to connect the pieces to one another even if they are warped (curved or bent) and have residual stresses, such that the surfaces of the pieces facing one another tightly adjoin one another, therefore are without gaps, over the entire length of the component.
In particular, when the pieces of the component according to the invention are panel-shaped ceiling elements, the use of connecting elements according to the invention makes it possible to draw the ceiling elements, which first lie next to one another at a distance from one another, closer to one another to the extent that their narrow surfaces essentially adjoin one another without gaps. This is the case without separate clamping devices having to be used.
The connecting elements used according to the invention can be connecting elements that engage recesses that are made undercut in the surfaces of the pieces that face one another, the connecting elements having widening ribs that engage in the recesses.
Within the scope of the invention, it is preferred if the connecting elements, as is known in principle from WO 2014/153574 A1, consist of two parts that are wedge-shaped and are inserted mirror-inverted into the recesses.
The pieces that are preferably used within the scope of the invention are plane or elongated pieces, for example in the form of panels, boards or posts that adjoin one another via narrow surfaces. Here, in the narrow surfaces, there can be tongues and grooves that run lengthwise, outside tongues also being considered.
In one preferred embodiment of the components according to the invention, the recesses that have been made undercut in the pieces extend transversely (perpendicularly) to the surface extension of the pieces.
Preferably, the recesses made undercut are open toward the narrow surfaces of the pieces, via which they are to adjoin a bordering piece. In other words, this means that the recesses are aligned transversely (perpendicularly) to the longitudinal extension of the narrow surfaces of the pieces, via which they adjoin one another. The mouths of the recesses lie in the narrow surfaces of the pieces, which surfaces adjoin one another in the component.
Preferably, the connecting elements, even when they consist of two parts that are made wedge-shaped, have a length that corresponds essentially to the thickness of the pieces.
Within the scope of the invention, it is preferred that over the length of the narrow surfaces with which the pieces of the component adjoin one another, there are several connecting elements. In particular, it is considered here that the connecting elements are at identical distances from one another.
It is considered, for example, within the scope of the invention, that there is one connecting element at a time in the region of the ends of the narrow surfaces, via which the pieces of the component adjoin one another when the connecting elements are in their active position.
Due to the inventive design of the component, on the one hand, and of the method according to the invention, on the other hand, it is effectively possible to tension the pieces together and to permanently overcome a gap. This also applies if there are tongues and grooves in the narrow surfaces of the pieces, so that the pieces are aligned flush with one another.
In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that in at least one part of the connecting elements, there is anchoring on which a tool can be attached for pulling out the part. This facilitates the loosening of the connection of pieces. The anchoring can be made in the form of metal sleeves with a (woodworking) thread provided outside and a thread provided inside, into which a tool can be screwed. For example, the sleeves are so-called “RAMPA” sleeves.
Other details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one preferred embodiment based on the drawings.
A component 1 (not yet completed) that is shown schematically in
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.
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
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
The depictions in
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (
In particular,
The ribs 14 have side surfaces 15 that pass via curved regions 16 into the end surface 17 of the ribs 14.
In one possible embodiment of the component 1 according to the invention, the latter can be made as described below.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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).
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
The wedge height 21, therefore the length of the connecting elements 10, is, for example, 40 to 400 mm (1.5748-15.748 inches), and the thickness of the pieces 2 of the component 1 can be up to 500 mm (19.685 inches).
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
The definition of the dovetail shape of the ribs 14 of the connecting elements 10 that is determined by the angle 30 (
With reference to the attached
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.
In summary, one embodiment of the component 1 according to the invention can be described as follows:
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.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
GM348/2015 | Nov 2015 | AT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2016/078337 | 11/21/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2017/089309 | 6/1/2017 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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299381 | Grove | May 1884 | A |
716865 | Choquet | Dec 1902 | A |
1018987 | Philpot | Feb 1912 | A |
1045691 | Fischer | Nov 1912 | A |
1723306 | Sipe | Aug 1929 | A |
1913290 | Rockwell | Jun 1933 | A |
1985992 | Hayman | Jan 1935 | A |
2363405 | Eichelberger | Nov 1944 | A |
2392551 | Roe | Jan 1946 | A |
2423695 | Falco | Jul 1947 | A |
3641730 | Meckstroth | Feb 1972 | A |
3680277 | Martin | Aug 1972 | A |
3686817 | Adams | Aug 1972 | A |
3791090 | Kniefel | Feb 1974 | A |
8147162 | Burnett | Apr 2012 | B1 |
9038343 | Litaize | May 2015 | B2 |
20040139680 | Hambright | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20070240375 | Bennett | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20090199497 | Wrightman | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090241460 | Beaulieu | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20130326984 | Litaize | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20150259910 | Montiel Reyes | Sep 2015 | A1 |
20160002913 | Schilcher | Jan 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
505 737 | Mar 2010 | AT |
1 2597 | Aug 2012 | AT |
93 12 052 | Oct 1993 | DE |
0 886 016 | Dec 1998 | EP |
2 264 323 | Aug 2013 | EP |
1 518 263 | Mar 1968 | FR |
1 570 606 | Jun 1969 | FR |
2014153574 | Oct 2014 | WO |
Entry |
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International Search Report, dated Mar. 13, 2017, from corresponding PCT/EP2016/078337 application. |
AT Search Report, dated Jun. 21, 2016, from corresponding GM348/2015 application. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180355604 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |