Patent Grant
8590241
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a compressive force transmitting connection element suitable for compressive force transmitting connection of a first cast structural component part to a second cast structural component part. More precisely, a connection element of this kind generically comprises:
2. Description of the Related Art
A heat insulating masonry unit is known from EP 2 151 531 A2. The compression elements of this heat insulating masonry unit are constructed from cement mortar, for example, and its heat insulating body preferably comprises glass foam or rock foam. In this instance, a structured surface to which grit is possibly applied serves for transmitting transverse force. A masonry unit of this kind is no doubt satisfactory with respect to heat insulation and with respect to transmission of compressive force, but the technical features suggested in the above-cited document are not persuasive with a view to the transmission of transverse force.
EP 0 338 972 A1 discloses a non-generic cantilever slab connection element in which the two oppositely located contact surfaces for the structural component parts to be thermally insulated lie on the same plane relative to one another. A cantilever slab connection element of this kind is provided for the connection of balconies, as an example of cantilever slabs, to an adjacent floor slab. The known cantilever slab connection element comprises a rectangular insulation body traversed by compression rods which are located one above the other in pairs and which run through the insulation body horizontally. In order to prevent rusting of these compression rods, which are preferably not produced from stainless steel for cost reasons, they are each enclosed by sleeves, and a hardenable material, e.g., a polymer-enhanced mortar, is injected between the sleeves and the compression rods.
The subject matter of the non-generic WO 2010/046 841 A1 is a connection element for building connections in which an insulating body is traversed by reinforcement bars extending diagonally at an angle between 1° and 89° to the vertical which are connected in pairs to a reinforcing plate. Accordingly, the known connection element appears to have exclusively transverse force transmitting elements, since the reinforcing plate is not suitable as a compression element either with respect to its construction or with respect to its inclusion within the above-cited document.
A construction element for heat insulation in masonry is also known from DE 94 13 502 U1. While vertical supporting columns of cement mortar which are connected to one another by webs are disclosed as compression elements, the material for the heat insulating bodies comprises rigid foam polystyrene. However, there is no mention made within this document of possible elements for transmitting transverse force.
EP 1 154 086 A2, suggests a heat insulating element for heat flux decoupling between wall part and floor slab, does mention elements for transmitting transverse force. The known heat insulating element can have column-shaped supporting elements having an insulating element filling the intermediate spaces between these supporting elements. Anchor projections in the form of dowels arranged flat on the outer sides of the suggested heat insulating element serve as elements for transmitting transverse force and tensile force. This type of known heat insulating element may be feasible with respect to its heat insulation and can perhaps also contain light transverse forces which can occur when a known constructional member of this kind is transported; however, this document does not suggest an approach for a convincing solution to the problem of containing larger transverse forces such as those arising, for example, from systematic earth pressure or wind stabilization on a possible order of magnitude of at least greater than 10 kN/m.
EP 2 241 690 A2 discloses a connection element for the foundation of concrete structural component parts in which steel reinforced concrete columns and a concrete crossbeam supported by these columns are inserted in an insulation body for the connection of floors which is to be anchored therein. In a possible embodiment form, transverse force transmitting steel bars project downward out of the concrete columns. However, this document does not suggest the construction of transverse force transmitting elements on both sides, much less an arrangement of such transverse force transmitting elements in relation to the compressive force transmitting elements which are also provided.
Corresponding to known constructions for heat insulation,
As a rule, the required compressive strength of the heat insulation (7) under the floor slab must be greater than 150 kN/m2. The materials commonly used for this purpose are XPS panels, foam glass blocks or foam glass gravel. These are high-quality, compression-resistant materials. High compressive strengths result in lower heat insulating values at lambda>40 mW/mK. The comparatively high heat conductivity at constant thermal insulating power results in greater layer thicknesses and, therefore, higher materials consumption than comparable solutions with interior insulations. Further, the ecology of the building is negatively affected by the high consumption of resource-intensive materials (embodied energy). Nevertheless, for want of alternatives, this type of construction is used for low-energy and passive-house concepts.
The concrete construction (11) according to
In
Proceeding from the prior art evaluated above in the cited documents and shown in
The above-stated object is met by a compressive force transmitting connection element (17) for the compressive force transmitting connection of a first cast structural component part (13, 29) to a second cast structural component part (15), at least having:
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
In the drawings:
a-10c are plate shaped compression elements;
a-11e are compression elements;
a-13c are transverse force transmitting elements.
Without being limiting to these embodiment forms, the first cast structural component part (13, 29) is preferably an element selected from the list comprising concrete floor slab and concrete ceiling slab, while the second cast structural component part (15) is preferably a concrete wall. Accordingly, the connection element (17) suggested herein is to be positioned so as to be sandwiched, e.g., between a concrete slab and a concrete wall; it is completely immaterial within the meaning of the invention which of the two concrete parts, namely, concrete slab and concrete wall, is situated above the suggested connection element (17) and which of them is situated below the connection element (17). In the preferred embodiment forms of concrete floor slab, concrete ceiling slab and concrete wall, the elements for transmitting transverse force which project beyond the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) in direction of the first cast structural component part (13, 29) on one side and which project beyond the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) in direction of the second cast structural component part (15) on the other side can now be connected by frictional engagement to the concrete structural component parts (13, 15, 29) in that they are cast integral with the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) on one or both sides. Accordingly, in the installed state the connection element (17) according to the invention is arranged between a concrete floor slab (13) and a concrete wall (15) or between a concrete ceiling slab (29) and a concrete wall (15) so as to ensure an efficient thermal separation between the two concrete parts situated above and below the compressive force transmitting connection element (17).
The insulation body (31) provided for the thermal separation of the first cast structural component part (13, 29) from the second cast structural component part (15) preferably has a compressive strength of at least 50 kN/m2 that allows a particularly preferred freshly poured concrete structure having a height of at least 2 meters to rest directly upon the uncovered insulation body (31). It is particularly preferred embodiment the insulation body (31) has a compressive strength of possibly greater than 50 or 100 kN/m2, more preferably greater than 200 kN/m2, particularly preferably greater than 300 kN/m2 or even greater than 500 kN/m2, determined respectively at a compressive strain of 2%. In a particularly advantageous manner, the insulation body (31) has a stiffness modulus of greater than 80 N/mm2, preferably greater than 100 N/mm2 and particularly preferably greater than 150 N/mm2. This has the advantage that the at least one compression element (33), or the constructed plurality of compression elements (33), is supported by the surrounding material of the insulation body (31) and exposed to only especially small shear forces if any. Without limiting exclusively thereto, the materials available for the insulation body (31) are foam glass, expanded hard polystyrene foam (EPS), and XPS.
A particularly preferred material for producing the insulation body is foam glass. Foam glass has a compressive strength of greater than 200 kN/m2 and a stiffness modulus of greater than 80 N/mm2.
Because of the exposed position of the connection element (17), the insulation body (31) is fashioned from a material which is advisably waterproof and particularly preferably impervious to water vapor, preferably age-resistant and resistant to pests and rot. These requirements are also met to an outstanding degree by the foam glass which is particularly preferred by the inventors.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the ratio (a)/(b) between (a) transmissible compressive force, chiefly influenced by the compression elements (33), and (b) transmissible transverse force, chiefly influenced by the transverse force transmitting elements and the static integration thereof within the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) proposed herein, measured in transmissible force units, respectively, is in a range of 1.5:1 to 15:1, preferably greater than 2:1, and particularly preferably greater than 5:1. According to the invention, the connection element (17) is capable of transmitting more, particularly preferably in accordance with the preferred constructional variants substantially more, compressive force than transverse force; with respect to the transmissible compressive force, upper range limits can preferably be at least 500 kN, particularly preferably at least 800 kN, and most preferably at least 1300 kN per compression element (33) for the proposed compressive force transmitting connection element (17) with corresponding numbers for the transmissible transverse force corresponding to the ratios which are preferably used in accordance with the above statements. The force units that can be transmitted through an element can be determined by loading the elements to failure.
The connection element (17) according to the invention has
Therefore, the connection element (17) according to the invention can be constructed, e.g., as a body having a polygonal cross section (e.g., a hexagonal body—particularly in the form of an equilateral hexagon, an octagonal body—particularly in the form of a regular octagon) and having two first and second flat sides which are located opposite one another and particularly preferably parallel to one another and which correspond to the two oppositely located support surfaces (39, 41) limiting the insulation body (31) or which, in the possible case of pressure distributing elements (51) projecting out over the support surfaces (39, 41), are situated parallel to the two support surfaces (39, 41). However, the connection element (17) according to one embodiment of the invention is advantageously constructed as a rectangular body having side lengths L=L1=L2, B=B1=B2, H. This has the advantage that the lateral surfaces of the connection element (17) can be flush with, e.g., the concrete walls (15) resting upon them.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal center axis (A) runs through the center of the insulation body (31) between the oppositely located support surfaces (39, 41) and, when the latter are constructed in a particularly preferable manner so as to be parallel, extends within a plane which is oriented parallel to the oppositely located support surfaces (39, 41). Within this plane, the position of the longitudinal center axis (A) for every cross section through the connection element (17) according to the invention is fixed by the points of intersection of this plane with the respective straight connecting line extending through point S1 of the first support surface (39) bisecting the broad sides and through point S2 of the second support surface (41) bisecting the broad sides (see also
When the connection element (17) is constructed as a rectangular body having side lengths L=L1=L2, B=B1=B2, H, the longitudinal center axis (A) extends parallel to the four side edges through the center at half of the height H/2 at a distance from the two lateral surfaces of the connection element (17), respectively, of B/2.
According to the invention, a distance LK between the resultant compressive force as resultant force (K) of the transmissible compressive forces and the longitudinal center axis (A)—also known in technical jargon as the system axis—is defined by
LK≦(B1+B2)/6.
A feature of this kind can be implemented in that the at least one compression element (33) extends centrically through the longitudinal center axis (A) or, when there is a plurality of compression elements (33), these compression elements (33) are arranged centrically through and/or symmetric to the longitudinal center axis (A) (symmetrical arrangement). In case of an asymmetrical arrangement of the compression elements (33) outside the longitudinal center axis (A) of the connection element (17), for example, for purposes of optimizing the flux of force, the arrangement is carried out according to the invention in such a way that the resultant compressive force is located off center by a maximum of (B1+B2)/6, i.e., by one third of the cross-sectional width of the connection element (17) when the proposed connection element (17) is constructed as a rectangular body.
In a particularly preferred manner, a distance LK between the resultant compressive force as resultant force (K) of the transmissible compressive forces and the longitudinal center axis (A) is defined by LK=0. This means that when there is a plurality of compression elements (33), these compression elements (33) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis (A).
In a particularly preferred manner
According to the invention, the insulation body (31) is penetrated at least by exactly one compression element (33). In such a case, for purposes of the required absorption of compressive forces and shear forces, this compression element (33), if only one such compression element (33) is provided, has a greater extension in the longitudinal axis and transverse axis of the connection element (17) than would be the case if the insulation body (31) were penetrated by a plurality of compression elements (33) constructed so as to be spaced apart from one another. In this connection, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the compression element (33) when there is exactly one compression element (33) penetrating the insulation body (31), or the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the compression elements (33) when there is a plurality of compression elements (33) penetrating the insulation body (31), accounts for 0.3% to 62.5%, particularly preferably 3% to 25%, and better yet 3% to 15%, of either the first support surface (39) limiting the insulation body (31) or the second support surface (41) limiting the insulation body (31) or particularly preferably of the smaller of the two support surfaces (39, 41). When the cross-sectional area of the one compression element (33) or of the plurality of compression elements (33) varies over the length thereof, the minimum cross-sectional area determined at the position of the respective compression element (33) where the cross-sectional area thereof reaches the lowest possible value is the quantity to be taken into account.
The at least one compression element (33) according to the invention that penetrates the insulation body (31) from the first support surface (39) thereof to the second support surface (41) thereof is advantageously produced from steel, stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastic, concrete, fiber reinforced concrete, or another compression-resistant, i.e., substantially non-compressible, material. Especially preferred by the inventors are concrete, fiber reinforced concrete and fiber reinforced plastic because in this case the at least one compression element (33) also guarantees good thermal insulation between the two support surfaces (39, 41) limiting the insulation body (31). It is also conceivable and, depending on the installation situation, even particularly advantageous that when there is a plurality of compression elements (33) penetrating the insulation body (31) these compression elements (33) are made of different materials. For example, it is conceivable and is deemed as a particularly excellent embodiment form of the invention when compression elements (33) positioned along the longitudinal center axis (A) and which have an increased cross-sectional area are made of, or comprise, fiber reinforced concrete, while compression elements (33) which are moved outward from the longitudinal center axis (A) and have a reduced cross-sectional area are made of, or comprise, steel.
Within the framework of a first preferred constructional variant,
Within the framework of a first second preferred constructional variant,
The compression element (33) is advisably inserted into the insulation body (31) to be free from slippage. This has the advantage that the at least one compression element (33) obtains additional stability through the surrounding insulation body (31).
According to the embodiment examples shown in
The compression elements (33) according to
The embodiment example (F) according to
According to the invention, the at least one compression element (33) has a horizontal compression surface facing the first cast structural component part (13, 29) on one side and/or a horizontal compression surface facing the second cast structural component part (15) on the other side. This means that the compression surfaces, as direct contact surfaces between the first and/or second cast structural component part (13, 15, 29) on one side and the at least one compression element (33) on the other side, are not curved but rather are constructed so as to be flat and parallel to the two support surfaces (39, 41) and, if required, are lightly textured, e.g., have a granular and/or herringbone pattern. It is particularly preferable when at least one pressure distributing element (51) is formed as a horizontal compression surface of the kind defined above at least at one end face of the at least one compression element (33).
Within the framework of a particularly preferred embodiment form, the horizontal compression surface of the at least one compression element (33) projects beyond at least one—particularly preferably beyond both—of the two support surfaces (39, 41) of the insulation body (31) by a maximum length between 0 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0 mm and 5 mm, or more restrictedly between 0 mm and 3 mm, and in a particularly preferable manner the horizontal compression surfaces and the two support surfaces (39, 41) of the insulation body (31) are constructed in a planar manner, i.e., so as to lie in a common plane. Through implementation of this preferred feature, possible shrinkage processes of the integrally cast concrete structural component parts (13, 15, 29) are hindered as little as possible because, otherwise, unwanted tensions would result in the cured concrete. In a manner crucial to the invention, the construction of the compression surfaces as horizontal termination of the at least one compression element (33) serves to deflect structural loads resting on the compression elements (33) vertically downward without additional horizontal forces being built up, which would lead to stresses in the concrete or in structural members situated above the connection element (17) proposed herein and/or in the inventive connection element (17) itself.
Insofar as at least one pressure distributing element (51), e.g., in the form of a pressure distributing plate, is constructed as horizontal compression surface at least at one end face of the at least one compression element (33), it is particularly preferable when the area of the pressure distributing element (51) when exactly one pressure distributing element (51) is formed or the total area of pressure distributing elements (51) when a plurality of pressure distributing elements (51) is formed accounts for 3% to 100%, preferably 7% to 100%, and particularly preferably 14% to 100%, of either the first support surface (39) limiting the insulation body (31) or the second support surface (41) limiting the insulation body (31) or particularly preferably the smaller area of the two support surfaces (39, 41). While the at least one pressure distributing element (51) is a determining factor for the height of the freshly poured concrete construction above the connection element (17) according to the invention and is a determining factor for the freedom in the choice of material for the insulation body (31), the compression elements (33) chiefly ensure that the structural component part resting on the connection element (17) transmits the resultant compressive force proceeding from the building after the concrete has cured.
Besides the pressure distributing plates suggested in the preceding paragraph as preferred constructional variants of the optional pressure distributing elements (51), the following examples of a pressure distributing element (51) of this kind are also conceivable and, moreover, are considered preferable:
According to one embodiment of the invention, the elements for transmitting transverse force project beyond the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) in direction of the first cast structural component part (13, 29) on one side and project beyond the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) in direction of the second cast structural component part (15) on the other side.
In this respect, it is preferable when the elements for transmitting transverse force project by a length in a range from 2 to 100 cm, more restrictedly in a range from 4 to 70 cm, and still more restrictedly in a range from 4 to 50 cm. In this way, a frictionally engaging connection of the elements for transmitting transverse force to the possible reinforcement in the middle of the first cast structural component part (13, 29) and second cast structural component part (15), respectively, can be made possible in a particularly satisfactory manner.
Rod-shaped elements (e.g., straight or curved reinforcement bars) and plate-shaped members as well as diverse other profile constructions can be used for the elements for transmitting transverse force. The elements for transmitting transverse force preferably comprise at least one transverse force transmitting element (35) which runs through the compressive force transmitting connection element (17) in a straight line and continuously. In a particularly preferred manner, the elements for transmitting transverse force are primarily or exclusively formed by rod-shaped, continuous transverse force transmitting elements (35) of this kind which are curved or extend in a straight line. By “continuously” is meant within the meaning of the present application that the transverse force transmitting element (35) passes through the connection element (17) without material gaps. The transverse force transmitting element (35) can comprise a plurality of individual pieces which have been glued, welded or otherwise permanently connected to one another before insertion into the connection element (17). In a particularly preferred manner within the meaning of the present application, the transverse force transmitting element (35) runs through the connection element (17) in one piece; in other words, the transverse force transmitting element (35) is formed of an individual workpiece which is not composite, but rather extends uninterruptedly.
The at least one transverse force transmitting element (35) is preferably rod-shaped and runs through the connection element (17) in a straight line. Within the framework of a further developed preferred embodiment form, the elements for transmitting transverse force comprise at least one pair of two rod-shaped transverse force transmitting elements (35).
Within the framework of the above-mentioned embodiment form and also in general, it is preferable when the elements for transmitting transverse force and particularly when the rod-shaped transverse force transmitting elements (35) forming the at least one pair are angled at least in some areas outside the insulation body (31). The angled areas are also designated as extensions (60) adjoining the center portion (59). In particular, an angling of the extensions (60) has the advantage that the elements provided according to one embodiment of the invention for transmitting transverse forces also ensure transmission of tensile forces so that a construction of this kind allows a particularly stable building construction, particularly concrete building constructions (11), which makes it possible to connect the first cast structural component part (13, 29) to the second cast structural component part (15) in such a way that the transverse force can also be carried off in diametrically opposite directions.
Further, within the framework of the embodiment form having transverse force transmitting elements (35) which are constructed in pairs, it is preferable when the transverse force transmitting elements (35) forming the at least one pair are connected to one another at least once at a distance from one another outside the insulation body (31).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one compression element (33) is connected to the elements for transmitting transverse force by frictional engagement. This preferred embodiment form can be combined unconditionally with all of the embodiment forms and constructional variants suggested herein, which is, of course, also applicable within the meaning of the invention in general and in cases not mentioned separately.
The frictionally engaging connection between the at least one compression element (33) and the elements for transmitting transverse force is preferably formed as a connection selected from the list comprising glue joint, weld joint, brazed joint, integrally cast joint, and joint by enclosure over at least a portion of the circumference. Gluing, welding and brazing can be carried out only in a pointwise or sectionwise manner; however, it is particularly preferable that this type of frictionally engaging connection is carried out in that the at least one compression element (33) is glued, welded or brazed to the elements for transmitting transverse force along the entire contact surface therebetween. Another preferred form of the frictionally engaging connection between the at least one compression element (33) and the elements for transmitting transverse force consists in that the at least one compression element (33) is enclosed over at least part of its circumference by the elements for transmitting transverse force, or in a particularly preferred manner in that the elements for transmitting transverse force is enclosed over at least part of its circumference by the at least one compression element (33). Combinations of the types of connections mentioned above are also possible and indeed are deemed as preferred variants within the meaning of the present invention.
The elements for transmitting transverse force, particularly in its embodiment as a continuous transverse force transmitting element (35), can be enclosed over at least part of its circumference by the at least one compression element (33), which means that at least one eighth of the circumference of the transverse force transmitting element (35) is directly adjacent to and preferably frictionally connected to and/or enclosed by the compression element (33) over at least 25% of the length of the compression element (33) measured between the two support surfaces (39, 41) of the insulation body (31). In a particularly preferable manner, the transverse force transmitting element (35) is enclosed over at least one fourth or, better yet, at least one half of its circumference by the at least one compression element (33), which means within the meaning of the present application that at least one half of the circumference of the transverse force transmitting element (35) is directly adjacent to and preferably frictionally connected to and/or enclosed by the compression element (33) over at least 25% of the length of the compression element (33) measured between the two support surfaces (39, 41) of the insulation body (31). It is particularly preferable that the transverse force transmitting element (35) is enclosed over its full circumference by the at least one compression element (33), which means within the meaning of the present application that the transverse force transmitting element (35) is formed within this compression element (33) along the full length of the compression element (33) and is thus connected to the compression element (33) particularly preferably by frictional engagement and material bonding.
In the preferred case of a plurality of transverse force transmitting elements (35) within the proposed connection element (17), it is particularly preferred when the transverse force transmitting elements (35) are connected at least for the most part in pairs to at least one compression element (33) by frictional engagement. In a possible embodiment form, a pair of two preferably rod-shaped transverse force transmitting elements (35) is enclosed over at least part of its circumference, particularly preferably even completely, by a compression element (33).
Further, within the framework of embodiment forms having transverse force transmitting elements (35) formed in pairs, it is preferable when the transverse force transmitting elements (35) forming a pair are constructed so as to intersect in the middle inside the at least one compression element (33). In so doing, it is conceivable in particular that when there is a plurality of compression elements (33) penetrating the insulation body (31) these compression elements (33) are:
With respect to the transverse force transmitting elements (35) which are constructed in a rod-shaped manner so as to intersect, it is preferable when these two transverse force transmitting elements (35) are directly frictionally connected to one another at the point of intersection, possibly by gluing or welding. It is equally preferable when the two intersecting transverse force transmitting elements (35) are indirectly frictionally connected to one another in that they are frictionally connected, respectively, to at least one common compression element (33). It is also conceivable and equally preferable when the two transverse force transmitting elements (35) are fixed at the point of intersection exclusively by the material of the compression element (33) enclosing the two transverse force transmitting elements (35) over at least part of their circumference. In all of the cases described above and without limiting to possible embodiment forms, the transverse force transmitting elements (35) are each preferably made from a material selected from the list comprising steel, structural steel, stainless steel, and fiber reinforced plastic (GRP=glass fiber reinforced plastic, CRP=carbon fiber reinforced plastic), particular preference being given to structural steel and stainless steel.
In the embodiment example according to the invention which is illustrated in
The embodiment example according to the invention illustrated in
The concrete construction (11) depicted in
A compressive force transmitting connection element (17) according to the invention is shown in
In the present instance, the insulation body (31) is penetrated by two rectangular compression elements (33), indicated in hatching, which are made of concrete in the present case, by two cylindrical compression elements (33), likewise indicated in hatching, which are made of fiber reinforced plastic in this case, and by an elliptical compression element (33), indicated by hatching, which is likewise made of fiber reinforced plastic in this case. All of the compression elements (33) extend between the support surfaces (39, 41) and have at their ends, respectively, horizontal compression surfaces which terminate flush with the support surfaces (39, 41) so as not to hinder the shrinkage process of adjoining freshly cast concrete during installation.
The two rectangular compression elements (33) which sit in the middle on the longitudinal center axis (A) of the connection element (17) are each traversed by a pair of two rod-shaped transverse force transmitting elements (35) which are constructed so as to intersect in the middle inside the respective compression element (33) and which project out of the first support surface (39) and out of the second support surface (41), respectively, by a length of 35 cm in the present case. In both cases, the two transverse force transmitting elements (35) are connected to one another once at a distance from one another outside the insulation body (31), in the present case underneath the connection element (17).
The two cylindrical compression elements (33) arranged asymmetrically on only one side with respect to the longitudinal center axis (A) of the connection element (17) are not traversed by any transverse force transmitting elements (35) in this case. At the same time, however, the elliptical compression element (33) is provided on the other side of the longitudinal center axis (A). A transverse force transmitting element (35) which is constructed corresponding to
Two possible embodiments of plate-shaped compression elements (33) to be oriented in the manner of an upended rectangle, each having a pair of two rod-shaped transverse force transmitting elements (35) extending in a straight line, are shown in section in
Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10191914 | Nov 2010 | EP | regional |
| 11173639 | Jul 2011 | EP | regional |
| 11184629 | Oct 2011 | EP | regional |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8132388 | Nagy et al. | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 20040216404 | Black | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 678 076 | Jul 1991 | CH |
| 94 13 502 | Dec 1994 | DE |
| 297 14 081 | Sep 1997 | DE |
| 200 08 570 | Sep 2001 | DE |
| 0 219 792 | Apr 1987 | EP |
| 0 338 972 | Oct 1989 | EP |
| 1 154 086 | Nov 2001 | EP |
| 1 154086 | Jan 2003 | EP |
| 2 151 531 | Feb 2010 | EP |
| 2 241 690 | Oct 2010 | EP |
| WO 2010046841 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120186176 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |
