Patent Application
20240175266
The present invention relates to a connecting arrangement for connecting two components in the construction industry, in particular in structural timber-frame construction.
In structural timber-frame construction, but also in the construction industry in general, there are a great number of connections between two or more components. For example, connections of straight and curved beams, but also corner connections of frame-type supporting members and also cross-connections of beams and pillars, for instance in floor frames, are known.
Such connections are known in the prior art, for example in the form of overlaps, in which case rod-type dowels and construction screws, for example, are used as connecting means. Due to the unfavorable flux of force and, in particular, due to deflection out of the supporting plane and the flexibility of the rod-type dowels, comparatively soft and low-performance connections arise here. Also known are connections by means of slotted metal sheets. In this case, the supporting-structure elements to be connected may be situated in the same supporting plane, as a result of which the flux of force is improved.
Besides the performance of the connection, the simplicity of assembly when connecting the components constitutes an important criterion. Especially in the case of heavy and very large components, it is an advantage if the connection of the components can be undertaken quickly and easily. Personnel and machines are then subjected to less stress, also resulting in cost-savings.
A further characteristic of connections of components is the visibility of the connecting elements. For instance, in the case of aesthetically more ambitious construction projects it is usually desirable to conceal connecting elements, such as screws and metal sheets, from the sight of an observer as far as possible.
Documents EP 1 736 606 B1 and EP 3 211 146 B1, which are both in the name of the proprietor of the present property right, each relate to generic connecting arrangements pertaining to the prior art.
In document CN 209975728 U, a connecting arrangement is disclosed in which a screw is screwed through a sleeve, which is arranged in a first component, into a threaded bushing which is anchored in a second component.
In the system disclosed in document EP 1 926 864 B1, a dowel is inserted into each of the components to be connected. A pin and a sleeve are inserted into the dowels and are pushed into one another for the purpose of connecting the components. The strength of the connection is based on deformations and bracings of sleeve, dowel and pin.
Document WO 2018/100499 A1 relates to connecting arrangements that are designed for loads arising cyclically. In this context, a connecting arrangement is proposed in which a round rod protrudes into a housing which comprises a conical inner surface. A conical clamping part, which is pressed by a spring against the conical inner surface of the housing, is displaceably attached to the round rod. In the event of a tensile force acting on the round rod, the clamping force of the clamping part is thereby increased. For the purpose of assembly, two such connecting arrangements with the round rod already arranged in the clamping part are arranged on both sides of a component and fastened thereto by means of several screws and nuts. As a result, assembly proves to be laborious. In addition, the housings and round rods are readily visible to an observer from outside.
Document KR 10-2197345 B1 discloses a connecting arrangement in which an elongated connecting element, which is attached to a first component, is inserted into a flanged sleeve with a conical inner surface and is clamped in place therein by means of a conical clamping part, in order to mount a plate-like second component between the first component and the flanged sleeve. Attaching the flanged sleeve and the clamping part by hand in each instance makes assembly laborious. In addition, the connecting arrangement is restricted to the mounting of the second component between two elements, and the flanged sleeve remains visible from outside.
It is an object of the present invention to indicate a high-performance connecting arrangement for connecting two components in the construction industry that enables a particularly easy assembly of the components.
In order to achieve this object, a connecting arrangement as indicated in claim 1 is proposed. Moreover, a connecting unit for such a connecting arrangement is indicated in claim 12, and a method for connecting two components of such a connecting arrangement is indicated in claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.
The present invention provides a connecting arrangement for connecting two (or more) components in the construction industry, in particular for connecting two timber components in structural timber-frame construction, which comprises
The scope for movement of the clamping part is, however, spatially limited in all directions in the non-connected state.
By the scope for movement of the clamping part being restricted in all directions in the non-connected state, the corresponding component, with the housing part and clamping part attached thereto, can be transported freely and moved at the construction site and is ready at any time for assembly—that is to say, for connection to the other component. In particular, already in a place of manufacture it is possible to assemble the housing part and the clamping part on the second component as intended, and also to fix the anchor element to or in the first component already in the place of manufacture, so that for final assembly at the construction site preferably only the anchor element with its connecting portion has to be inserted into the clamping part in order to connect the two components to one another, preferentially durably. Handling becomes considerably easier as a result, and there is no risk that certain elements of the connecting arrangement will not be ready to hand or will even be lost in the course of assembly.
The first and/or the second component are preferably a timber component. The connecting arrangement may be designed, in particular, for the construction of timber supporting members and/or for the construction of timber skeletons. But the first and/or the second component may also, for example, be produced from concrete, from a plastic or from a metal such as, in particular, steel. Of course, it is also possible that, for example, the first component is produced from timber and the second component is produced from concrete. In principle, the two components may be produced from arbitrary materials, and arbitrary combinations are possible.
The first component and/or the second component may be, in particular, a pillar, a beam, a transom, a strut or any other component. An arbitrary combination of component types is possible.
The anchor element is preferably fixed in the first component. In addition, the housing part is preferably fastened in the second component. In this case, the anchor element and also the housing part are advantageously arranged—at least in part, preferably to a predominant extent—in the interior of the first and second component, respectively. With such a design, the connecting arrangement may be provided in such a manner that merely the first and second components, but not the further connecting elements of the connecting arrangement, are visible to an observer from outside.
The conical surfaces of the clamping part and of the housing part advantageously bring about a deflection of force in such a manner that a tensile force acting on the anchor element—that is to say, a force directed in the direction away from the second component—is redirected into a clamping force, so that the connecting portion is clamped in place even more strongly by the clamping part.
In order, in a state not connected to the anchor element, to have, on the one hand, a certain scope for movement which, on the other hand, is spatially limited in all directions, the clamping part is preferably arranged in an interior space which, with the exception of an insertion opening for the connecting portion, is completely sealed off toward the outside. The scope for movement is advantageously given along a longitudinal central axis which is defined by the conical surfaces of the housing part and of the clamping part. Due to the scope for movement, the connecting portion can advantageously be inserted very easily into the clamping part, the latter preferably being moved slightly away from the conical inner surface of the housing part in such a manner that it widens.
The anchor element, the housing part and also the clamping part jointly constitute a connecting unit of the connecting arrangement. The connecting arrangement may comprise a single connecting unit or even several such connecting units. By means of several connecting units, which are preferably arranged side by side in parallel, the performance of the connection between the first and the second component can be enhanced still further. In this way, the connecting arrangement is scalable with regard to arbitrarily large loads.
The connecting arrangement preferably comprises, in addition, a spring element which acts upon the clamping part with a spring force in order to press the clamping part with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part. The spring element may be, in particular, a helical spring. Due to the spring element, the scope for movement of the clamping part continues to be guaranteed, to the extent that a certain force counteracting 25 the spring element is exerted on the clamping part. Advantageously, the spring force of the spring element has the effect that the clamping part, in the state not connected to the anchor element, bears with its conical or wedge-shaped outer surface against the conical or wedge-shaped inner surface of the housing part. With regard to the assembly of the first component on the second component, as a result the clamping part is already prepositioned. After the insertion of the connecting portion into the housing part, the spring element advantageously has the effect, in addition, that the clamping part immediately reassumes its clamping position or even maintains this position permanently—that is to say, bears against the inner surface of the housing part. As a result, pulling the connecting portion out of the clamping part, even by only a short distance, is efficiently rendered impossible.
The presence of the spring element is not mandatory, even though this is preferred. For example, in certain embodiments gravitational force could also be exploited in order that the clamping part remains in abutment with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part. Alternatively, in other embodiments a retraction of the connecting portion from the housing part might also be tolerable within certain limits. If a spring element is present, it does not necessarily have to be a helical spring. For example, it might also be a rubber-elastic ring.
The connecting portion of the anchor element is preferably rod-shaped—that is to say, cylindrical—and comprises a free end which is capable of being inserted into the housing part and the clamping part for the purpose of connecting the two components. The connecting portion then preferentially extends along the longitudinal central axis defined by the conical surfaces of the housing part and of the clamping part, and is thereby circumferentially enclosed by the clamping part and clamped in place therein.
The connecting portion preferably comprises a tapering free end. As a result, the connecting portion is capable of being inserted into the clamping part particularly easily.
Advantageously, the connecting portion of the anchor element comprises on its outer surface, and/or the clamping part comprises on an inner surface, an increased surface roughness or a profiling, such as a grooving or a thread, for example. The frictional force arising between the connecting portion and the clamping part in the course of clamping is thereby increased. The increase in the surface roughness of the connecting portion and/or of the clamping part may be realized by means of a surface coating, for example. However, a mechanical roughening of the surface(s) is preferred, by reason of its simple production. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping part comprises an internal thread or a grooving, and the connecting portion has a mechanically roughened outer surface.
The clamping part preferably has a conical shape overall with a through-bore extending along the longitudinal central axis. The clamping part is preferably designed to encompass and clamp the connecting portion in place substantially circumferentially. The clamping part preferentially comprises several, advantageously three, clamping elements. The clamping elements are advantageously all identically in design. An elastic element is preferably present, in order to hold the clamping elements together. The elastic element may be, for example, a spring washer or a rubber band. The clamping part advantageously comprises a preferably circumferential outer groove which serves to accommodate the elastic element.
The anchor element is preferably a profiled rod which is fixed—in particular, adhesion-bonded—in the first component. For the purpose of profiling, the rod may possess, in particular, an external structure provided with elevations and/or depressions. For example, the rod may comprise an external thread or a grooving. The anchor element is advantageously adhesion-bonded in the first component by means of an adhesive such as, in particular, an epoxy resin. In particular if the first component is a timber component, a particularly firm and shear-resistant fixing of the anchor element can be achieved thereby.
In a preferred embodiment, a second profiled rod is provided which is fixed—in particular, adhesion-bonded—in the second component and serves for fastening the housing part in or on the second component. For the purpose of profiling, the second rod may also possess, in particular, an external structure provided with elevations and/or depressions, such as an external thread or a grooving, for example. The second rod is advantageously adhesion-bonded in the second component by means of an adhesive such as, in particular, an epoxy resin. The housing part may, for example, be welded to the second rod or screwed onto it. The housing part is, however, preferably fastened to the second rod with the aid of screw connections via a further component.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting arrangement comprises a hollow cylindrical housing which is fastened in or on the second component. The housing part is preferably capable of being screwed into the hollow cylindrical housing. In this case, the housing part comprises an external thread, and the hollow cylindrical housing comprises a complementary internal thread. As a result, the housing part and the hollow cylindrical housing preferably constitute jointly an interior space for accommodating the clamping part and possibly a spring element. The interior space formed in this way is preferably accessible from outside via an insertion opening for the connecting portion, but is otherwise completely sealed off toward the outside. If the housing part is capable of being screwed into the hollow cylindrical housing via a threaded joint, this affords the advantage that the connection between the first and the second component is capable of being separated by the housing part being unscrewed. In addition, the production of the connecting arrangement is simplified thereby.
The hollow cylindrical housing is advantageously arranged, at least in part or even completely, in the interior of the second component and may, for example, be firmly adhesion-bonded directly on or in the second component, or screwed into the latter. However, for the purpose of fastening in or on the second component the hollow cylindrical housing is particularly preferably capable of being screwed onto a profiled second rod which is fixed—in particular, adhesion-bonded—in the second component. In this way, the hollow cylindrical housing is connected to the second component particularly firmly. In this case, the profiled rod comprises an external thread, at least in its end region, and the hollow cylindrical housing comprises a complementary internal thread.
The connecting arrangement preferably comprises, in addition, a pressure plate or a flange nut which is attached to the anchor element and serves for absorbing compressive forces. In the connected state of the two components, the pressure plate or flange nut then preferably bears against the housing part and/or, if present, against the hollow cylindrical housing. As a result, compressive forces can be transmitted from the first component to the second component, or in the opposite direction.
The anchor element, the housing part and the clamping part are preferably each produced from a metal such as from, in particular, steel. If present, the hollow cylindrical housing, the compression spring and also the pressure plate or flange nut are also preferentially produced from a metal such as from, in particular, steel. Moreover, it is preferred if the anchor element, the housing part and the clamping part and also, if present, the hollow cylindrical housing, the compression spring and the pressure plate or flange nut are each formed, as a whole, in a single piece. In this way, the connecting arrangement is not only capable of being produced particularly easily, but a particularly firm connection between the two components can also be achieved.
The present invention relates, in addition, to a connecting unit for a connecting arrangement, which is designed in accordance with the above statements and is preferably designed for use in structural timber-frame construction. The connecting unit comprises:
Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for connecting a first component and a second component of a connecting arrangement that is designed in accordance with the above statements. The connecting arrangement comprises at least one anchor element, fixed in or on the first component, with a connecting portion, and at least one housing part, fastened in or on the second component, with a conical or wedge-shaped inner surface, and comprises, in addition, a clamping part arranged in the housing part, with a conical or wedge-shaped outer surface, wherein in a state connected to the anchor element the clamping part clamps the connecting portion of the anchor element in place in such a manner that in the event of a tensile force acting on the connecting portion the clamping part is pulled with its outer surface against the inner surface of the housing part, so that the clamping force acting on the connecting portion is increased, and wherein in a state not connected to the anchor element the clamping part has a certain scope for movement with respect to the inner surface of the housing part, which is spatially limited in all directions.
The method comprises at least the step that the connecting portion of the anchor element is inserted into the clamping part in order to connect the first component and the second component to one another.
The method is preferably employed in structural timber-frame construction, wherein the first and/or second component are then each a timber component. But, in principle, the method can also be employed in combination with components that are produced from other materials such as, in particular, concrete, plastic or a metal.
When the connecting portion is being inserted, the clamping part is preferably widened somewhat. An elastic element is advantageously provided which presses the clamping part against the connecting portion, so that after the insertion of the connecting portion the clamping part bears against the outer surface of the connecting portion.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the drawings which are for explanatory purposes only and are not to be construed restrictively. In the drawings:
In all the cases represented in
In
In
A point of intersection between two pillars a and b and also a beam c is shown in
In the situation shown in
In
In
The connecting arrangement according to the invention can be used in each of the situations represented in
Various embodiments of connecting arrangements according to the invention and also of parts thereof are shown in
In
As is readily discernible, for example in
The profiled steel rods 1 and 2 each constitute the anchor elements of the connecting units in components b and a. All these anchor elements are pre-assembled, in each instance preferably already at the factory, in components a and b. The profiled steel rods 1 and 2 are threaded rods in each case—that is to say, the steel rods 1 and 2 each comprise an external thread on their outsides. In the case of profiled steel rods 2, this external thread preferably extends over the entire length of the respective rod. In the case of profiled steel rods 1, the external thread extends over a predominant major part of the length of the rod. In particular if components a and b are timber components, the profiled steel rods 1 and 2 are preferably each adhesion-bonded in shear-resistant manner in a bore of components a and b, respectively. For this purpose, an adhesive is introduced between the outer surface of the respective profiled steel rod 1 and 2 and the inner surface of the bore of component a and b, respectively. The adhesive may be, in particular, an epoxy resin. The external structure of the respective profiled steel rod 1, 2, which is provided with local elevations and depressions by reason of the thread, improves the fixing of the steel rod in the components. In this way, an extremely firm fixing of the profiled steel rods in component a or b can be achieved which is particularly loadable as regards shear and tension.
The two profiled steel rods 1 anchored in the second component b each comprise a connecting portion 11 which in each instance protrudes a short distance in the downward direction—that is to say, toward the first component a. The connecting portions 11 do not comprise threads on their outside but preferably have a mechanically roughened outer surface. At their respective free end, the connecting portions 11 taper. The connecting portions 11 of the two connecting units visible in
Immediately above the connecting portions 11, the profiled steel rods 1 with their external thread are screwed into an internal thread 71 which is provided within a bore of a pressure plate 7. As a result, the pressure plate 7 connects the two profiled steel rods 1 to one another. As can be seen in
As can be seen in
The hollow cylindrical housing 3 is screwed onto each of the profiled steel rods 2. The hollow cylindrical housing 3 comprises a corresponding first internal thread 31 for this purpose. In the longitudinal direction above this first internal thread 31, the hollow cylindrical housing 3 constitutes a cylindrical interior space which is open in the upward direction and which in an upper portion is surrounded by a second internal thread 32. The second internal thread 32, which has a considerably larger diameter than the first internal thread 31, serves for screwing the conical housing 4 into the hollow cylindrical housing 3. In the longitudinal direction between the first internal thread 31 and the second internal thread 32 there is preferably a portion of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 that comprises a thread-free inner surface. As a result, the conical housing 4 can be prevented from being screwed too far into the hollow cylindrical housing 3. The outer surface of the hollow cylindrical housing 3 is preferably of smooth design (see also
The conical housing 4 (see also
As can be seen in
In the present embodiment example, the clamping part 5, which is shown on its own in
The compression spring 6 (see
As is evident from
For the purpose of connecting the two components a and b, the connecting portion 11 protruding from component b now simply has to be pushed into the interior of the clamping part 5, as shown in
For the purpose of fixing component b to component a, consequently merely the connecting portion 11 has to be inserted into the clamping part 5. No further actions—such as, for example, the tightening of screws or of other fastening means—are necessary. As is apparent from
If the connecting arrangement is to be separable in certain embodiments, said arrangement may, for example, be configured in such a manner that the upper thread-free portion of the conical housing 4 remains accessible from outside in the connected state of the arrangement and can be rotated, for instance with the aid of a special tool. For the purpose of separating the connecting arrangement, the conical housing 4 can then simply be unscrewed from the hollow cylindrical housing 3.
In
In the further embodiment of a connecting unit for a connecting arrangement according to the invention that is shown, in addition, in
The present invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiments described above, and a great number of modifications are possible. For example, the hollow cylindrical housing 3 is not mandatory. Entirely conceivable are embodiments in which the conical housing 4 is screwed directly onto the profiled steel rod 2, or in which the profiled steel rod 2 is even omitted and the conical housing 4 is itself screwed directly into component b, for example with the aid of an external thread, and/or is adhesion-bonded in said component with the aid of an adhesive. If component b is produced from a metal, in addition it would also be conceivable that the connecting portion 11, which constitutes the anchor element, is connected thereto in one piece, or welded thereon. The anchor elements 1, 2 could also be anchored in the respective component by means of a dowel in each instance, in particular in the case of components made of concrete. The compression spring 6 may, in principle, also be omitted if a certain play is tolerated when retracting the connecting portion 11 from the clamping part 5, or when, for example, gravitational force is being exploited in order that the clamping part 5 remains in abutment with the conical housing 4. In addition, the clamping part 5 and the housing part 4 do not necessarily have to comprise conical surfaces. In another embodiment, the clamping part 5 and the housing part 4 could, for example, also be replaced by wedge elements bearing against one another, each with evenly formed oblique surfaces. For example, the wedge element 5 could comprise two opposing wedge-shaped outer surfaces, and the housing part 4 could accordingly comprise two opposing wedge-shaped inner surfaces. The sectional view would then be the same as in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21165672.3 | Mar 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/057021 | 3/17/2022 | WO |
