Patent Grant
7955029
The invention relates to a connection element with a constant cross-section for sheet pile wall components, such as sheet piles with a claw profile for engaging a head strip of a sheet pile wall component, whereby the claw profile exhibits a claw-shaped lock chamber formed by two hook strips, as well as an attachment profile for engaging in a claw-shaped lock of a sheet pile wall component, whereby the attachment profile exhibits a straight neck strip and a head strip of a greater cross-section provided at its free end. In addition, the invention relates to a sheet pile wall comprised of several sheet piles, where at least two of the sheet piles are connected to each other through a connection element of the type mentioned above.
A connection element of the type mentioned above is known from DE 203 19 175 U1 and from DE 20 2004 018 659 U1. This known connection element is used for connecting sheet pile wall components to each other, which are equipped with so-called ball-and-socket locks. This includes conventional Z- or U-sheet piles with ball-and-socket locks as well as T-beams and I-beams as described in DE 103 07 414 A1 that are provided with ball locks and/or socket locks at the free ends of their flanges. In this context, a ball lock refers to a lock that is formed in the shape of a head strip that stretches along the entire longitudinal edge of the sheet pile and has an oval cross-section. A socket lock refers to a lock with a claw-shaped cross-section in which the ball lock of a sheet pile wall component can engage.
Using the known connection elements, it is possible to couple sheet pile wall components to each other that run at different angles to each other. To this end, the connection element that exhibits a constant cross-section is provided with an attachment profile and a claw profile and in its length is adapted to the lengths of the respective sheet pile wall components that are to be connected.
Based on this state of the art, it is the principle objective of the present invention to develop the connection element mentioned above such that it can be employed even more flexibly.
Based on the invention, the objective is achieved by forming at least one of the hook strips of the claw profile at the free end section as an additional head strip for engaging a claw-shaped lock of a sheet pile wall component.
The connection element based on the invention, which is particularly suitable for connecting sheet pile wall components with ball-and-socket locks distinguishes itself from the known connection elements as described above through greater flexibility in its application. For example, the claw profile of the connection element based on the invention fulfills a double function by providing the additional head strip at one of its hook strips. It can be used not only to engage the head strip of a sheet pile wall component but at the same time is suited for engaging in a claw-shaped lock of a sheet pile wall component. To this end, the additional head strip provided at the claw profile is preferably formed directly at the hook strip. If useful, the head strip can also be attached to the claw profile via a short neck strip with the contour and length of the neck strip being designed such that engaging a lock in the claw-shaped lock chamber of the claw profile is not impaired. When using a connection element based on the invention, great flexibility is achieved with regard to the arrangement and number of sheet pile wall components when erecting sheet pile walls. For example, it is immaterial when attaching the connection element, whether the lock at the sheet pile wall component that is to be coupled with the claw profile of the connection element is a head strip or a claw-shaped lock. The connection element based on the invention is formed of one piece and is preferably manufactured by extrusion molding.
In addition, it shall be noted that all progressions of contours, axes, etc. as referenced and defined in the description and the claims shall always be viewed at a cross-sectional plane that is at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the connection element.
For example, the head strip is preferably integrated directly in the hook strip of the claw profile. To this end, in a particular advantageous development of the connection element based on the invention, the hook strip that is provided with the additional head strip has a curved contour, while the free end section of the curved hook strip transitions into the additional head strip such that the free end section of the curved hook strip forms a portion of the outer contour of the additional head strip and at the same time a portion of the inner contour of the lock chamber. The transition of the end section of the hook strip into the head strip is seamless. This is achieved in particular through the inner contour of the hook strip and the transition into the head strip being realized through a succession of appropriately dimensioned radii.
Preferably, the claw-shaped lock chamber of the claw profile exhibits an oval cross-section in order for the head strip of the sheet pile wall that is engaged in the claw profile of the connection element based on the invention to be held securely in the claw profile and for said head strip to be pivotable in the claw profile to compensate for deviations in the progression of the sheet pile wall. In this case, the inner contours of the curved hook strips of the claw profile that border the lock chambers run mirror-symmetrical to each other, while the ends of the hook strips define the open jaw of the claw-shaped lock chamber. Preferably, the shape of the oval cross-section is designed such that the main axis of the oval, i.e., the axis along which the oval cross-section of the lock chamber has the greatest inside dimension, extends perpendicular to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile along which the sheet pile wall component in its neutral position shall engage in the claw profile.
In this context, main direction of attachment refers to the direction of attachment along which the sheet pile wall component with its lock in a neutral position engages in the head strip of the attachment profile, in the claw-shaped lock chamber of the claw profile or in the head strip of the claw profile of the connection element based on the invention, and from which the sheet pile wall component can pivot clockwise or counterclockwise at least by approximately the same angular degree.
To establish a defined pattern of the sheet pile wall components that are to engage in the claw profile, the main direction of attachment of the claw profile, along which the sheet pile wall component in its neutral position shall engage in the claw profile, and the main direction of attachment of the additional head strip provided at the claw profile preferably run parallel to each other.
The head strip of the attachment profile and the additional head strip of the claw profile exhibit preferably at least almost identical, oval cross-sectional shapes, whereby the main axes of the head strips with the oval cross-section run perpendicular to their respective main direction of attachment, along which the sheet pile wall components shall engage in their respective neutral position. This ensures that the connection elements based on the invention can be used in the same manner without difficulties for all sheet pile wall components using ball-and-socket locks.
To enable a very flexible use of the connection element based on the invention, connection elements are recommended that connect the sheet pile wall components to each other at different angles. For example, it is recommended to arrange the attachment profile and the claw profile in relation to each other such that the main direction of attachment of the attachment profile extends at a pre-specified angle, preferable an angle of 45°, 90°, 135° or 180° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile. When providing these connection elements with various connection angles and when taking into account the pivotability of the locks of the sheet pile wall components, which can pivot by up to 20° from the main direction of attachment both clockwise and counterclockwise, a particularly great flexibility is achieved with regard to the use of the connection elements based on the invention.
Should three or even four sheet pile wall components be coupled by the connection element based on the invention, it is recommended to provide the connection element with at least one additional attachment profile or an additional claw profile.
For example, in a particularly advantageous development of the connection element based on the invention, it is recommended to provide the connection element with a claw profile and two attachment profiles, whereby the main direction of attachment of the one attachment profile extends at an angle of 90° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile, while the second identically designed attachment profile extends with its main direction of attachment at an angle of 180° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile.
In an alternative development of this connection element with a claw profile and two attachment profiles, it is recommended to design the connection element such that the main direction of attachment of the one attachment profile extends at an angle of 45° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile, while the second identically designed attachment profile extends with its main direction of attachment at an angle of 135° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile.
In a second alternative development of the connection element with a claw profile and two attachment profiles, the one attachment profile extends with its main direction of attachment at an angle of 90° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile, while the second identically designed attachment profile extends with its main direction of attachment at an angle of 270° relative to the main direction of attachment of the claw profile. In order to increase the flexibility of the connection element further, it is additionally recommended to provide each of the two hook strips of the claw profile with a head strip.
In an alternative development of the connection element based on the invention, it is recommended to provide the connection element with an additional claw profile that exhibits a claw-shaped lock chamber formed by two identically designed hook strips and where the inner contour of said lock chamber corresponds to the inner contour of the lock chamber of the first claw profile.
At this further development, the main direction of attachment of this second claw profile extends preferably at an angle of 90° relative to the main direction of attachment of the first claw profile, while the main direction of the attachment profile extends at an angle of 180° relative to the main direction of attachment of the first claw profile. This provides the opportunity to couple the sheet piles to each other in an angular range of in total 270°. In this case, the second claw profile is preferably designed such that its two hook strips protrude outward from the hook strip of the first claw profile that is not provided with the head strip.
To further increase the flexibility of the connection element based on the invention, the additional claw profile exhibits preferably a head strip at the end section of at least one of its hook strips as well, with said head strip being designed identical to the head strip of the first claw profile, whereby the head strip of the additional claw profile is preferably formed at the end of the hook strip that is at a greater distance to the attachment profile in order to prevent a potential collision between the engaged sheet pile wall components.
Additionally, in a further development of the connection element with two claw profiles, it is recommended to design the two claw profiles mirror symmetrical to each other, whereby the main direction of attachment of the attachment profile extends at a respective angle of 90° relative to the main direction of attachment of the two claw profiles. Furthermore, each claw profile exhibits a head strip at least at its hook strip that is at a distance from the attachment profile. Potentially, both hook strips of each claw profile can be provided with a head strip.
It is furthermore conceivable to provide the connection element that exhibits the two claw profiles, which are mirror-symmetrical to each other, with an additional attachment profile that is designed mirror-symmetrical to the first attachment profile.
According to an additional aspect, the invention relates to a sheet pile wall comprised of several sheet piles, where at least two sheet piles are connected to each other through a connection element based on the invention.
For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of eight preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to
The claw profile 12 is formed of a center strip 16 as well as two hook strips 18 and 20 protruding in the same direction from said center strip. The hook strips 18 and 20 arise smoothly from the center strip 16 building a curve, and run towards each other in a mirror-symmetrical, curve-like manner. The two hook strips 18 and 20 are designed and dimensioned such that the claw-shaped lock chamber 22 that is partially enclosed by the two hook strips 18 and 20 exhibits an at least approximate oval cross-sectional shape.
The shape of the oval cross-section is designed such that the main axis 24 of the oval, i.e., the axis along which the oval cross-section of the lock chamber 22 has the greatest inside dimension a, extends perpendicular to the main direction of attachment X of the claw profile 12. The main direction of attachment X shown in
Adjacent to the hook strip 18 shown in
The neck strip 32 has a thickness b, which corresponds to approximately 0.8 to 1 times the thickness c of the center strip 16, while the length of the neck strip 32 viewed in the longitudinal direction of the center strip 16 corresponds to approximately 1 to 2 times the thickness c of the center strip 16. In the shown embodiment, both the thickness b and the length of the neck strip 32 correspond to the thickness c of the center strip 16.
The head strip 34 has an oval cross-section, with the main axis 36 of the head strip 34 running at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the neck strip 32. The greatest width d of the oval of the head strip 34 viewed in the direction of the main axis 36 corresponds to approximately 2 to 3 times the thickness b of the neck strip 32 and extends perpendicular to the main direction of attachment Y. In the shown embodiment, the greatest width d of the oval of the head strip 34 is at approximately 2.5 times the thickness b of the neck strip 32.
Based on the invention, the greatest inside dimension a of the inner contour of the lock chamber 22 of the claw profile 12 corresponds to 2.5 to 4 times the thickness b of the neck strip 32. In the shown embodiment, the greatest inside dimension a of the inner contour corresponds to approximately 2.8 times the thickness b of the neck strip 32. The width of the jaw 30 corresponds to approximately half of the greatest inside dimension a of the inner contour of the lock chamber 22.
Based on the invention, the hook strip 20 of the claw profile 12 shown in
The oval shape of the cross-section of the claw-shaped lock chamber 22 of the claw profile 12 is designed such that the inner contours of the curved hook strips 18 and 20 of the claw profile 12 that define the lock chamber 22 run at least approximately mirror-symmetrical to each other. The hook strip 20 that is provided with the additional head strip 38 transitions with its free end section 28 into the additional head strip 38 such that the free end section 28 of the curved hook strip 20 forms a portion of the outer contour of the additional head strip 38 and at the same time a portion of the inner contour of the lock chamber 22.
In the application shown in
The attachment profile 14 of the connection element 10 engages with a claw-shaped lock 45 of an identical sheet pile 42 and in the shown application extends with its lock 46 along the main direction of attachment Y. Here too it is possible to pivot the sheet pile 42 clockwise and counterclockwise by an angle β of approximately 20° versus the main direction of attachment Y as indicated by the dashed line.
With the application shown in
The advantage of the connection element 10 based on the invention is obvious. Because of the additional head strip 38, when erecting a sheet pile wall, it is no longer necessary to observe, which type of lock, i.e., head strip or claw-shaped lock, is provided at the sheet pile 42 that is to be coupled with the claw profile 12 of the connection element 10.
The following embodiments are formed from the two basic forms of the claw profile 12 and the attachment profile 14, whereby the ratios of the quantities a, b, c, and d described above are adopted accordingly. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, corresponding base forms have been given identical reference characters in the embodiments described below.
The attachment profile 14e′ is molded to the transition of the center strip 16e of the first claw profile 12e into the second claw profile 12e′, whereby its main direction of attachment Y extends at an angle of 180° to the main direction of attachment X of the first claw profile 12e.
Finally,
The presented embodiments show the diverse design options of the connection element 10 based on the invention. Depending on the purpose of the application, it is also possible for the attachment profile 14 to run with its main direction of attachment Y at a different angle to the main direction of the attachment X of the claw profile 12. Furthermore, the cross-sections of the lock chamber or of the head strips may be round or elliptical or exhibit other cross-sectional shapes that are rotation-symmetric with regard to the main direction of attachment X.
There has thus been shown and described a novel connection element and a sheet pile wall with connection element therefor which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2007 027 940 | Jun 2007 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3688508 | Taylor | Sep 1972 | A |
| 5292208 | Berger | Mar 1994 | A |
| D472455 | Wall | Apr 2003 | S |
| D517905 | Wall | Mar 2006 | S |
| D521365 | Wall | May 2006 | S |
| 20020102131 | Wall | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20070003379 | Wall | Jan 2007 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080310924 A1 | Dec 2008 | US |
