FR2497547A1

FR2497547A1 - Connector for hollow structural sections - has spring loaded clamping plate to retain connecting plug

Info

Publication number: FR2497547A1
Application number: FR8100162A
Authority: FR
Original assignee: DEVERNAY JACQUES
Current assignee: DEVERNAY JACQUES
Priority date: 1981-01-07
Filing date: 1981-01-07
Publication date: 1982-07-09

Abstract

The connector consists of a metal block (10) with a cross section small enough to fit freely into a structural hollow section (c). The block has a recess (11) into which fits a clamping plate (12). The plate is held in the recess by a spring loaded, mushroom head pin (7). Clamping is by two hexagon socket screws (2). Two holes (1) are drilled in the hollow section to coincide with the socket screws when the connector is in position. When the screws are tightened onto the clamping plate, the connector is locked in position. As the screws are slackened the spring loaded pin (7) releases the connector.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de fixation amovible, destiné à l'assemblage d'éléments structuraux creux,soit entre eux,soit sur toute ossature et surface existante,soit même en combinaison de ces deux possibilités. The present invention relates to a removable fixing device, intended for the assembly of hollow structural elements, either between them, or on any existing framework and surface, or even in combination of these two possibilities.

D'autres systèmes pour l'assemblage d'éléments structuraux creux sont déjà connus.Other systems for assembling hollow structural elements are already known.

- I1 s'agit de raccords en matière plastique ou en métal,formés de plan sieurs manchons qui sont reliés sur un noyau commun. Pour réaliser l'assemblage d'une ossature,chaque manchon est introduit " à force " dans les été- ments structuraux creux qui la compose. Ce type de fixation présente l'inconvénient d'être difficilement démontable; les éléments de structure et les raccords risquent d'être détériorés pendant le démontage,et,leur réemploi ne peut plus garantir une aussi bonne liaison " à force " que celle obtenue à leur premier usage. - These are plastic or metal fittings, formed of sleeves planers which are connected on a common core. To assemble a frame, each sleeve is introduced "by force" into the hollow structural elements that compose it. This type of attachment has the drawback of being difficult to dismantle; the structural elements and the connections risk being damaged during disassembly, and their reuse can no longer guarantee as good a "force" connection as that obtained at their first use.

- Il s'agit encore de raccords composés d'éléments métalliques à expansion. Chaque élément se présente sous la forme d'un manchon qui comprend deux branches distinctes,solidaires d'une même attache. Ces branches s'écartent l'une de l'autre sous l'action d'une vis de poussée,ce qui assure le serrage du manchon avec l'élément structural dans lequel il a été intro duit.Lorsque l'on relache la vis de poussée,les deux branches se rapprochent l'une de l'autre jusqu'à reprendre leur position d'origine,et,le manchon peut être séparé de l'élément structural. L'utilisation de ce système de fixation comporte plusieurs inconvénients.D'une part,le choix des dimensions des éléments structuraux,dans lesquels les manchons sont introduits,doit être rigoureux En effet,l'écartement et le retour des branches qui forment le manchon,sont obtenus par une déformation élastique du métal qui les compose. Leur déplacement nécessaire au serrage doit donc rester faible,sous peine du dépassement des limites élastiques du métal qui provoquerait une déformation permanente voire la rupture des branches. D'autre part,lors du serrage de la vis de poussée,les branches ne s'écartent pas parallèlement l'une à l'autre mais suivant un plan circulaire; leur surface de contact sur les parois de l'élément structural est donc limitée,ce qui altère profondément l'adhérence du manchon avec l'élément de structure.Une variante de ce dispositif proposant une enveloppe en matière plastique autour d'un noyau métallique déformable,offre l'inconvénient,malgré l'amélioration de l'adhérence du manchon sur les parois de l'élément structural, de ne pouvoir s'opposer aux mouvements relatifs entre l'élément structural et le raccord compte tenu de l'élasticité de l'enveloppe. - These are also fittings made up of expanding metallic elements. Each element is in the form of a sleeve which comprises two separate branches, integral with the same fastener. These branches move away from each other under the action of a push screw, which ensures the tightening of the sleeve with the structural element in which it was intro duit. When the screw is released pushing, the two branches approach each other until returning to their original position, and, the sleeve can be separated from the structural element. The use of this fastening system has several drawbacks. On the one hand, the choice of the dimensions of the structural elements, into which the sleeves are introduced, must be rigorous. Indeed, the spacing and return of the branches which form the sleeve , are obtained by an elastic deformation of the metal which composes them. Their displacement necessary for tightening must therefore remain small, under penalty of exceeding the elastic limits of the metal which would cause permanent deformation or even rupture of the branches. On the other hand, when tightening the push screw, the branches do not move apart parallel to each other but in a circular plane; their contact surface on the walls of the structural element is therefore limited, which profoundly alters the adhesion of the sleeve to the structural element. A variant of this device offering a plastic envelope around a deformable metal core , offers the disadvantage, despite the improvement of the grip of the sleeve on the walls of the structural element, of not being able to oppose the relative movements between the structural element and the connector, taking into account the elasticity of the 'envelope.

Le but de l'invention est de réaliser un dispositif de fixation amovi ble ne présentant pas ces inconvénients,
Ce dispositif est essentiellement caractérisé par le fait qu'il est constitué de deux organes:
- Un organe A se solidarisant à l'élément structural creux.The object of the invention is to provide a removable fixing device which does not have these drawbacks,
This device is essentially characterized by the fact that it consists of two organs:
- A member A joining to the hollow structural element.

- Un organe B solidarisant le cu les organes A
L'organe A est un manchon introduit librement dans un élément structural creux. Ce manchon est principalement constitué d'une partie fixe et d'une plaque mobile; sous l'action d'un dispositif de poussée installé dans la partie fixe,cette plaque s'écarte de la partie fixe,augmentant ainsi,ia dimension du manchon jusqu'au serrage nécessaire avec l'élément structural.Lors de 11action inverse du dispesit f e kousséesla plaque rejoint la partie fixe sous l'effet d'un système de rappel; le manchon retrouve ainsi ses dimensions initiales et,peut être sorti ' librement de l'élément structural.- An organ B joining the cu the organs A
The member A is a sleeve freely introduced into a hollow structural element. This sleeve mainly consists of a fixed part and a movable plate; under the action of a pushing device installed in the fixed part, this plate moves away from the fixed part, thus increasing the size of the sleeve until the necessary tightening with the structural element. fe kousséesla plate joined the fixed part under the effect of a reminder system; the sleeve thus regains its initial dimensions and can be freely removed from the structural element.

Selon une première variante,la plaque mobile est installée dans un logement ménagé dans la partie fixe du manchon; dans ce cas,sous l'action du dispositif de poussée,cette plaque sort de son logement,et,le regagne sous l'action inverse
Selon une seconde variante,la plaque mobile est extérieure à la partie fixe du manchon; dans ce cas,sous l'action du dispositif de poussée,cette plaque s'écarte de la partie fixe du manchon,et,reprend sa position initiale en contact avec la partie fixe,sous l'action inverse.According to a first variant, the movable plate is installed in a housing formed in the fixed part of the sleeve; in this case, under the action of the pushing device, this plate leaves its housing, and, regains it under the reverse action
According to a second variant, the movable plate is external to the fixed part of the sleeve; in this case, under the action of the pushing device, this plate moves away from the fixed part of the sleeve, and returns to its initial position in contact with the fixed part, under the reverse action.

Un avantage principal de ce système de fixation est de tolérer sans inconvénient des différences de dimensions relativement importantes entre le manchon et l'élément structural. On pourra donc aisément utiliser tous profilés creux standards,quelque soient les variations de dimensions compatibles avec les tolérances admises pour leur fabrication. Dans certaines limites,il sera mème possible d'utiliser des éléments structuraux creux d'épaisseurs différentes. A main advantage of this fastening system is to tolerate, without disadvantage, relatively large differences in dimensions between the sleeve and the structural element. We can therefore easily use all standard hollow profiles, whatever the dimensional variations compatible with the tolerances allowed for their manufacture. Within certain limits, it will even be possible to use hollow structural elements of different thicknesses.

Un autre avantage est d'assurer une fixation parfaite du manchon sur l'élément structural; la rigidité de la plaque mobile assure une répartition uniforme des efforts du dispositif de poussée sur la paroi de l'élé- ment structural,interdisant tout déplacement longitudinal. Dans une version comprenant deux dispositifs de poussée distants l'un de l'autre,il est obtenu un couple important s'opposant à tous mouvements angulaires entre le manchon et l'élément de structure. Another advantage is to ensure perfect fixing of the sleeve on the structural element; the rigidity of the movable plate ensures a uniform distribution of the forces of the pushing device on the wall of the structural element, preventing any longitudinal movement. In a version comprising two pushing devices distant from each other, a high torque is obtained opposing any angular movements between the sleeve and the structural element.

Ce manchon est muni de moyens de fixation permettant son accouplement sur un autre manchon ou sur l'organe B.This sleeve is provided with fixing means allowing its coupling on another sleeve or on the member B.

L'organe B,muni d'un dispositif apte à recevoir le moyen de fixation de l'élément A est un organe de liaison de forme quelconque accouplant les organes A selon les orientations souhaitées de l'ossature à réaliser. Cet organe B peut être aussi une simple surface existante. The member B, provided with a device capable of receiving the means for fixing the element A is a connecting member of any shape coupling the members A according to the desired orientations of the framework to be produced. This member B can also be a simple existing surface.

L'invention sera bien comprise par la description qui suit,faite à titre d'exemple,et,en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:
- La figure I est une vue en perspective de l'organe A selon une première variante de l'invention.The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
- Figure I is a perspective view of the member A according to a first variant of the invention.

- La figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant le plan X de la figure I lorsque l'organe A accouplé sur un organe B est introduit librement dans l'élément structural. - Figure 2 is a sectional view along the plane X of Figure I when the member A coupled to a member B is freely introduced into the structural element.

- La figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant le plan X de la figure I lorsque l'organe A accouplé sur un organe B est solidarisé avec l'élément structural. - Figure 3 is a sectional view along the plane X of Figure I when the member A coupled to a member B is secured to the structural element.

- La figure 4 est une vue en coupe de l'organe A selon une deuxième variante de l'invention,représentée dans les mêmes conditions que celles de la figure 3. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the member A according to a second variant of the invention, represented under the same conditions as those of FIG. 3.

- La figure 5 est une vue en perspective sur des formes courantes de l'organe B. - Figure 5 is a perspective view of common forms of organ B.

On se réfère d'abord aux figures I à 3 relatives à une première variante du dispositif selon l'invention. Dans cette forme de réalisation, l'organe A est constitué par un bloc parallèlépipèdique IO comportant sur sa face I8 une mortaise II dans laquelle se luge une plaque mobile I2. Les faces I5 et I6 sont forées d'un trou taraudé I3 pouvant recevoir une vis
I4. La face longitudinale supérieure I7 est percée de deux trous 3 disposés symétriquement par rapport aux axes orthogonaux de cette face. Ces trous 3 sont chambrés en un diamètre supérieur pour former un trou 2 qui est tarau dé afin de recevoir une vis sans tête 4.La face I7 est également munie en son centre d'un trou 6 chambré en un diamètre supérieur afin de réaliser le logement 5; dans ce logement 5 est placé-un ressort 9 ainsi que la tête 8 du rivet 7 dont la tige traversant le ressort et le trou 6 vient se fixer sur la plaque I2.Reference is first made to Figures I to 3 relating to a first variant of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the member A is constituted by a parallelepiped block IO comprising on its face I8 a mortise II in which a movable plate I2 is sledged. The faces I5 and I6 are drilled with a tapped hole I3 capable of receiving a screw
I4. The upper longitudinal face I7 is pierced with two holes 3 arranged symmetrically with respect to the orthogonal axes of this face. These holes 3 are chambered in a larger diameter to form a hole 2 which is tarau die in order to receive a grub screw 4.The face I7 is also provided in its center with a hole 6 chambered in a larger diameter in order to achieve the housing 5; in this housing 5 is placed -a spring 9 as well as the head 8 of the rivet 7 whose rod passing through the spring and the hole 6 is fixed on the plate I2.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant:
Dans le trou taraudé I3 de l'une des faces 15 ou 16 du bloc IO,est mis en place la vis I4. L'organe A est alors vissé par l'intermédiaire de cette vis I4 dans un trou taraudé I9 aménagé dans un organe B,dont la conception dépend de l'ossature à réaliser. L'élément structural creux C,qui,dans le cas des figures représentées,est un tube rectangulaire,percé de deux trous
I dont l'emplacement et le diamètre correspondent aux trous 3 du bloc IO,
est enfilé sur l'organe A jusqu'en butée sur l'organe B conformément à la figure 2.A travers les trous I et 3 à l'aide d'un outil,on procède au serrage des vis 4 qui font pression sur la plaque mobile I2.Ainsi,les éléments IO et I2 écartés assurent un liaisonnement étroit de l'organe A à l'intérieur du tube C. Simultanément,le mouvement de la plaque 12 -entrai- ne le rivet 7,comprimant entre sa tête 8 et le fond de la chambre 5,le ressort 9.confjrme-ment à la figure 3. Avantageusement,le diamètre du trou 6 est légèrement supérieur à celui de la tige du rivet 7 afin de permettre des inclinaisons sensibles de la plaque I2 produites par un serrage alterné des vis 4.The operation of the device is as follows:
In the threaded hole I3 of one of the faces 15 or 16 of the block IO, the screw I4 is put in place. The member A is then screwed by means of this screw I4 into a tapped hole I9 arranged in a member B, the design of which depends on the framework to be produced. The hollow structural element C, which, in the case of the figures shown, is a rectangular tube, pierced with two holes
I whose location and diameter correspond to holes 3 of the IO block,
is threaded on the member A as far as the stop on the member B in accordance with FIG. 2. Through the holes I and 3 using a tool, the screws 4 are pressed which press on the movable plate I2. Thus, the elements IO and I2 separated ensure a close connection of the member A inside the tube C. Simultaneously, the movement of the plate 12 -drives the rivet 7, compressing between its head 8 and the bottom of the chamber 5, the spring 9.confjrme-ment in Figure 3. Advantageously, the diameter of the hole 6 is slightly greater than that of the rod of the rivet 7 in order to allow sensitive inclinations of the plate I2 produced by alternating tightening of the screws 4.

lors du démontage pour séparer l'élément structural C de l'organe A, il convient de desserer les vis 4 jusqu'à leur butée en fond de la chambre 2. Pendant cette manoeuvre,la détente du ressort 9 rappelle la plaque I2 dans son logement; on est ramené ainsi au cas initial représenté par la figure 2. during disassembly to separate the structural element C from the member A, it is necessary to loosen the screws 4 until they stop at the bottom of the chamber 2. During this maneuver, the relaxation of the spring 9 recalls the plate I2 in its housing; we are thus brought back to the initial case represented by FIG. 2.

Le dispositif de rappel constitué par les éléments 5 à 9 peut être,en variante,remplacé par tout autre système tel que ceux faisant coopérer la plaque mobile I2 directement avec les mouvements de translation des vis 4 ou ceux,utilisant l'élasticité de certains matériaux qui liaisonneraient l'élément IO à la plaque mobile 12. The return device constituted by elements 5 to 9 can, as a variant, be replaced by any other system such as those making the movable plate I2 cooperate directly with the translational movements of the screws 4 or those, using the elasticity of certain materials which would link the IO element to the movable plate 12.

La figure 4 représente une variante possible du dispositif selon l'invention. Dans cette forme de réalisation,l'organe A est de même conception que celle décrite ci avant. Cependant,la plaque mobile I2,en l'absence de la mortaise II pratiquée dans le corps IO selon les figures 2 et 3,est pla cée extérieurement à ce dernier. Lorsque l'on se trouve dans les conditions de la figure 2 cette plaque s'applique sur la face 18. FIG. 4 represents a possible variant of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the member A is of the same design as that described above. However, the movable plate I2, in the absence of the mortise II made in the body IO according to FIGS. 2 and 3, is placed externally to the latter. When one is in the conditions of FIG. 2, this plate is applied to the face 18.

Le dispositif objet de l'invention peut être utilisé dans tous les cas ou l'assemblage d'éléments structuraux creux est requis pour former des ossatures demeurant démontables et transformables. The device which is the subject of the invention can be used in all cases where the assembly of hollow structural elements is required to form frameworks which remain removable and transformable.

C'est ainsi qu'à partir des mêmes éléments d'assemblage,il est posside réaliser tous meubles tels que tables,éta;ères,bibliothèques,lits, présentoirs,modules de jeux pour enfants,etc ,petits abris tels que serres de jardin,stands forains,mobilier urbain,équipements de camping et caravaning,etc This is how, from the same assembly elements, it is possible to make all the furniture such as tables, shelves, bookcases, beds, displays, play modules for children, etc., small shelters such as garden greenhouses. , fairground stands, street furniture, camping and caravanning equipment, etc.

Claims

hollow structural formed by a sleeve to be assembled on a connecting member and, mainly comprising a fixed part and a movable plate, characterized in that the movable plate moves away from said fixed part under the action of a thrust ensuring the tightening of the sleeve in the structural element, and returns to its initial position under the effect of a return system when the thrust device no longer acts allowing the separation of the sleeve from the structural element.

I. Removable fixing device for assembling elements

2. Device according to claim I characterized in that the spacing of the movable plate is obtained by the action of the tightening of two screws, without head, mounted in the threads arranged in the fixed part.

3. Device according to claim I characterized in that the spacing of the movable plate is obtained by the action of tightening a screw, without head, mounted in the thread arranged in the fixed part.

4. Device according to claim I characterized in that the system for returning the movable plate to the fixed part is constituted by a spring keeping the movable plate in permanent contact with the pushing screws, thus ensuring its return during loosening of the said screws.

5. Device according to claim I characterized in that the return system is a device connecting each push screw to the movable plate and causing the latter to cooperate directly with the translational movements of said screws.

6. Device according to claim I characterized in that the return system is constituted by an elastic material securing the fixed part and the movable plate, and, the elasticity of which allows back and forth movements of said movable plate.

7. Device according to claim I characterized in that a tapped hole, in which a threaded rod can be mounted is arranged in each end of the fixed part of the sleeve allowing its coupling on a connecting member while retaining the possibility of its disassembly to reuse it on another connecting member.

8. Device according to claims I and 7 characterized in that the polyhedral connecting member is provided on each of its selected faces, with a tapped hole corresponding to the threaded rod of the sleeve then allowing by their coupling to constitute a core carrying several sleeves oriented in the desired directions.

9. Device according to claim I characterized in that the fixed part of the sleeve is provided on its underside with a mortise in which is housed the movable plate.

IO. Device according to claim I characterized in that the lower face of the fixed part of the sleeve is planar, the movable plate remains outside this fixed part.