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(11) | EP 1 621 718 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Apparatus for angular connection of tubular section bars for the construction of window and door frames |
| (57) An apparatus (1;61) for angular connection, with selectively variable angular amplitude,
of tubular section bars (2;62) for the construction of window and door frames, comprising:
rigid connection members (3;63), which have corresponding first ends (4;64), interconnected
and mutually articulated and corresponding second ends (5;65), able to be removably
fastened to the section bars (2;62) to be connected. The first ends (4;64) bear rotoidal
coupling surfaces (6,7;66,67, shaped complementarily, which are obtained in the body
of the connection members (3;63). The coupling surfaces (6,7;66,67) are able to be
mutually coupled and uncoupled with a relative motion of said connection members (3;63),
performed parallel to an axis of articulation (8;68) of said first ends (4;64).
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[0001] The present invention relates to the technology for the construction of window and door frames in which the frames are obtained by assembling prefabricated elements comprising both tubular section bars with elongated shape, and apparatuses for the angular connection thereof; apparatuses that connect the head and angled tubular section bars being housed inside the related cavities.
[0002] More in particular, the invention relates to a connection apparatus able to allow the obtainment of angular junctions, with angles with variable amplitude, selectable at will.
[0003] The prior art in the industry already knows connection apparatuses which, exploiting the concept of the rotoidal junction, allow to connect section bars with such orientation as to delimit frame angles of various amplitude.
[0004] A first type of such connection apparatuses comprises: connection members having the shape of rods provided with a hemispherical head and with a threaded stem; a connecting body, with complex geometry, which in particular includes through seats able to be traversed by the rods, provided with spherical surfaces against which the heads abut; and anchoring means able to be screwed to the threaded stem of the rods and so shaped as to connect the connection members to the section bars by a push-button engagement mechanism. The rotoidal coupling surfaces of the heads and of the seats are kept in mutual contact by means of pressure springs.
[0005] However, such a solution, though fully satisfactory according to the most disparate technical aspects, is not free from drawbacks, mainly related to economics.
[0006] A first drawback is determined by the very shape of the connection body, whose complexity requires production equipment that is costly in itself, and which impacting on small series production runs imply costs per unit of product that are not quite negligible.
[0007] The presence of constituent components obtained through different technologies, such as: steel rods, die-cast aluminium parts; steel alloy springs, etc. entails the need to perform mounting and handling operations on dedicated work stations, whose costs further add to the previously mentioned costs.
[0008] An additional drawback, relating to applications, instead deriving from the fact that, depending on the amplitude of the angle whereby the section bars are to be connected, the axis of rotation of the rotoidal joint is placed in different positions in space on each occasion. This fact implies that, as the angle of connection changes, the positions in which both the holes needed to reach the connection elements from outside the section bars and the holes in which the push-buttons of the anchoring elements are engaged will change as well.
[0009] Although the prior art in industry has provided, for the various junction angles, formulas and tables for calculating said positions, the practical installation of the junction apparatus requires the installer to perform a certain preparatory activity, to be performed with care and skill.
[0010] The other solution already known instead provides for connection apparatuses that include connection members having the shape of forked rods. First ends of the rods are permanently and irremovably connected to each other by means of rotoidal pairs. The second ends instead connect with screws to push-button mechanisms, in which the push-buttons are able to engage in snap-on fashion to the section bars to be connected.
[0011] Although this solution requires a smaller number of constituent components and though it does offer a greater simplicity of shapes for them, it still entails the need for factory mounting the connection device. Moreover, it also suffers from the same drawbacks due to the variability in the position of the centre of the rotation and to the consequent variability in the positions in which the holes for securing the connection apparatus for the engagement of the anchoring push-buttons need to be drilled.
[0012] A first object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an angular connection apparatus, with angular amplitude selectable at will, with minimal cost, in which the constructive components are present in reduce number and also belong to a lower number of different technological categories.
[0013] An additional object of the invention is to provide a connection device that does not require to be factory assembled; that can be shipped in separate parts and packed in smaller containers.
[0014] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a connection device with variable angle in which the centre of relative rotation of the connection members has - with respect to the section bars to be contained - a unique position, independent from the amplitude of the angle with which the connection of the section bars to be connected is performed.
[0015] A further object of the invention is to make simpler and quicker the installation of the device even by non specialised personnel.
[0016] According to the invention, said objects are achieved by an apparatus for angular connection, with selectively variable angular amplitude, of tubular section bars for the construction of window and door frames, comprising: rigid connection members, which have corresponding first ends, interconnected and mutually articulated and corresponding second ends, able to be removably fastened to the section bars to be connected, characterised in that said first ends bear rotoidal coupling surfaces, shaped complementarily, which are obtained in the body of the connection members, said coupling surfaces being able to be mutually coupled and uncoupled with a relative motion of said connection members, performed parallel to an axis of articulation of said first ends.
[0017] The technical features of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly noted from the content of the appended claims and its advantages shall be made more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent an embodiment provided purely by way of non limiting indication, in which:
- Figure 1 is a global, exploded, perspective view of a first example of the connection apparatus constructed in such a way as to perform the connection of two aligned section bars, i.e. offset by 180° from each other;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the angular connection of Figure 1 shown with the connection apparatus mounted and with some parts removed, the better to highlight the others;
- Figure 3 and Figure 4 are respectively perspective views that show a sequence of the mounting of the connection apparatus of Figure 1, configured to obtain an angular connection of reduced angular amplitude;
- Figure 5 is an elevation view of the apparatus as per the previous Figures 3 and 4, highlighting a geometric condition between the connection apparatus and the connected section bars;
- Figure 6 is a global, exploded, perspective view of a second example of the connection apparatus constructed in such a way as to perform the connection of two aligned section bars, i.e. offset by an angle of great amplitude from each other;
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the angular connection of Figure 6 shown with the connection apparatus partially mounted and with some parts removed, the better to highlight the others;
- Figure 8 and Figure 9 are respectively perspective views that show a sequence of the mounting of the connection apparatus of Figure 7, configured to obtain an angular connection of reduced angular amplitude;
- Figures 10 and 11 are elevation views of the connection apparatus of Figure 6, highlighting a relative reference condition between the connection apparatus and the connected section bars;
- Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views of the angular connections according to Figures 6 and 8, in which some details are omitted the better to highlight other component parts of the connection apparatus.
[0018] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows an angular connection in which two tubular section bars 2 for the construction of window and door frames are to be connected to each other - with selectively variable angular amplitude - by means of an angular connection apparatus, identified therein with the reference number 1.
[0019] The apparatus 1 comprises, in accordance to a first embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5: only two rigid connection members 3; and only two fastening screws 13 which embody corresponding means 12 for fastening the apparatus 1 to the tubular section bars 2.
[0020] Each of the connection members 3 has the shape of a substantially prismatic plate, with planer, elongated base, having trilateral contour with mixed lines. The two plates embodying the connection members 3 are mutually superposed with contact of their faces, which are provided with complementarily shaped protuberances and recesses, so shaped and dimensioned as to allow the mutual superposition of the two plates, but without having their total thickness exceed the thickness of a single plate.
[0021] With reference to their direction of greater length, the plates have first ends 4 with partly rectilinear and partly curvilinear contour, mutually interconnected and articulated; and two second ends 5, related instead to contour parts having mutually orthogonal sides, which are instead to be individually fastened to the section bars 2.
[0022] More in particular, the two first ends 4 of the connection members 3 bear - on their opposite faces - rotoidal coupling surfaces 6,7 which are obtained in the body of the plates and which are being able to be mutually coupled and uncoupled with relative approach or detachment motion of the connection members 3 which is performed parallel to an axis of articulation 8 that is perpendicular to the planes of lay of the plates.
[0023] In Figure 2, and even more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, it is readily apparent that the rotoidal coupling surfaces 6 and 7 of each of the two plates are embodied by a groove 9 and by a projection 10 shaped as semicircular arcs, mutually concentric and destined to be associated respectively with a corresponding projection 10 and a corresponding groove 9 exhibited by the other plate, which faces it.
[0024] Grooves 9 and projections 10 are able to penetrate each other with relative translation of the plates directed perpendicularly to the plane of lay thereof.
[0025] The semicircular shape of grooves 9 and projections 10 allows the relative rotation of the plates tangentially to the opposite faces of the same plates.
[0026] The connection device is mounted with procedures that are readily understandable observing Figures 3 and 4.
[0027] Figure 3 shows that the plate-shaped connection members 3 are first coupled in mutual superposition; thereafter, once their second ends 5 are inserted inside the cavities 17 of the two tubular section bars, the connection apparatus 1 is simultaneously made to translate along the two section bars 2 until reaching the final position of achievement of the angular connection, shown in Figure 4.
[0028] At this point, by tightening the screws 13 positioned in such a way as to traverse one of the lateral walls 18 of the cavity 17 of the section bar 2 and in such a way as to be engaged with corresponding threaded holes 19 present in the body of the plates, the apparatus 1 is fastened in working position.
[0029] Observing Figure 2, it is readily apparent that in the working position the connection apparatus 1 remains engaged, with the two superposed plates, simultaneously in both the cavities 17 of the two section bars 2: thus the rotoidal articulation pair, which in itself can be released according to the direction 8, orthogonal to the plates and in the direction of detachment thereof, is forced to remain in the coupling condition due to the obstacle to the detachment, provided by the very walls 18 of the cavity 17.
[0030] The connection apparatus 1 in fact wholly lacks autonomous retention means, whose absence makes it simpler and more economical to construct the connection apparatus 1 itself
[0031] It should also be noted that the substantially planar shape of the plates and the orientation of the projections 10 and of the cavities 9, longitudinal to a direction 8 that is orthogonal to the plane of lay of the plates allow considerable constructive simplifications in the equipment, in particular in the dies, for the production of the connection elements 3.
[0032] On the other hand, it is also possible to note that a connection apparatus 1 - constructed as described above - advantageously enables to connect also section bars 2 having walls 18 delimiting the inner cavity 17 that are quite close to each other.
[0033] In Figure 5 is also possible to note that the conformation with superposed plates and the conformation of projections 10 and grooves 9 enable to position the articulation axis 8 of the rotoidal pair in such a position as to pass through the inner vertex of the angle 11 of connection of said section bars 2. A comparison between Figures 2 and 4 also allows to highlight that this geometric condition remains unchanged regardless of the amplitude of the connection angle.
[0034] The determination of the position, in which - on the lateral wall 18 of the cavity 17 of the section bar 2 - are to be drilled holes 20 for the passage of the fastening screws 13, will always be performed with reference to said vertex, with no need to apply particular, more or less complex, calculation formulas, which take into account the amplitude of the angle with which the connection is performed.
[0035] As to the screws 13, it should be noted - in particular in Figure 1 - that they preferably have conical head 14. This, with the contribution of a certain offset in the axis of the holes 20 for the transit through the wall 18, allows to impart to the section bars 2 - longitudinally to each other and towards the vertex of the angle 11 - a translation, by mutual sticking of the section bars 2, which is generated by effect of the axial tightening of the screws 13.
[0037] These figures show some elements that substantially correspond to elements already described for the first embodiment. Therefore, hereafter the detailed description of said elements shall be omitted, as the above description wholly applies to them as well. However, the correspondences may easily be established observing that in the drawings equal elements maintain identical reference numbers from one version to another, although the elements of the second version are distinguished from the first one because they are systematically preceded by the digit 6.
[0038] This stated, in Figure 6 it should be noted that the present version of the connection device 61 provides for a connection member 63 to have only projections 610 - in particular two concentric projections 610; and for the other connection member 63 to have instead exclusively grooves 69 - in particular two concentric grooves 69.
[0039] As to the means for fastening the section bars 62 of the connection elements 63, in this case too are provided screws 613 with conical head 614; however, it should be stressed that in addition to the fastening means there are also elements that can enable the anchoring by interference between connection element 63 and tubular section bars 62.
[0040] These elements also include anchoring bodies 15 that are associated to the two connection elements 63, at their second ends 65. Between the second ends 65 of the connection members 63 and the anchoring bodies 15 are obtained threaded holes 21.
[0041] When the connection apparatus 63 is inserted into the cavity 617 of the housing tubular section bars 62 - as shown in Figure 9, the insertion of the fastening screws 613 and the consequent insertion of their conical heads 614 into the hole 21 (as wedging elements) causes the expansion, transverse to the section bars 62, of the connection members 63 which, abutting the section bars 62, causes the dimensional interference that contributes to the anchoring between anchoring bodies 15 and section bars 62.
[0042] From the above description, it is readily apparent that the invention, in addition to achieving fully the objects listed above, has the additional advantage of allowing also a very economical packaging in extremely small containers.
[0043] It is also readily apparent that the invention can be subject to numerous variants and additions, without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept described previously.
[0044] Purely by way of example, it can be observed that an additional variant of the invention can usefully be equipped with an interception element that is able to delimit the maximum or minimum amplitude of the angular excursion allowed for the two connection members 3,64. This can be obtained by obtaining an end stop projection or tooth on the body of the connection members 3 or 63, for example at one of the ends of one of the grooves 9.
1. An apparatus for angular connection, with selectively variable angular amplitude,
of tubular section bars (2;62) for the construction of window and door frames, comprising:
rigid connection members (3;63), which have corresponding first ends (4;64), interconnected
and mutually articulated and corresponding second ends (5;65), able to be removably
fastened to the section bars (2;62) to be connected, characterised in that said first ends (4;64) bear rotoidal coupling surfaces (6,7;66,67, shaped complementarily,
which are obtained in the body of the connection members (3;63), said coupling surfaces
(6,7;66,67) being able to be mutually coupled and uncoupled with relative motion of
said connection members (3;63), performed parallel to an axis of articulation (8;68)
of said first ends (4;64).
2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said rotoidal coupling surfaces (6,7;66,67) respectively include at least one circular
arc groove (9;69) and at least a complementarily shaped projection (10,610), which
are able to penetrate each other with a translation that is parallel to said axis
of articulation (8;68).
3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said one or each groove (9;69) and said one or each projection (10;610) are relatively
movable tangential to said circular arc.
4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that it comprises at least one interception element able to delimit the amplitude excursion
of said relative mobility.
5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said interception element is associated to said at least one groove (9;69).
6. Apparatus, as claimed in one of the previous claims 2 through 5, characterised in that it comprises two said concentric grooves (9;69), in which are engaged corresponding
said projections (10;610).
7. Apparatus, as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that said axis of articulation (8;68) passes through the internal vertex of the angle
(11;611) of connection of said section bars (2;62).
8. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said axis of articulation (8;68) intersects the angle (11;611) of connection of the
window or door frame at an internal vertex of said angle (11;611).
9. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises removable fastening means (12;612) to connect to the section bars (2;62)
the second ends (5;65) of the connection members (3;63).
10. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the fastening means (12;612) include screws (13;613).
11. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said fastening screws (13) have conical head (14;614) to allow a translation of the
section bars (2;62) longitudinally to themselves and towards the vertex of the angle
(11) at the axial tightening of the screws (13;613).
12. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said removable fastening means (12;612) comprise anchoring bodies (15), able to be
housed internally to the cavity (17;617) of the section bars (2;62), which can be
expanded transversely to the section bars (2;62) in such a way as to fasten connection
members (3;63) and section bars (2;62) by dimensional interference between anchoring
bodies (15) and section bars (2;62).
13. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that said anchoring bodies (15) are expandable by effect of wedge-shaped bodies traversing
said anchoring bodies (15).
14. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said wedge shaped elements are embodied by screws (13;613) with conical head (14;614).