|
(11) | EP 1 662 074 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Coupling devide for attaching accessories to a post, mounting assembly and fence |
| (57) The coupling device for coupling accessories to a post (100) having a coupling profile
(101) with a plurality of attachment configurations (103, 103A), comprises a first
part (1) and a second part (2) that can be coupled to each other, and configured to
define when coupled a channel (12) that can house a wider part (101A) of the coupling
profile and having an area (13) open towards the outside that allows the narrower
part (101 B) of the coupling profile to pass. The first part (1) and/or the second
part (2) have an attachment configuration (14, 14A) configured in order to cooperate
with the attachment configuration (103, 103A) of the coupling profile (101). The invention also relates to a mounting assembly and a fence. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention lies in the field of posts for fences, and specifically in the field of posts to which accessories such as turnbuckles, tension bars, etc. can be coupled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tubes or posts for fences are known having elements used to couple accessories to the posts. Many of these posts consist of a tubular element having a part that juts out from a main part of the tubular element and runs along this element to constitute a rib or profile to which several accessories can be coupled. Basically, the posts can be said to have a cross section with a protruding part, essentially forming a T shape, formed by a fold made in the post material in this area.
[0003] An example of this type of tubular post is described in the French patent application with publication no. FR-A-2722820. This document describes a post in the form of a tube formed from a folded sheet of metal. The tube has a part that protrudes from the main part of the tube, running along the length of the tube, essentially having a T-shaped section. This part has a number of transversal notches on its edges (the edges of the T bar). These notches are used to place the staples usually employed to attach the fence mesh or wires to the posts. However, notches made in the edges can cause problems as regards resistance to corrosion, as they can act as points of corrosion attack. Corrosion is a common problem in this type of element, as posts are often installed outdoors.
[0004] Spanish patent application with publication number ES-A-2151387 shows another post with this T-shaped rib, in this case having a number of circular recesses or orifices used to house a number of screws or the like, with which are attached clamps with side flaps provided with orifices to which tensioning elements are connected. This type of connection with screws can also present problems as regards rust resistance, as well as involving a labour-intensive installation.
[0005] Spanish utility model application with publication no. ES-U-1041368 and European patent application publ. no. EP-A-0172075 show other tube shaped posts with the aforementioned profile having a T-shaped cross-section used to connect elements to the post. EP-A-0172075 shows accessory coupling devices used to couple the tensioning wires to the post and to couple tension bars, which are bars used to attach the post to the ground so that it does not rock. Tension bars are connected to the post so that they may turn about shafts that form part of the coupling devices, so that they can adopt a suitable orientation according, for example, to whether they are used on a corner post or a post that is on a straight segment of the fence. In EP-A-0172075 it can be seen that the coupling element or device is attached to the post by a screw or the like that enters a corresponding configuration in the rib having a T-shaped cross section.
[0006] However, this solution implies a laborious assembly and presents surfaces that may suffer corrosion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a coupling device for attaching accessories (such as turnbuckles, tension bars, etc.) to a post of the type having a part that constitutes a coupling profile that protrudes from a main part of the post, provided with a number of attachment configurations such as recesses or protrusions. According to the invention, the coupling device comprises:
At least two parts, namely a first part and a second part that can be coupled to each other, each one of said parts comprising an abutment area or segment configured for abutting it to the coupling profile of the post to which the coupling device will be attached. The abutment segments are configured so that when said first and the second part are coupled to each other, the abutment segments jointly configure a channel that can house a wider part of the coupling profile, which has an outwardly open area to allow a narrower part of the coupling profile (the part by which the wider part is joined to the main part of the post) to pass, so that when the first and second part are coupled to each other the coupling device can retain in said channel said wider part of the coupling profile. In this way, to couple the device to the post the respective abutment areas or segment of the first and second part can be abutted to the surface of the profile (on its wider part), then joining the first and the second parts to form a unit that retains the wider part of the profile, so that the coupling device is joined to the post and can be used to attach accessories to the post.
[0008] In addition, according to the invention, the coupling device comprises, in correspondence with the abutment segment of said first part and/or said second part, an attachment configuration (such as a protrusion, recess or cut-out) configured to collaborate with an attachment configuration made in the coupling profile (such as a cut-out or recess, or a protruding element complementary of the coupling device attachment configuration). In this way, said first and said second part being coupled to each other, the attachment configuration of one or both parts of the device interact with one of the attachment configurations of the profile for coupling to the post, and prevent or hinder the displacement of the coupling device along the coupling profile. Thus, the coupling device is joined to the profile and attached at a specific position of the profile (this is, in the case of a vertical post at a specific height).
[0009] This allows obtaining a system for attaching accessories to a post that does not require the use of screws or similar means of attachment which, as described above, imply a labour intensive assembly and/or an increased risk of corrosion. The coupling device of the invention, with its two parts which when joined allow defining the channel that retains the wider part of the profile for coupling to the post, allows a simple assembly without requiring screws or additional attachment means; the two parts (the first and second part) are simply abutted to the profile in the correct position and joined to each other, for which they are provided with suitable means, such as a tongue and groove configuration. The attachment configurations allow to attach the device at the correct height of the post.
[0010] The coupling devices can be made of plastic (such as polyamide), for example. Naturally, however, it is also possible to make them from other materials in view of the conditions in which these devices will be used.
[0011] The configuration for attaching said first part and/or said second part can comprise a protruding element configured to enter a recessed configuration in the coupling profile. For example, both said first part and said second part can have said attachment configuration comprising a protruding element. These protruding elements can be located such that when said first part and said second part are joined to each other, said protruding elements form a composite protruding element, for example in the shape of a hemisphere or a spherical cap.
[0012] Alternatively, the attachment configuration of the first and/or second part of the coupling device comprises a recessed configuration meant to receive a protruding configuration of the coupling profile. For example, both the first and second part of the coupling device can said attachment configuration with a recessed configuration. These recessed configurations can be located so that, when said first and second parts are joined to each other, said recessed configurations are joined to form a composite recessed configuration, for example with a shape complementary to a hemisphere or a spherical cap.
[0013] The first and second part can have mutual coupling means configured to allow a tongue-and-groove coupling by a relative displacement of the first and second parts in a direction parallel to the channel. In this way, with said first and second part abutting a coupling profile of a post, the first and second part may be coupled to each other by a sliding motion along the coupling profile. This allows a simple assembly, in which the profile itself can act as a guide for the correct coupling of the first and second parts: if the abutment surfaces of the first and second part have a configuration that is sufficiently complementary of the external surface of the profile, the first and second parts can be correctly oriented when abutted on the profile, with a correct opposing position of the various coupling means. This can facilitate the assembly process greatly.
[0014] At least one of said first and second parts can have a protruding part (for example with an essentially cylindrical shape) configured to engage an orifice made in the other first or second part. This protruding part, which can constitute or be part of the aforementioned coupling means, can have one end configured to be retained by retaining elements located in said orifice. For example, this end can have a wider area which, during the coupling operation of the first and second parts, crosses retainer tabs placed inside the orifice of the other part. This protruding part can constitute a coupling shaft for attaching accessories to the coupling device. In this case, a coupling part can be placed around the protruding part before said first and said second part of the coupling device are joined.
[0015] The first and second part can have mutual guidance surfaces configured to allow coupling by a guided sliding of these first and second part. For example, said mutual guidance surfaces can include the external surface of a part with a dovetail shape or the like on one of said first or second parts, complementary of an inner surface of a channel with a dovetail or similar configuration on the other part of said first and second parts.
[0016] The coupling device can have at least one coupling shaft for attaching accessories to the device; for example, two coupling shafts one on the end of each side of the device.
[0017] The first and second part can be identical, which lowers the cost of production and simplifies the assembly process (as the operator does not have to differentiate the first and second parts).
[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a mounting assembly that comprises:
One or several coupling devices according to the description made above; and
A post having a coupling rib or profile that protrudes from a main part of the post and has a wider part and a narrower part, by which the wider part is joined to said main part of the post. The coupling profile presents a plurality of attachment configurations complementary of the attachment configurations of the coupling devices. The post can be made of metal, such as plate or zinced plate, and can have a protective outer coating (such as one layer of zinc and an outer polyester layer).
[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to a fence comprising:
a plurality of mounting assemblies according to the above description;
at least one accessory (for example, a turnbuckle, a tension bar, etc.) attached to a coupling device for at least one of said assemblies; and
at least one fence element (such as a mesh, wires, planks or panels) that runs between the posts of at least two of the mounting assemblies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] To complete the description and in order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to an example of a preferred embodiment, a set of drawings is provided forming an integral part of the description where, for purposes of illustration and in a non-limiting sense, the following is shown:
Figures 1-3 are perspective views of a mounting assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in three stages of a mounting procedure.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of the coupling device, according to said preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a post according to said preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figures 6 and 7 are plan views from the top and bottom, respectively, of a part of the device according to said preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 corresponds to a cross section along a longitudinal direction of said part of the device.
Figures 9 and 10 are plan views of a coupling device according to said preferred embodiment of the invention, in two coupling stages between the first part and the second part.
Figure 11 shows a part of a fence according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figures 12 and 13 are analogous to views 4 and 5, showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Figures 1-3 show three stages of the assembly procedure of a mounting assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. A post 100 is shown comprising a tubular body with its upper end covered by a plastic cap 110. From a main part of the post 102 runs a coupling profile 101 which has a plurality of attachment configurations in the form of recesses 103, with an essentially hemispherical or spherical cap shape.
[0022] Figure 5 shows a view of the post 100 without the cap 110. The post can be formed from a folded metal sheet with its ends welded to each other, has a tubular shape and includes a main part 102 from which extends the coupling profile 101, which has a wider part 101A with the hemispherical or spherical cap shaped recesses 103, and a narrower part 101 B by which the wider part is connected to the main part 102 of the post. In a typical embodiment, the post can be made of Z-275 galvanised plate, with a zinc layer of approximately 140 grams per m2 on each face, covered in polyester layer of the desired colour with a thickness of 60 microns or more.
[0023] The absence of drilled orifices or holes on the post walls makes it more resistant to corrosion by oxidation and particularly suited for uses in which the post must withstand outdoor conditions.
[0024] Figure 1 shows that a first part 1 and a second part 2 of the coupling device of the invention placed abutting the coupling rib or profile 101, placing corresponding union pieces 3 and 4 on the tubular protruding parts 15 of said first part 1 and second part 2, respectively.
[0025] Sliding the second part 2 upward couples the second part 2 to the first part 1, forming the coupling part with the two shafts 15 about which the respective union pieces 3 and 4 can revolve. Each of the first part 1 and second part 2 have a protruding part 14 with a hemispherical shape or in the form of a hemispherical cap. When the first and second parts are joined, these protrusions are placed together and jointly form the protruding part with a hemispherical or hemispherical cap shape complementary to the shape of the recesses 103, the protruding part being inserted in one of these so that the coupling device is prevented or hindered from sliding along the profile.
[0026] Figure 3 shows schematically two tension bars 200 respectively joined to the union pieces 3 and 4 by bolts 201 and nuts 202, although other means of union can obviously be considered. In this way, the tension bars can move turning the corresponding union piece about the rotation shaft constituted by the protruding part 15 of the coupling part.
[0027] Figure 4 shows that the first part 1 (which is identical to the second part 2) of the coupling device comprises a body having an orifice 16 (in this embodiment it is a through orifice, as shown in figure 1) and a cylindrical protruding part 15, which ends at a truncated cone segment finished by the head 17. As the first part 1 and the second part 2 are identical, the coupling is performed by inserting the protruding part 15 of each first and second part in the corresponding orifice 16 of the other part. A correct retention (quite strong) is achieved by the retaining elements 18 (see figures 7-9), in the form of a tab or the like, placed in the orifice 16. These elements can have a shape and/or orientation that allows the head 17 to pass easily in the insertion direction for the protruding part 15, yet requires a considerable force to make the head pass in the opposite direction. For example, the retaining elements can have a prismatic shape and run from an inner flange in the orifice, obliquely with respect to the orifice walls. The exact shape and dimensions of the retaining elements can be chosen to obtain a suitable "retention strength" between the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the coupling device.
[0028] Figure 4 shows how the first part 1 has an essentially concave area that determines an abutment area or segment 11 in which to receive the coupling profile 101, and in relation to which is formed the attachment configuration 14, which consists of a protruding element in the shape of a hemisphere or half a spherical cap, which together with the corresponding protruding element of the second part 2 of the device will form the hemisphere or spherical cap complementary of the shape of the recesses 103 in the coupling profile 101.
[0029] To achieve a strong and precise coupling between the first and the second part of the device, these parts have mutual guidance surfaces configured to allow coupling by guided displacement of said first part and said second part. As shown in figure 4, these mutual guidance surfaces include the outer surface of a part with a dovetail configuration 19 complementary to the inner surface of a channel with a dovetail configuration 20.
[0030] Figures 6 and 7 show some of the aforementioned elements (abutment surfaces 11, attachment configuration 14, orifice 16, the head 17 of the protruding cylindrical part, the tabs or retaining elements 18, the dovetail shaped element 19 and the corresponding dovetail-shaped channel 20.
[0031] Figures 9 and 10 show the coupling device in a first and a second stage of the coupling device between the first and the second part. It can be seen how the dovetail-shaped element 19 of one of the parts is guided in the dovetail-shaped channel 20 of the other part. In figure 9, the head 17 of the protruding part 15 has not passed the tabs 18 yet. In figure 10, the head 17 has passed the tabs 18, so that the tabs prevent or hinder the separation of the first part 1 from the second part 2.
[0032] Figures 9 and 10 show the channel 12 that will house the wider part 101 A of the coupling profile 101 A, and the outward opening 13 that allows the narrower part 101 B of this profile to pass.
[0033] Figure 11 shows part of a fence comprising two posts 100, one of which is provided with two coupling devices (1/2) according to the invention, one of these used to couple a turnbuckle 300 used to tighten a wire 301 that crosses the top part of the mesh 400 that forms part of the fence, which is joined to the other post by staples 401 that are attached to the coupling profile 101. The other coupling device is used to connect a tension bar 200 to the post.
[0034] Figures 12 and 13 show an alternative embodiment of the coupling device. Specifically, figures 12 and 13 correspond to the views of figures 4 and 5, although in this alternative preferred embodiment instead of the flange on the coupling device and the recess in the post 100, the post 100 has hemispherical or spherical-cap shaped protrusions 103A, while the first and seconds parts of the coupling device have recesses 14A to receive said protrusions.
[0035] In this text, the term "comprises" and its derivations (such as "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, this is, it does not exclude the possibility that what is described includes other elements, steps, etc.
[0036] On another hand, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, also extending for example to any variations that may be made by any expert in the field (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the scope of the claims.
1. Coupling device for attaching accessories to a post (100) having a coupling profile
(101) that protrudes from a main part (102) of the post and presents a plurality of
attachment configurations (103, 103A), characterised in that the coupling device comprises:
a first part (1) and a second part (2) that can be coupled to each other, each of said first part (1) and said second part (2) comprising an abutment segment(11) configured for abutting it to the coupling profile (101), these abutment segments (11) being configured so that when said first part (1) and said second part (2) are coupled to each other, the respective abutment segments (11) configure a channel (12) that can house a wider part (101 A) of the coupling profile, which has an outwardly open area (13) that allows a narrower part (101 B) of the coupling profile to pass, so that when said first part (1) and said second part (2) are coupled to each other, the coupling device can retain in this channel (12) said wider part (101A) of the coupling profile;
and in that said coupling device comprises, in correspondence with the abutment segment of said first part (1) and/or said second part (2), an attachment configuration (14, 14A) configured to cooperate with an attachment configuration (103, 103A) in the coupling profile (101).
2. Device according to claim 1, in which the attachment configuration of said first part
(1) and/or said second part (2) comprises a protruding element (14) configured to
enter a recessed configuration of the coupling profile.
3. Device according to claim 2, in which both said first part (1) and said second part
(2) have this attachment configuration that comprises a protruding element (14), said
protruding elements (14) being located so that when the first part and second part
are coupled to each other, said protruding elements are joined to form a composite
protruding element.
4. Device according to claim 3, in which said protruding element has a hemispherical
or spherical-cap shape.
5. Device according to claim 1, in which the attachment configuration of the first part
(1) and/or the second part (2) comprises a recessed configuration (14A) meant to receive
a protruding configuration (103A) of the coupling profile.
6. Device according to claim 5, in which both the first part (1) and the second part
(2) of the coupling device have said attachment configuration that comprises a recessed
configuration (14A), said recessed configurations being located such that when the
first part and second part are coupled to each other, the recessed configurations
are joined to form a composite recessed configuration.
7. Device according to claim 6, in which said composite recessed configuration has a
shape complementary to a hemisphere or a spherical cap.
8. Device according to any of the previous claims, in which said first part (1) and second
part (2) have mutual coupling means configured to allow a tongue and groove coupling
by the relative displacement of said first (1) and second (2) parts in a direction
parallel to the extension of the channel (12), so that when said first part (1) and
second part (2) are abutting a coupling profile (101) of a post (100), the first part
(1) and the second part (2) can be coupled to each other by a sliding motion along
the coupling profile (101).
9. Device according to any of the previous claims, in which at least one of said first
part (1) and second part (2) has a protruding part (15) configured to be inserted
in an orifice (16) in the other of said first and second parts.
10. Device according to claim 9, in which said protruding part (15) has one end (17) configured
to be retained by retaining elements (18) placed in said orifice (16).
11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, in which said protruding part (15) constitutes
a coupling shaft for coupling accessories to the coupling device.
12. Device according to any of the previous claims, in which the first part (1) and the
second part (2) have mutual guidance surfaces configured to allow coupling by guided
sliding of said first part (1) and said second part (2).
13. Device according to claim 12, in which said mutual guidance surfaces include an external
surface of a part having a dovetail configuration (19) in one of said first part (1)
and second part (2), complementary of the inner surface of a channel with a dovetail
configuration (20) of the other of said first part (1) and second part (2).
14. Device according to any of the previous claims, in which the device has at least one
coupling shaft (15) for coupling accessories to the device.
15. Device according to any of the previous claims, in which said first part (1) and said
second part (2) are identical.
16. Mounting assembly comprising:
at least one coupling device according to any of the previous claims; and
at least one post (100) with a coupling profile (101) that protrudes from a main part (102) of the post and has a wider part (101A) and a narrower part (101 B) such that the wider part is joined to said main part (102) of the post, the coupling profile having a plurality of attachment configurations (103, 103A) complementary of the attachment configurations (14, 14A) of the coupling device.
17. Fence comprising:
a plurality of mounting assemblies according to claim 16;
at least one accessory (200, 300) coupled to a coupling device of at least one of these assemblies;
at least one fence element (400) that runs between the posts (100) of at least two of the mounting assemblies.