WO2006085758A1

WO2006085758A1 - Coupling between two profiles

Info

Publication number: WO2006085758A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra
Original assignee: FAWIC BV
Current assignee: FAWIC BV
Priority date: 2005-02-10
Filing date: 2006-02-10
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2007-08-10
Also published as: EP1853773A1; EP1853773B1; NL1028242C1; ATE511579T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling between two profiles (1, 2, 3) . The one profile (2, 3) has a prismatic protrusion (6, 7) of V-shaped cross-section. The other profile (1) has a more or less correspondingly formed recess (4, 5) in which the protrusion fits. The recess has on its open side widened portion (18, 19) directed toward each other and defining an undercut form. Using these widened portions on the one side and locking cams (13, 14) which are present on the other side at the top of the protrusion and co-acting in pressing manner with the top, the position of which locking cams can be controlled from outside, the coupling can be locked and unlocked.

Description

COUPLING BETWEEN TWO PROFILES

The invention relates to a coupling between two profiles, each having a longitudinal direction . Such a coupling is known .

The profiles can for instance form part of a wall system. Using a coupling of the stated known type between two profiles it is possible for instance to assemble a plurality of panels or walls provided with said profiles into a box, a packing case, an exhibition stand, a display case, a shower cubicle, a temporary toilet provision or the like .

It is also known that a coupling can take a releasable form.

The invention has for its obj ect to provide a coupling of the type stated in the preamble which provides the option of connecting the profiles sealingly to each other .

The invention further has for its obj ect to embody a coupling such that only one of the two profiles need be provided with locking means, such that there is great freedom of design and the possibility is even provided of adding to an already existing profile according to the invention to be specified below another profile with specific locking means for the purpose of together forming a coupling according to the invention . The invention also has for its obj ect to embody a coupling such that the profiles can be used to form spatial constructions without the mechanical support of panels or walls being necessary for this purpose .

In respect of the above the invention provides a coupling between two profiles, each having a longitudinal direction; wherein the one profile has an at least partly prismatic protrusion of a more or less V-shaped cross- section relative to the longitudinal direction; and the other profile has a prismatic recess of a more or less V-shaped cross-section relative to the longitudinal direction, in which recess said protrusion fits at least partially such that a coupling position is defined; wherein in the coupling position the profiles can be locked releasably to each other by means of locking means, which comprise : widened portions directed toward each other which extend on the free end edges of the recess and which define an undercut form; a set of locking cams which are present on either side of the protrusion and which in the free rest position lie inside the outer surface of the protrusion, and in the coupling position can be displaced outward by means of displacing means through respective openings in the relevant profile such that they come into stable pressing contact with the widened portions, whereby the profiles are locked to each other; and external operating means connected to the displacing means .

In respect of the used term "prismatic" it is noted that this is understood to mean a structure whose cross- sectional form is the same along the whole relevant length .

In a preferred embodiment the coupling has the special feature that under the influence of the displacing means the locking cams are each pivotable between a retracted rest position and an expanded locking position around a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction .

According to a subsequent aspect of the invention, this latter embodiment has the special feature that the displacing means comprise an operating member which is drivable rotatingly by the operating means and has an eccentrically modelled cam surface, which cam surface is in contact with the locking cams for the expanding and/or the retracting displacement of said locking cams .

This variant can advantageously have the special feature that the locking cams are urged by spring means to their retracted or their expanded rest position . Through the use of such a resetting spring it is not necessary to apply a two-sided forced action, which simplifies the construction . In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the coupling has the special feature that the operating means comprise a handle which is pivotally displaceable through a slotted opening in the profile between a folded-in position, in which the handle is situated inside the profile and the locking cams are situated in their expanded position, and a folded-out position in which the handle protrudes outside the profile and the locking cams are situated in their retracted rest position .

According to a final aspect of the invention, the coupling comprises at least one elastically compressible sealing strip which is present between the profiles, is connected to one of the profiles and extends over their full length, and which is compressed during said pressing contact between the locking cams and the widened portions . Use is preferably made of two sealing strips extending on either side of the transition zone between the widened portions and the wide part of the protrusion .

Finally, the invention relates to a profile adapted to serve as component of a coupling as specified in the foregoing .

A significant advantage of the coupling according to the invention is that the locking means and the operating means can be wholly accommodated in one of the two profiles such that there are no protruding parts .

At the position of the contact between the two profiles neither of the two profiles is interrupted, other than in the prior art, whereby an optional desired seal can be applied.

The locking cams can be manufactured from any suitable material, for instant metal such as aluminium or stainless steel, or a plastic such as nylon, ABS, POM. In the case of aluminium or a plastic they can be manufactured by inj ection moulding .

A profile can be embodied for coupling to a plurality of complementary profiles, this in principle at any desired angle . Walls can thus be coupled to each other at for instance 90 ° , 180 ° or any other desired angle . It is further also possible by means of suitable corner pieces to realize three-dimensional structures in which three profiles are coupled to each other in directions not lying in one plane .

The invention provides very simple assembly and disassembly. When used as packaging or freight container a considerable reduction in volume can thus be realized during return shipment and storage .

The invention further provides in very simple manner the option of a modular construction . Through the rapidly realized locking and unlocking of profiles a package for instance can be closed and opened quickly, and profiles or the walls and panels coupled thereto can be readily exchanged for repair or inspection . The profiles can be made suitable for co-action with panels , walls or panels of the most diverse materials of in principle any thickness .

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings . In the drawings :

Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a corner profile suitable for coupling to two complementary profiles at 90 ° ;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the locked coupling shown in figure 1 , wherein displacements and forces are drawn with arrows ;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a coupling between two profiles , wherein the locking means and the operating means are shown; Figure 4A is a perspective view of the operating means , wherein the handle is folded in;

Figure 4B shows a view corresponding with figure 4A of the situation in which the handle is displaced a small distance to the outside; Figure 4C shows a view corresponding with figures 4A and 4B of the situation in which the handle is folded wholly outward; and

Figure 5 shows the detail V of figure 4A an enlarged scale . Figure 1 shows an extruded corner profile 1, for instance of aluminium or plastic, which is adapted in the manner to be described hereinbelow for coupling to two profiles 2 , 3 of partly complementary form, likewise of extruded aluminium or plastic, such that profiles 2 , 3 can be coupled to each other at an angle of 90 ° via corner profile 1.

Corner profile 1 has for this purpose to more or less V-shaped recesses 4 , 5 adapted for co-action with respective V-shaped protrusions 6, 7 of the respective profiles 2 , 3. Profile 2 is drawn in figure 1 at a distance from corner profile 1. In this position an operating handle 8 extends outside profile 2 , while in the coupled position in which profile 3 is drawn the operating handle is situated inside profile 3.

Operating handle 8 can be coupled in the manner shown in figure 3 to a rotatably disposed control block 9 which has two protrusions 10 which are placed symmetrically relative to the rotation axis and which engage in a non-round hole 37 (see also figure 4 ) which is arranged in operating handle 8 and in which the protrusion fits with some clearance such that, when the operating handle is displaced successively in the one and the other direction, a certain free stroke occurs when the control block is co-displaced .

Control block 9 further bears two control cams 11 , 12 which can co-act in pressing manner with the inner surfaces and oppositely oriented surfaces (not drawn) of respective locking cams 13, 14 such that these cams can be urged to their expanded or retracted rest position . This latter is the position in which cams 13 , 14 of profile 2 are situated in figure 1. Through pivoting displacement of operating handle 8 from the folded-out to the folded-in position the control cams 11, 12 co- rotate, taking into account said free stroke, whereby locking cams 13 , 14 are displaced from their retracted position to their expanded position . This is the situation in which the locking cams 13, 14 of profile 3 are situated in figure 1. In this position, as shown clearly in figure 2, the end zones 15 , 16 of locking cams 13, 14 directed towards each other press on the one side against the free end zone 17 of profile 3 and on the other side against the inner surfaces of widened portions 18 , 19 of corner profile 1 that define an undercut form. The design of the diverse components is chosen such that, due to the outward displacement of locking cams 13, 14 , profile 2 respectively 3 is pulled inward into profile 1 while simultaneously compressing two rubber elastic sealing strips 20 , 21. In the manner shown in figure 1 the corner profile 1 and profile 3 are thus coupled to each other with force in transverse direction in practically immobile, sealing and releasable manner . Owing to the shown placing of sealing strips 20 , 21 the whole shown locking mechanism is protected from outside influences such as penetrating damp, dust, dirt and the like .

Figure 2 shows that, with a desired relative displacement as according to arrows 22 , 23 of profile 3 relative to corner profile 1 , strongly opposing pressure forces 24, 25, 26, 27 occur between said components, whereby locking cams 13 , 14 are under strain of pressure . These locking cams 13, 14 are designed and embodied such that they can withstand such loads within the given design limits .

Figure 3 shows that profile 3 (and therefore also the not shown profile 2 ) is provided with continuous holes 38 , 39 for passage of locking cams 13, 14. These continuous holes are arranged in the V-shaped protrusion 7. Profile 3 also has a continuous slotted hole 28 for passage of operating handle 8.

The locking according to the invention is embodied such that locking cams 13 , 14 lie inside profile 2 in the retracted situation (see profile 2 in figure 1) and handle 8 likewise lies inside profile 3 in the folded-in situation (see profile 3 in figure 1 ) .

Figure 3 shows that handle 8 is accommodated inside a housing consisting of two parts 29, 30 and is rotatable therein via a round protrusion 31 on parts 29, 30. A spring 32 is connected to part 30 and urges handle 8 a small distance outward (see the transition between figures 4A and 4B) .

Handle 8 is held in its folded-in position by a tilting lever 33 which is pressed in by a pressure spring 34. In order to enable folding out of handle 8 the tilting lever 33 must be tilted a short distance by hand so that spring 32 pushes handle 8 outward. In the case the force of spring 32 is not sufficient, tilting lever 33 can be tilted further so that handle 8 moves far enough to the outside so that it can be pulled further outward by hand .

In order to prevent unauthorized persons also being able to open the coupling the locking mechanism is provided with a lock 35 which in pressed-in position blocks the tilting lever 33. A special key 36 is necessary to pull the lock outward.

Claims

1. Coupling between two profiles , each having a longitudinal direction; wherein the one profile has an at least partly- prismatic protrusion of a more or less V-shaped cross- section relative to the longitudinal direction; and the other profile has a prismatic recess of a more or less V-shaped cross-section relative to the longitudinal direction, in which recess said protrusion fits at least partially such that a coupling position is defined; wherein in the coupling position the profiles can be locked releasably to each other by means of locking means, which comprise : widened portions directed toward each other which extend on the free end edges of the recess and which define an undercut form; a set of locking cams which are present on either side of the protrusion and which in the free rest position lie inside the outer surface of the protrusion, and in the coupling position can be displaced outward by means of displacing means through respective openings in the relevant profile such that they come into stable pressing contact with the widened portions, whereby the profiles are locked to each other; and external operating means connected to the displacing means .

2. Coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein under the influence of the displacing means the locking cams are each pivotable between a retracted rest position and an expanded locking position around a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction .

3. Coupling as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the displacing means comprise an operating member which is drivable rotatingly by the operating means and has an eccentrically modelled cam surface, which cam surface is in contact with the locking cams for the expanding and/or the retracting displacement of said locking cams .

4. Coupling as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking cams are urged by spring means to their retracted or their expanded rest position .

5. Coupling as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the operating means comprise a handle which is pivotally displaceable through a slotted opening in the profile between a folded-in position, in which the handle is situated inside the profile and the locking cams are situated in their expanded position, and a folded-out position in which the handle protrudes outside the profile and the locking cams are situated in their retracted rest position .

6. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims , comprising at least one elastically compressible sealing strip which is present between the profiles, is connected to one of the profiles and extends over their full length, and which is compressed during said pressing contact between the locking cams and the widened portions .

7. Profile adapted to serve as component of a coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims .