CONNECTING MEANS FOR TWO CROSSING CABLE STRANDS OF CABLE PLAY SYSTEMS

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting means (1) for two crossing cable strands (2.1, 2.2) of cable play systems having a cloverleaf-shaped inner cable guide opening (5) in which, in a wraparound region (6), cable strands deflected by a wraparound angle (7) are fixed, wherein a height (3) of the connecting means is equal to or greater than a cable diameter (4) of the cable strands to be connected.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting means for two crossing cable strands of cable play systems having a cloverleaf-shaped inner cable guide opening in which, in a wraparound region, cable strands deflected by a wraparound angle are fixed.

Connecting means for crossing cable strands of nets, particularly of nets used in cable play systems for children, are known in the art. DE 29 14 885 C2 describes a ring-shaped connecting means for crossing cable strands, wherein the connecting means is curved inwardly in the corners of the crossing cable strands to form a cross-like inner contour having rounded outer ends and roundings at the inwardly curved portions so that a cloverleaf-like shape results. These connecting means, which are also referred to as cloverleaf rings, are advantageous over a type of connection having partially press-fitted crossing points where either steel, s-shaped hooks or aluminium mouldings are used. With these cloverleaf rings it is possible to achieve easy mounting and positioning as well as easy unfastening of the connection without any auxiliary means. In this way, individual cable elements may be replaced as necessary without using heavy tools and without affecting the other undamaged cable strand. The disadvantages of these so-called cloverleaf rings are that a precise geometry within the net is required and the tensions within the cable strands have to be as equal as possible so as to guarantee that the crossing point of the two cable strands does not shift under direct load. The partly intended flexibility of the cable strands may, in the case of a non-uniform load acting on the strands, disadvantageously lead to a change in the position of the cloverleaf ring in the cable wraparound region such that the one cable strand is barely deformed by the cloverleaf ring any longer and may easily slip across the other cable element when under load.

The object of the invention is to provide a connecting means which combines the advantages of a firm press-fitting, the immovability and the quick mounting or dismounting of the so-called cloverleaf rings. Here, a shape should be found which effects a more precise deformation of the cable strands in the wraparound region and wherein the wraparound region is precisely fixed, if necessary through an additional element.

This object is achieved by means of a connecting means for two crossing cable strands of cable play systems having a cloverleaf-shaped inner cable guide opening in which, in a wraparound region, the cable strands deflected by a wraparound angle can be fixed and which is characterised in that a height of the connecting means is equal to or greater than a cable diameter of the cable strands to be connected.

A greater height of the connecting means results in a greater wraparound angle of the two cable strands thus increasing the friction between the cable strands and therefore also the durability of the connection point.

Advantageous further developments are given in the subclaims.

In one embodiment of the invention the height is the distance between an upper and lower edge of a wall against or on which the cable strands which can be guided out of the cable guide opening on both sides in an angled manner and in opposite directions are supported.

In a further embodiment the wall of the connecting means has holes. This advantageously enables material to be saved without affecting the stability of the connecting means.

A further embodiment provides for the upper and lower edge of the wall on which the cable strands which can be guided out of the cable guide opening on both sides in an angled manner and in opposite directions are supported to be formed as a supporting recess for the cable strands. The supporting recesses enable a secure, slip-proof fixing of the guided-through cable strands.

A further embodiment of the invention provides for the wall to have two opposing bores perpendicular to the axis of the connecting means for accommodating a pin. A pin, which is introduced into the bores between the two cable strands immediately after threading the cable strands, or also later, and which is orthogonal to the centre line of the connection, precisely defines the wraparound region and ensures a maximum frictional adhesion between the cables and the connecting means.

In the known connecting means, which, in relation to the cable diameter, has a height of half the cable diameter, the cable strands are deflected ideally by 90°. A deflection in the opposite direction of the actual bending direction does not occur, however. The connecting means of the invention, in contrast, is designed such that the cable is bent, prior to the actual change of direction, by up to 45° in the opposite direction of the wraparound direction and, after a short straight distance corresponding to approximately half the height of the connecting means, is deflected by 180° in the wraparound region and then, with a further bend of 45°, leaves the wraparound region. The greater the wraparound angle, the greater the friction between the cable strands and thus the durability of the connection point of the two cable strands.

The invention is explained in more detail and by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a shows a sectional, schematic illustration of the connecting means of the invention having a wraparound angle of the cable strands of 180°;

FIG. 1b shows a schematic, perspective illustration of a connection means of the invention having a wraparound angle of the cable strands of 180°;

FIG. 2a shows a sectional, schematic illustration of a connecting means of the prior art having a wraparound angle of the cable strands of 90°;

FIG. 2b shows a schematic, perspective illustration of a connecting means of the prior art having a wraparound angle of the cable strands of 90°;

FIG. 3a shows a schematic, perspective illustration of a connecting means of the invention having two cloverleaves angled upwardly and downwardly, respectively;

FIG. 3b shows a top view of the connecting means of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c shows a side view of the connecting means of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3d shows a further side view of a connecting means of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4a shows a schematic, perspective illustration of a connecting means having holes;

FIG. 4b shows a top view of the connecting means of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c shows a side view of the connecting means of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4d shows a sectional illustration of the connecting means of FIG. 4a;

and

FIG. 4e shows a further sectional illustration of the connecting means of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 1a shows a sectional view of a connecting means 1 of the invention. In a cable guide opening 5 of the connecting means 1 there are two crossing cable strands 2.1 and 2.2. A wall 8 of the connecting means 1 has a height 3. The cable strand 2.1 and the cable strand 2.2 cross in a wraparound region 6. The wraparound angle 7 formed thereby is approximately 180° so that in the wraparound region 6 close contacting is effected with strong frictional adheasion between the cable strand 2.1 and the cable strand 2.2, which largely prevents slipping of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2. This is due to the height 3 of the wall 8 which forces the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 into this wraparound angle 7. The height 3 of the wall 8 of the connecting means 1 is in this case approximately twice the cable diameter 4.

FIG. 1b shows the connecting means 1 of the invention in a perspective illustration. The connecting means 1 has a cloverleaf-shaped cross-section. The cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 cross in the cable guide opening 5 and form a wraparound angle 7 of approximately 180° due to the height 3 of the wall 8.

In FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b a connecting means 1 of the prior art is illustrated. The connecting means 1 is also cloverleaf-shaped and has a planar shape. The height 3 of the wall 8 is considerably smaller than the cable diamter 4 so that a wraparound angle 7 of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 of only approximately 90° forms, disadvantageously leading to a smaller contacting surface of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 in the wraparound region 6, resulting in a considerably smaller frictional adhesion of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2.

In FIG. 3a another embodiment of a further connecting means 1 of the invention is illustrated perspectively. Two opposing cloverleaves 11.1 and 11.3, and 11.2 and 11.4 are angled upwardly and downwardly, respectively, resulting in a height 3 which is larger than the cable diameter 4, thus advantageously obtaining a wraparound angle 7 of approximately 180° in the wraparound region 6 of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2.

In FIG. 3b, FIG. 3c and FIG. 3d, this connecting means 1 is illustrated in a top view and in a side view. The top view of FIG. 3b shows the cloverleaf-shaped cross-section with the opposing cloverleaves 11.1 and 11.3, and 11.2 and 11.4. The cable strands 2.1 and 2.2, not shown here, are fixed in insertion recesses 12 of the cable guide opening 5.

In FIG. 4a a further embodiment of the connecting means 1 of the invention is illustrated perspectively.

Further views of this connecting means are illustrated in FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c, FIG. 4d and FIG. 4e. This connecting means 1 has two opposing bores 10 in the wall 8 through which advantageously a pin, not shown here, can be inserted and may serve as an additional fixing element for the wraparound region 6. The pin is inserted through the one bore 10 between the two cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 through the wraparound region 6 into the second bore 10. Holes 9 result in a reduction of the mass of the connecting means 1 to relieve the connecting means 1 of masses not necessary for ensuring the precise wrapping-around of the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2. Both the cloverleaves 11.1 and 11.3 opposing each other in one plane and the cloverleaves 11.2 and 11.4 in a lower plane each have a supporting recess 13 within which the cable strands 2.1 and 2.2 leading out of the insertion recesses 12 of the cloverleaves 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 are precisely guided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 Connecting means
• 2.1 Cable strand
• 2.2 Cable strand
• 3 Height
• 4 Cable diameter
• 5 Cable guide opening
• 6 Wraparound region
• 7 Wraparound angle
• 8 Wall
• 9 Hole
• 10 Bore
• 11.1 Cloverleaf
• 11.2 Cloverleaf
• 11.3 Cloverleaf
• 11.4 Cloverleaf
• 12 Insertion recess
• 13 Supporting recess

Claims

1. A connecting means for two crossing cable strands of cable play systems having a cloverleaf-shaped inner cable guide opening (5) in which, in a wraparound region (6), the cable strands (2.1, 2.2) deflected by a wraparound angle (7) can be fixed, wherein a height (3) of the connecting means (1) is equal to or greater than a cable diameter (4) of the cable strands (2.1, 2.2) to be connected.

2. A connecting means according to claim 1, wherein the height (3) is the distance between an upper and lower edge of a wall (8) on which the cable strands (2.1, 2.2) which can be guided out of the cable guide opening (5) on both sides in an angled manner and in opposite directions are supported.

3. A connecting means according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower edge of the wall (8) on which the cable strands (2.1, 2.2) which can be guided out of the cable guide opening on both sides in an angled manner and in opposite directions are supported are formed as a supporting recess (13) for the cable strands (2.1, 2.2).

4. A connecting means according to claim 1, wherein the wall (8) has mass-reducing holes (9).

5. A connecting means according to claim 1, wherein the wall (8) has two opposing bores (10) perpendicular to the axis of the connecting means (1) for accommodating a pin.