Assembly System
The assembly system has several profiled bars connected to each other, each of which has at least one clamping channel open to the outside with a bottom surface and two lateral surfaces. They are connected by an elongated or angled connecting element with two opposing external clamping surfaces, at least certain sections of which are straight, and an expansion joint extending between the external clamping surfaces. The connecting element is introduced into the clamping channel, and at least one spreading element is introduced into at least one section of the expansion joint in such a way that the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element are clamped against the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel of at least one profiled bar. The lateral surfaces of the clamping channel have a first ribbing, and the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element have a second ribbing, which is transverse to the first ribbing, so that, by clamping the two ribbings together, a type of permanent cold-weld joint is produced between the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel and the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element.
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This application claims priority based on European patent application EP 07 015 723.5, filed Aug. 9, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention pertains to assembly systems which include several profiled bars connected to each other, and more particularly to assembly systems with a lightweight frame which securely hold flat bodies with precision, durability and safety.
BACKGROUNDAccording to the prior art, assembly systems for lightweight frames are known and used to hold, for example, electrical or electronic devices. EP 1 420 140 A1 discloses a frame for holding a flat body, wherein the profiled bars are held together by a clamping element, which extends around the periphery and clamps the profiled bars together from inside the frame. These types of assembly systems suffer from the disadvantage that the retaining force with which the electrical or electronic device is held is limited at the connecting points. For outdoor use and for heavy loads, these types of assembly systems are unsuitable due to the intrinsic weight of the device to be supported.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly system which is universally suitable for holding flat bodies, offers the highest possible strength at the connecting points of the profiled bars, has a long service life, withstands any outdoor exposure, and can be manufactured and assembled quickly and at low cost.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the assembly system includes several profiled bars connected to each other, each of which comprises at least one clamping channel open to the outside and has a bottom surface and two lateral surfaces.
The assembly system includes a connecting element comprising two opposing external clamping surfaces, at least certain sections of which are straight, and an expansion joint extending between the external clamping surfaces. The connecting element is introduced into the clamping channel and includes at least one spreading element which is introduced into at least one section of the expansion joint in such a way that the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element are secured to or clamped against the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel of at least one profiled bar.
It is also advantageous for at least parts of the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel to include a first ribbing and for at least parts of the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element to include a second ribbing, which extends transversely to the first ribbing, so that, as a result of the clamping operation, a type of permanent cold-weld joint is produced between the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel and the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element. In terms of the technical means required, ribbing of this type is easy to produce. The dimensions of the first and second ribbings are such that, when the ribbings are clamped against each other at essentially a right angle, a very strong non-positive connection is achieved. Depending on the material, the longitudinal and transverse ribs of the first and second ribbings will give way slightly as a result of deformation when they are pressed together.
The length of the expansion joint sections depends on the amount of clamping force required when the elements are pressed against each other.
It is advantageous to increase the width of certain sections of the expansion joint so that openings are provided for the introduction of the spreading elements. The wider sections can be asymmetric with respect to the axis of the expansion joint, as a result of which the clamping force acquires a horizontal component in addition to a vertical component.
The spreading element may include a body-bound rivet, a grooved drive stud, a screw, or the like. These types of connecting components are available at very low cost and in a wide variety of sizes and materials.
It is advantageous for the spreading element to be made of high-grade steel. It is preferable for the profiled bars and the connecting elements to be made of the same material, preferably aluminum. As a result, when the longitudinal and transverse ribs of the corresponding ribbings are pressed together, an especially strong joint is obtained by the production of a strong non-positive connection. Furthermore, aluminum profiles can be produced quickly and at low cost. In particular, the production of the connecting elements can be adapted flexibly to the depth of the clamping channel. Alternatively, as an example, the profiled bars and the connecting element can be made out of plastic.
The connecting element includes end surfaces each of which have an extensible terminal element covering the expansion joint. The extensible terminal element functions as a flexible spring to absorb expansion of the expansion joint when the spreading elements are introduced or driven into the expansion joint.
It is especially advantageous for the profiled bars to have 45° bevels at the ends to be connected and to be arranged next to each other at an angle. It is also advantageous for the connecting element to be designed as an angle-shaped connecting element. Thus the profiled bars can be connected to each other at an angle of essentially 90°, as is typical in frame construction. A conventional four-cornered frame construction with four profiled bars can thus be achieved with four angle-shaped connecting elements. Alternatively, profiled bars can be connected to each other at angles other than 90°. For this purpose the profiled bars will be beveled at an angle essentially equal to half of the angle formed by profiled bars when secured with the connecting element.
It is also advantageous, furthermore, for two profiled bars with straight ends to be connected perpendicularly to each other and for at least one profiled bar to have two opposing projecting strips which project into the clamping channel. These strips are then able to engage in a groove located in the area of the external clamping surfaces. As a result, it is possible not only to connect the end surfaces of profiled bars to each other but also to connect the end surface of one profiled bar to the open side of the clamping channel of the other profiled bar. A connection of this type can be made permanent by providing a strong non-positive connection, or it can be made so that the one bar can slide longitudinally along the clamping channel of the other bar.
According to another aspect of the present invention a flat frame-and-panel element includes the above described assembly system and an essentially flat body, preferably a solar panel, supported within the profiled bars. The frame supporting the solar panels must comprise a very high carrying capacity and strength at the connecting points, have a long service life, and withstand extreme exposure when used in an outdoor installation. These boundary conditions are fulfilled by the inventive assembly system for these types of flat support elements.
Additional details, features, and advantages of the present invention can be derived from the following detailed description and the drawings.
In the embodiment shown in
Connecting element 6 can be produced at low cost out of aluminum. The width of connecting element 6 can be varied in a flexible manner, depending on the depth of clamping channel 4 in profiled bar 2.
As in the case of the first embodiment, clamping channels 4 have a first, longitudinal ribbing on their lateral surfaces 16, and connecting element 6 has a second ribbing 20 on its external clamping surfaces 8 (see
As illustrated in
Connecting element 6 of the third embodiment of the inventive assembly system is explained with reference to
In all of the embodiments shown here, it is advantageous, when pressing the spreading elements into the openings provided for their insertion, to start in the middle of the connecting element. The reason for this is that the force required to expand the expansion joint is the weakest in the middle of the connecting element, that is, in the area which is the farthest away from the extensible terminal elements.
With respect to the ribbings of the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element and of the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel, it should also be pointed out that these can also extend in directions other than the transverse and longitudinal directions. In particular, it is not necessary for the ribbings to be at a 90° angle to each other. By way of example only, a 60° ribbing of the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel and of the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element is also possible. Many other angles are possible as necessary for an given configuration.
The inventive assembly system can be used to hold a wide variety of flat bodies, depending on the design of the profiled bars. One such result is a flat frame-and-panel element configuration. Thus the inventive assembly system can be used for a wide variety of flat bodies, especially for very heavy photovoltaic modules which are installed outdoors and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Other examples of flat bodies which can be held by the inventive assembly system include LCD panels, panels of special glass, and the like.
While the invention is shown in several forms, it is not limited to those embodiments illustrated, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An assembly system comprising: wherein at least parts of the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel have a first ribbing, and at least parts of the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element have a second ribbing, which is transverse to the first ribbing, so that, by clamping the two ribbings together, a type of permanent cold-weld joint is produced between the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel and the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element.
- several profiled bars connected to each other, each of which comprises at least one clamping channel open to the outside with a bottom surface and two lateral surfaces;
- an elongated or angled connecting element comprising:
- two opposing external clamping surfaces, at least certain sections of which are straight, and an expansion joint extending between the external clamping surfaces, the connecting element being introduced into the clamping channel; and at least one spreading element, which is introduced into at least one section of the expansion joint in such a way that the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element are clamped against the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel of at least one profiled bar;
2. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein certain parts of the expansion joint are widened to create openings for the insertion of the spreading elements.
3. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein the spreading element is designed as a body-bound rivet, a grooved drive stud, or a screw.
4. The assembly system of claim 3 wherein the spreading element is made of high-grade steel.
5. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein the profiled bars and the connecting element are made of aluminum.
6. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein the connecting element is covered at the ends by an extensible terminal element, which covers the expansion joint.
7. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein the ends of the profiled bars to be connected are beveled at 45° and set next to each other at an angle, and wherein the connecting element is designed as an angle-shaped connecting element.
8. The assembly system of claim 1 wherein two profiled bars with straight ends are connected perpendicularly to each other, and at least one profiled bar comprises two opposing projecting strips, which project into the clamping channel and engage in grooves in the area of the external clamping surfaces.
9. A flat frame-and-panel element comprising
- an assembly system comprising: several profiled bars connected to each other, each of which comprises at least one clamping channel open to the outside with a bottom surface and two lateral surfaces; an elongated or angled connecting element comprising: two opposing external clamping surfaces, at least certain sections of which are straight, and an expansion joint extending between the external clamping surfaces, the connecting element being introduced into the clamping channel; and at least one spreading element, which is introduced into at least one section of the expansion joint in such a way that the external clamping surfaces of the connecting element are clamped against the lateral surfaces of the clamping channel of at least one profiled bar; and a flat body supported in the profiled bars.
10. The flat frame-and-panel element according to claim 9, wherein the flat body is a solar panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 7, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 12, 2009
Applicant: ISL MEDIA SINGAPORE PTE LTD. (Chinatown Point)
Inventor: Stefan Wellhofer (Johor)
Application Number: 12/187,712
International Classification: A47B 47/00 (20060101);