AU733665B2

AU733665B2 - Connectors

Info

Publication number: AU733665B2
Application number: AU80754/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Georg Hasler
Original assignee: Haefele SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Haefele SE and Co KG
Priority date: 1997-08-19
Filing date: 1998-08-17
Publication date: 2001-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-17
Also published as: DK0898089T3; ATE247237T1; AU8075498A; EP0898089A3; CN1121560C; KR19990023164A; EP0898089B1; JPH11132211A; EP0898089A2; ES2205327T3; CN1208824A; PT898089E; DE59809267D1; DE29714853U1

Abstract

The connecting fitment comprises an installation element (4) fixable on the first part and a connecting element fixed on the second part to be held in the installation element by an operating element (6) connected to the installation element by an ideal break point (11). The installation element and operating element can be pushed together in the direction of the rotary axis (5) of the operating element by breaking the ideal break point. The installation element and operating element lock together in the assembled state by detent projections. The fitment can be a one-piece injection moulded part.

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Hafele GmbH Co.

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ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Connectors The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fitting for connecting two parts, especially furniture panels, the fitting consisting of an insert element on the first part and an actuating element, which is supported in the insert element with freedom to rotate and which makes it possible for a connecting element fastened to the second part to be retained in the insert element.

oooo 2. Description of the Related Art To fasten two furniture panels together at a right angle to each other, the known fittings consist of a connecting element fastened to the second furniture panel, which engages in a fitting provided on the first furniture panel. When an actuating element, which is rotatably supported in the insert element, is rotated, the connecting element engages with it from behind, and the connecting element is thus held inside the fitting and is preferably pulled even farther inside the insert element, as a result of which it is tightly held in the insert element.

Known fittings are designed as two separate pieces, i.e., the insert element, an insert cup, and a separate actuating element, which is actuated from the outside. The actuating element is held permanently inside the insert element. The two elements are fabricated individually in separate injection molds and then assembled.

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*o a *2 P:\OPER\GCPM80754-98 spe.doc-09/03/01 -3- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Against this background, the object of the present invention is to improve the design of a fitting of the type described above so that. the manufacturing costs and the time required to produce it can be reduced.

According to the invention, there is provided a fitting for connecting first and second parts, such as furniture panels, the fitting comprising an insert element configured to be attached to the first part, and an actuating element which is supported rotatably in the insert element about a rotational axis, the actuating element retaining in the insert element a connecting element which is attached to the 15 second part, wherein the insert element and the actuating element are connected to each other by at least one frangible connection.

Preferably the fitting of the invention is in the form .i 20 of a single piece and can be converted into a ready-toinstall, two-piece fitting by the destruction, either by the manufacturer or by the user, of the frangible connection, at least one of which is provided, and by the assembly of the insert element with the actuating element. The fitting is P:\OPER\GCP\80754-98 spe.doc.09/03/01 -3Apreferably an injection-molded plastic part, so that only a single injection mold is required to produce it. It can also be a die-cast zinc part.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert element and the actuating element can be assembled by breaking the one or more predetermined break points; it is preferable for the elements to slide into each other in the i i assembly direction. By striking or pressing one of the two elements, the one or more predetermined break points are broken apart, and the two elements are then pressed together or assembled to form a ready-to-install, two-part fitting. If the fitting has already been assembled, that is, pressed together, by the manufacturer, then the user must merely press the fitting into a suitable recess in the first part. Otherwise, the fitting, still in one piece, is placed on the recess and struck or pressed to force it into the recess, as a result of which the two elements are simultaneously assembled.

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In an especially preferred elaboration of this embodiment, S. the insert element and the actuating element can be assembled in S the direction of the rotational axis of the actuating element.

It is also possible, however, for the predetermined break point or points to be broken apart and for the two elements to be assembled by rotating them with respect to each other.

So that the actuating element can be guided into the insert element during assembly, the insert element is designed in the form of a ring, into the opening of which the actuating element can slide.

So that the insert element and the actuating element, after assembly, are permanently connected to each other and thus form a one-piece unit, it is provided in advantageous embodiments of the invention that the insert element and the actuating element lock together in the assembled state.

For this purpose, at least one locking projection can be provided on the actuating element, which, after destruction of the predetermined break point or points, grips the insert element from behind and is thus locked in place. Simultaneously, this locking projection can also limit the rotational movement of the actuating element. It is also possible, however for the locking projection to be provided on the insert element.

*"To design a predetermined break point with the largest possible effective surface area between the insert element and the actuating element, it is possible to provide several S predetermined break points. It is also possible to have a single, ring-shaped predetermined break point between the insert element and the actuating element. The predetermined break point or points are preferably provided between the inside circumference of the insert element and the outside circumference of the actuating element.

To prevent the impact or compressive forces acting during the assembly or pressing-together operation from causing damage to the fitting, the insert element and the actuating element have parallel contact surfaces facing each other in the assembly direction. These contact surfaces are as large as possible and can be, for example, in the form of rings or segments of rings.

The impact or compressive forces are thus absorbed over a large area, and in the assembled state these surfaces serve to guides the rotational movement of the actuating element.

V The connecting element can be brought into the position where it grips the insert element from behind before the predetermined break point or points are destroyed; or, if this is not possible from the start for construction reasons, it can be brought into this gripping position later, after the two elements have been assembled. To facilitate in particular this later insertion of the connecting element, an insertion chamber, :°eoe• opening radially to the outside, is provided for the connecting element between the insert element and the actuating element.

This chamber makes it possible for the connecting element to be inserted even after the fitting has been assembled. Thus the connecting element can be introduced into the insertion chamber either from the front, in the radial direction, or from the end surface, in the axial direction.

So that the connecting element can be inserted axially from the end surface of the actuating element, at least one, preferably two, housing tabs, which can be swung into the insertion chamber, are provided on top of the actuating element.

When pressure is exerted from the outside on these housing tabs in the radial direction, the tabs swing down like double-wing doors, and after the connecting element has been inserted into insertion chamber, they swing back automatically into their *o original position, in which they close off the insertion chamber.

9 In preferred embodiments of the invention, a lateral guide wall is provided in the insert element for the connecting element which grips behind a wall of the insert element. This lateral guide preferably conforms to the cross-sectional contour of the connecting element, to the head of a connecting bolt, so that it can guide the connecting element more effectively.

If the insert element and the actu'_ ling element are already pre-oriented rotationally with respect to each other so as to be in a position in which they can accept the connecting element, then the fitting is still in the rotational position to accept the connecting element after it has been separated into two pieces and the two elements have been assembled.

Additional advantages of the invention can be derived from the description and from the drawing. The features cited above and those presented further below can be used individually, or several can be combined together in any desired combination. The embodiment shown and described is not to be understood as the ultimate embodiment but rather only as an example presented for the sake of the description of the invention.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the one-piece fitting according to the invention, where the insert element and the actuating element are still connected to each other; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectioned view through the one-piece fitting of Figure 1; o*o.

*gee Fig. 3 is a view from below of the one-piece fitting in the direction of line III in Figure 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view, from above, of the fitting according to the invention, now consisting of two parts, formed by assembling the insert element with the actuating element; Fig. 5 is a side view of the one-piece fitting according to the invention before it is inserted into a recess in a first part;

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Fig. 6 is a side view corresponding to Figure 5 of the assembled, two-piece fitting, which has been inserted into the recess in the first part; and Fig. 7 shows two parts to be connected together, where the fitting has been inserted into a recess in the first part, and a connecting element cooperating with the fitting is attached to the second part.

o o *o DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Figure 7, 1' designates a fitting known in and of itself, which serves to connect parts 2 and 3. Fitting 1' has an insert element 4 and an actuating element 6, which is supported in insert element 4, with freedom to rotate around axis 5. Fitting 1' is inserted into a recess 7 in first part 2; a circumferential bevel 8 facilitates the introduction of insert element 4 into Srecess 7. To connect the two parts 2, 3 together, a connecting element 9, a connecting bolt with a bolt head, provided on oeeo second part 3, engages with fitting 1' and is pulled farther into the interior of fitting 1' and held tightly there by the rotation S'"of actuating element 6. A cross-shaped actuating slot 10 is used to rotate actuating element 6.

Two-piece fitting 1' shown in Figure 7 is formed by one-piece fitting 1 shown in Figures 1-3, in which insert element 4 and actuating element 6 are still con-ected to each other by predetermined break points 11. In correspondence with Figures 2 and 3, three predetermined break points 11 are provided between inside circumference 12 of ring-shaped insert element 4 and round outside circumference 13 of forward end 14 of actuating element 6. By the application of force acting in the direction of rotational axis 5, predetermined break points 11 are destroyed, -l o and insert element 4 and actuating element 6 are thus assembled.

So that the two elements 4, 6 remain permanently joined, a locking projection 15 is provided on the outside circumference of forward end 14; in the position shown, this projection grips behind a contact shoulder 16 of insert element 4. Because this contact shoulder 16 does not extend around the entire circumference of front end 14 but rather only around approximately 1500 (Figure the range within which actuating element 6 can rotate is correspondingly limited by the cooperation with locking projection When the two elements 4, 6 are assembled, forward end 14 of S-actuating element 6 slides into the opening in ring-shaped insert 4*#e element 4, and front end 14 is supported rotatably there in the assembled state. By way of large, parallel contact surfaces 17, 18 of insert element 4 and actuating element 6, respectively, the forces acting in the direction of rotational axis 5 during the joining operation are absorbed in optimum fashion.

In the case of one-piece fitting i, insert element 4 and actuating element 6 are pre-oriented with respect to each other in such a way that assembled fitting i' is already in the rotational position in which it is able to accept connecting element 9. Connecting element 9 grips behind a circumferential wall 19 of insert element 4 and is supported by a semi-circular support opening 20 and a lateral guide wall 21, on the left, inside insert element 4. Connecting element 9 can be installed into support opening 20 via an insertion chamber 22, which opens radially toward the outside. Thus the element can be introduced into insertion chamber 22 either from the circumference, that is, radially, or in the direction of rotational axis 5, that is, axially. For this purpose, the top of actuating element 6 has two housing tabs 24, formed by a T-shaped slot 23; these tabs are able to swing down into insertion chamber 22 like double-wing 0** doors to allow the axial insertion of connecting element 9 into insertion chamber 22. T-shaped slot 23 is designed to fit the bolt head of connecting element 9.

By turning actuating element 6, connecting element 9 is retained within support opening 20 and a slot-shaped opening in actuating element 6; slanted walls 26 of the opening grip the actuating element from behind. Because of these slanted walls 26, the rotation of actuating element 6 has the effect of pulling connecting element 9 even farther inward toward rotational axis If fitting 1 has already been put together, that is, assembled, by the manufacturer, the only thing left for the user P:\OPER\GCPS0754-98 spe.doc-09/3/0/0 14to do is to press it into a recess 7 in first part 2.

Otherwise, fitting 1, which is still in one piece, is placed on recess 7 (Figure 5) and then forced into the recess and simultaneously converted into a two-piece fitting 1' by striking or pressing down on the top surface of actuating element 6 in the assembly direction 27, as a result of which insert element 4 and actuating element 6 are joined together (Figure 6).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

15 Throughout this specification and the claims which S..follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

*o *ooo P:OPER\GCPr80754.98 q.doc-09/03/01 -14A- The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

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Claims

2. The fitting according to Claim 1, wherein the insert element and the actuating element can be joined into an assembled S state by breaking the at least one frangible connection and pushing the actuating element into the insert element in an S" assembly direction.
3. The fitting according to Claim wherein the insert element and the actuating element are configured to be joined in the direction of the rotational axis of the actuating element.
4. Fitting according to claim i, wherein the insert element is constructed in the form of a ring. i: The fitting according to claim 2, wherein the insert element and the actuating element are locked together in the assembled state.
6. The fitting according to Claim 5, wherein at least one locking projection for gripping behind the insert element is provided on the actuating element.
7. The fitting according to claim i, wherein several S frangible connections are provided between the insert element and the actuating element.
8. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein the insert element has an inside circumference and the actuating element has an outside circumference, wherein the at least one frangible connection is located between the inside circumference of the insert element and the outside circumference of the actuating S element.
9. The fitting according to claim 2, wherein the insert element and the actuating element have parallel contact surfaces which face each other in the assembly direction. The fitting according to claim 9, wherein said contact surfaces are formed as ring segments.
11. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein an insertion chamber for the connecting element is provided between the insert element and the actuating element, wherein the chamber opens radially outwardly.
12. The fitting according to Claim 11, wherein at least one p.t housing tab is provided in the top surface of the actuating "9 element, said tab being able to swing downward into the insertion chamber. 9. 94
13. The fitting according to claim 12, wherein two said housing tabs are provided. o po 14: The fitting according to claim 1, wherein a lateral guide wall for the connecting element is provided in the insert element. The fitting according to claim i, wherein the insert element and the actuating element are pre-oriented rotationally with respect to each other so as to be in a position in which they are able to accept the connecting element. PAOPERIGCF8O754-98 P .do-09/0310 18 A fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples. this 9 th day of March, 2001 Hafele GmbH Co. by its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE