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EP-4735692-A1 - CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING A FIRST PLATE WITH A SECOND PLATE

EP4735692A1EP 4735692 A1EP4735692 A1EP 4735692A1EP-4735692-A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a connector (1) for connecting a first plate (2) with a second plate (3), comprising a first end portion (4), a second end portion (5) and a middle portion (6), wherein the middle portion has a top (16) and a bottom (17) and extends parallel to a first direction (14), wherein the first end portion extends at least in places with a directional component anti-parallel to a second direction (18) and/or with a directional component parallel to a third direction (19), in order to be able to bring the connector into a closed position (13) at least by one-time swivelling of the connector about at least one swivel axis (20) running parallel to the third direction and so to produce an interlocking connection of the first end portion with a first receptacle (7) of the first plate, when the connector is introduced with the first end portion at least in places into the first receptacle, wherein the second end portion has a mobile closing mechanism for producing a releasable connection with a second receptacle (10) of the second plate.

Inventors

  • HASPEL, Raoul
  • STOCKINGER, Ernst

Assignees

  • Haspel, Raoul
  • Stockinger, Ernst

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230628

Claims (15)

  1. 1. Connector (1) for connecting a first plate (2) to a second plate (3), comprising a first end section (4), a second end section (5) and a central section (6) arranged between the first end section (4) and the second end section (5) and connecting them, wherein the central section (6) has an upper side (16) and a lower side (17) opposite the upper side (16) and extends parallel to a first direction (14) which is parallel to a longitudinal axis (15) of the connector (1) and points from the second end section (5) to the first end section (4), wherein the first end section (4) runs at least in sections with a directional component antiparallel to a second direction (18) and/or with a directional component parallel to a third direction (19), in order to pivot the connector (1) into a locking position (13) and thereby to be able to establish a positive connection of the first end section (4) with a first receptacle (7) of the first plate (2) when the connector (1) with the first end section (4) is at least partially inserted into the first receptacle (7), wherein the second direction (18) is normal to the first direction (14) and points from the underside (17) to the top (16) of the central section (6) and wherein the third direction (19) is normal to the first direction (14) and to the second direction (18), wherein the second end section (5) has a movable locking mechanism in order to be able to establish a detachable connection with a second receptacle (10) of the second plate (3) when in the locking position (13) the second end portion (5) is arranged at least in sections in the second receptacle (10).
  2. 2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the course of the first end portion (4) has at least two kinks and/or bends, preferably substantially an S-shape, at least in sections.
  3. 3. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the course of the first end portion (4) lies in a plane which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis (15) of the connector.
  4. 4. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first end portion (4) and the middle portion (6) are made together from one piece, preferably from metal, particularly preferably from stainless steel or coated steel.
  5. 5. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second end portion (5) is made at least in sections from the same material as the first end portion (4) and/or the middle portion (6).
  6. 6. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable locking mechanism of the second end portion (5) is designed as a rotary latch with a locking element (22) which can be rotated by means of an actuating element (21) about an axis of rotation (32) which preferably runs parallel to the second direction (18).
  7. 7. Connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking element (22) is movably mounted with the actuating element (21) along the axis of rotation (32), wherein a spring element (25) is provided to To push the locking element (22) into a certain position using the actuating element (21).
  8. 8. Connector (1) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the locking element (22) is rotatable at least from an insertion position (26) into a closure position (27) and vice versa, wherein preferably locking means are provided in order to be able to hold the locking element (22) at least in one of the two positions (26, 27) in such a way that a rotational movement is only made possible when a minimum torque is applied.
  9. 9. System with at least one connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a first plate (2) with at least one first receptacle (7), wherein the respective connector (1) in the closed position (13) is arranged with its first end section (4) in a form-fitting manner in the respective first receptacle (7), wherein preferably at least one recess (31) is provided in the first plate (2), in which the central section (6) of the respective connector (1) is arranged at least in sections when the respective connector (1) is in the closed position (13).
  10. 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the positive connection is provided with a tolerance (29) in the first direction (14) and/or with a tolerance (30) in the second direction (18) and/or with a tolerance in the third direction (19).
  11. 11. System according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the respective first receptacle (7) comprises a first receiving opening (8) and a first receiving element (9) made of metal, preferably made of stainless steel or coated steel, wherein the first receiving element (9) is attached, preferably detachably and is arranged at least in sections in the first receiving opening (8), wherein the first receiving element (9) is shaped to correspond to the first end section (4) of the respective connector (1) and in the closed position (13) of the respective connector (1) the positive connection between its first end section (4) and the first receiving element (9) is provided.
  12. 12. System according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a second plate (3) with at least one second receptacle (10) is provided, wherein the respective connector (1) in the closed position (13) is arranged with its second end section (5) at least partially in the respective second receptacle (10) and can be detachably connected to the respective second receptacle (10) by means of the movable locking mechanism, wherein preferably at least one recess (31') is provided in the second plate (3), in which the central section (6) of the respective connector (1) is arranged at least partially when the respective connector (1) is in the closed position (13).
  13. 13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the respective second receptacle (10) comprises a second receiving opening (11) and a second receiving element (12) made of metal, preferably made of stainless steel or coated steel, wherein the second receiving element (12) is fastened, preferably detachably, and is arranged at least in sections in the second receiving opening (11), wherein the second receiving element (12) is shaped corresponding to the second end section (5) of the respective connector (1) and in the closed position (13) of the respective connector (1) by means of the closing mechanism of its second end portion (5) a detachable connection can be established between the respective connector (1) and the second receiving element (12) of the respective second receptacle (10).
  14. 14. System according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the first plate (2) and/or the second plate (3) is/are made of plastic or composite material, in particular layered composite material.
  15. 15. Method for connecting a first plate (2) to a second plate (3) with a connector (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first plate (2) has a first receptacle (7) corresponding to the first end portion (4) and the second plate (3) has a second receptacle (10) corresponding to the second end portion (5), the method comprising the following steps: - arranging the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) next to each other so that the first receptacle (7) and the second receptacle (10) are opposite each other; - at least partially inserting the first end portion (4) into the first receptacle (7); - transferring the connector (1) into the locking position (13), wherein the transfer takes place at least once Pivoting the connector (1) about at least one pivot axis (20) running parallel to the third direction (19), wherein upon transfer to the closed position (13) a positive connection, preferably with tolerance in the first and/or second and/or third direction (14, 18, 19), is produced between the first end section (4) and the first receptacle (7), and wherein upon transfer to the closed position (13) the second end section (5) is arranged at least in sections in the second receptacle (10); - Establishing a detachable connection between the second end portion (5) and the second receptacle (10) by actuating the movable locking mechanism of the second end portion (5).

Description

CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING A FIRST PLATE TO A SECOND PLATE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a first plate to a second plate. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for connecting a first plate to a second plate with a connector according to the invention. STATE OF THE ART In order to be able to drive on unpaved ground safely and easily with heavy machinery, such as trucks or excavators, for example, it is known to lay panels that provide a suitably stable surface. Another application example is the production of a stable floor at open-air events, such as the floor, particularly in the audience area, at open-air concerts. The top of the panels can have a suitable structure with regard to the desired adhesive properties. Such panels are sometimes also referred to as floor protection mats. In particular, panels made of plastic or composite material made of plastic which has the advantage of being much lighter than metal panels, which in turn increases transport options and makes handling during assembly much easier. The size of a single panel is typically a few meters long, with rectangular panels usually being used. For example, panels with dimensions of 3 m long and 2 m wide are commercially available. Depending on the thickness, a panel made of plastic can therefore weigh several hundred kilograms. For example, plastic panels with the dimensions mentioned above of 3 m x 2 m are known, which have a thickness of 47.5 mm and weigh 235 kg each. In order to prevent the panels from shifting significantly, e.g. when driven over, which would mean that the desired stable surface would no longer be guaranteed throughout, the panels must be connected to one another. Theoretically, when covering a narrow strip (for example to create a small path with a stable surface), it is sufficient to lay the panels linearly so that connections are only required in one direction - and not across it. In most cases, however, flat sections of floor have to be covered and the panels laid in two directions and also connected to one another. For this purpose, the panels are usually screwed together using perforated sheets or perforated steel strips as connectors, whereby the panels can simply be laid next to one another. Threads for the screws are accordingly made in the panels, although the mechanical stability of these threads often leaves something to be desired. In addition, screwing is quite time-consuming, even when using cordless screwdrivers, since several screws usually have to be screwed in per connector. Furthermore, the perforated sheets, steel bands or screws used usually protrude slightly from the surface of the panels or the heads of the screws at least protrude from the connectors. These protruding parts are at great risk when the panels are driven over by heavy machinery, particularly those with chain drives, i.e. there is then a risk that the connection will be separated. Finally, this solution is disadvantageous in that the connectors in particular expand and contract when there are strong temperature fluctuations, which can also lead to the destruction of the (screw) connection. WO 2020/209805 A1 discloses a connector for panels that are to be laid in an overlapping manner, which can be integrated into the panels in the area intended for the overlap. This connector is therefore primarily suitable for sufficiently thick panels, which are typically 8 cm thick, which represents an additional - and therefore disadvantageous - limitation. In addition, laying overlapping panels is much more complex than simply laying non-overlapping panels next to each other, with the areas intended for the overlap usually having a different thickness than the rest of the panel. Furthermore, attention must be paid to the correct sequence of panel edges, which are to be arranged above or below the edges of adjacent panels. Overall, very precise laying is therefore required, which entails a corresponding amount of effort. TASK OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a connector and a method for connecting a first to a second plate, which avoid the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, the connection should be quick and uncomplicated, even if the plates are flat - and not just in one direction - Preferably, the connection should not be restricted to panels with a certain thickness. Preferably, the connection should not cause any protruding parts. In particular, the connection should be robust against temperature fluctuations. Preferably, the connection should not place high demands on the accuracy when laying the panels, in particular with regard to the exact spacing and/or the exact alignment of the panels to one another. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION To achieve the stated object, the invention provides a connector for connecting a first plate to a second plate, the connector comprising a first end section, a second en