Abstract:
A connection means for coupling two components, particularly precast concrete parts, including a pin which supports at least one axially fixed spring element which counteracts the tensile force acting on the pin when the connecting means is in a mounted state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part PCT Application No. PCT/DE2013/100084 filed on 5 Mar. 2013, which claims priority to DE Patent Application No. 10 2012 103 591.1 filed on 24 Apr. 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a connection means for coupling two components, in particular precast concrete parts, having a bolt which carries at least one axially fixed spring element which, in the mounted state of the connection means, counteracts an extraction force acting on the bolt, and components. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the sector of precast concrete part construction, components such as precast concrete parts are used and, in particular, concrete slabs which, on their abutting edges, display grooves and which, for connecting the precast concrete parts, are packed with concrete and, for absorbing tensile forces, are additionally equipped with anchors, screws, metal loops or brackets, are used for building support structures, facades, walls and/or ceilings. All these connection elements are inserted into the precast concrete parts already during production, wherein both the precast concrete parts to be connected have to be equipped with these connection elements. 
         [0004]    DE 199 23 080 A1 describes a wall tie having a disk-shaped counterbearing having a collar molded thereon, wherein the collar and a bolt which carries the counterbearing are provided with transverse borings. For fastening the counterbearing, a fastening splint is guided through the transverse borings. 
         [0005]    For the connection of two components, it is known, for example from DE 10 2010 030 281 A1, to use bolts which are provided with a thread, for example, and are screwed directly into the component or into an anchor which is fastened in the component. When using such a bolt, it is not possible to couple two components so that they abut. There always remains a gap in which a tool can engage on the bolt for turning the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The invention is based on the object of providing a connection means of the type mentioned at the outset which, while offering simple handling, ensures a connection of two components and transmits comparatively large forces. 
         [0007]    According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. 
         [0008]    The dependent claims represent advantageous embodiments of the invention. 
         [0009]    A connection means for coupling two components, in particular precast concrete parts, comprises a bolt which carries at least one axially fixed spring element which, in the mounted state of the connection means, counteracts an extraction force acting on the bolt. The bolt displays at least one offset, or an encircling cut-in, which axially fixes the spring element. 
         [0010]    By means of the offset, or of the encircling cut-in, the spring element is fixed in a non-displaceable manner on the bolt. In the case of an alternative connection means, the bolt comprises a plurality of spring elements in the form of resilient tongues, which, in the axial direction, are displaceable neither in relation to one another nor in relation to the bolt, and are produced so as to be integral with the bolt. 
         [0011]    The design of the connection means may be comparatively multifaceted, but always comprises at least one spring element which is effective in the axial direction and which is either placed onto the bolt, i.e. connected to said bolt in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, or is integrally produced with the bolt. The bolt may be inserted into a prefabricated boring by way of a blow of a hammer, in the manner of a nail provided with a resilient barb or a resilient tongue, for fastening, a metal component on a concrete component, in particular a precast concrete part. To this end, the bolt, on its one end, for example, displays a head which is enlarged in relation to the remaining profile, and, on the end lying opposite the head, displays a phase or a cross-sectional tapering which also carries the spring element, for example. However, a cylindrical bolt in which the spring element is disposed or configured so as to extend across the entire circumference, or so as to be a type of barb, for example, may also be used. 
         [0012]    Of course, the use of the described connection means is possible not only in the case of a component of concrete, but also in conjunction with components of wood, plastic, and similar materials, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the bolt carries at least two spring elements which are effective in opposite directions. The spring elements which are configured as spring arms or spring disks, for example, are jammed in corresponding openings of the components to be connected to one another, wherein the jamming effect increases in the case of an acting extraction force. When being inserted into the opening, the spring elements are squeezed together in order to reduce their usable width, wherein the direction for joining the connection means and the components is opposed to the direction of the extraction force. When the bolts and the spring elements are made from a correspondingly strong material, comparatively large forces can be transmitted without the coupling of the components connected to one another by the connection means being neutralized or the used connection means being damaged. 
         [0014]    The spring element is preferably configured as a toothed spring disk which is insertable in a pre-tensioned manner into a boring of the component. The toothed spring disk expediently displays an elliptical, oval, or polygonal outer contour. Saucer-shaped toothed spring disks are available as cost-effective standardized products, and a cylindrical boring having a diameter which is made to be somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the spring disk can be readily produced. However, it is also conceivable for the toothed spring disk to be made having an outer contour which enables, for example, an increase in the jamming effect, an employment in an opening which differs from a cylindrical boring, or production focusing on reducing a reject rate. 
         [0015]    In order to fix the spring element in a non-displaceable manner on the bolt, the bolt, according to a refinement, displays at least one offset, or an encircling cut-in, which axially fixes the spring element. 
         [0016]    The spring element, on its inner and/or outer diameter, expediently displays a serration and is in particular designed so as to be cylindrical. The serration grips onto the respective component, wherein, on account of the comparatively small bearing face of the individual teeth, in the case of a correspondingly pre-tensioned assembly, high radial forces which counteract an axial extraction force, are effective. 
         [0017]    Using the above-described connection means, the connection of two mutually abutting components is possible. 
         [0018]    For example, angular components are coupleable to one another in a squarely abutting manner by means of at least one connection means, in that the connection means, with a first portion, under the effect of the spring element or spring elements of the first portion, is preferably inserted into a boring of the one component, and the other component is pushed onto the projecting second portion of the connection means until in particular the two components are connected so as to squarely abut against one another and, in the borings of the two components, spring elements of a connection element advantageously are effective against extraction forces. 
         [0019]    The components may be any type of concrete components, in particular what are referred to as precast concrete parts, such as supports, beams, binders, facades, stairs, architraves, ceiling or wall slabs, or pillars. A combination of these components with other components, for example of steel, in the form of angle sections, T-profiles or double-T-profiles, is also possible. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, at least one end side is provided with borings for the pre-tensioned accommodation of the at least one toothed spring disk of the connection means. The borings may be introduced at the production site or at the construction site for example, by using a template, such that a uniform hole pattern is ensured in the components which are to be connected to one another. 
         [0021]    The component preferably displays a plurality of borings which run across the longitudinal extent of said component and into which the free ends of the connection element protrude. The number of the connection elements to be mounted is substantially determined by means of the static requirements set for the connection. 
         [0022]    It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and the features yet to be described are useable not only in the combination stated in each case, but also in other combinations. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention is described in more detail in the following, by means of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the associated drawing, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic sectional illustration of two concrete elements coupled, according to the invention, with a connection means in a first embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic sectional illustration of two concrete elements coupled with a connection means in a second embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic sectional illustration of two concrete elements coupled with the connection means in a third embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a connection means according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic sectional illustration of two components coupled with a connection means in a fourth embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic sectional illustration of two components coupled with a connection means in a fifth embodiment; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows an illustration of a spring element of the connection means as per  FIG. 4 , configured as a toothed spring disk. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0032]    The connection means  1  comprises a bolt  2  which comprises a plurality of spring elements  3 , which are effective in opposite directions, in the form of resilient tongues  11  which, in the axial direction, are displaceable neither in relation to one another nor in relation to the bolt  2 . The orientation of the tongues  11  is determined in such a manner that they counteract an extraction force acting on the bolt  2 . 
         [0033]    For connecting two components  7  configured as precast concrete parts  6  so as to abut, borings  9 , which display a diameter which is dimensioned so as to be smaller than the useable width of the bolt  2  having the spring elements  3  sticking out on the circumference, are introduced into the end sides  8  of the components  7 , so that the tongues  11  are pressed into the borings  9  under pre-tensioning. For connecting two components  7 , initially a plurality of connection means  1  are inserted into the corresponding borings  9  of the one component  7 , and subsequently the next component  7  is pushed onto the free ends of the connection means  1 . 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment, the connection means  1  comprises the bolt  2  having the spring elements  3  in the form of toothed spring disks  4  which are serrated on the inside and the outside and which are axially fixed on the bolt  2 , either in grooves and/or cut-ins  12  or by way of an offset  5 , in such a manner that they are not displaceable in the axial direction in relation to one another and/or in relation to the bolt  2 . The orientation of the toothed spring disks  4  is determined in such a manner that they counteract an extraction force acting on the bolt  2 . 
         [0035]    For connecting the components  7  so as to abut the borings  9 , which display a diameter which is dimensioned so as to be smaller than the outer diameter of the toothed spring disks  4 , are introduced into the end faces  8  of the components  7 , so that the toothed spring disks  4  are pressed into the boring  9  during mounting. The connection means  1  are inserted into the corresponding boring  9  of the one component  7 , and subsequently the next component  7  is pushed onto the free ends of the connection means  1  in such a manner that a toothed spring disk  4  of the connection means  1  is effective against extraction forces, even in the boring  9  of said component  7 . The grooves  10  between the adjacent components  7 , which are present in the end-side bearing region, may be packed with concrete. On account of the connection means  1  which are effective between two components  7 , a coupling of the components  7  which withstands tensile forces is ensured. 
         [0036]    In a further alternative embodiment, the connection means  1  is configured so as to be a type of nail and comprises the bolt  2 , having the spring element  3 , and an end-side head  13  having a diameter which is enlarged in relation to the bolt  2 . According to the exemplary embodiments as per  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the one component  7  is implemented as a precast concrete part  6  and the other component  7  is implemented as a steel angle  14 , wherein the connection means  1 , with its bolt  2 , protrudes through the boring  9  of the steel angle  14  and, by way of its spring element  3 , is held in the boring  9  of the precast concrete part  6 . The head  13  of the nail-type connection means  1  bears on the angle steel  14 . As already explained, the spring element  3  is positioned in the axial direction either by way or an encircling cut-in  12  or by way of an offset  5 . 
         [0037]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Connection means 
           2 . Bolt 
           3 . Spring element 
           4 . Toothed spring disk 
           5 . Offset 
           6 . Precast concrete part 
           7 . Component 
           8 . End side 
           9 . Boring 
           10 . Groove 
           11 . Tongue 
           12 . Cut-in 
           13 . Head 
           14 . Angle steel