Rotationally fixed releasable connection between a functional component and a connecting part

In a releasable rotationally fixed mechanical connection between a functional part and a connecting part of which one is provided with a receiver neck and the other with an insertion element adapted to be snugly received in the receiver neck, an intermediate wedge member provided with slightly conical outer surface areas is disposed on the insertion element for reception in the receiver neck which has cooperating inner surfaces with which the wedge member is pressed into firm engagement by a collar disposed on the insertion element which is threaded onto the receiver neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention resides in a rotationally fixed releasable mechanical connection between a functional part and a connecting part with a receiver neck provided on one part and a wedge-like insert element provided on the other part and an engagement means for axially biasing the functional and connecting parts into firm engagement with each other. The functional part may for example be a suction mounting socket and the connecting part may be a support structure known for example as a gooseneck.

The connecting part according to the invention may used for example in connection with different support devices for navigation apparatus, minicomputers or mobile telephones in motor vehicles by means of suction sockets or sockets mounted firmly at some place in a motor vehicle so that goose necks or other support arms are exchangeable and can selectively be used in the form of longer or shorter arms or other exchangeable support components.

Apparatus support devices with suction mounting sockets or other mounting structures, for example cemented or screwed-on sockets provided with gooseneck support arms are well known in various forms. In all these cases however, the gooseneck is firmly connected to the socket. It is important in that connection that a rotationally fixed connection is established between the socket and the gooseneck since during use substantial forces, in particular torsional forces, are effective. For the needed rigid support of an apparatus however the gooseneck needs to be relatively rigid but should still be bendable by hand. The gooseneck generally has a metal wire core which is profiled at the connecting end, for example flattened or provided with a polygonal shape and is received in a mounting socket and engaged therein in a form-locking manner.

The conventional non-releasable connection between a gooseneck and a mounting part is not without problems, but the problems are generally solved in that, in addition to a form-locking connection, a firm cemented connection is provided between the connecting part specifically between a gooseneck and a functional part such as a mounting socket. However, if the connection is to be releasable, it is difficult to provide a connecting structure which can withstand the torsion forces likely to occur during use of the device.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a useable connecting structure for joining a functional part and a connecting part which overcomes the problems mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a releasable rotationally fixed mechanical connection between a functional part and a connecting part of which one is provided with a receiver neck and the other with an insertion element adapted to be snugly received in the receiver neck, an intermediate wedge member provided with slightly conical outer surface areas is disposed on the insertion element for reception in the receiver neck which has cooperating inner surfaces with which the wedge member is pressed into firm engagement by a collar disposed on the insertion element which is threaded onto the receiver neck.

The invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of a releasable, rotationally fixed connection between a gooseneck and a suction mounting socket (a similar connecting structure may be provided between the gooseneck and a mounting plate or an apparatus holder) with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONNECTING STRUCTURE

FIGS. 1 and 2are perspective and, respectively, side views of a suction mounting socket1and an end section of a gooseneck2.

The suction socket1includes a suction foot11with a circumferentially projecting suction membrane12and an operating lever13as well as a socket column14with a receiver neck16provided with an external thread17. At the inside, the receiver neck16is provided with a conical polygonal profile.

The gooseneck2comprises a core wire21, which, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, is in the form of a hexagonal wire and a sleeve22in the form of a corrugated plastic tube or similar. The shown end piece of the gooseneck is provided with a rotatable threaded collar23provided with an internal thread to be threaded onto the external thread17of the receiver neck16. On the end of the core wire21, projecting from the threaded collar23a conical polygonal intermediate wedge member24is disposed which has an outer configuration complementary to the inner configuration of the receiver neck16.

FIG. 3is a sectional view of the suction socket1with the connecting structure shown in an exploded state that is the socket and the gooseneck are shown disjointed.

FIGS. 4aand4bshow the core wire alone.FIG. 11ashows the core wire with a hexagonal cross-section andFIG. 4bshows it with a circular cross-section, each with the intermediate wedge member24disposed thereon. The intermediate wedge member24has in each case a polygonal non-conical inner surface which cooperates with a polygonal outer surface of the core wire21which (in the embodiment ofFIG. 4a) is already present or, (in the embodiment ofFIG. 4bwith a flattened end) is formed on the end of the core wire21.

The intermediate wedge member24may be a slotted sleeve member as apparent fromFIGS. 4aand4bso that it can be slipped onto the core wire21which is slotted providing for radial resiliency and play-free contact with the core wire21. By a slight deformation of the wire end, a form-locking connection can be established between the intermediate wedge member24and the end of the core wire such that the intermediate wedge member24is not removable from the core wire21, at least not without the application of a substantial force.

As apparent formFIG. 3, an inner radial flange25of the threaded collar23cooperates with the rear face26at the thicker end of the intermediate wedge member24. When, for joining the gooseneck with the suction foot socket, the end piece of the core wire21is inserted with the intermediate wedge member24into the receiver neck16and the threaded collar is threaded onto the outer thread of the receiver neck16, the threading movement of the threaded collar23is converted to an axial movement of the collar23whereby, via the inner radial flange25of the threaded collar23, the end piece of the core wire21is pressed together with the intermediate wedge member24axially into the receiver neck16. Since the interior of the receiver neck16is complementarily conical to the outer configuration of the intermediate wedge member24, the axial compression of the intermediate wedge member24in the receiver neck16is converted to a radial clamping movement. In this way, a firm radial clamping action of the outer surface of the intermediate wedge member24with the inner surface of the receiver neck16and also of the inner surface of the intermediate wedge member24with the outer surface of the core wire21is achieved. Since the intermediate wedge member24has on both, the inside and the outside, a polygonal profile and the inner wall of the receiver neck16is complementary to the outer surface of the intermediate wedge member and the outer surface of the core wire21is complementary to the inner surface of the intermediate wedge member, a strong form-locking rotationally rigid clamping engagement between the various components is achieved without the need for any cementing.

With the arrangement according to the invention, a highly effective but releasable connection between the connecting member (gooseneck) and the functional part (suction socket, support plate, etc.) can be established.

Applications other than those directly mentioned are possible for the structure according to the invention.