Support system and system of connection elements for connecting supports

A support system includes supports and connection elements for interconnecting the supports. The supports are interconnected by plug connections. The interacting plug connection components that form the plug connection include at least one plug element and at least one plug receptacle. Each connection element is established on a support and has at least one plug connection component. The support system has first connection elements, the at least one plug connection component of which is disposed on a longitudinal side of the assigned support. The support system has second connection elements, the at least one plug connection component of which are disposed on an end side of the assigned support, and the second connection elements are selectively connectable to a first connection element or to a further second connection element. A system of connection elements includes first connection elements as well as second connection elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of EP 17 194 089.3, filed Sep. 29, 2017, the priority of this application is hereby claimed and this application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a support system and to a system of connection elements for connecting supports.

Support systems from supports and the connection elements connecting the supports are used, for example, for so-called grid element ceilings, thus suspended interior ceilings. Grid element ceilings of this type are used, for example, in order to install temporary attachment points for the technical event equipment and supply lines such as, for example power lines, to desired locations in exhibition halls, and/or for achieving fastening possibilities for add-on parts at desired positions on the suspended interior ceiling.

A suspended, non-supporting interior ceiling made from longitudinal supports and transverse supports that connect the longitudinal supports is known from DE 20 2006 002 567 U1. The longitudinal supports and transverse supports are configured as extruded profiles. Receptacle grooves for lateral adapters are provided in the longitudinal supports. A transverse support by way of an end plate that is disposed on the end side of the transverse support can be hooked into the lateral adapters. A connection profile which protrudes into the cavities of the longitudinal supports to be interconnected is provided for interconnecting longitudinal supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of achieving a support system of the generic type which is of a simple construction and enables a rapid and flexible assembly of the support system.

A further object of the invention lies in achieving a system of connection elements for connecting supports which is of simple construction and enables a simple and rapid interconnection of the supports.

It is provided that the supports are interconnected by way of plug connections. It is provided that each connection element has at least one plug connection component of a plug connection. The support system has first connection elements, the at least one plug connection component of the latter being disposed on a longitudinal side of the assigned support. In order to achieve a simple and modular construction of the support system, it is provided that the support system comprises second connection elements, the at least one plug connection component of the latter being disposed on an end side of the assigned support. The second connection elements herein are designed such that said second connection elements are selectively connectable to a first connection element or to a further second connection element. On account thereof, a support which on an end side supports a second connection element can be selectively installed thereon as a transverse support and to this end be connected to a first connection element of an existing longitudinal support, or alternatively be used as a longitudinal support and to this end be connected to a second connection element that is disposed on the end side of a further longitudinal support. A simple construction of the support system is achieved on account thereof. The number of different types of connection elements required is reduced, since longitudinal supports as well as transverse supports can be connected to existing longitudinal supports by way of second connection elements. On account thereof, warehousing and logistics are also simplified. Transverse supports and longitudinal supports can be embodied having identical dimensions and in particular also having the same construction in terms of the cross section. Production and warehousing are simplified on account thereof. A positive external appeal of the support system results, since longitudinal supports and transverse supports cannot be visually distinguished in the case of assembled support systems.

On account of the supports being interconnected by way of plug connections, simple and rapid assembling and disassembling of the support system is enabled. No screw connections are preferably to be fixed or released in order for the supports to be connected. A plug connection enables a force-fitting connection between the supports and can also transmit transverse forces and torques between the supports. On account thereof, a simple and solid connection between the supports is achieved. The plug connections can be disposed in a space-saving manner. Plug connections enable a largely invisible connection of the supports such that a positive appearance of the support system results on account of the use of plug connections.

In a preferred design embodiment, all supports at the end sides thereof are provided with second connection elements. Each second connection elements preferably has a plug element as well as a plug receptacle of the plug connection. On account thereof, only a single embodiment of second connection elements is required. The plug receptacle and the plug element in the installed position are preferably disposed above one another. In the case of longitudinal supports that run in the longitudinal direction, the plug element and the plug receptacle on the two end sides of the longitudinal support are preferably dissimilarly oriented. On one end side, the plug element is disposed in the upper region and the plug receptacle is disposed in the lower region of the connection element, and on the other end side the plug receptacle is disposed in the upper region and the plug element is disposed in the lower region of the connection element. This can be achieved in a simple manner by assembling the second connection element in an orientation that is rotated by 180° about the longitudinal axis of the support. On account thereof, a further longitudinal support can always be assembled in the same direction, preferably from above, on an already assembled longitudinal support. In the case of transverse supports, a second connection element is preferably disposed on both end sides in the same orientation, preferably having the plug receptacle in the lower region and the plug element in the upper region. On account thereof, transverse supports can be assembled simultaneously in the same orientation, thus in particular from above, on both end sides in adjacent longitudinal supports.

The designations “top/upper”, “bottom/lower”, “horizontal” and “vertical” as well as all further terms referring to the spatial position which are presently used relate in each case to the installed position of the support system in which the support system is disposed on a support structure.

The plug receptacles are preferably oriented in the vertical direction so as to enable an assembly from above. However, in an alternative design embodiment it can also be provided that the plug receptacles run laterally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the support and a support, on account thereof, is to be assembled on an existing support in the lateral direction, for example by inward pivoting or lateral displacement.

Each connection element advantageously has at least one plug element and at least one plug receptacle. On account thereof, each connection element can form each plug connection component of a plug connection, specifically a plug receptacle or a plug element. In a particularly preferable design embodiment, in the case of two interconnected connection elements each plug element is disposed in an assigned plug receptacle. On account thereof, a high strength of the plug connection is achieved, and the mutual orientation of the supports can simultaneously be established by way of the two plug elements that in the connection plan are mutually spaced apart. On account thereof, comparatively high torques about the longitudinal axis of a support can also be absorbed. However, it can also be provided that each connection element does indeed in each case have a plug element and a plug receptacle, however in the case of each plug connection either the plug element or the plug receptacle is alternatively on an assigned plug connection component of the other connection element.

In one particularly preferred design embodiment the plug element is formed by a screw. An element that engages behind the plug receptacle can be provided in a simple manner by way of a screw. The mutual relative position of the supports can be varied by varying the screw-in-depth of the screw. On account thereof, existing positional tolerances between the supports can be equalized in a simple manner.

In a particularly preferred design embodiment the plug receptacle is configured as a clearance. A simple construction results on account thereof.

In order to avoid that the plug connection is released when forces counter to the assembly direction arise, at least one plug-fittable securing element which secures the plug connection against unintentional releasing is advantageously provided. On account of the securing element being plug-fittable, no screw connection is required for securing the plug connection such that a simple and rapid assembly and disassembly results. Should the plug receptacles in the installed position be oriented in the vertical direction, the securing element in the preferred design embodiment is a safety split pin. In the case of a horizontally oriented plug receptacle, the securing element can be, for example, a U-shaped disk or the like which is to be pushed in from above.

The support system advantageously comprises at least one suspension element which is separate from the connection elements and which is provided for connecting a support to a support structure. The suspension element can be fixed to the ceiling of the room in a known manner by way of the threaded bars. On account of the suspension element being configured separately from the connection elements, the position of one or a plurality of suspension points can be chosen independently of the position of the transverse supports. It is advantageously provided that at least one connection element per se is provided for connecting a support to a support structure. On account thereof, the number of required parts for the interconnection of the supports and for the connection of the latter to the support structure can be reduced. A connection element which is provided for connecting a support to the support structure and simultaneously serves for interconnecting two supports is particularly advantageous when the linking points on the support structure coincide with the connection points of longitudinal supports and transverse supports.

A simple construction results when at least one connection element has a connection bracket which encompasses the assigned support. In a particularly advantageous design embodiment the connection bracket is configured so as to be closed and completely encompasses the support. However, a partially open shape of a connection bracket can also be advantageous, in particular a shape that is opened toward the bottom. On account thereof, an assembly rail that runs on the lower side of a support can also remain accessible in the region of the connection bracket.

In a preferred design embodiment the connection bracket is formed by two individual parts that are interconnected on the upper side and the lower side of the support. The two individual parts herein are preferably C-shaped. On account of the individual parts being interconnected on the upper side and the lower side of the support, no connection elements are required on the longitudinal side of the support such that a positive external appeal of the support system results. The individual parts are preferably interconnected by way of at least one releasable connection installation. On account thereof, a connection bracket can also be retro-fitted to a longitudinal support that is already assembled on a support structure. Simultaneously, the plug connection between a longitudinal support and a transverse support is not compromised by the connection installation which interconnects the individual parts of the connection bracket. The two individual parts in a preferred design embodiment are configured so as to be C-shaped and mutually engage so as to be adjacent to the upper side and the lower side of a support.

In a particularly preferred design embodiment the individual parts are interconnected by way of at least one connection installation which simultaneously fixes the connection element to the support. On account thereof, the number of individual parts required for the support system can be reduced. The connection installation preferably comprises a connection element which protrudes through openings of both individual parts such that the individual parts are interconnected even in the event of a partially released connection installation and the connection element cannot be released from the support. The connection element can be, for example, a hammer-head bolt. In an advantageous design embodiment the individual parts are interconnected by way of at least one connection installation which simultaneously serves for connecting the connection element to the support structure. On account thereof, no additional elements are required for the connection to the support structure. In a preferred design embodiment, the individual parts on the lower side thereof are interconnected by way of a connection installation which simultaneously fixes the connection element to the support. Alternatively, a connection installation which fixes the connection element to the support, or a connection installation which serves for connecting the connection element to the support structure, can be provided on the upper side of the support.

At least one connection element, in particular a second connection element, preferably has at least one lug for plug-fitting into a support at the end side. On account thereof, the connection element can be assembled in a simple manner on the end side on a support.

At least one connection element is preferably configured largely as a bent sheet-metal part. In a particularly preferred design embodiment all connection elements are configured largely as bent sheet-metal parts. Only the plug elements, preferably screws, and elements of the connection installation are preferably disposed on the bent sheet-metal parts.

In a preferred design embodiment it is provided that each plug connection in the installed position is to be assembled from above and produces a fixed connection in all horizontal directions and a downward fixed connection. On account of the plug connection in the installed position having to be assembled from above and producing a fixed connection in all horizontal directions in downward manner, the plug connection can be assembled by one person. The two supports are fixedly interconnected after the plug connection has been produced. The securing element that is optionally to be additionally assembled serves only for securing the connection. On account of no screw connections having to be produced, a very short assembly time is achieved.

For a system of connection elements for connecting supports by means of plug connections, wherein each connection element has at least one plug connection component of a plug connection, wherein the interacting plug connection components that form the plug connection comprise at least one plug element and at least one plug receptacle, it is provided that the first connection elements have a receptacle for passing through a support, wherein the at least one plug connection component of the first connection elements is disposed laterally to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle. The system moreover comprises second connection elements which have at least one lug for fastening the connection element to the end side of a support. The second connection elements have at least one plug connection component which is disposed on that side of the connection element that faces away from the lug. The second connection elements are designed such that said second connection elements are selectively connectable to a first connection element or to a further second connection element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1in a perspective illustration shows an exemplary embodiment of a support system, specifically a grid element ceiling1. The grid element ceiling1is constructed from longitudinal supports2which run so as to be mutually parallel. The longitudinal supports2are to be connected to a support structure, for example a ceiling of a hall, by way of connection elements, in the exemplary embodiment threaded bars11. The longitudinal supports2are interconnected by way of transverse supports3which in the exemplary embodiment run orthogonally in relation to the longitudinal supports2. The longitudinal supports2and transverse supports3define a lattice-shaped grid. Holding parts12which can be screw-fitted to the support structure are provided on that upper end of the threaded bars11that faces away from the grid element ceiling1in the exemplary embodiment, in order for the threaded bars11to be connected to a support structure. The threaded bars11are adjustable in relation to the holding parts12as well as in relation to the grid element ceiling1, such that the grid element ceiling1is adjustable in terms of the height thereof.

The longitudinal supports2and transverse supports3are interconnected by way of plug connections4.FIG. 2shows a plug connection4between two longitudinal supports2in an enlarged illustration. Each longitudinal support2on the end side16thereof that lies transversely in relation to a longitudinal central axis31(FIG. 3) of the longitudinal support2supports a connection element8. As is shown inFIG. 3, the connection elements8have in each case one plug element5and one plug receptacle6. The plug receptacle6in the exemplary embodiment is oriented in the vertical direction and on that side thereof that faces away from the plug element5has an access opening.FIG. 3shows the longitudinal support2(illustrated on the left inFIG. 2) assembled on a support structure. The longitudinal support2(illustrated on the right inFIG. 2) can be fixed to said longitudinal support2when the second connection element8is assembled on the longitudinal support2(illustrated on the right inFIG. 2) in a reversed manner, thus rotated in relation to the second connection element8of the left longitudinal support2by 180° about the longitudinal central axis31of the longitudinal support2.

In order to prevent the plug connection4from being unintentionally released, for example on account of an upward loading on the longitudinal support2(illustrated on the right inFIG. 2), a safety split pin14which is plug-fitted transversely through a connection element8in the region of the insertion opening of the plug receptacle6is provided. It is prevented on account thereof that a plug element5that is disposed in the plug receptacle6can exit the plug receptacle6.

Moreover, a first connection element7which serves for connecting to a support structure as well as for linking transverse supports3(FIG. 1) is shown inFIG. 2. As is shown inFIG. 2, the threaded bar11protrudes through the upper side of the first connection element7. The upper side of the connection element7is that side that is disposed so as to be adjacent to an upper side17of the longitudinal support2. The upper side17herein is that side of the longitudinal support2that in the installed position is disposed at the top. Nuts13for fixing the connection element7to the threaded bar11are screw-fitted onto the threaded bar11above and below the connection element7. The vertical position of the connection element7in relation to the threaded bar11can be varied by rotating the nuts13. As is also shown inFIG. 2, the first connection element7likewise has plug receptacles6which are in each case disposed on a longitudinal side15of the longitudinal support2. Transverse supports3can be plug-fitted in the plug receptacles6of the first connection element7by way of the second connection elements8that are disposed on the end sides of said transverse supports3, as is shown inFIG. 3. The second connection elements8are connection elements which serve for connecting longitudinal supports2to one another or for connecting to a first connection element7of a longitudinal support2. As is also shown inFIG. 2, the threaded bars11are fixed to the connection elements7.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary embodiment of a grid element ceiling1made from longitudinal supports2which are connected by way of the transverse supports3. Plug connections4for connecting the transverse supports3to the longitudinal supports2are also provided here. However, the transverse supports3are fixed to connection elements9which do not have any link for threaded bars11. This is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Instead, separate suspension elements10to which the threaded bars11are fixed are provided in the case of the embodiment as perFIGS. 4 to 6. The transverse support3on the end side16thereof has a second connection element8for connecting to the first connection element9. The connection elements9and8by way of the plug receptacles6and plug elements5thereof form the plug connection4. In the connected state, each plug element5is disposed in an assigned plug receptacle6of the respective other connection element8,9.

Both the connection elements7and9as well as the suspension elements10are configured so as to be bracket-shaped and completely encompass the respective longitudinal support2. As is shown inFIG. 5, the connection elements9are also first connection elements in which the plug element5and the plug receptacle6are disposed on a longitudinal side15of the assigned longitudinal support2.

FIGS. 7 to 11show a transverse support3in detail. The transverse support3has an upper side17, an opposite lower side18which in the installed state points downward, and two end sides16. The transverse support3in the exemplary embodiment is configured so as to be cuboid. The end sides16are the smallest sides of the cuboid, and the longitudinal sides15(FIG. 8) are the largest sides of the cuboid.

As is shown inFIG. 7, a second connection element8is disposed on each end side16. The plug elements5in the exemplary embodiment are disposed on both end sides16, so as to be adjacent to the upper side17of the transverse support3. It is preferably provided for the longitudinal support2that the plug element5on one end side16is disposed so as to be adjacent to the upper side17, and on the other, opposite end side16, the plug element5is disposed so as to be adjacent to the lower side18. A longitudinal support2is preferably assembled on a support structure such that the plug element5on that end side16on which a further longitudinal support2is to be assembled, is disposed so as to be adjacent to the lower side18. On account thereof, the subsequent longitudinal support2can be plug-fitted to the existing longitudinal support2by way of the end side16on which the plug element5is disposed so as to be adjacent to the upper side17.

FIG. 8shows a view onto the upper side17of the transverse support3. As is shown inFIG. 8, a longitudinal slot26on the upper side17runs across the entire length of the transverse support3between the connection elements8. The longitudinal slot26is also shown inFIG. 9. As is also shown inFIG. 9, the plug element5is formed by a screw that is screw-fitted into a bent sheet-metal part of the connection element8. The head32of the screw, in the connection to a plug receptacle6, engages behind the walls that the limit the plug receptacle6and thus produces a force-fitting connection between two adjacent second connection elements8, or a connection to a connection element7or9, respectively. As is also shown inFIG. 9, the second connection element8, in a manner adjacent to the plug receptacle6, has an opening27for the safety split pin14(FIG. 2). As is shown inFIG. 11, two mutually opposite openings27are provided such that the safety split pin14can be completely plug-fitted through the second connection element8.

As is shown inFIGS. 9 to 11, the transverse support3is constructed from two assembly rails29which run on the upper side17and on the lower side18. The assembly rails29form in each case the longitudinal slot26. The longitudinal slot26is delimited by rail lips41of the assembly rails29that protrude toward one another. The two assembly rails29are connected by way of side walls30(FIG. 11) which form the longitudinal sides15of the transverse support3. In each case one second connection element8is plug-fitted to the end side16of the transverse support3. To this end, the connection element8has two lugs21which extend between the rear sides of the two assembly rails26of the transverse support3.

As is shown inFIGS. 9 to 11, the second connection element8is configured as a U-shaped bent sheet-metal part. The base of the U runs parallel with the end side16of the transverse support3and has the plug receptacle6. Moreover, the screw that forms the plug element5and which in the exemplary embodiment is screw-fitted into a nut28that is held on the bent sheet-metal part is moreover disposed on the base. An adjustment of the transverse support3in relation to a longitudinal support2, or an adjustment of two interconnected longitudinal supports2is possible by varying the screw-fitting depth of the plug element5.

The assembly rails29serves for fixing the first connection elements7,9and suspension elements10to the transverse support3, as well as for fixing add-on parts to the transverse supports3or longitudinal supports2, respectively. The longitudinal supports2, with the exception of the arrangement of one of the two connection elements8, are constructed in a manner identical to that of the transverse supports3.

FIGS. 12 to 15show a first connection element7in detail. As is shown inFIG. 12, the connection element7is constructed from a connection bracket22into which the plug elements5are screw-fitted. Moreover, a connection installation34is disposed on the base43of the connection bracket22. The connection bracket22has in each case two mutually opposite plug receptacles6and plug elements5. An opening33which serves for receiving the threaded bar11or another holding element for connecting to a support structure is provided on the upper side44of the connection bracket22that is opposite the base43. As is shown inFIGS. 12 and 14, the connection bracket22is formed by two individual parts25which are both designed so as to be approximately C-shaped and have a central part45that runs parallel with the longitudinal side15(FIG. 8) and end portions46,47that run parallel with the upper side17and the lower side18(FIG. 7). The end portions46and47of the two individual parts25in each case bear on one another. One of the individual parts25preferably encompasses the other individual part25such that the two individual parts25are fixed in a preliminary manner even in the event of a released connection installation34.

As is shown inFIG. 13, an introduction ramp39which facilitates the plug-fitting of the plug element5into the plug receptacle6is provided on the plug receptacle6. The connection bracket22is embodied so as to be widened in the region of the plug receptacle6. Two lateral bores48are disposed in the widened region. The first connection element7can be fixed to a longitudinal support2by way of the lateral bores48, for example by way of self-tapping screws. A torsionally rigid mounting for a transverse support3that is hooked into the connection element7is achieved on account thereof. Any twisting of the transverse support3about the longitudinal central axis31thereof is prevented by this additional fixing of the connection element7to the longitudinal support2.

The connection installation34, as is shown inFIG. 13, has a screw36which in the exemplary embodiment is configured as a hammer-head bolt, and a nut38that is screw-fitted onto the screw36. The screw36protrudes through bores49of the two end portions47of the individual parts25. The hammer head37, by rotating the screw36by 90° about the longitudinal central axis thereof, can be disposed such that said hammer head37engages behind the slot35. The connection installation34can be fixed by tightening the nut38. As is shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, a spacing a is formed between the hammer head37and the connection bracket22. The spacing a corresponds approximately to the thickness of the rail lips41(FIG. 11) of the assembly rails29. The screw36not only serves for mutually fixing the two individual parts25but also for establishing the first connection element7on a longitudinal support2or a transverse support3. To this end, the connection element7is positioned at the desired location of the longitudinal support2or of the transverse support3, the hammer head37is introduced through the longitudinal slot26into the assembly rails29and fixed by being rotated in the assembly rail29, and the nut38is subsequently fixed on the screw36. As is shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the plug elements5are screw-fitted into threaded bores42of the individual parts25. On account thereof, no additional nut for the plug elements5can be dispensed with. Instead of the nut28(FIG. 10) in the connection element8per se, a threaded bore can also be provided for the plug element5in the case of the second connection element8.

As is shown inFIG. 14, the connection element7has a receptacle19in which a longitudinal support2or a transverse support3can be disposed. The longitudinal central axis31of the support2,3in this instance is disposed so as to be parallel with the longitudinal direction20of the receptacle19. In the event of the supports2,3being disposed in the receptacle19, the plug element5and the plug receptacle6are disposed on a longitudinal side15of the support2,3.

FIGS. 16 to 19show a suspension element10. The suspension element10has a connection bracket24which is constructed from two individual parts25. The suspension element10does not have any plug elements5or plug receptacles6, but only an opening33for receiving a threaded bar11. The opening33protrudes through the end portions46of the individual parts25and in the installed state is disposed so as to be adjacent to the upper side17of a longitudinal support2or a transverse support3(cf.FIG. 7). The connection installation34is provided so as to be adjacent to the lower side18of a longitudinal support2or a transverse support3, said connection installation34simultaneously serving for fixing the suspension element10to the longitudinal support2or the transverse support3. The screw36protrudes through bores49of both individual parts25. The suspension element10moreover has a receptacle19in which the longitudinal support2or the transverse support3can be disposed. The longitudinal central axis31of the support2,3in this instance is disposed so as to be parallel, in particular congruent, with the longitudinal direction20of the receptacle19.

FIGS. 20 to 23show a first connection element9. As is shown inFIG. 20, the first connection element9is formed by a connection bracket23which is constructed from two individual parts25. The first connection element9differs from the first connection element7shown inFIGS. 12 to 15in that the first connection element9does not have any opening33for connecting to a threaded bar11. Instead, a connection installation34having a screw36is provided in that region that in the installed state is disposed so as to be adjacent to an upper side17(FIG. 7) of a longitudinal support2or transverse support3, thus on the end portions46of the individual parts25. The connection installations34on the upper side17and the lower side18of the support2,3are preferably configured in an identical manner. As is shown inFIGS. 20 and 23, the individual parts25on the connection installation34on the end portions46have a slot35through which a hammer head37(FIGS. 13 and 14) of the screw36is pushed. On account thereof, the screw36can be assembled from the outside through the slot35on the connection element9. By contrast, bores48through which the screw36is to be assembled from the inside are provided on the end portions47. The slot35in an alternative design embodiments can be provided on the end portions47, or on the end portions46as well as on the end portions47.

In alternative design embodiments, the connection elements7on the end portions47can also have slots35instead of bores48. Alternatively or additionally, the suspension elements10on the end portions46and/or on the end portions47can have slots35instead of bores48.

As is shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, the screw36on the free end of the threaded portion thereof has a marking40. The correct fit of the screw36after the assembly can be checked by way of the marking40. If the hammer head37is aligned correctly so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot26, the marking40also runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal slot26.

All plug receptacles6in the exemplary embodiment run in the vertical direction. In one advantageous alternative design embodiment it is provided that the plug receptacles6run in the horizontal direction. On account thereof, further supports2,3are not assembled in the vertical direction from above, but by lateral displacement or by lateral inward pivoting. A U-shaped disk which is pushed in from above and prevents any lateral displacement of the plug element5in the assigned plug receptacle6can serve as a securing element, for example.

Each connection element7,8,9in the exemplary embodiment supports a plug element5and a plug receptacle6. The plug elements5and plug receptacles6are configured such that each second connection element8is selectively connectable to a first connection element7or9, or to a further second connection element8. In order for two second connection elements8to be interconnected, one of the connection elements8in relation to the other is disposed so as to be rotated by 180° about the longitudinal central axis31of the assigned support2,3, such that each plug element5comes to lie adjacent to a plug receptacle6. All plug elements5are configured in an identical manner and embodied as screws which, by screwing in or unscrewing, permit an adjustment of the plug connections. All plug receptacles6, with the exception of the length of the slot up to the terminal position of the plug element5in the connected state of the connection elements7,8,9, are embodied in an identical manner. All connection elements7,8,9and the suspension element10are formed by connection brackets22,23,24and completely encompass the assigned longitudinal support2or transverse support3. At least one connection installation34for connecting the two individual parts25of the connection brackets22,23,24simultaneously serves for fixing the position of the respective connection bracket22,23,24in the longitudinal direction of the assigned support2,3.

All connection brackets22,23,24are embodied as bent sheet-metal parts, only the plug elements5being screw-fitted thereinto and the connection installations34being disposed thereon in order for the connection elements7,8,9to be formed. A simple construction results on account thereof.

Only two or three, respectively, different types of connection elements7,8,9are required for a system of connection elements for connecting supports2,3. First connection elements7and second connection elements8are provided for the system shown inFIG. 1. First connection elements9, suspension elements10, as well as second connection elements8are required for the system shown inFIGS. 4 to 6. On account thereof, a modular system for connecting supports2,3can be achieved in a simple manner.