COUPLING ELEMENT FOR METAL STRUCTURES AND BRIDGE FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS EQUIPPED THEREWITH

Abstract: Coupling element of the type by which a first element (2-19) which is equipped with such a coupling element (2) can work in concert with an opening (11) in a thin-walled second element (3).The coupling element (1) mainly consists of a flat lip (4) showing at least one U-shaped part (28) which near the extremity of at least one of its legs (7-8) is in connection with the above mentioned first element (2) whereby opposite of each other on both outer sides (5-6) of the respective legs (7-8) of the U-shaped part (28) a recess (9-10) is provided for fixing and positioning the thin-walled second element (3) and where the bulge of the U-shaped part (28) fits through the above mentioned opening (11) of the second element (3).

Description: This invention concerns a coupling element for metal structures, in particular for the connection of elements such as those used for suspended ceilings. More particularly the invention concerns a coupling element of the type which is intended to work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled element. Coupling elements of this type are already known of BE-A-900.449, EP-A-0.130.358 and NL-A-8302515. According to BE-A-900.449 and EP-A-0.130.658 a lip on the first element, having a retension portion, is put through an opening in the second element. This construction has the disadvantage that retension portions have to be bent out which requires an extra step of manufacturing and that tools are required when the second element has to be removed of the first element. According to NL-A-8302515 two lip-shaped elements are put through an opening in the second element. Afterwards the both lips are bent side-wards. Obviously tools are required and no exact positioning of the second element can be obtained. This inventions also concerns a bridge which uses this kind of coupling element, more particularly a bridge of the type where between its legs cable channels and similar can be fixed, for example as known of US-A-4.086.480, BE-A-900.449, EP-A60.130.658 and NL-A-8302515. The coupling element according to the invention is therefore of the type by which a first element equipped with such a coupling element can work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled second element and has the characteristic that it mainly consists of a flat lip which possesses at least one U-shaped part which toward the extremity of at least one of its legs is connected with the above-mentioned first element, whereas on both outer sides of the respective legs of the U-shaped part opposite of each other recesses are provided for fixing and positioning the second element and where the bulge of the U-shaped part fits through the above mentioned opening of the second element. In order to better show the characteristics according to the invention, below follows a description of some recommended executions of the coupling element and the bridge, as examples having no restrictive character, with reference to the attached drawing in which: figure 1 shows the coupling element according to the invention; figure 2 shows a view according to the arrow F2 in figure 1; figure 3 shows a variant of the coupling element; figure 4 shows a view according to arrow F4 in figure 3; figure 5 shows another variant of the coupling element; figure 6 shows a bridge for suspended ceilings using the coupling element according to the invention; figure 7 shows a particular application of the coupling element; figure 8 shows a bridge equipped with a coupling element as shown in figure 7. In figure 1 a first element 2, which can be of any form and which is only partly shown, is coupled by means of the coupling element 1 with a second element 3 which in this case is formed by an inversed T-profile. Here coupling element 1 mainly consists of a flat lip 4 which in this case is exclusively and solely formed by a U-shaped part which on both outer sides 5 and 6 of the respective legs 7 and 8 of the U-shaped part shows opposite of each other recesses respectively 9 and 10. At the end of leg 7 the U-shaped flat lip 4 is connected with the first element 2 or is executed therewith in one piece. In the second element 3 an opening 11, preferably slot-shaped, is provided to attach said coupling element 1. Here the second element 3 is first attached with the bottom flange 12 of opening 11 in recess 10, whereafter this element 3 is turned in the direction of arrow 13 so that also the upper flange 14 of opening 11 engages in second recess 9. Because of the U-shape of lip 4 in the execution form described above, legs 7 and 8 can move elastically toward each other which results in a click effect as soon as flanges 12 and 14 engage in recesses 9 and 10. In the execution according to figures 1 and 2 the width of recess 9 is larger than the thickness of thin-walled element 3. However, in figures 3 and 4 a variant is shown where recess 9 is very local and where the width thereof concords with thickness D of second element 3. Further a deformation 15 is provided through which a better coupling of both elements is obtained. In figure 5 another variant of the coupling element is shown in which recess 9 consist of a small, relatively deep part 16 and a longer, but less deep part 17. As shown in figures 1 through 5, if required, a safety element 18 can be placed between the U-shaped lip 4 and second element 3. In figure 6 a first element is formed by a bridge 19. The bridge 19 is of the type which consists of a vertical fixing part 20, a horizontal bridge-shaped part 21 and two legs 22 and 23 directed downward from this bridge-shaped part which at their opposite sides, directed outward, are equiped with a coupling element 1 according to the invention. Such bridge 19 can here be coupled with a fixing part 20 to an upper part, such as a hanger 24, while to both coupling elements 1 reversed T-shaped profiles are hooked, e.g. to support ceiling tiles 25. Further, in the described way, cable channels 26 etc. can be mounted between legs 22 and 23 and on the bridge-shaped part 21 26. It is clear that both the coupling element and the bridge will mainly consist of a flat plate, if need be equipped with some reinforcing ribs 27 as in the bridge of figure 6, having the advantage that the element can be constructed in a very simple way. In figure 7 a special execution form of this coupling element 1 according to the invention is shown. This coupling element 1 as stated above consists of a flat lip 4 which shows at least one U-shaped part, for clearness' sake here set out in centre line with reference 28. The particularity of the execution form of figure 7 is however that lip 4 is not exclusively formed by the U-shaped part 28 but also contains at least one part 29 which makes a connection between the extremities of legs 7 and 8 of the above mentioned part 28. The connection between legs 7 and 8 offers the advantage that lip 4, and in particular leg 8, have a larger rigidity against bending, whereby the entire coupling element 1 becomes more resistent. Figure 8 shows another rider-shaped coupling element 19 according to the invention having the characteristic that legs 22 and 23 are each equipped with a coupling element 1 of the form as shown in figure 7. It is clear that coupling element 1 is always intended to be fully fitted through opening 11 in the thin-walled second element 3 with the bulge of its U-shaped part. This invention is not at all limited to the examples described and shown in the figures, but such coupling elements and bridges equipped therewith can be realised in various forms and measures without falling outside the scope of the invention.

Claims: 1. Coupling element for metal structures, of the type whereby the first element (2-19) which is equipped with such a coupling element (1) can work in concert with an opening (11) in the thin-walled second element (3), and has the characteristic that the coupling element (1) mainly consisting of a flat lip (4) which possesses at least one U-shaped part (28) which toward the extremity of at least one of its legs (7-8) is connected with the above mentioned first element (2), whereas on both outer sides (5-6) of the respective legs (7-8) of the U-shaped part (28) opposite of each other recesses (9-10) are provided for fixing and positioning the tin-walled second element (3), and where the bulge of the U-shaped part (28) fits through the above mentioned opening (11) of the second element (3). 2. Coupling element according to claim 1 which is characterized by the flat lip (4) which exclusively and solely consists of the U-shaped part (28). 3. Coupling element according to claim 1 which is characterized by the flat lip (4) having at least one part (29) which makes a connection between the extremities of the legs (7-8) of the U-shaped part (28). 4. Coupling element according to claims 1, 2 or 3 which is characterized by a deformation (15) in the direct proximity of the place where the second element (3) works in concert with the coupling element (1). 5. Bridge for suspended ceilings characterized by at least one coupling element according to one of the claims 1 through 4. 6. Bridge equipped with a coupling element in accordance with one of the claims 1 through 4 of the type mainly consisting of a vertical fixing part (20), a horizontal bridge-shaped part (21), and two legs (22-23) directed downward characterized by each leg (22-23) of the bridge being connected with a coupling element (1).

Inventors: GRARD, GILBERT
Applicants: CHICAGO METALLIC CONTINENTAL N.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E04B9
IPC codes: E04B9