Abstract:
The invention relates to a cube-shaped profile element provided with more than six identical side surfaces, wherein preferably eight slots are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to each other around an axis of symmetry of the side surface and wherein a central boring is provided. Through the slots behind the side surface, insertable closing elements can be inserted through the slots behind the side surface. The profile element is preferably hollow and is constructed from six identical plates that form side surfaces. All the plates are provided with eight-cornered edges, whereby the plates are connected via one edge and the other edges each form an opening at the corners of the cube-shaped profile elements. Very modular, stable construction systems are produced using these elements and cross-shaped profile strips having an acceptable appearance when connected with clamp profiles, wherein these elements each form an optically acceptable closure at the edges of the skeleton structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a cube-shaped profile element that has six identical side surfaces. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The prior art includes various profile elements that can be used for the construction of exhibit stands, for example, according to the modular principle. However, a large number of different components are required to satisfy all the desired design requirements for such structures. Moreover, the high-tech appearance of many elements must also be taken into consideration, and in and of themselves they do not always have an appearance that is pleasing to an observer. 
     On the basis of this prior art, the object of the invention is to indicate construction elements that are better suited to combine modularity, strength and the related stability of structures with an appropriate aesthetic appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention teaches that on a cube-shaped profile element, there are at least two slots provided in said element which are diametrically opposite each other with reference to the axis of symmetry of the side surface, through which interlocking or closing elements can be introduced that can be engaged behind the side surface by means of hooks. 
     The profile element is preferably hollow and consists of six identical plates that form the side surfaces. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, each plate is octangular with edges, whereby only some of the edges of each plate abut the neighboring plate and the other edges each form an opening at the corners of the cube-shaped profile element. 
     A profile strip for use with a cube-shaped profile element is characterized by the fact that the profile strip is cross shaped and has on its ends four cavities that are symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the profile strip, are located in the ends of the cross and receive closing or interlocking elements, by means of which the profile strip can be connected with the cube-shaped profile element through the slots in the cube-shaped profile element. 
     Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the enclosed drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a cube-shaped profile element or node, 
     FIG. 2 shows a first profile strip with an inserted interconnecting element for connection with a node as illustrated in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 shows an additional profile strip with an inserted interconnecting element for connection with a node as illustrated in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view from overhead of a node as illustrated in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 5 shows a side surface of a node as illustrated in FIG. 1, in a plan view from overhead, 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of various profile elements that can be combined with the node illustrated in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 7 shows additional potential uses for the node illustrated in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 8 shows an interconnecting element for the connection of a node as illustrated in FIG. 1 with a profile strip as illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a foot for the connection with a node as illustrated in FIG. 1 for erection on a floor, 
     FIG. 10 shows an additional profile strip with a clamp profile as illustrated in FIG. 6 in an enlarged plan view from overhead, 
     FIG. 11 is a view of a portion of a three-dimensional structure with two illustrated nodes, and 
     FIG. 12 is a view of a portion of a three-dimensional structure with an upright that has an illustrated node. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a cube-shaped profile element which is designated a “node” below and is identified with the reference number  1 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the node  1  is hollow and consists of six parallel side surfaces  2  that are respectively parallel to each other, each of which is constructed identically and which are illustrated in further detail in FIG.  1 . The essential feature is the presence of at least two slots that are oriented centrically symmetrically to each other, of which there are advantageously four, which are identified by the reference number  3 . The slots  3  are designed to receive the clamping hooks  91 ,  92  of interconnecting element  90  as illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     For particularly varied use of the nodes  1 , an additional four slots  4  can be provided, each of which is at an angle of 45° to the slots  3 . 
     The node  1  consists, as described above, of six identical surfaces  2 , which are connected on each of their four edges  5  with a neighboring cube-shaped surface. The edges  5  do not occupy the entire width of the surfaces  2 , which can be 120 millimeters, for example. FIG. 5 shows clearly that the surface  2  in this exemplary embodiment is an octagon, and therefore has four corner edges  6 . The dotted line behind the edge  5  indicates that the edge  5  does not form a surface perpendicular to the surface of the plate  2 , but is undercut, so that two plates  2  can be connected to each other symmetrically at a right angle to one another. This connection can be a welded connection, for example, or a brazed connection. In the center of each surface  2  there is a boring  7 , which is designed in particular to receive a threaded rod  51  of a foot  50  as illustrated in FIG.  9 . Instead of the hollow node  1 , a solid material element with appropriate cavities and undercuts could also be used. 
     As a result of the surfaces  2 , which are octagonal in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, openings are formed in the node  1  which are bordered by a triangle, the edges of which are formed from the edges  6  of the surfaces  2 . In addition, the surfaces  2 , in the vicinity of their edges  5 , also have a groove  9 , which is located laterally between two surfaces  2 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a profile strip  21  of the prior art with an inserted interlocking element  90 , the actuator knob  93  of which projects laterally from a corresponding boring. For fastening, the profile strip  21  is placed with its one end  22  laterally on a surface  2  of a node  1  so that the clamping hooks  91  and  92  are engaged in a slot  3  or  4 . By tightening the actuator knob  93 , as explained further with reference to FIG. 8, the clamping hooks  91  and  92  extend behind the slot  3  or  4  and detachably but firmly connect the profile strip  21  with the node  1 . Instead of an interlock element  90 , any other closing or interlock element can also be used in which hooks extend behind a boring or slot on one or both sides. The configuration of the profile strip  21  can also be any required shape. It is advantageous, of course, if two grooves  23  for wall elements are provided parallel to the main plane of the profile strip  21  and grooves  24  for wall elements are provided perpendicular to the main plane of the profile strip  21 , although here, too, other configurations can be provided, and the width of the profile strip  21  can be also selected as required. In this case, for example, it is advantageous to choose a width that is one-half the diameter of the node  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows another configuration of a profile strip  25  in which there are two cavities to receive two interlocking elements  90 . As in all the figures of this patent application, identical features are identified by the same reference numbers. In this case, for fastening, the profile strip  25  is placed with its one end  22  centrically symmetrically on a surface  2  of a node  1  so that the clamping hooks  91  and  92  of each interlocking element  90  are engaged in a respective slot  3  or  4 , which are opposite each other centrically symmetrically to the boring  7 . As a result of this symmetrical interlock, significant forces and moments can be transmitted. 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view from overhead of a node  1  and in particular a surface  2 . It is clear from the cubic external shape of the node  1  in the plan view that the node has a cube shape which is cut off only on the corners by the openings  8 . The slots  3  and  4  are at an angle of 45 degrees in relation to each other and are otherwise identical in their dimensions. The length and width are determined as a function of the hooks  91  and  92  and their shape and can be modified to meet requirements so that they can be used with other interlocking elements  90 . The distance of each slot  3  and  4  from the center of the surface  2  is determined by the dimension of the profile strip  21  or  25  or other profile strips that can be used. 
     FIG. 5 shows a surface  2  in isolation. The node  1  can be made of metal, for example, in particular stainless steel, and can have a thickness of 1 to 5 millimeters, for example, With the latter thickness, it is then possible to construct load-bearing skeleton structures for a two-story structure, for example for an exhibit stand. 
     FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of various profile elements that can be combined with the node  1 . In particular, a novel cross-shaped profile strip  30  is illustrated, which is explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 10. The interlocking elements  90  are inserted in corresponding receptacles of the profile strip  30 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, two opposite slots  3  are occupied by the hooks of the interlocking elements  90 . However, all four receptacles in the cross-shaped profile strip  30  can also be occupied by interlocking elements  90  so that the cross-shaped profile strip  30  is connected with the node  1  by means of all four slots  3  of the node  1 , which results in excellent stability. 
     In an application that is not illustrated in the drawings, the cross-shaped profile strips  30  can also be inserted at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the node and then the two or four interlocking elements are engaged in two or four slots  4  of the node  1 . 
     The invention also relates to clamp profiles  41 ,  42  and  43  which are illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG.  10 . In the bottom three illustrations of an additional profile strip  30 , it is clearly apparent that with the clamp profiles  41 ,  42  and  43 , the outer edges of the cross-shaped profile strip  30  can be covered and thus make possible a column structure. Additionally, however, the grooves provided in the cross-shaped profile strip  30  can be used to hold wall elements or also to hold additional profile strips, which in this case are designated  21 . 
     FIG. 7 shows additional potential applications for the node  1 . Fastened to two neighboring surfaces  2  are two additional profile strips  30 . Then a bracing surface  95  can be introduced into their end grooves  23 , which makes possible a cover in a very lightweight realization. The openings  8  also make it possible to fasten a holding element  96 , to which a bracing rod or a bracing cable  97  can then be fastened. In the node  1  illustrated in FIG. 7, there is a central groove  10  provided on each of the lateral edges  6 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an interlocking element  90  of the prior art, of the type described by the applicant in WO97/25536, for example. This realization is mentioned only by way of example and is an interlocking element that is particularly well suited for the connection of nodes  1  and profile strips  21 ,  22  or  30 . However, other interlocking elements can also be used. 
     FIG. 9 shows a foot  50  for connection with a node  1  as illustrated in FIG. 1 for erection on a floor. The foot  50  thereby consists of a base plate  52 , to which a threaded rod  51  is fastened centrally. For aesthetic reasons, the base plate  52  is preferably an octagon like the base surface of the node  1 . Screwed onto the threaded rod  51  is an arresting plate  53 , which is preferably also octagonal. This arresting plate  53  has a boring which comprises a thread to receive the threaded rod  51 . It is advantageous if one or more elevations  54  are also provided on the arresting plate  53  and are located so that they can be mounted in the slots  3  or  4 . Thus a node  1  with the boring  7  can be placed on the threaded rod and locked on the arresting plate  53 . By rotating the base plate  52  with respect to the arresting plate  53 , the distance between the arresting plate and the base plate  52  can be varied, and thus the node  1  sitting on this arresting plate  5  can be raised or lowered, thereby achieving a leveling capability. Instead of a female thread on the arresting plate  53  or instead of the arresting plate  53  itself, a nut can also be provided to adjust the height of the node sitting on said arresting plate. 
     FIG. 10 shows an additional profile strip  30  with clamp profiles  41 ,  42  and  43  as illustrated in FIG. 6 in a plan view from overhead. The profile strip  30  is a preferred realization with four cavities  31  to receive interlocking elements  90 . Preferably, two cavities opposite each other or all four cavities are used. The grooves  23  and  24  correspond to the grooves in the profile strips  21  and  22  in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. It is clearly apparent that the clamp profiles  41 ,  42  and  43  have a center part  45  that corresponds to the shape and surface color, and is of a color that is aesthetically acceptable to an observer and makes a transition on its lateral edges  46  into a support segment  47  that rests on the profile strip  30  with a hook segment  48  that is engaged in the groove  24 . The height of the support segment  47  is thereby selected so that the side edge  46  starts transversely flush from the groove opening and the hook is engaged in the edge of the groove  24  farther from the center. 
     In an exemplary embodiment that is not illustrated in the drawing, a reinforcing rod can be inserted in the center, and can run for example through the opening  7  in the surface  2 , where it can be fastened. 
     Preferably the reinforcing rod is then screwed tight in a thread in the center  32 . It is advantageous if there is an additional groove  34  at a 45 degree angle between two arms  33  of the cross-shaped profile strip  30 . This groove can be covered by the clamp profiles  41 ,  42  or  43  or can be occupied directly by a strip, e.g.  21 , or a wall surface, e.g.  95 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a partial view of a three-dimensional structure with two nodes  1  as illustrated. The lower node  1  sits directly on the foot  50 . As a corner element, two profile strips  30  start at an angle of 90 degrees, and there is a profile strip  30  that projects perpendicularly. At a specified height there is an additional node  1 , from which additional profile strips  30  depart at the same angles. Wall elements can be inserted between individual profile strips  30 . The distances of the nodes  1  from one another or the number of the nodes can be determined in accordance with the desired appearance and static strength required of the skeleton structure. 
     Finally, FIG. 12 shows a partial view of a three-dimensional structure with an upright that has one illustrated node. In this case, a profile strip  30  rests on the upper plate  53  of the foot  50 . Fastened to the node  1  are three additional cross-shaped profile strips  30  and two profile strips  22  as illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     With these elements, the nodes  1  and the cross-shaped profile strips  30 , it is possible to erect very modular, stable and aesthetically pleasing construction systems together with the profiles  41 ,  42  and  43 , in which the nodes  1  form a visually attractive termination on the corners of the skeleton structure.