Abstract:
A connection element of the present invention has several jaw sidewalls that are oriented in different directions, whereby two jaw sidewalls at a time can be braced against each other to receive a component part. At least one jaw sidewall can be set so that it is adjustable on the connection element and this jaw sidewall projects by a lateral leg into the inside of the connection element. There is in active connection with an adjustment element that is to be activated from the outside in a direction to brace or detach the jaw sidewall. With the connection element according to the invention, it is possible to connect the plates of a shelf construction system together without nails, screws and the like.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention involves a connection element for detachable connection of adjacent component parts, especially for shelving-type systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Connection elements of this type are used especially for the connection of furniture parts such as wall plates and floor plates, for example, in shelving construction or fair (tradeshow) exhibit construction. Customary connection elements are angles, for example, which are affixed with screws or nails to the parts to be connected. This is time-consuming; and moreover, the component parts are irreversibly damaged in these customary connection systems by the screwing-in of the screws or the driving in of the nails. Also, the detachment of component parts once they are connected is problematic. In particular, in a frequent assembly and disassembly of building systems, for example, in fair or tradeshow exhibit construction, customary connection elements cause considerable disadvantages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection element, for the connection of adjacent component parts, in which the individual component parts can be connected and detached quickly and reliably to and from each other, without the component parts becoming damaged in the process. The connection element according to the invention should be distinguished by a cost-effective manufacturing and a simple operational method. 
     This purpose is achieved according to the invention in that the connection element has several jaw sidewalls that are oriented in different directions, whereby 2 jaw sidewalls at a time can be braced against each other to receive a component part, in that at least one jaw sidewall can be set so that it is adjustable on the connection element and this jaw sidewall projects by a lateral leg into the inside of the connection element and there is in active connection with an adjustment element that is to be activated from the outside in a direction to brace or detach the jaw sidewall. 
     With the connection element according to the invention, it is possible to connect the plates of a shelf construction system together without nails, screws and the like. Each structural component is plugged in between two opposing jaw sidewalls of the connection element, whereby the distance of the jaw sidewalls is selected so that the component parts fit between the jaw sidewalls with sufficient play. Then, the jaw sidewalls are braced against each other. To do this, the position of at least one jaw sidewall is varied on the connection element. This jaw sidewall can be set so that it can pivot around a rotational axis, whereby this can also involve a fictitious rotational axis that is essentially formed by supports on adjacent parts. The adjustment of the jaw sidewall is done using an adjustment element which is located inside the connection element. In the process, the adjustment element acts on a lateral leg which is added to the jaw sidewall and which projects inside the connection element. The lateral leg is pivoted in the process around the rotational axis, and the respective component part is braced or detached between the corresponding jaw sidewalls. 
     In principal, it is conceivable that both corresponding jaw sidewalls can be adjusted. In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, the adjustable jaw sidewall lies opposite a rigid jaw sidewall. When the adjustment element is activated, the adjustable jaw sidewall then presses the structural component against the rigid jaw sidewall and/or releases it again for detachment. 
     It is especially favorable to use, as an adjustment element, an eccentric that is set in bearings so that it can rotate and that can by rotation enter into a self-locking brace with the lateral leg. By the pressure of the eccentric on the lateral leg, the jaw sidewall is rotated in the direction to the component part. If the eccentric is turned in the opposite direction, then the bracing becomes detached and the jaw sidewall is again given more play. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the eccentric is in an active connection with the 2 lateral legs, which are allocated to the different jaw sidewalls. Thus, by turning one eccentric, two jaw sidewalls can be activated simultaneously. In this way, it is possible in one step to brace two component parts between two jaw sidewall pairs. The eccentric presses on the lateral leg of the adjustable jaw sidewall of the respective jaw sidewall pair and pivots the lateral leg around its rotational axis, so that two component parts are affixed at the same time. In the process, it is recommended to set the adjustment element in bearings so that it can rotate via circular cylinder surfaces in the connection element, and to dimension this bearing with a radial bearing play of approx. 0.4 millimeters to approx. 1 millimeter. This has the advantage that, for two component parts with possible different thickness lying opposite each other, an equalization takes place automatically because the adjustment element can give way somewhat to the side. As a result, plates of different thicknesses are thus also held between the jaw sidewalls of one and the same adjustment element with a clamping force of approximately the same strength. 
     Of course, the adjustment element can also act on more than two jaw sidewalls. 
     It has proven to be especially favorable if the lateral legs grasp on sides of the eccentric that lie opposite each other diagonally. By turning the eccentric, jaw sidewalls arranged diagonally to each other are then activated simultaneously, which presses the component parts against the associated fixed jaw sidewalls. In this way, component parts following one another in a row can be connected. 
     With the connection element according to the invention, it is also possible to connect two component parts that are oriented perpendicularly to each other. Furthermore, four component parts running towards each other in a cross-shape can also be connected with the device. In this case, the connection element has two eccentrics arranged approximately coaxially over each other. By activation of the first eccentric, the component parts running toward each other from left and right are braced between the respective jaw sidewall pairs; by activation of the second eccentric, the component parts running towards each other from front to back or from top to bottom are braced. 
     So that the eccentrics act only on the lateral leg allocated to them, the lateral legs have, opposite the eccentric not allocated to them, an offset so that the eccentric can not come into contact there when it is turning. The offset extends as a rule over an area which corresponds to the thickness of the eccentric that is not allocated. 
     The activation of the eccentric is done preferably with the Allen-type wrench, in particular, the hexagonal Allen-type wrench. In case of two eccentrics arranged one above the other, the one eccentric can be activated through an opening of the other eccentric. The eccentrics arranged one above the other are activated by variably sized hexagonal Allen wrenches. The wrench opening of the upper eccentric is larger than the wrench opening of the lower eccentric, so that the smaller Allen-type wrench can be used to grasp through the opening of the upper eccentric in order to activate the lower eccentric. When turning the lower eccentric, the wrench moves with sufficient play within the opening of the upper eccentric so that the upper eccentric is not turned. In order to turn the upper eccentric, the larger wrench is used, which is introduced into the large opening of the upper eccentric until reaching the stopper on the lower eccentric. The guidance of the wrench can in the process be supported through a cover with a suitable opening. 
     So that the connection element can also be used for component parts with large wall thickness differences, it is recommended that on the jaw sidewalls, spacers can be clamped or made to catch. These spacers can, for example, surround the jaw sidewalls laterally or be held in recesses of the jaw sidewall. 
     Furthermore, it is recommended that these spacers have a bent extension on part of their edge. This extension functions for the rear wall mounting and provides a savings of separate angle pieces. 
     Instead of this, the spacers can also have on their edge a hinge with a rotating bracket, whereby this bracket functions for the attachment of door elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional characteristics of the invention result from the description of embodiment examples using the drawings and from the drawings themselves. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the elements according to the invention for the connection of plates running towards each other in a cross-shape. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a cross-shaped connection element without plates. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a cross-shaped connection element with two plates and next to it, the corresponding spacers. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view from below onto a cross-shaped connection element. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a cross-shaped connection element. 
         FIG. 6  is a horizontal sectional view through the connection element along the B—B axis from  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a horizontal sectional view through the connection element along the C—C axis from  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical sectional view through the connection element along the A—A axis from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9   a : A side view of the eccentric. 
         FIG. 9   b : A top view of the eccentric. 
         FIG. 9   c : A diagram of the eccentric and lateral legs in active connection. 
         FIG. 10  shows an exploded perspective view and sectional view of the lateral leg. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the housing of the connection element. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view through the housing along the D—D axis from  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view through the housing along the A—A axis from  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is another sectional view through the housing along the B—B axis from  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is another sectional view through the housing along the C—C axis from  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a T-shaped connection element. 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of an L-shaped connection element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , it can be recognized that with the connection element  1  according to the invention, four component parts running towards each other in a cross-shape are connected in the form of plates  2 . The plates  2  are clamped between rigid jaw sidewalls  3  and movable jaw sidewalls  4 . The rigid jaw sidewalls  3  are part of the housing  5  of the connection element  1 . 
     The entire connection element can be manufactured out of metal; in the process, it is recommended to coat the jaw sidewalls on their sides that face the plates  2  with flexible plastic or to mount detachable plastic plates there in order to protect the component parts to be braced. Of course, the jaw sidewalls as well as the remaining parts of the connection element can also consist directly of plastic. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the connection element  1  is shown in a top view. The housing  5  can be recognized, on which four rigid jaw sidewalls project out. Opposite the rigid jaw sidewalls  3 , the four movable jaw sidewalls  4  are set in bearings on the housing  5  so that they can rotate. Between the respective jaw sidewall pairs, the plates  2  to be connected are braced. In the process, the plates  2  are right next to housing  5  of the connection element  1  and fill the intermediate space between the jaw sidewalls  3 ,  4 . In the housing  5 , two eccentrics  6 ,  7  that are set in bearings so that they can rotate are arranged coaxially one above the other and with them, the movable jaw sidewalls  4  can be adjusted. The eccentrics  6 ,  7  have in the center in their rotational axis an opening  8 , into which a hexagonal Allen-type wrench can be inserted, in order to turn the eccentrics  6 ,  7  in this way. The opening  8  of the lower eccentric  6  is smaller than the opening  8  of the upper eccentric  7 . The housing  5  is closed with a cover  9 , so that the eccentrics  6 ,  7  can not fall out. The cover  9  can be pressed into the housing  5  by press-fit. Instead or in addition, it can be adhered or welded (fused) to the housing  5 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the connection element  1  with plates  2  is shown as a top view. The jaw sidewalls  3 ,  4  are provided with spacers  10 . The spacers  10  have a nose  1   1 , which can be pressed into a recess  12  of the jaw sidewalls  3 ,  4 , so that a mounting and an exact positioning of the spacer  10  is ensured on the jaw sidewalls  3 ,  4 . It is thus also possible to combine several spacers  10  with each other. To do this, they are provided on their rear side with a recess  13 , in which the nose  11  of another spacer  10  fits. In this way, in the combination of several spacers  10 , a fixing of one below the other is ensured. By the use of spacers  10 , it is possible to brace plates of different thicknesses into the connection element  1 , whereby the possibly remaining room between the respective plate  2  and the jaw sidewalls  3 ,  4  is filled with spacers  10 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the connection element  1  is shown from below. It can be recognized that the housing  5  is closed firmly on its underside. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the connection element  1 . The lateral leg  14  of the movable jaw sidewalls  4 , which are set in bearings so that they can pivot on the housing  5  of the connection element  1 , can be recognized. The lateral legs  14  are thickened opposite the movable jaw sidewalls  4  and do not extend over the entire width of the jaw sidewalls  4  but only in the middle area. 
     In  FIG. 6 , a section along the B—B line from  FIG. 5  is shown. The upper eccentric  7 , which is set in the connection element  1  so that it can rotate, can be recognized. The eccentric  7  has in its center a hexagonal opening  8 , into which an Allen-type wrench can be inserted and in this way, the eccentric  7  can be turned. The lateral leg  14  of the movable jaw sidewalls  4  are integrated into recesses  15  of the housing  5 . On their rotational axis, the lateral legs  14  are provided with a drill hole  16 , through which a pin  17  is guided. The pin  17  extends on its upper and lower end into drill holes  18  on the housing  5 . The movable jaw sidewalls  4  are thus set in bearings so that they can rotate around the pin  17  on the housing  5 . The eccentric  7  can act simultaneously on the diagonally opposing right and left lateral legs  14 . When turning the eccentric  7  in the clockwise direction, the left and right movable jaw sidewalls  4  are pivoted in the direction to the opposing rigid jaw sidewall  3 . This results in a self-locking brace between the eccentric  7  and the lateral leg  14 . By turning the eccentric  7  opposite the clockwise direction, the clamping is undone again, so that the movable jaw sidewall  4  can be opened again. 
     In  FIG. 7 , a section along the line C—C from  FIG. 5  is shown. The lower eccentric  6  can be seen, which is in active connection with the front and the rear diagonally opposing lateral legs  14 . The opening  8  of the lower eccentric  6  is smaller than the opening  8  of the upper eccentric  7 . The Allen-type wrench for operation of the lower eccentric  6  can be guided through the opening  8  of the upper eccentric  7 . Conversely, the lower eccentric  6  functions as a stopper for the wrench for operation of the lower eccentric  7 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a section through the housing  5  along the line A—A from  FIG. 2  in an exploded view. The eccentrics  6 ,  7  are inserted into the housing  5  and abut against the floor  19  of the housing  5 . The eccentrics  6 ,  7  become subdivided into a circular conductor section  20  and an angular section  21 . The circular conductor sections  20  are somewhat smaller in their diameter than the cylindrical inner space  22  of the housing  5 . In this way, the eccentrics  6 ,  7  can rotate in the housing  5  and are simultaneously guided in it. The eccentrics rest with their circular conductor section  20  on the floor  19  and the cover  9  and adjoin each other with their end faces of their active section  21 . In addition, in  FIG. 8 , the pins  17  for mounting the movable jaw sidewalls  4  can be seen on the housing  5 . 
     In  FIGS. 9   a – 9   c , the upper eccentric  7  is shown in a side view, top view and in active connection with the movable jaw sidewalls  4 . The circular conductor section  20  and the angular section  21  of the eccentric can be seen. The active connection  21  has two flattened sides  23  and two eccentrically rounded off sides  24 . The diameter of the eccentrically rounded off sides  24  decreases continuously in the clockwise direction starting with the diameter of the circular conductor section  20 . The rounded off sides  24  face towards the left and the right lateral legs  14 . When the eccentric  7  turns, there is no interaction with these lateral legs  14 , while the front and rear lateral legs remain unaffected because they are in active connection to the other eccentric  6 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the movable jaw sidewalls  4  with their lateral legs  14  from several perspectives. The lateral legs  14  are thickened in comparison with the movable jaw sidewalls  4 . The lateral leg  14  has the largest thickness on its transition to the movable jaw sidewall  4 . The thickness at first stays constant in the longitudinal direction of the lateral leg  14  and then it decreases in a flattening curve. The flattened part  25  of the lateral leg  14  becomes subdivided along its width into two areas  26 ,  27 , whereby the area  26  becomes more flattened and thus is thinner than the area  27 . In the lateral leg  14  shown in  FIG. 10 , the area  27  is in an active connection with the upper eccentric  7 . Area  26  adjoins the lower eccentric  6 . Because of the offset of area  26  as opposed to area  27 , however, an interaction with the non-allocated, lower eccentric  6  is prevented. In  FIG. 10 , the drill holes  16  are also shown, via which the lateral legs  14  can be affixed to the housing  5  using pins  17 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , a side view of the empty housing  5  is shown. The recesses  15  on the housing  5  function for the profile of the lateral legs  14 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a section through the housing  5  along the D—D axis from  FIG. 11 . In the inner space  22  of the housing  5 , the two eccentrics  6 ,  7  are introduced, so that the lower eccentric  6  rests on the floor  19  of the housing  5 . The housing  5  can be closed with a cover  9 , which is inserted into the area  29  of the housing  5  and abuts against the inner walls  30  of the housing. 
     In  FIG. 13 , a section through the housing  5  along the A—A axis from  FIG. 12  and the cover  9  to close the housing  5  is shown. The rigid jaw sidewalls  3  are molded as a single piece onto the housing  5 . The diameter of the cylinder-shaped inner space  22  is somewhat larger than the diameter of the eccentrics  6 ,  7 , so that they fit into the inner space  22  and simultaneously are conducted by the inner walls of the housing. The drill holes  18  function to receive the pins  17  with which the lateral legs  14  are attached on the housing  5 . The cover  9  has in its center a drill hole  31 , so that the eccentrics  6 ,  7  can also be operated with the Allen-type wrench when the cover is closed. 
       FIG. 14  shows a section through the housing  5  along the B—B axis drawn in  FIG. 12 . The recesses  15  function again to receive the lateral legs  14  which are set in bearings so that they can rotate around the axis  32 . 
     In  FIG. 15 , a section through the housing  5  is shown along the C—C axis drawn in  FIG. 12 . The cylindrical inner space  22  of the housing  5  is shown, in which the lower eccentric  6  rests on the floor  19  of the housing  5  so that it can be rotated. In addition, the drill holes  18  for receiving the pins  17  are shown. The pins are used to affix the lateral legs to the housing  5 . 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show two alternative embodiment forms of the connection elements according to the invention. In  FIG. 16 , a T-shaped connection element is shown, which can be used for the connection of three plates, for example, as a border profile of a furniture construction system.  FIG. 17  shows an L-shaped connection element for the connection of two plates as a corner profile.