Patent Publication Number: US-6709187-B2

Title: Linear connector of plastic material for joining hollow spacing profiles and hollow bar profiles of multiple insulating glasses

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of German Application No. 201 01 486.6 filed Jan. 29, 2001. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a linear connector of plastic material for joining hollow spacing profiles and hollow bar profiles of multiple insulating glasses. Linear connectors of such a kind are known from EP 0 681 083 having a cross section configuration dimensioned to be received into the cross-section of the hollow spacing profiles which are to be connected to one another. These types of linear connectors are generally configured such that the hollow profiles are held together within the abutment area of the linear connector after mounting. There are certain cases, however, in which the demands upon the connection of the hollow profiles are not sufficiently fulfilled because the connection force provided by these types of connectors is only based on frictional forces between the surfaces of the linear connector and the surfaces of the inner walls of the spacing profiles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a linear connector comprising a flat, longitudinal body of which its one end is insertable into one spacing profile and its other end is insertable into a second spacing profile which are to be connected to one another. A surface of the body of the connector is provided with at least one abutment element in the center of the linear connector which upon insertion of the linear connector into the spacing profiles to be connected to one another is operative to abut the profile front faces respectively. The longitudinal body is provided with a double-T-cross-section with distantly parallel and horizontal cross-bars which are joined by at least one vertical center bar and at least partly touch in the mounted condition of the linear connector to the opposing surfaces of the inner wall of the profiles. The inventive linear connector is provided to improve the sealing effect between the body of the linear connector at the joining gap and the bodies of the spacing profiles which are to be joined. 
     It is a further object of the invention to improve the joining forces of the hollow bar profiles of the mounting and the linear connector. 
     A still further object of the invention is to further improve the durability of the joint of linear connectors and spacing profiles and bar profiles as part of multiple insulating glass units. 
     If the spacing profiles are of metal, it has been proposed to join the hollow spacing profiles at their abutting faces by welding. In such cases, however, the linear connector of plastic material should not be destroyed by the influence of the heat during the welding process. 
     Thus, it is a still further object of the invention to configure the linear connector such that damage to the linear connector is avoided without obstructing, however, the welding process and the formation of the requested welding seam. 
     These and other objects of the invention are solved by a construction characterized in that at least one of the two cross-bars is provided in the center of its length with a recess. The recess makes visible the surface of the joined spacing profiles within the area of their ends having the front faces of the spacing profiles connected to one another, and wherein the recess enables welding of these ends under heat without melting the plastic material of the linear connector. 
     It is especially important to configure the recess such that the strength of the linear connector, which is directly dependent on the cross-section of the connector, will not be affected negatively such that the connector cannot fulfill its function. Therefore, preferably one cross-bar is recessed in the joining area so that the metallic surfaces of the spacing profiles, which in general consist of aluminum, become visible so that a welding seam or welding point may be established closing also the gap between the front faces of the spacing profile bodies to be joined. This provides that the drying substance within the hollow space of the spacing profiles be contained within the joining area of the spacing profiles. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the invention will be obtained with reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the linear connector, 
     FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the linear connector of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the linear connector of FIG. 1, and 
     FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the linear connector mounted inserted into the hollow spacing profiles. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The linear connector  1  as shown in FIGS. 1-4 is provided with a flat, longitudinal body. One end  11  of the body is insertable into one spacing profile A schematically shown in the drawings and the other end  12  is insertable into the other spacing profile B which is also schematically shown. This is done to connect the two spacing profiles, also called hollow profiles, to one another before the spacing profiles are laterally disposed with the panes of the multiple insulating glass. 
     The linear connector comprises a well known double-T-cross-section provided with an upper horizontal cross-bar  2  and a lower horizontal cross-bar  3  which are differing in this example with respect to their width in order to adapt them to the cross-section of the spacing profiles. The upper  2  and lower  3  cross-bars are joined by a vertical or almost vertical center bar  5  provided with apertures  13  and  14  in order to save material but also to improve the throughput of the drying substance as is well known in the art. 
     A centric abutment element  8  is provided on the surface  17  of the lower cross-bar  3  in the middle of the length of the linear connector. The abutment element  8  has the configuration of two laterally extending abutment tongues  6 ,  7 . The one abutment tongue  6  is directed with its face or abutment surface  9  to the end  11  of the linear connector whereas the other abutment tongue  7  is directed with its face or abutment surface  10  to the other end  12  of the linear connector. Upon shifting or inserting the spacing profiles A and B onto the linear connector, the front faces C or D contact the faces  9  and  10 , respectively, in order to prevent the linear connector from being inserted too far into the spacing profile. Instead of the above mentioned abutment elements other configurated or arranged abutment elements may also be used in this connection. As soon as mounting has been accomplished, the front faces C and D of the spacing profiles are in touch with one another at least partly. 
     In order to fix the linear connector within the hollow spaces of the spacing profiles A and B, cross-ribs  15  and  16  are provided on the surfaces of the linear connector as shown by the FIGS. 1 and 2 across the direction of insertion and thus across the width of the linear connector. This is true with respect to the cross-ribs  15  on the horizontal surface of the linear connector as well as the much shorter bars  16  on both of the smaller side faces of the lower cross-bar  3 . The frictional forces caused by these ribs on the surfaces of the hollow spacing profiles operate to fix the linear connector within the hollow spaces without opening a gap between their front faces C and D. 
     In order to further improve the connection of the spacing profiles, and especially to secure the connection under extreme conditions, the metallic hollow spacing profiles A and B may be welded in the joining area without melting the mounted linear connector consisting of plastic material. In such case, the upper cross-bar  2  is provided in its surface  18 , about in the center of the linear connector, with a recess  4  extending into the vertical center rib  5 . This recess  4 , however, is configured such that it does not weaken the cross-section of the linear connector in the stated area in a way which substantially affects its strength. The recess  4  is visible in the mounting condition of the linear connector and the spacing profiles A and B abutting at their front faces C and D so that welding of these profiles may be arranged in the abutting area, i.e. on one of the four surfaces of its rectangular profile. Thus, because of size and configuration of the recess  4 , the recess  4  operates to prevent the plastic material of the linear connector from melting on welding the metallic spacing profiles. 
     Instead of only one recess  4 , several similar or different recesses may be used if necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to arrange the recess or recesses not only on one surface of the spacing profiles which are to be connected but also on further surfaces.