Patent Publication Number: US-2005129458-A1

Title: Attachment system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to an attachment system for connecting a first component with a second component and including a screw element having torgue transmitting means and, at least regionwise, a first threaded section, a bearing member for abutting one of the components and having a through-opening through which the screw element is extendable, and counter-screw means defining an attachment axis and having a second threaded section cooperating with the first threaded section of the screw element. The present invention also relates to counter-screw means for an attachment system.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      In construction of conduits and in particular of industrial pipelines, steel constructions are formed of steel constructional components which form a skeleton-like framework for the conduits. Conventionally, supports of a mounting system and having, e.g., a closed hollow cross-section and standard supports are used. The supports are connected with each other with connection or attachment elements to form a desired framework.  
      On supports, in addition to the connecting elements for other supports, connecting elements for conduits or attachments need to be arranged. For mounting of conduits in general and of pipelines, in particular, often C-shaped mounting rails are used on which pipe clamps or other attachment elements for conduits can be rapidly and cost-effectively secured with so-called rail nuts. Supports, in particular, supports of a mounting system often are provided with openings spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, with other components being secured to the supports with screw elements extendable through the openings. The screw elements usually includes screws, washers, and counter-screw means in form of e.g., check nuts. The washer is usually pushed over the threaded stem of the screw, and the threaded stem is pushed through the to-be-attached component and opening in the support. Then, a nut and another washer are mounted on the free end of the threaded stem. With actuation of the screw, while holding the nut the screw connection is tightened.  
      A drawback of the above-described connection consists in that with a closed hollow profile or with a support accessible only from one side, the conventional screw elements cannot be used because retaining of the check nut is not possible.  
      For attachment of components to supports having a closed hollow profile or accessible only from one side, so-called insert or press-fit nuts are used that are inserted into the support openings and are press-fitted there. The press-fit nut have an inner thread which is engaged by the outer thread of a screw for securing a component to the support.  
      The drawback of the use of a press-fit nut consists in that the openings in the supports should be adapted to the outer dimensions of the press-fit nut to prevent rotation of the nut in the support. The insertion and press-fitting of the nut in a support lead to additional expenses associated with the assembly of a system which under certain side constraints such as, e.g., in height, and under unfavorable conditions at the assembly site, are not insignificant. During disassembly or a change of the direction of a conduit or of the support structure, the press-fit nuts remain in the support which often is undesirable for constructive and/or aesthetic reasons.  
      Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a simple attachment system for securing a first component to a second component and which can be easily mounted and is flexible in its use.  
      Another object of the present invention is an attachment system that can be economically produced.  
      A further object of the invention is simple and flexible in use, counter-screw means that can be economically produced.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing counter-screw means having an engagement section, a bearing section spaced from the engagement section in a direction of the attachment axis and a connection section for connecting the bearing section with the engagement section.  
      The engagement section of the counter-screw means in introduced into the opening of the first component and the opening of the second component that has a closed hollow profile. The dimensions of the bearing section are so selected so it would abut the to-be-secured component but cannot fall through both openings into the second component with a closed hollow profile. The inventive attachment system is usable not only with a support provided with openings and accessible only from one side, but also with a support of any other type and shape, as long as this support is provided with openings through which the engagement member of the counter-screw means can be introduced. The distance between the engagement and bearing sections corresponds to a distance necessary for securing the first component to the second component. Advantageously, this distance corresponds at least to a sum of a wall thickness of a first component and a wall thickness of a second component.  
      The first component has, at least in its elementary section that would lie on the second component, a through-opening which is formed, advantageously, as an elongate opening. The first component, which has several elementary sections, has through-openings in each of the elementary sections, which provides flexibility in the use of the second component. For mounting of the inventive attachment system, the first component is so aligned relative to the second component that the through-opening of the first component is arranged above an opening of the second component. The engagement section of the counters-screw means is introduced through both openings. Finally, the bearing member of the attachment system is properly arranged, and a screw element is inserted through the through-opening of the bearing member, and the first threaded section engages the second threaded section. The assembled attachment system is pushed sidewise until the connection section of the counter-screw means engages an edge of the opening in the second component. With suitable means, e.g., a wrench, which engages a hexagon screw head of the screw element that serves as torque transmitting means, the screw element is actuated, tightening the attachment system. Upon tightening, the counter-screw means is pulled in direction toward the bearing section which is supported on the first component, and the first component is secured to the second component, i.e., fixed thereon.  
      As a screw element, preferably, a screw with an outer thread that functions as a first threaded section, and with a screw head an outer diameter of which is greater than the inner diameter of the through-opening in the bearing member, is used. On the screw head, there can be provided a band that increases the outer diameter of the head or a corresponding washer can be arranged.  
      The bearing section of the counter-screw means is formed preferably as a nut, with the second threaded section being formed by the nut inner thread. Alternatively, there can be provided, on the bearing section of the counter-screw means, a section with an outer thread serving as a second threaded section that would cooperate with a sleeve-shaped screw element having, at least regionwise, an inner thread functioning as a first threaded section.  
      The attachment system according to the present invention can be made available either as separate elements or in an assembled state. The screw element, the bearing member, and/or the counter-screw means are formed, preferably of metal, advantageously of a stainless steel. Dependent on an acting load and outside conditions, the screw element, the bearing member, and/or the counter-screw means can be formed of a plastic material.  
      Preferably, the distance between the connection section and the attachment axis amounts maximum to a triple of the diameter of the second threaded section. With such dimensions, the stresses that occur in the counter-screw means upon tightening of the attachment system, can be dealt with a small as possible thickness of the material used for producing the counter-screw means, and the counter-screw means can be cost-effectively manufactured. Advantageously, the distance between the connection section and the attachment axis is smaller than a diameter of the second threaded section, which results in optimization of the thickness of the counter-screw means and a most economical production of the counter-screw means. Generally, the entire outer dimensions of the counter-screw means can be small, which permits to easily handle the attachment system even in a narrow space.  
      Advantageously, the distance between the connection section and the attachment axis is so selected that the sum of the outer diameter of the screw element and the thickness of the connection section of the counter-screw means corresponds to the size of an opening in the second component. With such dimensions, the connection section of the counter-screw means abuts the opening edge, and the bending load acting between the engagement section and the connection section of the counter-screw means is minimal. This also permits to optimize the thickness of the counter-screw means and insures its economical manufacturing.  
      Preferably, at least one of the surfaces of the engagement section extend substantially parallel one of the surfaces of the bearing member. Such counter-screw means can be simply introduced into the opening of the first and second components and be displaced therethrough. Alternatively or as a variant, a surface of the engagement section that contacts the support can form with a surface of the bearing member that contact the first component, an acute angle so that upon tightening of the attachment system, a certain spring action is provided between the counter-screw means and the second component. The presence of such spring action is particularly favorable when the attachment system is subjected to dynamic loads.  
      Advantageously, a guide sleeve is provided on the bearing section for the screw element. This design of the counter-screw means is particular advantageous at a large distance between the counter-screw means and the bearing member, as the guide sleeve guides the screw element upon its displacement, which facilitates assembly of the attachment system. Advantageously, the second threaded section is formed in the guide sleeve. By increasing the thread length of the second threaded section, the attachment system can withstand large loads.  
      Advantageously, the bearing member has a flat, e.g., rectangular shape with opposite flat sides. The outer dimensions of the bearing member are so selected that the bearing member abuts the first component on both opposite sides of the through-opening formed in the first component or abuts the entire elementary section of the first component.  
      Advantageously, the bearing member is provided on its opposite sides with webs. Both webs are provided on the same flat surface of the bearing member so that the bearing member is shaped as a bridge. The height of the webs is so selected that the free space between the upper edges of the bearing section of the counter-screw means and the lower edges of the bearing member is greater or at least equal to the tightening path. This is to insure that the counter-screw means is capable of being sufficiently pulled back upon insertion of the screw element, which is necessary for an adequate attachment of the first component to the second component.  
      Advantageously, at least one projection is provided on each web of the bearing member. The width of the at least one projection is advantageously smaller than the width of the through-opening in the first component. Thereby, the at least one projection can penetrate in this through-opening and, upon actuation of the screw element, it serves as rotation-preventing means for the bearing member. The through-opening in the first component is generally formed as an elongate opening, and the projections form a guide for displacement of the bearing member along the longitudinal axis of the elongate opening.  
      Advantageously, the webs of the bearing member are provided with facing each other, locking noses for retaining, e.g., the counter-screw means on the bearing member when both are jointly displaced. The locking noses prevent loss of the counter-screw means and facilitate assembly of the attachment system at least during the joint displacement of the bearing member and the counter-screw means.  
      The counter-screw means according to the present invention, in particular, for an attachment system for connecting a first component and a second component, as described above, includes an engagement section, a bearing section spaced from the engagement section in a direction of the attachment axis, and a connection section for connecting the bearing section with the engagement section. The counter-screw means according to the present invention provides an accessible from outside, second threaded section into which the screw element for connecting the first and second components is screwed in. In addition, the inventive counter-screw means provides an attachment point on the second component.  
      The engagement section of the counter-screw means can be inserted in the through-opening of the first component and/or the opening of the second component, e.g., an opening of a support of a mounting system and having a closed hollow cross-section. The bearing section has such dimensions that it abuts the first and/or the second component and that the counter-screw means cannot fall into the second component through the opening therein. The inventive counter-screw means can be used, in addition to a support provided with openings and accessible only from one side, with any type of a support as long as the support is provided with openings through which the engagement section can be inserted. The distance between the engagement section and the bearing section corresponds, in order to insure attachment of the first component to the second component, at least to the sum of thicknesses of the first and second components.  
      As discussed above, the inventive counter-screw means can provide an accessible from outside, attachment point, e.g., for a screw element, on a second component. In this case, the distance between the bearing and engagement sections of the counter-screw means corresponds at least to the thickness of the second component. The engagement section is inserted through the opening in the second component. Finally, the screw element, which is provided with the first threaded section is brought into engagement with the second threaded section provided on the counter-screw means. The screw element is actuated, and with the inventive counter-screw means, the attachment system is tightened.  
      As discussed above, the screw element that cooperate with the inventive counter-screw element, is formed, preferably, as a screw with an outer thread that forms a first threaded section and with a screw head an outer diameter of which is greater than the inner diameter of the through-opening in the bearing member, is used. On the screw head, there can be provided a band that increases the outer diameter of the head or a corresponding washer can be arranged.  
      The bearing section of the counter-screw means is formed preferably as a nut, with the second threaded section being formed by the nut inner thread. Alternatively, there can be provided, on the bearing section of the counter-screw means, a section with an outer thread serving as a second threaded section that would cooperate with a sleeve-shaped screw element having, at least regionwise, an inner thread functioning as a first threaded section.  
      Preferably, the distance between the connection section and the attachment axis amounts maximum to a triple of the diameter of the second threaded section. With such dimensions, the stresses that occur in the counter-screw means upon tightening of the attachment system, can be dealt with a small as possible thickness of the material used for producing the counter-screw means, and the counter-screw means can be cost-effectively manufactured. Advantageously, the distance between the connection section and the attachment axis is smaller than a diameter of the second threaded section, which results in optimization of the thickness of the counter-screw means and a most economical production of the counter-screw means. Generally, the entire outer dimensions of the counter-screw means can be very small, which permits to easily handle the attachment system even in a narrow space.  
      Preferably, at least one of the surfaces of the engagement section extend substantially parallel to one of the surfaces of the bearing member. Such counter-screw means can be simply introduced into the opening of the first and second components and be displaced therethrough. Alternatively or as a variant, a surface of the engagement section that contacts the support can form with a surface of the bearing member that contact the first component, an acute angle so that upon tightening of the attachment system, a certain spring action is provided between the counter-screw means and the second component. The presence of such spring action is particularly favorable when the attachment system is subjected to dynamic loads.  
      Advantageously, a guide sleeve is provided on the bearing section for the screw element. The guide sleeve guides the screw element such as a screw with an outer thread and a screw head, upon its displacement, which facilitates assembly of the attachment system. Advantageously, the second threaded section is formed in the guide sleeve. By increasing the thread length of the second threaded section, the counter-screw means can absorb large loads.  
      The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The drawings show:  
       FIG. 1 a  perspective view of a support of a mounting system with a plurality components secured on the support with an attachment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2 a  perspective view of a first embodiment of the attachment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3 a  side exploded view of the attachment system shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4   a - c  a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in  FIG. 1  through the attachment system shown in  FIG. 2 , illustrating three steps of mounting the attachment system;  
       FIG. 5 a  cross sectional view along line V-V in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6 a  side view of a second embodiment of the engagement member of the inventive attachment system; and  
       FIG. 7 a  partial view of counter-screw means according to the present invention. 
    
    
      In the drawings the same elements are designated with the same reference numerals.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  shows a support  1  of a mounting system and having, in cross-section, a cross-section of a closed hollow body provided in outer walls thereof with a plurality of openings  2  spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. On the support  1  that forms a second component, a plurality of different first components are secured with an inventive attachment system  11  or  41 .  
      Thus, e.g., a section  3  of a C-shaped mounting rail is secured in a recess  4 , which is provided on the outer side of the support  1 , with the inventive attachment system  11 . A section of another C-shaped mounting rail  5  is secured with another inventive attachment system  41  on the outer side of the support  1  substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the recess  4 . A C-shaped mounting rail  6 , which is secured at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the recess  4 , is secured on a mounting member  7  that is arranged in the recess  4  and is secured on the support  1  with two inventive attachment systems  11 . An angle member  8  which is used, e.g., for attachment of an elbow pipe, is secured with the inventive system  11  in a recess  9  formed on another outerside of the support  1 . Finally, as an example of a further component securable to the support  1  with the inventive attachment system  11 , one may consider a connection element  10  for attaching another support or a mounting rail. The different first components described above do not limit the types of components that can be secured with the inventive attachment system  11  and/or  41  and different other components can be secured on the support  1  with the inventive attachment system  11  and/or  41 .  
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show a first embodiment of the inventive attachment system represented by the attachment system  11 . The attachment system  11  includes a screw element  12  the hexagon screw head of which forms torgue transmitting means  13 . For operating the screw element  12 , a wrench, which engages the hexagon screw head, is used. On the hexagon screw head, there is provided a band  14 . The screw element  12  further has a threaded section  15  with an outer thread.  
      The attachment system  11  further includes a bearing member  18  having a through-opening  19  through which the screw element  12  is extendable and which is formed in a plate-shaped part  20 . At the opposite ends of the plate-shaped part  20 , there are provided, respectively, two webs  22  having each a projection  23 .  
      The webs  22 , together with the plate-shaped part  20 , form the bridge-shaped bearing member  18 . On the webs  22 , there are provided, respectively, two locking noses  24  aligned opposite each other.  
      The attachment system  11  further includes counter-screw means  27  having a threaded section  28  with an inner thread. The threaded section  28  defines an attachment axis  29  and cooperates with the threaded section  15  of the screw element  12 . The counter-screw means  27  further includes an engagement section  31  and a bearing section  30 . The engagement section  31  is spaced, in the direction of the attachment axis  29 , from the bearing section  30  and is connected with the bearing section  30  by a connection section  32 .  
      The outer surface  33  of the engagement section  31  of the counter-screw means  27  extends substantially parallel to the inner surface  26  of the bearing section  30  of the counter-screw means  27 .  
       FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  illustrate an attachment process of the C-shaped mounting rail  3 , which forms a first component, to the support  1  which forms a second component, with the inventive attachment system  11  which is formed of the screw element  12 , the bearing member  18 , and the counter-screw means  27  and which is available in form of an assembled device. The C-shaped mounting rail  3  is provided in its bottom  37  with a plurality of elongate openings  36 . The C-shaped mounting rail  3  is so arranged in the recess  4  on the outer side of the support  1  that the elongate opening  36  in the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3  overlie an opening  2  in the surface of the support  1 .  
      The attachment system  11  is displaced in the direction of arrow  35  for securing the two components so that the counter-screw means  27  is displaced through the elongate opening  36  in the C-shaped mounting rail  3  and the opening  2  in the support  1  and becomes arranged in the interior of the support  1 . The distance B 1  (see  FIG. 3 ) between the engagement section  31  and the bearing section  30  of the counter-screw means  27  amounts at least to the sum of thicknesses of the wall  38  of the support  1  and the wall of the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3 . The width C of the engagement section  31  is somewhat smaller than the inner dimension of the opening  2  in the wall  38  of the support  1 .  
      The webs  22  of the bearing member  18  lie on the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3  and the projections  23 , which are provided on webs  22 , extend into the elongate opening  36  in the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3  and serve as a guide and for preventing rotation of the bearing member  18 . The width D of the projections  23  is somewhat smaller than the inner width of the elongate opening  36 .  
      Then, as shown in  FIG. 4   b , the attachment system  11  is pushed in the direction of the arrow  39  until the connection section  32  of the counter-screw means  27  abuts the wall  34  of the opening  2  in the wall  38  of the support  1 . In this position of the bearing member  18 , the engagement section  31  engages from beneath a region of the wall  38  of the support  1 . The attachment system  11 , upon being pushed into the elongate opening  36  in the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3  is guided by the projections  23  which are provided on the webs  22  of the bearing member  18 .  
      Upon actuation of the screw element  12 , the counter-screw means  27  are pulled toward the bearing member  18  which is supported on the bottom  37  of the C-shaped mounting rail  3 . The engagement section  31  completely abuts the wall  38  of the support  1 , and the attachment system  11  is tightened, whereby the C-shaped mounting rail  3  is releasably secured on the support  1 .  
      The distance A 1  between the connection section  32  of the counter-screw means  27  and the attachment section  29  is so selected that the sum of an outer diameter E of the threaded section  15  of the screw element  12  and the width of the connection section  32  corresponds approximately to the inner width F of the opening  2  in the support  1 . The screw element  12  has, at its end remote from the torque transmitting means  13 , a band  16  that facilitates the displacement of the screw element  12  in the opening  2  of the support  1 . When the inner width F of the opening  2  in the support  1  is somewhat smaller than the sum of the outer diameter E: of the threaded section  15  of the screw element  12  and the thickness of the connection section  32 , the attachment system  11  is secured to the support  1  upon screwing the screw element  12  in.  
       FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of an attachment system  41  according to the present invention. The attachment system  41  includes a screw that forms a screw element  42  and has a screw head  43 , which forms the torque transmitting means, and a threaded section  45  with an outer thread. The attachment system  41  further includes a plate-shaped, rectangular bearing member  48  that abuts an open side  44  of the C-shaped mounting rail  5  and counter-screw means  57 . The counter-screw means  57 , which is shown in  FIG. 6 , has a bearing section  61 , an engagement section  60 , and a connection section  62  that connects the engagement section  60  with the bearing section  61 . On the bearing section  61 , there is provided a guide sleeve  63  having a height H for the screw element  42 . The guide sleeve  63  has a threaded section  58  with an inner thread an defines an attachment axis  59 .  
      Both the counter-screw means  27  and the counter-screw means  57  can be used as an independent element for a conventional attachment system. A further embodiment of counter-screw means  77  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The counter-screw means  77  has a threaded section  78  with an inner thread and defines an attachment axis  79 . The counter-screw means  77  further includes an engagement section  81  and a bearing section  80  which is spaced from the engagement section  81  in the direction of the attachment axis  79  and is connected with the engagement section  81  by a connection section  82 .  
      The distance A 2  between the connection section  82  and the attachment axis  79  approximately corresponds to double of the diameter D 2  of the threaded section  78 . The surface  83  of the engagement section  81  extends substantially parallel to the surface  84  of the bearing section  80 .  
      The counter-screw means  77  are inserted in the opening  72  of the support  71  in the direction of arrow  70  so that the engagement section  81  is located in the interior of the support  71 . The distance B 2  between the engagement section  81  and the bearing section  80  amounts at least approximately to the thickness of the wall  73  of the support  71 . The counter-screw means  77  is displaced until the connection section  82  of the counter-screw means  77  abuts the wall  74  of the opening  72  in the wall  73  of the support  71 . The engagement section  81  engages a region of the wall  73 . The screw element  75  with its threaded section  76  is brought in engagement with the screw section  78 . Upon further advancement of the screw element  75 , it becomes supported on the wall  73  of the support  71 , and the bearing section  80  of the counter-screw means  77  is pulled in the direction opposite the direction of the arrow  70 . With this, the engagement section  81  firmly abuts from behind the wall  73  and the counter-screw means  77  becomes firmly secured to the support  71 .  
      Though the present invention was shown and described with references to the preferred embodiments, such are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construed as a limitation thereof, and various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, not intended that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments or details thereof, and the present invention includes all variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.