Abstract:
A connection element including a head with adjoining neck with a rectangular outer cross section to be received in a clip-like manner such that it is secured with respect to rotation, and possibly displacement, in an opening in a. thin wall. The connection element also includes a base, from which emerge two legs extending back to the neck and having grooved foot bottoms for support on an edge of the wall opening, The head comprises a rectangular plate in which there is possibly located a slot for receiving a flat cable or for receiving a cable strip. Alternatively, the head may include a hinge part, a handle, a hook, or some other fitting part.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority from PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP2011/003081 filed on Jun. 22, 2011, the disclosures of which id incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is directed to a connection element for securing a holder for a pipe or cable or cable bundle or for securing an actuating rod or a hinge part or a handle or hook or other fitting in a rectangular opening or undercut slot of a first thin wall or of a first aluminum profile, this connection element comprising a head with adjoining neck with rectangular, particularly square, outer cross section to be received in a clip-like manner such that it is secured with respect to rotation and possibly with respect to displacement in a rectangular opening in the thin wall such as a sheet metal angle or to be received in a clip-like manner such that it is secured with respect to rotation in the slot in the profile. 
         [0003]    It is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention. 
         [0004]    Document DE 603 01 994 T2 is considered as prior art provided for round holes, meaning that fixation between the one round hole necessitates a second hole at a distance thereto for fixing with respect to rotation. It is also disadvantageous that the known plastic rivet comprises more than one part. 
         [0005]    It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. 
         [0006]    It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any previously disclosed product, process of making the product or method of using the product, which meets the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC), such that applicant(s) reserve the right to disclaim, and hereby disclose a disclaimer of, any previously described product, method of making the product, or process of using the product. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a plastic rivet or connection element which does not have these disadvantages. 
         [0008]    The above-stated object is met by a base from which emerge two legs extending back to the neck, having grooved foot bottoms for support on the edge of the wall opening of the one plate or the undercut of the slot of the one profile, the head comprising a rectangular plate in which there is possibly located a slot for receiving a flat cable or for receiving a cable strip or, alternatively, comprising a hinge part, a handle, a hook or some other fitting part. 
         [0009]    The connection element formed in this way is suitable for many types of application, for example, for a cable strip holder comprising a receptacle, as neck with rectangular outer cross section to be received in a rectangular opening in a thin wall of the plate so as to be secured against rotation and displacement, the head being formed of rectangular plate, while a slot is located at the neck for receiving a flat cable or for receiving a cable strip. 
         [0010]    Two antler-like projections which can be connected to one another at the free end for enclosing a cable bundle can emerge from the rectangular plate from two opposing sides thereof. 
         [0011]    It is advantageous when the neck with the rectangular cross section has a length such that it projects through the opening in a thin wall in working position and partially reaches into the opening of the other thin wall. In this way, the two sheet metals cannot rotate relative to one another or relative to the connection element and can accordingly be clamped in a secured position of the location secured in a rectangular cross section. 
         [0012]    According to yet another embodiment form, the neck also projects along a portion of its extension through the opening of the other thin wall and accordingly prevents a rotation of the two thin walls relative to one another and relative to the connection element. 
         [0013]    In case of the longer neck extension, corresponding foot areas can be provided. 
         [0014]    It is advantageous when two areas with a lengthened neck and shortened foot are diametrically opposed. 
         [0015]    Alternatively, two areas with a lengthened neck and shortened foot can be diametrically opposed. When the middle web of the connection element is split, this allows lateral slippage. 
         [0016]    An eye with a bore hole can also be provided next to the base of the connection element, preferably between two connection elements, for guiding a fastening screw, particularly a screw with a self-cutting profile. 
         [0017]    A connection element can be provided for fastening the handle by its ends. 
         [0018]    The head can form a plate with a hook. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the head can be a plate with an undercut strip. 
         [0020]    The head can also be a plate with a hinge part fitted thereto. 
         [0021]    Finally, the neck can have a length which facilitates mounting in the undercut slot of an aluminum profile. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1A to 1E  show different views showing the steps for assembling a cable strip holder according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 1F to 1H  show enlarged views of a cable strip holder according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C show a front view, a side view and a perspective view of a cable holder of the connection element which is used according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C show different views of a connection element with alternative supporting surface; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C show corresponding views of a strip holder; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5A ,  58  and  5 C show a U-shaped embodiment form of the connection element; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C show a connection element with supporting surface with high edge; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of a cable holder in which the connection element according to the invention is inserted; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  shows a front view of a cable holder in which the connection element according to the invention is inserted; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7C  shows a side view of a cable holder in which the connection element according to the invention is inserted; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7D  shows a top view of a cable holder in which the connection element according to the invention is inserted; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8A  shows a perspective view of a connection element according to  FIG. 8B  connected to a cable strip; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8B  shows a front view of a connection element connected to a cable strip; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8C  shows a side view of a connection element according to  FIG. 8B  connected to a cable strip; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9A  shows a perspective view of a cable holder and two metal plates which serve as connection element and which are provided with openings, and the connection process; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9B  shows a front view of a cable holder and two metal plates which serve as connection element and which are provided with openings, and the connection process; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9C  shows a plan view of a cable holder and two metal plates which serve as connection element and which are provided with openings, and the connection process; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10A  shows a front view of an embodiment form with expanded working area; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10B  shows a side view of an embodiment form with expanded working area; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10C  shows a view from both sides of an embodiment form with expanded working area; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 11A to 11C  show a front view, a side view and a perspective view of another embodiment form of a connection element; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12A  shows a perspective view of the embodiment form according to  FIGS. 10A to 10C  in various stages of assembly; 
           [0044]      FIG. 12B  shows a perspective view of the embodiment form according to  FIGS. 10A  to IOC in various stages of assembly; 
           [0045]      FIG. 12C  shows a sectional view through the embodiment form according to  FIGS. 10A to 10C  in various stages of assembly; 
           [0046]      FIG. 13A  shows a front view of a modified embodiment form of the connection element with grooves; 
           [0047]      FIG. 13B  shows a side view of a modified embodiment form of the connection element with grooves; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13C  shows a perspective view of a modified embodiment form of the connection element with grooves; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C show views analogous to  FIGS. 13A to 13C  but with kinematic reversal of the projections and notches; 
           [0050]      FIG. 15A  shows a front view of a connection element for a cable bundle, a pipe or hose or a rod; 
           [0051]      FIG. 15B  shows a side view of a connection element for a cable bundle, a pipe or hose or a rod; 
           [0052]      FIG. 15C  shows a perspective view of a connection element for a cable bundle, a pipe or hose or a rod; 
           [0053]      FIGS. 16A and 16C  show a perspective view of a connection element to be used as handle; 
           [0054]      FIG. 16B  shows a side view of a connection element to be used as handle; 
           [0055]      FIG. 17A  shows a perspective view of a clothes hook as connection element; 
           [0056]      FIG. 17B  shows a cross-sectional view of a clothes hook to be used as connection element; 
           [0057]      FIGS. 17C and 17D  show identical views of another embodiment form of the clothes hook; 
           [0058]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  show two views of web-shaped connection element; 
           [0059]      FIGS. 19A to 19C  show the construction of a hinge, wherein, according to  FIG. 19A , one hinge part is mounted in a thin sheet metal sheet with a rectangular opening, wherein the other hinge part is arranged in an opening in a thin wall in a similar manner resulting in a sheet metal cabinet, illustrated in  FIG. 19A , in which a hinge or the like can be folded out. The holding element can extend linearly in a wide area, which is advantageous in some applications; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 20A to 20C  show views of a hinge part similar to  FIGS. 19A to 19C  according to the invention; 
           [0061]      FIGS. 21A to 21C  show views similar to  FIGS. 20A to 20C  of a hinge of similar construction; 
           [0062]      FIGS. 22A to 22C  show an assembled hinge formed of connection elements according to the invention, wherein two sheet metal walls are connected to one another by the hinge; 
           [0063]      FIGS. 23A to 23C  show a hinge for articulating a thin wall at an aluminum profile and additional fastening with a head boring screw; and 
           [0064]      FIGS. 20A to 24D  show a further example showing how a thin wall can be arranged at an aluminum profile by means of the connection element according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0065]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
         [0066]    The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 1A to 1E  show a cable strip holder  10  comprising a connection element  12  which has a head  14  with adjoining neck  16  with rectangular outer cross section to be received in operation so as to be secured against rotation and displacement in a rectangular opening  18  in a thin wall  20  such as a sheet metal angle  24  and with a plate-shaped base  22  from which emerge two legs  26  extending back to the neck, which legs merge into feet  28  with a foot bottom  30 . The head  14  comprises a rectangular plate  34  in which there is a slot  35  for receiving a flat cable or for receiving a cable strip  36 . 
         [0068]    The assembly of the arrangement according to  FIGS. 1A to 1E  is carried out, for example, such that the sheet metal angle is initially fastened to the housing by angle portion  24 . According to the invention, the connection element  12  is pushed with its legs through the opening  18  into the other angle, wherein the legs yield and can be pushed through the opening  18  with the results illustrated in  FIG. 1B , The cable strip  36  is then drawn through the slot  34  as is shown in  FIG. 1C . This arrangement is shown in detail in  FIG. 1D  and again in a sectional view in  FIG. 1E . 
         [0069]    The connection element  12  used in the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D  is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B. Possible play is absorbed in that the foot bottom extends in a slanted manner with respect to the thin wall. The four-cornered shape of the projection  16  is also important. It prevents rotation of the connection element with respect to the opening according to  FIG. 2A . 
         [0070]    The rectangular neck  16  shown in  FIG. 2A  fits snugly into the openings  18  of the thin wall so as to reliably secure against rotation. The slanted surface  26  of the feet  28  facilitates insertion of the legs into the opening. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C show an alternative embodiment form in which the neck  16  is omitted and, instead of this, toes  40  are arranged at the feet so as to contact the edges of the opening. In the embodiment form in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C, the foot additionally has a hook surface  42 . 
         [0072]    In the embodiment form according to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C, the antler-like projection is omitted. Instead, the one leg is fixedly connected to the head, while the other leg  44  swings freely. Finally, referring to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, a jagged supporting surface  48  is provided.  FIGS. 7A to 7D  show a body in which two opposing sides emerge from the rectangular plate  114  of the head in the manner of antlers, and projections at the free end thereof can be connected to one another to enclose a cable strip. The connection of the free ends can be carried out by means of a plug-in connection  52 ,  54 . 
         [0073]    In the embodiment form according to  FIGS. 8A to 8C  and  9 A to  9 C, the rectangular neck  216  slides only through plate  220  and partially into the opening  19  of the other thin wall  221  such that the openings are aligned. For example, a rotation of the connection element  212  with respect to the two thin walls  220 ,  221  and the thin walls  220 ,  221  relative to one another is prevented. 
         [0074]    The aim of arranging the feet  228  as close as possible to the neck area  216  results in the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9C . However, this sacrifices the security of holding walls at the ends also, because the edge of the thin walls is visible in an unsightly manner. A further development shown in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C is advantageous for this reason. As can be seen, the neck  316  is shortened with respect to its axial length  68  in all of the areas of the larger foot extension  70  so that the foot area  66  is free to lie on the edge of the opening, while the neck  316  secures against rotation. In this respect, there are different options for distributing these areas  62 ,  70 . In  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C and  11 A,  11 B,  11 C, the arrangement is asymmetrical and has the advantage that the injection dies are simplified. 
         [0075]    In the embodiment forms according to  FIGS. 13A to 13C  and  14 A to  14 C, the arrangement is symmetrical but more difficult to produce by injection molding because the injection mold must work with slides. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C show how the arrangement is used to connect two sheet metal sheets and requires a longer neck (see  FIGS. 14A to 14C ), while an embodiment form to be applied as cable holder requires a short neck (see  FIGS. 15A to 15C ). 
         [0077]    Further, a retaining loop for a cable bundle, a pipe, a hose or a rod which can be inserted laterally is shown in a perspective view in  FIG. 15C , in a side view in  FIG. 15B  and in a sectional view in  FIG. 15A . 
         [0078]    With the connection element according to the invention it is possible to fasten any parts to a sheet metal wall so as to be secured against rotation such as, for example, a clothes hook which is shown in  FIGS. 17A to 17D  in perspective view and in a side view prior to assembly and after assembly. Another example is a handle strip  410  which can be constructed as shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B . Another use of the connection element for four-cornered or rectangular holes offers the further advantage that the legs only engage behind two opposing edges of the hole so that trim, aluminum profiles provided with slots and the like can also be fastened. 
         [0079]    Further applications according to the invention are shown in  FIGS. 19A to 19C  in which the hinge parts of a hinge which have the fastening device according to the invention can be secured in a rectangular opening in a beveled sheet metal sheet (see also  FIGS. 20A to 20C ), wherein two holding elements  12 ,  112  for each hinge part are spaced apart such that a securing screw  70  can be provided, in which case this securing screw  70  has eyes  72  for a self-cutting screw  70  which are arranged between two connection elements  12 ,  112  according to the invention. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 21A to 21C  also show a hinge. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 22A to 22D  also show a hinge in which the two hinge parts according to the invention can spread apart in axial direction parallel to the hinge axis. 
         [0082]    The hinge in  FIGS. 23A to 23C  is similar to the hinge already shown in  FIGS. 21A to 21C  in which a securing screw  170  which works itself into the material of a profile is arranged between two connection elements  12 ,  112 . The one hinge half is then anchored in an aluminum profile, while the other hinge part  82  is fastened with two openings  18 ,  19  in a sheet metal wall  21  with holding elements  12 ,  112  according to the invention. 
         [0083]    Finally,  FIGS. 24A to 24B  show the fastening of a sheet metal sheet  20  to profiles  78 , wherein holding elements  12  according to the invention serve as fastening means. 
         [0084]    The arrangement of the finger grip without plate according to  FIGS. 16A to 16C  requires two holes  18 ,  19 , wherein fastening means can be provided at the ends of the grip. 
       COMMERCIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0085]    The invention is commercially applicable in switch cabinet construction. 
         [0086]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10 ,  110 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  cable strip holder, clothes hook, handle strip, finger grip 
           12  connection element 
           14  head 
           16  neck 
           18  opening 
           19  opening 
           20  thin wall 
           21 ,  221  thin wall 
           22  plate-shaped base 
           24  sheet metal angle 
           26  legs 
           28  feet 
           30  feet bottoms 
           32  edge 
           34  slot 
           36  cable strip 
           38  bevel 
           40  toe 
           42  hook 
           44  free leg 
           46  stair shape 
           50  antler-like projections 
           52 ,  54  plug-in connection 
           56  retaining loop 
           58  area 
           60  foot area 
           62  portion 
           64  transverse extension 
           66  foot area 
           68  area length 
           70  securing screw 
           72  eye 
           74  hinge part 
           76  hinge part 
           78  aluminum profile 
           79  foot extension 
           80  hinge part 
           82  hinge part