Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SFS 12.626 ;;
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~pplicant SFS Industrie Holdin~ AG, ~feerbrl~gg (S~ z~rl~nd) ~ . .
Object: P:~OFIIJED :ELEI~ENTS WITH ~ CONNECTO~ ` ~ :.
CONSTI~UCTED ~S ~ SCREW ..
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Our ref.: PO 106WO ...
The invention relates to profiled elements with a connector constructed as a serew, hvo
or more profiled elements or assembly parts and one or more profiled elements being
connected together with a~ sorew consisting of a drilling part, a shaft provided at least :~.
over a portion of its length with a threaded portion and a screw head. Profiled .
elements, such as hollow aluminum profiles, other hollow metal profiles or profiles -:
with proJecting cross members are frequently used particularly in window, door,
partitlon and facade construction, these profiled elements and, optionally, additional ~ .-
assembly parts having to be connected firmly to one another. Previously, at sites `
intended for a connector, holes ~were pre-drilled, into which then either a thread was ~ :.
cut and the screw inserted or a self-cutting screw, ;such as a self-tapping screw, was .
screwed~
The mutual fastening of such profiled elements and, optionally, additional assembly
,
parts was therefore characterized by an enormous expenditure of work, since at least
two sequences o~ operations (drilling and screwing in the screw) were necess~y. In i .
addition, when the screws were screwed in subsequently, the~problem arose that it was
hardly possible to press the~profiled~elernents~or the additional assembly parts, which
are to be connected to one~ another, firmly agalnst one anotber, since the threaded
portions of the screw in each case have;engaged two or more cross members or wall .
parts.
~: ~ . AM~ENDED PAG.F
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2:1~837~
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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide particularly for this special
use a screw, with which the hole is drilled, the thread cut and the necessaly contacting
fiorce between the profiled elements and assembly parts, w}lich are to be connected to
one another, achieved in an optimum manner
Pursuant to the invention, it is proposed that, for accomplishing this objective,
the sum of the length of the drilling part and the length of the threaded portion of
the screw is the same as or less than the clear distance between two cross members
or wall parts, following one another in the drilling or screwing direction, of one or
rnore profiled elements and, optionally, assembly parts, which are to be cor~nected
to one another or
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the length of the drilling part of the screw i5 equal to or larger than the sum of the i:
clear distance between two cross members or wall parts of the profiled elements
and, optionally, of assem~ly parts, which are to be connected to one another and~
:follow one another in the drilling or screwing direction~ and the thickness of the
two cross members or wall parts following one another,
~;~ o and the length of th~ threaded portion corresponds to 1.5 times to 4 times the
thicl~ness of the cross ~member or wall part, which: is engaged by the threaded
portlon as a fastening element. ~ ~ -
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By~rheans of thèse in~entlve measures, it is achieved, on the one hand, that thethreaded portion does not engage a~ cross member or wall palt during the drilling
: process. This :is: of importance;particularly because the drilling ;advance usually is
significasltly less than the;advance when:s thread~engages a corresponding part. On
the~other hand, the possib~ is~crèated~of being able to drill througll consecutive
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MENDED P~G~
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cross metnbers or wall parts relatively rapidly, since the threaded portion, which must
be turned through the corresponding cross member or wall part after a drilling
procedure, is very short.
The screw is aligned correspondingly axially true in the first cross member or wall part
that is to be drilled~ so that it becomes possible to apply it accurately already when the
drilling part enters the next cross member or the next wall part.
A reinfiorced struchlre has already becorne known (WO 8gi12722), which is
constructed in lattice fashion and serves for the production of concrete slabs. This
rein~orcing structure consists of two flat cross members of equal width, which are
spaced apart, and of lattice rods, which are welded laterally to ehe flat cross members,
connecting them. The flat cross members are removed so far from ~he formwork
panels intended for pouring out the concrete, that the concrete can envelop the flat
cros~ mernbers. The presence of these flat cross members is utilized here in order to
fastert the ~ormwork panels to these reinforced structures. For this purpose, a fastening
element in the forrrl of a screw is used, which passes through the ~ormwork panel arld
engages with a threaded section the flat cross member of the reinforced structure. In
this connection, care is talcen to ensure that the threaded section has already passed
through the ~ormwork panel when the drilling process is commenced by the screw in
the flat cross member. The length of the screw is dealt with generously here,
particularly since problems cannot arlse in the case of such an application wlth w~lls
or assembly parts following one ancther at relatively short inter~als.
The number of cross members or wall parts, through which a single screw passes,
therefore does not matter in the case of the present invention since, in the elld, i$ is
always ensured that the thread~ has the necessary engagement only with that cross
member or wall part, whieh is intended to be engaged by the threaded portion. The
Al~l~NDED P~GE
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contacting force, required between the profiled elements or the profiled elements and
the assembly parts, which are to be connected, can be attained by maintaining anappropriate tightening torque. Particularly by this special adaptation o~ a connector for ,
a very speeific use, significant advantages are achieved in the work of producing .
windows, doors, partitions and facades. Owing to the fact that pre-drilling is omitted,
it is not necessary to assure the relative positions accurately during each. driLling :~
process, so that the holes will also be ahgned subsequently for screwirlg in the screw. -:
By means of the inventive measures, an essentially more rational: and thus also less
expensive connector between two or more profiled elements and, optionally, additlonal
assembly parts has become posslble. It is entirely clear that, ~or each special
construction of profiled elements and, optionally, of assembly parts, dif~erent lengths . -
and varîations with respect to the threaded portion and the drllling part are necessary.
Howe~rer,~ particularly by adhering to the inventive rneasures, a relativeb large range of`.~.
:: uses can be coYered already with a reasonable number of variations.
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Cross members and wall parts of such profiled elements or of assembly parts that are ..
to be fastened usually are relatively thin. Only an appropriate: thread need therefore be
; present,~ which engages this cross:member or wall part properly. It is therefore ~ .
proposed that the length of the threaded~portion be 1.5 ~tlmes to 4 times the thickness of ~
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(cQntinued:on page 4 Of the ongmal specification) ~
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`C~I-9435 ~Heerbn~gg, December 5, 1~994 : ` ~ SFS Industrie Holding AG: :
:: Hans I,udescher
Manager of Patent Department -.
AM~NDED PAeE
2 ~ 3 7 ~ ,,
the cross member or wall pare, which is engaged by the threaded portion as the
fastening element.
It is ~rtherrnore proposed that a thread-free section of shaft be provided between the
threaded portion immediately adjoining the drilling part and the screw head. Therequired lateral securing of the profiled elements or assembly parts, which are to be .;
connected together, is also assured by a smooth, thread-free section of shaft~ since this
section of shaf~j af~er an approximate fit, engages the boreholes produced by the screw :
itself, the threads, already cut into these cross members, not having any negative effect -.
whatsoever for such a lateral support. .`
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The fact that the diarneter of thé thread-free section of the shaf~ corresponds -.
approximately to the diameter of the~drilling part also contributes to this.
.
Furthermore, it is proposed that the length of the sh:aft section of the screw between
the underside of thc screw head up to the center relative to~the length of the thr,eaded
portion corresponds to the distance between the support of the screw head and the
~center of the thickness of that cross member or wall p~t, in which the threaded p,~t is
arlchored after the seating procedure. A special adaptation to a p,~ticul~ connection
bctwcen two or more profiled elements or between assembly parts ~nd one or more
profiled elements is thus possible. The~ seating procedure thus is facilitated
significantly, the mutuaily firm bracing of the~ paJts to be connected becornes possible
an~ ly one sequencc of operatlons is required.
It is only~necess~y to screw in the scrcw once9 an optimum tightening ~orce b~ing
attained by switching off the torque of the screwdriver appropriately.
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21~376
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Already merely by screwing in such a screw, the individual operating steps, carried out
by this single screw (drilling/turning the thread through the hole, drilling/turning the
thread through the hole, etc.) are precisely audible, depending on the number of cross - .
members or wall parts that have to be drilled. The user of an inventive connector thus
has the possibility of an additional control by hearlng, because the individual, .:
consecutive steps of the operation and the ~Inal torque-dependent switching off of the ~.
screwdriver can be percei~ted. .-
Further inventive features and particular advantages are explained in greater detall in
the followmg description by means of tlle drawing, in which
Figure 1 shows a screw, which is to be turned through two cross members of profiled
eiements, ~ ``
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Figure 2 shows a plan view of the head of the screw, : ~:
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Figure 3 shows an example of the use of such a screw for connecting three profiled
elements, ~ ~ .
Figure 4 shows an embodirnent, also in section, from which a connector between two : .
profiled elements can~be seen, it being possible~for the second profiled
element to be constructed also as an assembly part and . i;~
;: Flgure: 5 to Figure 9 show an excerpt from various structural variations of a screw fior
: u se: as a connector~ between profiled elements and, optionally, assembb j;
parts.
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21~337G
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For connectillg two or more profiled elements 1, 2, a screw 3 is provided, which has a
drilling part 4, a sha~t 6 provided at least partially over its length with a threaded -
. portion 5 and a screw head 7. Advisab3y, the screw head 7 is provided with a special
engagement opening 8, so that the screw can be screwed in with its ~xis aligned
precisely with that of the screwdriver. -
For the inventive use of such a connector, special fundamental dimensions must be
provided on the screw 3. Accordingly, the sum S of the length B of the drilling part 4
and the length G of the threaded portion 5 is equal to or less than the clear distance W
between two cross members 10, I l or corresponding wall parts following one another . :
in the drilling or screwing-in direction 9. Such a screw can be used, for example, for
an application similar to that shown in Figure 3. The two profiled elements I and 2
are to be fastened here eO opposite regions of a third profile 12. It can be seen clearly
here that the sum S of the lengths B and G is equal to or less than the clear distance W
betweeri consecutive cross members or between the cross member I I and the inserted
cross rnember 13 of the profile 12. In each case, when the threaded portion 5 has
passed through the one cross member 10, that is, when the top thread facing the screw
head 7 lea~es this cross member 10, the drilling process in the next cross member
commences, so that there is never a forced, larger advallce of the drill, which could be
Initiated by a still-engaged thread. ;A clean borehole Is therefore always possible and,
a¢cor~ingly, there is also never any damage to the threaded portion 5. Especiaily this
non-damaging effect on the threaded portion S is of particular advantage because the
threa~ed portion, afte~ ai17 cuts a thread into two or more crossimernbers or wall par~s`
and then, in the last of these cross members of wall parts, once again must ~orm a
proper thread, in which the thread portion S can then transfer an approp~iately large
tightening torque. ~ - .
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2 1 ~ 8 ~ 7 ~
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The thread 14, remaining behind in the respectively drilled cross members 10, does not
in any way interfere, since a thread-firee section of shaft 15, which is provided between
the screw head 7 and the threaded portion 5, comes to lie against the walls of the
boreholes.
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So that a proper engagement of the thread 5 in the cross member 10, 11, 13, finally
provided for this purpose, becornes possible, the threaded portion 5 advisably has a
length G, which corresponds to 1.5 times to 4 times the thiclcness of the cross member
10, 11, 13, which is engaged by the threaded~portion 5 as fastening element. By these
mèans it is ensured that a sufficient section of thread is still present above and below
`the corresponding c.ross member 10, 11 or 13. In order to achieve a particularly short
construction of the screw 3 especially in the region o the drilling part 4 ~and the
threaded portion S, the threaded portiorl S is advantageously constructed to adjoin the
drilling portion 4 directly, so that, depending on ~:he overall length of the screw 3, a
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correspondingly long, thread-free section 15 of shaft results on the screw shaft 6. The .;
diarneter of the thread-free section 15 of shaft corresponds at least approximately to , i;
the diameter of the drilling part 4. ~s a result, it is possible to turn this thread-free
section 15~ of the shaft without any special frictional problems in the~ already prepared ;~ .
boreholes that are provided wlth~ a thread.
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As is evident particularly from Flgure 3 and also from the examples; of Figure 7 to 9,
the length E of the shaft seetion of the screw between the ondersido 16 of the screw
head TP to the center based on the length G~of~the th;resded portion ~S c,orresponds t~
the distance A from the support ~l 7 of the screw head 7 and the center of the thickness
D2 of each cross member 13,~ in; which the threaded portion 5 is finally anehored af~er
the seahng process. It is thus necessary to match these screws relatively accurately to
the profiled elements~ or profiled~ elements~ and assembly parts, which are to be~ r`
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2~3~
connected to one another. However, it is possible to manage over large ranges with
various structural variations.
For a second speciaT structural variation of a screw connecting two profilled elernents
or assernbly parts and one profiled element, the clear distance W between two
consecutive cross members 10 and 11 is relatively small. Such a structural variation
can be inferred from Figure 4 and from the posslbilities of Figures 6 and 7. The clear
distance W is so small here, that it would be impossible, for an appropriate holding
-~orce of the screw that is to be used, to keep the sum S of ~the length of the drilling part
and the length of the threaded portion smaller than:this clear distance W. In such a
cæe, it is proposed that the l~ngth B of the drilling part 4 be equal to or larger than the
sum D3 of the clear distance W between two cross members 10, 11, ~ollowing one
another In the screwing direction, and of the thickness Dl and D2 of the two
consecutive cross members 10, 11. In this case, cross;rnember 10 as well as cross
member 11 are drilled first, before the threaded portion 5 flrst engages cross member
10 and subsequently cross member 11, the threaded portion ~, during the last rotations
~o~ the screw 3, being in engagement only with the cross member 11 and no lor~ger
with the:eross member 10. ~n appropriate tightening torque:and, with that, a mutual
contacting force between the profiled elements, whlch~are to be connected to oneanother, is thereforc also possible in this manner.
Such a variation presupposes that the caYity 18, adjoining the cross member 11 or a
co~re~pondin~s wall section,~ is suf~lciently large so that there ls space for the drillin~
part 4 and the first section of the threaded portion 5, without the dritling part 4 already
coming up against a next cross member. ~
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lndividual solutions for all types of connections between two or more profiled .`--.
elements or between assembly palts and profiled elements are thus possible. The . .
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screw must be matched to these di~erent variations and the specified conditions haYe . .
to be adhered to in each case. It is obvious that~ beyond this, different variational :
deviations are conceivable, for example, in relation to the construction of the drilling
part, the threaded portion or the thread-free section of shaft or also in relation to the
screw head and the special engagement. An appropriate overa~l length of drilling part ..
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and threaded portion or an appropriate length of the drilling pare by Itself must always . -.
be aYailable, a shorter or longer thread-free section :of shaft being available depending . `
on the intended use. ~
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The inventive connector can be used for profiled elements and assembly parts o~
aluminum as well as for other rnetal profiles or ssembly parts. Of course, screws with ` ;~
the i~nventive measures can also be used for plastic profiled elernents and assembly
parts. In this connection, it does not matter whether the profiled elements are strictly ;.;~.
plastic profiied elernents or plastic profiled elements into which metai profiles have
been inserted for reinforcementA~
For the examples shown, the screws have in each case been screwed in a~ rlght~angies
to the plane of individual cross members or wall pa~ts. It: is also concelvable that such ~
screws are. used: for speciai purposes in profiled elernents or assembly parts at an acute ; ~,
angle to the :cross members 10, 11 or 13. This is readily possible with the inventive
const~uction of alsqrew.
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