Technical fieldThe present invention relates to a connection device for a wall panel, a wall panel comprising the connection device, a wall comprising the wall panel, and a method for constructing the wall.
From the prior art there are known wall panels that are arranged into a wall frame for constructing a wall. The wall panels are provided at each of their edge faces with one or more connection devices for connecting the wall panel to the wall frame and/or to adjacent wall panels arranged into the wall frame.
The wall panels know from the prior art have the disadvantage that for connecting the wall panel to the wall frame in order to form the wall all the connection devices have to be operated individually to connect the wall panel to the wall frame and/or to adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame. This is time consuming, certainly because the connection devices known from the prior art are quite complex and difficulty to operate.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a connection device which, when used in a wall panel, allows the wall panel to be connected quickly and easily to the wall frame and/or adjacent wall panels to form a wall.
This aim is achieved according to the invention with a connection device for a wall panel showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim.
Therefore, the present invention provides a connection device for a wall panel. The connection device comprises a housing profile. The housing profile comprises a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm of the housing profile extend along respectively a first direction and a second direction. The first arm and the second arm of the housing profile together form a corner. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile are connected to each other. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile form a single piece. The housing profile comprises a groove in the first arm and the second arm which extends over the corner. The groove has an exit opening extending over outer corner sides of the housing profile. The connection device comprises a connector element. The connector element comprises a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm of the connector element extend along respectively the first direction and the second direction. The first arm and the second arm of the connector element together form the corner, i.e. the same corner as the corner formed by the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm of the connector element are connected to each other. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm of the connector element form a single piece. The connector element is arranged in the groove of the housing profile. The connector element is moveable in the groove between a first position and a second position. In the first position the connector element is completely positioned inside the groove. In the second position the connector element protrudes at least partially outside of the groove via the exit opening at both the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile. Preferably, the connector element is moveable in the groove between the first position and the second position along a movement direction different from the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the connector element is moveable in the groove between the first position and the second position along a movement direction extending along an angle bisector of the corner formed by the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile. The connection device comprises an actuating mechanism operable for moving the connector element between the first position and the second position.
The corner shaped connection device according to the present invention offers the advantage that it is provided to be arranged into a wall panel at one of the corners of the wall panel, preferably in such a way that the exit opening of the groove of the housing profile of the connection device is flush or level with the two adjacent edge faces of the wall panel, i.e. the two edge faces of the wall panel that are adjacent to the corner where the connection device is arranged. In this way, the wall panel, when arranged in a wall frame, can be connected to the wall frame and/or to adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame simultaneously at the two adjacent edge faces of the wall panel. Therefore, only the actuating mechanism of the connection device has to be operated to move the connector element of the connection device from the first position, in which position the connector element is completely positioned in the groove of the housing profile of the connection device and consequently also completely in the wall panel, to the second position, in which the connector element of the connection device protrudes at least partially out of the groove of the housing profile of the connection device via the exit opening at both the first arm and the second arm of the housing profile and consequently also into the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame at the two adjacent edge faces of the wall panel, preferably into connector grooves provided therefore in the wall frame and the adjacent wall panels. In this view, the first position of the connector element of the connection device may alternatively be called the open position where the connector element is not connecting the wall panel to the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame, and the second position of the connector element of the connection device may alternatively be called the closed position wherein the connector element is connecting the wall panel to the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame. In this way, for a rectangular wall panel having four corners two connection devices according to the present invention arranged in diagonally opposing corners of the wall panel suffice to connect the wall panel at all the edge faces to the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame with only two operations, i.e. one operation on the actuating mechanism of each of the two connection devices.
The connection device according to the present invention being arranged as such in a wall panel also offers the advantage that, when the connector element of the connection device is in the first position, the connector element is retracted completely into the wall panel. When arranging the wall panel into a wall frame this allows the wall panel to be arranged straight in front of the open space in the wall frame where the wall panel is to be positioned, and to slide the wall panel straight into said open space, after which the wall panel can be connected to the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels already arranged in the wall frame by moving the connector element of the connection device to the second position. Hence, this allows the wall panel to be arranged quickly in the wall frame in an easy and simple sliding movement.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the connection device is arranged such that the actuating mechanism is operable through an opening in at least one side face of the housing profile. The side face of the housing profile is a face of the housing profile parallel to the plane formed by the corner of the housing profile.
This embodiment offers the advantage that, when the connection device is arranged in a wall panel, the actuating mechanism of the connection device is easily accessible from a side face of the wall panel for being operated, provided that the wall panel is provided with a corresponding opening in the side face that leads to the opening in the side face of the housing profile.
It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments of the connection device the connection device may also be provided such that the actuating mechanism can be operated without needing direct access to the actuating mechanism through for example a side face of the housing profile. This may for example be done by means of a magnetic connection between the actuating mechanism and an external device for operating the actuating mechanism.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the actuating mechanism comprises a cam element rotatable in a circular recess in the connector element. A rotation centre of the cam element is offset with respect to a centre of the circular recess.
The inventors have found that the actuating mechanism may be provided in a simple manner by means of the cam element that is rotatable in the circular recess in the connector element, and that the actuating mechanism may be operated in a simple manner by means of a rotation of the cam element.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the actuating mechanism comprises a rack and pinion gear. Preferably, the rack of the rack and pinion gear is provided on an inner side wall of a longitudinal recess in the connector element.
The inventors have found that the actuating mechanism may be provided in a simple manner by means of the rack and pinion gear, and that the actuating mechanism may be operated in a simple manner by means of a rotation of the pinion of the rack and pinion gear.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the actuating mechanism comprises a first stop and a second stop corresponding to respectively the first position and the second position of the connector element.
This embodiment is beneficial for limiting the movement of the connector element between the first position and the second position.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the connection device further comprises a guiding mechanism for guiding the movement of the connector element in the groove between the first position and the second position.
The guiding mechanism is beneficial for aiding in moving the connector element in a stable manner along a straight line between the first position and the second position by means of the actuating mechanism.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the guiding mechanism comprises a first guiding slot and a first guiding protrusion on respectively the first arm of the housing profile and the first arm of the connector element or vice versa. The first guiding protrusion is received, preferably in a slideable manner, in the first guiding slot. Preferably, at least the first guiding slot extends along a movement direction of the connector element between the first position and the second position. The guiding mechanism comprises a second guiding slot and a second guiding protrusion on respectively the second arm of the housing profile and the second arm of the connector element or vice versa. The second guiding protrusion is received, preferably in a slideable manner, in the second guiding slot. Preferably, at least the second guiding slot extends along a movement direction of the connector element between the first position and the second position
This embodiment of the guiding mechanism is beneficial for aiding in moving both the first arm and the second arm of the connector element together in a stable manner along a straight line between the first position and the second position by means of the actuating mechanism.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the connection device further comprises biasing means for biasing the connector element in the second position.
This embodiment offers the advantage that when the connector element is moved into the second position for connecting a wall panel provided with the connector device to a wall frame and/or adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame, the risk is reduced of the connector element accidentally moving out of the second position and undoing the connection between the wall panel provided with the connector device and the wall frame and/or the adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame. Hence, this embodiment is beneficial for providing a more secure connection between a wall panel provided with the connector device and a wall frame and/or adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the biasing means comprise a spring, preferably a bow spring.
The inventors have found that the biasing means may be implemented in a simple manner by means of one or more springs. Preferably, the biasing means comprise at least one spring, preferably a bow spring, for each of the first arm and the second arm of the connector element to provide a biasing force on both the first arm and the second arm of the connector element to bias the connector element in the second position.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention the actuating mechanism is arranged in the connector element at the corner between the first arm and the second arm of the connector element.
Arranging the actuating mechanism at the corner between the first arm and the second of the connector element is beneficial for moving both the first arm and the second arm of the connector element together in a stable manner along a straight line between the first position and the second position by means of a single actuating mechanism of a simple design.
In an embodiment of the connection device according to the present invention both the housing profile and the connector element are provided with a chamfer between inner corner sides.
The connector element being provided with the chamfer between the inner corner sides offers the advantage that more space is available in the connector element for arranging the actuating mechanism in the connector element. More space being available in the connector element for the actuating mechanism is also beneficial to allow the connector element to move over a larger distance between the first position and the second position, such that the connector element can protrude more outside of the groove in the second position to provide a more secure connection between a wall panel provided with the connector device and a wall frame and/or adjacent wall panels arranged in the wall frame. The housing profile, and more specifically the groove of the housing profile, has to be provided with a corresponding chamfer to be able to fully receive the connector element in the groove of the housing profile in the first position of the connector element.
The present invention also provides a wall panel for constructing a wall. The wall panel comprises a plurality of corners. The wall panel is provided with a connector groove along an outer circumference. The wall panel is provided at one of the plurality of corners with a connection device according to the present invention arranged in the connector groove.
The present invention also provides a wall. The wall may be any type of wall such as for example an upstanding wall, a floor, a ceiling and a roof. The wall comprises a wall panel according to the present invention. The wall comprises a wall frame. The wall frame is provided with a connector groove along an inner circumference. The wall panel is arranged in the wall frame. The wall panel is connected to the wall frame by means of the connector element of the connection device being positioned in the second position into the connector groove of the wall frame.
The present invention also provides a method for constructing a wall. The method comprises the step of providing a wall frame. The wall frame is provided with a connector groove along an inner circumference. The method comprises the step of providing a wall panel according to the present invention. The connector element of the connection device of the wall panel is in the first position. The method comprises the step of arranging the wall panel in the wall frame. The method comprises the step of operating the actuating mechanism of the connection device of the wall panel to move the connector element of the connection device of the wall panel to the second position and into the connector groove of the wall frame. Thereby the wall panel is connected to the wall frame.
The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connection device according to the present invention with the connector element in the first position.
- Figure 2 shows a side view of the connection device of the first embodiment with the connector element in the first position.
- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the connection device of the first embodiment with the connector element in the second position.
- Figure 4 shows a side view of the connection device of the first embodiment with the connector element in the second position.
- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the housing profile of the connection device of the first embodiment.
- Figure 6 shows a side view of the housing profile of the connection device of the first embodiment.
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the connector element of the connection device of the first embodiment.
- Figure 8 shows a side view of the connector element of the connection device of the first embodiment.
- Figure 9 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a connection device according to the present invention with the connector element in the first position.
- Figure 10 shows a side view of the connection device of the second embodiment with the connector element in the second position.
- Figure 11 shows a front view of a partially opened wall panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a corner of the wall panel ofFigure 11.
- Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a corner of a wall frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 14 shows a front view of a wall according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the inventionThe present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
The term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
Figures 1-8 show a connection device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFigures 9 and10 show a connection device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Figures 11 and12 show a wall panel 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention which is provided with the connection devices 100 according first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention. The wall panel 700 is rectangular in shape, which is a commonly used shape for a wall panel 700 for constructing walls 900, but it should be noted that it is not excluded that in alternative embodiments the wall panel 700 may also have other shapes, such as for example triangular or hexagonal.Figure 13 shows part of a wall frame 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 14 shows a wall 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention which is constructed by means of the wall frame 800 and the wall panels 700 according to the present invention. AlthoughFigure 14 shows an upstanding wall 900, it should be noted that the wall 900 may be any type of any type of wall 900 such as for example an upstanding wall, a floor, a ceiling and a roof.
The connection device 100 according to the present invention is provided for being arranged in a wall panel 700 according to the present invention at a corner 701 of the wall panel 700. The connection device 100 is provided for connecting the wall panel 700 to the wall frame 800 and/or to adjacent wall panels 700 for constructing a wall 900 by means of the wall panels 700 and the wall frame 900. This connection of the wall panel 700 to the wall frame 800 and/or to adjacent wall panels 700 by means of the connection device 100 is achieved by arranging a connector element 300 of the connection device 100 in connector grooves 711, 811 provided for this purpose on the inner circumference of the wall frame 800 and on the outer circumference of the wall panels 700.
One advantage of the connection device 100 is that the connector element 300 extends over the corner 701 of the wall panel 700, and is as such able to connect the wall panel 700 to the wall frame 800 and/or to adjacent wall panels 700 at two adjacent edge faces 702 of the wall panel 700, i.e. the two edge faces 702 of the wall panel 700 that are adjacent to the corner 701 where the connection device 100 is arranged. In this way, for a rectangular wall panel 700, such as shown inFigure 11, only two connection devices 100 arranged at diagonally opposing corners 701 of the wall panel 700 are needed to connect the wall panel 700 at all the edge faces 702 to the wall frame 900 and/or the adjacent wall panels 700.
Another advantage of the connection device 100 is that the connection device 100, as will be explained in further detail below, is arranged such that in a first position the connector element 300 is retracted completely in the connection device 100 and thereby also in the wall panel 700. For constructing the wall 900 this allows the wall panel 700 to be arranged straight in front of the open space in the wall frame 800 where the wall panel 700 is to be positioned in the wall 900, and to be slid in a simple and easy straight movement into said open space. After this, the wall panel 700 can then be connected to the wall frame 800 and/or the adjacent wall panels 700 by moving the connector element 300 of the connection device 100 to a second position where it protrudes out of the connection device 100 and the wall panel 700 into the connector grooves 711, 811 of the wall frame 800 and/or the adjacent wall panels 700.
The wall panel 700 shown inFigures 11 and12 comprises a central frame 710 which provides the main support to the wall panel 700. Along the outer circumference of the central frame 710 the connector groove 711 of the wall panel 700 is provided. As can be seen in more detail inFigure 12 this connector groove 711 is also beneficially used for housing the connection device 100. The wall panel 700 further comprises a front panel 720 and a back panel 730 arranged on opposing sides of the central frame 710. The front panel 720 and the back panel 730 can be used modularly, and can be finished in different manners depending on the purpose of the wall 900 in a building or other structure. For example, in case the wall 900 is a roof, one of the front panel 720 and the back panel 730 intended to face upwards in the wall 900 may be provided with solar panels.
Now, the connection device 100 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be explained in further detail below.
The connection device 100 in general is corner shaped to fit on the corner 701 of the wall panel 700. In general the connection device 100 comprises a housing profile 200, a connector element 300 arranged and moveable in the housing profile 200, and an actuating mechanism 400 that is operable for moving the connector element 200.
The housing profile 200 comprises a first arm 201 that extends along a first direction R1 and a second arm 202 that extends along a second direction R2. The housing profile 200 is arranged in a single piece, hence the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 are connected to each other. The first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 together form a corner 203. In the shown embodiments the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 is a rectangular corner of 90°. This corresponds to the rectangular corners 701 of the wall panel 700, and as such allows the connection device 100 to be arranged at the corners 701 of the wall panel 700. Hence, in this case the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 are perpendicular to each other. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 may also be an angle of a different number of degrees, for example 60° for a connection device 100 designed for being used in conjunction with a wall panel 700 of an hexagonal shape.
The housing profile 200 has two outer corner sides 204, i.e. one outer corner side 204 at each of the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. The two outer corner sides 204 are located at the outside of the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, and extend over the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. The housing profile 200 also has two inner corner sides 205, i.e. one inner corner side 205 at each of the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. The two inner corner sides 205 are located at the inside of the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, and extend over the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. Between the inner corner sides 205 the housing profile 200 is provided with a chamfer 208, of which the function will be explained further below. The housing profile 200 also has two side faces 206 that are parallel to the plane formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, and are located on opposing sides of the housing profile 200. The housing profile 200 also has two end faces 207, i.e. one end face 207 at the end of each of the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200.
Extending over the corner 203 the housing profile 200 has in general a U-shape with a bottom wall extending along the inner corner sides 205 of the housing profile 200, two side walls extending along the two side faces 206 of the housing profile 200, and an open side extending along the outer corner sides 204 of the housing profile 200. As such, between these walls a groove 210 is formed in the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 that extends over the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. This groove 210 has an exit opening 211 at the open side of the housing profile 200 that extends along the outer corner sides 204 of the housing profile 200. The groove 210 is provided for housing the connector element 300 of the connection device 100. It should be noted that the groove 210 also extends over the chamfer 208 between the inner corner sides 205 of the housing profile 200, which increases the available space in the groove 210 at the corner 203 between the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. Preferably, the connection device 100 is arranged in the connector groove 711 at one of the corners 701 of the wall panel 700 such that the exit opening 211 of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 is substantially flush or level with the two adjacent edge faces 702 of the wall panel 700.
At the bottom of the groove 210 the housing profile 200 is provided near the end of each of the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 with a screw opening 230 (not shown for the second embodiment) via which the housing profile 200, and thereby the connection device 100, is to be connected to the wall panel 700 when arranged in the connector groove 711 of the wall panel 700 at one of the corners 701 of the wall panel 700.
Also near the end of each of the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 the housing profile 200 is provided with two opposing screw openings 240 through the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200. These screw openings 240 are provided for screwing a screw therethrough once the connector element 300 of the connection device 100 has been arranged in the groove 210 of the housing profile 200. The screws screwed through these screw openings 240 prevent as such that the connector element 300 can be removed from the groove 210 of the housing profile 200.
At the corner 203 between the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 the housing profile 200 is also provided with two opposing openings 220 through the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200. These openings 220 are provided for allowing a user access to the actuating mechanism 400 of the connection device 100 for operating the actuating mechanism 400 for moving the connector element 300 of the connection device 100. It should be noted that the wall panel 700 is provided through the central frame 710, the front panel 720 and the back panel 730 with openings 740 that correspond to the openings 220 in the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200, such that when the connection device 100 is arranged in the wall panel 700 the actuating mechanism 400 of the connection device 100 can be accessed by the user via the openings 740 in the wall panel 700 and the openings 220 in the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200.
Similar to the housing profile 200 the connector element 300 of the connection device 100 comprises a first arm 301 that extends along the first direction R1 and a second arm 302 that extends along the second direction R2. The connector element 300 is arranged in a single piece, hence the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 are connected to each other. The first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector 300 together form a rectangular corner 303, corresponding to the rectangular corner 203 formed between the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, and corresponding to the rectangular corners 701 of the wall panel 700.
The connector element 300 has two outer corner sides 304, i.e. one outer corner side 304 at each of the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The two outer corner sides 304 are located at the outside of the corner 303 formed by the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, and extend over the corner 303 formed by the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The connector element 300 also has two inner corner sides 305, i.e. one inner corner side 305 at each of the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The two inner corner sides 305 are located at the inside of the corner 303 formed by the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, and extend over the corner 303 formed by the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. Between the inner corner sides 305 the connector element 300 is provided with a chamfer 308, which enlarges the available space in the connector element 300 for arranging the actuating mechanism 400 of the connection device 100 therein, as will be explained in further detail below. As already explained above, the housing profile 200 of the connection device 100 is provided similarly with a chamfer 208 between the inner corner sides 205 of the housing profile 200, which chamfer 208 increases the available space in the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 for accommodating the chamfer 308 of the connector element 300. The connector element 300 also has two side faces 306 that are parallel to the plane formed by the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, and are located on opposing sides of the connector element 300. The connector element 300 also has two end faces 307, i.e. one end face 307 at the end of each of the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300.
The connector element 300 is arranged in the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 and is moveable in the groove 210 between a first position and a second position.
In the first position, as can be seen inFigures 1,2 and9, the connector element 300 is completely positioned inside the groove 210. In this position, when the connection device 100 is arranged in the connector groove 711 at one of the corners 701 of the wall panel 700, the connector element 300 is completely in the wall panel 700, such that wall panel 700 can easily be positioned in the wall frame 800 without being hindered by the connector element 300 protruding from the wall panel 700. In the second position, as can be seenFigures 3,4 and10, the connector element 300 protrudes partially outside of the groove 210 via the exit opening 211 at both the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. In this position, when the connection device 100 is arranged in the connector groove 711 at one of the corners 701 of the wall panel 700, the connector element 300 protrudes from the wall panel 700, such the wall panel 700 can be connected to the wall frame 800 and/or adjacent wall panels 700 by means of the connector element 300 protruding into the connector grooves 711, 811 of the wall frame 800 and/or the adjacent wall panels 700.
The connector element 300 is moveable along a movement direction M that is different from the first direction R1 and the second direction R2. In this way, when the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M between the first position and the second position, the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 are moved together in and out of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 via the exit opening 211 at respectively the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, and this in a single movement. Preferably, as shown in the first embodiment ofFigures 1-8 and the second embodiment ofFigures 9 and10, the movement direction M extends along an angle bisector of the corner 203 formed by the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200, which corresponds to the angle between the first direction R1 and the second direction R2. In this way, when the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M between the first position and the second position, the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 are moved together and in an equal manner in and out of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 via the exit opening 211 at respectively the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200.
In the shown embodiments the actuating mechanism 400 that is operable for moving the connector element 300 is arranged in the connector element 300 at the corner 303 between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. At this part of the connector element 300 sufficient space is available to arrange the actuating mechanism 400, certainly because this part of the connector element 300 is further enlarged by means of the chamfer 308 between the inner corner sides 305 of the connector element 300. This allows to provide the actuating mechanism 400 sufficiently large to allow for a considerable travel of the connector element 300 between the first position of the connector element 300 inside the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 and the second position of the connector element 300 protruding at least partially out of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200, such that in the second position the connector element 210 protrudes sufficiently out of the groove 210 to achieve a good connection between the wall panel 700 provided with the connection device 100 and the wall frame 800 and/or adjacent wall panels 700 in the wall frame 800 by means of the connector element 300 protruding in the connector grooves 711, 811 of the wall frame 800 and/or the adjacent wall panels 700 in the wall frame 700. Positioning the guiding mechanism 400 at this part of the connector element 300 is also beneficial for moving with a single mechanism both the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 simultaneously in a stable manner.
In the first embodiment of the connection device 100 shown inFigures 1-8, the actuating mechanism 400 comprises a rack and pinion gear 420 for moving the connector element 300. To implement the rack and pinion gear 420, the connector element 300 is provided at the corner 303 between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 with a longitudinal slot 421 extending along the movement direction M. The rack 423 of the rack and pinion gear 420 is provided on one of the inner side walls 422 of the longitudinal slot 421 extending along the movement direction M. The pinion 424 of the rack and pinion gear 420 is arranged in the longitudinal slot 421, and is engaged in a rotatable manner with the rack 423 such that a rotation of the pinion 424 causes the movement of the rack 423 along the movement direction M, and correspondingly also the movement of the connector element 300 along the movement direction M. The rotatable pinion 424 is arranged at a fixed position in the housing profile 200 aligned with the openings 220 in the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200, such that the pinion 424 can be rotated through said openings 220 by the user for operating the rack and pinion gear 420 and thus the actuating mechanism 400 for moving the connector element 300. When the pinion 424 is rotated in the clockwise direction, as seen from the viewpoint ofFigures 2 and4, the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M to the first position, as can be seen inFigure 2. In this position the pinion 424 abuts against the end 401 of the longitudinal slot 421 that is located closest to the corner 303 formed between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, which end 401 forms a first stop 401 of the actuating mechanism 400 that corresponds to the first position of the connector element 300. When the pinion 424 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as seen from the viewpoint ofFigures 2 and4, the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M to the second position, as can be seen inFigure 4. In this position the pinion 424 abuts against the end 402 of the longitudinal slot 421 that is located furthest away from the corner 303 formed between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, which end 402 forms a second stop 402 of the actuating mechanism 400 that corresponds to the second position of the connector element 300.
In the second embodiment of the connection device 100 shown inFigures 9 and10, the actuating mechanism 400 comprises a cam mechanism for moving the connector element 300. To implement the cam mechanism, the connector element 300 is provided at the corner 303 between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 with a circular recess 413. A cam element 411 of the cam mechanism is arranged in the circular recess 413. The cam element 411 is rotatable and has a rotation centre that is offset with respect to a centre of the circular recess 413 along the movement direction M such that a rotation of the cam element 411 causes the movement of the circular recess 413 along the movement direction M, and correspondingly also the movement of the connector element 300 along the movement direction M. The rotatable cam element 411 is arranged at a fixed position in the housing profile 200 aligned with the openings 220 in the side faces 206 of the housing profile 200, such that the cam element 411 can be rotated through said openings 220 by the user for operating the cam mechanism and thus the actuating mechanism 400 for moving the connector element 300. When the cam element 411 is rotated in the clockwise direction, as seen from the viewpoint ofFigures 9 and10, the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M to the first position, as can be seen inFigure 9. In this position the cam element 411 abuts against a first inwards protrusion 401 in the circular recess 413, which first inwards protrusion 401 forms a first stop 401 of the actuating mechanism 400 that corresponds to the first position of the connector element 300. When the cam element 411 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as seen from the viewpoint ofFigures 9 and10, the connector element 300 is moved along the movement direction M to the second position, as can be seen inFigure 10. In this position the cam element 411 abuts against a second inwards protrusion 402 in the circular recess 413, which second inwards protrusion 402 forms a second stop 402 of the actuating mechanism 400 that corresponds to the second position of the connector element 300.
The connection device 100 further comprises a guiding mechanism 500 for guiding the movement of the connector element 300 in the groove 210 between the first position and the second position. Therefore, the housing profile 200 is provided with a first guiding protrusion 502 at the first arm 201 of the housing profile 200 and with a second guiding protrusion 504 at the second arm 202 of the housing profile 202. The first guiding protrusion 502 and the second guiding protrusion 504 extend from the bottom of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 along the movement direction M. The first guiding protrusion 502 is located near an end of the first arm 201 of the housing profile 200 that is, in the first direction R1, opposite of the corner 203 formed between the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. The second guiding protrusion 504 is located near an end of the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200 that is, in the second direction R2, opposite of the corner 203 formed between the first arm 201 and the second arm 202 of the housing profile 200. Correspondingly, the connector element 300 is provided with a first guiding slot 501 at the first arm 301 of the connector element 300 and with a second guiding slot 503 at the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The first guiding slot 501 and the second guiding slot 503 extend from the inner corner side 305 of the connector element 300 along the movement direction M. The first guiding slot 501 is located near a free end of the first arm 301 of the connector element 300, which free end is located, in the first direction R1, opposite of the corner 303 formed between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The second guiding slot 503 is located near a free end of the second arm 302 of the connector element 300, which free end is located, in the second direction R2, opposite of the corner 303 formed between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The first guiding protrusion 502 is received in a slideable manner in the first guiding slot 501, such that the movement of the first arm 301 of the connector element 300 is restricted along the movement direction M at its free end while the connector element 300 is being moved at the corner 303 between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 by means of the actuating mechanism 400. The second guiding protrusion 504 is received in a slideable manner in the second guiding slot 503, such that the movement of the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 is restricted along the movement direction M at its free end while the connector element 300 is being moved at the corner 303 between the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300 by means of the actuating mechanism 400. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments the first guiding slot 501 and/or the second guiding slot 503 may also be provided on the housing profile 200, and correspondingly the first guiding protrusion 502 and/or the second guiding protrusion 504 on the connector element 300. It should also be noted that in alternative embodiments it suffices that at least one of the first guiding slot 501 and the first guiding protrusion 502 extend along the movement direction M, and/or that at least one of the second guiding slot 503 and the second guiding protrusion 504 extend along the movement direction M.
The connection device 100 further comprises biasing means 600 that are configured for biasing the connector element 300 in the second position. This reduces the risk of the connector element 300 accidentally moving out of the second position and undoing a connection between the wall panel 700 provided with the connector device 100 and the wall frame 800 and/or adjacent wall panels 700 arranged in the wall frame 800. The biasing means 600 comprises a bow spring 601 at each of the first arm 301 and the second arm 302 of the connector element 300. The bow springs 601 are arranged at the inner corner side 305 of the connector element 300, such that the bow springs 601 are positioned between the connector element 300 and the bottom of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200. The bow springs 601 are configured such that they are compressed between the connector element 300 and the bottom of the groove 210 of the housing profile 200 when the connector element 300 is in the first position and depressed when the connector element 300 is in the second position. As such, when the connector element 300 is in the first position, the compression force of the bow springs 601 forces, i.e. biases, the connector element 300 towards the second position.
In the shown embodiments of the connection device 100 the connection device 100 is a device that is separate from the wall panel 700. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the connection device 100 may however also be integrated with the wall panel 700. This may for example be done by not providing the housing profile 200 as a separate element, but by using the part of the connector groove 711 at one of the corners 701 of the wall panel 700 as the housing profile 200 in which the connector element 300 is arranged directly. Providing the connection device 100 as a separate device is however beneficial for maintenance purposes, since the connection device 100 can then easily be replaced in a wall panel 700.