Link Arrangement

The present invention relates to a link arrangement, preferably for framework sections for awnings.

Curved awnings are arranged on framework sections, each end of these sections being secured to a link arrangement in the nature of a hinge for attachment to the wall of a building or the like. Such link arrangements have hitherto consisted of cast link elements connected by cotter pins or other extra elements which are subsequently bent or locked to the link in some other way. These link elements are expensive and complicated to manufacture, as well as being laborious to assemble.

The object of the present invention is to provide a link arrangement which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as being simple to assemble without extra connecting parts such as cotter pins or the like. According to the invention this is achieved by the link arrangement consisting of two or more link bodies connected together, comprising a part provided with an aperture into which a hooked part of an adjacent link body is inserted, whereupon locking is effected.

Further characteristic features of the present invention are revealed in the following claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a link arrangement according to the invention, seen from above and below, respectively,

FIGS. 2A and 2B are generally opposed perspective views of a first link,

FIGS. 3A and 3B are generally opposed perspective views of a second link,

FIGS. 4A and 4B are generally opposed perspective views of a third link, and

FIG. 5 shows a link arrangement on which framework sections for awnings are arranged.

In the drawings 1, 2, and 3 denote a first, second and third link body. The link body 1 consists of a parallelepipedic body 4 with a flat part 5 arranged along one long side. The body 4 and part 5 together form an L-section. At the opposite long side of the body 4 is a part 6 provided with an aperture, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for instance. The part 6 consists of a flat part the same length as the parallelepipedic body and parallel to said body, a cylindrical rod 7 being provided on the free long side of said flat part. The rod 7 is the same length as the flat part and its axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of said part. A long, narrow aperture 8 is provided on the flat part said aperture defining an eye, close to the cylindrical rod with the flat part 6 divided into a pair of spacers, one to each side of the aperture 8, forming two spacers interconnecting the body 4 and the rod 7. Similarly, the link body 2 consists of a parallelepipedic body 11 provided with an apertured part 12 defining an eye in the same way as for the link body 1. On the long side of the body 11 opposite to that on which the part 12 with aperture is arranged, is a part 15 provided with a hook, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The hooked part 15 consists of a tubular part 16, its axis arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the body 11 and having an internal diameter equal to or slightly exceeding the diameter of said cylindrical rod 7. A slit 17 is provided along the tubular part 16, parallel to its axis. If the link body 2 is viewed from the side, as in FIG. 3A, and the hooked part 15 faces left, the slit 17 is on the lower side of the tubular part, preferably fairly close to the parallelepipedic body 11, so that a hook is formed. The width of the slit exceeds the thickness of the flat part of the part 6 provided with the aperture 8, but is less than the diameter of its cylindrical rod 7. Furthermore, the length of the tubular part 16 in the direction of its axis, and its wall thickness, are such that the hook formed fits into said aperture 8 in the part 6 on an adjacent link body 1. The link body 3 also consists of a parallelepipedic body 19 provided with a hooked part 20 in the same way as for the link body 2. All the link bodies are provided with a recess, respectively 26, 18 and 27. If the various link bodies are viewed from the side, as in FIGS. 2A, 3A and 4A, these recesses face down and extend in the longitudinal direction of the bodies 4, 11 and 19. From these recesses transverse screw holes 9, 10, 28, 29, 30 and 31 are provided in the bodies 4, 11 and 19 to enable framework sections for an awning to be attached, for instance. This application of the link means according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5, where the framework sections are designated 23, 24 and 25. Screw recesses 26 and 27 are arranged in the framework sections, to align with the screw holes in the link bodies.

The link arrangement according to the invention may be manufactured in any desired material. If the arrangement is to be used in awnings for outdoor use, a corrosion-free material such as plastic or aluminium is preferred. Each link body is preferably made in one piece. Manufacture of the link arrangement becomes even simpler and less expensive if the various link bodies are produced in the form of rods which are then cut in desired lengths. This enables manufacturing costs to be halved in comparison with cast bodies.

The link arrangement is assembled by inserting the hooked part 15 or 20 of a link body 2 or 3 into the aperture of part 6 of an adjacent link body 1 to be secured to a wall, for instance, by means of the flat part 5. If a link body 2 is selected, further link bodies 2 or a link body 3 may be connected. The last body in the link change is preferably a link body 3, but a link body 2 is also possible. A hooked part 15 or 20 is slipped over a part 6 from the side. When the hook is above the aperture 8 the bodies can be turned in relation to each other since the hook will then pass through the aperture. A self-locking construction is obtained by selecting the relative dimensions of adjacent parts as described above.

The link arrangement according to the invention has been described for use with framework sections for awnings. However, it should be evident that it can also be used for other applications requiring hingelike link arrangements.