# US 10,480,558 B2 · Connecting device and method for fixing a connecting element to or in a component > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,558 B2 - Document ID: US10480558B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/398,876 - Filed: 2017-01-05 - Published: 2017-04-27 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-08 - Assignees: Lamello AG - Applicants: Lamello AG - Inventors: Patrick Jeker; Philipp Seiler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480558B2 ## CPC - F16B 12/20: using clamps, clips, wedges, sliding bolts, or the like - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract In order to create a connecting device for fixing and/or connecting objects or components, in particular for connecting furniture or machine parts, which connecting device comprises one or more connecting elements which are easily and reliably fixable in or to one or more components, it is proposed that the connecting device comprise at least one connecting element which is fixable in or to a component and comprises the following: a main body and one or more securing elements, wherein the one or more securing elements are formed in one piece with the main body in an initial position of the connecting device, wherein the one or more securing elements are detachable from the main body by destroying a predetermined break-away region between the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements and wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are moveable from the initial position into a securing position for the purposes of fixing the main body in or to the component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connecting device for fixing and/or connecting components or objects, or for fixing and/or connecting furniture or machine parts, wherein at least one connecting element of the connecting device is fixable in or to a component, the connecting element comprising: a main body having one or more holes; and one or more securing elements, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are formed in one piece with the main body in an initial position of the connecting device, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are detachable from the main body by destroying a predetermined break-away region between the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are moveable in relation to the one or more holes from the initial position into a securing position for the purposes of fixing the main body in or to the component, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are cylindrically shaped, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements having a top end diameter and a bottom end diameter, wherein the one or more holes are cylindrically shaped, wherein the one or more holes having an entrance diameter, an exit diameter, and a center diameter, and wherein the top end diameter and the bottom end diameter of the one or the plurality of securing elements are less than or equal to the entrance diameter, the exit diameter, and the center diameter of the one or more holes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element comprises one or more securing elements in the form of locking pins or security bolts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a guide section by means of which and/or along which the one or the plurality of securing elements are guidable or conveyable from the initial position into the securing position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connecting device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the guide section is formed by one or more through openings in the main body within which the one or the plurality of securing elements are guided or led. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements project out of one or more through openings of the main body in the initial position and/or in the securing position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements project out of one or more through openings of the main body in mutually different directions in the initial position in a first direction and in the securing position in a second direction, and wherein said first direction is a different direction as compared to said second direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predetermined break-away region between the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements is recessed in the main body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements are in the form of a one piece injection moulded component in the initial position of the one or the plurality of securing elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a bearing section upon which there is placeable an operating device by means of which the one or the plurality of securing elements are moveable from the initial position into the securing position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connecting device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the bearing section comprises one or more annular recesses which are arranged, concentrically and/or coaxially around the one or the plurality of securing elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body is insertible in a direction of insertion into a groove which is provided in or on the component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connecting device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are movable transversely and at an angle or perpendicularly to the direction of insertion for the purposes of fixing said elements in the securing position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a curved bearing surface which is in the form of an arc of a circle in a longitudinal section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body comprises one or more non-self-cutting retaining projections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connecting device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the one or the plurality of non-self-cutting retaining projections each have a curved supporting surface which is in the form of an arc of a circle in a longitudinal section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element is arrangeable substantially entirely in a groove of the component so that the at least one connecting element does not project beyond a contact surface of the component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The connecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a connecting section for connecting the connecting element to a further connecting element and/or to an object. ### Claim 18 A method of fixing a connecting element of a connecting device to or in a component, the method comprising: providing a connecting element of a connecting device which comprises a main body having one or more holes and one or more securing elements, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are provided and are formed in one piece with the main body in an initial position of the connecting device; arranging the connecting element on or in a component and inserting the connecting element into a groove that is provided in the component; destroying a predetermined break-away region between the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements for the purposes of detaching the one or the plurality of securing elements from the main body; and moving, in relation to the one or more holes, the one or the plurality of securing elements from the initial position into a securing position for the purposes of fixing the main body of the connecting element to or in the component, or in the groove, wherein the one or the plurality of securing elements are cylindrically shaped, the one or the plurality of securing elements having a top end diameter and a bottom end diameter, the one or more holes are cylindrically shaped, the one or more holes having an entrance diameter, an exit diameter, and a center diameter, and the top end diameter and the bottom end diameter of the one or the plurality of securing elements are less than or equal to the entrance diameter, the exit diameter, and the center diameter of the one or more holes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the main body and the one or the plurality of securing elements of the connecting element are manufactured in one piece with one another in an injection moulding process, or in a plastics material injection moulding process. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the predetermined break-away region is destroyed and the one or the plurality of securing elements are moved from the initial position into the securing position by a single actuation of the one or the plurality of securing elements, or by applying an actuating force directed in a securing direction.