# US 10,501,982 B2 · Plug-in connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,982 B2 - Document ID: US10501982B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/509,325 - Filed: 2015-09-08 - Published: 2017-09-14 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-08 - Applicants: Ralf M. Kronenberg - Inventors: Ralf M. Kronenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501982B2 ## CPC - E06B 3/667: Connectors therefor - E06B 3/66314: {of tubular shape (E06B3/66323 and E06B3/66333 take precedence)} - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A plug-in connector (1), for warm edge hollow profiles (2) of spacers of insulating glazing, has a base with side walls (6) at the edges. A plurality of retaining elements (15) formed as spring lugs are arranged on the outer side of the base (bottom) (5) in a single central row on each of both sides of the center (3) of the plug-in connector (1). Starting from the base (5), the retaining elements are directed obliquely outwards towards the adjacent hollow profile base (28) and towards the connector center (3). The retaining elements (15) are in each case arranged in a sunken base region (13) on the outer side of the base (5) that adjoins a raised, plate-like base region (11) arranged in the region of the center (3). Laterally obliquely outwardly directed resilient retaining elements (18,19) are arranged at the free edge region (7) of the side walls (6). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plug-in connector for hollow sections having a hollow section wall of spacers of an insulating glazing, the plug-in connector comprising: a bottom with recessed bottom areas and a raised, plate-shaped bottom area arranged in an area of a center, the recessed bottom areas adjoining the raised, plate-shaped bottom area; side walls at bottom edges; a plurality of bottom-side retaining elements, each of the bottom-side retaining elements being configured as a spring boss and arranged on an outside at the bottom in a single central row on both sides of the center of the plug-in connector, wherein said bottom-side retaining elements are directed, starting from the bottom, obliquely outwardly towards the adjacent hollow section wall and towards the center of the connector, wherein the bottom-side retaining elements are arranged on the outside of the bottom in the recessed bottom areas; and laterally obliquely outwardly directed, resilient, lateral retaining elements arranged at a free edge area of the side walls, said resilient, lateral retaining elements having a wedge shape with a straight front edge, said straight front edge being directed at right angles to the bottom and said wedge shape broadening in a direction towards the center. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom-side retaining elements have a concavely bent front edge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom-side retaining elements have a mutually identical configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom has on the outside a raised, rib-shape bottom area arranged in the area of bottom ends. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the raised bottom areas on the outside have a groove- shape, axial recess. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lateral retaining elements are configured as spring bosses, which start from the side wall and are directed each towards the center. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein a wall opening is arranged beneath the lateral retaining elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lateral retaining elements have a straight top edge, which is directed in parallel to the bottom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the lateral retaining elements comprise center adjacent lateral retaining elements located directly adjacent to the center and one or more following lateral retaining elements following the center adjacent lateral retaining elements in a direction of a respective front side; and the center adjacent lateral retaining elements are smaller and more flexurally rigid than the following retaining element or following retaining elements following in the direction of the respective front side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector is configured as a straight connector with flush connector legs arranged on both sides of the center. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a central stop with fixed stop elements or resilient stop elements or both fixed and resilient stop elements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 11, wherein the central stop is arranged on one or both longitudinal sides of the plug-in connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 11, wherein the stop elements are configured as laterally bent spring bosses directed against each other in pairs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a laterally beveled bottom lip projecting axially over the side walls and a bevel on the front edges of the side walls. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector has a U-shaped or box-shaped cross section with open front sides and with an inner free cavity for the passage of granules. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector is configured as a stamping and bending part from steel plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector according to claim 1 in combination with the hollow sections comprising the hollow section wall to form a plug-in connection for a hollow spacer of an insulating glazing, wherein the plug-in connection has front-side hollow section ends. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A plug-in connection in accordance with claim 17, wherein the hollow section ends at a hollow section bottom have a central axial row of perforations, which is received in the recesses of the plug-in connector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A plug-in connection in accordance with claim 17, wherein the hollow section ends at the hollow section bottom have non-central axial rows of perforations, which are received in recesses of the plug-in connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A plug-in connection in accordance with claim 17, wherein the front-side hollow section ends each comprise a warm-edge hollow section configured as a combined section consisting of plastic and metal. ### Claim 21 A plug-in connector for hollow sections for insulating glazing, the plug-in connector comprising: a bottom with recessed bottom areas and a raised, plate-shaped bottom area arranged in an area of a center, the recessed bottom areas adjoining the raised, plate-shaped bottom area; side walls at bottom edges; a central stop with fixed stop elements or resilient stop elements or both fixed stop elements and resilient stop elements; a plurality of bottom-side retaining elements, each of the bottom-side retaining elements being configured as a spring boss and arranged on an outside at the bottom in a single central row on both sides of the central stop, wherein said bottom-side retaining elements are directed, starting from the bottom, obliquely outwardly towards the adjacent hollow section wall and towards the center of the connector, wherein the bottom-side retaining elements are arranged on the outside of the bottom in the recessed bottom areas; and a plurality of lateral retaining elements, each of the lateral retaining element being laterally obliquely outwardly directed and being resilient and arranged at a free edge area of one of the side walls, said lateral retaining elements each having a wedge shape with a straight front edge, said straight front edge being directed at right angles to the bottom and said wedge shape broadening in a direction towards the center. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A plug-in connector according to claim 21, in combination with the hollow sections comprising the hollow section wall to form a plug-in connection for a hollow spacer of an insulating glazing, wherein the plug-in connection has front-side hollow section ends.