Bracket for Arrangement on an Inner Wall Part of a Climate Control Cabinet, Bracket Assembly, Inner Wall Part for a Climate Control Cabinet, Holding System and Climate Control Cabinet

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2024 129 087.0, filed Oct. 9, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The application relates to a bracket for placement on an inner wall part of a climate chamber, a bracket assembly, an inner wall part for a climate chamber, a retaining system, as well as a climate chamber.

BACKGROUND

In the inner volume of a climate chamber specific climatic conditions can be set. Climate chambers are therefore utilized in many fields, in particular of the natural sciences and technology, for example in order to be able to examine products or samples under given climatic conditions.

In order for the objects disposed in a climate chamber not to be exclusively located on a bottom wall of an inner volume of a climate chamber, climate chambers, as a rule, are provided with intermediate shelves, in particular slide-in shelves. To place the intermediate shelves or other deposition or securement structures in the inner volume of the climate chamber, it is necessary to provide appropriate retaining systems in the inner volume. For the placement of slide-in shelves retaining rails, for example, are frequently disposed on the side walls of the inner volume.

Such retaining systems are disclosed for example in JP 2005 098 575 A, DE 10 2014 201 429 A1 , DE 20 2008 000 887 U1, DE 20 2014 106 052 U1 or DE 10 2008 031 943 A1. These systems are developed in different ways to be flexible such that several feasibilities are provided for their placement in the inner volume of a climate chamber.

However, of disadvantage in these systems is that their production or installation is elaborate and/or that they do not comprise adequate security features against unintentional detachment from an inner wall of the climate chamber. Such unintentional detachment includes failure of the system due to overloading or fatigue or signs of wear.

SUMMARY

The application therefore addresses the problem of providing a subject matter which enables the simple, secure and simultaneously flexible placement of an object in a climate chamber.

According to the application the problem is resolved through a bracket with the characteristics disclosed herein, a bracket assembly with the characteristics disclosed herein, an inner wall part with the characteristics disclosed herein, a retaining system with the characteristics of disclosed herein as well as a climate chamber with the characteristics disclosed herein.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments are disclosed herein.

A bracket for placement on an inner wall part of a climate chamber comprises a base segment and a first retaining segment disposed on the base segment, wherein the base segment comprises a base longitudinal direction and a base transverse direction disposed transversely to the base longitudinal direction. The term “base transverse direction” here and in the following comprises preferably both of the opposite directions of a straight line. The same applies to the term “base longitudinal direction”.

The base segment is preferably intended for the placement of an interface for an object to be retained. Herein preferably a base front side for placing the interface is provided. The base segment can comprise a preferably laminar base body with a, preferably substantially, rectangular base area, wherein side edges of the base area are preferably disposed along the base longitudinal direction and/or the base transverse direction. The formulation “substantially” describes in particular that deviations from the form of an ideal rectangle may be present, such as, for example, rounded-off corners.

The first retaining segment comprises an insertion element to be inserted into the inner wall part and at least one securement element disposed on the insertion element to secure the first retaining segment on the inner wall part. The insertion element is herein disposed on the base segment tilted about a retaining axis parallel to the base transverse direction toward a base rear side of the base segment such that the insertion element and the base rear side are disposed at a retaining angle about the retaining axis of less than 180° with respect to one another. As the base rear side is preferably denoted the side opposite the base front side. The retaining angle is preferably located between a side of the insertion element facing the base rear side and the base rear side.

The at least one securement element and the insertion element are disposed at a securement angle disposed about a securement axis of less than 180° with respect to one another. The at least one securement element can thereby engage behind the inner wall part and thereby secure the bracket against unintentional detachment from the inner wall part. The at least one securement element can herein be disposed at an angle in particular toward the base rear side or away from the base rear side. The effect of the engagement can be augmented by a force exerted at the base front side onto the bracket and the elastic deformation of the bracket entailed therein. The at least one securement element is preferably disposed at an angle toward the base rear side. In particular, if a force acting on the base front side is oriented parallel to the base longitudinal direction such disposition can especially well utilize the subsequently occurring deformation of the bracket for enhancing the engagement. The bracket, in particular the unit comprising the base segment and the insertion element, can be developed as a unitary press-bent part.

The at least one securement element is disposed along the base transverse direction following the insertion element. An especially simple installability and uninstallability and therewith high flexibility of the bracket can therewith be attained. The at least one securement element is preferably disposed such that it directly succeeds the insertion element.

The securement axis is preferably oriented parallel to the base transverse direction. An especially effective action of the at least one securement element can thereby be attained.

In an embodiment, the insertion element comprises at least one projection projecting in the base transverse direction, wherein the at least one securement element is preferably disposed between the at least one projection and the retaining axis.

The at least one securement element is preferably disposed with a first securement element end on the at least one projection. The first securement element end is herein preferably disposed directly on the at least one projection.

It is especially preferred for the at least one securement element to comprise a free second securement element end disposed opposite the first securement element end. The at least one securement element can be disposed at an angle opposite the insertion element such that the second securement element end is disposed projecting from the insertion element.

Between the at least one securement element and the base segment a clearance can be disposed for placing a segment of the inner wall part. The clearance is preferably disposed between the free second securement element end and the base segment.

The retaining angle can be developed to be less than or equal to 105° and greater than or equal to 75°, preferably less than or equal to 95° and greater than or equal to 85° and especially preferred equal to 90°. Through such development of the angle about 90° an especially good installability and uninstallability of the bracket on the inner wall part can be attained.

The securement angle can be developed to be greater than or equal to 135°, preferably greater than or equal to 155°, and especially preferred greater than or equal to 165° and less than or equal to 175°. With such development of the securement angle, on the one hand, good installability and uninstallability of the bracket on or from the inner wall part be attained. On the other hand, in this angular range the secure engaging behind the inner wall part by the at least one securement element, in particular through the second securement element end, can be attained.

In a further development a first, in the case of two securement elements, of the at least one securement element is disposed in the base transverse direction opposite a second securement element of the at least one securement element. The insertion element can therein be disposed between the first securement element and the second securement element. The insertion element can be developed in the form of a T with a longitudinal piece and a transverse piece. The longitudinal piece is herein with an end facing away from the transverse piece disposed preferably on the base segment. The at least one projection can in each case form an end of the transverse piece. The first securement element and the second securement can each be disposed on the transverse piece, preferably in each case on one side of the transverse piece facing the base segment.

In an embodiment, the bracket comprises a second retaining segment, wherein the second retaining segment is disposed on the base segment opposite the first retaining segment in the base longitudinal direction. The second retaining segment is preferably provided for placement on the inner wall part.

The second retaining segment with respect to the base segment can comprise a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the distal segment is preferably disposed parallel offset to the base segment. The proximal segment is preferably disposed, on the one hand, bordering the base segment and, on the other hand, bordering the distal segment. The proximal segment is therewith preferably developed as a connection element between the base segment and the distal segment. The distal segment can comprise with respect to the base segment an offset in the direction toward the base rear side. The distal segment in addition, is preferably disposed along the base longitudinal direction free of overlap offset to the base segment. The insertion element and the distal segment are preferably disposed on the same side of the base segment. The parallel offset disposition of the distal segment can be realized in particular thereby that the second retaining segment is disposed such that it is arcuated in the form of an S with respect to the base segment. The second retaining segment can be part of the unit of the bracket developed as a unitary press-bent part. The second retaining segment, in particular the distal segment, is provided for insertion into the inner wall part.

A bracket assembly comprises a previously described bracket and a retaining rail, wherein the retaining rail is disposed on a base front side of the base segment opposite to the base rear side of the base segment of the bracket. The bracket assembly preferably comprises at least two, especially preferably at least three, brackets. Each of the brackets preferably comprises the cited features of the previously described bracket.

An inner wall part for a climate chamber comprises a wall longitudinal direction and a

wall transverse direction disposed transversely to the wall longitudinal direction. Analogously to the meaning of the terms “base longitudinal direction” and “base transverse direction” the terms “wall longitudinal direction” and “wall transverse direction” comprise here and in the following preferably in each case both of the directions opposite to one another of a straight line.

The inner wall part comprises further at least one slotted strip oriented along the wall longitudinal direction with a multiplicity of slots for receiving a, in particular previously described, bracket as well as a wall segment bordering in the wall transverse direction the at least one slotted strip. The suitability of the slots for receiving the bracket can be realized such that each of the slots is suitable for receiving the first retaining segment. Each of the slots is preferably additionally suited for receiving the second retaining segment. The suitability for receiving the first retaining segment or the second retaining segment can be given in particular through appropriate dimensions of the slots.

The slots are oriented in the at least one slotted strip parallel to the wall transverse direction and are disposed succeeding one another along the wall longitudinal direction. Thereby flexibility in the disposition of the bracket, in particular in the wall longitudinal direction, can be attained. The inner wall part can comprise several of the at least one slotted strip.

The at least one slotted strip comprises a reinforcement such that a strip wall thickness of the at least one slotted strip is greater than a wall thickness of the wall segment. In particular a secure disposition of the bracket on the inner wall part can thereby be enabled.

In an embodiment, the inner wall part comprises a wall plate with a front-side wall part and a rear-side wall part, wherein the rear-side wall part is formed thereby that at least one side segment of the wall plate is arcuated to one rear side of the front-side wall part, wherein the reinforcement is formed thereby that an end segment of the at least one side segment is disposed in contact with a rear side on the at least one slotted strip. The inner wall part can be developed as a unitary press-bent part. The at least one side segment, in particular the end segment, can be disposed parallel to the wall longitudinal direction. Therewith the at least one side segment and in particular the end segment can preferably be disposed parallel to the at least one slotted strip.

In a further development, a profile segment of the at least one side segment is disposed spaced apart from the front-site wall part. The profile segment can therewith be developed as a rear-side rib of the inner wall part. By means of the profile segment in this way a stiffening of the inner wall part can be attained. The profile segment is preferably disposed parallel to the wall longitudinal direction. In addition, the profile segment can be developed in the form of a U. The profile segment is preferably disposed such that it borders on the end segment and the front-side wall part.

A retaining system comprises a previously described bracket or a previously described bracket assembly as well as a previously described inner wall part. The bracket is therein disposed with the first retaining segment in at least one of the slots such that the inner wall part is disposed between the base segment and the at least one securement element.

A climate chamber comprises a previously described inner wall part or a previously described retaining system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiment examples will be explained by reference to the following Figures. Therein depict:

FIG. 1 a first perspective view of an embodiment example of a bracket assembly,

FIG. 2 a second perspective view of the embodiment example depicted in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a side view of the embodiment example depicted in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 a cutout of a front view of the embodiment example depicted in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 a perspective front view of an embodiment example of an inner wall part,

FIG. 6 a perspective rear view of the embodiment example depicted in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 a view of an embodiment example of a tray of a climate chamber with details marked A and B,

FIG. 8 an enlarged view of the detail marked A in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 an enlarged view of the detail marked B in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 a perspective view of the detail marked B in FIG. 7,

FIG. 11 a perspective view of the detail marked A in FIG. 7,

FIG. 12 a perspective view of an embodiment example of a climate chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The FIGS. 1 to 12 show different views of various embodiment examples. For the sake of clarity not all reference symbols are applied in every Figure. For same and functionally same parts the same reference symbols are utilized.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of an embodiment example of a bracket assembly 10. The bracket assembly 10 comprises preferably several brackets 12 for placement on an inner wall part 14 of a climate chamber 16 as well as a retaining rail 18. Embodiment examples of the inner wall part 14 and of the climate chamber 16 are depicted in FIGS. 5, 6, and 12.

The features of each of the brackets 12 can be explained in particular by reference to the depictions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the brackets 12 comprises a base segment 20 and a first retaining segment 22 disposed in the base segment 20, wherein the base segment 20 comprises a base longitudinal direction 24 and a base transverse direction 26 disposed transversely to the base longitudinal direction 24. The base segment 20 is preferably provided for the placement of the retaining rail 18. The base segment 20 can comprise a laminar base body 28 with a substantially rectangular base area, wherein side edges 30 of the base area are preferably disposed along the base longitudinal direction 24 and the base transverse direction 26.

The base segment 20 can comprise a base front side 32 and a base rear side 34 disposed opposite the base front side 32, wherein preferably one of the laminar sides of the base segment 20 is disposed on the base front side 32 and one of the laminar sides of the base segment 20 is disposed on the base rear side 34. The retaining rail 18 in each instance is disposed on the base front side 32 of the base segment 20 of the particular bracket 12.

The first retaining segment 22 comprises an insertion element 36 for the insertion into the inner wall part 14 and preferably a first securement element 38 and a second securement element 39 disposed on the insertion element 36 for securing the first retaining segment 22 on the inner wall part 14. The insertion element 36 is herein disposed on the base segment 20 at a tilt toward the base rear side 34 of the base segment 20 about a retaining axis 40 oriented parallel to the base transverse direction 26 such that the insertion element 36 and the base rear side 34 are disposed at a retaining angle 42 disposed about the retaining axis 40 of preferably 90° with respect to one another. The retaining angle 42 is preferably disposed between a side, facing the base rear side 34, of the insertion element 36 and the base rear side 34. The retaining axis 40 is disposed perpendicularly to the depiction plane selected in FIG. 3 and is here represented as a dot accordingly.

The two securement elements 38, 39 and the insertion element 36 are each disposed with respect to one another at a securement angle 46 about a securement axis 44 which angle is preferably developed to be greater than or equal to 165° and less than or equal to 175°. The securement axis 44 is herein preferably oriented parallel to the base transverse direction 26. According to the depiction of the retaining axis 40 the securement axis 44, due to its disposition and the view selected in FIG. 3 is depicted in FIG. 3 as a dot. In the depiction of FIG. 4 the securement axis 44 is obscured by the retaining axis 40. As shown in the depiction in FIG. 3 both securement elements 38, 39 are preferably disposed tilted at an angle toward the base rear side 34. Implementations are also conceivable in which both securement elements 38, 39 are tilted at an angle away from the base rear side 34, or one of the securement elements 38, 39 tilted at an angle toward the base rear side 34 and the other of the securement elements 38, 39 is tilted at an angle away from the base rear side 34. As in particular FIG. 4 shows each of the securement elements 38, 39 can be disposed along the base transverse direction 26 on the insertion element 36 in direct succession.

As, aside from the depiction of FIG. 3, in particular the depiction of FIG. 11 shows, the insertion element 36 can comprise two projections 48, which are preferably developed such that they project along the base transverse direction in opposite directions. The insertion element 36 can be developed in the form of a T with a longitudinal piece 50 and a transverse piece 52. The two ends of the transverse piece 52 are herein preferably formed by the two projections 48. The longitudinal piece 50 is preferably disposed with an end facing away from the transverse piece 52 on the base segment 20.

Each of the securement elements 38, 39 preferably comprises a first securement element end 54 and a free second securement element end 56 disposed opposite the first securement element end 54. Each of the securement elements 38, 39 is preferably disposed with the particular first securement element end 54 directly on one of the projections 48. The first securement element 38 and the second securement element 39 can thus be disposed on the transverse piece 52. The securement elements 38, 39 are preferably each disposed on a side facing the base segment 20 of the transverse piece 52 such that each securement element 38, 39 is disposed between the particular projection 48 and the retaining axis 40 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 shows that the first securement element 38 can be disposed in the base transverse direction 26 opposite the second securement element 39 such that the insertion element 36 is disposed between the first securement 38 and the second securement element 39.

As in particular FIG. 3 shows, the second securement element end 56 can be developed as a free securement element end. Between the second securement element end 56 and the base segment 20 in each instance can be disposed a clearance 58 for placing a segment of the inner wall part 14 (see also FIGS. 8 and 9).

As in particular FIGS. 2 to 4 show, each of the brackets 12 can comprise a second retaining segment 60, wherein the second retaining segment 60 is disposed on the base segment 20 opposite the first retaining segment 22 in the base longitudinal direction 24. The second retaining segment 60 is preferably provided for placement on the inner wall part 14, preferably for insertion into the inner wall part 14.

With reference to the base segment 20, the second retaining segment 60 can comprise a proximal segment 62 and a distal segment 64, wherein the distal segment 64 is preferably disposed such that it is parallel offset with respect to the base segment 20. The proximal segment 62 is preferably disposed such that, on the one hand, it borders the base segment 20 and, on the other hand, borders the distal segment 64. The proximal segment 62 is therewith preferably developed as a connection element between the base segment 20 and the distal segment 64.

The distal segment 64 can comprise with respect to the base segment 20 an offset 66 in the direction of the base rear side 34 (see FIG. 3). In addition, the distal segment 64 is preferably disposed along the base longitudinal direction 24 free of overlap offset with respect to the base segment 20. The insertion element 36 and the distal segment 64 are preferably disposed on the same side of the base segment 20, namely the base rear side 34. Such parallel offset disposition of the distal segment 64 can in particular be realized thereby that the second retaining segment 60 is disposed with respect to the base segment 20 arcuated in the form of an S (see FIG. 3). In particular the depiction in FIG. 3 illustrates in addition that each of the brackets 12 and the retaining rail 18 can each be developed as a unitary press-bent part.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 an embodiment example of an inner wall part 14 for the climate chamber 16 is represented. The inner wall part 14 comprises a wall longitudinal direction 68 and a wall transverse direction 70 disposed transversely to the wall longitudinal direction 68. The inner wall part 14 can comprise two slotted strips 72 oriented along the wall longitudinal direction 68 with a multiplicity of slots 74 for receiving the bracket 12. The slots 74 are oriented in the particular slotted strip 72 parallel to the wall transverse direction 70 and disposed along the wall longitudinal direction 68 following one another in succession. The inner wall part 14 moreover comprises a wall segment 76 bordering on the slotted strips 72 in the wall transverse direction 70.

Each of the slotted strips 72 comprises a reinforcement such that a strip wall thickness of the particular slotted strip 72 is greater than a wall thickness of the wall segment 76 (see representation in FIG. 8).

The inner wall part 14 preferably comprises a wall plate 82 with a front-side wall part 84 and a rear-side wall part 86, wherein the rear-side wall part 86 is formed thereby that in each instance a side segment 88 of the wall plate 82 is arcuated onto a rear side of the front-side wall part 84. The inner wall part 14 can be developed as a unitary press-bent part. The reinforcement is preferably formed thereby that an end segment 90 of each particular side segment 88 is disposed such that an end segment 90 of the particular side segment 88 is in contact on the rear side on the particular slotted strips 72. The particular side segment 88, in particular the end segment 90, can be disposed parallel to the wall longitudinal direction 68. Therewith the side segments 88, and in particular the end segments 90 are preferably disposed parallel to the slotted strips 72.

As FIG. 6 shows, each of the side segments 88 can comprise a profile segment 92. The profile segment 92 is preferably disposed such that it is spaced apart from the front-side wall part 84. The profile segment 92 can therewith form a rear-side rib of the inner wall part 14 and can additionally rigidify the inner wall part 14. The profile segment 92 can be disposed parallel to the wall longitudinal direction 68 and is preferably disposed such that it borders on the end segment 90 and the front-side wall part 84. The profile segment 92 can furthermore be developed in form of a U.

FIG. 7 shows a tray 94 of the climate chamber 16 with two retaining systems 96, each comprising the inner wall part 14, wherein on each of the inner wall parts 14 a multiplicity of bracket assemblies 10 is disposed. In particular FIGS. 8 to 11 show that the particular bracket 12 is disposed with the first retaining segment 22 in each instance in one of the slots 74 such that the inner wall part 14 is disposed between the base segment 20 and the securement elements 38, 39 of the particular bracket 12. The particular bracket 12, moreover, can be disposed with the second retaining segment 60 in one of the further slots 74, preferably such that the distal segment 64 engages behind the inner wall part 14. Each of the brackets 12 is preferably disposed exclusively on one of the slotted strips 72.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate that the suitability of the slots 74 for receiving the brackets 12 can be realized such that each of the slots 74 is suitable for receiving the first retaining segment 22 and the second retaining segment 60. The suitability for receiving the retaining segments 22, 60 can be given in particular through the appropriate dimensions of the slots 74.

The securement elements 38 are preferably tilted at an angle toward the base rear side 34. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate herein that the securement elements 38, 39 therewith can engage behind the inner wall part 14 and can therewith protect the particular bracket 12 against unintentional detachment from the inner wall part 14. In particular by reference to the representations in FIGS. 8 and 9 it is in the process understandable that from a force exerted on the base front side 32, for example on the retaining rail 18, along the base longitudinal direction 24 can result an elastic deformation of the bracket 12 such that the free second securement element ends 56 raise up further in the direction of the second retaining segment 60 and that therewith the effect of the engaging-behind can be enhanced.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

• • 10 Bracket assembly
  • 12 Bracket
  • 14 Inner wall part
  • 16 Climate chamber
  • 18 Retaining rail
  • 20 Base segment
  • 22 First retaining segment
  • 24 Base longitudinal direction
  • 26 Base transverse direction
  • 28 Base body
  • 30 Side edge
  • 32 Base front side
  • 34 Base rear side
  • 36 Insertion element {shown only in FIG. 11}
  • 38 First securement element
  • 39 Second securement element
  • 40 Retaining axis
  • 42 Retaining angle
  • 44 Securement axis
  • 46 Securement angle
  • 48 Projection
  • 50 Longitudinal piece
  • 52 Transverse piece
  • 54 First securement element end {shown only in FIG. 3}
  • 56 Second securement element end {shown only in FIG. 3}
  • 58 Clearance {shown only in FIG. 3}
  • 60 Second retaining segment
  • 62 Proximal segment {shown only in FIG. 3}
  • 64 Distal segment
  • 66 Offset
  • 68 Wall longitudinal direction
  • 70 Wall transverse direction
  • 72 Slotted strip
  • 74 Slot(s)
  • 76 Wall segment
  • 82 Wall plate
  • 84 Front-side wall part
  • 86 Rear-side wall part
  • 88 Side segment
  • 90 End segment
  • 92 Profile segment
  • 94 Tray
  • 96 Retaining system
  • 98 Sample support