STAND FOR SUPPORTING YARN BOBBINS WITH INTER-PENETRATING STRUT JOINTS

The invention relates to a stand according to the preamble part of claim 1.

Such stands, mainly yarn bobbin stands or yarn bobbin creels or feeder stands are extensively used e.g. in the textile industry, e.g. in weaving and knitting mills in order to place and position accessory devices for weaving and knitting machines. Such accessory devices may be yarn bobbins which are mounted on bobbin holders fixed to the stand, yarn eyelets, sensors and other accessory devices useful for controlling the yarn when withdrawn from the yarn bobbins, compartment separation plates which separate adjacent yam bobbin holders in the creel, as well as yarn feeders which are normally fixed directly onto the struts of the stand. In many cases, a stand for placing the yarn bobbins is placed on the floor in the vicinity of another stand carrying the yarn feeders. Stands are, compared with the textile machines themselves and the yarn feeders, relatively cheap equipment which nonetheless have to fulfil relatively high standards in terms of durability, robustness and versatility. Since assembled stands require huge storage and transport space, they usually consist of prefabricated stand components and are thus shipped in unassembled condition. Usually, the struts of the stands are iron hollow profiles, in many cases square or round profiles which have a surface treatment like zinc-plating or sprayed-on zinc, because the environment in textile mills, where often a plurality of stands are used, is extremely aggressive to iron (corrosion). Usually, in textile mills a relatively high humidity is artificially produced which is needed for the proper operation of the textile machines and the handling of the yarn. Moreover, unavoidable lint is permanently produced by the processing of the yarn, which lint tends to collect and contaminate everywhere. Finally, many yarn qualities are treated by so called avivage (chemical) substances, which also tend to stick to the surfaces of the stands. The combination of humidity, lint and aggressive substances leads inevitably to a quick corrosion of the stands, if the stands are not well surface treated. An additional corrosion risk for the stands is a disadvantageous environment during shipment, e.g. long sea-freights (salt-water air). For these reasons there is an increasing need for durable and robust stands, which can be produced for lower costs and can be easily assembled at the customer and yet become stable and durable enough for long-term use. Of particular importance is that the joints at the comers and at the nodal points of the framework structure of the stand can be easily assembled and will perform stably

during long-term use of the stand, despite the "tough" working conditions in textile mills. Furthermore, mounting and assembling auxiliary components at the stand, and adjusting components of the stand should be as few and as simple as possible.

It is common technique, as known from DE 1953 7572 A, and as shown in Fig. 1 , to form the comers and the nodal points of the stand by means of fittings which are welded onto the respective strut or directly by welded joints. The compartment separation plates are fixed to the struts by relatively complicated clamping components.

The same technique is used for the stand as known from WO 97/13715 A.

However, prefabricated welded joints result in bulky units of several interconnected struts. Fittings which are welded to a strut for later assembling on the corners and the nodal points between the struts as well have severe drawbacks. This is because the struts are already surface-treated e.g. by zinc plating or sprayed-on zinc before the welding is carried out. The welding process, however, destroys the protective behaviour or properties of the surface treatment locally, resulting in the fact that these areas tend to corrode very quickly, which of course is not acceptable. For this reason, after the welding operation, an after- treatment becomes necessary in order to mend the destroyed protective behaviour of the surface treatment. Such an after-treatment is time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, creating the comers and the nodal points by means of welded-on fittings and clamping components is labour-intensive and needs particular skill to assemble the stand at the site of the customer (user).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stand of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which can be produced for fair (low) costs and which is easy to assemble.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Forming joint cut-outs by laser-cutting results in very precise cut-outs which fit accurately within each other, without after-machining of the edges of the laser-cut cut-outs, when the struts are put together by inter-penetration and provide practically a form-fit. The comers or nodal points are very stable already by the precise dimensions of the laser cut-outs such that hardly any play or clearance occurs between interconnected struts.

The corner or nodal point then is firmly fixed by the securing element, preferably a conventional screw co-acting with a screw-retainer, e.g. a threaded plate-like member or just a conventional nut. The assembling procedure is easy and can be carried out by fairly unskilled personnel at the site of the user. Since a welding process, which would destroy the protective properties of the surface treatment of the struts is avoided, a surface after- treatment of the stand components is avoided. Laser-cutting can be carried out for fair costs such that the necessary stand components can be produced at lower costs and yet have long durability, because the laser-cutting process, which is usually carried out in a by inert-gas oxygen-protected environment, does not affect the protective surface coating or zinc-plating of the "unmachined surfaces" of the struts. As a matter of fact, it has turned out that zinc ions seep out from the zinc-plated surfaces by time into the cut surfaces of the cut-outs obtained by the laser-cutting and in this way provide a sufficient surface protection even there which remains over the whole normal lifetime of the stand. Furthermore, weight can be saved to a significant extent because the relatively heavy (welded-on) fittings used in the prior art are dispensed with, which is an important factor with a view to lowering the transport costs of the stand components to the customer.

A preferred embodiment has a comer formed of two equally dimensioned square struts by using essentially equally dimensioned square joint cut-outs. When assembling the corner the square joint cut-outs are put within each other such that both struts interpenetrate each other to an extent such that the respective strut walls become flush with each other. The fixing of the tensioning screw optimally stabilises the corner. The square joint cut-outs can be easily made by laser-cutting with very precise dimensions (narrow tolerances) and distinct but yet smooth cutting edges.

In a further preferred embodiment a spacer sleeve is placed on the tensioning screw which eliminates the risk of buckling of the walls of the hollow struts under the load of the tensioning screw. A corner can thus stand relatively high load.

In a further preferred embodiment a C-shaped threaded screw retainer is provided outside of one strut in order to pull the struts firmly into each other under the tightening load of the tensioning screw. Preferably, the retainer C-leg ends engage into slots also formed by laser-cutting in the strut wall such that the retainer is firmly secured in place and additionally reinforces the comer structure. The retainer even may be formed by laser- cutting and bending.

In order not to weaken the strength of the struts too much, it may be expedient to continue the square joint cut-out by slots, into which the walls of the other strut may engage in order to further stabilise the comer structure.

In another preferred embodiment a corner or a nodal point of the stand between a square strut and a round strut the square strut has a generally semi-circular joint cut-out allowing to nest or house the round strut in the cut-out during assembly. The semicircular extending edges of the semi-circular joint cut-out are formed with protruding edge portions which then engage in correspondingly formed slot-shaped joint cut-outs in the round strut before the tensioning screw fixes the comer or nodal point structure. In any case practically a form-fit is achieved between the interconnected struts, which stabilises the corner or nodal point structure significantly. The tensioning screw could penetrate both struts for securing purposes. However, expediently a threaded screw retainer is inserted into the round strut for anchoring the tensioning screw safely.

In another embodiment the retainer for the tensioning screw is an integrally formed closure plug which is inserted into the free end of the round strut. The closure plug results in a neat, elegant appearance of the corner or nodal point structure and, additionally, prevents lint or contamination from easily entering inside.

In a preferred embodiment there are further generally semi-circular joint cut-outs formed in the front wall and/or in another wall of the square strut wherever a nodal point has to be assembled. The weakening caused by the semi-circular cut-out in the square strut is minimised after assembly, because the round strut completely fills the cavity of the cut-out.

In another preferred embodiment a butt-joint nodal point is formed of two differently dimensioned square struts such that the free end of the smaller-dimensioned square strut has protruding edge portions fitting and engaging into slot-shaped joint cut-outs in the rear strut wall of the other bigger-dimensioned strut. Moreover, the bigger-dimensioned strut has a joint cut-out with the shape of a square window for inserting the free end of the smaller-dimensioned strut. After assembly, practically a form-fit is produced between both struts, until the nodal point structure finally is fixed by the tensioning screw. For anchoring the tensioning screw in the smaller-dimensioned strut and for firmly pulling the smaller- dimensioned strut into the nodal point structure a retainer is used which is also connected

by a form-fit with the smaller-dimensioned square strut. The retainer may be a laser-cut plate with protruding edge portions, which engage into laser-cut slot-shaped joint cut-outs of the smaller-dimensioned strut.

In order to facilitate the assembly it is expedient that the smaller-dimensioned square strut has for example three edge portions, each of which extends essentially symmetrically around a respective comer of the square strut. The slot-shaped joint cut-outs in the bigger- dimensioned strut are provided correspondingly such that the smaller-dimensioned strut only can be assembled in just one, correct position.

In order to achieve a lightweight but rigid fixation of a compartment separation plate, a similar technique is applied. The strut serving to fix the compartment separation plate has joint cut-outs formed by laser-cutting, as well as the separation plate itself in case it is made of metal (normally, however, it is made of a plastic, preferably transparent material). By assembling both components such that the joint cut-outs inter-penetrate each other, a firm but simple connection is achieved which can be secured or locked by a clamped-on securing clamp, which has the additional function of "hiding" and closing the cut-out.

In a preferred embodiment the strut where the compartment separation plate is mounted, may be square or round. The joint cut-out is constituted by a slot as wide as the separation plate is thick. The slot extends perpendicularly to the axis of the strut. Two sideward joint cut-outs, each with the form of a square window merge with the slot such that an essentially rectangular tongue is formed in the wall of the strut, over which tongue the joint cut-out in the separation plate can be hung up in order to achieve a good connection between the strut and the separation plate. The joint-securing clamp can be fixed without using screws and will prevent that the separation plate inadvertently falls out from the strut, and will cover the joint cut-out against the intrusion of lint or other contamination. Also in this case, a neat and elegant appearance or design is achieved.

In another preferred embodiment the framework structure includes length-adjustable struts combined of two coaxial and telescopically co-acting strut sections. Also in this case the laser-cutting technique is used in order to obtain the respective joint cut-outs, facilitating the assembly and allowing to easily adjust the length of the strut at any point of time.

In a further preferred embodiment, the length-adjustable strut structure is reinforced by a tensioning screw retainer. The retainer, placed against an inner side of the wall of the inner strut section, stabilises the region where the length-adjustment is carried out.

Advantageously, the struts are zinc-plated iron profile sections, which are freely available ("off-the-shelf components") in different dimensions and specifications. The joint cut-outs are according to the present invention formed by inert-gas-protected laser-cutting with high dimension accuracy and results in well defined, but yet smooth cutting edges.

In a preferred embodiment at least one antenna-shaped eyelet support part is detachably mounted to the stand or to a stand component like a compartment separation plate, the eyelet support part, preferably, being shaped like a U or a longitudinally stretched O made from wire material, the eyelet support part being mounted to more than one snap holder having snap-in clips and at least one base part adjustably inserted and fixed into guides formed in the stand component or a compartment separation plate. The eyelet support part allows to arbitrarily mount yarn eyelets which define guides for yarns of bobbins installed in the stand.

In another preferred embodiment at least one separate round strut is detachably mounted via snap holders to side edges of compartment separating plates such that the separate strut extends perpendicular to the side edges, each respective snap holder having a snap- in clip and one or two base parts inserted and fixed into guides formed in the compartment separation plate adjacent to the side edges. The separate strut serves as a vertical separator support within the structure of the stand.

In the above-mentioned case the base parts, preferably, define a fork-shaped clamp which inside contains a wall of a stand component or the compartment separation plate side edge region. This assures a firm holding function of the snap holder.

The snap-in clip or clips provided on the snap holders is or are, preferably, C-shaped with a snap-in opening smaller than 180°. The snap-in opening, preferably, is oriented obliquely with respect to the base parts.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings is:

Fig. 1 a stand, e.g. a bobbin stand, illustrating one example of the framework structure of the stand (prior art),

Figs. 2 and 3 a corner structure of a stand according to the invention, in unassembled and in assembled condition,

Figs. 4, 5, 6 another comer structure of a stand according to the invention in assembled and unassembled condition, with the unassembled condition in two different view directions,

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 a nodal point structure of the stand according to the invention in assembled and unassembled condition, with the unassembled condition shown in two different view directions,

Figs. 10 and 11 a joint between a separation plate and a strut of the stand according to the invention, shown in assembled and unassembled condition,

Figs. 12, 13, 14 a length-adjustable strut assembly of the stand according to the invention, in assembled and unassembled condition, with the unassembled condition shown in two different view directions,

Figs. 15 and 16 another embodiment of a length-adjustable strut assembly in assembled and unassembled condition,

Figs. 17 and 18 a further equipment component of the stand, in Fig. 17 in disassembled condition, in Fig. 18 in assembled condition, and

Figs. 19 and 20 a further equipment component of the stand, in Fig. 19 in disassembled condition and in Fig. 20 in assembled condition.

A stand S in Fig. 1 e.g. is a yarn bobbin stand for textile industry applications, i.e. for supporting not shown yarn bobbins. The stand S has a framework F made from essentially vertical and horizontal struts 1 , 2 which are interconnected in corners 5 and nodal points 6. Separation plates 3, either made in metal or in plastic, preferably transparent material, are mounted in order to sub-divide the stand S into several compartments. The compartment

separation plates 3 are shown in horizontal orientation, however, they could as well be mounted in essentially vertical orientation or in both orientations. The struts 1 , 2 are hollow profiles of iron, e.g. with square and/or circular cross-section and are "pre-protected" by surface treatment, e.g. zinc-plating or sprayed-on zinc.

The stand S in Fig. 1 is conventional (prior art), but also represents the construction principle per se for stands according to the invention. There could naturally be more vertical and/or horizontal struts than what is shown, and different positioning, etc. In the conventional stand S the comers 5 and the nodal points 6 are made in a way which includes or necessitates the use of welding. That is, in the comers 5 fittings 5a (connection elements) are welded onto the horizontal struts, at which fittings 5a the vertical struts 1 preferably are secured by means of tensioning screws (not shown). The upper and the lower horizontal square strut are each welded at nodal points 6 to another horizontal cross- strut 2'. The cross-struts 2' have length-adjustable portions 8, i.e. are arranged within each other telescopically. The respective adjusted length is fixed by not shown tensioning screws.

A number of fittings 4 are clamped onto the vertical struts and serve for securing a bobbin holder pin (not shown) to support a yam bobbin. The compartment separation walls 3 are fixed by clamping components, e.g. a respective clamping ring is used for securing the laid-on separation plate 3. The fixation of one separation plate 3 is indicated at 6a.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a comer 5 of a stand (not shown in full) according to the invention. Fig. 2 illustrates the comer prior to the assembling operation, while Fig. 3 illustrates the comer in assembled condition.

The comer 5 in Figs. 2 and 3 is created between a horizontal strut 2, which is a square strut 10, and a vertical strut 1 , which also is a square strut 10. The struts 1 and 2 have for example a square cross-section of a total width of 40 mm. The horizontal strut 2 has a square joint cut-out 14 spaced a small distance from the free end 11 of the square strut 2. The square joint cut-out 14 is made by laser cutting such that a square window is formed in the front wall of the square strut 2 and such that square cut-outs are formed in both side walls merging with the front wall. The depth of the joint square cut-out 14 is about half the total width of the square strut 2. A hole 17 is cut out in the rear wall of the square strut 2. In the region of the hole 17 a threaded tensioning screw retainer 12 is provided, which has the

shape of a C with C-leg ends 16. The other square strut 1 is also formed with a square joint cut-out 15 having the same size and shape as the other square joint cut-out 14. On both sides of the square joint cut-out 15 lateral slot-shaped joint cut-outs 18 are formed in the front wall. The joint cut-outs 18 serve to receive the C-leg ends 16 of the retainer 12. Also In the rear wall of the vertical square strut 1 a hole is cut out (not shown). A tensioning screw 13, preferably with a washer 19, is inserted there and carries a spacer sleeve 20, the length of which corresponds to the inner width of the vertical square strut 1. Both struts 1 and 2 are put together until the joint cut-outs 14, 15 inter-penetrate and the spacer sleeve 20 abuts the inner sides of the rear walls of both struts. Then the tensioning screw 13 is tightened until the comer structure of Fig. 3 is firmly achieved.

As indicated at 15a, the square joint cut-out 15 could be made less deep than the square joint cut-out 14 in order not to weaken the framework too much with unnecessarily big cutouts. During the assembling operation the edges of the square joint cut-out 14 could be inserted into the slot 15a. Similar slots 15a may also be formed in the joint cut-out 14. The free ends 11 of both struts 1 and 2 may be left open or, alternatively, could be closed by inserted closure plugs (not shown).

Figs.4, 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a comer structure of the stand according to the invention, in particular, a corner 6 between a vertical square strut 1 (10)and a horizontal round strut 2 (21). In this case, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a semicircular joint cut-out 25 is formed by laser cutting in the front wall of the square strut 1 , such that parallel cut-out edges 25a are formed in the front wall and semi-circular depressions 26 exist in the side walls of the square strut 1 merged with the front wall. At least one protruding edge portion 27 is formed in the semi-circular joint cut-out 25. A screw insertion hole 24 is cut out in the rear wall of the square strut 1 for inserting a tensioning screw 13, preferably including a washer. The round strut 2 (21) has a window 30 and at both axial sides of the window slot-shaped joint cut-outs 29, which correspond in position and size to the protruding edge portions 27. A closure plug 22 for the free end 11 of the round strut 2 is integrally formed with a threaded tensioning screw retainer 28. During the assembly operation the round strut 2 is placed in the semicircular joint cut-out 25 until the protruding edge portions 27 engage into the slot-shaped joint cut-outs 29. Then the tensioning screw 13 is inserted through the window 30 and into the retainer 28 of the inserted closure plug 20 (Fig. 6). The same structures as explained with reference to Figs. 4 to 6 for the corner may be used to build a nodal point structure 6 at a larger distance

from the free end of the square strut 1 than shown. The free end of the square strut 1 may be closed by a square closure plug 23.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a nodal point structure 6 between two horizontal square struts 10 and 10'. The square strut 10' is smaller than the square strut 10 (35 mm resp. 40 mm total profile width). The nodal point 6 is a butt-joint between the free end of the square strut 10' and the square strut 10. The free end of the square strut 10' is machined by laser cutting such that shallow recesses 34 are formed, between which protruding edge portions 35 remain. The protruding edge portions 35 may originate from the true free end of the square strut 10'. The joint cut-outs 34 are made for example such that at e.g. only three comers of the cross-section of the square strut 10' a protruding edge portion 35 is formed, while the shallow depression 34 thereby extends over the fourth corner. The depth of the shallow depression 34 corresponds approximately to the wall thickness of the square strut 10. Additionally, lateral slots 36 are cut out at a small distance from the free end of the square strut 10' in the top wall and the lower wall. These slots 36 serve to detachably mount a plate-shaped threaded tensioning screw retainer 37 which is cut out such that it has protruding edge portions 38 which easily can be inserted into the slots 36 to fix the retainer 37 in the interior of the square strut 10'.

The square strut 10 has a joint cut-out 7 made by laser cutting in the front wall, which joint cut-out 7 forms a square window 32, e.g. with somewhat rounded corners, and e.g. three slot-shaped joint cut-outs 31 in the rear wall. The slot-shaped joint cut-outs 31 in the rear wall correspond in size and position with the protruding edge portions 35 of the square profile 10'. Each slot-shaped joint cut-out 31 has the shape of a regular L. Furthermore, a screw insertion hole 24 is cut out. The square strut 10' fits into the joint cut-outs 31 in one predetermined position only. The retainer 37 is inserted in advance. Then the tensioning screw 13 is inserted and is driven and tightened into the retainer 37 until the nodal point 6 is fixed.

On both sides of the slot-shaped joint cut-outs 31 semi-circular cut-outs are formed as in Figs. 4 to 6 in order to there form other nodal points 6 with round vertical struts 21.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate the fixation of a compartment separation plate 3 on a vertical or horizontal strut 1 , 2 which in this case is a vertical round strut 21. The round strut 21 has a joint cut-out 39 made by laser-cutting, which forms a slot 40 as wide as the thickness of

the separation plate 3. The slot 40 extends perpendicular to the axis of the round strut 21 and has a depth of approximately one third of the outer diameter of the round strut 21. The slot 40 merges with two square windows 41 such that a tongue-like portion 42 is formed in between said windows 41 and by the wall of the round strut 21. The compartment separation place 3 has a joint cut-out 43 which fits on the tongue 42. Furthermore, a securing clamp 44 is provided, e.g. formed as a C-clip, which can be clamped onto the round strut 21.

During the assembly procedure the separation place 3 is inserted into the slot 40, until the tongue 42 can be inserted into the joint cut-out 43 of the separation plate 3. Then the clamp 44 is put onto the round strut 21 in order to secure the inserted separation plate in its position and to cover the joint cut-out 39.

The same kind of fixation 6a can be provided on a vertical or horizontal square strut. In this case the tongue 42 could be only a part of the front wall of the square strut, or even could be formed by the front wall, even added by small portions of both side walls merging into the front wall.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a length adjustable section 8 offer example a horizontal square strut 2.

A smaller-dimensioned square strut 10' is inserted telescopically into a bigger-dimensioned square strut 10 (profile widths 35 mm resp. 40 mm). The bigger-dimensioned square strut 10 has an access cut-out 45 made by laser-cutting in one edge region and another oval cutout 48 made by laser-cutting in an opposite edge region. The smaller-dimensioned square strut 10' has an access cut-out 46 made by laser cutting in one edge region, and a longitudinally extending slot 47 made by laser-cutting in an opposite edge region.

In order to achieve the assembled condition as shown in Fig. 12, at first the smaller dimensioned strut 10' is inserted into the bigger-dimensioned strut 10 until the cut-out 45 and 46 are in line. Then a tensioning screw 13 is inserted through the access cut-out 45 and through the longitudinal slot 47 until it exits at the cut-out 48. By longitudinally shifting or displacing the two struts 10, 10' in relation to each other, the desired "total strut length" can be adjusted or set, until finally the tensioning screw 13 is tightened with a nut 13a and a washer 13b in order to fix or secure the reached adjustment position.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a length-adjustable section 8 also for example of a horizontal square strut 2. A smaller-dimensioned square strut 10' is inserted telescopically into a bigger-dimensioned square strut 10 (profile widths e.g. 35 mm resp. 40 mm). For the purposes of securing or locking a desired and selected inter-position of the two struts in longitudinal direction, two tensioning screws 13 are inserted through respective holes 50 in the bigger-dimensioned strut 10 and are both further inserted through a longitudinal slot 49 in the smaller-dimensioned strut 10'. Furthermore, a screw retainer plate 51 is inserted into the interior of the smaller-dimensioned strut 10' after this strut having been more or less "maximally" pushed into the bigger-dimensioned strut 10. The securing or locking of the chosen inter-position of the two struts is now achieved by driving and tightening the screws 13 into two respective threaded holes 52 in the retainer plate 51 , both longitudinal edges of which could have a small, narrow ridge for providing a certain resiliency or yieldability ("minor spring effect) in the screw-and-retainer connection.

Figs 17 and 18 illustrate a further stand equipment component, namely an antenna- shaped eyelet support part 57 which is detachably mounted to the stand by snap connections. The eyelet support part 57 is made e.g. from wire material and has the shape of a longitudinally extending C or of a longitudinally expanded lying O. Stand components 54, e.g. compartment separation plates 3 are formed with guides 55, preferably on both sides, which extend essentially perpendicular to the side edge at which the respective guide begins. The guides are bounded by longitudinal ribs and contain fixation holes 56. For detachably mounting the eyelet support part 57 at least two snap holders 58 are provided. Each snap holder 58 has a head plate 59 carrying e.g. two C- shaped snap-in clips 60 for holding the legs of the eyelet support part 57, and one or two base parts 61 , 62 which extend away from the head plate 59, provided that there are two base parts 61 , 62, these enclose the wall of the compartment separation plate 3 or the stand component part 54. The insertion depth of each snap holder 58 is adjustable. Each snap holder 58 is fixed by at least one fastening element in the respective guide.

Fig. 18 shows the assembled state of the eyelet support part 57, the legs of which are snapped into the clips 60. The eyelet support part 57 can be adjusted arbitrarily in longitudinal direction with respect to the snap holders 58. The position of the eyelet support part 57 or the snap holders 58, respectively, can be changed between the several provided guides 55.

Figs 19 and 20 illustrate another stand equipment component, namely a separate round strut 3 which is detachably mounted to side edges 67 of, preferably, adjacent compartment separation plates 3 of the stand S. The strut 3 is mounted by at least two snap holders 58. Each snap holder 58 is inserted in one of e.g. several provided guides 55 at both side surfaces of each compartment separation plate 3, and is fixed by a fastening element in a fixation hole 56. The snap holder 58 has one or two (preferably two) base parts 61 , 62 which enclose the side edge region of the compartment separation plate 3 from both sides. The clip provided on the base part 61 , 62 has the form of an open C 60 with a snap-in opening 63 which is smaller than 180°. The snap-in opening 63, preferably, is oriented obliquely with respect to the base part 61 , 62. The strut 3 may be shifted in longitudinal direction before it is snapped into the clip 60, or even may be adjusted after having been snapped into the clips 60.

According to the invention the cut-outs in the struts are formed by laser cutting, protected from the influence of oxidizing oxygen of the ambient air by a protective inert-gas (preferably nitrogen) atmosphere. The struts are hollow iron profile sections with a "pre- surface-treatment" like zinc-plating or sprayed-on zinc. Alternatively, the struts could be preferably extruded sections of light metal profiles, with or without a surface-coating.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the enclosed drawings, but several modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the following claims.