The invention relates to a dry-construction connector comprising at least one body having a first end portion at a first end and a second end portion at a second end, wherein the body has a central portion between the first and second end portion. The invention also relates to a dry-construction arrangement and a kit and a method for constructing a dry- construction ceiling.

Dry construction refers to the manufacture of construction elements, such as dry- construction ceilings, through the assembly of industrially manufactured semi-finished products. Dry-construction ceilings are usually constructed by creating a substructure in the ceiling area, to which ceiling elements are attached in suspended form. For the substructure, dry-construction profiles with a body made of sheet metal are often used. These are easy to handle due to their light weight. In addition, they allow the construction of dry-construction ceilings with good stability. For the substructure of ceilings, metal profiles are used that are typically arranged crosswise to each other. Cross connectors have been proposed for connecting the profiles, as described for example in EP 2 035 635 A1. The web of the cross connector embraces the upper profile and is positively connected to the profile below. This requires cross connectors whose dimensions are adapted to the respective profiles that are to be connected.

A further hanger, with which a profile rail can be attached to a beam, is described in EP 0 808958 A2. It is one object of the present invention to specify a dry-construction connector, a dry- construction arrangement, a kit and a method for constructing a dry-construction ceiling, which enable simple and reliable connection of elements of a ceiling substructure.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with the dry-construction connector according to claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the first end portion of the above-mentioned dry-construction connector forms a retaining tongue for connection to a beam, and that the second end portion forms a load-bearing tongue for connection to a dry-construction profile. This design is particularly advantageous. It makes it possible to create a substructure of a ceiling in a simple and safe way on the construction site by connecting dry-construction profiles to the beam by means of the dry-construction connector. Assembly can be carried out quickly, which helps to reduce costs. Moreover, the construction features a high stability. This makes the dry-construction connector particularly suitable for use on beams which are wide span beams and therefore have large spans. Handling is particularly simple. In addition, a claimed dry-construction connector can be used to connect dry-construction profiles and beams, which can have different dimensions. It is therefore not necessary to stock dry-construction connectors adapted to specific dimensions in many different sizes. Another advantage is that with the dry-construction connector only a small height is required for the substructure. This reduces the required installation space of the ceiling. This is achieved, among other things, by the fact that the dry-construction profiles can be arranged in a space-saving manner directly under the beam by means of the dry construction connector. Preferably, the dry- construction connector is formed as a dry-construction hanger.

Advantageous embodiments are described below and in the subclaims.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the body is formed by an elongated strip of material, wherein the first end portion is provided at a first end and the second end portion at a second end of the strip of material. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining tongue is connected to the central portion via a first bending line. Preferably, the body may have a cut, preferably a cut-out, in the area along the first bending line to facilitate bending. The retaining tongue can be in one plane with the central portion before assembly; it is then bent over during assembly.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining tongue is arranged orthogonally to the central portion. This enables in particular a simple connection of the retaining tongue to the beam web of a beam.

The retaining tongue can also be arranged parallel to the central portion. This makes it possible, in particular, to create a form fit between the retaining tongue and the beam, in which the retaining tongue engages positively behind a portion of the beam. In this case, the retaining tongue may be bent back about the first bending line to such a degree that it is parallel to the central portion.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least one through-opening is provided in the retaining tongue and/or in the central portion, through which a fastening means can be or is introduced into the beam.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongue has a greater width than the central portion and/or the retaining tongue. The width can be measured perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the strip of material forming the body. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongue has at least one load-bearing projection on each of its opposite sides for connection to a dry- construction profile. Preferably, the load-bearing projections are formed by cuts or punching outs. The load-bearing projections enable a connection with a dry-construction profile by means of a form fit. According to a further development of this inventive idea, it is provided that at least two pairs of the load-bearing projections are provided, wherein a first pair of the load-bearing projections is suitable for connection to a dry-construction profile of a first size and a second pair of the load-bearing projections are suitable for connection to a dry- construction profile of a second size. For this purpose, it may be provided that the load- bearing tongue has a first width in the area of the first pair and a second width in the area of the second pair. Additional pairs of load-bearing projections may also be provided.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongue is connected to the central portion via a second bending line. It may be provided that the dry- construction connector is pre-bent about the second bending line. In particular, the load- bearing tongue may be positioned at right angles to the central portion.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongue has a first and a second side, wherein at least in the first side a projection and a recess are arranged, wherein the shape and size of the projection are such that the projection is receivable in the recess in the load-bearing tongue of an identical further body. The first side may be facing away from the central portion and the second side may be facing towards the central portion. Preferably, the projection and recess are elongated.

Preferably, centre distances of the projection and the recess to a longitudinal centre line of the load-bearing tongue are identical. The longitudinal centre line may extend at right angles to the second bending line in the middle of the load-bearing tongue. The embodiment of the load-bearing tongue may advantageously be mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal centre line, except that the position of the projection on one side corresponds to the position of the recess on the other side. This allows a positive fit to be achieved between two identical bodies if they are arranged in such a way that the load-bearing tongues fit against each other with their first sides in a congruent manner, wherein the projection is accommodated in the recess. In this way, it is also possible to achieve that the load-bearing projections of the two bodies are arranged next to each other, wherein the doubling results in a particularly high stability. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the projection and the recess are each formed by a plastically deformed portion of the load-bearing tongue. Preferably, the projection and/or recess are each formed by a bead. It may be provided that one bead protrudes to the first side of the load-bearing tongue and forms the projection, while the other bead protrudes to the second side of the load-bearing tongue and forms the recess at its rear.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a bending tab is formed in the load-bearing tongue by a cut, said bending tab being bent over and protruding from the first side, thus forming an opening in the load-bearing tongue. If two identical bodies are placed against each other in the area of the load-bearing tongues, the bending tab of one body extends through the opening of the other body. This already allows the two load- bearing tongues to be aligned. By further bending the bending tab (preferably outwards), the two bodies can then be connected to each other with a form fit and braced against each other if additional stability is required. No other fastening means or tools are required for this.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the body has at least one stiffening bead, which extends from the central portion over the second bending line continuously into the load-bearing tongue. Preferably, two of these beads are provided. The stiffening beads may extend parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the load-bearing tongue and the central portion.

Preferably, it is provided that the at least one stiffening bead forms a projection on the second side of the load-bearing tongue. The stiffening bead does not protrude on the first side and allows the load-bearing tongues of two bodies to abut flat against each other when they are used together as described. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the body consists of a continuous bent metal sheet. In particular, the thickness of the metal sheet can be between 0.4 mm and 5 mm (preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm). A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the dry- construction connector for fastening a dry-construction profile to a beam comprises two of the bodies described herein, wherein the bodies lie against each other with their load- bearing tongues. This design does not only achieve a further improved stability. It also enables secure attachment to beams with different cross-sectional shapes. In this way, different installation situations can be accommodated with only one type of body. This increases flexibility and quality of execution and contributes to low installation costs of a ceiling. Preferably, the two bodies are identically formed.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongues of the two bodies are arranged parallel to each other. In particular, the load-bearing tongues can lie flat against each other. Preferably, the load-bearing tongues of the bodies have a congruent outer contour.

It may be advantageous to have the bodies resting against each other on their first sides, wherein the central portions are facing in opposite directions from the respective load- bearing tongue. Preferably, the central portions of the two bodies are arranged in a common plane.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a positive fit is formed between the two bodies in the area of the load-bearing tongues by virtue of the projection of the load-bearing tongue of one of the bodies being accommodated in the recess of the load-bearing tongue of the other of the bodies. Preferably, the projection of the load- bearing tongue of the other body is also received in the recess of the load-bearing tongue of the one body.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the load-bearing tongues of both bodies are connected to each other. This can be achieved by forming a bending tab in each of the load-bearing tongues by means of a cut, said bending tab being bent over, thus forming an opening in the load-bearing tongue. If two identical bodies are placed against each other in the area of the load-bearing tongues, the bending tab of one body extends through the opening of the load-bearing tongue of the other body. The two bodies can be connected even more firmly and braced against each other by bending the bending tab. No further fastening means are required for this.

The invention further relates to a dry-construction arrangement comprising at least one dry-construction connector of the described type, as well as a beam and a dry-construction profile, wherein the at least one body of the dry-construction connector is connected with its retaining tongue to a portion of the beam and with its load-bearing tongue to the dry- construction profile.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the dry-construction arrangement forms a ceiling construction of a room ceiling and that the beam is a ceiling beam.

In an advantageous manner, it can be provided to arrange one or more ceiling panels on the dry-construction profile. The ceiling panels can be, in a known manner, for example, gypsum board, fibreboard and/or elements of a grid ceiling.

It may be advantageous to have the beam and the dry-construction profile arranged horizontally, with the dry-construction profile being arranged orthogonally to the beam.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the beam has a beam web and at least a first and a second beam flange arranged at the beam web. Preferably, the beam is designed as a C-profile, U-profile, T-profile, l-profile, double C-profile, double U- profile or double T-profile. In particular, the beam can also be a wide span beam, which can also have larger spans.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining tongue is connected to the beam web or the beam flange. The connection to the beam web can for example be made by screws, rivets, crimping or similar. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining tongue is positively connected to the beam flange, wherein the retaining tongue engages positively behind a portion (preferably an edge portion) of the beam flange. In doing so, the portion of the beam flange can be received between the central portion and the retaining tongue. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the retaining tongue is arranged parallel to the beam web and that the central portion is arranged parallel to the beam flange of the beam, preferably on its underside. It may be particularly advantageous to provide that the retaining tongues and the central portion as well as the beam web and the beam flange are orthogonal to each other. In a preferred way, the central portion and the load-bearing tongue can be located on the underside of the beam. Preferably, the central portion is arranged in a horizontal plane. In addition, it is preferred if the load-bearing tongue points vertically downwards with its free end.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the dry-construction profile has a profile web and profile flanges connected thereto, wherein the profile flanges engage with the load-bearing tongue (or, when using dry-construction connectors with two bodies: the load-bearing tongues) of the dry-construction connector. It can be provided that the profile web is arranged horizontally, and that the profile flanges are arranged extending vertically upwards from the profile web. Furthermore, it may be provided that the dry- construction profile is a metal profile and that the profile flanges have inward facing edge portions. Inward refers to the space between the profile flanges. Via edge portions, the dry-construction profile can be positively connected to the load-bearing tongue. Preferably, the dry-construction profile is a C-profile.

The invention further relates to a kit for constructing a dry-construction ceiling, comprising the described dry-construction connectors and dry-construction profiles. The kit may also comprise at least one beam. The invention also relates to a method for constructing a ceiling, comprising the following steps:

• at least one described dry-construction connector is arranged at a beam;

• a dry-construction profile is attached to the load-bearing tongue of the dry- construction connector;

• a ceiling element is attached to the dry-construction profile.

Further advantageous characteristics of the method, the kit and the arrangement can also be derived from the description of the dry-construction connector.

Further goals, characteristics, advantages and application possibilities of this invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. All described and/or depicted characteristics, individually or in any meaningful combination, form the object of the invention, also independently of the summary in individual claims or their back references. Together with the description, the figures provide exemplary and non-limiting explanations of possible technical designs.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of a dry-construction connector with one body;

Fig. 2 the dry-construction connector from Fig. 1 attached to a beam;

Fig. 3 a dry-construction connector comprising two of the bodies shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3a enlarged detail B from Fig. 3;

Fig. 3b a cross-section through the two load-bearing tongues of the dry-construction connector from Fig. 3a in the region of the projection and recess;

Fig. 4 a dry-construction arrangement comprising the dry-construction connector from Fig. 3 attached to a beam;

Fig. 4a a side view of a dry-construction arrangement according to Fig. 4 with dry- construction profiles; Fig. 4b a perspective view of the dry-construction arrangement from Fig. 4a with ceiling panel;

Fig. 5 another embodiment of a dry-construction connector with one body;

Fig. 5a a section of a dry-construction connector with two of the bodies shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 5b a beam with dry-construction connector according to Fig. 5a.

Figure 1 shows a dry-construction connector 1 with a body 50 made of an elongated strip of material. The strip of material has in its longitudinal direction a first end portion at a first end, said first end portion forming a retaining tongue 2 for connecting to a beam. Furthermore, the strip of material has a second end portion at its second end, said second end portion forming a load-bearing tongue 3. Between the two end portions, a central portion 4 is provided, which connects the load-bearing tongue 3 with the retaining tongue 2.

The body 50 of dry-construction connector 1 is made of a shaped strip of material from sheet metal. The retaining tongue 2 is connected to the central portion 4 via a first bending line 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the retaining tongue 2 is arranged at right angles to the central portion 4. In the area of the first bending line 5, the body 50 of the dry-construction connector 1 has a cut-out 6, which facilitates the bending of the retaining tongue 2.

Figure 1 also shows the design of the load-bearing tongue 3. It has load-bearing projections 7, 7' on opposite sides. These are formed by cuts or punching outs on the periphery and enable a connection with dry-construction profiles by a form fit, as explained in more detail below.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the dry-construction connector 1 has two pairs of load-bearing projections 7, 7'. A first pair of load-bearing projections 7 is suitable for connecting to a dry-construction profile of a first size and a second pair of load-bearing projections 7' is suitable for connecting to a dry-construction profile of a second size. This is clearly depicted in Fig. 4a, which is explained below.

The load-bearing tongue 3 is connected to the central portion 4 via a second bending line 8. The load-bearing tongue 3 is arranged at right angles to the central portion 4. Furthermore, the body 50 of the dry-construction connector 1 has two stiffening beads 9. These extend from the central portion 4 via the second bending line 8 continuously into the load-bearing tongue 3. The longitudinal stiffening beads 9 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the load-bearing tongue 3 or the central portion 4. The stiffening beads fix the position of the load-bearing tongue 3 relative to the central portion 4. The dry-construction connector 1 with one body 50 can be attached to a beam 10 as shown in Fig. 2. The depicted beam 10 has a beam web 11 and a first and second beam flange 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the beam 10 is formed as a U-profile. In the example shown, openings 13 are provided in the beam web 11.

The body 50 of the dry-construction connector 1 is connected to the beam 10 and, with the central portion 4, lies flat against the beam flange 12. The retaining tongue 2 lies flat against the beam web 11. The retaining tongue 2 and the central portion 4 are firmly connected to the beam 10 by fastening means 14. The fastening means 14 may in particular be screws inserted through through-openings 15 in the retaining tongue and/or in the central portion 4. Figure 2 shows that only a low construction height is required for the dry-construction arrangement shown.

Figure 3 shows how two identical bodies 50, 50' of the type shown in Fig. 1 can be joined together to form a dry-construction connector 1 '. For better clarity, the two bodies 50, 50' in Fig. 3 are shown with a distance between them. When fully assembled, the bodies 50, 50' lie flat against each other with their load-bearing tongues 3 (see figures 3b and 4). The load-bearing tongues 3 each have a first and a second side 19, 20, wherein at least in the first side 19 a projection 16 and a recess 17 are provided. As shown, the first side 19 is the side of the load-bearing tongue 3 facing away from the central portion 4. The second side 20 faces towards the central portion 4. The projection 16 and recess 17 are designed in such a way that the projection 16 of the one body 50 or 50' can be accommodated in the recess 17 of the other body 50' or 50’ respectively. For this purpose, the projection 16 and the recess 17 have a congruent shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown, projection 16 and recess 17 are formed by plastic deformation of the sheet material in the form of elongated beads. The centre distances of projection 16 and recess 17 to a longitudinal centre line of the load-bearing tongue 3 are identical.

Figure 3a shows the enlarged detail B from Fig. 3. Here, the design of recess 17 is shown in the first side 19 of the body 50. Furthermore, a portion of the second side 20 of the load- bearing tongue 3 of the body 50' is shown. As the projection 16 is formed by a bead in each case, the rear side 18 of the bead of the body 50' on the second side 20 can be seen, which forms a projection 16 on the first side 19 of the body 50'.

Figure 3b shows a sectional view of the projection 16 and the recess 17, wherein the load-bearing tongues 3 of the bodies 50, 50' are shown lying against each other. Here, it can be seen that the projection 16 of the one body 50' engages in the recess 17 of the other body 50 and that the two bodies 50, 50' are positioned to each other in this way by a form fit.

Figure 4 shows the attachment of the dry-construction connector T from Fig. 3 to a beam 10'. The beam 10' can be formed from two U-profiles connected to each other as shown. In particular, the profiles can be reinforced U stiffening profiles. Alternatively, the beam 10' can also be designed as an I-beam, for example. The beam 10' has a beam web 11 and four beam flanges 12 arranged on it. The beam web 11 is arranged orthogonally to the beam flanges 12. The beam web 11 comprises openings 13. The dry-construction connector 1‘ from Fig. 3, composed of two bodies 50, 50', can first be placed on the underside of the beam 10', as shown in Fig. 4, with the retaining tongues 2 initially still pointing vertically upwards (shown on the left in Fig. 4). Then the retaining tongue 2 can be bent over so that a portion of the beam flange 12 is enclosed between the retaining tongue 2 and the central portion 4 (shown on the right in Fig. 4). To achieve better stability, fastening means 22 can be inserted into two through-openings 15, 15' of the retaining tongue 2 and the central portion 4, which lie on top of each other in the bent state, to fix the retaining tongue 2 and the central portion 4 to the beam flange 12 (shown in the middle in Fig. 4). It can already be seen in Fig. 4 that the bodies 50, 50' with their load-bearing tongues 3 are arranged at the beam 10' in such a way that dry-construction profiles 23, 23' can be attached to the load-bearing tongues 3. The condition after installation of the dry- construction profiles 23, 23' is shown in Fig. 4a. In particular, it can be seen there that the longitudinal direction of the dry-construction profiles 23, 23' is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the beams 10'.

Furthermore, Fig. 4a illustrates how different dry-construction profiles 23, 23' can be attached to the pairs of load-bearing projections 7, 7'. On the left-hand side in Fig. 4a, a slightly larger dry-construction profile 23 is arranged on the load-bearing projections 7. On the right-hand side, a slightly smaller dry-construction profile 23' is shown, which is arranged on the load-bearing projections 7'. In this way, with a dry-construction connector T, dry-construction profiles of different sizes can be securely mounted.

Figure 4b shows how a ceiling panel 24 can be arranged on the dry-construction profiles 23, 23'. The small space requirement of the substructure is clearly visible in this illustration. Figures 5, 5a and 5b show further embodiments of a dry-construction connector 1" and T". The dry-construction connectors 1" and T" are essentially designed in the same way as the dry-construction connectors 1 and T from figures 1 and 4, respectively. Therefore, the description thereof shall also apply accordingly to the embodiments shown in figures 5, 5a and 5b. The same reference numbers are used for parts with the same function, even though the shape may be different. Figure 5 again shows a dry- construction connector 1" with a body 50, while figures 5a and 5b show a combined dry- construction connector 1"', which comprises two identical bodies 50, 50'.

However, the dry-construction connectors 1 " and 1 additionally have a cut 60 in the area of the load-bearing tongue 3, which forms a bending tab 61 , whereby a window-shaped opening 62 is formed in the load-bearing tongue 3. Preferably, the cut 60 is U-shaped. If now, as illustrated in Fig. 5a, two bodies 50, 50' are placed against each other in the area of the load-bearing tongues 3, the bending tab 61 of body 50 extends through the opening 62 of body 50'. At the same time, the bending tab 61 of body 50' extends through the opening 62 of body 50. This alone achieves a form fit between the load-bearing tongues 3 of two bodies 50, 50'.

For better fixation, after joining two bodies 50, 50', the bending tabs 61 can be bent further from the position shown in Fig. 5a, if necessary, to brace the bodies 50 and 50' to each other. Together with the positive fit between the projections 16 and the recesses 17, a secure and load-bearing fixing of the two bodies 50 and 50' is achieved.

Figure 5b then shows an embodiment similar to Fig. 4. Three dry-construction connectors T" are shown here, which are arranged on the underside of the beam 10'.