BE1027398A1 - Mechanism for mechanically coupling facade panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (1) for mechanically coupling upper (2) and lower (3) facade panels to each other. The mechanism (1) according to the invention comprises a pin (7), an upper guide (4) fixed to the upper front panel (2) to guide the pin (7) and a lower guide (5) fixed to the front panel. lower (3) to hold a sleeve (6) in which extends the pin (7). The mechanism (1) is configured to be installed remotely from the upper (2) and lower (3) facade panels. This invention further provides a method of arranging such panels (2, 3) by means of the mechanism (1).

Description

- Ÿ —- Mechanism for mechanically coupling facade panels Technical Field The present invention relates to a mechanism for mechanically coupling facade panels. The invention also relates to an assembly of facade panels and a method of arranging facade panels.

Background Art A facade panel assembly typically includes devices for attaching these panels to a wall of a building, combined with a mechanism for connecting them together.

IH is known to use a mechanism comprising a pin introduced both in a lower recess arranged in an upper edge of a lower facade panel, and in an upper recess arranged in a lower edge of an upper facade panel surmounting the lower front panel.

For economic, aesthetic and technological reasons, more and more facade panels used today are of low thickness (for example between 60 and 20 millimeters) which significantly reduces the possibility of planning reservations in their section without damaging the facade panels.

A known solution to this problem is to replace this mechanism with additional devices for fixing the panels to the support structure. A flaw of this solution is that it is costly in time and money. In addition, it induces an independent fixing of each facade panel to the support structure without connection between them. Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for mechanically coupling facade panels which may be of low thickness, in a simple and rapid manner, with limited cost.

- DB.

To this end, the present invention provides a mechanism for mechanically coupling an upper facade panel and a lower facade panel, comprising: - an upper guide comprising: "a plate (configured to be fixed to an interior face of the upper facade panel , parallel to this),. at least one extension extending mainly perpendicular to the plate, therefrom, and comprising an opening of a length, measured along a first axis, greater than a width, measured along a second axis; - a lower guide comprising: ”a plate (configured to be fixed on an interior face of the lower facade panel, parallel to the latter), x at least one extension extending mainly perpendicular to the plague, and from of it; a sheath extending along a third axis essentially parallel to the plate of the lower guide, and held fixedly by the extension of the lower guide; 0 - a pin extending, both into the sleeve and through the opening of the upper guide; - Means (preferably mechanical and / or adjustable) for limiting a movement of the pin parallel to the third axis, through the opening of the upper guide.

The mechanism according to the present invention allows a mechanical coupling of the upper and lower facade panels of any thickness, in particular, of a small thickness, in a simple and rapid manner, at a limited cost. In particular, the mechanism according to the invention also makes it possible to arrange these facade panels between them.

Thanks to the mechanism (or pinning system) according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide reservations in the sections

- 3. facade panels, whatever their thickness. Indeed, the mechanism is structurally designed to be installed laterally with respect to the facade panels, so that the pinning is done in a remote manner, next to the internal faces of the facade panels, and no longer between the edges of the panels. panels. The guide plates are designed to be fixed to the internal faces of the facade panels while the extensions make it possible to guide the pin and keep the sleeve at a distance from these plates, and therefore from the facade panels since the extensions extend mainly perpendicular to the plates.

The mechanism achieves a desired technical effect of connection between the facade panels. In the installed state, the upper guide is fixed to the upper facade panel and guides, through the opening of its extension, the pin, while the lower guide is fixed to the lower facade panel and firmly holds the sleeve in which it s 'extends the pin.

The mechanism allows a mechanical coupling between the facade panels simple and fast. Particularly when installing the mechanism and once each guide is attached to its respective panel, it is particularly quick and easy to adjust the position of the pin in one or more of the three directions of space by performing a relative movement between the pin and the upper guide, in its opening, parallel to the first axis, by moving it in the sleeve, parallel to the second axis, and / or by moving it in the sleeve and through the opening of the guide higher, parallel to the third axis. This is easy because these different degrees of freedom depend on relative movements according to different parts of the mechanism. H! It is thus quick and simple for a construction worker to determine a movement to be performed with respect to a guide and / or the sleeve in order to adjust the position of the pin along one of the axes. This task would have been made much less easy if the three degrees of freedom along the three axes depended on relative movements according to a single guide, which would have been the case, for example, by providing a guide to which the pin is attached before installation mechanism and replacing the sheath with a larger pocket in which the pin

„4 -

attached to the guide should move along all three axes.

Conversely, in the case of the present invention, the pin is not fixed to any of the guides before the installation of the mechanism and can undergo segmented relative movements in the sleeve and with respect to the upper guide.

Preferably, once the guide plates are fixed to their respective front panels, it is still possible to adjust the pin by at least plus or minus 4 millimeters around a central position along each of the three axes during installation. of the mechanism.

In the process of arranging the facade panels and installing the mechanism, a sealing compound having a certain curing time is provided to be poured into the sleeve.

Adjustment of the pin position as described is possible until this sealant has hardened.

Once the installation of the mechanism is complete, the pin is in a fixed position given in the sleeve, but it can nevertheless undergo a limited relative movement with respect to the upper guide parallel to the first and third axes, preferably of at least 1 millimeter according to each of these axes, more preferably, 6 to 10 millimeters included parallel to the first axis and | to 5 millimeters inclusive parallel to the third axis.

This is advantageously due to the fact that the length of the opening of the upper guide is greater than its width, and to the fact that the position of the pin along the third axis is not fixed but just limited by the means.

Indeed, these means make it possible to limit the variations in movement of the pin parallel to the third axis through the opening of the upper guide, around an installation position of the pin.

HH is advantageous that this relative movement is possible to follow any evolving relative movements between the facade panels due to the life of the materials constituting them and constituting the support structure to which they are attached.

In addition, such movements can also occur during earthquakes.

In this situation, the possibility of relative movement between the pin and the upper guide is very important to prevent too much earthquake tension from being exerted between the facade panels and generating potential breakage of the facade panels and / or their arrangement

The mechanism according to the invention is therefore not only particularly simple and quick to install for a construction worker, but in addition, it is very reliable and efficient. Indeed, as indicated above, the mechanism is designed so that a limited relative movement between the pin and the upper guide is possible parallel to the first and third axes, when the pin occupies a given position in the sleeve.

Finally, the mechanism according to the invention is structurally simple and inexpensive to produce.

In the context of this document, the facade panels are intended to be arranged facing a facade of a support structure, for example, a wall of a building. A facade panel extends mainly over a surface defining this facade, and has a defined thickness el measured perpendicular to the facade. Therefore, a "face" of a facade panel designates a surface extending parallel to the facade, and a "slice" of a facade panel designates another surface extending mainly perpendicular to the facade. A facade panel typically comprises two faces: an “interior face” facing the support structure, generally invisible on the outside, and an “exterior face” opposite the interior face, visible on the outside.

Preferably, the arrangement of the upper and interior facade panels is such that the upper facade panel surmounts the lower facade panel, and this mainly on an upper edge of the latter. When the mechanism is installed on the facade panels, the plates of the upper and lower guides are then parallel, and preferably approximately in the same plane parallel to the facade. The third axis is, for its part, preferably directed essentially perpendicular to the upper edge of the lower facade panel. independently, and preferably, the first axis is parallel to the upper guide plate, more preferably also perpendicular to the third axis. More preferably still, the first, second and third axes are perpendicular two by two so as to form a spatial orthogonal frame of reference. This preferred arrangement

- 6 - between the facade panels and the axes is specifically described in the detailed description. However, it is not limiting on the scope of the invention.

In the context of this document, the plates and the extensions of the guides preferably essentially form the guides and are preferably essentially flat and / or of the same thickness.

In the context of this document, as is usually accepted by a person skilled in the art, the term "pin" preferably refers to a metal cylinder, andor the term "sleeve" preferably refers to an elongated rigid case. along the third axis and apie to serve as an envelope for at least a lower part of the pin. The sleeve is very preferably of a transverse section (along the third axis) which is essentially circular. Further, an inside diameter of the sleeve is necessarily larger than a diameter of the pin.

The use, in this document, of the verb "to understand", its variants, as well as its Conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use, in this document, of the indefinite article "a", "a", or of the definite article "the", "the" or "P>, to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

At least the thickness of material constituting the guides and the section diameter of the pin depend on the load that the mechanism must take up. The greater this load, the higher these parameters will be. Typically, this load evaluated along the second axis is between plus or minus 1 kilo Newton and plus or minus 10 kilo Newton. I! It is expected that the thickness of material constituting the guides is between 2 and 8 millimeters inclusive, more conventionally between 4 and 6 millimeters inclusive, and that the section diameter of the pin is between 6 and 16 millimeters inclusive, more conventionally between 10 and 12 millimeters included.

In the following, several preferred embodiments of the invention compatible with one another are examined. These successively concern the

-7- pin and the means, the extensions of the guides, the sleeve and the pin, and the guide plates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pin comprises a threaded portion, and the means comprise a first nut screwed onto the threaded portion of the pin. This makes it possible to implement in a simple and rapid manner the limitation of the movement of the pin parallel to the third axis, through the opening of the upper guide, during the installation of the mechanism. Indeed, this limitation then depends on the adjustment in position of the nut on the threaded part of the pin, which is a simple and quick manipulation to perform for a construction worker.

Preferably, the means also comprise a second nut screwed onto the threaded portion of the pin, the first and second nuts being arranged on either side of the extension of the upper guide. The second nut thus gives greater freedom and safety to adjust the position of the pin and limit its movement parallel to the third axis after installation of the mechanism. Additionally, the second nut helps ensure that the pin does not come back out of the sleeve when a sealant is poured therein.

More preferably still, a distance separating these first and second nuts, measured along the third axis, is equal to a thickness of the extension of the upper guide, measured along the third axis, and increased by 1/2 to 10 millimeters inclusive, preferably by | to 5 millimeters inclusive. The pin can preferably undergo a movement parallel to the third axis, relative to the upper guide, from 1/2 to 10 millimeters inclusive, preferably from 1 to 5 millimeters inclusive, after installation of the mechanism on the facade panels, thanks to this preferred embodiment. The thickness of the extension of the upper guide is, for its part, preferably between 2 and 10 millimeters inclusive, more preferably it is about 4 millimeters.

Preferably, the mechanism further comprises a washer interposed on the pin between the first nut and the extension of the upper guide. Advantageously, the washer makes it possible both to withstand the possible pressure

- 8 - of the first nut and to ensure a sliding of the pin in the opening of the upper guide parallel to the first axis by reducing the friction of the nut against the extension of the upper guide.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pin has a section diameter essentially equal to the width of the opening of the upper guide.

In this way, adjustment of the position of the pin parallel to the second axis is only possible by moving the pin in the sleeve during installation of the mechanism.

After the sealing compound poured into the sheath has hardened, the pin will no longer be able to undergo movement relative to the upper and lower guides along the second axis.

This situation is particularly advantageous in the very preferred case where the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis and to the plates of the upper and lower guides.

Indeed, in this case, after installation of the mechanism, the facade panels can no longer move relative to each other perpendicular to the facade, which allows the mechanism to transmit optimally, from the facade panel higher towards the lower facade panel, any pressures exerted by the wind and / or a seismic force perpendicular to the facade.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio between the length and the width of the opening of the upper guide is at least 3/2, preferably between 2 and 3 inclusive.

Preferably, the first and second axes are perpendicular, the first axis being parallel to the plague of the upper guide.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening of the upper guide is oblong, that is to say it comprises rounded corners.

Preferably, these define two opening ends, the profile of which corresponds to transverse half-sections of the pin.

A relative movement imitated between the pin and the upper guide is then possible parallel to the first axis, over the entire length of the opening of the upper guide, the pin possibly being at one of the two opening ends or between the two.

This

- 9 - preferred embodiment of the opening of the upper guide cannot however exclude a rectangular opening from the framework of the invention. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper guide comprises two extensions extending mainly perpendicular to the plague of the upper guide, starting from it. and each comprising an opening of a length, measured along the first axis, greater than a width, measured along the second axis, the openings being similar and coaxial along the third axis, the pin extending therethrough . The presence of these two extensions allows an advantageous better stability of the pin in the upper guide.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension of the lower guide comprises an essentially circular opening through which the sleeve passes. Preferably, the opening of the lower guide is adjusted to an essentially circular cross section of the sheath. The sleeve is thus held fixedly to the lower guide while being positioned in this opening.

Preferably, the sleeve comprises a projecting edge resting on the extension of the lower guide around the opening of the latter. This edge advantageously makes it possible to maintain and further stabilize the sleeve on the lower guide.

Optionally, the lower guide comprises two extensions which extend mainly perpendicular to the plate of the lower guide, therefrom, each comprising a substantially circular opening through which the sleeve extends. Although only one of these extensions is sufficient to hold the sleeve in the lower guide, the presence of these two extensions allows better retention of the sleeve in position, The pin then preferably extends also through the opening of each extension of the lower guide, in the sleeve, which allows a distribution of the resistance created by the pin and the subsequently poured sealing compound which is more homogeneous in the sleeve, giving the whole a greater solidity when after installation of the mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a transverse section (at the third axis) of the sleeve is essentially constant and circular along the third axis, the ratio between an internal diameter of the transverse section and a section diameter the pin being at least 3/2, preferably about 2. Thus, the pin can be easily and limitedly adjusted parallel to the first axis, and possibly parallel to the second axis, when installing the mechanism on the face panels, as there is some play of the pin in the sleeve prior to the curing of the sealant poured into the sleeve. This embodiment cannot exclude the optional embodiment of the invention for which a lower base of the sleeve comprises an essentially circular cross section which is decreasing and / or smaller than for the rest of the sleeve, so as to stabilize andor limiting movement of the pin in the lower base of the sleeve.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the plates of the upper and lower guides comprises two lateral wings which extend parallel to the third axis. Such aisles allow an advantageous reduction in the force exerted by the anchoring parts used to fix the plates of the lower and upper guides to the lower and upper facade panels respectively, Indeed, the side wings increase the contact surface between the upper or lower guide plate and the upper or lower front panel so as to distribute this force even more over a larger surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates of the upper and lower guides comprise openings arranged to receive anchoring pieces configured to fix the upper and lower guides to the upper and lower facade panels respectively, it is thus more easy and quick for a construction worker to fix the plates of the upper and lower guides because they are pre-punched.

The present invention also provides a kt comprising the mechanism according to the invention and anchoring parts configured to secure the

- 44 - upper and lower guide plates to the upper and lower facade panels respectively.

The preferred embodiments and the advantages of the mechanism according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the present kit. Preferably, each anchoring part comprises: a female portion configured to be embedded in a material which constitutes one of the upper and / or lower panels, and comprising a threaded internal (cylindrical) surface arranged to open onto the internal face of the panel; - A male portion comprising a bolt configured to be screwed into the female portion.

The anchor parts are therefore particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Advantageously, provision can be made to deliver the female portion to the manufacturer of facade panels so that he incorporates them in the manufacture of the panels by embedding them in a material constituting them. As the threaded internal surface is arranged to open onto the interior face of a facade panel, the facade panel can be delivered to the site without any protuberance, in other words, without any element protruding from its interior face. , which is advantageous both for storage, transport and handling of the front panel. In addition, the positions to which the guide plates are to be fixed on the facade panels are thus clearly predetermined and visible to a construction worker thanks to the unblocking of the threaded internal surfaces on the internal faces of the facade panels. As a result, a site man can fix the guides very simply and very quickly when arranging the facade panels, and then adjust the position of the pin in the upper guide and the sleeve according to the first, second and third axis as already described in the summary of the invention.

Thus, the inventors have specifically provided the invention so that the process of arranging the facade panels is both the simplest and the fastest possible for a construction worker, thus reducing

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considerably the risk of error and the cost of service of this construction man, and therefore also the time and cost of implementing the process of arranging the facade panels.

The invention also proposes an assembly (or arrangement) of facade panels comprising:

- an upper facade panel comprising an interior face to face a support structure and an exterior face opposite to the interior face;

- A lower facade panel comprising an interior face to face the support structure and an exterior face opposite the interior face;

a kit according to the invention, in which: = the plate of the upper guide is fixed to the inner face of the upper facade panel, parallel to the latter, by anchoring pieces; = the lower guide plate is fixed to the inside face of the lower facade panel, parallel to it, by anchoring pieces; and further comprising a sealing compound cast and solidified in the sleeve, so as to trap the pin therein.

This assembly of facade panels corresponds to the situation obtained after installation of the mechanism on the facade panels.

The preferred embodiments and the advantages of the installed mechanism and of the kit according to the invention already discussed in this summary of the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the present assembly of facade panels.

Preferably, the sealing compound is a mortar.

Preferably, each guide plate is secured by two anchor pieces, which reduces the time for fixing the guide plates and the cost of the anchor pieces.

However, it is possible to provide for fixing a plate of a guide by another number of anchoring parts for greater strength and safety, for example, a number of four or eight anchoring parts distributed in a balanced manner over the surface of the plate.

Preferably, each anchoring piece includes:

- 43 - - a female portion embedded in a material constituting one of the upper and lower panels, and comprising a threaded internal surface opening onto the internal face of the panel; - A male portion comprising a bolt configured to be screwed into the female portion.

More preferably still, the plates of the upper and lower guides comprise openings aligned with the emerging zone of the threaded internal surfaces on the internal face of the facade panels, these openings being crossed by the male parts of the anchoring parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for arranging facade panels of any thickness between them, simply and quickly.

To this end, the invention proposes a method of arranging an upper facade panel and a lower facade panel Pun with respect to each other, the method comprising the following steps: (} providing a kit according to the invention; (ii) fix the plate of the upper guide on the inner face of the upper front panel, parallel to it, by means of the anchoring pieces; and fix the plate of the lower guide on the inner face of the lower facade, parallel to it, by means of the anchoring pieces; (ii) pour into the sheath a sealing compound capable of hardening after a setting time; (iv) adjust the pin in position in the upper guides and lower: - by moving it in the opening of the upper guide, parallel to the first axis; - by moving it in the sleeve parallel to the second axis; - by moving it in the sleeve and through the opening of the upper guide, parallel to the third axis; (v) limit movement ment of the pin parallel to the third axis, through the opening of the upper guide, with the means.

The embodiments and the advantages of the mechanism and of the kit according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to this method of arrangement. In this sense, as discussed previously in this summary of the invention, the method according to the present invention allows an arrangement of facade panels of any thickness between them, in a simple and rapid manner. Brief description of the figures Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the appended figures, among which: FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of a mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of a kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1; - Figure 3 illustrates a schematic two-dimensional view of an assembly (or arrangement) of facade panels according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising the Hluster kit in Figure 2; - Figure 4 illustrates a two-dimensional schematic view along section IV visible in Figure 3 of the assembly of facade panels illustrated in Figure 3; - Figure 5 shows a schematic two-dimensional view of an assembly of facade panels according to one embodiment of the invention.

The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Generally, like elements are denoted by like references in the figures. In the context of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments of the Invention This part of the document presents a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The advantages of these embodiments are not systematically recalled in this part because they are detailed in the summary of the invention. The invention is described structurally according to particular embodiments and with references to figures but the invention is not limited by them. In particular, the drawings or figures described below are only diagrammatic and are not limiting. The references M1, M2, M3, M4, MS, E, F, G, d, D, LL, X, Ÿ, Z which are represented in some of these figures correspond to measurements and / or abstract geometric references intended to quantify You can view properties of embodiments of the invention.

In the context of this document, reference is made to several so-called “first axis”, “second axis” and “third axis”, denoted respectively by the references X, Y and Z. The particular embodiments described present the non-limiting case where these three axes define an orthogonal reference mark of the space which is illustrated in each of the figures. The mechanism 1 (or pinning system) is preferably presented in this description for an arrangement of upper 2 and lower 3 facade panels for which the upper facade panel 2 surmounts an upper edge of the lower facade panel 3. In this context, the respective plates 41 and 51 of the upper 4 and lower 5 guides are intended to be installed parallel, approximately on the same plane parallel to the facade, and the third axis Z is directed parallel to these plates 41 and 51, perpendicular to the upper edge of the lower facade panel 3 when the mechanism 1 is in the state installed on the facade panels 2 and 3. In other words, the third axis Z defines a conventionally “vertical” direction. The first and second X and Y axes illustrated define, for their part, a reference mark on a plane perpendicular to the plates 41 and 51. The first X axis defines a "horizontal" direction parallel to the plates 41 and 51 while the second Y axis defines a direction which is perpendicular to the plates 41 and 51, as well as to the inner face of the panels

- 18 - facade 2 and 3 when mechanism 1 is in the state installed on facade panels 2 and 3.

The terms “first”, “second” and “third” are, for their part, used within the framework of this document exclusively to differentiate different elements, and this without implying order between these elements.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate in detail a mechanism 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The mechanism 1 comprises a pin 7, an essentially cylindrical sleeve 6 in which the latter partially extends, an upper guide 4 to quider the pin 7 at the top and a lower guide 5 to hold the sleeve fixedly.

Each of the guides 4 and 5 comprises a plane 41 and 51. The plates are of a similar shape, although arranged in orthogonal symmetry parallel to the first X axis, which facilitates the design and production management of the guides 4 and 5. The plates 41 and 51 each include side wings 44 and 54 respectively which extend along the third axis Z, as well as openings 417 and 51T respectively to accommodate portions of anchoring parts 9 as illustrated in Figure 2. These openings 41T and 517 and the anchoring parts 9 are intended to fix the guides 4 and 5 in a simple and quick way on site to the facade panels 2 and 3 respectively, as illustrated in figures 3 to 5. Measurements of the plate 41 are given purely as an indication and not limiting : - a length of the plate 41 measured parallel to the first axis X is designated by M1 and between 100 and 300 millimeters, preferably it is 100 millimeters; a height of the body of the plate 41 measured parallel to the third axis Z is designated by M4 and between 50 and 200 millimeters, preferably it is 70 millimeters; - A height of the wings 44 measured parallel to the third axis Z is designated by M5 and between 25 and 150 millimeters, preferably it is 45 millimeters.

- 47 - As specified in the summary of the invention, these values are liable to vary according to the load to be taken up by the mechanism 1. Similar measures apply symmetrically for the plate 51 of the lower guide 5.

Each of quides A and 5 comprises two extensions designated by 42, 42 'for the upper guide 4, and 52, 52' for the lower guide 5. These mainly consist of other plates of a material thickness E similar to that of the plates 41 and 51 of the guides 4 and 5. In this way, the guides have a thickness E of material, preferably metallic, more preferably 304L or 316L stainless steel, essentially constant and between 2 and 10 millimeters, preferably between 4 and 6 millimeters inclusive, more preferably still 4 millimeters. The extensions 42, 42 ', 52, 52 extend mainly perpendicular to the plates 41 and 51 of the guides λ and 5, from them, more precisely from an edge of the body of these plates 41 and 51, and between the wings 44 and 54 along the third Z axis, and parallel to the first X and second Y axes. However, it cannot be excluded that these extensions 42, 42 ’, 52, 52 ° have some level variations with respect to a flat plague. It is in this sense that the expression of a "predominantly perpendicular" extension should be interpreted by a person skilled in the art. Measurements of the extension 43 are given purely as an indication and without limitation: a length of the extension 43 measured parallel to the first axis X is designated by M5 and between 25 and 75 millimeters, preferably it is 50 millimeters; - A width of the extension 43 measured parallel to the second Y axis is designated by M3 and between 30 and 80 millimeters, preferably it is 55 millimeters.

As specified in the summary of the invention, these values are likely to vary depending on the load to be taken up by mechanism 1. Similar measures apply for the 42 ’, 52 and 52 ° extensions. Each of the extensions 42, 42 ", 52 and 52" has an opening designated respectively by the reference 43, 43, 53 and 53 ". The openings 43 and

- 18 - 43 of the upper guide 4 are of an identical shape and are coaxial along the third axis Z The openings 53 and 53 'of the lower guide 5 are of an identical shape and are coaxial along the third axis Z. The shape of the openings 43 and 53 is visible in section IV of Figure 3 illustrated in Figure 4. The opening 43 shown in dotted lines is of an oblong shape, of a length L, measured along the first axis X, between 16 and 48 millimeters inclusive, preferably about 35 millimeters, which is strictly greater than a width |, measured along the second Y axis, between 8 and 15 millimeters, preferably about 12 millimeters. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the length L is two to three times greater than the width | and this latter corresponds to a diameter d of section of the pin 7 as shown in FIG. 4. The ends of the opening 43 considered along the first axis X have exactly the profile of a transverse half-section of the pin 7, so that the pin 7 cannot move parallel to the second Y axis in the opening 43 but can on the other hand move parallel to the first X axis from one end of the opening 43 to the other, over the entire length L. The opening 53 of the guide 5 is circular and of a diameter which corresponds to an external diameter of section of the cylindrical sleeve 6, which is between 16 and 32 millimeters inclusive, preferably about 24 millimeters .

The pin extends parallel to the third axis Z, through the openings 43 and 43 'of the upper guide A, and in the sleeve 6. The sleeve is fixedly held by the lower guide 5, and extends into the openings 53 and 53 'of the lower guide 5. The sleeve 6 also comprises an edge 62 projecting around the opening 53, on the extension 52 of the lower guide 5, so as to stabilize it further by means of the lower guide 5. The internal diameter D of the sleeve 6 of circular cross section 61 illustrated in FIG. 4 is between 16 and 30 millimeters inclusive, preferably also about 24 millimeters, |! is typically about twice as large as a section diameter d of the pin 7. Before the installation of the mechanism according to the invention is completed, the pin can therefore be moved in the sleeve 6, and within its limits, in parallel at the first X, second Y and third Z axes, in the openings

- 19 - 43 and 43 ’, relative to the upper guide 4, parallel to the first axis X, and through the openings 43 and 43, relative to the upper guide 4, parallel to the third axis Z.

The mechanism 1 comprises mechanical means 8 for limiting the movement of the pin 7 parallel to the third axis Z, through the openings 43 and 43 'of the upper guide 4. As illustrated precisely in FIG. 3, these means 8 mechanics include in particular a first 81 and a second & 2 nuts screwed onto a threaded portion 71 of the pin 7. The threaded portion 71 consists of an upper portion of the pin 7 extending parallel to the third Z axis, close to and on the side on the other side of the extension 42 of the upper guide 4. The nuts 81 and 82 are, for their part, arranged on either side of the extension 42 of the upper guide 4, the first nut 81 being surmounted by the second nut 82 along the third Z axis. A washer 83, preferably of Teflon, is interposed on the threaded portion 71, between the first nut 81 and the extension 42 of the upper guide 4 so as to facilitate sliding of the pin 7 along the first axis X in Vouve rlure 43 of this extension 42, independently of the screwing of the nuts. In this way, a relative movement between the pin 7 and the upper guide 4 is possible, in an imitated manner, parallel to the third axis Z without modifying the position of the pin 7 in the sleeve 6. This relative movement is possible parallel to the third axis over a total distance corresponding to the difference between the distance F separating the first 81 and second 82 nuts, measured along the third axis Z, and the thickness E. This total distance is between 1/2 and 10 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 5 millimeters included depending on the position of the nuts 81 and 82 on the threaded portion 71. The position of the nuts 81 and 82 on the threaded portion 74 is typically adjusted at the end of the installation process of the mechanism 1 on the facade panels 2 and 3 The upper 4 and lower 5 guides of the mechanism 1 are intended to be fixed on the upper 2 and lower 3 facade panels respectively, by means of anchoring pieces 9 which form, with the middle canism 1, a kit 10 according to the invention. Facade panels 2 and 3 include

- 20 - respectively an inner face 21 and 31, and an outer face 22 and 32 which is typically a facing face visible from the outside, As shown in Figure 2, each anchoring part 9 comprises: - a female portion 91 comprising a threaded internal cylindrical surface; a male portion 92 comprising a bolt configured to be screwed onto the threaded internal cylindrical surface of the female portion 91. The installation of the mechanism 1, and more particularly of the kit 10, on the facade panels 2 and 3 is shown.

As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the female portion 91 is intended to be pre-embedded in a material constituting the upper 2 and lower 3 facade panels during their manufacture.

This material preferably consists of concrete, more preferably of high performance concrete.

In order to obtain a good retention of the female portion 91 in the facade panels 2 and 3 once these have been formed, the threaded internal surface is fixed to a piece of flat anchoring piece 93 parallel to the internal faces 21 and 31 facade panels 2 and 3. The threaded internal surface opens onto the internal face 21 or 31 of one of the facade panels 2, 3, without protruding therefrom so as to allow easy storage, transport and handling facade panels 2 and 3 once manufactured.

The male portions 92 are intended to remain with the mechanism 1 which then comes into the possession of a construction worker.

The latter will place the openings 417, 51T of the plates 41 and 51 of the guides 4 and 5 coaxially along the second axis Y with the emerging areas of the threaded internal surfaces of the female portions 91. It then screws the male portions 92 into the female portions 91 for fixing the plates 41 and 51, and therefore the guides 4 and 5, to the front panels 2 and 3 respectively.

This step of fixing the quides 4 and 5 to the facade panels 2 and 3 is therefore particularly well prepared upstream of the site so that it can be easily and quickly carried out by the site man.

This fixing step corresponds to step (ii) of the arrangement method according to the present invention.

- D -

A sealing compound 63, preferably a mortar capable of hardening after a setting time, is then poured into the sleeve 6 and the pin 7 is positioned correctly in the upper guide 4 and in the sleeve 6. This positioning step, then d Adjustment of the position of the pin 7 according to the first X, second Y and third Z axis is made possible until the sealing compound 63 has hardened. The mechanism 1 is designed very advantageously so that a person skilled in the art can very simply and very easily to carry out this position adjustment in one or more of the three directions of space.

Indeed, it suffices for it to perform a relative movement between the pin 7 and the upper guide 4, in the openings 43 and 43 ', parallel to the first axis X, along the length L of the openings 43 and 43', which is made possible given the oblong shape of the openings 43 and 43 °, and / or to move the pin 7 in the sleeve 6, parallel to the second axis Y, which is made possible given that the internal diameter D of the sleeve 6 is preferably about two times larger than the section diameter of the pin 7, and / or to move the pin 7 in the sleeve 6 as well as through the openings 43 and 43 'of the upper guide À, parallel to the third axis Z, which is made possible within an adjustable range by mechanical means 8. The different degrees of freedom therefore depend on relative movements according to different parts of the mechanism 1, and it is therefore easy for this construction worker to know what relative movement he must submit within the mechanism 1 to adjust the position of the pin 7 Finally, this being done, the nuts 81 and 82 can be fitted to the threaded part 71 of the pin 7. Again, this manipulation is very simple and quick to perform for a person skilled in the art.

Thus, the pin 7 is positioned correctly in the upper guide 4 and in the sheath 6. Once the sealing compound 63 is set, the position along the second Y axis of the pin 7 is permanently fixed relative to the rest of the mechanism 1 and the assembly of the facade panels 2 and 3. However, as advantageously provided by the mechanism 1, a limited relative movement between the pin 7 and the upper guide 4 parallel to the first X and third Z axes

- 292. will remain possible throughout the life of building 100, the facade panels 2 and 3 of which form the facade. The gap G, measured along the third Z axis, between the facade panels 2 and 3 is generally limited by 15 millimeters.

Figure 5 illustrates a more global view of the assembly of facade panels of Figure 3 and the installation of the mechanism 1 on the facade panels 2 and 3. In particular, this figure 5 also illustrates fixing devices 11 el 12 of the lower facade panel 3 to the building wall 100. These devices include in particular hangers 11 and spacers 12 as known to a person skilled in the art. Each facade panel comprises such fixing devices 11 and 12. Two facade panels such as the lower 3 and upper 2 facade panels illustrated are advantageously connected to one another by a mechanism 1 according to the invention.

In summary, the present invention relates to a mechanism 1 for mechanically coupling upper 2 and lower 3 facade panels to each other. The mechanism 1 comprises a pin 7, an upper guide 4 fixed to the upper front panel 2 to guide the pin 7 and a lower guide 5 fixed to the lower front panel 3 to hold a sleeve 6 in which the pin 7 extends. Mechanism 1 is configured to be installed remotely from the upper 2 and lower 3 facade panels.

The invention further provides a method of arranging these panels 2, 3 by means of the mechanism 1.

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. The highly preferred digital data of the parameters Mi, M2, M3, M4, M5, E, F, d, D, let L are in particular provided for an embodiment of the mechanism 1 making it possible to take up a certain class of loads, and are not in no way limiting the scope of the invention. In general, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples described above.

Claims (20)

- 23 - Claims 1. Mechanism (1) for mechanically coupling an upper facade panel (2) and a lower facade panel (3), comprising: - an upper guide (4) comprising: "a plate (41), = at least one extension (42) extending mainly perpendicular to the plate (41), therefrom, and comprising an opening (43) of a length (L}, measured along a first axis (X), greater that a width (B), measured along a second axis (Y); - A lower guide (5) comprising: = a plate (51), "at least one extension (52) extending mainly perpendicular to the plate (51), and from the latter; - a sleeve (6) extending along a third axis essentially (Z) parallel to the plate (51) of the lower guide (5), and fixedly held by the extension (52) of the lower guide (5): - a pin (7) extending, both into the sleeve (6) and through the opening (43) of the upper guide (4); - Means (8) for limiting a movement of the pin (7) parallel to the third axis (2), through the opening (43) of the upper guide (4). 2. Mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pin (7) comprises a threaded portion (71), and in that the means (8) comprise a first nut (81) screwed onto the threaded portion ( 71) of the pin (7). - DA - 3. Mechanism {1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means (8) further comprise a second nut (82) screwed onto the threaded portion (71) of the pin (7), the first (81) and second (82) nuts being arranged on either side of the extension (42) of the upper guide (4). 4, Mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a distance (F) separating the first (81) and second (82) nuts, measured along third axis (2), is equal to a thickness (E) of the extension (42) of the upper guide (4), measured along the third axis (2), and increased by 1/2 to 10 millimeters. 5. Mechanism {1} according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a washer (83) interposed on the pin (7) between the first nut (81) and the extension ( 42) of the upper guide (4). 6. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin has a diameter (d) of section substantially equal to the width () of the opening (43) of the upper guide (4). ). 7. Mechanism {1} according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio between the length (L) and the width (|) of the opening (43) of the upper guide (4) is at least 3 / 2. 8. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening {43} of the upper guide (4) is oblong. 9. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper guide (4) comprises two extensions - DE - (42, 42 ') extending mainly perpendicular to the plate (41) of the upper guide (4), from the latter, and each comprising an opening (43, 43 ”) of a length ( L), measured along the first axis (X), greater than a width (D, measured along the second axis (Y), the openings (43, 43 ”being similar and coaxial along the third axis (Z), the pin (7) extending therethrough. 10. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension (52) of the lower guide (5) comprises an essentially circular opening (53) through which the sleeve (6) passes. 11, Mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening (53) of the lower guide (5) is fitted to a transverse section (61) essentially circular of the sheath (6). 12. Mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the sleeve comprises an edge (62) projecting resting on the extension (52) of the lower guide (5) around the opening (53) of the latter. 13. Mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the lower guide (5) comprises two extensions (52, 52 ") extending mainly perpendicular to the plate (51) of the lower guide (5), therefrom, and each comprising an essentially circular opening (53, 53 ”through which the sleeve (6) extends. 14. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transverse section (61) of the sleeve (6) is essentially constant and circular along the third axis (2), the - 28 - ratio between an internal diameter (D) of this transverse section (61) and a section diameter (d) of the pin (7) being at least 3/2. 15. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plates (41, 51) of the upper (4) and lower (5) guides comprises two lateral wings (44, 54) which extend parallel to the third axis (Z). 16. Mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plates (41, 51) of the upper (4) and lower (5) guides comprise openings (41T, 51T) arranged to accommodate parts. anchor (9) configured to secure the upper (4) and lower (5) guides to the upper (2) and lower (3) facade panels respectively. 17. Kit (10) comprising the mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and anchoring pieces (9) configured to fix the plates (41, 51) of the upper (4) and lower (5) guides. to the upper (2) and lower (3) facade panels respectively. 18. Assembly of facade panels comprising: - an upper facade panel (2) comprising an interior face (21) to face a support structure and an exterior face (22) opposite to the interior face (21); - a lower facade panel (3) comprising an interior face (31) to face the support structure and an exterior face (32) opposite to the interior face (31); - a kit (10) according to the preceding claim, in which: »the plate (41) of the upper guide (4) is fixed to the inner face (21) of the upper front panel (2), parallel to the latter, by anchoring pieces (9); - 27 - = the plate (51) of the lower guide (5) is fixed to the inner face (31) of the lower front panel (3), parallel to the latter, by anchoring pieces (9); and further comprising a sealing compound (63) cast and solidified in the sleeve (6), so as to trap the pin (7) therein. 19. Assembly of facade panels according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanism {1} of the kit (10) is according to claim 16, and in that each anchoring part (9) comprises: - a female portion (91) embedded in a material constituting one of the upper (2) and lower (3) facade panels, and comprising a threaded internal surface opening onto the internal face (21, 31) of the facade panel (2, 3): - a male portion (92) comprising a bolt passing through one of the openings (417, 517) of the plates (41, 51), configured to be screwed into the female portion (91). 20. Method of arranging an upper facade panel (2) and a lower facade panel (3) relative to each other, the method comprising the following steps: {i} supply a kit according to the claim 17; (if) fix the plate (41) of the upper guide (4) on the inner face (21) of the upper front panel (2), parallel to the latter, by means of the anchoring pieces (9); and fixing the plate (51) of the lower guide (5) on the inner face (31) of the lower front panel (3), parallel thereto, by means of the anchoring pieces (9); {ii} pouring into the sheath (6) a sealing compound (63) capable of hardening after a setting time; {iv} adjust the pin (7) in position in the upper (4) and interior (5) guides: - DB - - by moving it in the opening (43) of the upper guide (4), parallel to the first axis (X); - by moving it in the sleeve (5) parallel to the second axis {Y); - by moving it in the sleeve (6) and through the opening (43) of the upper guide (4), parallel to the third axis (2): {v) limit the movement of the pin (7) parallel to the third axis (2), through the opening (43) of the upper guide (4), with the means (8).