BE1029264B1 - Kit of parts for blackout panel, blackout panel and associated fastening method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit of parts (16) for a blackout panel (10). The kit of parts (16) comprises: - a slat (18) comprising a first surface (28) defining a first housing and a second surface, opposite the first surface (28), defining a second housing, - a connecting element (20) comprising a head (44), a first member (46) and a second member. The first member (46) and the second member respectively comprise a first pin and a second pin intended to be received respectively in the first housing and the second housing. The head (44) comprises a fixing member intended to be fixed on a cable (24) of a structure (12) of the blackout panel (10).

Description

1 BE2022/5268

Kit of parts for blackout panel, blackout panel and associated fastening method

The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a kit of parts for a blackout panel.

In particular, the invention relates to a kit of parts for a blackout panel preferably used outdoors to delimit a field or part of a field and/or hide a vis-à-vis. The blackout panel is also called a screen or palisade.

The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a blackout panel comprising at least one such kit of parts.

The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a method for mounting a slat on a cable of a blackout panel structure.

Blackout panels are known comprising a structure formed of a plurality of metal cables, generally extending horizontally and vertically. This type of blackout panel comprises a plurality of slats slipped between the metal cables and fixed to them. The assembly of this type of blackout panel is long and tedious.

The slats used are generally formed of plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), of wood such as for example an exotic wood, or of composite material such as for example composite wood. Composite wood is a thermoplastic composite material composed of wood fibers and plastic resins.

Plastic slats expand due to temperature variations, especially when they are directly exposed to solar radiation. Wood or composite wood slats are, because of their cellulose fiber content, sensitive to variations in humidity and swell when they absorb moisture. In all cases, the result is the deformation of the slats on either side of the metal cables and on either side of the fixing points of the slats on the cables. In addition, the expansion and/or swelling of the slats by humidity can cause the slats to move in the vertical direction. Since the deformations and/or the vertical displacements are not identical between the different slats which

2 BE2022/5268 make up the blackout panel, this results in a general aesthetic defect of the blackout panel.

An object of the invention is to provide a kit of parts for a blackout panel which makes it possible to limit the deformations and/or the vertical displacements of the slats once fixed while allowing assembly that is simple, quick and durable over time.

To this end, the invention relates to a kit of parts for a blackout panel comprising, the kit of parts comprising: - a slat comprising a first surface extending mainly in a first extension plane and a second surface, at the opposite the first surface, extending mainly in a second extension plane substantially parallel to the first extension plane, one end of the first surface defining at least one first housing and one end of the second surface defining at least one second housing, - a connecting element comprising a head, a first member and a second

Member, the first member and the second member being connected to the head, the first member and the second member respectively comprising a first pin and a second pin intended to be received respectively in the first housing and the second housing, the first member and the second member being intended to grip an outer edge of the slat on either side of the first surface and of the second surface, the head comprising a fixing member intended to be fixed to a cable of a structure of the blackout panel.

Thus, the kit of parts makes it possible to fix one end of the slat on the cable according to an elevation direction easily and without tools. The connecting element is easily assembled on the slat by introducing the lugs of the first member and of the second member respectively into the first housing and the second housing of the slat.

The connecting element provides good support for the slat. The head attachment member also allows easy assembly of the batten on the cable. Suspending the slat from its upper end makes it possible, thanks to the action of the mass of the slat and of gravity, to limit the deformations of the slat.

According to different embodiments, the kit of parts further comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in all technically possible combinations:

3 BE2022/5268 - the first housing and the second housing are formed by a single through hole, said hole passing through the slat between the first surface and the second surface; - the first member and the second member are intended to extend mainly in directions substantially parallel to the first extension plane and to the second extension plane, respectively facing the first surface and facing the second surface; - the first lug and the second lug are arranged facing each other; - the connecting element is formed by an elastically deformable material; - the fixing member is a snap-fastening member intended to clamp the cable of the structure of the blackout panel; - the slat is made of a composite material.

The invention also relates to a blackout panel comprising a structure and a plurality of kits of parts as described above, the structure comprising

A plurality of cables, the first extension plane and the second extension plane being substantially parallel to a direction of elevation, the first pin and the second connecting member pin being respectively received in the first housing and the second housing of the slat, the head of the connecting element being fixed on a cable of the plurality of cables.

According to a particular embodiment, the blackout panel comprises the following characteristic: - said cable extends in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation.

The invention also relates to a method for fixing a slat to a cable of a blackout panel structure, the method comprising the following steps: - supplying a kit of parts as described above, - fixing the connecting element on the slat by inserting the first lug and the second lug in the first housing and the second housing, - mounting the slat on the cable in an elevation direction by fixing the head of the connecting element on the cable .

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, including:

4 BE2022/5268 - [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blackout panel according to the invention comprising a plurality of kit of parts according to the invention, - [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a cross section of the concealing panel of Figure 1, - [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a detail of the upper end of a slat of the section of Figure 2, - [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connecting element of the kit of parts of Figure 1, and - [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a cross section of the connecting element of Figure 4.

Figures 1 and 2 show a screening panel 10 according to the invention.

The blackout panel 10 comprises a structure 12 comprising a plurality of cables 14, and a plurality of kits of parts 16. Each kit 16 comprises a slat 18 and a connecting element 20 to fix the slat 18 on a cable 14 of the structure 12 .

Optionally, the blackout panel 10 further comprises one or more retaining profile(s) 22 intended to prevent movement of the slats 18 relative to the structure 12 of the blackout panel 10.

The blackout panel 10 extends mainly in an elevation plane Pz. Preferably, the elevation plane Pz is substantially coincident with a vertical plane.

The structure 12 preferably comprises a plurality of posts (not shown) extending in directions substantially parallel to an elevation direction Z and driven into the ground to which the plurality of cables 14 are fixed.

The plurality of cables 14 comprises for example first cables 24 extending mainly in directions substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction L substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation Z, and second cables 26 extending in directions parallel to the direction of elevation Z. The plurality of cables 14 form a mesh. Preferably, the first cables 24 and the second cables 26 are metallic, for example steel.

Optionally, the second cables 24 form at least one longitudinal passage 27 each receiving a retaining profile 22, as shown for example in Figure 1.

Each slat 18 extends mainly along a direction of extension E.

When the slat 18 is assembled on the structure 12 of the blackout panel 10, the direction of extension E is substantially parallel with the direction of elevation Z. The slat 18 is fixed to the blackout panel 10 preferably between two second cables 26.

The slat 18 comprises a first surface 28 extending mainly in a first plane of extension and a second surface 30, opposite the first surface 28, extending mainly in a second plane of extension substantially parallel to the first expansion plan. When the slat 18 is fixed on the blackout panel 10, the first extension plane and the second extension plane are substantially merged with elevation planes.

The slat 18 is for example formed of a composite material. Preferably, the composite material is composite wood comprising wood or cellulosic fibers and plastic resins formed for example by polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride.

Alternatively, the slat 18 is formed only of plastic material or only of wood such as exotic wood.

The composite wood slat 18 is for example obtained by extrusion or by injection molding.

As visible in more detail in Figure 3, one end 32 of the first surface 28 defines a first housing 34 and one end 36 of the second surface 30 defines a second housing 38. The first housing 34 and the second housing 38 are for example arranged at a distance from an outer edge 40, in particular from an upper edge of the slat 18 in the elevation direction Z, of between 8 mm and 20 mm, for example 10 mm. In the example of Figures 1 to 5, the first housing 34 and the second housing 38 are formed by a single hole 42 passing through the slat between the first surface 28 and the second surface 30.

Alternatively (not shown), the first housing 34 and the second housing 38 are each formed by a blind hole.

The connecting element 20 (FIGS. 3 to 5) comprises a head 44, a first member 46 and a second member 48 both connected to the head 44.

The connecting element 20, that is to say the head 44, the first member 46 and the second member 48, is preferably formed in one piece. Preferably, the connecting element 20 is formed of an elastically deformable material. By “elastically deformable”, it is meant that the connecting element 20 deforms when a force, greater than a predetermined threshold, is exerted thereon. When the force is no longer exerted on [connecting element 20, the latter resumes its initial shape.

6 BE2022/5268

Alternatively, only the first member 46 and the second member 48 are elastically deformable.

The first member 46 and the second member 48 surround the outer edge 40 of the slat 18 on either side of the first surface 28 and the second surface 30. In other words, the head 44, the first member 46 and the second member 48 define between them a reception space 50 receiving the slat 18 and more particularly the outer edge 40 of the slat 18.

The first member 46 and the second member 48 each extend along directions substantially parallel to the first extension plane and to the second extension plane, respectively facing the first surface 28 and facing the second surface 30.

The first member 46 and the second member 48 each comprise an internal face 52 oriented respectively towards the first surface 28 and the second surface 30, and an external face 54 opposite the internal face 52.

The first member 46 and the second member 48, and more particularly the internal face 52 of each of these members 46, 48, respectively comprise a first lug 56 and a second lug 58 respectively received in the first housing 34 and the second housing 38.

The first lug 56 extends projecting from the internal face 52 of the first member 46 towards the first surface 28 of the slat 18. The second lug 58 extends projecting from the internal face 52 of the second member 48 towards the second surface 30 of the batten 18.

Preferably, the first lug 56 and the second lug 58 are integral with the first member 46 and the second member 48 respectively.

Preferably again, the first lug 56 and the second lug 58 are arranged

Pun opposite each other, on either side of the slat 18. The first lug 56 and the second lug 58 are arranged away from each other. They are for example separated by a distance of between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, for example 0.6 mm.

Each of the first and second lugs 56, 58 is preferably arranged on

A lower end in the elevation direction Z of the internal face 52 of each of the first and second members 46, 48.

Each first lug 56 and second lug 58 comprises for example an upper face 60 oriented towards the inside of the reception space 50 and a side face 62 connected to the upper face 60 and to the inner face 52 of the corresponding member 46,

7 BE2022/5268 48. The upper face 60 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the inner face 52 of the member 46, 48. The side face 62 is curved and extends from a periphery of the upper face 60 to the internal face 52 of the member 46, 48. The first lug 56 and the second lug 58 each form a half button. The curved side face 62 of the lugs 56, 58 facilitates their insertion into the housings 34, 38.

The upper face 60 forms an abutment surface against an internal surface of the housing 36, 38 preventing the slat 18 from moving or separating from the fixing element 20.

The head 44 comprises a fixing member 64. The fixing member 64 is fixed on a cable 14 of the structure 12 of the occulting panel 10. Preferably, the fixing member 64 is fixed on a first cable 24 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

Preferably, the fastener 64 comprises a snap fastener for clamping the first cable 24 of the structure 12 of the panel.

Blackout 10. The fixing member 64 comprises for example an upper arm 66 and a lower arm 68 connected to the upper arm 66. The upper arm 66 and the lower arm 68 delimit between a receiving housing 70 receiving the cable 24 of the structure 12 of the blackout panel 10. In the example of Figures 1 to 5, the receiving housing 70 receives the first cable 24. Preferably, at least one of the upper arm 66 and lower arm 68 is elastically deformable to allow the passage of the cable 24 through an opening 72 delimited by two outer edges 74 of the upper 66 and lower 68 arms.

Alternatively, the upper arm 66 and the lower arm 68 are both elastically deformable.

As a further variant, the fixing member 64 comprises a hook intended to cooperate with the cable 24. The hook is for example rigid or elastically deformable. The hook comprises a lower surface resting on the cable 24.

As a further variant, the fixing member 64 is of any type.

A method of fixing a slat 18 on a cable 24 of a structure 12 of blackout panel 10 will now be described.

First of all, the connecting element 20 is fixed on the slat 18 by inserting the first lug 56 and the second lug 58 respectively in the first housing 34 and the second housing 38. Preferably, the connecting element 20 is fixed by snap-fastening on the slat 18. The connecting element 20 is thus secured to the slat 18.

8 BE2022/5268

The slat 18 is then mounted on the cable 24 in the direction of elevation Z by fixing the head 44 of the connecting element 20 on the cable 24. The slat 18 is thus suspended on the cable 24 by means of the connecting element 20, by causing the fixing member 64 to cooperate with the cable 24.

The steps are repeated for all of the slats 18 which form the blackout panel 10. The slats 18 are fixed next to each other between the second cables 26.

Thus, the kit of parts 16 according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to fix the slat 18 on the cable 14 in the vertical direction Z from one end of the slat 18 easily and without tools. The connecting element 20 is easily assembled on the slat 18 by introducing the lugs 56, 58 of each of the first and second members 46, 48 respectively into the first housing 34 and the second housing 38. The connecting element 20 allows a good hold of the slat 18 on the slat 18. The fixing member 64 of the head 44 also allows easy mounting of the slat 18 on the cable 14. The fact of suspending the slat 18 from its upper end allows thanks to the action of the mass of the slat 18 and of gravity to limit the deformations of the slat 18 over time.

Alternatively, the connecting element, that is to say the head 44, the first member 46 and the second member 48, is formed by a plurality of parts fixed together. In particular, in this embodiment, the connecting element, in particular the first member 46 and the second member 48, are rigid, that is to say they do not deform elastically. The first member 46 and the second member 48 are for example interconnected by a clamping screw which makes it possible to bring the members 46, 48 towards each other until the members 46, 48 enclose the slat 18 .

Claims (10)

9 BE2022/5268 CLAIMS 1. Kit of parts (16) for blackout panel (10), the kit of parts (16) comprising: - a slat (18) comprising a first surface (28) extending mainly in a first extension plane and a second surface (30), opposite the first surface (28), extending mainly in a second extension plane substantially parallel to the first extension plane, one end (32) of the first surface (28) defining at least one first housing (34) and one end (36) of the second surface (30) defining at least one second housing (38), - a connecting element (20) comprising a head (44), a first member (46 ) and a second member (48), the first member (46) and the second member (46) being connected to the head (44), the first member (46) and the second member (48) respectively comprising a first lug ( 56) and a second lug (58) intended to be received respectively in the first housing (34) and the second housing (38), the first member (46) and the second member (48) being intended to grip an outer edge (40) of the slat (18) on either side of the first surface (28) and of the second surface (30), the head (44) comprising a fixing member (64) intended to be fixed on a cable (14, 24, 26) of a structure (12) of the blackout panel (10). 2. Kit (16) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing (34) and the second housing (38) are formed by a single through hole (42), said hole (42) passing through the slat (18) between the first surface (28) and the second surface (30). 3. Kit (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first member (46) and the second member (48) are intended to extend mainly along directions substantially parallel to the first extension plane and to the second plane. extension, respectively facing the first surface (28) and facing the second surface (30). 10 BE2022/5268 4. Kit (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first lug (56) and the second lug (58) are arranged opposite one another. 5. Kit (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting element (20) is formed by an elastically deformable material. 6. Kit (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing member (64) is a snap-fastening member intended to clamp the cable (14, 24) of the structure (12) of the blackout panel (10). 7. Kit (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slat (18) is formed of a composite material. 8. Blackout panel (10) comprising a structure (12) and a plurality of parts kits (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the structure (12) comprising a plurality of cables (14), the first extension plane and the second extension plane being substantially parallel to an elevation direction (Z), the first lug (56) and the second lug (58) of the connecting element (20) being respectively received in the first housing (34) and the second housing (38) of the slat (18), the head (44) of the connecting element (20) being fixed on a cable (24) of the plurality of cables (14) . 9. Blackout panel (10) according to claim 8, wherein said cable (24) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation (Z). 10. A method of fixing a slat (18) on a cable (24, 26) of a structure (12) of a blackout panel (10), the method comprising the following steps: - supply of a kit of parts ( 16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, - fixing the connecting element (20) on the slat (18) by inserting the first lug (56) and the second lug (58) in the first housing (34 ) and the second housing (38), - mounting the slat (18) on the cable (24, 26) in an elevation direction (Z) by fixing the head (44) of the connecting element (20) on the cable (24).