EP0453474A1

EP0453474A1 - Support device associated with a metal section, in particular for supporting a shelf or a spacer made of modular or dismountable elements

Info

Publication number: EP0453474A1
Application number: EP19900901836
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacques Marot; Jean-Claude Boue
Original assignee: DESIGN ET D'AGENCEMENT Ste; Societe de Design et dAgencement SA
Current assignee: DESIGN ET D'AGENCEMENT Ste; Societe de Design et dAgencement SA
Priority date: 1989-01-12
Filing date: 1990-01-11
Publication date: 1991-10-30
Also published as: FR2641586B1; WO1990007886A1; FR2641586A1

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de support associé à un profilé présentant extérieurement au moins une rainure en T, notamment pour supporter une tablette ou entretoise d'élément modulaire ou démontable. Selon l'invention, le dispositif de support comporte essentiellement un étrier (4) insérable dans une rainure en T (2), ledit étrier présentant une denture extérieure (6) destinée à coopérer avec la face intérieure des lèvres (3) délimitant ladite rainure. Lorsque l'étrier (4) est inséré, il définit extérieurement un crochet de suspension. Le dispositif de support comporte également un taquet (8) ayant la forme générale d'une équerre, avec une surface de came (9) pouvant coopérer avec le profilé, de telle façon que le basculement du taquet (8) mis en place sur l'étrier (4) produise automatiquement un verrouillage du dispositif de support sur le profilé (1). Application notamment à la réalisation d'éléments d'ameublement en kit, comportant des tablettes ou étagères.The invention relates to a support device associated with a profile having externally at least one T-shaped groove, in particular for supporting a shelf or spacer of modular or removable element. According to the invention, the support device essentially comprises a stirrup (4) insertable in a T-shaped groove (2), said stirrup having an external toothing (6) intended to cooperate with the inner face of the lips (3) delimiting said groove . When the stirrup (4) is inserted, it externally defines a suspension hook. The support device also comprises a cleat (8) having the general shape of a square, with a cam surface (9) capable of cooperating with the profile, so that the tilting of the cleat (8) placed on the 'caliper (4) automatically produces a locking of the support device on the profile (1). Application in particular to the production of furnishing elements in kit form, comprising shelves or shelves.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH A PROFILE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A SUPPORT

SHELF OR SPACER OF MODULAR OR REMOVABLE ELEMENT.

The invention relates to the support of component parts of modular or removable elements whose framework is essentially formed of profiles arranged vertically, and more particularly the support of shelves or spacers of such elements when said framework comprises profiles having externally at least one groove in

T.

The targeted field is therefore more particularly, but not exclusively, that of the assembly of furnishing elements in kit form, in particular of shelf elements to constitute display cases and / or storage elements.

There are already many systems for supporting shelves or spacers in combination - with vertical profiles.

Various systems have been proposed associated with perforated sections, according to a rack system, with possibly cantilevered support angles.

However, these systems are always limited to predetermined heights, for example defined by the pitch of the vertical rack, so that specialists have sought solutions for supporting a shelf or spacer at any height, chosen according to the needs of the cause.

Different systems have thus been proposed, in combination with profiles with one or more longitudinal external grooves, and in particular profiles with T-grooves.

It is indeed very advantageous to use hollow profiles, of quadrangular section with rounded angles, the faces of which have a T-groove, because this type of profile, whether it is made of metal (in particular extruded aluminum) or of material plastic (especially polyvinyl chloride), allows many mounting possibilities.

The systems used were then either of the expansion type, or of the single stop type.

Support devices have thus been proposed comprising a deformable part, capable of undergoing a radial expansion by maneuvering a screw or bolt: after insertion of the deformable part in the T-slot, it was necessary to operate a tool (screwdriver or wrench) to deform the system and thus obtain a locking at the desired height.

Similar systems have been proposed comprising a cleat in two parts inserted in the groove, said parts being spaced from each other using a tool after insertion into the groove of the profile.

Anyway, all these systems require the use of a tool (screwdriver or wrench), and their manipulation is not always easy, especially when there is little space.

With regard to systems with a single stop, systems have been proposed comprising a counterplate and a yoke connected to each other by a threaded rod passing through said yoke which was internally tapped: tightening again requires a tool, and moreover the manufacturing cost is relatively high, which practically limits the system to generally very expensive modular elements. It was finally proposed to use a rod which was inserted into the T-groove, after having cut it to the desired length.

Such a system is certainly economical, but it has many practical drawbacks: it is necessary to accurately measure the length to be cut, possibly removing one or more rods when the tablet is wobbly to start the operation again, after which we put a cleat in each groove, until it rests on the end of the associated rod. It should be noted that this system absolutely requires having free access to the groove at the end of the profile in order to be able to thread the sectioned rods, then the cleats: however this access is not always available in the production of elements furniture kit.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a support device which does not require any particular tool for tightening to the desired height.

The object of the invention is also to propose a support device which is simple and inexpensive in design, with a minimum of constituent parts. The object of the invention is also to provide a support device which, once installed at the desired height, preserves the general aesthetic by integrating perfectly with the modular or removable element. It is more particularly a support device associated with a profile having externally at least one T-shaped groove, in particular for supporting a shelf or spacer of modular or removable element whose frame is essentially formed of profiles arranged vertically , characterized in that it comprises:. a stirrup, a first part of which can be inserted into the T-shaped groove, has an external toothing intended to cooperate with the internal face of at least one of the two lips delimiting said groove, and a second part of which has the general shape of a hanging hook projecting from the profile when said stirrup is inserted into said groove; and. a cleat, hollowed out to allow the portion of the stirrup in the form of a suspension hook to pass, said cleat having the general shape of a bracket whose external angle defines a cam surface intended to cooperate with the external surface of the profile, in such a way that after placing the cleat in an oblique position on the stirrup previously inserted at the desired height in the T-groove, and tilting of said cleat parallel to said T-groove until a final position of stop against said profile, said support device is automatically locked on said profile and thus ready for use.

Preferably, the first part of the stirrup has in section a general T-shape homologous to the T-groove of the profile, preferably with a double external toothing to cooperate with the two lips of said T-groove.

Advantageously, the second part of the stirrup has a lower flaring cutout; in particular, the cutting of the stirrup has an additional curved clearance.

As a variant, the stirrup consists of two symmetrical parts to facilitate its insertion into the T-shaped groove of the profile: in fact, each part can be inserted separately in a transverse direction, without the need to have access to the end of the profile. According to another advantageous characteristic, the cleat consists of two flanges joined together at least at the angle of the square, where a heel is formed whose curved inner surface cooperates with the part of the hook-shaped stirrup, and the outer surface of which includes the cam surface cooperating with the profile.

It is interesting that the cleat has two substantially orthogonal edges which are connected by an inclined facet at the angle of the angle.

Advantageously, the cam surface of the cleat is essentially constituted by an eccentric edge connecting the inclined facet to the edge of said cleat abutting the profile in the final position.

It is also interesting that the cleat has a latching means at its lower end, cooperating with the T-shaped groove of the profile in the final position. According to another advantageous characteristic, the cleat has in the upper part a protruding tenon corresponding to a hole in the shelf or spacer to be supported, said tenon joining the two flanges constituting said cleat.

It is then advantageous to provide that the projecting post has a double transverse lumen intended to receive the oblong head in section of an attached lever, so that the pivoting of said lever causes a lateral expansion of said projecting post, and thus a locking of the shelf or spacer on the cleat: we thus manage to very simply ensure that the shelf or spacer is maintained, even if it is installed in a cantilever.

Preferably then, the added lever can pivot between the two flanges constituting the cleat, to a position inside said cleat in which the free end of said lever locks the latching means: the lever is operated to integrate it into the cleat then simultaneously locks the shelf or spacer on the cleat, and the locking of said cleat on the profile. It may also be advantageous to provide that the upper edge of the part of the hook-shaped stirrup projects slightly, in the final position, from the upper edge of the cleat, so that the weight of the shelf or spacer is supported by said stirrup. Advantageously finally, the stirrup is made of metal, for example aluminum or steel depending on the material of which the profile is made, while the cleat is made of plastic, for example polyamide or ABS.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows and of the appended drawings, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to the figures in which:

- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a section of hollow profile with four T-grooves, and a support device according to the invention, consisting of a stirrup and a cleat, with here also an additional locking lever ;

- Figures 2, 3 and are elevation views in particular for better distinguishing its structure in two flanges with connecting heel, with in addition an expandable upper tenon and a lower latching means;

- Figures 5a to 5d are schematic views illustrating the establishment of the previous support device and an associated tablet;

- Figure 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating the assembly thus assembled and perfectly maintained. Figure 1 can distinguish a section of profile 1 which is associated with a support device according to the invention. Profile 1 is here a hollow profile having four T-shaped grooves 2, arranged longitudinally, and opening towards the outside by two lips 3. It goes without saying, however, that we could just as well provide profiles having a different structure, and externally comprising at least one T-shaped groove Such profiles are advantageously used for the assembly of furnishing elements in kit form, elements constituted by a frame formed by such profiles arranged vertically, and by shelves or spacers or the like arranged horizontally. As will be seen, the support device according to the invention makes it possible to easily and quickly organize the support of such shelves or spacers, at any desired height.

According to an essential aspect of the invention, the support device consists essentially of a stirrup, a first part 5 of which, which can be inserted in a T-shaped groove 2 of the profile 1, has an external toothing 6 intended to cooperate with the internal face at least one of the two lips 3 delimiting said groove, and a second part 7 of which has the general shape of a projecting suspension hook of the profile 1 when said stirrup is inserted in said groove. In combination with the aforementioned stirrup, a stopper 8 is provided, which is hollowed out to let part 7 of the stirrup pass in the form of a suspension hook, said stopper having the general shape of a square whose external angle defines a cam surface 9 intended to cooperate with the external surface of the profile 1, so that after the cleat 8 has been placed in an oblique position on the stirrup -. previously inserted at the desired height in the T-groove 2, and tilting of said cleat parallel to said T-groove until a final position of abutment against said profile, the support device is automatically locked on said profile and thus ready for use. 'employment.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the first part 5 of the stirrup has in section a general T shape homologous to the T groove 2 of the profile 1, with in addition a double external toothing 6 on each side , to cooperate with the two lips 3 of said T-groove. Thus, when the stirrup • is inserted into the groove 2, the first part 5 of said stirrup slides freely in said groove, the external teeth 6 being adjacent to the internal face of the two lips 3. The second part 7 of the stirrup * has, for its part, a cutout 10 flaring out lower, so that a cooperation can occur between said stirrup and a part of the cleat 8 during the tilting of said cleat parallel to the T-groove. This will be better understood by referring to the description given below with regard to the schematic figures 5a to 5d illustrating the successive phases of setting up the support device of the invention. It may also prove advantageous for the cutout 10 of the stirrup 4 to have an additional curved clearance 11 which facilitates the relative movement between the cleat 8 and the stirrup 4 when the support device is put in place.

It may be advantageous for the stirrup 4 to consist of two symmetrical parts a, 4b to facilitate its insertion into the T-groove 2 of the profile 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In fact, each of the symmetrical parts 4a or 4b can easily be inserted laterally in a T-shaped groove 2, without it being necessary to slide the stirrup by the end of the profile (the dimensioning will preferably be chosen so that the width of each symmetrical piece 4a, 4b or slightly less than the space separating the free edges of the two lips 3 from the T-shaped groove 2). Such an embodiment is advantageous when it comes to setting up the support device on a furnishing element already partly assembled, since it is then unnecessary to have to dismantle the assembly of said element. The stirrup 4 will preferably be made of metal, for example injected aluminum, steel, or zamak. In practice, a hard metal will be chosen if the support device is associated with a metal profile, such as an extruded aluminum profile, while a less hard and less expensive metal can be chosen in the case of a material profile. plastic, for example polyvinyl chloride.

A cleat 8 will now be described in more detail, the particular structure of which will be better understood by also referring to the views in FIGS. 2, 3, 4.

The cleat 8 here consists of two flanges 12, 13 joined at least at the angle of the angle, where a heel 14 is formed, the curved inner surface 15 of which cooperates with the part 7 of the stirrup 4 in the form hook, and whose outer surface 16 includes the cam surface 9 cooperating with the profile 1. On the embodiment shown here, the two flanges 12 and 13 are joined by the heel 14 above, by a small additional spacer 17 provided in the middle part of the edge of the cleat 8 abutting against the profile I, and finally by a tenon salient 18 on the structure and function from which it will be returned later.

The cleat 8 has here two edges 19, 20 substantially orthogonal, connecting by an inclined facet 16 at the angle of the angle. The edge 19 corresponds to the edge contacting the profile once the support device is in place, the upper edge 20 being, in this final position, essentially horizontal.

Various embodiments could be provided for producing the cam surface of the cleat 8, in such a way that there is an eccentric effect during the tilting of said cleat parallel to the T-groove for the installation of the device. of support. The particularly simple embodiment illustrated here is such that the cam surface is essentially constituted by an eccentric edge 9, which connects the inclined face 16 to the edge 19 of said cleat abutting the profile 1 in the final position.

It is also advantageous for the cleat 8 to have a latching means 21 at its lower end, for example produced in the form of two elastic hook strips, coming directly from molding with the remainder of the component part of said cleat. This latching means 21 can cooperate with the T-groove 2 of the profile 1 in the final position, that is to say after tilting of the cleat 8 parallel to the T-groove until the edge 19 of said cleat abuts against said streamlined.

The positioning of the support device which has just been described will be better understood with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b:

- Figure 5a: the bracket 4 has been inserted in a T-shaped groove of the profile 1, at the desired height; the cleat 8 is then brought into an oblique position above the projecting part of the stirrup 4, the inclined facet 16 then being substantially parallel to the external face of the profile: the positioning of the cleat 8 is thus easily done by displacement according to the arrow

22, until the heel 14 of said cleat reaches the cutout of the stirrup

4. - Figure 5b: from the previous position recalled in phantom, the rocker 8 is tilted parallel to the T-groove, as symbolized by arrow 23, to a final position of abutment against the profile 1, position which is illustrated in solid line: the cooperation between the stirrup 4 and the cleat 8 during this tilting produces on the stirrup a movement tending to apply the external teeth thereof against the internal faces of the two lips of the T-groove concerned , so that the support device is thus automatically locked on the profile at the end of said tilting; it should be observed that the end of the tilting simultaneously engages the cleat 8 on the profile by means of the above-mentioned latching means 21.

The support device is then ready for use, and it is possible, after installation of a plurality of such devices, to have a shelf or spacer as appropriate. As can be seen in FIG. 5b, it may be advantageous to ensure that the upper edge of the part 7 of the stirrup

4 in the form of a hook projects slightly, in the final position, from the upper edge 20 of the cleat 8, so that the weight of the shelf or spacer is supported by said stirrup, a piece having a rigidity greater than that presented by the cleat, which prevents deformation of the cleat in the case of a heavy shelf and cleat made of plastic.

It is also possible to provide a protruding tenon 18 on the cleat 8, a tenon which corresponds to a hole 24 in the shelf or spacer to be supported 100, such a tenon being frequently provided to avoid any lateral sliding of the shelf or supported spacer.

However, in the context of the present invention, the protruding post 18 has a particular structure allowing it to further provide a locking function of the shelf or spacer 100 on the cleat 8, as will be explained below. In fact, if we refer again to FIGS. 1 to 4, it can be seen that the protruding post 18 is in fact hollowed out, and has, opening out towards the front, a light 25 having substantially the shape of a T, as well as a double transverse light 26 defining two side windows, these windows extending below by a small slot 27, the upper part of the protruding stud being constituted by a flat disc 28 ensuring the junction at this level between the two flanges 12, 13 of the cleat 8. Such a structure allows the use of a lever reported 29, shown in perspective in Figure 1, said lever comprising a head 30 whose cross section is oblong, and a lower actuating end 31. The dimensioning of the head 30 of the attached lever 29 is such that the small dimension corresponds substantially to the width of the windows 26 of the protruding lug 18, and the large dimension corresponds to the lateral expansion that is obtained by pivoting said lever, expansion thus automatically producing a locking of the shelf or spacer on the cleat 8.

Indeed, if we now refer to Figures 5c and 5d, the final stages of the implementation process thus completed will be even better understood i

- Figure 5c: after tilting of the cleat 8 until it stops against the profile 1 and snap-fastening by the means 21 (position in solid line illustrated in FIG. 5b), the head 30 of the added lever 29 is then inserted opening in T 25, until said head is positioned in the windows 26 of the protruding stud 18; the shelf or spacer 100 is then positioned on the cleat by bringing the associated hole 24 on the projecting stud 18.

FIG. 5d: the attached lever 29 is pivoted according to arrow 32, which has the effect of causing lateral expansion of the protruding post 18, and thus ensuring the locking of the shelf or spacer 100 on the cleat 8, the free end 31 of said lever then passing between the two flanges 12 and 13 of the cleat 8 to reach the position shown in dotted lines.

It should be observed that in this final position of the added lever 29, a locking mechanism 21 is obtained simultaneously: in fact, when it is desired to unlock the stopper S to tilt said stopper upwards in order to disassembly of the support device, the lower part of the two flanges 12 and 13 is lightly pinched so as to release the latching means 21, but this is only possible when the free end 31 of the attached lever 29 is not brought between said flanges. Thus, the pivoting of the added lever 29 simultaneously locks the shelf or spacer 100 on the cleat 8, and the locking of said cleat on the profile 1. At the same time, the free end 31 of the attached lever 29 is completely erased. inside the cleat 8, which does not harm the aesthetics in the final position, as can be seen with regard to FIG. 6. The added lever 29 will advantageously be made of injected aluminum or zamak.

With regard to the cleat 8, given its complex structure, it will be advantageous to produce it by plastic material by injection, this material being for example polyamide or ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene). The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described, but on the contrary encompasses any variant incorporating, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics appearing in the claims.

In particular, the support device of the invention can be used to support very diverse objects in various applications, such as hanging bars in a storage cupboard, shower tray handles, etc.

Furthermore, the cleat of the support device may have very variable shapes depending on the application concerned: the cleat may for example be made in the form of a hook or hook for hanging various objects or accessories, or even be made in the form of a bar elongated to form drawer slides. The cleat can even in some cases be fully integrated into the object concerned.

The foregoing observations will make it clear that the term "cleat" must be interpreted in a very broad sense, and in no way limited to the embodiment presently described.

Claims

1. Support device associated with a profile having externally at least one T-shaped groove, in particular for supporting a shelf or spacer of modular or removable element whose framework is essentially formed by profiles arranged vertically, characterized in that it comprises :

. a stirrup (4), a first part (5) of which can be inserted into the T-slot

(2), has an external toothing (6) intended to cooperate with the internal face of at least one of the two lips (3) delimiting said groove, and of which a second part (7) has the general shape of a hook of protruding suspension of the profile (1) when said stirrup is inserted into said groove; and

. a cleat (8), hollowed out ^" to let pass the part (7) of the stirrup (4) in the form of a suspension hook, said cleat having the general shape of a square whose external angle defines a cam surface (9) intended to cooperate with the outer surface of the profile (1), so that after the cleat (8) has been placed in an oblique position on the stirrup (4) previously inserted at the desired height in the groove in T (2), and tilting of said cleat parallel to said T-groove until a final stop position against said profile, said support device is automatically locked on said profile and thus ready for use.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (5) of the stirrup () has in section a general shape in

T homologous to the T-groove (2) of the profile (1), preferably with a double external toothing (6) to cooperate with the two lips (3) of said T-groove

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second part (7) of the stirrup (4) has a cutout

(10) flaring lower.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cutout (10) of the stirrup (4) has an additional curved clearance (1 1).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stirrup (4) consists of two symmetrical parts (4a, 4b) to facilitate its insertion into the T-groove (2) of the profile ( 1).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cleat (8) consists of two flanges (12, 13) joined at least at the angle of the angle, where is formed a heel (1) whose curved inner surface (15) cooperates with the hook-shaped part (7) of the stirrup (4), and whose outer surface (16) includes the cam surface cooperating with the profile ( 1).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the cleat (8) has two edges (19, 20) substantially orthogonal connecting by an inclined facet (16) at the angle of the bracket.

8. Device according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the cam surface of the cleat (8) essentially consists of an eccentric edge (9) connecting the inclined facet (16) to the edge (19) of said cleat abutting against the profile (1) in the final position.

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the cleat (8) has a latching means (21) at its lower end, cooperating with the T-groove (2) of the profile (1 ) in the final position.

10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cleat (8) has in the upper part a protruding lug (18) corresponding to a bore (14) of the shelf or spacer to be supported (100) , said tenon joining the two flanges (12, 13) constituting said cleat.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the protruding post (18) has a double transverse lumen (26) intended to receive the oblong head in section (30) of an attached lever (29), in such a way that the pivoting of said lever causes a lateral expansion of said protruding tenon, and thus a locking of the shelf or spacer (100) on the cleat (8).

12. Device according to claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the added lever (29) can pivot between the two flanges constituting the cleat (8), to a position inside said cleat in which the free end ( 31) of said lever locks the latching means (21).

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper edge of the part (7) of the stirrup (4) in the form of a hook projects slightly, in the final position, from the upper edge (20 ) of the cleat (8), so that the weight of the shelf or spacer is supported by said bracket.

14. Device according to one of claims i to 13, characterized in that the stirrup (4) is made of metal, for example aluminum or steel depending on the material of the profile (1), while the cleat (8) is made of plastic, for example polyamide or ABS.