EP0914790B1 - Corner connection element and multiple letter box cabinet comprising such an element - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly component comprises two angular pieces (2) with a flat structure. They have an external unhooking part on both sides of the corner of the pieces and a long flat piece (4) with a transverse V-section. There are two transverse cutout in the shape of slits. Each angular piece extends through a corresponding slit between two webs (4') with a part (2') delimited by the two unhooking parts.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of construction of complex structures by assembling elements in the form of panels or analogous, in particular the assembly of mailboxes, preferably collective, and relates to a corner assembly element and its method of manufacturing, as well as a set of indoor mailboxes whose assembly is achieved by means of such assembly elements.

The realization of complex constructions by assembling several component parts, for example in the form of panels, panels or similar structural elements, can be carried out by direct assembly of said parts together or by means of separate assembly elements, this last solution is often retained when one wishes to produce the parts at the lowest cost, for example in the form of profiled elements.

However, the production of the assembly elements themselves is often complex and expensive and their implementation results in the addition of elements bulky and harmful to the general aesthetic appearance of the construction considered and can lead to the creation of a zone of structural weakness at the level of said construction.

In addition, in the specific case of collective sets of boxes with letters, generally formed by a box or external frame surrounding a internal structure dividing the volume delimited by said box into a plurality cells or compartments, it is often necessary to provide reinforcements additional to reinforce the rigidity of the box or to increase the rigidity of said internal structure (extra thickness) to sufficiently consolidate the constitution of said collective set. These collective assemblies thus formed have a relatively complex structure, are tedious to assemble and are priced at returns high, due to additional reinforcing elements or oversizing in terms of material of the compartmentalization structure, to achieve the desired strength and rigidity.

The object of the present invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, it relates to an assembly element intended in particular to connect together at a determined angle two panels or analogs, characterized in that it is mainly constituted by at least two angular parts with a substantially flat structure having at least one external recess on either side of the angle of said parts and by a part elongated with a cross section in V in the assembled position and at least two cutouts transverse in the form of slots, each angular piece extending through a corresponding slot, between the two wings of the V-shaped part with a part delimited by at least two recesses present and being secured rigidly with said V-shaped part by pinching said part between the two wings of this piece.

les figures 1A, 1B et 1C sont des vues en perspective montrant les différentes étapes consécutives de réalisation d'un élément d'assemblage selon l'invention ;

la figure 2 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'un ensemble de boítes aux lettres comprenant des éléments d'assemblage selon l'invention, et,

la figure 3 est une vue en perspective et partiellement en coupe d'un caisson d'un ensemble de boítes aux lettres tel que représenté sur la figure 2.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are perspective views showing the different consecutive steps for producing an assembly element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a set of letter boxes comprising assembly elements according to the invention, and,

Figure 3 is a perspective view and partially in section of a box of a set of mailboxes as shown in Figure 2.

In accordance with the invention and as shown in particular by Figures 1A to 1C of the accompanying drawings, the assembly element 1 is mainly consisting of at least two angular parts 2 with a substantially flat structure having at least one external offset 3 on either side of the angle of said parts 3 and by an elongated part 4 having a cross section in V in the assembled position and at least two transverse cutouts 5 in the form of slots, each piece angular 2 extending, through a corresponding slot 5, between the two wings 4 ' of part 4 with a V section with a part 2 'delimited by the two at least 3 recesses present and being rigidly secured to said part 4 with V-shaped section by pinching said part 2 'between the two wings 4' of this piece 4.

Thus the assembly element 1 is essentially formed by partial fitting of the outer corners of the angular pieces 2 in the room elongated 4 and crimping of said angular parts 2 in their nested position, without using any additional fixing means, or using any means of securing.

As shown more particularly in Figures 1B and 1C of attached drawings, the elongated part 4 with a V section is formed by folding a flat elongated plate along a longitudinal LP fold line, after passage parts 2 'delimited by the recesses 3 of the angular parts 2 through the corresponding slots 5.

In order to provide a sufficiently large contact surface for recesses 3, the solid portions extending between the ends of the slots 5 and the outer edges of the wings 4 "of the part 4 with a V section have a width 1 substantially equivalent to or at least slightly greater than the height recesses 3, the angle α formed by the two legs 2 "of the angular parts 2 being advantageously between 30 ° and 150 °, preferably between 60 ° and 120 °.

By providing angles α between the upper and lower 2 "legs at 90 °, it is possible to make assemblies of planar elements, such as panels or plates, with a view to forming box or frame structures having, where appropriate, corners of various shapes and consisting of three, four, five, six or more of constituent plates or panels.

In order to also guarantee that the slots 5 are maintained, it advantageously it can be provided that the thickness of the angular pieces 2 is substantially equal to the width of the slots 5 of the elongated part 4 with a V section, said slots 5 having a length slightly greater than the largest width L of the angular parts 2 'delimited by the recesses 3, so to allow the passage of said angular parts 2 "while retaining a width 1 of the full portions maximum for a given wing width 4 '.

As shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings, the parts angular 2 "may have a disc portion conformation, the outer edge in a circular arc is substantially flush with the edges outer 4 "of the wings 4 'of the part 4. However, the outer edges of the parts 2 "angles may alternatively also have other shapes in depending on the desired aesthetic aspect (triangular shape, bulb shape, heraldic form, ...).

According to a characteristic of the invention, shown more particularly in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, the recesses 3 are formed by the straight sides of notches 3 ′, preferably rectangular, cut in the legs 2 "constituting the angular parts 2 and form between them an angle β between 30 ° and 150 °, preferably between 60 ° and 120 °.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly element 1 comprises two angular parts 2 fixed nearby of the two ends of the elongated part 4 with a V section and of which the two legs 2 " constitutive are each provided with at least one perforation 6 and extended by folded flat end portions 7, each also provided with minus a perforation 7 ′, which can serve, for example, as a hanging support to a hinge secured to a leaf and formed therewith an articulation of the hinge type.

To strengthen the solidity of the connection between the parts angular 2 and the elongated part 4 in V section and to increase the rigidity of fixing element 1, bonding or welding points can be provided between the part delimited by the recesses 3 of the angular parts 2 and the part elongated 4 with V section, these material connection points being invisible to the level of the internal faces of the wings 4 ′ of said part 4.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, shown in FIG. 1A of the appended drawings, the angular parts 2 can be provided, on at least one of their faces, protuberances or extra thicknesses 8 in the form of V formed and positioned in such a way that the elongated part 4 has a cross-section V take support with at least a portion of one or more 5 ′ edges (s) delimiting each slot 5 on said extra thicknesses or protuberances 8 after folding of said elongated part 4 by folding the two wings 4 'against the dropouts opposites 3 along a longitudinal fold line LP.

These protuberances or extra thicknesses 8 can also be replaced by cutouts of similar shape allowing them to connect 5 'edges of the slots 5 or insert a block or wedge block with section in V, so as to thus block in position the angular parts 2 partially nested in the elongated part 4 with a V section.

These parts 2 and 4 are advantageously made of a treated sheet against attacks by external atmospheric agents and sufficiently rigid, in particular with regard to part 4, for mounting resistant by simple interlocking and pinching.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacture of an assembly element 1 as described above.

As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C of the accompanying drawings, this method essentially consists in separately producing an elongated flat part 4 provided with at least two transverse cutouts 5 in the form of slots and at least two substantially flat angular pieces 2 provided in particular with at least two opposite external recesses 3 located on either side of the median plane MS of angle of corner pieces 2, to fit each corner piece 2 into a corresponding slot 5 until the part 2 'delimited by the recesses 3 extend beyond said corresponding slot 5, to fold the elongated piece 4 flat along a longitudinal line LP by folding the two halves 4 'of said piece 4 elongated flat, forming the two wings 4' of the piece elongated 4 with resulting V-section, against said recesses 3 so as to tighten said part 2 'by pinching.

In order to be able to respond to resistance and higher rigidity, it is possible to increase the characteristics of the assembly element 1 by making one or more connections local material (s) between the V-shaped elongated part 4 and the parts angular 2 by welding, gluing or the like, preferably in such a way that said connection is not visible in the interior space delimited by the two wings 4 'of the elongated part 4 with V section.

Finally, the subject of the present invention is also, as the show Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, a set 9 of boxes with interior letters, consisting in particular of a box or external frame 10 and of a internal structure 11 for partitioning and characterized in that said box 10 is formed by at least four panels 12 assembled together, two by two, at means of assembly elements 1 as described above.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the panels 12 have profiled longitudinal edges 13 folded inwards and the interior extensions include at least one fixing wing 14 located parallel and in surface contact with the legs 2 "of the angular parts 2 of an assembly element 1 in the mounting position and at least one wing of wedging 14 'holding said legs 2 "against the corresponding panel 12.

The box 10 forming the outer structural envelope of the set 9 of mailboxes may have a variable number of panels 12 and therefore have various shapes (triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, ...), the assembly of the different constituent panels 12 made by means of assembly elements 1, the 2 "legs form between them an angle α of suitable value.

In addition, the profiled panels 12 may have dimensions any longitudinal and form a set 9 of adapted mailboxes the varying needs of different sites.

As also shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the set 9 of mailboxes can advantageously include hinges 15 for articulation by pivoting of a support frame 16 of cover or collective door each formed by a plate 15 'fixed to said frame 16 and extended by a flat hook 15 "carrying at its end a lug 15" intended for nest with the possibility of rotation in a 7 'perforation of a portion flat end folded 7 of a tab 2 "of an angular piece 2 of an element assembly 1.

The articulation of each support frame 16 on the set 9 of boxes for letters is preferably carried out via two hinges 15 each articulated on a folded end portion 7 of a 2 "leg of two assembly elements 1 mounted on the two ends of a panel 12, both hinges 15 being hung either in the same direction or in opposite directions, their lugs 15 '' 'being aligned with each other and forming the pivot axis of the hinge thus formed.

In accordance with an additional characteristic of the invention shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, the internal structure of compartmentalisation 11 is mainly composed of horizontal planar elements 17 forming floors and provided with assembly slots 17 ′ and planar elements vertical 18 forming partitions and provided with tabs 18 'intended to fit together in the assembly slots 17 ′ of the horizontal planar elements 17 during the mounting of the internal compartmentalization structure, each compartment or cell 19 delimited by said structure being associated with an individual door mounted in the support frame 16 of a collective door.

As also shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, this internal compartmentalization structure 11 is preferably fixed in position in the box 10 by means of lateral edges of the planar elements horizontal 17 and vertical 18 folded at right angles.

Thanks to the structural rigidity of the box 10 formed of panels profiles 12 interconnected by means of assembly elements 1, the internal compartmentalization structure 11 can be produced with planar elements 17 and 18 of small thicknesses, since the latter do not have to contribute to the rigidity of said set 9 of mailboxes.

In addition, no additional reinforcing elements are necessary to consolidate the latter.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the revendications.

Claims (13)

1. Assembly element, in particular for connecting two panels or the like to one another at a fixed angle, characterised in that it principally consists of two angle pieces (2) with a substantially flat structure having at least one external offset (3) on either side of the corner of said pieces (3) and an elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section in the assembled position and at least two transverse cuts (5) in the shape of slots, each angle piece (2) extending through a corresponding slot (5) between the two wings (4') of the piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section with a part (2') delimited by the two offsets (3) which are at least present and being rigidly connected to said piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section by. pinching said part (2') between the two wings (4') of this piece (4).
2. Assembly element according to claim 1, characterised in that the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section is formed by folding a flat elongate plate along a longitudinal folding line (LP), after passing the parts (2') delimited by the couplings (3) of the angle pieces (2) through corresponding slots (5).
3. Assembly element according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the solid portions extending between the ends of the slots (5) and the external edges of the wings (4") of the piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section have a width (1) which is substantially equal to or at least slightly greater than the height of the offsets (3) and in that the angle (α) formed by the two legs (2") of the angle pieces (2) is between 30° and 150° ,preferably between 60° and 120° .
4. Assembly element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the thickness of the angle pieces (2) is substantially equal to the width of the slots (5) of the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section and in that said slots (5) have a length which is slightly greater than the greatest width (L) of the angle parts (2') delimited by the offsets (3).
5. Assembly element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the offsets (3) are formed by the straight sides of notches (3'), which are preferably rectangular, cut in the legs (2") constituting the angle pieces (2) and, between them, form an angle (β) between 30° and 150°, preferably between 60° and 120°.
6. Assembly element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises two angle pieces (2) fixed close to the two ends of the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section and of which the two constituent legs (2") are each provided with at least one perforation (6) and are extended by folded flat end portions (7), each also having at least one perforation (7').
7. Assembly element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that gluing or soldering points are provided between the part delimited by the offsets (3) of the angle pieces (2) and the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section.
8. Production process for an assembly element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it consists of separately producing a flat elongate piece (4) provided with at least two transverse cuts (5) in the form of slots and at least two substantially flat angle pieces (2), provided in particular with at least two opposed external offsets (3) situated on either side of the median plane (PM) of the corner of the angle pieces (2), of fitting each angle piece (2) into a corresponding slot (5) until the part (2') delimited by the offsets (3) extends beyond said corresponding slot (5), of folding the flat elongate piece (4) along a longitudinal line (LP) by folding over the two halves (4') of said flat elongate piece (4), to form the two wings (4') of the resulting elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section, against said offsets (3) in such a way as to grip said part (2') by pinching.
9. Process according to claim 8, characterised in that it consists of producing one or more local material join(s) between the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section and the angle pieces (2) by welding, gluing or the like, preferably in a manner such that the said join is not visible in the internal space delimited by the two wings (4') of the elongate piece (4) with a V-shaped cross-section.
10. Interior letter box unit, consisting, in particular, of a box or external frame and an internal partitioning structure, characterised in that said box (10) is formed by at least four panels (12) joined together, two by two, by assembly elements (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
11. Interior letter box unit according to claim 10, characterised in that the panels (12) have longitudinal profiled edges (13) folded toward the interior and of which the interior extensions comprise at least one fixing wing (14) situated in parallel and in surface contact with the legs (2") of the angle pieces (2) of an assembly element (1) in a fitting position and at least one adjusting wing (14') keeping said legs (2") against the corresponding panel (12).
12. Interior letter box unit according to claim 11, characterised in that it comprises hinge plates (15) for articulating a support frame (16) of a cover or a collective door, each formed by a plate (15') fixed on said frame (16) and extended by a flat hook (15") having at its end a lug (15"') for fitting so as to be capable of rotating in a perforation (7') of a folded flat end portion (7) of a lug (2") of an angle piece (2) of an assembly element (1).
13. Interior letter box unit according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterised in that the internal partitioning structure (11) is principally composed of horizontal flat elements (11) forming floors and provided with assembly slots (17') and vertical flat elements (18) forming partitions and provided with tongues (18') for fitting into the assembly slots (17') of the horizontal flat elements (17) during fitting of the internal partitioning structure, each partition or pigeon-hole (19) delimited by said structure being associated with an individual door fitted in the support frame (16) of a collective door.

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