EP1544404B1 - Bar grating with removable locked bars - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to constituent elements of a grid.

Conventionally, a grid is constituted by a mesh of two mutually orthogonal series of parallel metal bars welded together. For decorative purposes, some of the bars may have a curved shape and, in addition, ironwork patterns may be welded between adjacent bars.

A disadvantage of such grids is that the user can not customize and in addition the manufacturer must manage a stock of grids of all sizes possible. In short, there are at least three parameters to manage, namely the length and the width of the grid, as well as the nature of the bars, that is to say their appearance.

GB 2 268 956 A teaches a grid having a horizontal bar having a lateral notch on which is laterally slidable a branch of a slider or elastic hairpin clip, pushed down towards the horizontal bar to be trapped axially by the two flanks of the notch. The slider, thus fixed in axial position on the horizontal bar, is itself a prisoner inside a vertical bar constituted by two U-shaped angles.

Such a fastener therefore requires an insert. See as well US 1,728,789 A .

The present invention aims to simplify the locking assembly in the mutual position of the bars.

To this end, the invention firstly relates to a set of gate elements, comprising a first plurality of longitudinal bars each comprising a second plurality of securing sections with respectively a said second plurality of sections of coupling belonging to transverse bars, characterized in that each coupling section has a transverse cut and each securing section comprises a securing segment of shape and length adapted to be received in the cut, segment limited by a shoulder of a lateral relief of axial positioning arranged then to be axially opposite an abutment surface forming part of abutment means belonging to the coupling section considered.

Thus, the bars being coupled, the shoulder opposes any lateral force that would be exerted, voluntarily or otherwise, on the associated crossbar, and would be likely to deviate from a neighbor.

This set of elements is therefore, in storage, in the form of free elements, which are then assembled into a grid. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed here that the longitudinal bars extend substantially horizontally and the transverse bars substantially vertically.

As the abutment coupling, supplemented as necessary by the sealing of the ends of the appropriate bars, avoids the need for a mutual welding of the crossed bars, which would be impractical for a common user, it is unnecessary to store all possible types of grid because it can be assembled quickly, by mounting in the desired relative positions, without the risk of not having the desired locking elements, since they are integrated bars. The user can therefore choose the transverse bars independently of the longitudinal bars, either for their length or their shape.

Note that for a small grid, the first plurality and / or the second plurality of bars may each be limited to a single bar.

The grid may for example be used to protect an opening or be a kind of ladder serving for example support for shelves.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling section is of the female type, the cutout being a transverse coupling hole having a clearance jig adapted to be able to ensure the free passage of a longitudinal bar when it forms an axis. having an axis direction aligned with a passage template direction defined by the hole, each securing section being of male type and the shoulder being arranged for, by misalignment between the axis and clearance gauge directions, to come axially facing the abutment surface.

The so-called horizontal bars are therefore pins for the vertical bars that are threaded over them by sliding, as long as the orientations of the associated sections are suitable, then the vertical bars are then locked in position by misalignment when they have reached the respective axial positions. provided on the horizontal bars.

Preferably, the respectively coupling and securing sections are arranged so that the misalignment is obtained by axial rotation of at least one of the longitudinal bar and the crossbar considered or by a relative pivoting between the longitudinal bar and the crossbar. associated.

In the first case, with axial rotation, the user rotates each vertical bar around its axis then seals at least two at least one end, without having to seal the horizontal bars, trapped vertical bars, or it rotates each horizontal bar about its axis to angularly position said lateral relief axially opposite the abutment surface of the female section, coupling. In the second case, pivoting, the user assembles the bars according to a mesh forming meshes having the initial angle allowing the desired mounting between the bars, for example lozenges, then it deforms the lattice in its plane so that the meshes take the form intended to perform the desired locking, for example rectangles. In such a case, a minimum of sealing points is sufficient to maintain the coupling. In the case of a grid sealed in the thickness of a wall, that is to say stumbling on it as soon as one seeks to change the shape, only one anchor point , since a rectangular grid tightly framed by a rigid opening periphery can not be transformed into a non-rectangle parallelogram.

Preferably, to ensure a locking of the vertical bars in position in one direction and in the other, the shoulder is turned away from another shoulder, arranged to cooperate with another abutment surface forming part of the control means. stop.

In one embodiment, the coupling hole has a non-circular passage template, having a recess to which is substantially adjusted a protuberance of the transverse profile of the longitudinal bar, except that the securing segment has a recessed profile, limiting the bottom of a notch whose first edge constitutes the said shoulder, the recessed profile existing over a defined axial length of notch and being shaped to allow axial rotation of the male section so that the shoulder exits the passage template.

So just rotate a single horizontal bar around its axis to lock all the vertical bars. As explained below, this axial rotation of the longitudinal bar is equivalent to a tilting of all the transverse bars around this longitudinal bar.

The notch preferably has a second edge, constituting the second shoulder, spaced from the first edge of at least one said notch length corresponding to a length of the coupling hole, to form a pair of jaws able to trap axially. two opposite mouths of the coupling hole respectively the first and second edges. The locking in position in this embodiment is thus provided in both directions.

The securing notch may be separated axially into two sub-segments by a portion of a section comprising said protuberance, constituting an index intended to be received in a cavity formed in a wall of the coupling hole. The index thus provides bidirectional axial locking.

The securing respectively coupling and securing sections may thus for example have respectively threaded and threaded peripheries, on at least one angular sector, of rack, respectively corresponding to the lateral relief and the abutment means. The bidirectional lock is thus distributed.

In this case, the passage template having an elongate shape of size determined by two walls opposed having a predetermined maximum flattening width and at least one of which carries a said rack sector, the securing section may have an elongated cross-section of reduced size but having a length greater than said width of flattening of the jig of passage. The rotation of the longitudinal bar is thus limited to an angular sector, at one end of which it is engaged with the coupling hole, while it is free at another end of the sector. Note that, regardless of the choice of locking means in position, that is to say integrated bars of the invention or in the form of inserts such as pins, screws or ratchet through the wall of the coupling section to form a punch stuck in a lateral hole of the securing section, the fact that the passage template is elongate, that is to say substantially elliptical or lenticular, with an extension direction substantially along the axial direction of the bar cross section considered, allows to limit the necessary thickness of the transverse bars, that is to say, to maintain a certain wall thickness at the transverse cut, which is for example a said coupling hole.

In one embodiment, the respective coupling holes of two transverse bars have between them a mirror symmetry, so that said axial rotation of the securing section, causing the exit of the shoulder out of the clearance template, represents a relative tilting in one direction, one of the two transverse bars around the longitudinal bar, and represents a relative tilting, in the opposite direction, of the other of the two transverse bars.

Thus, in a particular case, it can be provided that, the respective holes, at a given height, transverse bars having been aligned, it is first necessary to tilt the successive transverse bars respectively on one side and the other of the planned plane of the grid, that is to say that it has a lateral profile in V. Then, by pivoting according to a given angular sector in a plane perpendicular to the planned common plane, each transverse bar is folded in the plane expected, thus transforming the "V" profile into an "I". Therefore, it is useless to seal the longitudinal bar, since it is easy to predict that the two angular sectors of pivoting allowed for the transverse bars, two schematic types mentioned above, folding the two branches of "V" in an "I", have an overlap only for the locking position, that is to say when the transverse bars occupy their folded position in the common plane. Each crossbar thus constitutes a lock for the bars of the other type.

The clearance template can be provided to be progressively flattened by misalignment of the clearance gauge direction with respect to the axis direction, following said relative pivoting or said rotation of the cross bar, until that the jig passage no longer fully encompasses the shoulder.

In one embodiment, at least one pair of associated bars, longitudinal and transverse, is hermaphroditic, with respectively a said female coupling section and a said male securing section. The mutual locking of the bars is thus better ensured.

The set of bars may in particular comprise two said pairs of hermaphrodite bars provided to form a parallelogram having a pair of couplings of a first type, inverse of the first type, that is to say dual, along a diagonal and a pair of couplings of a second type according to another diagonal. The interlocking mesh of the bars is thus optimal.

The male section of a first longitudinal bar of this kind can be followed by another male section and the female section of a second longitudinal bar of this kind can be followed by another female section. This offers several possibilities for various assemblies of other bars.

A transverse bar, i.e., with coupling holes, may be provided to be mounted in longitudinal position by coupling the coupling hole with a transverse bar.

Such a bar is therefore versatile because it can be effectively transverse, and thus offer a coupling and stop hole, but it can also serve as a pin for another crossbar, that is to say have the function of a longitudinal bar. This multipurpose bar will therefore have a reduced section to be able to cross the hole of the associated crossbar, or the crossbar actually will have a hole with extended section in the extension direction of this crossbar, and the multipurpose bar will present a section lengthened in the same way.

In another embodiment, the longitudinal bars and the transverse bars have said cutouts distributed on two opposite sides of the bars.

Some of the longitudinal bars and crossbars preferably comprise end sections arranged to be sealed.

Note however that, insofar as the grid is generally held in position on the opening if this is the case of application, that is to say with for example three tabs housed in cavities of the slice of the opening, it is not necessary that these tabs are sealed, since the bars lock each other. It should also be noted that, since the bars are closely coupled, it may be sufficient to seal only a final assembly pin-bar, if the walls of the opening prevent unplugging.

Some of the transverse bars may have a folded conformation in a decorative pattern of determined size, with two opposite and aligned coupling holes, to be threaded on a single longitudinal bar, inserted between two elongated transverse bars each threaded on the plurality of bars cross.

The user can thus successively thread patterns of different shapes, for example in a circle, diamond, heart, S or other, on each of the longitudinal bars, and thus customize its grid. In addition, these patterns constitute spacers between the elongate transverse bars and contribute to locking in translation of the other transverse bars on the longitudinal bars. Here again, this shape characteristic of a transverse bar is independent of the means, integrated or not, locking in position of the bars.

The invention also relates to a transverse bar for forming a set of grid elements according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a said first plurality of coupling sections each having a transverse cut, for receiving a longitudinal bar, associated with abutment means comprising an abutment surface provided to cooperate with a shoulder of the bar longitudinal.

The coupling section is preferably of the female type, the cutout being a transverse coupling hole having a passage template adapted to be able to ensure the free passage of a longitudinal bar when it forms an axis having a direction of axis aligned on a passage template direction defined by the coupling hole, said cooperation of the abutment surface being obtained by misalignment between the axis directions and clearance template.

The invention finally relates to a longitudinal bar for forming a set of grid elements according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a said second plurality of securing sections with respectively a said second plurality of coupling sections belonging to transverse bars having receiving cutouts, each joining section comprising a securing segment, of shape and length adapted to be received in a said cut, segment limited by a shoulder of a lateral relief of axial positioning arranged for then find axially facing an abutment surface forming part of abutment means belonging to the coupling section considered.

When the coupling section is of the female type and the cutout is a transverse coupling hole having a passage template adapted to be capable of ensuring the free passage of the longitudinal bar when it forms an axis having an axis direction aligned with a direction of clearance gauge defined by the hole, each securing section is then male type and the shoulder is arranged for, by misalignment between the axis directions and clearance gauge, come axially facing the abutment surface.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent, respectivement en perspective et en vue de bout, un tronçon d'une barre dite longitudinale, selon la première forme de réalisation,
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent, respectivement en perspective et en vue de côté, un tronçon d'une barre dite transversale, de masquage d'ouverture, comportant un trou de passage de la barre longitudinale, et
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues de face d'une grille selon la seconde forme de réalisation, respectivement en cours de montage et après montage.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of two interesting embodiments of a grid according to the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 represent, respectively in perspective and in end view, a section of a so-called longitudinal bar, according to the first embodiment,
• the Figures 3 and 4 represent, respectively in perspective and in side view, a section of a transverse bar, opening masking, comprising a passage hole of the longitudinal bar, and
• the Figures 5 and 6 are front views of a grid according to the second embodiment, respectively during assembly and after mounting.

The Figures 1 to 4 represent details of coupling elements exposing the first embodiment of bars constituting a grid 1, serving as protection in this example, whose general shape is represented on the Figures 5 and 6 , which further expose the second embodiment.

In general, the grid 1 comprises a first plurality of here two bars 2 and 3, said longitudinal, here identical and horizontal in this example and further serving here to the anchoring of the grid 1, and a second plurality of here two bars 4, 5, transversely extending, here orthogonal in final position ( Fig. 6 ), relative to the longitudinal bars 2 and 3. The transverse bars 4, 5 are here identical and are used for masking an opening, not shown, whose excessive height prohibits the use of only the two longitudinal bars 2 and 3, or whose excessive width would require longitudinal bars 2, 3 too long and therefore easy to separate mutually. In this example, the bars or bars 2 to 5 are rectilinear. It can be expected that the end sections of the longitudinal bars 2, 3 have a forked shape or other de sealing, not drawn, to better ensure anchoring.

Note also that, as the anchor requires that one of the two sets of bars 2, 3 and 4, 5 is longer than the corresponding dimension of the protected opening and the other series of bars is shorter that the other dimension of the opening if the grid 1 extends opposite the edge of the opening, we could consider that it is the transverse bars that are anchored, especially in a case for which they would be few for example as here there are two. The longitudinal bars 2, 3 would then serve to maintain the desired pitch between masking bars 4, 5. In short, the anchoring function is independent of how to assemble the various bars 2 to 5.

Returning to the first embodiment, the Figures 1 and 2 represent a section 21 for securing the longitudinal bar 2 with the transverse bar 4. The longitudinal bar 2 has, in this example, a cross section of substantially elliptical shape, or lenticular, that is to say, vertical oval around an axe geometric extension 20, here horizontal, limited by two faces of small opposite planar sides 26 and 27, respectively said upper and lower, and two large sides or opposite curved faces 28 and 29, respectively rear and front on the figure 1 . The upper face 26 is thus limited by two upper longitudinal edges 268 and 269, respectively called back and front, while the lower face 27 is limited by two lower longitudinal edges 278 and 279, respectively said back and front.

The upper front edge 269 has an upper notch 24 with a substantially planar bottom 241, limited by two radial abutment flank surfaces 242 and 243, axially facing each other and at a mutual distance defining a securing segment 22 corresponding to a value of thickness of the crossbar 4. As shown by the Figures 1 and 2 the bottom 241 is inclined forwards substantially from the rear upper edge 268.

Symmetrically with respect to the axis 20, the rear lower edge 278 has a lower notch 25 ( Fig. 2 ) substantially identical to the notch 24, with a bottom 251, substantially parallel to the bottom 241, and two axially opposite abutment flanks 252 and 253.

The Figures 3 and 4 represent a female coupling section 41 of the transverse bar 4 with the securing section 21, the coupling section 41 comprising a coupling hole 42 with walls substantially parallel to an overall geometric axis 42A, defining a passage template direction for the passage of the longitudinal bar 2, direction 42A here perpendicular to a geometric axis 40 of extension, here vertical, of the transverse bar 4. The transverse bar 4 here has a cross-section of substantially oval shape, and precisely, in this example, identical to the section of the longitudinal bar 2. The cross section of the transverse bar 4 is limited by two small opposite flat surfaces 46 and 47, respectively rear and front, and by two large opposite curved surfaces 48 and 49, respectively of right and left on the figure 3 .

The figure 4 represents the large right-hand surface 48, crossed by the coupling hole 42, whose general passage template is mixed, that is to say that it corresponds to a superposition of two elementary displacement templates mutually offset angularly. The first clearance template, with a geometric axis 42A1, for fitting the cross bar 4 in an adjusted manner, is identical to the substantially oval section of the longitudinal bar 2 (FIG. Fig. 2 ), that is to say that it has an elongate shape, substantially in ellipse, in approximately the extension direction defined by the axis 40, this elongated shape being here extension axis slightly inclined in this direction . The second passage template, of geometric axis 42A2, is narrower, that is to say corresponds to the cross section of the securing segment 22, that is to say the first elementary passage template but decreased by notches 24 and 25. The second passage template is generally of the same type of elongate shape substantially in ellipse as the first passage template and is here with extension axis perfectly parallel to the axis 40.

Thus, on the one hand, the general passage template is limited by a small upper surface 426, intended to receive axially sliding the upper face 26, and two large concave surfaces respectively rear 428 and before 429, for receiving in axial sliding the large respective faces 28 and 29. Precisely, the shape of the rear surface 428 corresponds to that of the rear face 28 in the zone of the segment 22, that is to say without the lower surface portion that has disappeared because of the presence of the lower notch 25. Conversely, the shape of the front surface 429 corresponds only to the upper part, of the front face 29, located outside the segment 22, to the height of the upper notch 24. The upper surface 426 descends towards the rear side 46, by an angle, with respect to a normal to the axis 40, of about here 10 degrees.

On the other hand, the general passage template is limited by a large front surface 429A, extending generally parallel to the vertical axis 40 in this example, intended to receive, as a lateral stop, the portion of the front face 29 located in the segment 22, that is to say axially at the notches 24 and 25. The front surface 429A is a complement of the front surface 429, their "sum" corresponding to the front face 29. The large front surface 429A continues, to the large front surface 429, by an oblique surface 424, intended to receive facing, with or without a stop, the bottom 241 of the upper notch 24. A small lower surface 425 connects the bottom of the front surface 429A at the bottom of the rear surface 428, rising at an angle corresponding to the slope of the bottom 251 of the lower notch 25.

As will be understood, the space between the virtual extension of the upper part of the front surface 429 (first elementary passage jig) and the front surface 429A (second elementary passage jig) constitutes a kind of lateral pocket offering a game allowing a lateral movement, here essentially by axial rotation, of the longitudinal bar 2 when the axial advance of the segment 22 brings the upper cavity 24 facing the front surface 429, located above the pocket mentioned above. To perform the desired coupling, the longitudinal bar 2 serves as a pin by sliding passage in the coupling hole 42, the axis 20 then being collinear with the axis 42A1. When the sliding causes the securing segment 22 laterally facing the wall surfaces of the coupling hole 42, the presence of the upper notch 24 causes the front face 429 to no longer constitute a lateral stop, so that the bar longitudinal 2 can rotate about its axis 20, until the front face 29 abuts, by its central and low parts, on the front surface 429A.

In this example, the rotation of the longitudinal bar 2 is accompanied by a translation of the axis 20 remaining horizontal, with descent forward to become collinear with the axis 42A2. In the case of another application, to form a ladder mesh designed to support for example the homologous edges of a stack of shelves, that is to say an application without risk of vandalism, this descent of the bar Longitudinal locking is particularly interesting because the gravity will keep it in place, so without the need for sealing.

Precisely here, the rotation of the longitudinal bar 2 is substantially around the edge connecting the rear surfaces 428 and lower 425. The sidewalls 242 and 243 then constitute a pair of axially opposite jaws which are opposite two zones. mouth 48B, 49B respective surfaces of right 48 and left 49, thus trapping the transverse bar 4, that is to say the locking in the corresponding axial position on the longitudinal bar 2. The rotation of the longitudinal bar 2 causes the flanks 252 and 253 of the lower notch 25 to come out of the overall passage template, that is, tilt below the level of the lower sloping surface 425 and form a second pair of jaws having the same function as the first pair of jaws or fangs 242, 243 of axial abutment against the two respective mouth surfaces 48B and 49B.

It should be noted that the above example has a number of interesting but non-essential features. Thus, the final position of the longitudinal bar 2, axis 40 perpendicular to the axis 20 is only a special case.

Similarly, a single pair of jaws would be sufficient for bi-directional locking, i.e., for example, the longitudinal bar 2 could have a different profile, as if the notch 25 extended over the entire length of the jaw. the longitudinal bar 2, or the general passage template could, correspondingly, be widened at the bottom.

In addition, the rotation of the axis 20 could, alternatively, be free of the associated lateral fall translation of this example or, conversely, be replaced by a simple lateral, horizontal and / or vertical translation.

As a variant, the notches 24 and 25 may generally be replaced by a notch of length less than the length of the coupling hole 42, which will then have, in addition to the desired passage template as a function of the notch, over a certain axial length of the hole 42, a passage template of increased size over the rest of its length. In other words, the adjusted passage template, as described or its variants, may relate only to a web, or rib, radial, projecting from the walls of the coupling hole 42.

In other variants, the notches 24 and 25 may be generally replaced by a dual relief, that is to say a radially extending index being housed, by rotation of the axis 20, in a lateral cavity or pocket constituting a radial groove in at least one of the front surfaces 429, 429A and rear 428. The notch 25, for example, can be omitted and the segment 22 is separated into two sub-segments, or two sub-notches respectively. The index is equivalent to two flanks, facing the opposite, belonging to two notches axially adjacent. The notch 24, thus double, thus having the index in any axial position, can then extend, on either side of the index, on any desired axial length.

In the second embodiment, illustrated by the Figures 5 and 6 , the elements homologous to those of Figures 1 to 4 have kept their reference number, possibly preceded by the hundred or so 1. The explanations are only useful for the differences that are brought here. The coupling hole 142, or transverse cut, of the coupling section 141 is here open laterally by an insertion slot 142F of width corresponding closely to the height of the section of the longitudinal bar 2, so that it is possible to assemble the various bars 2 to 5 by mutual plating. Specifically, the coupling hole 142 has a clearance template having substantially the shape of the section of the longitudinal bar 2 and the securing segment 122 belonging to the securing section 121, with, however, the passageway template axis 142a, or the coupling hole 142 and also the slot 142F inclined at a certain angle, about 25 degrees, relative to a normal to said vertical axis 40. Seen in this inclined orientation, the passage template has, in height, a set of determined size, that is to say that the edges of the slot 142F constitutes, in view along the axis 142A, two opposite lateral jaw hooks 142B, 142C.

As shown by a comparison of Figures 5 and 6 , the axis 20 of the longitudinal bar 2 is first aligned parallel to the axis 142A and the longitudinal bar 2 can thus be introduced laterally into the coupling hole 142 through the slot 142F. The set of bars 2 to 5 thus mounted forms a parallelepipedic mesh diamond. Then, a relative pivoting in their common plane, between the longitudinal bars 2, 3 and the transverse bars 4, 5, to here form a rectangular mesh, causes a misalignment of the axis 20 relative to the direction of axis of jig passage 142A, which brings two diagonally opposite ends of the jaws 142b and 142C opposite two zones, respectively high and low of the front face 128, thus gripped and trapped.

The height clearance of the clearance template is canceled by the pivoting above. A lower end of the right mouth 148B, in the right face 148, then abuts laterally on the lower face 127 and a diagonally opposite end end, left mouth 149B, in the left side 149, then laterally abuts on the upper side 126. For, in this position, to block effectively, axially, the longitudinal bar 2, the upper face 126 has a shoulder lateral relief 126E, here in the form of a notch, and, alternatively, in the form of a protuberance. The shoulder 126E is intended to abut on the left mouth 149B, and the lower face 127 likewise has a shoulder notch 127E for abutting on the right mouth 148B. The pair of jaws 142B and 142C here provides both the function of holding prisoner of the longitudinal bar 2, by the ends of the jaws 124B and 142C laterally opposite, and the blocking function of the crossbar 4 in the desired axial position on the securing section 21 of the longitudinal bar 2, this by the base zone of the jaws 142B and 142C which is located at the mouth 148B, associated 149B. The jaws 142B and 142C can therefore in fact be limited to two such crocs diagonally opposite each end of the coupling hole 142.

The pivoting of relative movement between the two busbars 2, 3 and 4, 5 thus causes a pinch or flattening of the height of the passage template, which causes the cooperation of the lateral abutment elements, that is to say say, on the one hand, the mouths 149B and 148B with respectively the shoulders 126E and 127E and, on the other hand, the hooks 142B, 142C with the large front faces 128 and rear 129.

In a variant, at least one pair 2, 4 of associated bars, longitudinal and transverse, is hermaphrodite, with, in addition to the respective securing sections 21 or 121 and coupling 41 or 141, respectively, a coupling section 41 or 141, female , and a said securing section 21 or 121, male.

The grid 1 may even comprise two such pairs 2, 4 and 3, 5 of hermaphrodite bars provided to form a parallelogram having a pair of couplings of a first type along a diagonal 42, 53 and a pair of couplings of a second type , inverse of the first type, according to another diagonal 43, 52. There is thus inversion of male / female coupling, between the two bars considered, at the "junctions" 52 and 43.

The longitudinal bar 2 may thus comprise, at its junction (52) with the transverse bar 5, a female section, similar to the hole 41, followed by a male section (21) as described in detail, and the longitudinal bar 3 may include, facing (53), a male section 21 for securing with the cross bar 5, followed (43) of a female section 41 as described.

Going to the left on the figure 6 , the male section 21 ("junction" 142) of the longitudinal bar 2 may be followed by another male section (21), not drawn, and the female section ("junction" 43) of the longitudinal bar 3 may likewise to be followed by another female section, not drawn. Such a configuration offers great freedom to add other bars 2 to 5.

In all the embodiments, it is possible to provide an additional bar of transverse type, such as bars 4, 5, that is to say female with holes 142, to be mounted in longitudinal position, here horizontal, by coupling its or its coupling holes 41 with one or more transverse bars 4, 5. The additional female bar, then having its passage holes spaced at the desired horizontal pitch, is thus skewed in parallel by all the transverse bars 4, 5 and the thus locks at the desired horizontal pitch.

As a variant of the second embodiment, the longitudinal bars 2, 3 may have, at the level of the securing section 21, a lateral cavity profile substantially identical to that of the laterally open hole 142, to grip each other. It is thus formed generally "C" profiles that fit mutually in mutually crossed position, at right angles or not. This is also valid for the first embodiment, with the coupling by lateral translation mentioned above, although then a disengagement of the "U" allows only a sliding between bars, which would remain in the common plane, so without disassembly immediate. If the locking pivot is not provided, for example if the profiles are in "U" and not in "C", then it is appropriate to seal the ends of the bars to keep them coupled by maintaining in the plane of the grid 1 However, it may be provided interleaving, that is to say that the indentations or slots 142F of some of the bars 2 to 5 are then distributed on the two large faces 28, 29 or 148, 149, which prevents any exit of the common plan.

As a variant of either of the two embodiments above, a rotation of the transverse bar 4 about its longitudinal axis 40 may be provided to clamp in width the template for the passage of the coupling hole 42, 142 , providing in the same way a cooperation of abutment reliefs.

Claims (23)

1. Assembly of grid elements (1), comprising a first plurality of longitudinal bars (2, 3) each comprising a second plurality of sections (21) for interlocking to respectively a said second plurality of coupling sections (41, 141) belonging to transverse bars (4, 5), characterized by the fact that each coupling section (41, 141) has a transverse cutout (42, 142) and each section for interlocking (21) includes an interlocking segment (22, 122 ), of a shape and length adapted to be received in the cutout (42, 142), said segment (22, 122) being limited by a shoulder (242, 243) of a lateral relief (24, 25) for axial positioning arranged to then be positioned axially facing an abutment surface (248B, 249B) constituting part of abutment means belonging to the coupling section (41, 141) considered.
2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling section (41, 141) is of the female type, the cutout being a transverse coupling hole (42, 142) having a passage template adapted to be capable of ensuring the free passage of a longitudinal bar (2, 3) when it forms an axis with an axis direction (20) aligned on a direction of passage template (42A, 142A) defined by the hole (42, 142), each section for interlocking (21, 121) being of the male type and the shoulder (242, 243) is arranged to, as a result of misalignment between the axis (20) and the passage template (42A, 142A) directions, come axially facing the abutment surface (248B, 249B).
3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the respective coupling sections (41) and sections for interlocking (21) are arranged so that the misalignment is obtained by axial rotation of at least one of the longitudinal bars (2, 3) and the transverse bar (4, 5) considered or by a relative pivoting between the longitudinal bar (2, 3) and the associated transverse bar (4, 5).
4. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the shoulder (242, 243) is directed opposingly to another shoulder (243, 242), arranged to cooperate with another abutment surface (249B, 248B), constituting part of the abutment means.
5. Assembly according to one of claim 2-4, wherein the coupling hole (42) has a non-circular passage template, including a recess at which a protuberance of the transverse profile of the longitudinal bar (2, 3) is substantially adjusted, except for the fact that the interlocking segment (22) has a shrunk profile, limiting the bottom of a slot for interlocking of which a first edge (242, 243) constitutes the said shoulder, the shrunk profile existing on a determined axial slot length and having a shape provided to allow axial rotation of the section for interlocking (21) so that the shoulder exits from the passage template.
6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the slot for interlocking (24, 25) has a second edge (243, 242), composing the second shoulder, pulled away from the first edge (242, 243) by at least one said slot length corresponding to a length of the coupling hole (42), to compose a pair of jaws capable of axially trapping two opposing entrances (248B, 249B) of the coupling hole (42, 142), respectively by the first edge (242) and the second edge (243).
7. Assembly according to one of claims 5 and 6, in which the slot for interlocking (24, 25) is axially separated into two sub-segments by a portion of section including the said protuberance, forming an index provided to be received in a cavity made in a wall (428, 429, 429A) of the coupling hole (42).
8. Assembly according to one of claims 5-7, wherein the interlocking (21) and coupling (41) sections, respectively, have boundaries that are respectively internally and externally threaded on at least one angular sector of rack means corresponding respectively to the lateral relief and the abutment means.
9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein the passage template having an elongated shape of size determined by two opposing walls (428, 429) having a determined maximum width of flattening and of which at least one carries a said sector of the rack means, the section for interlocking (21) having a cross-section of elongated shape of reduced size nevertheless having a length that is greater than said width of flattening of said passage template.
10. Assembly according to one of claims 5 to 9, in which the coupling holes (42) of respectively two transverse bars (4, 5) have therebetween a specular symmetry, whereby said axial rotation of the section for interlocking (21), leading to exit of the shoulder (242, 243) out of the passage template, represents a relative swinging, in a determined sense, of one of the two transverse bars (4, 5) around the longitudinal bar (2, 3), and represents a relative swinging, in an opposing sense, of the other one of the two transverse bars (4, 5).
11. Assembly according to one of claims 2 and 3 taken together and, optionally, one of claims 4 to 10, in which the passage template is provided to be progressively flattened, as a result of misalignment of the direction of the passage template (42A) relative to the axis direction (20), further to a said relative swinging or a said rotation of the transverse bar (4, 5), until the passage template no longer fully embraces the shoulder (242, 243).
12. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 11, in which a least one pair (2, 4) of associated bars, longitudinal and transverse, is hermaphrodite with respectively a said female coupling section (41) and a said section for interlocking (21).
13. Assembly according to claim 12, including two said pairs (2, 4 and 3, 5) of hermaphrodite bars provided to form a parallelogram having a pair of couplings of a first type according to a diagonal, and a pair of couplings of a second type, which is the inverse of the first type, according to another diagonal.
14. Assembly according to claim 13, in which the male section (21) of a first longitudinal bar (2) is followed by another male section (21) and the female section (41) of a second longitudinal bar (3) is followed by another female section (41).
15. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the longitudinal bars (2, 3) and the transverse bars (4, 5) have said cutouts (42, 142) distributed on two opposing sides of the bars (2, 3, 4, 5).
16. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 15, in which a said transverse bar (5) is provided to be mounted in a longitudinal position by coupling of the coupling hole (41) with a transverse bar (4).
17. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which certain ones among the longitudinal bars (2, 3) and the transverse bars (4, 5) include end sections arranged to be sealed.
18. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 17, in which the passage template has an elongated shape substantially along a direction of extension of the transverse bar considered (4, 5).
19. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 18, in which certain ones of the transverse bars (4, 5) have a folded forming according to a decorative pattern of determined bulk, with two opposing and aligned coupling holes, in order to be slipped onto one single longitudinal bar (2, 3), inserted between two elongated transverse bars (4, 5) each one slipped onto the plurality of longitudinal bars (2, 3).
20. Transverse bar (2, 3) for forming an assembly of grid elements (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterised by the fact that it includes a said first plurality of coupling sections (41) each having a transverse cutout (42, 43), for receiving a longitudinal bar (2, 3), associated with abutment means comprising an abutment surface (248B, 249B) provided for co-operating with a shoulder of the longitudinal bar (2, 3).
21. Transverse bar according to claim 20, in which the coupling section (41) is of the female type, the cutout being a transverse coupling hole (42, 43) having a passage template adapted to be able to insure the free passage of a longitudinal bar (2, 3) when it forms an axis having a direction of axis (20) which is aligned on a passage template direction (42A, 142A) defined by the coupling hole (42, 142A), said co-operation of the abutment surface (248B, 249B) being obtained by misalignment between the axis (20) and passage template (42A, 142A) directions.
22. Longitudinal bar (2, 3) for forming an assembly of grid elements (1) according to claims 1 to 19, characterised by the fact that it includes a said second plurality of sections for interlocking (21) with, respectively, said second plurality of coupling sections (41) belonging to transverse bars (4, 5) having receiving cutouts (42, 142), each section for interlocking (21) including a segment for interlocking (22), of adapted shape and length to be received in a said cutout (42, 142), segment (22) limited by a shoulder (242, 243) of a lateral relief for axial positioning arranged to then be at a position axially facing an abutment surface (248B, 249B) constituting part of the abutment means belonging to the considered coupling section (41).
23. Longitudinal bar according to claim 22, in which, the coupling section (41) being of the female type and the cutout being a transverse coupling hole (42, 43), having a passage template adapted to be able to ensure free passage of the longitudinal bar (2, 3) when it forms an axis having a direction of axis (20) which is aligned on a passage template (42A, 142A) direction defined by the coupling hole (42, 142), each section for interlocking (21) being of the male type and the shoulder (242, 243) is arranged to, by misalignment between the axis (20) and passage template (42A, 142A) directions, come axially facing the abutment surface (248B, 249B).

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