EP1778933B1 - Device for producing aboveground open or closed structures - Google Patents

Abstract

Flat panels formed by an assembly of wooden plates include arrangements for integrating rigidity inserts for the assembly thereof. Vertical edges of the panels receive profiles for connecting to adjacent panels in a linear and/or angular alignment manner.

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of the manufacture of panels for obtaining open or closed structures.

The invention finds an advantageous application in the manufacture of pool pools, especially of the type known as "aboveground pool" or "semi-buried", without excluding other constructions, especially from wood structure, such as cabins, cottages, bins, furniture, .....

Various technical solutions have been proposed for making structures from wood panels. This is particularly the case of above ground pools with wooden frame.

Thus, an advantageous solution emerges from the teaching of the patent application FR 02.05815 , published as FR 2 839 334 . This document discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

According to the teaching of this patent application, it is possible to obtain pool pools including above ground, from modular wooden panels of a single type, with the possibility of obtaining complex general shapes and any, and possibly to modify the surface, or the shape.
For this purpose, the basin is obtained from wooden panels whose vertical ends have arrangements to allow their coupling with the ability to articulate to form a basin of any polygonal shape. In the case of an application to a swimming pool, all the assembled panels cooperates with means able to ensure the tightness of the inner walls of the basin and the bottom of the latter constituted by a specific development of the ground.

These solutions are satisfactory for the realization of pools of any polygonal shape.

The technical solutions proposed to date for, for example, the construction of pool pools above ground wood frame, generally circular shape, most often require means of implementation relatively complex, likely to affect the aesthetics of the set obtained, since these means appear on the outside of the panels, and are visible.

The invention, as defined by claim 1, is intended to overcome these disadvantages, simply, safely, efficiently and rationally.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to be able to achieve, in a simple and fast way, panels, including but not limited to wood frame, and shape, at will, by bending, depending on the general form of the structure that one wants to obtain, that without requiring apparent means.

It was also desired to improve and facilitate the coupling of the panels together in particular for the realization of closed structures such as pools above ground pool.

Another problem to be solved by the invention is to increase the rigidity of the panels, again, without requiring the use of apparent means.

• des panneaux plans constitués par un assemblage de lames de bois notamment ;
• les lames présentent des agencements pour l'intégration d'inserts de rigidité, au niveau de leur assemblage ;
• les chants verticaux des panneaux reçoivent des profilés d'accouplements avec des panneaux adjacents, en alignement linéaire et/ou angulaire.

To solve such a problem, it has been designed and developed a device as defined in claim 1, for the realization of open or closed structures, including among others

• flat panels consisting of an assembly of wood blades in particular;
• the blades have arrangements for the integration of stiffness inserts, at their assembly;
• the vertical edges of the panels receive coupling profiles with adjacent panels in linear and / or angular alignment.

From this basic design, various technical solutions can be envisaged, particularly at the level of the stiffness inserts and at the level of the coupling profiles of the panels. Similarly, it is observed that advantageously the panels are obtained by the assembly of vertical or horizontal blades, without excluding other embodiments.

To solve the problem of integrating the inserts into the thickness of the panels, in an embodiment not claimed, the stiffness inserts are constituted by at least one metal bar of flat section vertically engaged in mortises formed in the thickness of the blades from their facing faces juxtaposed and over their entire length.

In the embodiment according to the invention, the stiffness inserts are constituted by a metal section delimiting two parallel vertical flanges braced by a central support core, said profile being disposed between the juxtaposed facing faces of the blades, on the whole their length, the spacing between the wings corresponding to the thickness of the blades. The central core may be hollow to internally receive a reinforcing element.

According to this embodiment, the reinforcing elements protrude at each end of the blades and have forms of coupling with complementary shapes that present the coupling profiles of adjacent panels.
The coupling profiles delimit two end zones each having the complementary coupling shapes cooperating with the projecting ends of the reinforcing elements, said end zones being separated by a common zone.
Either the common zone is profiled so that the two end zones are arranged in alignment, delimiting two parallel overlapping wings corresponding to a coupling in alignment of the panels.
Either the common zone is profiled so that the two end zones are angularly disposed by delimiting two angular overlapping wings, corresponding to an angular coupling of the panels.

According to another embodiment relating to the juxtaposition assembly of the panels, the coupling profiles have two parallel overlapping wings capable of gripping the section of the panels, said profiles having coupling shapes adapted to cooperate with complementary shapes of an intermediate connecting element.
The intermediate connecting element is profiled to allow coupling in alignment or angularly adjacent panels.

According to another feature, after assembly, the panels are belted at their upper part by a metal section overlapping the section of said panels.

To solve the problem of obtaining a curved structure, the panels are flat and able to be deformed, said panels being equipped with deformable stiffness elements, to be maintained in the desired bending position resulting from the deformation of said elements. .
According to an advantageous embodiment, the assembly comprises two juxtaposed panels, the deformable stiffness elements being fixed between the panels, in a parallel and horizontal manner. In this case, each panel is constituted by a vertical assembly of wooden boards whose vertical edges have two by two complementary coupling profiles capable of allowing a joint. The panels are of equal thickness or not.

Note that only one of the panels can be constituted by a vertical assembly of wood strips whose vertical edges have pairs of complementary coupling profiles capable of allowing a joint, the other panel being made of a semi material -rigid to be deformed.

In this case, the panel can be made from wood boards assembled vertically, but preferably horizontally.
In view of the problem to be solved, in particular of being able to bend the panel, the deformable stiffness elements are in the form of strips or bars extending over the entire length of the panel, the ends of said elements being projecting and profiled in form of hinges or loops to allow the coupling, in an articulated manner, of several adjacent panels, in combination with a rod.

According to an advantageous application of the invention, the coupling of the various panels constitutes a closed structure suitable for acting as a pool, in particular for a swimming pool; the upper rectilinear edges of said panels cooperate with elements acting as a lip and possibly a hanging waterproof canvas. The deformable stiffness elements are bent to form, after assembly of the panels, a basin of generally circular shape.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la réalisation d'un ensemble constitué de deux panneaux entre lesquels sont montés des éléments de rigidité déformables, l'ensemble étant représenté après cintrage desdits éléments ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en perspective, avant montage, d'une forme de réalisation de l'ensemble, avant cintrage des panneaux ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale de l'ensemble composé de deux panneaux juxtaposés entre lesquels sont montés les éléments de rigidité ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un ensemble, composé d'un seul panneau qui présente des agencements pour permettre l'intégration, dans son épaisseur, des éléments de rigidité déformables ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en plan, à caractère schématique, d'un exemple de structure obtenue selon les caractéristiques de l'invention, pour la réalisation notamment d'un bassin de piscine de forme circulaire ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en plan à caractère schématique d'une autre forme de réalisation de bassins dont l'intérieur est circulaire et l'extérieur polygonal ;
• la figure 7 est, à une échelle plus importante, une vue en coupe transversale considérée selon la ligne 7-7 de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'une autre forme de réalisation selon laquelle les panneaux sont réalisés à partir de lames de bois disposées horizontalement et armées intérieurement avec des barres métalliques ;
• les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues partielles montrant deux exemples de réalisation pour armer les lames de bois selon le mode d'exécution de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective, avant assemblage, des éléments constitutifs des panneaux et des profilés d'accouplement selon une forme de réalisation non-revendiquée ;
• la figure 12 est une vue correspondant à la figure 11 après assemblage des différents éléments ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en coupe transversale considérée selon la ligne 13-13 de la figure 12 ;
• la figure 14 est une vue en perspective avant assemblage des éléments constitutifs des panneaux et des profilés d'accouplement selon la forme de réalisation revendiquée;
• la figure 15 est une vue en coupe transversale du panneau selon la forme de réalisation illustrée à la figure 14 ;
• la figure 16 est une vue en perspective d'une forme de réalisation des inserts et des profilés d'accouplement des panneaux, lesquels profilés sont représentés partiellement avant accouplement avec les formes complémentaires des inserts ;
• la figure 17 est une vue partielle montrant l'accouplement des panneaux, selon la forme de réalisation illustrée à la figure 16 et dans le cas d'un accouplement en alignement des panneaux ;
• la figure 18 est une vue semblable à la figure 17 dans le cas d'un accouplement angulaire des panneaux ;
• la figure 19 est une vue de dessus d'un élément intermédiaire de liaison dans le cas d'un accouplement en alignement des panneaux ;
• la figure 20 montre l'accouplement de l'élément intermédiaire avec un profilé d'extrémité ;
• la figure 21 est une vue de dessus d'un élément intermédiaire de liaison pour un accouplement angulaire des panneaux ;
• la figure 22 montre l'accouplement de l'élément intermédiaire de liaison avec un profilé d'extrémité ;
• les figures 23, 24 et 25 sont des vues en perspectives nullement limitatives de différentes structures fermées pour la réalisation de bassins de piscines hors sol.

The invention is described below in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of the realization of an assembly consisting of two panels between which are mounted deformable stiffness elements, the assembly being shown after bending of said elements;
• the figure 2 is a partial perspective view, before assembly, of an embodiment of the assembly, before bending the panels;
• the figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly consisting of two juxtaposed panels between which are mounted the stiffness elements;
• the figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly, consisting of a single panel which has arrangements to allow the integration, in its thickness, deformable stiffness elements;
• the figure 5 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary structure obtained according to the features of the invention, for the realization in particular of a circular pool pool;
• the figure 6 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of basins whose inside is circular and the outside polygonal;
• the figure 7 is, on a larger scale, a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment in which the panels are made from horizontally disposed wood strips and internally reinforced with metal bars;
• the Figures 9 and 10 are partial views showing two examples of embodiment for arming the wooden boards according to the execution mode of the figure 8 ;
• the figure 11 is a perspective view, before assembly, of the constituent elements of the panels and coupling profiles according to an unclaimed embodiment;
• the figure 12 is a view corresponding to the figure 11 after assembly of the different elements;
• the figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of the figure 12 ;
• the figure 14 is a perspective view before assembly of the components of the panels and coupling sections according to the claimed embodiment;
• the figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the panel according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 14 ;
• the figure 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inserts and coupling profiles of the panels, which profiles are partially shown before mating with the complementary shapes of the inserts;
• the figure 17 is a partial view showing the coupling of the panels, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 16 and in the case of a coupling in alignment of the panels;
• the figure 18 is a view similar to the figure 17 in the case of angular coupling of the panels;
• the figure 19 is a top view of an intermediate connecting element in the case of a coupling in alignment of the panels;
• the figure 20 shows the coupling of the intermediate element with an end profile;
• the figure 21 is a top view of an intermediate connecting element for an angular coupling of the panels;
• the figure 22 shows the coupling of the intermediate connecting element with an end profile;
• the Figures 23, 24 and 25 are perspective views in no way limiting different closed structures for the realization of basins pools above ground.

In the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 , the goal is to achieve a set for the design of various structures, open or closed, by means of at least one flat panel (P) able to be deformed in combination with deformable stiffness elements (2). The stiffness elements (2) are selected to be deformable by elasticity and have some remanence. For example, these stiffness elements may consist of thin metal strips.

Furthermore, according to another characteristic, the various stiffness elements (2) are intended to be integrated in the thickness of the assembly. For this purpose, different embodiments can be envisaged.

For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises two juxtaposed panels (1) and (3), preferably of the same length and the same width. The stiffness elements (2) are fixed by any known and appropriate means between the panels (1) and (3). The panels (1) and (3) are of the same thickness or different thickness. Similarly, the panels (1) and (3) may be identical in their design or of a different nature.

For example, each of the panels (1) and (3) is constituted by a vertical coupling of wooden strips (4). To allow centering of the assembly, the vertical edges of the blades present, two by two, complementary coupling profiles capable of allowing a joint. Note that one of the panels (1) only can be constituted by a vertical assembly of wooden strips, as indicated above. In this case, the other panel (3) is made in the form of a semi-rigid plate to be deformed.

The assembly of the panels (1) and (3) together, in combination with the deformable stiffness elements (2), is carried out by any known and appropriate means.

In another embodiment, in the case where the assembly consists of a single plane panel (5), the latter has arrangements to allow the integration, in its thickness, deformable stiffness elements (2).

Whatever the embodiment of the assembly, the deformable stiffness elements (2) are in the form of strips or bars extending over the entire length of the panel or panels. In a preferred manner, the elements (2) are distributed at regular intervals over the entire height of the panel or panels considered. The elements (2) are arranged parallel to each other and in a horizontal manner.

According to another feature, the ends of the elements (2) protrude from the vertical edges of the panel (s), and are shaped like hinges or loops (2a), to allow the coupling, in an articulated manner, of several adjacent panels by combination in particular with a rod (6). These arrangements therefore allow an articulated coupling of several panels to achieve in particular a closed structure.

The coupling of the various panels is a closed structure suitable for serving as a pool, especially for a swimming pool. The upper rectilinear edges of the panels may be equipped with attached elements (7) able to serve as a lip and possibly fastening, in a sealed manner, a canvas known as a liner, in the case of an application to a swimming pool.

As shown in figure 5 , the deformable stiffening elements (2) can be bent to form, after assembly of the panel or panels, a basin of generally circular shape.

According to an alternative embodiment, in the case where the assembly is made by juxtaposition of two panels, the one intended to be located outside the structure, by acting as cladding, can be rigid, or to all the least, not be subjected to the deformation action of the stiffness elements (2). In this case, it is possible to obtain a closed structure, for example of circular inner shape, the outside having a polygonal appearance ( figure 6 ).
The panels may be juxtaposed in a contiguous manner or not with the interposition of braced elements and serving as a lip.

In the illustrated embodiment Figures 8, 9 and 10 , the panels are made by assembling wooden strips (8) arranged in a horizontal plane. Each blade has at least one metal reinforcing element (9), for example in the form of a metal bar. For example, the metal bar of each blade is housed in a vertical mortise (8a) ( figure 9 ) or horizontal (8b) ( figure 10 ), being maintained by a synthetic resin mortar (10). In this embodiment, the panels are rigid and allow to obtain, for example, a closed structure of polygonal shape. As indicated above, the ends of the bars may have a loop for engagement of a hinge pin.

In the embodiment illustrated at figures 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and 18 , the planar panels (P) consist of an assembly of wood blades in particular, or other elements, and have arrangements for the integration of stiffness inserts at their assembly.

To the figures 11 , 12, 13 , the stiffness inserts are constituted by at least one metal bar (11) of flat section. This bar (11) is engaged vertically in mortises (12a) and (12b) formed in the thickness of the blades (12) from their facing faces (12c) juxtaposed and over their entire length. Note that the ends of the bars (11) may have holes (11a) for the engagement of assembly members (13) passing through the thickness of the blades (12) and possibly coupling profiles (14) intended to be arranged at the vertical edges of the panels, as will be indicated in the following description.

To the Figures 14, 15 and 16 in particular, the stiffness inserts are constituted by a metal section (15) delimiting two parallel vertical flanges (15a) and (15b) braced by a central support core (15c). The profile (15) is disposed between the facing faces (12c) of the blades (12) over their entire length. The spacing between the wings (15a) and (15b) corresponds to the thickness of the blades (12). The central support core (15c) may advantageously be hollow to receive a reinforcing element (16) in the form of, for example, a horizontal metal bar. As indicated above, the inserts (15) can be fixed in combination with the coupling profiles (14) by means of the members (13).

In one embodiment illustrated at figures 16 , 17 and 18 , the reinforcing elements (16) protrude at each end of the blades (12) and have at this projecting portion, coupling shapes (16a) cooperating with complementary shapes (17a) that presents another type of profiles. coupling (17). These coupling profiles (17) delimit two end zones (17b) and (17c) each having the complementary forms of coupling (17a). The end zones (17b), (17c) are separated by a common zone (17d).

From this basic design of the coupling profile (17), several embodiments are provided for coupling in a linear alignment of the panels or for angular coupling of the panels.

To the figures 16 and 17 , the common zone (17c) is profiled so that the two end zones (17b) and (17c) are arranged in alignment by delimiting two parallel overlapping wings (17e) whose spacing corresponds to the thickness of the panels .

To the figure 18 , the common zone (17d) is profiled so that the two end zones (17b) and (17c) are angularly disposed by delimiting two angular overlapping wings (17f) whose spacing, as previously, corresponds to the thickness of the panels.

According to another embodiment ( figures 11 and 14 ), the coupling profiles (14) have two parallel covering wings (14a) adapted to grip the section of the panels. The profiles (14) have mating shapes (14b) able to cooperate with shapes complementary elements (18a) of an intermediate connecting element (18). Coupling shapes (14b) (18a) are determined to allow mating in alignment or angularly.

To the Figures 19 and 20 , the intermediate connecting element (18) is profiled to allow coupling in alignment of the panels.

To the Figures 21 and 22 the intermediate connecting element (18) is profiled to allow angular coupling of the panels.

As already indicated, after assembly, the panels are belted, at their upper part, by a metal section (19) overlapping the section of said panels.

• la possibilité notamment d'obtenir une structure de forme générale circulaire ou courbe, à partir notamment de panneaux en bois, sans nécessiter l'utilisation d'éléments apparents susceptibles de nuire à l'esthétique de l'ensemble ;
• la simplicité de mise en oeuvre et la facilité de mise en forme du panneau ;
• la rapidité et la simplicité de montage ;
• la possibilité d'obtenir des formes modulables évolutives ;
• le principe de bardage de forme polygonale permet, à partir d'une forme ronde, d'obtenir un aspect extérieur polygonal ;
• le gain d'espace pour le transport et le stockage ;
• la possibilité d'obtenir des panneaux rigides présentant une armature interne de renforcement ;
• la suppression de renforts extérieurs ;
• la possibilité d'obtenir des structures ouvertes ou fermées pour la réalisation de produits divers, tels que : réservoirs, piscines, bacs à fleurs, poubelles, bacs à sable, ...

The advantages stand out well from the description, in particular one underlines and recalls:

• the possibility in particular to obtain a structure of generally circular or curved shape, especially from wood panels, without requiring the use of apparent elements that could affect the aesthetics of the whole;
• the simplicity of implementation and the ease of formatting the panel;
• speed and simplicity of assembly;
• the possibility of obtaining evolutive modular forms;
• the principle of polygonal cladding allows, from a round shape, to obtain a polygonal exterior appearance;
• Space saving for transport and storage
• the possibility of obtaining rigid panels having an internal reinforcing reinforcement;
• the removal of external reinforcements;
• the possibility of obtaining open or closed structures for the realization of various products, such as: tanks, swimming pools, flowerpots, garbage cans, sandboxes, ...

Claims (15)

1. Device for producing aboveground open or closed structures comprising:

   - flat panels (P) formed by an assembly of wooden plates (12);

   - the vertical edges of panels (P) receive profiles (14), (17) for connecting to adjacent panels in a linear and/or angular alignment manner.

   characterised in that plates (12) are fitted with rigidity inserts consisting of a metal profile (15) forming two parallel vertical flanges (15a), (15b) braced apart by a central support web (15c), said profile being located between the opposite-facing juxtaposed faces of plates (12) over their entire length, the spacing between flanges (15a) and (15b) matching the thickness of the plates.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that central web (15c) is hollow and capable of internally accommodating a reinforcing element (16).
3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that reinforcing elements (16) protrude at each end of the plates and have connecting shapes (16a) that cooperate with matching shapes (17a) of connection profiles (17) of adjacent panels.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that connection profiles (17) delimit two end areas (17b) and (17c) that each have matching connecting shapes (17a) that cooperate with the protruding ends of the reinforcing elements, said end areas being separated by a common area (17d).
5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that common area (17d) is shaped so that the two end areas (17b) and (17c) are arranged in alignment and delimit two parallel overlapping wings that correspond to in-line connection of the panels.
6. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that common area (17d) is shaped so that the two end areas (17b) and (17c) are arranged at an angle and delimit two angular overlapping wings that correspond to angular connection of the panels.
7. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that connection profiles (14) have two parallel overlapping wings (14a) capable of gripping the section of the panels, said profiles having connecting shapes (14b) capable of cooperating with matching shapes (18a) of intermediate connector (18).
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that intermediate connector (18) is shaped to allow in-line or angular connection of adjacent panels.
9. Device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that, after assembly, the upper parts of the panels are held by a metal profile that sits astride the section of said panels.
10. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the panels are flat and capable of being deformed, said panels being fitted with deformable rigidity elements (2) so that they can be held in the desired curved position resulting from deformation of said elements (2).
11. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that it comprises two juxtaposed panels (1) and (3), deformable rigidity elements (2) being fixed between the panels parallel to each other and horizontally.
12. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that each panel (1) and (3) consists of a vertical assembly of wooden plates, the vertical edges of which have, two by two, matching connecting shapes capable of allowing articulation.
13. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that one of the panels (1) consists of a vertical assembly of wooden plates, the vertical edges of which have, two by two, matching connecting shapes capable of allowing articulation, the other panel (3) being made of a semi-rigid material so that it can be deformed.
14. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that deformable rigidity elements (2) are in the form of strips or bars that extend over the entire length of the panel (1), (3), (5), the ends of said elements protruding and being shaped like hinges or loops (2a) in order to allow articulated connection of several adjacent panels in combination with a rod.
15. Device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that connection of the various panels forms a closed structure capable of acting as a pool, especially a swimming pool, the upper straight edges of said panels cooperating with elements (7) that act as a sundeck and, if applicable, are used for fastening a waterproof liner.

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