EP1841929B1 - Arrangement of elements for producing a panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has edging units (3) assembled to form a structure on which a flexible part (2) is placed, and having battens with rivets, bosses (12) and a groove (13) corresponding to ends of connection units (4). Each unit (4) is connected to two consecutive units (3), after assembling the units (3) with the part, while being tensioned in assembling position to exert a force on the units (3) for spacing adjacent ends of the units (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a set of elements for obtaining a panel, this panel allowing, with other identical panels, to coat a wall or to form a wall, including making a false ceiling.

To form a false ceiling, it is known to use square panels placed side by side, each panel comprising a structure constituted by the assembly of a plurality of rigid edge elements, and a piece of flexible material tensioned on this structure. The edge elements may in particular have a profiled shape, internally hollow, and the contiguous ends of two consecutive elements are assembled to one another by corner pieces engaged within these elements.

The panels obtained by some existing systems have the disadvantage of having structures that can warp when the pieces of flexible material are put in tension on them, and / or not to allow a uniform tensioning of the piece of flexible material , that is, in all directions.

In addition, the elements of some existing systems have the disadvantage of not being able to be assembled simply and quickly, without special skills, which significantly limits their use.

In addition, the existing systems do not solve a simple and fast problem of level difference between the edges of panels adjacent to a panel to be set up.

Existing systems also have the disadvantage of being relatively expensive to achieve.

The document US 6,132,666 describes a system of upright panels connected by corner pieces, not to overcome these disadvantages.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of systems according to the prior art.

The set of elements it concerns comprises, in a manner known per se, a plurality of edge elements and a plurality of pieces of flexible material, edge elements being assembled to form a structure on which is placed a piece of flexible material.

According to the invention, the edge elements comprise assembly means arranged back from their ends, and the set of elements comprises connecting elements provided with assembly means complementary to those of the edge elements, an element linkage which, after assembly of the edge elements to a piece of flexible material, be connected to two consecutive edge elements, so as to ensure the positioning of the two edge members, without direct and rigid assembly of the contiguous ends of two elements edge, so that the contiguous ends of two edge members are simply held by the connecting elements.

Thus, in a panel constituted by the set of elements according to the invention, the contiguous ends of two edge elements are not assembled directly and rigidly to one another but are simply held by the elements. connecting elements. It results from this assembly an absence of any risk of warping of the structure that allow to form the edge elements and the connecting elements when the piece of flexible material is in place on the structure. In addition, the lack of bonding of the contiguous ends of two edge members makes it possible to place the ends of two consecutive edge members at slightly different levels if docking the edges of a panel with the edges of two adjacent panels on the edge. requires.

At least one connecting element may be shaped to be tensioned in its assembly position, so that it exerts on each edge element a force tending to move the contiguous ends of the two elements away from each other. border.

A tensioning of the piece of flexible material can thus be obtained.

Each edge member preferably has oblique end faces, the end faces of two consecutive edge members being arranged to come in close proximity to one another after assembly.

Preferably, each edge member is shaped to receive and retain an edge of the piece of flexible material at its longitudinal side intended to be located outside of said structure after assembly, each edge member being rotatable 180 degrees after assembly with the piece of flexible material and then be assembled to the other edge elements.

The edge elements are thus, after assembly, covered by the piece of flexible material on a portion of their outer edges, which not only gives a good visual appearance to the panels obtained but is also favorable to obtaining a bet in uniform tension of the piece of flexible material.

Each edge member is preferably constituted by the assembly of two slats that can receive an edge of the piece of flexible material between them and be assembled to each other so as to retain this edge.

Advantageously, in this case, the slats comprise studs and cavities sized so that the studs of one slat can be engaged with friction in the cavities of the other slat, and vice versa.

The assembly of the edge elements to the piece of flexible material can thus be achieved simply and quickly.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention in this case, two slats intended to form a border element are identical to each other and comprise alternating studs and cavities arranged in constant steps, these studs and cavities being arranged appropriately so that when the two slats are arranged head to tail, the studs of one batten are facing the cavities of the other batten, and vice versa.

The slats can thus be manufactured from the same mold, reducing the cost of manufacturing the set of elements according to the invention.

The slats may also comprise, in this case, pins protruding from their faces intended to grip the piece of flexible material, these pins being arranged appropriately so that, when the two slats are arranged head to tail, the pins of one lath are offset from the pegs of the other lath.

These pins provide perfect retention of the piece of flexible material between the slats.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting elements are constituted by rods or blades of slightly elastically deformable material, in particular metal, whose ends form or include said connecting means to the edge members.

At least some of the pads of said slats may be hollow internally and the receiving cavities of these pads may be open on the outside, the ducts defined by these pads thus opening on the outside of the edge elements.

These ducts make it possible to constitute the means for assembling said connecting elements to the edge elements, the assembly means of the connecting elements then being advantageously constituted by portions of these connecting elements that can be tightly engaged in the ducts formed by the pads.

The edge elements may also comprise bosses and / or groove-stud assemblies constituting said means for assembling the connecting elements to the edge elements.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de lattes et d'une pièce en matériau souple que comprend cet ensemble d'éléments ;
• les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en perspective de deux lattes pouvant être assemblées l'une à l'autre pour constituer un élément de bordure ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un panneau obtenu au moyen des lattes, de la pièce en matériau souple et d'éléments de liaison que comprend ledit ensemble d'éléments ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un angle d'un panneau dans lequel deux éléments de bordure consécutifs ne sont pas au même niveau ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle, de dessus, d'un panneau ;
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues de ce panneau à échelle agrandie, en coupe respectivement selon les lignes VII-VII et VIII-VIII de la figure 6, et
• les figures 9 à 11 sont des vues de différents éléments de liaison que comprend l'ensemble d'éléments.
• La figure 4 représente un panneau 1 de forme carrée, permettant, avec d'autres panneaux identiques, de réaliser un faux plafond.

The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages thereof will appear, with reference to the appended schematic drawing, showing, by way of non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of different elements of the set of elements it concerns.

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of laths and a piece of flexible material that includes this set of elements;
• the Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of two slats that can be joined to one another to form a border element;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a panel obtained by means of slats, the piece of flexible material and connecting elements that comprises said set of elements;
• the figure 5 is a partial view, in perspective, of an angle of a panel in which two consecutive edge elements are not at the same level;
• the figure 6 is a partial view, from above, of a panel;
• the Figures 7 and 8 are views of this panel on an enlarged scale, in section along the lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII respectively of the figure 6 , and
• the Figures 9 to 11 are views of different linking elements that comprise the set of elements.
• The figure 4 represents a panel 1 of square shape, allowing, with other identical panels, to make a false ceiling.

The panel 1 comprises a piece of flexible material 2, edge elements 3 for constituting a structure on which the part 2 is stretched, and connecting elements 4 for connecting the edge members 3 to each other and the maintain one another.

The piece of flexible material 2 can be of any kind, in particular a network of son coated with thermoplastic material, arranged perpendicularly and welded to each other. As shown by figures 1 and 4 , the piece 2 forms, beyond its portion intended to cover one side of the panel 1, tabs 5 extending each edge of this surface. Each tongue 5 comprises a portion 5a contiguous to the edge of said surface, intended to partially cover the outer edge of a border element 3, and a portion 5b intended to be engaged between two slats 6 for forming a border element 3. This part 5b is pierced with holes 7 regularly arranged through it.

Each slat 6 is formed by a molded plastic element. It presents, as show more particularly the Figures 7 and 8 , an "L" shape, that is to say defines a main wing intended to be positioned in the plane of the panel 1 after assembly, and a secondary wing whose outer face extends in the direction of the height of the panel 1 after assembly.

Each slat 6 has an oblique end face 9, oriented at an angle of 135 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the slat 6, the end faces 9 of two consecutive slats 6 being arranged so as to come close to each other. immediately after assembly, as it appears on the figures 4 and 6 .

The Figures 2 and 3 show that each slat 6 comprises studs 10 and cavities 11 alternated in constant steps, these studs 10 and cavities 11 being arranged appropriately so that when two identical slats 6 are arranged head to tail, the pads 10 of a slat 6 are facing the cavities 11 of the other slat 6, and vice versa. These studs 10 and cavities 11 are dimensioned so that the studs 10 of a batten 6 can be engaged with friction in the cavities 11 of the other batten 6, and vice versa.

Each slat 6 also comprises cylindrical bosses 12 coaxial with the studs 10 and the cavities 11, located on the face of said wing main opposite to that on which are the studs 10. The face of the main wing on which are the pads 10 is covered with pins adapted to be inserted into the material constituting the piece of flexible material 2.

The studs 10 are internally hollow and delimit conduits, and the cavities 11 open on the outside of each slat 6, so that these ducts open themselves to the outside of the two slats 6 after assembly.

Each slat 6 also comprises an oblique groove 13 is a stud 14 delimiting a housing, this housing being adapted to receive one of the ends of the connecting element 4 shown in FIG. figure 11 as will be described later.

In addition, each slat 6 comprises pins protruding from its face intended to tighten the piece of flexible material 2, these pins being arranged appropriately so that when the two slats 6 are arranged head to tail, the pins of a slat 6 are offset from the pins of the other batten 6.

In practice, as can be deduced from the figure 1 , the holes 7 of a tongue 5 are engaged on the studs 10 of a batten 6 and another batten 6 identical to the first is arranged head-bit relative to this first batten and is assembled thereto by interpenetration reciprocal studs 10 and cavities 11.

The edge member 3 thus formed is then rotated 180 degrees to cause said portion 5a of the tongue 5 to extend along the outer face of said secondary flange of the second slat 6, as shown by the figures 4 , 7 and 8 .

As mentioned above, following the pivoting of two consecutive elements 3 over 180 degrees, the end faces 9 of these two elements come in immediate proximity to one another.

With reference to the figure 4 , on the one hand, and Figures 9 to 11 on the other hand, it appears that the connecting elements 4 make it possible to connect two edge members 3 in order to maintain them in relation to one another in their assembly positions, resulting from the aforementioned pivoting.

Each connecting element 4 has a main portion 4a having a length slightly greater than the distance separating two bosses 12 located at a distance from the contiguous ends of the two elements 3, or two 13-studs groove assemblies 14, and 4b ends shaped to cooperate with these bosses 12 or these grooves 13-pads 14.

The connecting element 4 shown on the figure 9 is constituted by a metal rod curved at its two ends to form the ends 4b, the diameter of the rod being such that these ends 4b can be engaged in said ducts defined by the pads 10 with friction.

The connecting element 4 shown on the figure 10 is in the form of a metal blade, in the ends 4b of which have been arranged notches to form forks. These forks allow engagement of these ends 4b on the main wings of the two slats 6 forming a border element 3, with support against the bosses 12, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

The connecting element 4 shown on the figure 11 is in the form of a metal rod bent at its central portion, one end 4b is bent. This bent end 4b can be engaged in the groove 13 and in the housing that forms the stud 14 of one of the edge members 3 and can be bent by manual pressure, thanks to its bent shape, so as to shorten slightly its length so that the other end 4b of this element 4 can be engaged in the housing delimited by the stud 14 of the consecutive edge member 3.

Each connecting element 4 can thus be connected to two consecutive edge elements 3 by being tensioned in this assembly position, so that it exerts on each edge element 3 a force tending to move away from one of the the other ends of the two border elements 3.

In the panel 1, the contiguous ends of two elements 3 are therefore not assembled directly and rigidly to one another but are simply held, with tension, by the connecting elements 4. This results in an absence of any risk of warping of the structure formed by the elements 3 when the part 2 is stretched, and a possibility of perfect tensioning of this part 2. In addition, the absence of connection of the contiguous ends of two elements 3 allows to place the ends of two consecutive elements 3 at slightly different levels, as shown in FIG. figure 5 if approaching the edges of panel 1 with the edges of two adjacent panels requires it. This level difference is obtained by a slightly smaller depression of one of the ends 4b of the connecting element 4 shown in FIG. figure 9 in the corresponding conduit of the stud 10.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention provides a set of elements having the decisive advantages of enabling panels having structures which are not likely to be warped when the parts 2 are put in tension on them, to allow a uniform tensioning of these parts 2, to be able to be assembled in a simple and fast manner, without particular skills, to solve in a simple and fast way a problem of difference in level between edges of panels adjacent to a panel to be put in place , and to be relatively inexpensive to achieve.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it extends to all embodiments covered by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. Arrangement of elements for producing a panel (1), this panel (1) making it possible, with other identical panels (1), to cover a wall or build a wall, in particular to produce a false ceiling, said arrangement including a plurality of edging elements (3) and a plurality of pieces (2) consisting of a flexible material, the edging elements (3) being able to be assembled to form a structure on which a piece (2) consisting of a flexible material is placed, characterized in that the edging elements (3) comprise assembly means (10, 12, 13, 14), provided back from their ends, and in that the arrangement of elements comprises connection elements (4) provided with assembly means (4b) which are complementary to those of the edging elements (3), a connection element (4) being able to be connected to two consecutive edging elements (3), once the edging elements (3) have been assembled together with a piece (2) consisting of a flexible material, in such a way as to ensure the positioning of the two edging elements (3) without the direct and rigid assembly of the adjacent ends of said two edging elements (3), such that the adjacent ends of the two edging elements (3) are simply held be the connection elements (4).
2. Arrangement of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one connection element (4) is conformed so as to be tensioned in its assembly position, such that it exerts, on each edging element (3), a force intended to distance the adjacent ends of the two edging elements (3) from each other.
3. Arrangement of elements according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each edging elements (3) has oblique end surfaces (9), the end surfaces (9) of two consecutive edging elements (3) being positioned so as to come into the immediate vicinity of each other after assembly.
4. Arrangement of elements according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each edging element (3) is conformed to receive and hold an edge of the piece (2) consisting of a flexible material at the level of its longitudinal side intended to be located outside said structure after assembly, each edging element (3) being able to be rotated 180 degrees after assembly to the piece (2) consisting of a flexible material, then to be assembled to the other edging elements (3).
5. Arrangement of elements according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each edging element (3) is formed by the assembly of two bars (6) able to receive an edge of the piece (2) consisting of a flexible material between them and to be assembled together so as to hold this edge.
6. Arrangement of elements according to claim 5, characterized in that the bars (6) comprise lugs (10) and cavities (11) sized such that that lugs (10) of one bar (6) can be frictionally engaged in the cavities (11) of the other bar (6), and vice versa.
7. Arrangement of elements according to claim 6, characterized in that two bars (6) intended to form an edging element (3) are identical to each other and comprise alternating lugs (10) and cavities (11) developed along constant intervals, these lugs (10) and cavities (11) being disposed such that, when these two bars (6) are positioned head-to-tail, the lugs (10) of one bar (6) are facing the cavities (11) of the other bar (6), and vice versa.
8. Arrangement of elements according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that two bars (6) intended to form an edging element (3) are identical to each other and comprise pins protruding from their surfaces intended to squeeze the piece (2) consisting of a flexible material, these pins being positioned such that, when the two bars (6) are positioned head-to-tail, the pins of one bar (6) are offset relative to the pins of the other bar (6).
9. Arrangement of elements according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connection elements (4) are made up of rods or bars of a slightly elastically deformable material, in particular metal, the ends (4b) of which form or comprise said means for assembly to the edging elements (3).
10. Arrangement of elements according to any claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least some of the lugs (10) of said bars (6) are hollow inside and in that the cavities (11) for receiving these lugs (10) open onto the outside, the channels defined by these lugs (10) thereby opening on the outside of the edging elements (3).
11. Arrangement of elements according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for assembling the connection elements (4) are formed by portions (4b) of these connection elements (4) which may be tightly engaged in the channels formed by the lugs (10).
12. Arrangement of elements according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the edging elements (3) comprise bosses (12) and/or groove (13)-lug (14) assemblies constituting said means for assembling the connection elements (4) to the edging elements (3).

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