EP2020194A2 - Two-dimensional component - Google Patents

Abstract

The component (2) has recesses (8) provided in a transverse direction (Q) and arranged in a longitudinal direction (L), where the component is made of wood and/or plastic. The recesses are continuous in a thickness direction and non-continuous in the transverse direction. A part of the recesses runs from side surfaces (6a, 6b). The recess are overlappingly arranged with each other in the longitudinal direction and moved in the transverse direction. The side surfaces comprise a dovetail groove (10) running in the longitudinal direction. An independent claim is also included for a method for transition of a two-dimensional component.

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet-like structural element according to claim 1, a method for flexibilizing a sheet-like structural element according to claim 7, the use of the sheet-like structural element in a piece of furniture or a building component according to claim 8 as well as a piece of furniture and a building component used in the construction planar component according to claim 9 or 10.

Sheet-like components, which are made of a wood and / or plastic comprehensive material, usually have a high strength. However, they have the disadvantage that they are stiff and thus are not suitable for applications in which the component should have a certain flexibility.

Flexible and in the bent state again stabilizable components are very often desirable especially for furniture or components used in construction. For example, a certain degree of flexibility is indispensable for temporarily erected partitions or screens which are intended to enable simple assembly and dismantling, simple adjustment of the respective position and space-saving storage.

In order to obtain flexible components based on rigid material, it has hitherto been possible to combine the rigid material with a flexible material.

For example, in WO98 / 44214 a flexible, board-like product described which consists of a Layer of a flexible material and one or two layers of a board-like material is formed. In this case, the layer of the board-like material is divided into strip-like segments, wherein the incisions between the segments to the layer of the flexible material are continuous.

Next describes US-B-2054499 a closure having a flat bottom and a top having a plurality of parallel elements separated by narrow grooves, with a layer of flexible material applied to the flat bottom.

The known components of the prior art have the disadvantage that they require additional material, which makes their production relatively complicated. In addition, there may also be problems with regard to the combination of the flexible material with the rigid material or their compatibility with each other. In addition, most of the flexible materials in question are of synthetic origin. These are thus for components that are made entirely from the natural product wood, out of the question.

A flexibility of the component is particularly desirable in view of the fact that this can be brought into a variety of possible shapes and, if the desired shape is present, can be fixed in this. This is particularly desirable for furniture or furniture components, as there are often curved or curved shapes in these.

The production of molded bodies on the basis of a material comprising wood and / or plastic can hitherto only be accomplished by means of very complicated procedures. For example, wood-based bodies have been made by molding wood fibers, for example. An appropriate procedure is approximately in US-B-4702870 disclosed.

The disadvantage here is that the natural structure of the wood is lost. In addition, relatively expensive devices are required for the production.

Further disclosed WO02 / 092302 a method for producing a three-dimensionally bendable surface element made of wood, wherein in a workpiece narrow grooves are introduced and subsequently a portion of the workpiece is separated, so temporarily no solid cohesion of the separated areas by the grooves is present. The areas are then fixed by a cross-bond with each other and / or on a support.

This method also has the disadvantage that a complex device is required for its implementation. In addition, according to the said method, in addition to the starting material, further materials for the cross-connection are introduced into the surface element.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device made of a wood and / or plastic comprehensive material that is flexible without the use of an additional material and can be produced very easily.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Due to the profile resulting from the inventive arrangement of the incisions, the component is extremely flexible. Thus, forms can be formed from the material, which in itself is rigid, which otherwise could only be accomplished by very complicated processes by destroying the natural structure of the wood or by using other materials. The starting material is typically a flat wooden plate.

Due to the material used, the device of the present invention also has a sufficiently high strength. It is thus suitable for applications which are exposed to relatively high forces, for example for chairs or benches.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the incisions are continuous in the thickness direction, are not continuous in the transverse direction and extend alternately in the longitudinal direction from opposite side surfaces, wherein two successive incisions in the transverse direction overlap each other. In this embodiment, therefore, all incisions of each one of the two side surfaces go out. The arrangement of the incisions results in a meandering profile. The flexibility thus obtained is present both in the plane of the planar component and transversely to its plane. The element can also be elastically pulled and compressed in the longitudinal direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least two of the incisions lie on a straight line in the transverse direction, wherein at least one of the incisions does not emanate from either side wall. Such a device has an extremely high strength and is surprisingly flexible.

It is also conceivable that the component has two further, substantially perpendicular to the surfaces and the side surfaces according to claim 1 extending surfaces, in turn, the cuts are defined as defined in claim 1. In this case, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the first two opposite surfaces of the thickness direction with respect to the second two opposing surfaces and vice versa. An incision arrangement according to this embodiment is particularly suitable for components made of solid wood, since in these a very high flexibility is achieved while maintaining a very high strength.

As a rule, the surfaces and the side surfaces of the component each run parallel to one another. But it is also grateful that, in particular, the side surfaces at least partially towards each other or run away from each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinally successive incisions are each equidistant from each other, which causes a uniform flexibility over the entire length of the component is achieved.

In addition to straight cuts that can be made with a conventional saw, for example, incisions can be made by means of suitable methods that are not straight. Suitable methods for this include cutting by means of a water jet or laser.

In addition, besides cuts that run perpendicular to the surfaces, cuts are also conceivable that run obliquely with respect to the surfaces.

The incision length can be the same or different for all incisions. With the same length of all cuts a constant over the entire component flexibility can be achieved. In contrast, a component can be obtained, for example, with a longitudinally successive decreasing or increasing incision length whose flexibility changes successively in the longitudinal direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the component of the present invention is made of wood, which is particularly well suited due to its mechanical properties.

The component preferably comprises at least three layers of wood arranged one above the other, the incisions extending transversely to the fiber direction of at least one layer of wood. Such embodiments, due to the structure of the wood, retain substantially higher tensile and compressive forces than those of solid wood. As a rule, an odd number of layers of wood is chosen for this embodiment, so that in an arrangement in which the grain direction of the layers of wood varies in different directions, the grain direction of the two layers of wood forming the surfaces of the element extends in the same direction.

As an alternative to wood, plastic-comprising materials are also conceivable, for example plastics coated with aluminum, for example those coated with aluminum Trade name Alucobond® or Dibond® distributed composite panels from Alcan Composites.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one side surface of the component has a groove extending in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to fix the formed form by means of a profile inserted into the groove. The component according to the invention preferably has a groove on both side surfaces.

The groove is preferably designed such that the inserted profile is securely held. This can preferably be achieved with a dovetail groove.

In particular, for flexible objects with a rigid frame structure, a frame profile can be provided, in which the inventive component is used. In this case, the respective frame sides can be used as described above in foreseen on the side surfaces of the component grooves. It is also conceivable that the component due to its elasticity by force on the frame profile is held in this.

As an alternative to introducing a profile in a groove provided for this purpose, a desired shape of the component can also be fixed, for example, by casting the incisions with an epoxy resin after the corresponding deformation.

It is also conceivable that two or more components each have a spring element with two arranged thereon, positively held in the groove connecting elements, preferably in the form of a dovetail, are interconnected.

Alternatively to the connection with an additional connecting element, the components of the present invention can also be connected to one another or glued to one another by means of an adhesive. In corner joints these are preferably glued together miter.

The component of the present invention is particularly suitable for furniture, as these are often sought curved or curved shapes and usually a flexibility of the material is desired. So it is particularly desirable for benches, chairs or loungers that they can adapt their shape to the position of the sitting / lying. Other furniture in which the device of the present invention preferably applies, represent screens. It may be desirable that the wood element is used as described above in a dedicated frame profile.

In addition, the components according to the invention can be used as components of a lining for light bodies, for example as part of a cylindrical or cube-shaped lamp. In this case, the flexibility of the component is preferably maintained, since different light effects can thereby be achieved.

In addition to the described application of the inventive device for a piece of furniture, they can be used for a variety of applications in construction, such as a component of a wall or ceiling paneling. Examples of such components include acoustic panels, heat exchangers, ventilation cladding or wall panels with backlighting represents.

Also conceivable are other fields of application, such as the production of toys or jewelry.

In principle, all possible dimensions are conceivable for the component according to the invention. Depending on the flexibility to be achieved, the incision width, the incision length and the distance between two successive incisions are suitably selected on the basis of the predetermined dimensions of the component.

Preferably, the ratio of the incision length to the distance of the side surfaces is in a range of 6:10 to 9:10, the ratio of the incision width to the thickness of the component in a range of 1:20 to 8: 1, and the ratio of the distance of two in the longitudinal direction successive cuts to the incision width in a range of 1: 3 to 5: 1. As a result, the device of the present invention has optimum flexibility and at the same time sufficiently high strength.

The device of the present invention may be of any thickness. For the preferred applications described, the device preferably has a thickness of 4 mm to 60 mm. However, for individual embodiments, a thickness of 100 mm or more is conceivable.

The distance of the opposite side surfaces, which corresponds to the width of the component, is preferably for the described preferred embodiments 30 mm to 500 mm, but may also be more or less for individual embodiments.

It is also conceivable that the ratio of the thickness to the distance of the side surface is chosen such that the inventive component has at least approximately the shape of a cube.

The surfaces or the side surfaces of the device according to the invention do not necessarily have to run parallel to one another. A parallel course of the surfaces or side surfaces is preferred.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt eines erfindungsgemässen Bauelements von oben;
• Fig. 2a und 2b eine Draufsicht auf den in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausschnitt des Bauelements von je einer Seite IIa bzw. IIb;
• Fig. 3a, 3b und 3c je einen Querschnitt für drei verschiedene Ausführungen des erfindungsgemässen Bauelements gemäss Fig. 1 entlang der Linie X-X' zeigen;
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt einer weiteren erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform von oben zeigt; und
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform zeigt.

The invention is illustrated in the figures, of which

• Fig. 1 a plan view of a section of a device according to the invention from above;
• Fig. 2a and 2b a top view of the in Fig. 1 shown section of the component of one side IIa and IIb;
• Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c depending on a cross section for three different embodiments of the inventive device according to Fig. 1 along the line XX 'show;
• Fig. 4 a top view of a section of another embodiment of the invention from above shows; and
• Fig. 5 a perspective view of another inventive embodiment shows.

This in Fig. 1 illustrated component 2 has two opposing parallel surfaces, of which the upper surface 4a is shown, and two side surfaces 6a, 6b. The side surfaces 6a, 6b run in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment parallel to each other. The device 2 defines a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction Q.

The component 2 has in the transverse direction Q extending incisions 8, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction L successively and alternately emanating from opposite side surfaces 6a and 6b. The incisions 8 are not continuous in the transverse direction Q. Two successive incisions 8 overlap each other in the transverse direction Q. By this arrangement of the incisions 8, the component 2 has a meander-shaped profile.

The side surfaces 6a, 6b each have a groove extending in the longitudinal direction L 10, which through the outer of in Fig. 1 shown dashed lines is indicated.

As in Fig. 2a and 2b is shown, the incisions 8 are continuous in the thickness direction. They are uniformly spaced apart and perpendicular to the surfaces 4a, 4b of the device. 2

In the Fig. 2a shown incisions 8 are opposite to in Fig. 2b shown incisions 8 offset in the longitudinal direction, since the incisions 8 successively alternately emanating from opposite side surfaces 6a and 6b.

In the Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c shown cross sections of in Fig. 1 and 2 shown component 2 differ from each other in the configuration of the groove 10a, 10b, 10c. In the Fig. 3a Groove 10a shown in cross section has the shape of a cut circle, while those in FIG Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c shown groove 10b and 10c in cross section is rectangular or dovetailed. The in the in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3c shown grooves 10a, 10c are particularly designed for pipes or round steel profiles, which are permanently held in the groove 10a, 10c after insertion. In the Fig. 3b shown groove 10b is formed primarily for flat profiles.

In the in Fig. 4 shown embodiment of the sheet-like element 2 at least two incisions 8 are arranged on a straight line extending in the transverse direction Q. Successively in the longitudinal direction L, the incisions 8 are alternately arranged in two mutually transversely offset Q positions, each notch 8 with at least one longitudinal slot L adjacent incision 8 overlaps.

According to Fig. 4 For example, a first portion of the sipes 8 extends from the side surface 6a, while a second portion of the sipes 8 extends from the side surface 6b opposite to the side surface 6a (not shown). Each of the first sipes 8 originating from one of the two side surfaces overlaps in the transverse direction Q with one or two longitudinally adjacent sipe (s) 8 which originate / depart from none of the side surfaces. Each of these incisions 8 overlaps in the region facing away from the respective side surface 6a or 6b with one or two further incisions which is / are arranged on the straight line of the first incision starting from the respective side surface 6a or 6b.

In the Fig. 5 shown embodiment of the sheet-like component 2, in addition to the surfaces 4a, 4b, two more, to the surfaces 4a, 4b and the Side surfaces 6a, 6b substantially perpendicular surfaces 4c, 4d on. Here, the longitudinal direction L1 with respect to the first two opposing surfaces 4a, 4b of the thickness direction D2 with respect to the second two opposing surfaces 4c, 4d and the longitudinal direction L2 with respect to the second two opposing surfaces 4c, 4d of the thickness direction D1 with respect to the first two correspond to each other opposite surfaces 4a, 4b.

The component 2 has both in the transverse direction Q with respect to the first two surfaces 4a, 4b and with respect to the second two surfaces 4c, 4d extending incisions 8 which are arranged longitudinally L1 and L2 successively and alternately from opposite side surfaces 6a and 6b out.

The incisions 8 are not continuous in the transverse direction Q and continuous in the thickness direction D1 or D2, with two incisions 8 consecutive in the longitudinal direction L1 or L2 overlapping one another in the transverse direction Q. As a result of this arrangement of the incisions 8, the surfaces 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of the component 2 have a meander-shaped profile, while the incisions 8 intersect at right angles on the side surfaces 6a, 6b.

In the embodiment shown, the area of the individual surfaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d is smaller than that of the individual side surfaces 6a and 6b, respectively. Alternatively, the dimensions can also be selected such that the area of the individual surfaces is greater than that of the individual side surfaces.

Claims (10)

Sheet-like construction element comprising a material comprising wood and / or plastic with two opposite surfaces (4a, 4b) spaced apart from one another by the thickness of the component (2) and two opposite side surfaces (6a, 6b), the component (2) being in the transverse direction (Q) has incisions (8) arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction (L), characterized in that the incisions (8) are continuous in the thickness direction and are not continuous in the transverse direction (Q), a first part of the incisions (8 ) emanates from a first of the two side surfaces (6a, 6b), a second part of the incisions (8) emanating from a second of the two side surfaces (6a, 6b) and two in each case in the longitudinal direction (L) successive incisions (8) in the transverse direction ( Q) offset from one another and are overlapping each other. Sheet-like element according to claim 1, characterized in that the incisions (8) in the longitudinal direction (L) alternately emanate from opposite side surfaces (6a and 6b). Sheet-like element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the transverse direction in each case at least two of the incisions (8) lie on a straight line, wherein at least one of the incisions (8) from none of the two side walls (6a, 6b) emanates. Sheet-like element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the in Lengthwise (L) successively arranged incisions (8) are each equally spaced from each other. Sheet-like element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of wood. Sheet-like structural element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one side surface (6a, 6b) has a groove (10) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), in particular a dovetail groove. Method for flexibilizing a sheet-like element comprising a material comprising wood and / or plastic with two opposite surfaces (4a, 4b) spaced apart from one another by the thickness of the component (2) and two opposite side surfaces (6a, 6b), characterized in that in the transverse direction of the component incisions (8) are arranged, which are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction (L), in the thickness direction (D) are continuous and in the transverse direction (Q) are not continuous, wherein a first part of the incisions (8) from a first the two side surfaces (6a, 6b) emanate, a second part of the incisions (8) emanating from a second of the two side surfaces (6b, 6a) and two in the longitudinal direction (L) successive incisions (8) in the transverse direction (Q) offset from one another and are overlapped with each other. Use of a planar component (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6 in a piece of furniture or a component used in construction. Furniture comprising a planar component (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6. Component used in construction comprising a planar component (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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