EP2226442B1 - Profile assembly of the type rigid coupling - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of woodwork assemblies and especially to adaptations to take into account the consequences of the phenomenon of expansion when the assembled elements are not parallel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The invention relates to joinery assemblies comprising an interlocking. An interlocking connection requires that the clearance required for the insertion of the elements to be interlocked is minimal so that the connection is rigid and monolithic. Thus, the flexible connections are not concerned by the invention.

Such interlocking is known in particular in the necessarily rigid assembly of the frames of the glazed unitary elements forming a curtain wall.

In such assemblies, it is possible that the constituent elements are not in the same plane, which is known for example in the field of curtain walls when the facades have angles. The phenomenon of expansion, ie the variation of the dimensions of the elements involved in the assembly due to temperature variations, is not equal in all directions and is likely to have its main effects applied along an axis not parallel to the interlocking axis of the elements.

The assembly could then be weakened or compromised.

This disadvantage is all the more difficult to manage that the profiles to be assembled are likely to remain oriented in the same way while the units to which they belong are not oriented according to the same angle.

Similarly, when the assembly or the profiles are preformed to provide an orientation of the expansion different from that of the assembly, the deliberately desired variability of the angular fasteners in the different assemblies does not allow to obtain in all cases a pre-formation corresponding to the deformation.

The document EP 0436868 discloses a frame for a facade wall having assemblies of uprights and crosspieces likely to have the disadvantages mentioned above. Indeed, this document describes a rigid interlocking type assembly comprising parts capable of expanding in different directions, said assembly comprising at least two sections fitting one into the other and at least one seal interposing between both,
a first section comprising at least one preformed projection of a groove for fixing a first portion of the seal, the second part of which has a first bearing surface against the first section on either side of the fixing groove and a second bearing surface coming into contact with the second profile during nesting,
the second section having a bearing surface for said seal.

As explained above, the phenomenon of expansion, that is to say the variation of the dimensions of the elements involved in the assembly due to temperature variations, can be applied along an axis not parallel to the axis of interlocking elements. . Such variation is taken into account by the flexibility of the second part, that is to say by the outer part of the seal, which is found compressed between the first section and the second during rigid interlocking. This consideration is not optimal because of the lack of elasticity available in this part of joint which must moreover allow the interlocking.

In addition, the fact that the surfaces of the profiles in contact with the joint are flat and parallel does not allow the consideration of a variation in the angle of assembly between the profiles to be fitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

What is clear, the applicant has conducted research to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks as well for type interlocking assemblies of those likely to end up in the curtain walls that are generally in the carpentry.

The rigid interlocking type assembly of the invention comprises parts that can expand in different directions, said assembly comprising at least two sections fitting one into the other and at least one seal interposing between the two, a first section comprising at least one preformed projection of a groove to be connected to a first part of the so-called inner part seal, the other part of which said outer part comes into contact with the second section,

the second section having a bearing surface for said seal.

According to the invention, the joint portion in connection with the groove of the first section is, once mounted, more flexible than that coming into abutment with the second section, this outer part of the joint not being in contact with the projection the first section, so that the translation of the profile parts due to the variation in dimensions due to expansion has an effect on the volume of the seal portion housed in said groove.

Thus, it is inside the throat that occurs the deformation and not on the outside. The seal can be crushed but it is the housed part that will then expand or compress.

This principle is contrary to those hitherto developed. Indeed, the usual principle of operation of a seal uses a throat clipper or stuffing serving as "support foot" of the seal and generate outside this groove, the function of the joint.

The assembly of the invention, by proposing to deform the inner portion of the seal associated with the holding groove, reverses the principle heretofore used.

A work inside the throat creates space to allow compression and decompression phenomena when the two elements to be assembled are very close to each other.
For example, in the case of a curtain wall type facade using the unitary principle, the distance between the male profile and the female profile is very small.
A conventional joint technique would not obtain, on such a small spacing, a maintenance and a continuous seal between the profiles at the option of expansion. We should discard the profiles much more. As a result, the external elasticity of the joint between the two half-profiles no longer makes it possible to guarantee either the correct penetration or the monolithic maintenance.
The fact of inverting the principle of the seal (function inside the groove and not outside) makes it possible to gain more elasticity on the system because the mass of the seal is larger while permitting penetration without risk of tearing during the implementation.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the portion of the seal housed in said groove is undersized with respect to the empty volume of the groove in order to allow its expansion. So when compressing the seal the portion housed in the groove will fill the volume left free for this purpose.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the seal portion housed in the groove has a profile operating on a spring effect due to a certain Shore hardness determined according to the desired reaction. The cylinder mass in the groove then compresses or decompresses according to the movements of the profiles, as a bullet when as proposed by a feature of the invention, said profile is cylindrical.

According to the invention the outer part of the seal is constituted by a lip which, whatever the compression ratio of the inner part, follows the profile with which it is in contact, to ensure tightness.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the portion of the second profile serving as a support surface for said seal adopts a rounded profile, the arc of said rounded having an axis parallel to the axis of angular orientation of a profile compared to each other.

According to the invention, said groove is preformed with flanges whose spacing ensures the nip of the profile of the first part of the joint so as to form a constriction participating on the one hand in the holding of the seal but allowing on the other hand the passage of a part of the volume of this part of the joint inside or outside the groove according to the approximation or the distance of the projections.

• une première partie intérieure venant se loger dans la gorge,
• une deuxième partie extérieure venant en contact avec le deuxième profilé et
• une troisième partie assurant la liaison entre les deux, la longueur de cette troisième partie garantissant une fois les profilées emboîtée, une possibilité de déplacement en translation, du joint à l'intérieur de la gorge.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the seal is broken down into three parts:

• a first inner part coming to lodge in the throat,
• a second outer part coming into contact with the second section and
• a third part ensuring the connection between the two, the length of this third part ensuring once the nested profiles, a possibility of displacement in translation, the seal inside the groove.

According to another particularly advantageous feature, said inner portion of the seal comprises an upper profile ensuring the imprisonment in the groove and a lower elastic profile serving as an elastic modulus for tensioning the joint tending to pull the seal out of the groove and put in compression during nesting.

The invention also relates to the curtain wall element whose profiles amounts and or crosses adopts one or more of the characteristics described above.

The basic concepts of the invention having been described above in their most elementary form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, giving non-limiting example, an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a top view of an assembly according to the invention of two uprights of two unitary elements,
• The figure 2 shows assembled amounts accommodating the connection proposed by the invention,
• The figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a top detail view in section of the connection proposed by the invention,
• The Figures 4, 5, and 6 are schematic drawings in top detail view of the behavior of the bond undergoing the phenomenon of expansion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated on the drawing of the figure 1 , the assembly relates to two uprights 100 and 200 of two frames C1 and C2 framing associated with sleepers T1 and T2 for example two glazed surfaces (not shown). As illustrated, the cross members T1 and T2 and consequently the two glazed surfaces respectively belonging to the chassis C1 and C2 are not in the same plane, a known configuration of a faceted facade (with angles) formed by a curtain wall exploiting the technique of assembly of pre-assembled unit elements.

As explained above, such a rigid assembly is likely to see the effects of the expansion applied along an axis not parallel to the assembly plane.

To overcome these disadvantages, the assembly of the profiles 100 and 200 illustrated in FIG. figure 2 has been conceived.

These profiles 100 and 200 to implement the assembly of the invention as used for the amounts illustrated in the drawing of the figure 1 .

This rigid interlocking type assembly comprising parts that can expand In different directions, comprises two sections 100 and 200 fitting one into the other and at least one gasket 300 interposed between the two.

A first profile 100 comprises two projections 110 and 120 preformed with a groove 111 and 121 to be in connection with a first portion 310 of the seal 300, the other portion 320 comes into contact with the second section 200. The second profile 200 comprises two projections 210 and 220 being positioned between the two projections 110 and 120 during the nesting and providing a bearing surface 211 and 221 for said seal 300.

As illustrated, the projections 110, 120 and 210, 220 of the sections 100 and 200 interlocking are substantially parallel to the interlocking plane. The contact in which the seal 300 interposes is made linearly at the end of these projections.

As illustrated in the drawings of figures 3 , 4, 5 and 6 and according to the invention, the joint portion 310 in connection with the groove 111 of the projection 110 of the first section 100 is more flexible than that 320 bearing against the projection 210 of the second section 200 so that the translation of the parts profiles due to dimensional variation due to expansion have an effect on the volume of the seal portion 310 housed in said groove 111.

So when as illustrated on the drawing of the figure 4 , the displacement of the profiles tends to bring them closer, the first part 310 of the seal 300 is compressed and expands inside the volume left free in the groove 111. For this purpose, the dimensions of the part of the seal housed in said grooves do not correspond to that of the groove and are undersized compared to the empty volume of the groove to allow expansion.

Where, as illustrated in the drawings of figures 2 , 3 and 5 , the profiles remain in their original nesting position, the inner portion is sufficiently energized to ensure the contact between the projections 110 and 210.

When as illustrated on the drawing of the figure 6 , the displacement of the profiles tends to move away, the first portion 310 of the seal expands out of the groove 111.

To do this, the joint portion 310 housed in the groove 111 has a cylindrical profile pinched by the edges of said groove 111. This nip forms a constriction participating in the holding of the seal but also according to the approximation or the distance (and consequently the compression or the release induced by these movements) projections to pass a portion of the volume of this portion 310 of the seal 300 inside or outside the groove 111.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the outer portion 320 of the gasket 300 is constituted by a lip 321 which, regardless of the compression ratio of the inner part, follows the projection 210 to ensure sealing. This part is not likely to be compressed but transmits to the first part 310 the pressure or release due to the approximation or removal of the parts (the projections) of the nested sections.

In order to allow the interlocking movement and to provide a pressure or a gradual release of the connection, the part of the second profile serving as a bearing surface for said seal adopts a rounded profile making it possible to guarantee the distance between the groove of the first section and the support surface despite the possible notation of a profile relative to the other.

According to another embodiment of the assembly of the invention, this seal is broken down into three parts, a first inner part being housed in the groove 111,
a second outer part coming into contact with the second section 200 and
a third part providing the connection between the two parts, the length of this third part once ensuring the profiles 100 and 200 nested, a possibility of translational movement of the seal inside the groove. Once the two sections nested, neither the inner part nor the outer part are supported against the inner or outer edges respectively of the groove 112 of the groove 111 of the seal.

Said inner portion of the seal comprises an upper profile (oriented towards the opening 112 of the groove 111) guaranteeing the imprisonment in the groove 111 having a width greater than the constriction 112 and a lower elastic profile (oriented towards the bottom of the groove 111). the groove 111) serving as an elastic modulus for tensioning the joint tending to pull the seal out of the groove 111 and put in compression during the interlocking. The profile of this elastic module adopts the shape of a V whose branches come into contact with the groove bottom 111 and whose central portion is in connection with the upper profile of the joint, the elasticity of the material allowing the folding of the branches v when nesting and ensuring tensioning.

It is understood that the assembly, which has just been described above and represents, has been for the purpose of disclosure rather than limitation. Of course, various arrangements, modifications and improvements may be made to the example above, without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the assembly describes that although particularly suitable for the assembly of curtain wall elements constituting elements is also provided for the assembly of general joinery elements. In addition, although the cylindrical profile for the first part housed in the groove of the profile is the illustrated embodiment, other profiles are possible to provide this function.

Claims (6)

1. Assembly of the rigid coupling type, in particular frames of unitary elements forming a curtain wall comprising parts able to expand according to different directions,
   said assembly comprising at least two sections (100 and 200) coupled one in the other and at least one joint (300) that is interposed between the two,
   a first section (100) comprising at least one preformed projection (110 and 120) of a groove (111 and 121) in connection with a first part referred to as interior part (310) of the joint (300) of which the other part referred to an exterior part (320) comes into contact with the second section (200),
   the second section (200) comprising a support surface (211 and 221) for said joint (300), characterised by the fact that the interior part (310) of the joint (300) in connection with the groove (111 and 121) of the first section (100) is, once mounted, more flexible than that coming to press against the second section (200) this exterior part of the joint not being in contact with the projection (110, 120) of the first section, in such a way that the translation of the parts of sections due to the variation in dimensions due to the expansion has an effect on the volume of the part of the joint (310) housed in said groove (111),
   said groove (111) being preformed with edges of which the separation provides for the pinching of the section of the first part (310) of the joint (300) in such a way as to form a choking participating on the one hand in the resistance of the joint (300) but allowing on the other hand the passage of a portion of the volume of this part (310) of the joint (300) inside or outside of the groove (111) according to the coming closer or the separation of the projections,
   the exterior part (320) of the joint (300) being comprised of a lip which, regardless of the rate of compression of the interior part (310), follows the profile in order to provide the seal for it.
2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the part (310) of the joint (300) housed in said groove (111) is under-dimensioned with respect to the hollow volume of the groove (111) in order to allow for its expansion.
3. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that that part (310) of the joint (300) housed in the groove (111) has a cylindrical profile.
4. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the part of the second section used as a support surface (211 and 221) for said joint (300) adopts a rounded profile.
5. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the joint is broken down into three parts:

   a first interior part housed in the groove (111),
   a second exterior part coming into contact with the second section (200) and
   a third part providing the connection between the two parts, the length of this third part guaranteeing once the sections (100 and 200) coupled, a possibility for displacement in translation of the joint inside the groove (111).
6. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised by the fact that said interior part of the joint comprises an upper profile that guarantees the imprisonment in the groove and an elastic lower profile used as an elastic module for tensioning the joint tending to cause the joint to come out of the groove (111).

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