EP2333175B1

EP2333175B1 - Terrace covering comprising a mounting set for mounting a structure between a first and a second structural support

Info

Publication number: EP2333175B1
Application number: EP20100193891
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bart Pieter Jules Abeel; Pieter Leopold André Brabant; Thierry Luc Veys; Stijn Colpaert; Michael Tokmaji
Original assignee: Renson Sunprotection Screens NV
Current assignee: Renson Sunprotection Screens NV
Priority date: 2009-12-09
Filing date: 2010-12-07
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-07
Also published as: BE1019073A5; EP2333175A1; ES2393889T3

Description

The present invention relates to a terrace covering, comprising a structure, a first and a second structural support and a mounting set for mounting the structure between the first and the second structural support, so that the structure extends between both structural supports and is connected to both structural supports, the mounting set comprising a first set of mounting elements for mounting the structure on the first structural support and a second set of mounting elements for mounting the structure on the second structural support, in which at least one set of mounting elements:

comprises a support mounting profile which can be mounted to the respective structural support or forms part of this structural support;
comprises an intermediate profile which can be mounted on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable towards and away from the support mounting profile and in which the structure can be mounted to this intermediate profile in order to mount the structure to the respective structural support;
comprises one or more adjusting elements for mounting the intermediate profile on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable.

It happens very frequently that a structure is to be mounted between two structural supports. Such a structure may inter alia be, for example, a door with its finishing profiles, in which case the side walls of the wall opening, in which this door has to be mounted, are the respective structural supports. Such a structure may, for example, also be a cross beam or girder which has to be fitted between two columns as structural supports or between a wall and a column as structural supports, etc. Such a structure may furthermore, for example, also be a screen device or a roller shutter device which is to be fitted between two columns as structural supports or between a wall and a column as structural supports, etc.
With a terrace covering according to the present invention, this structure is, for example, a screen device or a part of a screen device which is mounted or is to be installed between two columns of the terrace covering or between a column of the terrace covering and a wall on which this terrace covering is fitted.
As a result of tolerance differences which occur in the production of such structures and due to the fact that it is not always possible to arrange the structural supports parallel to one another at the location where the structure is to be mounted, it is, on the one hand, generally not easy to fit this structure between the structural supports and it is, on the other hand, generally not easy to join this structure to the structural supports in order to render the arrangement of this structure between these structural supports aesthetically pleasing. Usually, this structure will be produced in such a manner that there is sufficient play to fit it between the structural supports. When installing such a structure, this play then has to be concealed in an aesthetic manner. Generally, wedge elements and/or filler elements and/or finishing elements are used to conceal this play when installing such structures. By means of the wedge elements, the structure is then fitted in the desired position with respect to the structural supports. Subsequently, the play is usually filled in as well as possible by means of the wedge elements. In addition, finishing elements are often used to finish the work in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
FR 2 786 215 A1 , disclosing a terrace covering according to the preamble of claim 1, and DE 10 2006 016 045 A1 describe mounting sets which comprise a support mounting profile and an intermediate profile according to the preamble of the first claim by means of which this structure can be mounted between a first and a second structural support in a simpler manner, so that the structure, in the fitted position together with the mounting set, can extend between the structural supports in an aesthetically pleasing manner, without using wedge elements and/or filler elements and/or finishing elements. Due to such an adjustably mountable intermediate profile, it is now possible to initially adjust this intermediate profile in such a manner that the structure can be fitted between the structural supports with play, after which the intermediate profile can then be adjusted in such a manner that the play between the structure and the structural supports is eliminated.
To this end, the mounting set from DE 10 2006 016 045 A1 furthermore comprises various adjusting elements for mounting the intermediate profile on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable, comprising a head, a screw thread and a locking element, which is securely fitted to the screw thread. The intermediate profile comprises an opening for each such adjusting element. The adjusting elements are fitted through these openings, with the intermediate profile in each case clamped between the head and the locking element. By means of these adjusting elements, the intermediate profile can then be mounted on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a terrace covering with an alternative mounting set for making mounting the structure of the terrace covering between the first and the second structural support even easier, in which said structure, in the fitted position together with said mounting set, can extend between the structure in an aesthetically pleasing manner, without using wedge elements and/or filler elements and/or finishing elements.
This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a terrace covering, comprising a structure, a first and a second structural support and a mounting set for mounting the structure between the first and the second structural support, so that the structure extends between both structural supports and is connected to both structural supports, the mounting set comprising a first set of mounting elements, for mounting the structure on the first structural support and a second set of mounting elements for mounting the structure on the second structural support, in which at least one set of mounting elements:

comprises a support mounting profile which can be mounted to the respective structural support or forms part of this structural support;
comprises an intermediate profile which can be mounted on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable towards and away from the support mounting profile and in which the structure can be mounted to this intermediate profile in order to mount the structure to the respective structural support;
comprises one or more adjusting elements for mounting the intermediate profile on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable;

By moving the intermediate profile of a mounting set according to the present invention towards this support mounting profile after mounting on the support mounting profile by means of these adjusting elements, the structure can be fitted freely between the structural supports. Subsequently, this intermediate profile is pulled against the head of the adjusting screws or bolts when the structure is mounted on the intermediate profile.
Already when only one of both sets of mounting elements comprises such a support mounting profile and such an intermediate profile, in which the distance between the intermediate profile and the support mounting profile can be adjusted, it is possible to eliminate play between the structure and the structural supports. The other set of mounting elements can then in principle consist of any known mounting means, such as for example screws or bolts, or parts which form part of a snap or hook connection. Adhesive may, for example, also be used as mounting means. In this case, the mounting elements may also be either separate elements or elements which at least partly form part of the structure and/or the structural supports.
Preferably, said set of mounting elements comprises at least two of said adjusting elements. Using two or more adjusting elements, each of which is provided in order to adjust the distance between the intermediate profile and the support mounting profile at the location of these adjusting elements, it is not only possible to adjust the distance between the intermediate profile and the support mounting profile, but it is also possible to adjust the intermediate profile so that it is at a certain angle to the support mounting profile. This is particularly advantageous in case the structural supports, between which the structure is fitted, are not arranged parallel to one another. Using several adjusting elements for mounting the intermediate profile on the support mounting profile, it is also possible to mount this intermediate profile more securely to the support mounting profile.
Said at least one set of mounting elements of a terrace covering according to the present invention furthermore preferably comprises mounting means for securely mounting the support mounting profile on the respective structural support.
Furthermore, said at least one set of mounting elements preferably comprises mounting means for mounting the structure on the intermediate profile.
More specifically, said mounting means for mounting the support mounting profile on the respective structural support and/or for mounting the structure on the intermediate profile comprise screws and/or bolts.
If it is required by the respective structural support, these mounting means can obviously also comprise, for example, plugs. Furthermore, these mounting means may, inter alia, also comprise retaining rings. It is also possible to use, inter alia, nails as mounting means, as an alternative to screws and/or bolts. Furthermore, these mounting means may, for example, also comprise parts which form part of a snap or hook connection. Adhesive can also be used as a mounting means.
The object of the present invention is also achieved by providing a terrace covering, in which at least one structural support more specifically comprises a cavity, in which the structure can be fitted at least partly in this cavity in order to connect it to the respective structural support and in that the intermediate profile can be mounted on the support mounting profile so as to be adjustable over at least the depth of this cavity.
If a structure is fitted in a cavity, it not only has to be able to be fitted between the structural supports, but also in this cavity. In such circumstances, it is also possible to take care of the play between the structure and the structural supports by means of a mounting set according to the present invention, while obtaining an aesthetically pleasing result. It also leads to a more secure mounting of the structure on the structural supports if the structure is at least partly fitted in said cavity.
Even more specifically, if the second structural support is provided with said cavity, the first set of mounting elements will then be provided with said intermediate profile which can be mounted so as to be adjustable over at least the depth of said cavity on the support mounting profile which is mounted on or forms part of the first structural support.
The reason for this is that if a structure is fitted in a cavity on one side, the possibilities of reaching the adjusting means in order to fit an intermediate profile which is adjustable with respect to a support mounting profile here are more limited at the location of this cavity than would be the case if no structure is fitted in such a cavity. If such a cavity is then also only present on one side of the structure, it is more advantageous to make maximum use of the more ample adjustment possibilities on the other side for mounting the structure between said structural supports.
With a further specific embodiment of such a terrace covering, the intermediate profile comprises a cavity which corresponds to the cavity of the structural support.
In a particular embodiment of such a terrace covering according to the present invention, at least one of the structural supports is a wall. With a further particular embodiment, at least one of the structural supports is a column. With a very particular embodiment, said structure comprises at least a part of a screen device or a roller shutter device.
The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment of a mounting set according to the present invention. This description is only intended to provide illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and particulars of this embodiment and can therefore not be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights laid down in the claims.
In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a terrace covering according to the present invention, comprising a structure, structural supports and a mounting set according to the present invention by means of which the structure is mounted between the structural supports, in which the structure and a column as structural support are shown in elevational view and a wall as structural support is shown in cross section;
Fig. 2 shows a detail of a cross section of the terrace covering from Fig. 1, taken above a lateral screen box which forms part of the structure, in such a manner that the lateral screen box of the terrace covering is shown in top view and the support mounting profile and the intermediate profile of the mounting set by means of which this lateral screen box is attached to the wall are shown in cross section;

Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows an embodiment of a mounting set according to the present invention in cross section in the assembled state, in which the intermediate profile is situated at a certain distance from the support mounting profile and in which some profiles are mounted on the intermediate profile as part of a structure;
Fig. 4 shows the mounting set from Fig. 3 in cross section in the assembled state, in which the intermediate profile is situated closest to the support mounting profile and in which some profiles are mounted on the intermediate profile as part of a structure;
Figs. 5 to 7 show in various steps and in cross section how the mounting set from Fig. 3 can be fitted and how profiles can be fitted thereto as part of a structure;
Fig. 8 shows the mounting set from Fig. 3 in perspective in the assembled state, in which the intermediate profile is situated at a certain distance from the support mounting profile and in which profiles are mounted on the intermediate profile as part of a structure.

Fig. 1 shows a terrace covering (6). By means of such a terrace covering (6), a terrace can be covered by means of a screen which is fitted on a screen roller so that it can be wound onto and unwound from the latter between lateral guides (7). This screen roller is located in the illustrated screen box (8). The screen box (8) is attached to the wall (1a). On one side, the lateral guides (7) are attached to a wall (1a) and, on the other side, they are supported by columns (1b), but they can also be attached to or form part of girders.
In order to also provide the lateral wall of this terrace covering (6) comprising a screen device with a screen which can be wound and unwound, this screen device has to be mounted as a structure between the wall (1a) and the column (1b). To this end, all components of this screen device have to be fitted between the wall (1a) and the column (1b). Consequently, therefore, a lateral screen box (5a) for a screen roller together with the end pieces which are attached thereto and at least partly screen off the lateral screen box on both sides, have to be fitted between this wall (1a) and the illustrated column (1b), as is illustrated. For guidance of the lateral sides of the screen, it is also possible to fit screen guides (5b) on this wall (1a) on one side and the column (1b) on the other side. These have to be fitted as much as possible parallel to one another on the wall (1a) and the column (1b), respectively, so that the screen can be wound and unwound. For finishing purposes, it is furthermore also possible to mount finishing profiles (5c) on this wall (1a) and this column (1b).
By means of mounting sets according to the present invention, as illustrated for example in Fig. 2, or the embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8, etc. such a lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, such screen guides (5b) for guiding a screen, which is fitted between these screen guides (5b) so that it can be wound and unwound, and such finishing profiles (5c) can readily be attached between the wall (1a) and the column (1b), without making use of wedge elements and/or filler elements and/or finishing elements.
In the illustrated figure, the column (1b) is provided with a cavity in which the lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, have to be fitted at least partly and in which the corresponding guide profile (5b) and the corresponding finishing profile (5c) have to be fitted at least partly in order to fasten it between the column (1b) and the wall (1a). Only on the side of the wall (1a) are the lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, and the corresponding screen guide (5b) and the corresponding finishing profile (5c) attached to the wall (1a) by means of a mounting set according to the present invention. On the side of the column (1b), this lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, and the corresponding screen guide (5b) and the corresponding finishing profile (5c) can be attached to this column (1b) with the known mounting means, such as for example screws or bolts. As an alternative to these screws or bolts these mounting means can also consist of components which form part of a snap or hook connection, etc. Adhesive could also be used as a mounting means. In this case, the mounting means may therefore also be either separate elements or elements which at least partly form part of the lateral screen box (5a), the screen guide (5b), the finishing profile (5c) and/or the column (1b).
However, it may also be useful to attach this lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, the corresponding screen guide (5b) and the corresponding finishing profile (5c) by means of a mounting set according to the present invention to the column (1b) as well. This may be particularly useful when this column (1b) comprises a deep cavity and when the lateral screen box, together with the end pieces attached thereto, is fitted in the cavity.
As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 8, the mounting sets according to the present invention comprise a support mounting profile (2) and an intermediate profile (3). The support mounting profile (2) could in this case also form part of the corresponding structural support (1a,1b).
As can be seen in the figures, the intermediate profile (3) is in this case provided with a cavity (10) corresponding to the cavity of the column (1b). In this way, elements which are fitted between the column (1b) and the wall (1a) can be connected to the column (1b) in the same way as on this intermediate profile (3) in order to attach said elements to the wall (1a). To this end, these elements can therefore also be adapted in the same manner.
The support mounting profile (2) can be mounted on the respective structural support (1a, 1b). In the illustrated figures, this structural support (1a) is always the wall (1a) to which the illustrated components (5a, 5b, 5c) of the screen device have to be attached. In the illustrated terrace covering from Fig. 1, the lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c) are only attached to the wall (1a) by means of a mounting set according to the present invention.
As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8, the support mounting profile (2) can be securely attached to the wall (1a) by means of bolts (4a). The wall (1a) itself is not illustrated in these figures. Instead of bolts (4a), any arbitrary known or suitable mounting means could be used to attach this support mounting profile (2) to this wall (1a). This also comprises, for example, components which form part of a snap or hook connection. Moreover, this also comprises, for example, adhesive as a mounting means.
The intermediate profile (3) can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable. To this end, this intermediate profile (3), as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8, can be attached to this support mounting profile (2) by means of different kinds of adjusting elements (4b).
The lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c) can furthermore be mounted on the intermediate profile (3) in order to attach said elements to the wall (1a). Said elements may be attached to the wall (1a) for example by means of screws (4c), as is illustrated in Fig. 7. Instead of screws (4c), any arbitrary known or suitable mounting means could be used to attach this lateral screen box (5a) and/or this screen guide (5b) and/or this finishing profile (5c) to this intermediate profile (3). A snap, hook or adhesive connection could also be used therefor, for example.
Fig. 2 does not show any mounting means (4a) by means of which this support mounting profile (2) can be attached to the wall (1a), nor adjusting elements (4b) by means of which the intermediate profile (3) can be attached to the support mounting profile (2), nor mounting means (4c) by means of which the lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, can be attached to the intermediate profile (3). To this end, the mounting means (4a, 4c) and the adjusting elements (4b) can, for example, be used, as is illustrated in the Figs. 3 to 8.
As has been mentioned, with the embodiment of a mounting set according to the present invention illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8, a first kind of adjusting element (4b) is shown by means of which the intermediate profile (3) can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable. These adjusting elements (4b) comprise adjusting screws (4b). Just like known screws, these adjusting screws (4b) comprise a head and a screw thread. Instead of adjusting screws (4b), it is also possible to use adjusting bolts. The intermediate profiles (3) comprise one opening per adjusting screw (4b) through which the corresponding adjusting screw (4b) can be fitted so as to be displaceable. After this adjusting screw (4b) has been inserted through this opening with its screw thread, this adjusting screw (4b) can then be attached to the support mounting profile (2). In this case, the intermediate profile (3) is then initially displaceable between the head of the adjusting screw (4b) and the support mounting profile (2). If the screen guide (5b) on one side and the finishing profile (5c) on the other side are screwed to the intermediate profile (3) by means of the screws (4c) as illustrated in Fig. 7, this intermediate profile (3) is pulled against the heads of the adjusting screws (4b), so that this is securely attached to the support mounting profile (2) and the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c). By screwing the adjusting screws (4b) further or less far when attaching them to the support mounting profile (2), the distance is determined at which the intermediate profile (3) will eventually be situated from this support mounting profile (2).
Figs. 3 and 4 show two different positions in which this intermediate profile (3) can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) in this manner. In Fig. 3, the intermediate profile (3) is at a certain distance from the support mounting profile (2). In Fig. 4, this intermediate profile (3) is fitted against the support mounting profile (2). Of course, this intermediate profile (3) can also be mounted in any of the intermediate positions on this support mounting profile (2).
Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate how this screen guide (5b) and this finishing profile (5c) can be attached to a wall (1b) by means of this first embodiment of a mounting set according to the present invention. As has already been mentioned, this wall (1b) has not been illustrated in these figures.
Fig. 5 shows how the support mounting profile (2) can be mounted on the wall (1a) first by means of bolts or screws (4a).
Fig. 6 illustrates how the intermediate profile (3) can subsequently be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) by means of the adjusting screws (4b). By screwing the adjusting screws (4b) further or less far into the support mounting profile (2), the final position of the intermediate profile (3) is determined. It is not only possible to determine the final distance of the intermediate profile (3) with respect to the support mounting profile (2) in this way, but by means of different adjusting screws (4b), it is also possible to determine the final angle of the intermediate profile (3) with respect to the support mounting profile (2). In this way, the final distance and the final angle of the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c) with respect to the wall (1a) is also determined. However, in this phase of installation, the intermediate profile (3) can still be displaced freely between the heads of the adjusting screws (4b) and the support mounting profile (2). By pushing the intermediate profile (3) against the support mounting profile (2), more space is created to fit elements of the structure to be mounted, such as in this case the screen guide (5b), the finishing profile (5c) and the lateral screen box (5a), between the wall (1a) and the column (1b). After or during installation of these elements between the wall (1a) and the column (1b), this intermediate profile (3) can then be moved back towards the heads of the adjusting screws (4c).
Fig. 7 then diagrammatically illustrates how the adjusting screws (4b) are screwed into the support mounting profile (2) and how the screen guide (5b) on one side and the finishing profile (5c) on the other side are then attached to the intermediate profile (3) by means of screws (4c). When the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c) are screwed to the intermediate profile (3) and the adjusting screws (4b) are not screwed completely into the support mounting profile (2), this intermediate profile (3) is pulled against the screen guide (5b) and against the finishing profile (5c) and therefore also against the heads of the adjusting screws (4b).
In order to attach a screen device as a structure between the wall (1a) and the column (1b), it is now advantageous to first attach the lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, between the wall (1a) and the column (1b) by means of a mounting set according to the invention. Then, it is advantageous to configure this mounting set in such a manner that the adjusting elements (4b) are still accessible after this lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, has been fitted. If there is then still play between this lateral screen box (5a), together with the end pieces attached thereto, then the adjusting elements (4b) can still be adjusted in order to eliminate this play, before the screen guide (5b) and the finishing profile (5c) are attached to the intermediate profile (3).
The support mounting profile (2) and the intermediate profile (3) of a mounting set according to the present invention preferably have, like the illustrated embodiment, a width which essentially corresponds to the width of the structure which is fitted between the structural supports. In this way, an aesthetically pleasing end result can be achieved, with the mounting set being connected to the structure in an aesthetically pleasing manner so that both can extend between the structural supports.

Claims

Terrace covering (6), comprising a structure (5a, 5b, 5c), a first and a second structural support (1a, 1b) and a mounting set for mounting the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) between the first and the second structural support (1a, 1b), so that the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) extends between both structural supports (1a, 1b) and is connected to both structural supports (1a, 1b), the mounting set comprising a first set of mounting elements for mounting the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) on the first structural support (1a) and a second set of mounting elements for mounting the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) on the second structural support (1b), in which at least one set of mounting elements:
- comprises a support mounting profile (2) which can be mounted to the respective structural support (1a, 1b) or forms part of this structural support (1a, 1b);

- comprises an intermediate profile (3) which can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable towards and away from the support mounting profile (2) and in which the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) can be mounted to this intermediate profile (3) in order to mount the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) to the respective structural support (1a, 1b);

- comprises one or more adjusting elements (4b) for mounting the intermediate profile (3) on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable;
characterized in that each said adjusting element (4b) comprises an adjusting screw (4b) or bolt, comprising a head and a screw thread, and in that the intermediate profile (3) comprises one opening per adjusting element (4b) through which the screw thread of the corresponding adjusting screw (4b) or bolt can be fitted freely and can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) in a direction towards the respective structural support (1a, 1b) in such a manner that the intermediate profile (3) can be mounted to the support mounting profile (2) by means of this adjusting screw (4b) or bolt, so that the intermediate profile (3) is initially displaceable over the screw thread in the longitudinal direction of the screw (4b) or bolt between the head of the adjusting screw (4b) or bolt and the support mounting profile (2) and so that when the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) is mounted on the intermediate profile (3), this intermediate profile (3) is pulled over the screw thread in the longitudinal direction of the screw (4b) or bolt, against the head of the adjusting screw (4b) or bolt.
Terrace covering (6) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said set of mounting elements comprises at least two of said adjusting elements (4b).
Terrace covering (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one set of mounting elements comprises mounting means (4a) for securely mounting the support mounting profile (2) on the respective structural support (1a, 1b).
Terrace covering (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one set of mounting elements comprises mounting means (4c) for mounting the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) on the intermediate profile (3).
Terrace covering (6) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said mounting means (4a, 4c) comprise screws and/or bolts (4a, 4c).
Terrace covering (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one structural support (1a, 1b) comprises a cavity, in which the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) can be fitted at least partly in this cavity in order to connect it to the respective structural support (1a, 1b) and in that the intermediate profile (3) can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable over at least the depth of this cavity.
Terrace covering (6) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the second structural support (1b) is provided with said cavity and in that the first set of mounting elements are provided with said intermediate profile (3) which can be mounted on the support mounting profile (2) so as to be adjustable over at least the depth of the cavity.
Terrace covering (6) to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the intermediate profile (3) comprises a cavity (10) corresponding to the cavity of the structural support (1a,1b).
Terrace covering (6) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (5a, 5b, 5c) is a screen device, one of the structural supports (1a, 1b) is a wall (1a) and one of the structural supports (1a, 1b) is a column (1b).