EP2664731A1 - Method and device for attaching a grooved-edge facing strip to a supporting profile and assembly made up of at least one attachment device of the aforementioned type - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a rod (2) with a set of ends. A head (5) is ready to fit partially in a groove (22) of a blade (20) i.e. terrace blade. Two arms (11) are arranged in an approximately symmetrical manner with regard to the rod. The two arms are ready to occupy a disassembling position and a fixing position. A lower face is arranged symmetrically with regard to a diametrically thick zone. Each of two thinning zones forms a tilted slope to cooperate with the groove of the blade at the time of rotation of the device from the disassembling position to the fixing position. An independent claim is also included for a method for fixing a blade facing a grooved edge in a mounting rail such as joist.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for fixing a grooved edge facing blade to a support profile, and an assembly formed of at least one fastening device of the aforementioned type.

The invention relates more generally to the field of cladding boards, such as terrace boards whose edges are grooved, and which, in the laid-down state, are positioned in a pattern on a network of support profiles, such as joists, and subject to these support profiles by appropriate means.

In the laid state, facing blades and support profiles extend substantially perpendicular to one another, the same facing blade overlapping several parallel parallel support profiles. Each blade is separated from the adjacent blade by an interstitial space that is generally sought to minimize, particularly for aesthetic reasons.

At the time of installation, it is necessary to fix each blade to at least some of the support profiles it covers. This attachment prevents bending of the facing blade and limits, or even eliminates, movement of the blade along the support profile or transverse thereto.

This fixation can take place in different ways. A first solution is to use a fastener and a screw passing through the fastener to screw into the support profile as illustrated by the patents. FR 2,818,677 and EP 1.600.579 . This results in a significant loss of time for the operator and the need to have both fasteners and screw.

A second solution consists in using a fastening device between the facing blade and the support profile which does not require an additional screw for its attachment to the facing blade, but it requires either deforming the fixing device for its attachment to the blade or the blade. profile, as illustrated by the international application WO 2011/149371 or to use the elasticity of the fastening device as illustrated by the patent FR 2.901.565 .

In the first case, it results in the need for the operator to provide a repetitive muscle effort that over time can cause physical problems.

In the second case, the part is necessarily elastically deformable. There is a high risk of loss of elasticity over time leading to premature wear of the fastener.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a fixing device of the aforementioned type whose design makes it possible to dispense with additional individual fasteners, such as a screw, between the fixing device and the support profile, so that the exposure time is extremely short.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastening device of the aforementioned type whose design allows a fixing by mechanical clamping and inelastic while dispensing with additional individual fasteners.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for fixing a grooved edge facing blade to a support profile, such as a joists, having two longitudinal wings in return oriented towards the inside of the profile. , to maintain the blade, transverse to the support profile, in applied to said support profile, said device comprising a rod provided, at one of its ends, with a head adapted to partially fit into a groove of the blade, and at or near the other end, two arms substantially symmetrical relative to the rod adapted to occupy, in the support profile, a first disassembly position in which said arms are substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile, and a second fixing position in which said arms are engaged under the wings of the support profile,
characterized in that the rod is threaded and in that said head is of cylindrical general shape, of height less than the diameter, with a so-called upper face, preferably substantially flat, provided with a receiving housing of a tool of rotational drive of the device and a lower face having, symmetrically with respect to a thick diametrical zone, two zones of thinning towards the periphery, each thinning zone forming at least one inclined ramp capable of cooperating with said groove of the blade during the rotation of the device from the disassembly position to the attachment position.

The combination of a head with at least one inclined ramp, a threaded rod and arms allows the realization of a mechanical clamping obtained by simple rotation over at most a quarter turn of the device without requiring the presence of additional individual fasteners. This results in an easy and quick implementation of the device does not require significant muscular effort or dexterity particular operator.

Preferably, the diametrically thick zone is substantially perpendicular to said arms.

This arrangement thus safely allows the introduction of the thinning zone of the head into the groove of the facing blade in the disassembly position of the arms of the device when the facing blade extends orthogonally to said support profiles.

Preferably, the threading of the rod is interrupted in two planes substantially parallel to the direction of the arms, the interruption of the thread forming on the rod two flats diametrically opposite.

This interruption of easy threading the introduction of the fixing device in the support profile in disassembly position of the fixing device, and avoids any attachment of the thread in the support profile.

Preferably, each thinning zone has a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the thick diametric zone. This plane of symmetry thus allows indifferently a rotation to the left or right of the fixing device.

Preferably, each arm has a straight end extending substantially parallel to the thick diametric zone. This right end increases the bearing surface of the arm inside the profile.

The subject of the invention is also an assembly of the type formed by at least one grooved edge facing blade, a fastening device and a support profile of said blade which is fastened to said support profile by said device, characterized in that that said fastening device is in accordance with that described above.

Preferably, the assembly comprises, associated with the same facing blade, a plurality of support profiles and fixing devices, said support profiles, preferably made of wood, being arranged parallel to form a network of support profiles of the positioned blade. orthogonally to said profiles in the secured state, the ends of the arms of each fixing device being positioned under the wings of a support profile to which the fixing device is associated.

The invention also relates to a method of fixing at least one blade to a support profile using a fixing device according to that described above for the realization of an assembly according to that described above,
characterized in that said method comprises at least one step of introducing, inside the support profile of the arms of the fixing device positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile, a step of axial displacement of the fixing device to the interior of the support profile until partial introduction of the head of the fixing device in a groove of a blade, said first blade, facing and a step of rotation of not more than a quarter turn of the device to bring the ends of the arm under the wings of the support profile parallel to the screwing of the device in the support profile.

Preferably, the method further comprises, prior to the step of rotating the device, a step of bringing a second facing blade of the first blade closer to insertion of the head of the device into the groove of said second blade.

The rotation thus simultaneously allows the passage of the disassembly position to the attachment position of the arms, a screwing of the device in the support profile and a plating of the blade against the support profile via the head of the device. This results in a quick and secure attachment of the whole.

• La figure 1 représente une vue en position éclatée d'un ensemble comprenant une lambourde, une lame et un dispositif de fixation ;
• La figure 2 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• La figure 3 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation vu sous un autre angle ;
• La figure 4 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation conforme à l'invention prise côté bras du dispositif ;
• Les figures 5 à 10 représentent, de manière schématique, les différentes étapes de pose d'un dispositif de fixation à un profilé support, les figures 5, 7 et 9 correspondant à des vues en coupe transversale de la lambourde et de face de la lame, les figures 6, 8 et 10 correspondant à des vues en coupe transversale de la lame et de face de la lambourde ;
• La figure 11 représente une vue schématique d'un dispositif de fixation avec une vue de détail du filetage pour permettre une visualisation des méplats.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 represents an exploded view of an assembly comprising a joists, a blade and a fixing device;
• The figure 2 represents a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention;
• The figure 3 represents a perspective view of a fastening device viewed from another angle;
• The figure 4 represents a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention taken on the arm side of the device;
• The Figures 5 to 10 represent, in a schematic manner, the various steps of laying a fastening device to a support profile, the figures 5 , 7 and 9 corresponding to cross-sectional views of the jib and face of the blade, the figures 6 , 8 and 10 corresponding to cross-sectional views of the blade and face of the joist;
• The figure 11 is a schematic view of a fastener with a detailed view of the thread to allow viewing of the flats.

As mentioned above, the device 1, which is the subject of the invention, is more particularly intended for fastening facing blades 20, for example deck boards, to a support profile 23, such as a wooden railing. .

Generally, the support profiles 23 are arranged parallel to each other to form a network of support profiles 23. These support profiles 23 make it possible to absorb any unevenness of the ground, avoid fixing the blades in the ground at the risk of damaging them, or offer a fixation that too loose soil does not always allow, and leave a space between the blades and the ground for the flow of rainwater.

The blades 20 are arranged perpendicular to said support profiles 23 and are intended to be supported by them. A single blade is supported by a plurality of support profiles and is attached to at least some of the latter by a fixing device. A fastener thus secures at least one, generally two blades arranged side by side to a support profile 23.

Each floor plate 2 is of substantially rectangular section. It comprises a support surface on the joists, a surface for walking on it, two longitudinal edges and ends defining the useful length of the blade.

Two adjacent blades respectively comprise longitudinal edges vis-à-vis. These edges are arranged substantially parallel mainly for aesthetic reasons. These edges are distant by a substantially constant distance.

In the case of an outdoor terrace, this distance between the edges allows the flow of rainwater between the blades and then under the floorboards.

In addition to the geometric characteristics already mentioned, the blades 20 also comprise in their longitudinal edges or edge 21 grooves 22. These grooves extend along the entire length of each of the edges of a blade. They have a rectangular section of height, depth and elevation from the surface of a blade substantially constant for all the blades.

Each support profile 23 comprises, meanwhile, a bottom surface of the bearing surface and an opposite top face provided with a longitudinal groove whose flanks are each equipped with a longitudinal flange 24, said return, it that is, oriented towards the inside of the throat and partially closed the opening of said groove.

The groove with its wings 24 back has an inverted T-shaped cross section in the support position of the support profile 23 resting on the ground by its underside.

The fixing device is a one-piece piece, preferably monolithic, preferably made of metal or metal alloy. By way of example, the fixing device is made of an alloy of zinc, aluminum and magnesium, also called zamac.

The fixing device comprises a cylindrical rod 2 threaded over part of its length. The thread is a helical thread that grows with a right step. The thread 3 of the rod 2 is interrupted in two planes substantially parallel to the direction of the arms 11. These planes tangent the body of the rod. The interruption of the thread 3 thus forms on the rod 2 two flats 4 diametrically opposed.

This rod 2 has a diameter substantially equal to the desired distance between two adjacent blades 20. This rod 2 is provided at one of its ends with a head 5 of generally cylindrical shape, of height less than the diameter. This head 5 is intended to fit into a groove 22 of the blade 20 to be attached to the support profile 23.

The upper face 6 of the head is a substantially flat circular face provided with a housing 7 for receiving a tool for rotating the device. The housing 7 is here formed of a hexagonal cavity adapted to receive a key awl.

The lower face 8 has a thick diametrical zone 9 and, symmetrically with respect to said thick diametrical zone 9, two zones 10 thinning towards the periphery. Each thinning zone 10 forms at least one inclined ramp capable of cooperating with the groove 22 of the blade 20 during the rotation of the device.

In the examples shown, the lower face 8 of the head 5 is provided with two cut-off faces arranged symmetrically one on one side and the other on the other side of a diametral plane of the head. forming the diametric zone 9 thick of the head. Said cut faces each delimit an inclined surface originating on the lower face along a line parallel to the diametral plane and developing in the direction of the peripheral edge of the head in the direction of a thinning of said head to form each one. one of the thinning zones of said head.

In the examples shown, each thinning zone 10 has a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the thick diametric zone 9.

Each thinning zone thus allows a rotation to the right or left of the device. This thinning zone facilitates the penetration of the head 5 in the groove 22 of the blade then ensures, thanks to the cam profile of the lower face, the clamping of the blade on the support profile during the rotational drive of the device as described below.

The rod 2 is provided at its opposite end with two arms 11. These arms 11 are arranged at the same level of the rod in the extension of one another. The arms and the rod substantially form an inverted T in upright position of the rod with the arms arranged at the lower end of the rod. These arms are therefore substantially symmetrical with respect to the rod, said symmetry being an axial symmetry.

These arms extend substantially perpendicular to the thick diametrical zone 9. These arms are of thickness at most equal to the distance separating the bottom of the throat of the wing back of said groove of the support profile and are slightly longer than the width of the groove of the support profile.

These arms 11 here comprise a longitudinal edge which extends substantially perpendicular to the diametrical zone 9 thick and a longitudinal edge which tends, during its development from the rod towards the free end of the arm, to approach the other edge. The ends 12 of the arms 11 are straight ends parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the thick diametrical zone 9.

This right end thus allows a face-to-face support with the inside of the support profile, the end of each arm bearing against a side of the groove of the support profile in the position of attachment of the arms in the support profile.

The lower face of the head and the opposite side of the arms are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the sum of the thickness of the wing in return of the support profile and the distance separating the groove of the underside of support on the support section of the blade.

The arms 11 are able to occupy, in the support profile, a first disassembly position in which said arms 11 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile 23, and a second attachment position in which said arms 11 are engaged under the wings 24 of the support profile 23. The passage from one position to another is obtained by rotating the device.

In practice, the fixing is done as follows, as illustrated by Figures 5 to 10 .

It is assumed that the parallel support profiles are fixed to the ground, that a first blade, positioned perpendicularly to the support profile, is also fixed to said support profile for example by screwing or other. The other blades, with the exception of generally the last plate of the terrace to be made can then be attached to the support profile using the fixing device of the type described above.

The fasteners are first inserted into the support profile 23. The arms of the fixing device are therefore positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile and introduced axially into the space left free between the two wings in return until they come rest at the bottom of the groove of the support profile 23.

The fixing device is slidably or axially moved inside the groove until the blade is in contact with the end of the device so that the head of the device is introduced through its groove area into a groove of the blade.

It is noted, in fact, that each thinning zone is disposed above a threaded portion of the rod and above an arm in the erect state of the rod with the head disposed above the arms .

The small thickness of the head facilitates the introduction of the head into the groove. The inclined surface formed by this thinning makes it possible to raise the device and to separate the arms from the bottom of the groove of the support profile.

In this position where the head is introduced into the groove of the blade, said first blade, it is possible to bring a second blade parallel to the first blade of said first blade until introduction of the second zone of thinning of the head in the groove of the second blade.

The device is then rotated with the aid of the key introduced in the hexagonal housing 7 of the upper face 8 of the head. The angular stroke is less than a quarter turn to avoid deterioration of the support profile.

Parallel to the screwing of the rod in the wings back of the support profile, the head applies the blade on the support profile through the inclined ramp formed by the underside of said blade.

The editing is complete. This operation is repeated for each fixing device which has been associated with a support profile intended to be secured to said first and second blades.

The operations described above can be repeated for assembling a new blade.

Claims (9)

Device for fastening a grooved edge blade (20) (21) grooved to a support profile (23), such as a joists, having two longitudinal wings (24) in return facing towards the inside of the profile , to maintain the blade (20) transverse to the support profile (23), applies to said support profile (23), said device comprising a rod (2) provided at one of its ends with a head ( 5) adapted to partially fit into a groove (22) of the blade (20), and at or near the other end, two arms (11) substantially symmetrical relative to the rod (2) fit in the support profile (23) occupying a first disassembling position in which said arms (11) are substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile (23), and a second fixing position in which said arms (11) are engaged under the wings (24) of the support profile (23),
characterized in that the rod (2) is threaded and in that said head (5) is of generally cylindrical shape, of height less than the diameter, with a face (6) said upper, preferably substantially flat, provided with a housing (7) for receiving a tool for rotating the device and a lower face (8) having, symmetrically with respect to a thick diametrical zone (9), two zones (10) of thinning towards the periphery, each zone (10) of thinning forming at least one inclined ramp capable of cooperating with said groove (22) of the blade (20) during the rotation of the device from the disassembly position to the fixing position. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the thick diametric zone (9) is substantially perpendicular to said arms (11). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that the thread (3) of the rod (2) is interrupted in two planes substantially parallel to the direction of the arms (11), the interruption of the thread (3) forming on the rod (2) two flats (4) diametrically opposed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that each zone (10) of thinning has a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the zone (9) diametric thick. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that each arm (11) has a straight end (12) extending substantially parallel to the thick diametric zone (9). Assembly of the type formed by at least one grooved edge facing blade (10), a fastening device (1) and a support profile (23) of said blade (20) secured to said support profile (23) by said device (1),
characterized in that said fixing device is according to one of claims 1 to 5. Assembly according to Claim 6,
characterized in that it comprises, associated with the same blade (20) facing a plurality of support profiles (23) and devices (1) for fixing, said support profiles (23), preferably wooden, being arranged parallel to form a network of support profiles of the blade (10) positioned orthogonally to said profiles (23) in the fastened state, the ends (12) of the arms (11) of each fixing device being positioned under the wings (24) of a support profile (23) to which the fixing device (1) is associated. Method for fastening at least one blade (20) to a support profile (23) by means of a fastening device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 for the production of a assembly according to one of claims 6 or 7,
characterized in that said method comprises at least one step introducing, inside the support profile (23), the arms (11) of the fixing device (1) positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the support profile (23), a step of axial displacement of the device (1) of fixing inside the support profile (23) until the head (5) of the fastener is partially inserted into a groove (22) of a blade (20), said first blade, facing and a step of rotation of not more than a quarter turn of the device to bring the ends (12) of the arms under the wings (24) of the support profile (23) parallel to the screwing of the device in the support profile (23). Process according to claim 8,
characterized in that it further comprises, prior to the step of rotation of the device, a step of approaching a second facing blade of the first blade until insertion of the head of the device into the groove (22) said second blade (20).

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