EP2716185B1

EP2716185B1 - Support device for decorative elements

Info

Publication number: EP2716185B1
Application number: EP20120380049
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josefina Esplugas Torrens
Original assignee: Esplugas Torrens Josefina
Current assignee: Esplugas Torrens Josefina
Priority date: 2012-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-04
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-04
Also published as: EP2716185A1; ES2517165T3

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a support device for decorative elements, suitable for forming, from a set of basic parts, frames or wall hangings that incorporate diverse decorative elements, preferably having a flattened shape.

Field of application of the invention

This invention is applicable in the field of decoration, and more specifically in the manufacturing of support devices for decorative elements having a flattened shape, comprising preferably, although without limitation, chains or chain curtains.

Background of the invention

In the prior art of the invention, reference should be made to patent ES 1 014 662 U related to a hanging rod for curtains, which is characterised in that it is made up of a prismatic tubular body with a base that is normally square or rectangular, formed by two one-piece profiles of identical cross-sections, materials and sizes, and both provided with respective parts for mutual tongue and groove coupling, in the bottom zone of one of said profiles a number of transversal cuts appearing designed for hooking through its thread or thread loop of the same number of strings consisting of pieces in the form of beads, of varying shape and size, while on the top part of the other profile there is one of the grooves or guide slots that these profiles also present, within which perforated flaps are secured having an adjustable position, used for hanging the curtain assembly on the point of interest, the rod itself being completed with two caps applied in the form of pressure caps on the ends of the aforesaid tubular body.
This prior art, although it fulfils the contemplated purpose of allowing a chain curtain to be hung, presents the disadvantage, as do different ones present on the market, of not being prepared to receive all the elements necessary for forming a frame or wall hanging capable of improving the presentation and finish of the assembly consisting of the hanging rod and the chain curtain or decorative element to be displayed.
Document US 2011/0146923 A1 discloses a support device for decorative elements having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Description of the invention

The device of the invention, presents constructive particularities aimed at allowing the formation by means of a reduced number of basic parts, of frames and wall hangings to improve the presentation of flattened decorative elements, made up for example of strings of chains, or a chain curtain, providing great versatility in its use as well as constructive simplicity.
The support device for decorative elements of the present invention, which is suitable for supporting the hanging of decorative elements, preferably having a flattened shape, comprises :

a supporting profile that presents a rear vertical wing; for securing to a wall or a supporting surface; and a front wing for supporting a framework;
a framework comprising, at least, one top profile that presents, in cross-section: one first compartment open towards the bottom zone and defined by a front wall, a top wall and an intermediate wall; one second compartment defined inside the first compartment by two flanges facing each other; a third compartment situated behind the first compartment and open towards the bottom zone; a fourth compartment open towards the rear zone and defined at the top by a flange for hanging the framework on the supporting profile; and a rear flange for resting on the supporting profile and vertical alignment of the top profile of the framework in the hanging position;
at least one slide piece longitudinally fitted into the second compartment of the top profile of the framework and provided with means for hanging of the decorative element to be supported; and
a background panel situated behind the decorative element and that presents a top end housed in the third compartment of the top profile of the framework.

In this basic embodiment the support device adopts a configuration in the form of a wall hanging, since the decorative element is suspended by its top end from the top profile forming the framework; said top profile coupled in turn to the supporting profile secured to the wall.
In a second embodiment, the framework presents a configuration in the form of a frame, incorporating in addition to the elements mentioned previously, two side profiles and one bottom profile, with the same cross-section as the top profile, and arranged perpendicularly, forming a quadrangular frame in which the first, second and third compartments of said top, bottom and side profiles are opened towards the inner zone of the aforesaid frame.
In this case, the framework additionally comprises fastening means of the top, bottom and side profiles forming the aforesaid quadrangular frame and; at least one second slide piece fitted longitudinally into the second compartment of the bottom profile of the framework for securing the bottom end of the decorative element.
In this embodiment, the device comprises a front frame, internally glazed, overlaid and secured frontally to the quadrangular frame of the framework. The securing of the glazed front frame is carried out preferably by screwing it onto the quadrangular frame of the device, although no other type of securing suitable for the designated use is discarded.
These and other characteristics of the invention, set out in the attached claims, shall be understood more easily in the light of the examples of embodiment shown by way of illustration and not limitation in the attached drawings, described as follows.

Brief description of the drawings

- Figure 1: shows a view in perspective of an example embodiment of the support device of the invention with a wall hanging configuration in which the decorative element consists of a chain curtain;
- Figure 2: shows a view in perspective of the support device of the previous drawing, wherein the trim end caps have been removed from the top profile of the framework; this figure including two enlarged close-ups of the top and bottom ends of the device;
- Figure 3: shows a view in profile of the support device of the previous drawings, without the trim end caps of the top profile, mounted on a wall in its position of use;
- Figure 4: shows an enlarged view of the supporting profile and top profile of the framework in which the slide piece for hanging the decorative element is mounted and a background panel consisting of a fabric canvas;
- Figure 5: shows a view in perspective of the background panel made of fabric, provided with a top supporting bar and a counterweight bar, which have been represented in a lateral displacement in respect of said background panel;
- Figure 6: shows an exploded view in rear perspective of the different elements constituting the support device, in wall hanging mode, of figures 1 to 3 and 5;
- Figure 7: shows an exploded view in rear perspective of the top profile, supporting profile and slide piece of the device;
- Figure 8: shows an exploded view in front perspective of the top profile, and of the trim end caps, provided with their respective fastening screws, and fastening flanges and wings;
- Figure 9: shows a front view in perspective of a variant embodiment of the support device with a configuration in frame mode;
- Figure 10: shows an exploded view in perspective of the framework of the support device of figure 9, which comprises a top profile, a bottom profile and two side profiles, and of the front frame of said device with the glass dismounted;
- Figure 11: shows a view in perspective of one of the pairs of brackets designed for securing the opposite ends of the profiles of the framework of the device in figure 9;
- Figure 12: shows a view in profile of the support device of figure 9 in a cross-section along the vertical plane and secured to a wall in its position of use;
- Figure 13: shows a similar view to that of figure 12, with the front frame separated from the framework of the device;
- Figure 14: shows a schematic view in front perspective of the device of figure 9 with a cross-section along the vertical plane and an enlarged close-up of the top and bottom ends of the device; and
- Figure 15: shows an exploded rear perspective view of the different elements constituting the support device, in frame mode, represented in figure 9.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Figures 1 to 8 correspond to an embodiment of the support device for decorative elements, according to the invention, with a configuration in wall hanging mode.
In this embodiment, the support device comprises a supporting profile (1) designed to be secured to a wall or supporting surface, and a framework consisting of a top profile (2a) designed for hanging on said supporting profile (1) as shown in figures 2, 3 and 4.
In the top profile (2a) a slide piece (3) is mounted longitudinally provided with means for the hanging of a decorative element (4), which in this example embodiment consists of a chain curtain represented schematically in figures 1, 2 and 6 by means of lines in vertical and parallel strokes, whereas in the close-ups of figure 2 and figure 3 it has been represented in a realistic manner by means of the links that make up the chain; nonetheless it must be mentioned that the chains or elements to be exposed may be of another type.
In the top profile (2a) of the framework, there is secured behind the decorative element (4), a background panel (5) made up, in this case, of a fabric canvas, which provides a neutral or coloured background that contrasts with the decorative element (4) in question, highlighting its display.
As can be seen from the enlarged view of figure 4, the supporting profile (1) presents a rear vertical wing (11) and a front flange (12) also vertical, for hanging the top profile (2a) of the framework.
The supporting profile (1) presents on the rear wing (11) holes (13), visible in figure 7, for securing it to a wall or supporting surface by means of plugs and screws (14), as represented in figure 4.
As may be observed from the aforementioned figures 4 and 7, the top profile (2a) of the framework presents, in cross-section: a first compartment (21) open towards the bottom zone and defined by a vertical front wall (22), a top horizontal wall (23) and an intermediate vertical wall (24); a second compartment (25) defined within the first compartment (21) by two horizontal flanges facing each other (26); a third compartment (27) situated behind the aforesaid first compartment (21) and open towards the bottom zone; a fourth compartment (28) open towards the rear zone and defined at the top by a vertical flange for hanging (29) the framework on the supporting profile (1) and a horizontal rear flange (20) for frontal support on said supporting profile (1) and the vertical alignment of the top profile (2a) of the framework in the hanging position.
The slide piece (3), clearly shown in figures 3, 4 and 7, for hanging the decorative element (4), presents a "T" section; defined by two aligned wings (31) that are arranged inside the second compartment (25) of the top profile (2a) of the framework and supported on the aforesaid facing wings (26) of the profile (2a), and by a central wing (32) arranged inside the first compartment (21) of the top profile (2a).
Said central wing (32) of the slide piece (3) is provided with holes (33), referenced in figure 7, for the hanging of the decorative element (4).
In figure 5 the background panel (5) has been represented consisting of a fabric canvas that at its top end forms a fold over a supporting bar (51) and that presents on its bottom end a loop for carrying a counterweight bar (52).
The aforementioned supporting bar (51) of the background panel (5) is arranged within the third compartment (27) of the top profile (2a) of the framework and secured inside by means of screws (53) referenced in figures 4 and 6, mounted through some holes (27a), shown in figure 7 and defined in the rear wall of the aforesaid third compartment (27) of the top profile (2a).
The top profile (2a) of the framework incorporates, at its ends, respective trim end caps (6) to retain the slide piece (3) for support of the decorative element (4) within the second compartment (25) of said top profile (2a).
As may be observed in figure 8, each one of the trim end caps (6) comprises a fastening wing (61) and cylindrical flanges (62) designed to be housed respectively in the corresponding end of the fourth compartment (28) and of the first compartment (21) of the top profile (2a).
The fastening wings (61) present respective cuts (63) for their lateral expansion and fastening in respect of the top profile (2a) by means of the introduction in said cuts (63) of respective screws (64).
In the variant embodiment represented in figures 9 to 15 the support device presents a configuration in frame mode, in which the framework comprises, in addition to the top profile (2a) of the previous embodiment, two side profiles (2b, 2c) and a bottom profile (2d), all of which have the same section as the top profile (2a) shown in figure (4).
Said top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are arranged perpendicularly, forming a quadrangular frame as may be observed in figure 10, and in such a way that the compartments 21, 25, 27 see fig. 7, one, are open towards the inner zone of the aforesaid frame.
In this embodiment the support device comprises joining means of the top and bottom and side profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), to form the aforesaid quadrangular frame, said joining means consisting of pairs of brackets (7), such as the one represented in figure 11, which are introduced in the facing ends of the four compartments (28) of the top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to be joined.
Each pair (7) of brackets comprises a first bracket (71) provided with threaded holes (72) for the mounting of clamping screws (73) that press frontally against a second bracket (74) of the respective pair.
In this embodiment, the device comprises a front frame (8) glazed internally with glass (81) secured thereto with the help of metal tabs (82).
As can be observed in figures 12 and 13 this front frame (8), which may be made of wood or another material, is superimposed frontally on the quadrangular frame of the framework and secured thereto by means of screws (83) mounted in holes defined to such effect in the front wall (22) of the top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d).
As seen in figures 12, 13 and 14 this support device in frame mode, has a second slide piece (3') mounted longitudinally in the second compartment (25) of the bottom profile (2d) of the framework for securing the bottom end of the decorative element (4).
In this example of embodiment the background panel (5) is made of a semi-rigid plate wherein the side ends are housed in the third compartment (27) of the top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the framework.
The top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) present at the bottom end of their front wall (22) a thickening, not referenced for the centring of the front frame (8) in respect of the quadrangular frame of the framework, formed by the top, side and bottom profiles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d).
In this described embodiment, the skeleton of the device is hung, as in the case of the previous embodiment, by the top profile (2a) on the supporting profile (1).
Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, in addition to an example preferred embodiment, it is stated for the relevant effects that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified on condition that this does not entail an alternation of the essential characteristics of the invention which are claimed below.

Claims

Support device for decorative elements; suitable for supporting the hanging of decorative elements, preferably having a flattened shape comprising a top profile (2a) for hanging the decorative element (4) and a background panel (5) situated behind the decorative element (4); characterised in that it comprises:
- a supporting profile (1) that presents a rear vertical wing (11); for securing thereof to a wall or supporting surface and a front flange (12) for the hanging of a framework;

- a framework that comprises, at least, said top profile (2a) that presents, in cross-section: a first compartment (21) open towards the bottom zone and defined by a front vertical wall (22), a top horizontal wall (23) and an intermediate vertical wall (24); a second compartment (25) defined inside the first compartment (21) by two facing horizontal flanges (26); a third compartment (27) situated behind the aforesaid first compartment (21) and open towards the bottom zone and housing the top end of said background panel (5); a fourth compartment (28) open towards the rear zone and defined above by a vertical flange (29) for hanging the framework on the supporting profile (1); and a rear horizontal flange (20) for resting on said supporting profile (1) and vertical alignment of the top profile (2a) of the framework in the hanging position;

- at least one slide piece (3) mounted longitudinally in the second compartment (25) of the top profile (2a) of the framework and provided with means for hanging the decorative element.
Device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the supporting profile presents on its rear wing (11) holes for the mounting of fastening screws (14) for securing to the wall or supporting surfaces.
Device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide piece (3) for hanging the decorative element (4), presents a "T" section; defined by two aligned horizontal wings (31) that are arranged inside the second compartment (25) of the top profile (2a) of the framework and by a central vertical wing (32) arranged inside the first compartment (21) of said top profile (2a) and provided with holes (33) for the hanging of the decorative element.
Device, according to any of the preceding claims; characterised in that the top profile (2a) of the framework comprises at its ends respective trim end caps (6).
Device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the background panel (5) is made up of a fabric canvas that presents one top end secured to a support bar (51) and one bottom end carrying a counterweight bar (52).
Device, according to claims 1 and 5, characterised in that the third compartment (27) of the top profile (2a) of the framework presents a rear wall provided with holes (27a) in which screws (64) are mounted for fastening the top end of the background panel (5), inside said third compartment (27).
Device, according to claim 1; characterised in that the framework comprises additionally:
- two side profiles (2b and 2c) and one bottom profile (2d), having the same section as the top profile (2a), and arranged perpendicularly, forming a quadrangular frame wherein the first (21), second (25) and third (27) compartment of said top (2a), bottom (2d) and side (2b and 2c) profiles are open towards the inner zone of the aforesaid frame;

- joining means (7) of the top, bottom and side profiles (2a, 2d, 2b and 2c) forming the aforesaid quadrangular frame; and

- at least one second slide piece (3') mounted longitudinally in the second compartment of the bottom profile (2d) of the framework for securing the bottom end of the decorative element (4).
Device, according to claim 7; characterised in that it comprises a front glazed frame (81), superimposed and fixed frontally to the quadrangular frame (8) of the framework.
Device, according to claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the side profiles (2b and 2c), the top profile (2a) and the bottom profile (2d) of the framework present a front wall (22) provided with holes for the mounting of screws (83) for fastening the front glazed frame (81) to the quadrangular frame (8) of the framework.
Device, according to claims 7 to 9 characterised in that the joining means of the lateral profiles (2b and 2c), the top profile (2a) and the bottom profile (2d) of the framework consist of pairs of brackets (7) which are introduced in the facing ends of the fourth compartments of the lateral, top and bottom profiles to be joined, and of clamping screws (73), mounted on the threaded holes (72) of a first bracket (71) of each pair of brackets and that press frontally against the second bracket (74) of the respective pair of brackets (7).
Device, according to claims 1 and 7; characterised in that the background panel (5) is made of a semi-rigid plate whose side ends are housed in the third compartment (27) of the top (2a), bottom (2d) and side (2b y 2c) profiles of the framework.