EP3146123B1 - Joint concealing device - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a joint covering device according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Joint cover profiles are used to e.g. B. Floor joints, which occur especially when laying parquet floors. Such joint cover profiles typically comprise a base part and a cover part, which are screwed together in such a way that when the floor is installed, the screws look out of the top of the joint cover profiles or are at least visible. Apart from the aesthetic problems associated with this visibility, such screws, particularly if the joint cover profiles loosen over time and the screws protrude, have a potential for injury or damage. In addition, the installation of such joint cover profiles is comparatively complex because appropriate screwing tools (e.g. cordless screwdrivers) are always required, which generally have a certain risk of failure. In addition, known joint cover profiles typically include threaded areas and are therefore relatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, joint covering profiles are known from the prior art, which are not screwed but clicked into one another. However, these click profiles are comparatively complex to manufacture and also have the disadvantage that they are difficult to dismantle again.

Such joint cover profiles are made of, for example EP1837454A2 or off EP2253777A2 known.

Object of the invention

It is the object of the invention to remedy or at least to mitigate the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art. In particular, it is the object of the invention to create a simply constructed, easily assembled and more secure joint covering device.

Solution of the task

The object is achieved according to the invention by a joint covering device for covering floor and / or wall covering joints, comprising a base part and a cover part, the base part and the cover part being suitable for being connected to one another by means of magnetic force. By using a magnetic force to connect the base part and cover part, the assembly of the joint covering device on construction sites is greatly simplified, because tools for screwing in screws or other fasteners, which can be forgotten or broken, or whose battery is drained too quickly, are no longer required can. In addition, the magnetic - and thus screwless - connection of the base part and cover part greatly improves operational safety, because there are no more screws protruding upwards out of the cover part, which could injure people. In addition, the joint covering device according to the invention is extremely low-maintenance because it independently follows movements of buildings to a certain degree and therefore does not have to be readjusted.

In advantageous embodiments, the joint covering device comprises a magnetic component, the magnetic component preferably comprising a permanent magnet. A magnetic connectivity of the joint covering device is achieved in a particularly simple manner by means of this magnetic component. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible to generate the necessary magnetic force in another way, for example by generating a suitable electromagnetic field.

According to the invention, the joint covering device comprises a slot and a tab, the tab being suitable for engaging the slot in order to connect the base part to the cover part. Advantageously, the tab protrudes essentially at right angles from a base part of the base part and the slot extends essentially perpendicularly from a base part of the cover part. The tab is preferably flat Sides on and / or the slot preferably has flat inner walls. Such a slot-lug combination achieves particularly simple assembly and, at the same time, a precise fit of the joint covering device. Alternatively, however, the mechanical connection between the cover part and the base part could also be accomplished differently, for example by means of a plurality of cylindrical rods which engage in hollow cylindrical counterparts.

In advantageous embodiments, the magnetic component is at least partially arranged within the slot. This has the advantage that a particularly advantageously directed magnetic force is generated. However, it would also be possible to provide the magnetic component elsewhere in the joint covering device, for example on an outside of the tab or embedded in an interior of the base part of the covering part.

In advantageous embodiments, the magnetic component comprises at least one, preferably at least two, magnetic strips, one of the magnetic strips being preferably arranged on an inner side of one leg of the slot. The use of magnetic strips is advantageous because such strips are easy to transport and simple and precise, if necessary, can only be installed on the construction site. In addition, such strips can also be bendable and thus flexible in use. As an alternative to magnetic strips, however, it would also be possible to use, for example, essentially circular or comparatively flat cylindrical magnetic elements.

In advantageous embodiments, the tab is suitable to be fixed magnetically in the slot by means of the magnetic component, in such a way that the tab is fixed so firmly in the slot that the base part and the cover part in normal operation, that is, for. B. in a building that is used by people or light vehicles, for example, are sufficiently firmly connected and, for example, under load does not "wiggle around", but that it is still possible, on the other hand, to detach the connection between the base part and cover part, for example for purposes of laying a new floor, preferably in a non-destructive manner, in particular by means of a suitable tool.

In advantageous embodiments, the base part is at least partially made of sheet metal, preferably hot-dip galvanized sheet metal. The sheet metal is preferably iron or steel, or at least designed so that it is attracted sufficiently strongly by the magnetic component to meet the above-mentioned requirements with regard to normal operation and disassembly. However, it is also possible to manufacture the base part from a different material, e.g. B. plastic or wood and then only to be provided with one or more ferromagnetic elements. The cover part is preferably at least partially made of aluminum. This has the advantage that it is light and at the same time resistant. But it is also the use of e.g. B. plastic for the cover possible.

In advantageous embodiments, the cover part comprises the slot and the base part the tab. This is advantageous because the base parts are typically installed together with floor elements. B. shear forces occur. If the base part did not encompass the tab but the slot, there would be a risk that the slot would be deformed in this way in such a way that it would be difficult to insert the cover part later. In the present case, however, if the cover part encompasses the slot and the base part encompasses the tab, deformation of the slot is avoided during the course of the floor installation.

In advantageous embodiments, the magnetic stripe (s) is or are glued to the cover part. Such an adhesive bond has the advantage that no additional fastening means are required and that the magnetic strips can also be easily installed in the slots on the construction site. It is particularly preferred if the magnetic strips are self-adhesive. This further simplifies assembly on the construction site. In advantageous embodiments, the tab and / or at least one leg of the slot and / or the magnetic stripe or stripes comprise a beveled end. This simplifies the assembly of the joint covering device.

According to the invention, the joint covering device comprises an intermediate rail, the intermediate rail preferably being suitable for being arranged between the cover part and the base part. The use of such an intermediate rail has the advantage that a relative movement between the base part and the cover part can be simplified. B. the assembly can be simplified or additional applications are created.

According to the invention, the intermediate rail has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is suitable for being inserted into the slot, the cover part preferably encompassing the slot. Such an embodiment of the intermediate rail has the advantage that the intermediate rail can be inserted particularly easily into the joint covering device, namely, for example, in such a way that the intermediate rail is first inserted into the cover part and then cover part and intermediate rail jointly onto the base part, in particular onto the tab of the base part, be postponed.

In advantageous embodiments, the magnetic component comprises at least two magnetic strips, each of the two magnetic strips being arranged on an inner side of one leg of the U-shaped intermediate rail. The magnetic strips are preferably glued to the inside of the legs or, in other words, glued into the intermediate rail. Such an arrangement of the magnetic component or the magnetic strip has the advantage that the magnetic connection between Base part and cover part is mediated by the intermediate rail or is carried out indirectly with the aid of the intermediate rail. In principle, the cover part remains flexible and / or movable in relation to the base part.

According to the invention, the joint covering device comprises a connecting device for releasably connecting the intermediate rail to the cover part, the connecting device preferably comprising at least one opening and preferably at least one knob, the knob preferably being suitable for reaching through the opening, the covering part preferably comprising the opening and wherein the intermediate rail preferably comprises the knob. In this way, a connection possibility between the cover part and the intermediate rail is created, which on the one hand is simple in construction and simple to produce and which also enables a connection of the cover part and the intermediate rail without tools, because the intermediate rail can be simply clipped into the cover rail. In addition, such a solution with an opening and a knob extending through the opening, the knob preferably projecting outwardly at least substantially vertically from at least one of the legs of the intermediate rail, has the advantage that the cover part, together with the intermediate rail and the magnetic component, is particularly simple Joint covering device can be pulled out upwards. This can be very useful, for example, if a parquet floor is to be sanded down.

In advantageous embodiments, the opening is slot-shaped and, when the joint covering device is fully installed, runs essentially parallel to the flap of the base part, the connecting device preferably comprising a plurality of similar knob-slot combinations. Such a slot, which runs vertically with respect to the mounting surface (ie wall or floor) of the joint covering device, has the advantage that the joint covering device does not require any further structural modifications Floors and wall coverings of different thicknesses can be used because the relative distance between the cover part and base part is variable in this way. It is also particularly preferred if such knob-slot combinations are arranged on both sides of the intermediate rail, that is to say on the outer sides of the respective legs of the U-shaped intermediate rail. This creates a fixed connection in every direction. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to arrange the knob-slot combinations only on one side of the intermediate rail, which can be advantageous when the joint covering device is being assembled and disassembled. The nub-slot combinations are also advantageously distributed essentially uniformly over a length of the intermediate rail, which results in a particularly symmetrical load-bearing capacity distribution of the joint covering device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figur 1:

erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Fugenabdeckvorrichtung,

Figur 2:

zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Fugenabdeckvorrichtung,

Figur 3:

dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Fugenabdeckvorrichtung in schematischer perspektivischer Ansicht, und

Figur 4:

dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Fugenabdeckvorrichtung in schematischer Explosionsansicht.

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of diagrams and drawings, in which:

Figure 1:

first embodiment of a joint covering device according to the invention,

Figure 2:

second embodiment of a joint covering device according to the invention,

Figure 3:

third embodiment of a joint covering device according to the invention in a schematic perspective view, and

Figure 4:

third embodiment of a joint covering device according to the invention in a schematic exploded view.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a joint covering device F according to the invention in a schematic sectional view. The joint covering device F comprises a base part 1 and a cover part 2. The base part 1 is L-shaped and comprises a base part 7 and a tab 8. The cover part 2 comprises a base part 6 and two legs 4, which are essentially perpendicular to the base part 6 of the cover part 2. A magnetic strip 5 is glued to an inside of each of the two legs 4. The slot 3 is formed between the two magnetic strips 5. This slot 3 is so wide that it can accommodate the tab 8 of the base part. The base part 1 is made of a hot-dip galvanized sheet and is suitable for being held in the slot 3 in the slot 3 by means of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic strips 5. The attraction force acting on the tab 8 is as strong, or - in other words - the connection between the cover part 2 and the base part 1 is as stable as it has to be so that the cover part 2 sits firmly and securely in use as part of a floor, but can still be removed if necessary from the base part 1, e.g. B. can be levered out using an appropriate tool.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a joint covering device F according to the invention in a schematic sectional view. The joint covering device F in Figure 2 differs from the joint covering device F in Figure 1 essentially in that the cover part 2 comprises two slots 3 instead of a single slot 3, and in that the base part 1 is U-shaped and comprises two tabs 8. The slots 3 are each formed by two legs 4, a magnetic strip 5 being glued to the respective inside (with respect to the slot 3 formed in each case). The cover part 2 of the in Figure 2 The embodiment shown thus comprises four legs 4. The fixing of the tabs 8 in the respective slots 3 works in the same way as in FIG Figure 1 described Embodiment.

In the Figures 1 and 2 The embodiments shown are caused by different areas of application of the joint covering device F. A typical application of the in Figure 1 The embodiment shown can be, for example, the cover between a parquet board and a wall, whereas a typical area of application is that shown in Figure 2 Embodiment shown, for example, the cover between two parquet boards.

Furthermore, both figures each show cross sections through the joint covering devices F. In the longitudinal direction (not recognizable in the figures), the joint covering devices F shown can extend over lengths of several meters. Neither the magnetic strips 5, nor the tabs 8 or the legs 4 need to be continuous over the entire length of the joint covering devices F. Rather, it is also possible for the tabs 8 and / or the legs 4 to be perforated and / or for a plurality of magnetic strips to be behind or behind each leg 4 of the cover part 2 in the longitudinal direction (not shown in the figures) at certain intervals. are glued side by side. In this way, large material savings can be achieved, especially with particularly long joint covering devices F.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a joint covering device F according to the invention in a schematic perspective view. The essential difference from the two previously described exemplary embodiments lies in the fact that the joint covering device F comprises an intermediate rail 9, which is arranged between the base part 1 and the covering part 2. The intermediate rail 9 has an essentially U-shaped cross section, that is to say it is designed as a U-shaped rail. The intermediate rail 9 is preferably made entirely or partially of plastic. It is particularly advantageous if a flexible Soft plastic is used. The intermediate rail 9 is in part, in the example shown about half of its height, inserted into the slot 3 of the cover part 2. Their width essentially corresponds to the width of the slot 3.

The intermediate rail 9 is connected to the cover part 2 by means of a connecting device 10. The connecting device 10 comprises a slot-shaped opening 11, which is milled into a leg or a side wall of the cover part 2 and runs essentially parallel to the leg. In addition, the connecting device comprises a knob 12 which is part of the intermediate rail 9 and which is essentially cylindrical, the axis of rotation of the cylinder being essentially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the slot or to the slot. The knob 12 extends through the opening 11 so that the intermediate rail 9 is fixed in the cover part 2 such that the intermediate rail 9 can only be moved in one direction relative to the cover part 2, namely into the slot 3 or out of the slot 3. The extent of this relative movement is predetermined by the length of the slot-shaped opening 11.

On the respective inner sides of the legs of the intermediate rail 9, two magnetic rails 5 are attached, preferably glued on. These magnetic rails 5 form in cooperation with the tab 8 of the base part 1 in Figure 3 Case shown a detachable magnetic connection, which is suitable for the joint covering device F together with z. B. parquet flooring and / or wall coverings in the fully assembled state reliably and securely, while at the same time allowing easy removal of the combination of cover part 2 and intermediate rail 9 from base part 1. The magnetic connection is preferably so firm that pulling or levering off the cover part 2 and intermediate rail 9 from the base part 1 can be accomplished without a special pulling tool, the physical strength of a craftsman being sufficient for this. The base part 1 is typically in assembled state of the joint covering device F with an in Figure 3 screwed floor or wall not shown.

Figure 4 shows the already in Figure 3 illustrated third embodiment of a joint covering device F according to the invention in a schematic exploded view.

In Figure 4 partially the magnetic rails 5 can be seen, which are glued inside the intermediate rail 9, in particular on the respective inner sides of both legs of the intermediate rail 9, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section or U-shaped profile. The magnetic rails 5 extend either over the entire length of the intermediate rail 9 or only over parts of the length of the intermediate rail 9, it being also possible for more than two magnetic rails 5 to be arranged spaced apart from one another on the respective inner sides of the legs of the base part 1. In the latter solution, the individual magnetic rails 5 then have respective lengths, which are typically significantly shorter in themselves than the length of the intermediate rail 9. For example, a solution with a total of at least 4, 6, 8 or 12 magnetic rails 5 is possible.

Out Figure 4 it can also be clearly seen that to mount the joint covering device F, the intermediate rail 9 is inserted from below into the slot 3 of the cover part 2, the plurality of knobs 12 of the intermediate rail 9 snapping into the respective slot-shaped openings 11 of the cover part 2. In Figure 4 three knobs 12 and three openings 11 are shown as examples, but other configurations are also possible, e.g. B. with at least 4, 6 or 10 knob-slot combinations. Furthermore is off Figure 4 it can be seen that the combination of cover part 2 and intermediate rail 9 can then be placed on the tab 8 of the base part 1 for further assembly, the magnetic rails 5 then producing the desired magnetic connection with the tab 8.

Claims (13)

1. Joint covering device (F) for covering floor and/or wall covering joints, comprising a base part (1) and a cover part (2),
   wherein the base part (1) and the cover part (2) are suitable for being connected to each other by means of magnetic force,
   wherein the joint covering device (F) comprises a slot (3) and a tab (8), wherein the tab (8) is suitable for engaging in the slot (3) in order to connect the base part (1) to the cover part (2),
   wherein the joint covering device (F) comprises an intermediate rail (9) for establishing a magnetic connection between the base part (1) and the cover part (2),
   characterized in that
   the joint covering device (F) comprises a connecting device (10) for detachably connecting the intermediate rail (9) to the cover part (2),
   wherein the intermediate rail (9) has an essentially U-shaped cross section and is suitable for being inserted into the slot (3), wherein the cover part (2) comprises the slot (3).
2. Joint covering device (F) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the joint covering device (F) comprises a magnetic component, wherein the magnetic component preferably comprises a permanent magnet.
3. Joint covering device (F) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the magnetic component is situated, at least in part, inside the slot (3).
4. Joint covering device (F) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the magnetic component comprises at least one, preferably at least two, magnetic strips (5), wherein each of the magnetic strips (5) is preferably situated on each inner side of the respective leg (4) of the slot (3).
5. Joint covering profile (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (8) is suitable for being magnetically fixed in the slot (3) by means of the magnetic component.
6. Joint covering profile (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base part (1) is made, at least in part, of sheet metal, preferably hot-dip galvanized sheet metal, and/or the cover part (2) is made, at least in part, of aluminum.
7. Joint covering device (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover part (2) comprises the slot (3), and the base part (1) comprises the tab (8).
8. Joint covering device (F) according to any of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the magnetic strip(s) (5) is/are adhesively bonded to the cover part (2).
9. Joint covering device (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (8), and/or at least one leg (4) of the slot (3), and/or the magnetic strip (5) comprise(s) a beveled end.
10. Joint covering device (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate rail (9) is suitable for being situated between the cover part (2) and the base part (1).
11. Joint covering device (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic component comprises at least two magnetic strips (5), wherein each of the two magnetic strips (5) is situated on each inner side of the respective leg of the intermediate rail (9).
12. Joint covering device (F) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device (10) comprises at least one opening (11) and at least one knob (12), wherein the knob (12) is preferably suitable for engaging through the opening, wherein the cover part (2) preferably comprises the opening (11), and wherein the intermediate rail (9) preferably comprises the knob (12).
13. Joint covering device (F) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the opening (11) has a slotted shape, and when the joint covering device is completely installed the opening extends essentially in parallel to the tab (8) of the base part (1), wherein the connecting device preferably comprises a plurality of similar knob-slot combinations (11, 12).

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