EP4670916A1

EP4670916A1 - TOOL FOR TIGHTENING AND ALIGNING A CORNER JOINT

Info

Publication number: EP4670916A1
Application number: EP24184143.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karel VANALDERWEIRELDT; Peter Degrande; Robbe TERRYN
Original assignee: Deceuninck NV
Current assignee: Deceuninck NV
Priority date: 2024-06-24
Filing date: 2024-06-24
Publication date: 2025-12-31

Abstract

The invention pertains to a tool for tightening and aligning a corner connection formed by construction profiles and a corner connector. The tool comprises a first portion on a first plane (X-Z) defined by a first axis (X) and a third axis (Z), perpendicular to the first axis (X), a second portion on a second plane (Y-Z) defined by the third axis (Z) and by a second axis (Y), orthogonal to the first axis (X) and to the third axis (Z). The first and second portions comprise an abutment portion to abut against an engagement region of a side body of a corner connector. The first and second portions are configured to exert forces on respective engagement regions of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion. The forces are exerted at the same time. Sensors limit the exertion of the force in function of a maximum amount of force or a maximum distance travelled.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a tool for tightening and aligning a corner connection formed by two construction profiles. The invention also pertains to a system for tightening and aligning two construction profiles and a method for positioning a corner connector to tighten and align the corner connection.

Background

Window or door frames are assembled by connecting several, usually four, construction profiles together in an angular position, most often in a miter joint. Window and door frames are part of the façade of a building wherein they are installed and are required to maintain the integrity of the barrier functionality a building wall fulfills and are preferably visually appealing and well finished.
Construction profiles such as window and door profiles have finished external surfaces which remain visible after installation of a window or door in a wall. Aligning and tightening the corresponding external surfaces of two construction profiles connected in an angular position is key to ensuring a good and durable sealing at the joint and to creating a visually appealing finished product. This tightening and aligning includes ensuring, on the one hand, continuity of the external surfaces - i.e. no gaps are present between the external surfaces of both construction profiles - and, on the other hand, coplanarity of the corresponding external surfaces. This is particularly important for construction profiles having one or more external surfaces made in aluminum that are usually not welded together in a room or door frame assembly.
European patent no. EP 2479373 B1 discloses a device used to tighten and align corner sections in coplanarity condition. The device comprises a main body and two trolleys, removably connected to said main body by means of bridges of breakable material. After positioning the device, the tip of a screwdriver is inserted in a first groove between the body and a first trolley and the screwdriver is rotated in such manner to push the trolley and break the bridges. The tip of a screwdriver is inserted in the second groove between the body and the second trolley and the screwdriver is rotated in such manner to make the internal border of the trolley slide on the internal border of the body. When tightening is completed, glue is injected in the hole of the body, in such manner to seal the device perfectly.
Belgian patent application no. BE 1018055 A3 discloses a corner support for door or window that comprises a body including two legs. A wedge-shaped element is arranged with one a first wall against a sloping wall of a the body. The first wall is at least partially provided with a toothing, the shape and dimensions of which are such that it can cooperate with a tool which in a recess of the leg.
However, the devices known in the state of the art do not provide any control system to guarantee that the corner is sufficiently tightened.
Additionally, the devices known in the state of the art require the use of external tools, such as screwdrivers, to tighten the corner connection.
The present invention aims at simplifying and improving control over the tightening process of a corner.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool for tightening and aligning a corner connection formed by two construction profiles and a corner connector comprising a main body, which comprises two plates portions disposed at a right angle at a corner portion, and two side bodies, each side body is assigned to a respective plate portion and is displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion. The tool comprises a first portion, arranged on a first plane defined by a first axis and a third axis, perpendicular to the first axis, and a second portion, arranged on a second plane defined by the third axis and by a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis and to the third axis.
The first portion and the second portion each comprise an abutment portion configured to abut against an engagement region of a respective side body of a corner connector and it is configured to exert a force along the first axis, via the abutment portion, on an respective engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion.
The second portion is configured to exert a force along the second axis, via the abutment portion, on an engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion.
The first portion and the second portion are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region of the respective side body at the same time.
The abutment portion of the first and the second portion respectively comprise a first and a second force sensor, configured to measure the force exerted on the respective engagement region. The first and the second portion are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region as soon as both the first and the second portion reach a predefined force value.
In addition or as an alternative, the abutment portion of the first and second portion respectively comprise a first and second distance sensor, configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region and the corner portion of the corner connector. The first and the second portion are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region as soon as both the first and the second portion reach a predefined distance value.
The present disclosure solves the aforementioned technical problem. In fact, the tool allows to tighten and align a corner connection so that the forces are balanced and/or it is symmetric. Additionally, the two side bodies of the corner connector are tightened at the same time.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the tool comprises a third portion parallel to the first portion and distanced from the first portion along the second axis, and a fourth portion parallel to the second portion and distanced from the second portion along the first axis. The third portion and the fourth portion each comprise an abutment portion configured to abut against an engagement region of a respective side body of a corner connector.
The third portion is configured to exert a force along the first axis, via the abutment portion, on an respective engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion.
The fourth portion is configured to exert a force along the second axis, via the abutment portion, on an engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion.
The third portion and the fourth portion are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region of the respective side body at the same time.
The abutment portion of the third and the fourth portion respectively comprise a third and a fourth force sensor, configured to measure the force exerted on the respective engagement region. The third and the fourth portion are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region as soon as both the third and the fourth portion reach a predefined force value.
In addition or as an alternative, the abutment portion of the third and fourth portion respectively comprise a third and fourth distance sensor, configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region and the corner portion of the corner connector. The third and the fourth portion are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region as soon as both the third and the fourth portion reach a predefined distance value.
Advantageously, it is possible to tighten and align, at the same time, a corner connection that comprises two corner connectors. Additionally, the third and the fourth portions allow to tighten and align a corner connection so that the forces are balanced and/or it is symmetric.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first and the second portion are configured to move independently from the third and the fourth portion. Advantageously, two corner connectors of the same corner connection can be tightened independently from each other.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first portion and the second portion comprise respectively a maximum first dimension and a maximum second dimension along the third axis that do not lay on a same horizontal plane, defined by the first axis and the second axis, of a maximum third dimension and a maximum fourth dimension along the third axis respectively of the third portion and of the fourth portion. Advantageously, it is possible to tighten and align two corner connectors that are not coplanar.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first portion and the second portion comprise respectively a maximum first dimension and a maximum second dimension along the third axis equal to a maximum third dimension and to a maximum fourth dimension along a third axis respectively of the third portion and of the fourth portion. Advantageously, it is possible to tighten and align two corner connectors that are coplanar.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the abutment portion of the first and the second portion is shaped like a recess, configured to receive an engagement region of a respective side body of a corner connector. The abutment portion of the first portion comprises a first abutment portion, orthogonal to the first axis, and a second abutment portion, orthogonal to the first abutment portion of the first portion. The abutment portion of the second portion comprises a first abutment portion, orthogonal to the second axis, and a second abutment portion, orthogonal to the first abutment portion of the second portion. The first and the second abutment portions of the abutment portion of the first and second portion are configured to point towards a side body of a corner connector. Advantageously, the recess allows to receive more securely the engagement region of a respective side body of a corner connector.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first abutment portions of the first and the third portions are aligned along the first axis and wherein the first abutment portions of the second and fourth portions are aligned along the second axis. Advantageously, the portions can exert a force on the respective side body at the same time for corner connectors with the same dimension.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first abutment portion of the first portion is distanced from the first abutment portion of the third portion along the second axis by a first offset distance and wherein the first abutment portions of the second portion is distanced from the first abutment portion of the fourth portion along the first axis by a second offset distance. Advantageously, the portions can exert a force on the respective side body at the same time when the corner connectors have different dimension.
In an embodiment of the tool according to the present invention, the first and the second portions comprise respectively a first surface and a second surface, respectively orthogonal to the first axis and to the second axis and facing a corner connector, wherein the first surface lay on a first plane, orthogonal to the first axis and wherein the second surface lay on a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane and to the second axis. Advantageously, the first and the second surface provide a surface to exert a force on the sides, to tighten the corner connector.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a propelling system comprising a tool as described above, an arm connected to the tool and propulsion means, connected to the arm and configured to rigidly move the arm and the tool along the first axis and the second axis. Advantageously, the propelling system allows to rigidly maneuver the tool.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for tightening and aligning two construction profiles, the system comprising: a propelling system as described above; a work surface, laying on a horizontal plane (X-Y), defined by the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y); a corner connection comprising a first construction profile and a second construction profile, being configured to be placed on the work surface and to form a miter joint, the first construction profile being placed along the first axis (X) on the work surface, the second construction profile being placed along the second axis (Y) on the work surface, each first and second construction profile comprising a first groove and a second groove, parallel to each other, the first and the second groove of the first profile extending along the first axis (X) and being distanced along the second axis (Y), the first and the second groove of the second profile extending along a second axis (Y) and being distanced along the first axis (X); a profile holder for the corner connection configured to keep the first and the second construction profiles in place on the work surface; a first and a second corner connector, each corner connector comprising a main body, comprising two plates portions disposed at a right angle at a corner portion, and two side bodies, each side body being assigned to a respective plate portion and being displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion the first and the second corner connector being configured to be positioned, respectively, inside the first and the second grooves of the first and of second construction profiles; at least one cavity placed on the work surface configured to hold at least one corner connector, the first and the second corner connector being configured to be placed from the at least one cavity to the respective first and second grooves; wherein the first and the second portions of each tool are configured to exert a force, via the abutment portion, along the second axis (Y), on an engagement region of the side body of the corner connector, allowing displacement of the respective side bodies towards the corner portion.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the at least one cavity is configured to hold a plurality of corner connectors, stacked upon each other along the third axis (Z) .
In an embodiment, the system according to the present invention comprises two cavities, separated by the corner connection.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for positioning a corner connector for tightening and aligning a corner connection, the method comprising: providing a tool as described above, comprising the first portion and the second portion; positioning a corner connector from a cavity inside the respective first and the second grooves of the first and of second construction profiles, as described above; activating the propelling means as described above; exerting a force along the first axis (X), via the abutment portion of the first portion, on a respective engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion; and exerting a force along the second axis (Y), via the abutment portion of the second portion, on a respective engagement region of a side body, allowing the displacement of a respective side body towards a corner portion.
The technical effects and advantages of embodiments of the propelling system, the system, and the method according to the present invention correspond, mutatis mutandis, to those of the corresponding embodiments of the tool according to the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various technical effects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a corner connector;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of two corner connectors to be inserted in respective grooves of construction profiles;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view from the bottom of a tool in a system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view from the top of the system;
Figure 5 illustrates a detail of the interaction between the tool and the corner connector;
Figure 6a and 6b each illustrates a perspective view from below of the portions; and
Figure 7 illustrated a top view of the system.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.
A tool 1 for tightening and aligning a corner connection 100 is disclosed.
The corner connection 100 is formed by two construction profiles 108, 109 and a corner connector 99a, 99b. As shown in Figure 1, the corner connector 99a, 99b comprises a main body 103 with two plates portions 104, disposed at a right angle at a corner portion 105, and two side bodies 106, each assigned to a respective plate portion 104. Each side body 106 is displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion 104.
As shown in Figure 3, the tool 1 comprises a first portion 10, arranged on a first plane X-Z, which is defined by a first axis X and a third axis Z, perpendicular to the first axis X. The tool 1 comprises a second portion 20 that is arranged on a second plane Y-Z defined by the third axis Z and by a second axis Y, orthogonal to the first axis X and to the third axis Z.
The side bodies 106 displaceable, respectably, along the first axis X and the second axis Y with respect to a respective plate portion 104.
As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 each comprise an abutment portion 10a, 20a configured to abut against an engagement region 107 of a respective side body 106 of a corner connector 99a, 99b.
The first portion 10 is configured to exert a force along the first axis X, via the abutment portion 10a, on an respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
The second portion 20 is configured to exert a force along the second axis Y, via the abutment portion 20a, on an engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, each side body 106 comprises a saw-toothed side, facing the construction profile 108, 109 configured to interact with the construction profile 108, 109, preventing the movement of the side body 106 away from the corner portion 105.
The first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region 107 of the respective side body 106 at the same time.
The abutment portion 10a, 20a of the first and the second portion 10, 20 respectively comprise a first and a second force sensor 11, 21, configured to measure the force exerted, by the respective first or second portion 10, 20 on the respective engagement region 107. The first and the second portion 10, 20 are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region 107 as soon as both the first and the second portion 10, 20 reach a predefined force value.
Additionally, or as an alternative embodiment, the abutment portion 10a, 20a of the first and second portion 10, 20 respectively comprise a first and second distance sensor 12, 22, configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region 107 and the corner portion 105 of the corner connector 99a, 99b. According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second distance sensor 12, 22 register the distance between the respective engagement region 107 when the respective first and second portion 10, 20 are exerting a force on the respective engagement region 107. The first and the second portion 10, 20 are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region 107 as soon as both the first and the second portion 10, 20 reach a predefined distance value.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tool 1 comprises a third portion 30 and a fourth portion 40. Preferably, the third portion 30 is parallel to the first portion 10 and distanced from the first portion 10 along the second axis Y. Still preferably, the fourth portion 40 is parallel to the second portion 20 and distanced from the second portion 20 along the first axis X.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the third portion 30 and the fourth portion 40 each comprise an abutment portion 30a, 40a configured to abut against an engagement region 107 of a respective side body 106 of a corner connector 102. In the preferred embodiment, the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 are configured to abut against a second corner connector 99a, 99b, while the first and the second portion 10, 20 are configured to abut against a first corner connector 99a, 99b.
According to an embodiment, the third portion 30 is configured to exert a force along the first axis X, via the abutment portion 30a, on an respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106. In this way, a respective side body 106 is displaced towards a corner portion 105.
According to an embodiment, the fourth portion 40 is configured to exert a force along the second axis Y, via the abutment portion 40a, on an engagement region 107 of a side body 106. In this way, a respective side body 106 is displaced towards a corner portion 105.
Preferably, the third portion 30 and the fourth portion 40 are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region 107 of the respective side body 106 at the same time.
The abutment portion 30a, 40a of the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 respectively comprise a third and a fourth force sensor 31, 41, configured to measure the force exerted on the respective engagement region 107. According to an embodiment, the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective side body 106 as soon as both the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 reach a predefined force value.
Additionally, or as an alternative embodiment, the abutment surface 30a, 40a of the third and fourth portion 30, 40 respectively comprise a third and fourth distance sensor 32, 42, configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region 107 and the corner portion 105 of the corner connector 99a, 99b. According to a preferred embodiment, wherein the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective side body 106 as soon as both the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 reach a predefined distance value.
Preferably, the first and the second portion 10, 20 are configured to move independently from the third and the fourth portion 30, 40.
As an alternative embodiment, the first and the second portion 10, 20 are configured to move at same time as the third and the fourth portion 30, 40.
As a further embodiment, the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 are configure to move before or after the first and the second portion 10, 20.
According to an embodiment, the portions that reach the predefined force and/or distance value first are configured to remain in contact with the engagement region 107 of the side body 106 maintaining the current position and without exerting any additional force, until the remaining portions reach the predefined force value and/or the predefined distance value.
According to an embodiment, the respective side bodies 106 of the first, the second, the third and the fourth portion 10, 20, 30, 40 are displaced towards a corner portion 105 at the same time.
According to an alternative embodiment, the respective side bodies 106 of the first and the second portion 10, 20 are displaced towards a corner portion 105 at a different time instant than the respective side bodies 106 of the third and the fourth portion 30, 40.
According to an embodiment, the respective side bodies 106 of the first and the second portion 10, 20 are displaced before the respective side bodies 106 of third and the fourth portion 30, 40. According to an alternative embodiment, the first and the second portion 10, 20 are displaced after the third and the fourth portion 30, 40.
According to an embodiment, shown in Figure 3, the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 comprise respectively a maximum first dimension D1 and a maximum second dimension D2 along the third axis Z. According to the same embodiment, the maximum first dimension D1 and the maximum second dimension D2 do not lay on a same horizontal plane X-Y defined by the first axis X and the second axis Y of a maximum third dimension D3 and a maximum fourth dimension D4 along the third axis Z respectively of the third portion 30 and of the fourth portion 40.
Preferably, the maximum first dimension D1 and the maximum second dimension D2 have the same length. Preferably, the maximum third dimension D3 and the maximum fourth dimension D4 have the same length. According to an embodiment, the maximum first dimension D1 and the maximum second dimension D2 are longer than the maximum third dimension D3 and the maximum fourth dimension D4. According to an alternative embodiment, the maximum first dimension D1 and the maximum second dimension D2 are shorter than the maximum third dimension D3 and the maximum fourth dimension D4.
According to another embodiment, the maximum first dimension D1 of the first portion 10 and the maximum second dimension D2 of the second portion 20 along the third axis Z are equal to the maximum third dimension D3 and to the maximum fourth dimension D4 along a third axis Z respectively of the third portion 30 and of the fourth portion 40.
According to an embodiment, shown in Figures 3, 6a and 6b, the abutment portion 10a, 20a of the first and the second portion 10, 20 is shaped like a recess, configured to receive an engagement region 107 of a respective side body 106 of a corner connector 99a, 99b.
As shown in Figure 6a, the abutment portion 10a of the first portion 10 comprises a first abutment portion 101, orthogonal to the first axis X, and a second abutment portion 102, orthogonal to the first abutment portion 101 of the first portion 10. According to an embodiment, shown in Fig. 6b, the abutment portion 20a of the second portion 20 comprises a first abutment portion 201, orthogonal to the second axis Y, and a second abutment portion 202, orthogonal to the first abutment portion 201 of the second portion 20. The first and the second abutment portions 101, 102, 201, 202 of the abutment portion 10a, 20a of the first and second portion 10, 20 are configured to point towards a side body 106 of a corner connector 99a, 99b.
According to an embodiment, shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the abutment portion 30a, 40a of the third and the fourth portion 30, 40 is shaped like a recess, configured to receive an engagement region 107 of a respective side body 106 of a corner connector 99a, 99b.
The abutment portion 30a of the third portion 30 comprises a first abutment portion 301, orthogonal to the first axis X, and a second abutment portion 302, orthogonal to the first abutment portion 301 of the third portion 30. According to an embodiment, the abutment portion 40a of the fourth portion 40 comprises a first abutment portion 401, orthogonal to the second axis Y, and a second abutment portion 402, orthogonal to the first abutment portion 401 of the fourth portion 40. The first and the second abutment portions 301, 302, 401, 402 of the abutment portion 30a, 40a of the third and fourth portion 30, 40 are configured to point towards a side body 106 of a corner connector 99a, 99b.
Preferably, the first abutment portions 101, 301 of the first and the third portions 10, 30 are aligned along the second axis Y. Still preferably, the first abutment portions 201, 401 of the second and fourth portions 20, 40 are aligned along the first axis X. Advantageously, the aligned first abutment portions 101, 201, 301, 401 allow to exert a force on the respective side body 106, wherein the corner connectors 99a, 99b have the same dimension.
According to an alternative embodiment, the first abutment portion 101 of the first portion 10 is distanced from the first abutment portion 301 of the third portion 30 along the second axis Y by a first offset distance O1. According to the same alternative embodiment, the first abutment portions 201 of the second portion 20 is distanced from the first abutment portion 401 of the fourth portion 40 along the first axis X by a second offset distance 02. Advantageously, the misaligned first abutment portions 101, 201, 301, 401 allow to exert a force on the respective side body 106, wherein the corner connectors 99a, 99b have different dimension.
According to another embodiment, not shown in the Figures, the first abutment portion 101 of the first portion 10 is distanced from the first abutment portion 301 of the third portion 30 along the second axis Y by a first offset distance O1. According to the same embodiment, not shown in the Figures, the first abutment portions 201, 401 of the second and fourth portions 20, 40 are aligned along the first axis X.
According to another embodiment, not shown in the Figures, the first abutment portion 101 of the first portion 10 is aligned with the first abutment portion 301 of the third portion 30 along the second axis Y. According to the same embodiment, the first abutment portions 201 of the second portion 20 is distanced from the first abutment portion 401 of the fourth portion 40 along the first axis X by a second offset distance 02.
According to an embodiment, the first and the second portions 10, 20 comprise respectively a first surface 13 and a second surface 23, respectively orthogonal to the first axis X and to the second axis Y and facing a corner connector 99a, 99b. According to the embodiment, the first surface 13 lays on a first plane Y-Z, orthogonal to the first axis X. According to the embodiment, the second surface 23 lays on a second plane X-Z, orthogonal to the first plane Y-Z and to the second axis Y.
According to an embodiment, not shown in the Figures, the abutment portion 10a, 20a of the first and second portion 10, 20 is respectively the first surface 13 and the second surface 23 of the first and second portion 10, 20. According to this embodiment, the first and second portion 10, 20 do not comprise a recess and the first surface 13 and the second surface 23 of the first and second portion 10, 20 are configured to get in contact with the respective abutment region 107.
According to an embodiment, the third and the fourth portions 30, 40 comprise respectively a third surface 33 and a fourth surface 43, respectively orthogonal to the first axis X and to the second axis Y and facing a corner connector 99a, 99b. According to the embodiment, the third surface 33 lays on the first plane Y-Z, orthogonal to the first axis X. According to the embodiment, the fourth surface 43 lays on the second plane X-Z.
According to an embodiment, not shown in the Figures, the abutment portion 30a, 40a of the third and fourth portion 30, 40 is respectively the third surface 33 and the fourth surface 43 of the third and fourth portion 30, 40. According to this embodiment, the third and fourth portion 30, 40 do not comprise a recess and the third surface 33 and the fourth surface 43 of the third and fourth portion 30, 40 are configured to get in contact with the respective abutment region 107.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a propelling system 5 is provided. The propelling system 5 comprises a tool 1, an arm 51, connected to the tool 1 and propulsion means 52, connected to the arm 51 and configured to rigidly move the arm 51 and the tool 1 along the first axis X and the second axis Y.
Preferably, the propulsion means 52 is an electric motor.
Preferably, the arm 51 is a piston, as shown in Figure 4.
A system 6 for tightening and aligning two construction profiles 108, 109.
The system comprises one propelling system 5.
The system 6 comprises a work surface 7 which lays on a horizontal plane X-Y, defined by the first axis X and the second axis Y.
The system 6 comprises a corner connection 100. The corner connection 100 comprises a first construction profile 108 and a second construction profile 109, configured to be placed on the work surface 7. The first and the second profile 108, 109 are configured to form a miter joint 110. The first construction profile 108 is placed along the first axis X on the work surface 7 and the second construction profile 109 is placed along the second axis Y on the work surface 7. In other words, the first and the second profile 108, 109 are orthogonal to each other.
Preferably, the first profile 108 and the second profile 109 comprise a main development dimension L, as shown in Figure 2. The first and the second profile 108, 109 are placed respectively along the first axis X and the second axis Y along the main development dimension L.
Each first and second construction profile 108, 109 comprises a first groove 108a, 109a and a second groove 108b, 109b parallel to each other. The first and the second groove 108a, 108b of the first profile 108 extend along the first axis X and are distanced along the second axis Y. The first and the second groove 109a, 109b of the second profile 109 extend along a second axis Y and are distanced along the first axis X.
Preferably, the system 6 comprises a profile holder for the corner connection 100, configured to keep the first and the second construction profiles 108, 109 in place on the work surface 7. Advantageously, the profile holder keeps the first and second profile fixed to the work surface 7, facilitating the operation of exerting a force on the corner connector 99a, 99b.
According to an embodiment, the system 6 comprises a first and a second corner connector 99a, 99b. Each corner connector 99a, 99b comprises a main body 103, which comprises two plates portions 104, disposed at a right angle at a corner portion 105, and two side bodies 106, each side body 106 is assigned to a respective plate portion 104 and is displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion 104. The first and the second corner connector 99a, 99b are configured to be positioned, respectively, inside the first and the second grooves 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b of the first and of second construction profiles 108, 109.
According to an embodiment, the system 6 comprises at least one cavity 71, 72 placed on the work surface 7 and which is configured to hold at least one corner connector 99a, 99b. The first and the second corner connector 99a, 99b are configured to be placed from the at least one cavity 71, 72 to the respective first and second grooves 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b.
Preferably, the system 6 comprises a grip mechanism, configured to move the at least one corner connector 99a, 99b from the at least one cavity 71, 72 to the respective first and second groove 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b. Preferably, the grip mechanism is a robotic arm.
The first and the second portions 10, 20 of each tool 1 are configured to exert a force, via the abutment portion 10a, 20a, along the second axis Y, on an engagement region 107 of the side body 106 of the corner connector 99a, 99b, allowing displacement of the respective side bodies 106 towards the corner portion 105.
According to an embodiment, the at least one cavity 71, 72 is configured to hold a plurality of corner connectors 99a, 99b, stacked upon each other along the third axis Z.
According to an alternative embodiment, the at least one cavity 71, 72 is configured to hold one corner connector 99a, 99b.
According to an embodiment, the system 6 comprises two cavities 71, 72 separated by the corner connection 100. Preferably, each cavity 71, 72 is placed adjacent the respective first and second groove 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b.
A method for positioning a corner connector 99a, 99b for tightening and aligning a corner connection 100 comprises a step of providing a tool 1 that comprises the first portion 10 and the second portion 20.
The method comprises a step of positioning a corner connector 99a, 99b from a cavity 71, 72 inside the respective first and the second grooves 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b of the first and of second construction profiles 108, 109. Preferably, the method comprises a step of using the grip mechanism to position the corner connector 99a, 99b from a cavity 71, 72 inside the respective first and the second grooves 108a, 109a, 108b, 109b. Preferably, the method comprises another step of positioning another corner connector 99a, 99b, inside the cavity 71, 72, by pushing towards the work surface 7 along the third direction Z the corner connectors 99a, 99b stacked
The method comprises a step of activating the propelling means 5 in order to exert a force along the first axis X, via the abutment portion 10a of the first and portion 10, on a respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
Preferably, the method comprises a step of activating the propelling means 5 in order to exert a force along the first axis X, via the abutment portion 30a, of the third portion 30 on a respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
The method comprises exerting a force along the second axis Y, via the abutment portion 20a of the second portion 20, on a respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
Preferably, the method comprises exerting a force along the second axis Y, via the abutment portion 40a of the fourth portion 40, on a respective engagement region 107 of a side body 106, allowing the displacement of a respective side body 106 towards a corner portion 105.
Preferably, once the corner connection 100 has been tighten and aligned, a miter joint between the first and second profile 108, 109 is performed.
Preferably, after this step, the corner connection 100 is removed from the work surface 7.
While the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, this was done to clarify and not to limit the invention, the scope of which is defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

A tool (1) for tightening and aligning a corner connection (100) formed by two construction profiles (108, 109) and a corner connector (99a, 99b) comprising a main body (103), comprising two plates portions (104) disposed at a right angle at a corner portion (105), and two side bodies (106), each side body (106) being assigned to a respective plate portion (104) and being displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion (104), the tool (1) comprising:
- a first portion (10), arranged on a first plane (X-Z) defined by a first axis (X) and a third axis (Z), perpendicular to the first axis (X),

- a second portion (20), arranged on a second plane (Y-Z) defined by the third axis (Z) and by a second axis (Y), orthogonal to the first axis (X) and to the third axis (Z),

wherein the first portion (10) and the second portion (20) each comprise an abutment portion (10a, 20a) configured to abut against an engagement region (107) of a respective side body (106) of a corner connector (99),

wherein the first portion (10) is configured to exert a force along the first axis (X), via the abutment portion (10a), on an respective engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105),

wherein the second portion (20) is configured to exert a force along the second axis (Y), via the abutment portion (20a), on an engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105),

wherein the first portion (10) and the second portion (20) are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region (107) of the respective side body (106) at the same time,

wherein:
the abutment portion (10a, 20a) of the first and the second portion (10, 20) respectively comprise a first and a second force sensor (11, 21), configured to measure the force exerted on the respective engagement region (107),

and the first and the second portion (10, 20) are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region (107) as soon as both the first and the second portion (10, 20) reach a predefined force value,
and/or
the abutment portion (10a, 20a) of the first and second portion (10, 20) respectively comprise a first and second distance sensor (12, 22), configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region (107) and the corner portion (105) of the corner connector (99),

and the first and the second portion (10, 20) are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective engagement region (107) as soon as both the first and the second portion (10, 20) reach a predefined distance value.
The tool (1) according to claim 1, comprising:
- a third portion (30) parallel to the first portion (10) and distanced from the first portion (10) along the second axis (Y),

- a fourth portion (40) parallel to the second portion (20) and distanced from the second portion (20) along the first axis (X) ,

wherein the third portion (30) and the fourth portion (40) each comprise an abutment portion (30a, 40a) configured to abut against an engagement region (107) of a respective side body (106) of a corner connector (99),

wherein the third portion (30) is configured to exert a force along the first axis (X), via the abutment portion (30a), on an respective engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105),

wherein the fourth portion (40) is configured to exert a force along the second axis (Y), via the abutment portion (40a), on an engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105),

wherein the third portion (30) and the fourth portion (40) are configured to exert the force on the respective engagement region (107) of the respective side body (106) at the same time,

wherein:
the abutment portion (30a, 40a) of the third and the fourth portion (30, 40) respectively comprise a third and a fourth force sensor (31, 41), configured to measure the force exerted on the respective engagement region (107),

and the third and the fourth portion (30, 40) are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective side body (106) as soon as both the third and the fourth portion (30, 40)

reach a predefined force value,
and/or
wherein the abutment surface (30a, 40a) of the third and fourth portion (30, 40) respectively comprise a third and fourth distance sensor (32, 42), configured to measure a distance between the respective engagement region (107) and the corner portion (105) of the corner connector (99),

and the third and the fourth portion (30, 40) are configured to stop exerting the force on the respective side body (106) as soon as both the third and the fourth portion (30, 40) reach a predefined distance value.
The tool (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second portion (10, 20) are configured to move independently from the third and the fourth portion (30, 40).
The tool (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first portion (10) and the second portion (20) comprise respectively a maximum first dimension (D1) and a maximum second dimension (D2) along the third axis (Z) do not lay on a same horizontal plane (X-Y) defined by the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) of a maximum third dimension (D3) and a maximum fourth dimension (D4) along the third axis (Z) respectively of the third portion (30) and of the fourth portion (40).
The tool (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first portion (10) and the second portion (20) comprise respectively a maximum first dimension (D1) and a maximum second dimension (D2) along the third axis (Z) equal to a maximum third dimension (D3) and to a maximum fourth dimension (D4) along a third axis (Z) respectively of the third portion (30) and of the fourth portion (40) .
The tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the abutment portion (10a, 20a) of the first and the second portion (10, 20) is shaped like a recess, configured to receive an engagement region (107) of a respective side body (106) of a corner connector (99),
wherein the abutment portion (10a) of the first portion (10) comprises a first abutment portion (101), orthogonal to the first axis (X), and a second abutment portion (102), orthogonal to the first abutment portion (101) of the first portion (10);

wherein the abutment portion (20a) of the second portion (20) comprises a first abutment portion (201), orthogonal to the second axis (Y), and a second abutment portion (202), orthogonal to the first abutment portion (201) of the second portion (20);

wherein the first and the second abutment portions (101, 102, 201, 202) of the abutment portion (10a, 20a) of the first and second portion (10, 20) are configured to point towards a side body (106) of a corner connector (99).
The tool (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the abutment portion (30a, 40a) of the third and the fourth portion (30, 40) is shaped like a recess, configured to receive an engagement region (107) of a respective side body (106) of a corner connector (99),
wherein the abutment portion (30a) of the third portion (30) comprises a first abutment portion (301), orthogonal to the first axis (X), and a second abutment portion (302), orthogonal to the first abutment portion (301) of the third portion (30);

wherein the abutment portion (40a) of the fourth portion (40) comprises a first abutment portion (401), orthogonal to the second axis (Y), and a second abutment portion (402), orthogonal to the first abutment portion (401) of the fourth portion (40);

wherein the first and the second abutment portions (301, 302, 401, 402) of the abutment portion (107) of the third and fourth portion (30, 40) are configured to point towards a side body (106) of a corner connector (99).
The tool (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first abutment portions (101, 301) of the first and the third portions (10, 30) are aligned along the second axis (Y) and wherein the first abutment portions (201, 401) of the second and fourth portions (20, 40) are aligned along the first axis (X).
The tool (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first abutment portion (101) of the first portion (10) is distanced from the first abutment portion (301) of the third portion (30) along the second axis (Y) by a first offset distance (01) and wherein the first abutment portions (201) of the second portion (20) is distanced from the first abutment portion (401) of the fourth portion (40) along the first axis (X) by a second offset distance (02).
The tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first and the second portions (10, 20) comprise respectively a first surface (13) and a second surface (23), respectively orthogonal to the first axis (X) and to the second axis (Y) and facing a corner connector (99), wherein the first surface (13) lay on a first plane (Y-Z), orthogonal to the first axis (X) and wherein the second surface (23) lay on a second plane (X-Z), orthogonal to the first plane (Y-Z) and to the second axis (Y).
A propelling system (5) comprising:
- a tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

- an arm (51), connected to the tool (1),

- propulsion means (52), connected to the arm (51) and configured to rigidly move the arm (51) and the tool (1) along the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y).
A system (6) for tightening and aligning two construction profiles (108, 109) comprising:
- a propelling system (5), according to claim 11,

- a work surface (7), laying on a horizontal plane (X-Y), defined by the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y),

- a corner connection (100) comprising a first construction profile (108) and a second construction profile (109), being configured to be placed on the work surface (7) and to form a miter joint (110), the first construction profile (108) being placed along the first axis (X) on the work surface (7), the second construction profile (109) being placed along the second axis (Y) on the work surface (7), each first and second construction profile (108, 109) comprising a first groove (108a, 109a) and a second groove (108b, 109b), parallel to each other, the first and the second groove (108a, 108b) of the first profile (108) extending along the first axis (X) and being distanced along the second axis (Y), the first and the second groove (109a, 109b) of the second profile (109) extending along a second axis (Y) and being distanced along the first axis (X),

- a profile holder for the corner connection (100) configured to keep the first and the second construction profiles (108, 109) in place on the work surface (7),

- a first and a second corner connector (99a, 99b), each corner connector (99a, 99b) comprising a main body (103), comprising two plates portions (104) disposed at a right angle at a corner portion (105), and two side bodies (106), each side body (106) being assigned to a respective plate portion (104) and being displaceable with respect to a respective plate portion (104) the first and the second corner connector (99a, 99b) being configured to be positioned, respectively, inside the first and the second grooves (108a, 109a, 108b, 109b) of the first and of second construction profiles (108, 109),

- at least one cavity (71, 72) placed on the work surface (7) configured to hold at least one corner connector (99a, 99b), the first and the second corner connector (99a, 99b) being configured to be placed from the at least one cavity (71, 72) to the respective first and second grooves (108a, 109a, 108b, 109b),
wherein the first and the second portions (10, 20) of each tool (1) are configured to exert a force, via the abutment portion (10a, 20a), along the second axis (Y), on an engagement region (107) of the side body (106) of the corner connector (105), allowing displacement of the respective side bodies (106) towards the corner portion (105).
The system (6) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one cavity (71, 72) is configured to hold a plurality of corner connectors (105), stacked upon each other along the third axis (Z) .
The system (6) according to claim 12 or claim 13, comprising two cavities (71, 72),separated by the corner connection (100).
A method for positioning a corner connector (99a, 99b) for tightening and aligning a corner connection (100), comprising:
- providing a tool (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the first portion (10) and the second portion (20) ,

- positioning a corner connector (99a, 99b) from a cavity (71, 72) inside the respective first and the second grooves (108a, 109a, 108b, 109b) of the first and of second construction profiles (108, 109), according to any one of claims 12-14,

- activating the propelling means (5), according to claim 11,

- exerting a force along the first axis (X), via the abutment portion (10a) of the first portion (10), on a respective engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105),

- exerting a force along the second axis (Y), via the abutment portion (20a) of the second portion (20), on a respective engagement region (107) of a side body (106), allowing the displacement of a respective side body (106) towards a corner portion (105).