ES2653552T3 - Assembled edge-to-edge cladding sheets by self-locking fit and placement accessories for solidarity with a wall and placement procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly comprising at least two cover sheets (1; 1 '; 1 "; 1"'), each cover sheet comprising a substantially flat back surface (11), and at least two opposite edges (12, 13) provided with complementary coupling elements comprising respectively a groove (120) and a tongue (130) engaging in the groove, the indicated groove being delimited by two front lips (121) and rear (122), allowing the indicated coupling elements to engage edge with edge, with or without slack, the two cladding sheets with their substantially coplanar back surfaces (11), such that once the two sheets coupled with each other, there is at least one contact or near-contact zone ( Z1) between the tongue (130) and the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122), the coupling elements comprising in addition to the mechanical locking means (123, 133) that prevent, with or without play, the separation reciprocal ion of two coupled sheets, in a plane (X, Z) parallel to its lower surface (11) and in a direction (X) perpendicular to its coupled edges, said set comprising further placement accessories that allow the sheets to be joined with a wall (P), and in particular with a non-horizontal wall or with a ceiling, in order to form a sheet lining, each placement accessory comprising at least one connecting element (2; 2'; 2 "; 2" '; 2""; 2 "" '), which comprises a first part (20) adapted to be positioned in the groove (120) of a sheet, and in contact with the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122) at least in an area that It covers at least part of the aforementioned contact or near-contact zone (Z1) between the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) in the absence of a connecting element, and a second part (21) which allows the element to be joined of union (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 22 "" ') with a wall (P), characterized in that at least one (122) of the two lips is deformable and / or in which at least one (122) of the two lips is compressible, and / or in which the first part (20) of the connecting element can be crushed, in which the thickness (e1) of the indicated first part (20) of the connecting element is greater than the distance between the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) in the indicated contact or near-contact zone (Z1) in the absence of the joining element, but it is small enough so that once the indicated first part (20) of the connecting element is placed in the corresponding groove (120) of a sheet, thanks to the indicated elasticity of at least one of the two lips and / or upon crushing the first part (20) of the joint element, the two sheets can still be coupled with one another, with an adjustment of the first part (20) of the joint element between the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) inserted in the groove, at least in an area corresponding to the indicated contact or near-contact zone (Z1) between the tongue (130) and the rear lip (122) of the groove (120) in absence of connecting element, and because the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile and the first part (20) of a joining element (2; 2'; 2 "; 2" ') is formed in order to couple the indicated non-rectilinear profile once the indicated first part (20) of a connecting element (2; 2'; 2 "; 2" ') is positioned in the groove (120), or because the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first part (20) of a connecting element (2 ""; 2 "" ') is deformable in order to adapt the indicated non-rectilinear profile once the indicated first part (20) of a connecting element is positioned in the groove (120).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Assembled edge-to-edge cladding sheets by self-locking fit and placement accessories for solidarity with a wall and placement procedure.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of placing coverings with sheets on a wall, and in particular on a non-horizontal wall type wall, or on a ceiling type wall. More precisely in this field the present invention relates to the coating sheets that are assembled edge to edge by self-locking engagement, and to the placement accessories that allow the said coating sheets to be joined with a wall in order to form a placement coating fixed or floating.

Prior art

Among the set of known coverings that can be placed on the floor, decorative floorboards consisting of decorative sheets embedded edge to edge with a lock are known relative to each other of two embedded sheets. A sheet most often has a general rectangular shape, but it can also be square in shape. These cladding sheets can be fitted with nearby sheets only on two opposite sides of the sheets or on all sides of the sheets.

For their engagement, these sheets comprise at least two opposite edges, which are profiled in order to form complementary coupling elements that respectively comprise at least one slot delimited by two front and rear lips, and a tab that fits into the slot between the two. lips.

For the blocking of the sheets, the said coupling elements further comprise mechanical locking means that prevent the reciprocal separation of two coupled sheets, in a plane parallel to their substantially flat bottom surface, and in a direction perpendicular to their coupled edges. These mechanical locking means most often comprise a protruding locking pin on the tongue and a recess provided in the lower lip of the groove and suitable for receiving the indicated locking pin.

There are nowadays many profiles of sheet edges that allow said edge-to-edge and self-locking of the sheets. By way of non-exhaustive examples, the publications given below illustrate different examples of assembled sheets by edge-to-edge engagement and self-locking: international patent applications WO96 / 27721, WO97 / 47834 and WO99 / 66151; US Patents US 4 426 820, US 7 444 791, US 8 011 155 and US 8 495 849.

Until now, the edge-to-edge assembling sheets by self-locking engagement, such as those described in the aforementioned publications are adapted and used to make floor coverings, particularly floating floor coverings.

If, on the other hand, it is desired to place these assembled sheets edge by edge by self-locking engagement on a non-horizontal wall, such as a wall, to constitute a wall covering, or on a ceiling, it is up to now bound to fix each sheets on the wall nailing it, screwing it or stapling it by means of nails, screws or staples passed through the rear lip of the groove of engagement of one of its edges. This placement technique is not practical and mainly requires a fixed placement lining and does not allow a wall cladding or a floating ceiling lining. In addition, in some cases, the rear lip of the groove of engagement of the edge of the sheet is not long enough to allow such fixation, such as for example the sheet profiles described in the international patent application WO97 / 47834. The manufacturers of these sheets are therefore obliged to make profiles of specific sheets with longer back lips to make wall coverings.

Due to these difficulties, the assembled edge-to-edge sheets by self-locking engagement are rarely used today to make wall or ceiling coverings, but are essentially used to make floor coverings.

On the other hand, wall or ceiling coverings are known based on embeddable sheets edge with coffered edge. These paneled type sheets can comprise at the level of their opposite edges a groove of engagement and a tongue for their engagement edge to edge, but do not comprise mechanical locking means that allow a self-locking engagement.

According to a known coffering placement technique, a plurality of slats intended to form a positioning support for the sheets is started by fixing on the wall. These slats are fixed to the wall, for example by screwing, placing them parallel to each other and separated in the direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. It may also be advantageous if the slats are spaced apart.

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according to its longitudinal direction in order to subsequently leave a passage for an air circulation between the slats, and under the decorative coating.

Once the positioning support with slats fixed on the wall, the coffered ceilings are placed, placing each coffered ceiling on the strips of the positioning support and individually fixing each coffered ceiling on each underlying slat of the positioning support, and if necessary fitting them together two to two decorative sheets along their longitudinal edges. At the beginning of this laying technique, the slats were made of wooden dowels, and the cladding sheets were fixed by nailing or screwed onto the wooden slats.

It has also been proposed to replace the fixation by nailing, screwing or stapling, by fixing by means of added individual fasteners, such as fixing clips, usually of metal, and placed on the intermediate surface between each sheet and each underlying slat, and level of the union between two decorative sheets juxtaposed. This placement solution is described for example in patent application WO03 / 004796. The fixing clips described in this publication are designed to allow their fitting onto an edge of a cover sheet. In addition, in this publication WO03 / 004796, the slats form positioning rails along which the fixing clips can slide individually.

The fixing clips described in this publication WO03 / 004796 are not adapted and cannot be used to fix assembled edge-to-edge sheets by self-locking engagement.

International patent application WO2007 / 115747 describes a set of at least two coating sheets having the technical characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

Object of the invention

The present invention has as its main objective to propose a new technical solution that allows the placement of assembled sheets edge by edge by self-locking fitting on any type of wall, particularly on a non-horizontal wall type wall or on a ceiling, in order to form a fixed or floating placement lining.

Summary of the Invention

A subject of the invention is an assembly comprising at least two coating sheets, as defined in claim 1.

More particularly, the assembly of the invention may comprise the additional and optional features given below, taken separately or in combination with each other:

- Each positioning accessory comprises a flexible or malleable film or tongue, of which one part at least forms the indicated first part of the joining element, and which is fixed on a rigid support forming the indicated second part of the joining element .

- The mechanical locking means comprise a locking pin, which protrudes over the tongue, which is suitable for cooperating with a locking hole in the inner surface of the rear lip.

- The contact or near contact zone (Z1) is located between the indicated locking pin and said blocking reinforcement.

- The posterior lip is elastically deformable or elastically compressible.

- The rear lip of each sheet allows to exert a clamping force on a tongue of another sheet inserted in the indicated groove.

- The indicated clamping force helps to approximate two sheets fitted edge to edge and keep them tight against each other.

- The front lip of the blades is shorter than its back lip.

- The difference in length (AL) between the two front and rear lips is less than or equal to the thickness (E) of the sheets.

- The thickness (E) of the sheets may be less than or equal to 20 mm, and particularly less than or equal to 15 mm.

- The thickness (e1) of the first part of a connecting element is for example less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and more particularly less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

A subject of the invention is also a method of placing a fixed or floating sheet covering on a wall, by means of a subdivided assembly, said process comprising the following steps:

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- the rear surface of a first sheet is placed on the wall by positioning it in relation to at least one integral joint element of the wall;

- a second edge-to-edge sheet is fitted with the first sheet by inserting the tongue of the second sheet into the groove of the first sheet, such that the first part of each connecting element is positioned in the groove of the said sheet, in contact with the inner surface of the rear lip of the indicated sheet and until the tongue of the second sheet is locked with or without play in the groove of the first sheet, with the first part of each joint element locked by clamping between the tongue of the second sheet and the lower lip of the first sheet.

More particularly, the process of the invention may comprise the additional and optional features given below, taken separately or in combination with each other:

- In the course of the introduction of the tongue of the second sheet into the groove of the first sheet, the rear lip of the groove of the first sheet is elastically deformed.

- In the course of introducing the tongue of the second sheet into the groove of the first sheet, the first part of each connecting element is crushed.

- In the course of the introduction of the tongue of the second sheet into the groove of the first sheet, the first part (of each connecting element is deformed, so that it adapts to the inner surface of the rear lip.

- In the course of introducing the tongue of the second sheet into the groove of the first sheet,

the second sheet is turned relative to the first sheet in the direction of the wall, in order to exert for

lever effect a pressure on the first part of each connecting element and on the rear lip

of the first sheet.

- The wall is a wall or a ceiling.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly with the reading of the detailed description given below of several embodiments of the invention, the description of which is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example of the invention, and in reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first variant embodiment of two sheets

assembled edge to edge by self-locking engagement, with elastic adjustment of the two sheets a

in relation to the other.

- Figure 2 is an enlargement of Figure 1 at the level of the engagement zone of the two sheets.

- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage of engagement of the tongue of

one sheet in the groove of the other prior to the final engagement of Figure 2.

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second variant embodiment of two sheets assembled edge to edge by self-locking engagement, with elastic adjustment of the two sheets relative to each other.

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third variant embodiment of two sheets

assembled edge to edge by self-locking engagement, without elastic adjustment of the two sheets a

in relation to the other.

- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth variant embodiment of two sheets

assembled edge to edge by self-locking engagement, without elastic adjustment of the two sheets a

in relation to the other.

- Figure 7 represents a connecting element adapted for the sheets of the first embodiment variant of Figure 1.

- Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of Figure 7.

- Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of engagement of a sheet on a first sheet previously fixed to a wall by means of one or more connecting elements conforming to Figures 7 and 8.

- Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the two sheets of Figure 9, after the final engagement of the two sheets and fixing the grooved edge of the second sheet in the wall by means of one or more joining elements according to figures 7 and 8.

- Figure 11 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 10.

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- Figure 12 is an enlargement, seen in cross section, of a sheet of the first variant of embodiment fixed to a wall by means of a connecting element according to Figures 7 and 8.

- Figures 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views showing intermediate stages of engagement of a second sheet on the first sheet previously fixed in accordance with Figure 12, before the final engagement of the two sheets.

- Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the two sheets and the connecting element of Figures 13 or 14, after the final engagement of the two sheets.

- Figure 16 represents a connecting element adapted for the sheets of the second embodiment variant of Figure 4.

- Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of Figure 16.

- Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of engagement of a second sheet in a first sheet that conforms to the second variant of Figure 4, before the final engagement of the two sheets, the edge being fixed with groove of the first sheet on a wall by means of a connecting element according to figures 16 and 17.

- Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the two sheets and the connecting element of Figure 18, after the final engagement of the two sheets.

- Figure 20 represents a connecting element adapted for the sheets of the third embodiment variant of Figure 5.

- Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of Figure 20.

- Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of engagement of a

second sheet on a first sheet that conform to the third variant of figure 5, before the final engagement of the two sheets, the grooved edge of the first sheet being fixed on a wall by means of a connecting element according to the figures 20 and 21.

- Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the two sheets and the connecting element of Figure 22, after the final engagement of the two sheets.

- Figure 24 represents a connecting element adapted for the sheets of the fourth variant embodiment of Figure 6.

- Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of Figure 24.

- Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of engagement of a

second sheet on a first sheet that conform to the fourth variant of figure 6, before the final engagement of the two sheets, the grooved edge of the first sheet being fixed on a wall by means of a connecting element according to the figures 24 and 25.

- Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the two sheets and the connecting element of Figure 26, after the final engagement of the two sheets.

- Figure 28 represents a fifth variant embodiment of a connecting element whose first part, which is positionable in a groove of sheet, is flexible and deformable.

- Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting element of Figure 28 fixed to a wall and positioned in relation to the grooved edge of a sheet according to the first variant of embodiment previously considered.

- Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of engaging the tongue of a second sheet in the groove of the sheet of Figure 29, and the deformation of the connecting element.

- Figure 31 represents a sixth variant embodiment of a connecting element, which is positioned in relation to a coating sheet, and whose first positionable part in a sheet groove is flexible and deformable.

- Figure 32 illustrates the operation of engagement of a second covering sheet with the sheet of Figure 31, with simultaneous deformation of the first flexible and deformable part of the joining element of Figure 31.

- Figure 33 is a side view of the two cladding sheets and the joining element of Figure 32, after the edge-to-edge engagement of the two sheets.

Detailed description

In Figs. 1 to 3 a first known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical cladding sheets 1 is depicted, which uses an edge-fitting principle with self-locking edge, with more particularly an elastic clamping of the sheets one in relation to the other. This type of edge fitting with

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Self-locking edge of cladding sheets with an elastic fastener is until now mainly known under the Uniclic® designation.

In Figure 4 a second known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical 1 'clad sheets is shown, which uses a self-locking edge edge with self-locking edge with elastic clamping of the sheets relative to each other, of the Uniclic type ®. These Uniclic® type assemblies are particularly described in international patent application WO97 / 47834.

In figure 5 a third known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical 1 "cladding sheets is shown, using an edge-fitting principle with self-locking edge, without elastic clamping of the sheets relative to each other. This assembly is described for example in US Pat. No. 7,444,791. In this assembly variant, the edge-to-edge coupling of the two sheets 1 ", and their self-locking one in relation to the other, are performed with a slight play between the sheets 1 ”.

In figure 6 a fourth known example of assembling edge with edge of identical lining sheets 1 "'is shown, using an edge fitting principle with self-locking edge, without elastic clamping of the sheets relative to each other.

Cladding sheets 1, 1 ', 1 "or 1"' are monobloc plates that can be rectangular or square in thickness E. Each sheet can, for example, be made from a solid wood profile, laminated or melamine. , or in plastic, and particularly in PVC (Polyvinylchloride). The front surface 10 of a sheet may comprise one or several surface layers, for example in the form of a monolayer or multilayer film, particularly of plastic, paper, melanin or wood veneer, fixed by any known means, and particularly by bonding and / or thermo bonding. This surface coating of the sheet can fulfill a decorative function, and / or a function of wear protection. The rear surface 11 of each sheet is intended to be oriented towards the wall of placement of the lining, and is substantially flat. The sheets 1, 1 ', 1 ", 1"' can be manufactured by any known manufacturing means, and particularly by extrusion, machining or molding.

Referring to FIG. 1, the two opposite edges 12 and 13 of a sheet 1 are profiled in order to form complementary coupling elements that respectively comprise an engagement slot 120 and a tongue 130 that can be fitted into the engagement slot 120. engagement slot 120 is delimited by two front lips 121 and rear 122.

The front lip 121 is short and dense enough to be substantially non-deformable in normal use.

The rear lip 122 of length L2 (Figure 1) greater than the length L1 of the front lip 121, is elastically deformable in a plane (X, Y) perpendicular to the corresponding edge 12 of the sheet, in order to allow a slight separation of the rear lip 122 relative to the front lip 121.

Preferably, but not necessarily, for reasons of better stability of the sheet engagement, the difference in length AL (AL = L2 - L1) between the two lips 121 and 122, measured in a plane (XY) perpendicular to its posterior surface 11 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the engagement slot 120, is preferably less than or equal to the thickness E of the sheets 1. By way of non-limiting example of the invention, the thickness E of the sheets 1 is per example less than 20 mm, even less than 15 mm.

The edges 12, 13 of the sheets 1 also comprise mechanical locking means 123, 133 that prevent the reciprocal separation of two coupled sheets 1, in a plane (X, Z) parallel to their lower surface 11 and in one direction (Figure 1 / X axis) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z) of its coupled edges. In the variant of Figures 1 to 3, these mechanical locking means are constituted by a locking pin 133 protruding on the tongue 13, and by a groove or locking hole 123, substantially V-shaped, provided on the surface internal 122a of the posterior lip 122 (Figure 3). The inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122 thus presents a non-linear profile that includes the indicated locking hole 123.

Figure 3 shows an initial phase of engagement of the two sheets. In this figure 3, the broken lines represent the rear lip 122 at rest in the non-deformed state, before the engagement of the tongue 13 in the groove 12. It is assumed that the sheet 1 on the left is placed on a wall, its rear surface 11 being in contact with the indicated wall. The insertion of the tongue 13 into the groove 12 is carried out in a first time by tilting the sheet 1 on the right in relation to the plane (X, Z) parallel to the plane of placement of the rear surface 11 of the other sheet 1, and introducing the distal part of the tongue 13 in the groove 12 until the locking pin 133 is in contact with the rear lip 122. Then the blade 1 on the right is pivoted (Figure 3 / Arrow G1) and is moved laterally in the direction of the other sheet (Figure 3 / Arrow G2), in order to introduce the tongue 13 more deeply into the groove 12. This movement makes it possible to exert a pressure on the rear lip 122, which deforms it elastically by forcing it to be sufficiently separated from the other lip 121 to allow the positioning of the locking pin 133 in the locking hole 123. This deformation of the rear lip 122 is possible for example when the sheets are

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placed on a sublayer of compressible material; in this case under the effect of lever, the rear lip 122 is deformed by compressing the indicated sublayer locally. When the sheets 1 are put in contact with a hard sublayer or with a hard positioning support, under the lever effect an elastic deformation of the lower lip 122 is obtained in a known way by very light lifting of a part of the corresponding sheet with relation to the sublayer or to the positioning support.

Referring to Figure 2, once the engagement is completed, the rear surfaces 11 of the sheets 1 are substantially coplanar (plane X, Z). The rear lip 122 is in flat contact with the locking pin 133 in a contact zone Z1. In this contact zone Z1, the distance between the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122 and the tongue 13 is zero.

The rear lip 122 is also slightly elastically deformed in such a way that it exerts on the tongue 13 inserted in the groove 12, in the contact zone Z1, a pressure force (Figure 2 / Arrow F) that contributes to approximate the two sheets and keep them tight against each other in contact zones Z2 and Z3. In this variant, the edge-to-edge coupling of the two sheets 1, and their self-locking one in relation to the other, are thus performed without play between the sheets 1.

In Figures 7 and 8, an example of a fitting accessory is shown, comprising a connecting element 2, which allows the edge (with groove 120) of a sheet 1 to be fixed on a wall, allowing an edge fitting with a self-locking edge of another. sheet 1 on the opposite edge.

This connecting element 2 is for example a rigid or semi-rigid leg of plastic or metal, of very thin thickness, which has been shaped. This connecting element 2 can also be in whole or in part of cardboard or paper, particularly when it is sought to make a joining element that can be crushed between a tongue 130 fitted in a groove 120 and the rear lip 122 of the indicated groove , in order to reduce its thickness.

This connecting element 2 thus comprises a first part 20, of thickness ei, which is adapted to be placed in the groove 12 of a sheet 1, in contact with the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122. At a first end, the first part 20 is terminated by a crushing flange 22 of greater thickness, obtained for example by folding material. At its opposite end, the first part 20 is extended by a second part 21, which in this particular example has an essentially L-shaped transverse profile. In this particular example, the thickness of the second part 21 is substantially equal to (e -0 of the first part 20. In another variant, the thickness of the second part 21 could be different and particularly greater than (e-0 of the first part 20.

In this particular variant, the second part 21 of the connecting element comprises at least one through hole 21c, for the passage of a screw, a nail or a fixing clip.

To place a sheet lining 1 on a wall P by means of joining elements 2, proceed as follows.

Referring to Figure 9, a sheet 1 is placed in contact with the wall P (back surface 11 in contact with the wall P). The wall P can be directly a wall such as a wall, ceiling or floor, with an interposed sublayer, or as illustrated in Figure 11, it can be formed by a positioning support composed of studs or slats T fixed on a wall and that define a placement plane P.

If this sheet 1 is a sheet placed first and thus belonging to the edge of the lining, the edge 13 of the sheet comprising the tongue 130 is fixed on the wall P, by any appropriate fixing means, and for example by screwing, stapled or nailed

Once the sheet 1 is placed, its opposite edge 12 is fixed on the wall P by means of one or more connecting elements 2 (Figure 9). In this regard, the first part 20 of each connecting element 2 is positioned in the groove 12 of the sheet 1. Referring to Figure 12, the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 has a curved profile identical to that of the internal surface 122a of the rear lip 122. The connecting element 2 thus adapts to the indicated internal surface 122a of the rear lip 20 over a fastening zone Z which extends from a point A located in the locking hole 123 to a point B located at the joint between the internal surface 122a and the lateral surface 122b of the rear lip 122. The second part 21 of the connecting element 2 is located outside the groove 12 and extends the first part 20 beyond the lateral surface 122b of the lip rear 122. More particularly an arm 21a of the second part 21 of the connecting element 2 extends substantially parallel to the lateral surface 122b of the rear lip 122 without being in contact with this sup lateral surface 122b, and a second arm 21b of the second part 21 of the connecting element 2 is positioned flat against the wall P. Next, the connecting element 2 is rigidly fixed on the wall P by means of a screw, a nail or a clip 3 passed through the second arm 21b of the second part 21 of the connecting element 2 and penetrating the positioning wall P. The joining elements 2 thus allow the edge 12 of the sheet 1 to be locked in relation to the wall P.

Once the sheet 1 fixed to the wall P at the level of its edge 12, the tongue 130 of another sheet 1 fits into the groove 12 of the sheet 1 which is fixed by means of the joining elements 2 (Figures 13 to 15 ), coming from the

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in the same manner as previously described for the self-locking engagement of two sheets 1 without the use of the connecting element 2. Once the two sheets 1 are fitted, the connecting elements 2 are advantageously hidden by the sheets 1 and are not visible.

Their placement steps are repeated with new sheets 1 until the last sheet is placed (sheet on the periphery of the coating). For each last sheet placed on the periphery i of the cladding, the edge 12 (with groove 120) of this sheet is fixed on the wall P, by any appropriate fixing means, and for example by screwing, stapling or nailing.

Referring to Figure 14, by lever effect, during the introduction of the tongue 130 into the groove 120, the rear lip 122 is elastically deformed with a sufficient amplitude to allow a self-locking engagement of the tongue 130 in the groove 120 however the excess thickness (ei) of the connecting element 2. By way of non-limiting example, the thickness (e-0 is preferably very small, and for example less than or equal to 0.5 mm.

In the area corresponding to the contact zone Z1 considered above (between the tongue 130 and the lower lip 122 in the absence of joining element 2), an adjustment of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 between the rear lip 122 is obtained and the tongue 130 inserted in the groove 12. This adjustment allows the joint element 2 to be locked in position between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122.

In the particular assembly example of Figure 2, beyond the contact zone Z1, at the height of the locking hole 123, in a zone Z4 the locking pin 133 is not in contact with the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122. In this zone Z4, between the locking pin 133 and the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122, a space 124 whose width (d4) is greater than the thickness (e-0 of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2) , but is less than the thickness of the crushing flange 22 of the connecting element 2. It happens that at the introduction of the tongue 130, the crushing flange 22 is crushed between the locking pin 133 of the tongue 130 and the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122 (Figure 15) This crushing of the crushing flange 22 helps to improve the immobilization of the connecting element 2 by adjusting this element between the tongue 130 and the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122.

Although fixing the groove edges 12 of the sheets 1 on a wall P by means of the joining elements 2 is more specifically useful for placing a sheet lining 1 on a wall or on a ceiling, it is nonetheless It is also possible to place a sheet lining 1 by means of joining elements 2, on a floor.

In figures 16 and 17, an example of a fitting accessory is shown, comprising a connecting element 2 ', which allows the edge 12 with groove 120 of a previously considered sheet 1' (figure 4) to be fixed on a wall, allowing a self-locking engagement of another sheet 1 'with elastic adjustment (pressure F) of the sheets 1' against each other (figures 18 and 19). In this variant, the engagement is made only by translation of the sheet 1 'in the plane (X, Z) parallel to the rear surface 11 of the sheets and in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z) of the slot 120 (Figure 18 / G2 arrow).

In Figures 20 and 21, an example of a fitting accessory is shown, comprising a connecting element 2 ", which allows fixing a sheet 1" previously considered (Figure 5) on a wall, allowing a self-locking fitting of another sheet 1 ”(Figure 22 and Figure 23).

In figures 24 and 25, an example of a fitting accessory is shown, comprising a connecting element 2 "', which allows the edge 12 with groove 120 of a previously mentioned sheet 1"' (figure 6) to be fixed on a wall , allowing a self-locking engagement of another sheet 1 ”(Figure 27 and Figure 28).

In the two variants of Figures 5 and 6, it should be noted that once the two sheets 1 "or 1" 'coupled with each other, in the absence of the connecting element (Figure 5 or Figure 6), the rear lip 122 does not it deforms and does not exert adjustment pressure on the tongue 130, contrary to the variants of figures 3 and 4. In these two variants of figures 5 and 6, in the absence of a connecting element, there is a near-contact zone Z1 between the tongue 130 and the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122. In this near-contact zone Z1, the distance between the inner surface 122b of the rear lip 122 and the tongue 13 is very small, and is not necessarily null as in the variants of figures 3 and 4, but in all cases it is less than the thickness (e-0 of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "or 2" '. In the two variants of figures 22, 23, 26 and 27, as for the variants of figures 12 to 14, 18 and 19, during the engagement of the tongue 130 in the groove 120, the rear lip 122 is elastically deformed to a sufficient extent to allow a self-locking engagement of the tongue 130 in the groove 120 notwithstanding the excess thickness (e-0 of the connecting element 2 "or 2" ' . In the area corresponding to the almost-contact zone Z1 mentioned above (between the tongue 130 and the lower lip 122 in the absence of a connecting element), an adjustment of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "or 2" is obtained 'between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 inserted in the groove 120. A crushing of the flange 22 of the connecting element 2 "or 2" in the zone Z4 between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122 is also obtained.

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In all the examples described above with reference to the figures, thanks to the elastic deformation of the rear lip 122, two sheets can also be coupled to each other by self-locking engagement, with a fastener of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 ”or 2”' between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 inserted in the groove 120, at least in an area corresponding to said contact zone Z1 or of a casually contact between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122 in the absence of union element. In another variant, the same result could be obtained using a back lip 122 of elastically compressible material. Similarly, it is possible to combine the use of an elastically deformable back lip 122 and elastically compressible material. In another variant, the same result could also be obtained, using an elastically deformable or elastically compressible front lip 121.

In all the variants of the attached figures, the two sheets can also be coupled with each other by self-locking engagement, with an adjustment of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 "or 2"' between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 inserted in the groove 120, thanks to the elasticity of one of the two lips of the groove 120. In another variant, the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 "or 2"' can be of a material allowing a crushing of at least the first part 20 so that in the self-locking engagement of the sheets the first part 20 of the connecting element is crushed between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122 at least in the contact area or almost of contact Z1, with a sufficient thickness decrease of the first part 20 of the connecting element. Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to use this ability to crush the joint element without the use of elastically deformable or elastically compressible rear and front lips or to combine this ability to crush the joint element with an elastically deformable or elastically deformable back lip 122 compressible and / or an elastically deformable or elastically compressible front lip 121.

In the previously considered examples of embodiment, the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 ", 2"' is formed in order to adapt to the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122. In another variant such as the illustrated in Figures 28 to 30, the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "" can be deformable in order to adapt to the inner surface 122a of the rear lip 122, once the two sheets are fitted edge to edge. This deformation is obtained during the fitting of the two sheets (Figure 30). This first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "" may for example be constituted by a flexible or malleable film, particularly a plastic film.

In all the examples described above with reference to the figures, the connecting elements 2, 2 ', 2 ", 2"', 2 "" are used to fix the sheets on a wall. In another variant also covered by the invention, the connecting elements could be adapted to be movably mounted on a wall, for example being mounted on a positioning rail, for the purpose, for example, of making a floating placement lining, with a possibility of dilating the sheets in a plane parallel to their posterior surface 11 in the direction (Z axis) parallel to their coupled edges 12, 13 and / or in the direction (X axis) perpendicular to their coupled edges 12, 13.

In figures 31 to 33 another embodiment variant is shown in which the two sheets 1 "'are identical to

the sheets of figures 26 and 27, and in which the connecting element 2. comprises a film or a tongue

flexible or malleable F, particularly a plastic or metal film or tongue, mounted on a rigid support 21. The support 21 is connected to a wall, for example by placing it in a positioning rail (not shown) fixed to the indicated wall , and in such a way that a part of the flexible or malleable film or tongue F is positioned against the lateral surface 122b of the rear lip 122 of the sheet 1 "'(Figure 31). The support 21 can, for example, be slidably mounted in the indicated positioning rail. Next, in reference to Figures 32 and 33, the tongue 130 of the other sheet 1 "'fits into the groove 120, deforming the flexible or malleable film F, so that at least a portion 20 of this film F is adapt at least to the inner surface 122a of the back lip 122, once the two sheets fitted edge to edge (Figure 33). In this variant, but not necessarily, once the two sheets fitted edge to edge, a part of the film 20 'or of the tongue F is positioned between the edges of the two visible front surfaces 10 of the sheets 1 ”' and located on the projection in relation to the visible front surfaces 10 of the sheets 1 "'. This part 20 'is then cut by means of a cutting blade.

In all the examples described above with reference to the figures, once the cladding sheets coupled edge to edge, the residual space between the edges of the visible front surfaces 10 of the cladding sheets is very small or non-existent when the edges of the front surfaces 10 of the coating sheets are touched. In another variant, the residual space between the edges of the visible front surfaces 10 of the cladding sheets embedded edge to edge could be more important.

Claims (14)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 1. Assembly comprising at least two coating sheets (1; 1 '; 1 "; 1"'), each coating sheet comprising a substantially flat back surface (11), and at least two opposite edges (12, 13) provided with complementary coupling elements comprising respectively a groove (120) and a tongue (130) engaging in the groove, the indicated groove being delimited by two front lips (121) and rear (122), allowing the indicated coupling elements to engage edge to edge, with or without clearance, the two cladding sheets with their substantially coplanar back surfaces (11), such that once the two sheets coupled with each other, there is at least one contact or casing zone contact (Z1) between the tongue (130) and the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122), the coupling elements comprising in addition to the mechanical locking means (123, 133) that prevent, with or without clearance, thereciprocal separation of two coupled sheets, in a plane (X, Z) parallel to their lower surface (11) and in a direction (X) perpendicular to their coupled edges, said set comprising further placement accessories that allow the sheets to be joined with a wall (P), and in particular with a non-horizontal wall or with a ceiling, in order to form a sheet lining, each fitting accessory comprising at least one connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2 ..), comprising a first part (20) adapted to be positioned in the groove (120) of a sheet, and in contact with the inner surface (122a) of the back lip (122) at least in an area that covers at least partly the said contact or near-contact zone (Z1) between the back lip (122) and the tongue (130) in the absence of a connecting element, and a second part (21) which allows the joining element (2; 2'; 2 "; 2" '; 2""; 22 ..) with a wall (P), characterized in that at least one (122) of the two lips is deformable and / or in which at least one (122) of the two lips is compressible, and / or in which the first part (20) of the connecting element can be crushed, in which the thickness (ei) of the indicated first part (20 ) of the connecting element is greater than the distance between the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) in the indicated contact or almost contact area (Z1) in the absence of the joining element, but it is small enough so that once the indicated first part (20) of the connecting element is placed in the corresponding groove (120) of a sheet, thanks to the indicated elasticity of at least one of the two lips and / or upon crushing the first part (20) of the joint element, the two sheets can still be coupled with one another, with an adjustment of the first part (20) of the joint element between the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) inserted in the groove, at least in a corresponding area ea the indicated contact or near-contact zone (Z1) between the tongue (130) and the rear lip (122) of the groove (120) in the absence of a connecting element, and because the internal surface (122a) of the back lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile and the first part (20) of a connecting element (2; 2'; 2"; 2 "') is formed in order to couple the indicated non-rectilinear profile once the indicated first part (20) of a connecting element (2; 2'; 2"; 2 "') is positioned in the groove (120 ), or because the inner surface (122a) of the posterior lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first part (20) of a connecting element (2 ””; 2 ..) is deformable in order to adapt the indicated non-rectilinear profile once the indicated one First part (20) of a connecting element is positioned in the groove (120). 2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein each positioning accessory comprises a film or a flexible or malleable tongue (F), of which one part at least forms the indicated first part (20) of the connecting element (2 ..), and which is fixed on a rigid support forming the indicated second part (21) of the joint element (2""'). 3. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical locking means comprise a locking pin (133), which protrudes from the tongue (130), which is suitable for cooperating with a locking hole (123) on the inner surface (122a) of the posterior lip (122). 4. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein the contact or near-contact zone (Z1) is located between the indicated locking pin (133) and the indicated locking hole (123). 5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear lip (122) of each sheet (1; 1 ') allows to exert a clamping force on a tongue (130) of another sheet (1; 1') inserted in the indicated slot (120). 6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the said clamping force (F) contributes to approximate two sheets (1; 1 ') embedded edge to edge and to hold them against each other. 7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the front lip (121) of the sheets is shorter than its rear lip (122). 8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the thickness (e-i) of the first part (20) of a connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ..; 2 ...) is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and more particularly less than or equal to 0.3 mm. 9. Procedure for placing a cladding of fixed or floating sheets on a wall (P), by means of an assembly considered in any one of the preceding claims, said process comprising the following steps: 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 - the rear surface (11) of a first sheet (1; 1 '; 1 "; 1"') is placed on the wall (P) placing it with in relation to at least one connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2 ..) integral with the wall (P); - a second sheet (1; 1 '; 1 "; 1"') is fitted edge to edge with the first sheet by inserting the tongue (130) of the second sheet into the groove (120) of the first sheet, in such a way that the first part (20) of each connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2 ..), is positioned in the groove of the indicated sheet, in contact with the internal surface of the rear lip of the indicated sheet, and until the tongue (130) of the second sheet is locked with or without play in the groove (120) of the first sheet, with the first part (20) of each element of joint (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2 ..) locked by clamping between the tongue (130) of the second sheet and the lower lip (122) of the first sheet. Method according to claim 9, in which, during the introduction of the tongue (130) of the second sheet into the groove (120) of the first sheet, the rear lip (122) of the groove is elastically deformed (120) of the first sheet. Method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, in which, during the introduction of the tongue (130) of the second sheet into the groove (120) of the first sheet, the first part (20) is crushed. ) of each connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'). A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which, during the introduction of the tongue (130) of the second sheet into the groove (120) of the first sheet, the first part (20) is deformed ) of each connecting element (2 ""; 2 ..), so that it adapts to the inner surface (122a) of the lip posterior (122). 13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein during the introduction of the tongue (130) of the second sheet into the groove (120) of the first sheet, the second sheet is pivoted with in relation to the first sheet in the direction of the wall (P), in order to act as a lever pressure on the first part (20) of each connecting elements (2, 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2 ..) and on the rear lip (122) of the first sheet. 14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the wall is a wall or a ceiling.